Darkness was falling early when the peculiar hollow sound made by shod hooves on wet paving stones were heard in the courtyard. The previous year’s dampness was looking to continue in the current year. As gatehouse was always manned, then door attendant didn’t bother and discover the credentials; he simply led the messenger to wait in the kitchen while he fetched his Mistress.

“Domina, a messenger for you,” he said, finding her ensconced in her sitting room playing her harp.

“Not for my husband?”

“No, Domina, for you. Only for you.” Cornelia frowned, but rose and led the way to the kitchen.

‘You have something for me?” she asked the unkempt and wet individual sipping hot wine. He smiled a tired smile.

“Yes, Dominilla… or Domina now.”

“What? I don’t think…..,” Cornelia , her face going from a mild confusion to annoyance to surprise. “Of course. You were my father’s batman in a past campaign, weren’t you? When he was with Metellus Pius in Spain.”

‘Yes Domina, you do remember,” the unkempt man said smiling more broadly and showing a few teeth had been knocked out in some past campaign. Or bar fight.

“ I’m sorry, I don’t remember your name.”

“Capernicus, Domina.”

“I am afraid my father is still under siege in Parthia, so I can’t help you get to him, if that is why you are here. I haven’t heard anything on his status in some time. I haven’t heard from him in almost two years.”

Capernicus, as hardened a man as he was, found it in him to have some sensitivity towards a woman who in practice, could wield far more political influence than he could ever hope to.

“Domina, that is why I have come to you I such a ragged state. I come to you with a message from your father.” He handed her a small leather item tied together with some leather strips. “ I am still your father’s batman. I would have come sooner, but I had a few other errands, and did not know the status of your husband.”

Cornelia untied the little parcel with calm hands, and found a small bit of parchment, and the Scipio signet ring, from old Scipio himself. He always thought it his luck. Though the last 4 years it hadn’t brought Fortuna to smile upon him, that was for sure. She rapidly read the parchment, then looked up at Capernicus.

……………………………….................................................................................................................

Lidia found Porcia reading by the light of some strong lamps.

‘Domina,’ she said nervously. Porcia made her far more nervous than her own rather stiff mistress did. “The lady Cornelia has fainted in the kitchen, and you are wanted. Some dirty man brought her a message or something.”