Fire and Sword. Harry Sidebottom

was at Pupienus’ elbow. ‘Augustus, retire into the temple.’

      With what dignitas he could maintain – stones rattling off the marble – Pupienus went back up the steps. Disappointingly, Balbinus blundered past. For a moment, Pupienus had hoped outraged stupidity might have left Balbinus to be torn apart by the mob.

      Pupienus paused at the doors, looked back. Timesitheus and the equestrians, blades in hand, were backing up the steps. The hail of stones had ceased.

      In the cella, all the Senators were talking at once, like a flock of frightened birds.

      Balbinus came up to Pupienus, grabbed the folds of his toga. ‘This is all your fault. There is no way out. We are trapped.’

      Pupienus disengaged the grasping hands. The doors were not shut, but blocked by the armed young men. Pupienus went over to Timesitheus. ‘Do you think you can get through them?’

      ‘I am not a Senator. They should not harm me.’

      ‘Go and summon the troops.’

      A strange light danced in Timesitheus’ eyes, like a candle behind glass. ‘Trust me, Augustus, and see what will happen. I will save you all.’

       CHAPTER 8

       Rome

       The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Eight Days before the Ides of April, AD238

      Caenis wanted to see them elect a new Emperor. She had gone to watch the eunuchs dancing in front of the Temple of Cybele the day before, but had not got tickets for the theatre, and it was days until the next festival.

      She had packed a simple meal – bread, cheese, a couple of hard-boiled eggs, some lettuce, and a flask of wine – and invited the old die-cutter to go with her. Although sometimes she let him into her bed for free, she had no great affection for her neighbour. Yet long experience had taught her that she would be bothered less if she were accompanied by a man. To the same end, she had dressed like a respectable woman: a long, plain gown, bands in her hair, sensible sandals, no jewellery or make-up. Many girls would be working the streets during the Festival of Magna Mater, but Caenis had not applied for a permit. It was not that she did not need the money, rather that she thought she had found other ways to raise what was necessary to escape her life, leave Rome, and reinvent herself.