by L. M. Roth
“Oh, Father, I am so sorry!” she managed to say through her tears. “I did not mean to make you angry; indeed, I thought you would be delighted as Antonius is already a friend of the family.”
Marcus felt his heart begin to beat with a steady pounding, and his breath came in slow, hard gasps.
“What are you saying,” he said with the emphasis on every word he spoke.
Felicia wiped her eyes and after taking a deep breath, rose to her feet with a dignity that Marcus had never seen in her before. She turned to face him with eyes that did not waver or blink, her shoulders held back and her chin held high. She looked every inch a lady, and even in such a moment he thought how pleased Tullia would be could she see her daughter.
“I mean,” came the incredible words from his daughter’s lips, “that Antonius and I are married.”
Marcus felt the room swirl around him as his heart suddenly stopped its pounding and jerked in his chest.
“We were married the day before yesterday.”
Marcus did not dare touch his daughter, so great was the wrath that filled him. And how nearly he could have prevented the marriage; it had taken place but two days ago! How his delay in Erinia and the land journey in Valerium had cost him time!
Felicia knew by his expression that she was in serious trouble. She hastened to make amends with her father, confident that he would understand in a way that her mother never would.
“Father,” she said as the words spilled out of her, “Antonius and I love each other. Oh, so much! And I was afraid that Mother already had another young man in mind for me, and I could not bear to be parted from Antonius. I could not!”
Calm down, Marcus advised himself. Remember that she knows nothing of this man’s father and what he did to her mother…
“Felicia,” he began.
His voice broke and he took a moment to fill his lungs with air before beginning again.
“Darling,” he began again.
And then he looked at his daughter, her eyes begging for his blessing, and tears filled his eyes and spilled down his face. How often he had thanked Dominio for this child, and now he was going to have to hurt her…
“Felicia, I do not know of any such plans on your mother’s part. She only wishes you to have the opportunities that every young lady of your station has, to meet eligible young men and make an appropriate choice.
“But,” his voice grew suddenly stern, “you dishonored her and me again! by marrying this young man in secret without our consent or blessing. And I am not happy with Antonius at the moment either, for talking you into a secret marriage. When your mother returns we shall confront his parents together. Until then I forbid you to see Antonius at all.”
“But we are married, Father,” she defied him. “You can not forbid us to meet; we are man and wife.”
She jerked out her lower lip in the gesture Tullia hated and at the moment Marcus found himself agreeing with his wife. The girl needed a good beating for all of the trouble she had brought on them in the last few months!
“You are only seventeen and living under my roof, and if I forbid you to do something, you shall not do it!”
“You can not stop me,” Felicia said, indignation pouring out of her, “I shall go to Antonius and we shall go somewhere together.”
“That you certainly shall not!” her father erupted. “I can still prevent that from happening!”
“How?” Felicia asked, crossing her arms over her chest defiantly.
For Marcus the gesture was the last straw.
“Like this!”
He took her by the arm and forcibly dragged her out of the family room. She dug in her heels to resist but he yanked her after him and led her to the small room off of the atrium where Tullia brought in fresh flowers from the garden. It was tiny and used only for that purpose. It lacked windows, so there was no possibility of escape from it.
Marcus tossed his daughter into it and closed it. He called for Otho over the sound of his daughter’s shrieks. Otho appeared quickly and pretended not to hear the wailing of the daughter of the house. He produced the key to the little room from the ring that he always carried attached to his belt. Marcus grabbed it and locked the door.
Felicia could be heard beating on the door from the other side. Marcus enlisted Otho to help him pull a heavy wooden chest of drawers that stood in the atrium which they placed in front of the door. It was wider than the door to the room and was so tall that it came to Marcus’ chin.
Should Felicia somehow manage to unlock the door, he reasoned, she would not be able to open it, nor climb over the chest which was as tall as she was.
He thanked Otho for his service and went to his own room, oblivious to Felicia’s screams of fury.
Sleep eluded him, as one scene from the past after another chased through his mind. Of all the young men that his daughter could have chosen, why did it have to be the son of his enemy? Were it not for that fact he would have gladly welcomed Antonius, loving his gentleness and devotion to Dominio.
But now he would be tied to Decimus Hadrianus in kinship for the rest of his life…
When morning came he rose at his usual time and descended the stairs to the little room where he had locked in his daughter the night before. It was silent within: he knocked on the door.
“Yes, Father,” came a voice considerably chastened.
Perhaps the night in the improvised prison had done Felicia some good, he thought.
“Did you sleep well?” he inquired in a courteous tone.
“No, for I had troubling dreams,” she answered quietly. “May I tell them to you?”
Marcus debated whether to enter the room or have her relate the dreams through the door. Was it possible that this was a ruse to escape? If so, she would not get far.
He decided to take the risk.
“I am coming in,” he announced.
He called for Otho and together they removed the chest of drawers. Marcus unlocked the door, but kept the key. When he had entered the room, he locked the door again and put the key in the pocket of his robe.
Felicia stood before him pale, with deep circles under her eyes. She held out a limp hand and he took it, kissing it quickly before releasing it. She came closer and placed a hand on his cheek in mute apology. He found himself relenting and put his arm around her.
For a moment she nestled against him, and then drew back abruptly.
“My dream was very disturbing,” she said, pacing the room and clasping her hands before her.
“Tell me,” he soothed.
She turned a look of fear upon him that erased all remaining anger from his heart. It was clear that she did indeed have a dream that upset her.
“It was of Mother,” she said simply, and shrugged her shoulders.
Felicia now had her father’s full attention.
“Yes,” he pleaded. “What of her?”
“There was a strange land, and in it I saw people who were so beautiful and happy. Then I had a vision of a peculiar looking fruit; pale pink with a satiny texture. I have never seen anything like it. It seemed to grow in the strange land. And then I saw my mother: she was sleeping and could not be aroused.”
Felicia turned a troubled gaze upon her father, and Marcus had a feeling of alarm rise up within him. He patted her shoulder absently as his thoughts raced through his mind.
Where was Tullia? And what fate had befallen her?
Otho knocked at the door of the little room. Marcus hastened to unlock the door and open it to admit him.
“Sir,” he said, “you have a visitor who wishes to speak to you.”
Marcus glanced back at Felicia questioningly. She appeared subdued; could he trust her enough to let her out?
He thought not.
He left the room and locked her back in it, not taking the time, however, to place the chest of drawers in front of it.
He followed Otho to the atrium, where Paulina Hadrianus stood waiting for him. Inwardly he groaned; he sim
ply did not feel equipped to face another member of the Hadrianus family at the moment.
Paulina, however, could not be put off.
“Good morning, Marcus,” she said. “I heard from Antonius that you returned, and I thought perhaps Tullia came back with you. I wished to see her, as it has been quite some time and I wished to consult her on some decorating matters. She has such a gift for it and I want her advice on how to change my sitting room.”
“She is not here,” he said. “I have been wondering myself where she and Lucius are. I have been informed that they left in a great hurry one day and did not even leave a message for me.”
“Why, how odd! It is true that she did leave in a great hurry. She and Lucius came to call on me one morning and they left that same day. Or so I am told.”
Marcus pricked up his ears as a sense of urgency came over him.
“Why did they call?” he demanded. “Was it an ordinary visit? Or was there some matter she wished to discuss with you?”
Paulina paused to cast her mind back as Marcus waited impatiently for her to speak.
“Nooo, it was an ordinary visit,” she murmured with a pucker furrowing her brow, “but she did something that later struck me as rather peculiar.”
“What was that?”
“She inquired after Antonius, who had been rather ill, and I told her that he had been able to leave his room and that he broke his fast with me. Tullia asked if his father was at home, as I did not mention him, and I explained that he left the day before to visit a sick uncle in Lucerna. She did not stay long after that, and I heard the next day that she and Lucius had left quite suddenly.”
Marcus stared at her with unseeing eyes. Why did Tullia wish to know if Decimus was at home? Was it possible that she and Lucius had followed Decimus to Lucerna? Why would she follow a man she hated and feared?
And was this the reason she had not left Marcus a note, knowing how he felt about his old enemy?
Chapter XXX
A Journey Together
Marcus thanked Paulina and enquired after Antonius. He was well, quite well, she told him.
Good, very good, Marcus replied. Because he was about to leave on a journey and required a traveling companion. He would have taken Lucius had he been at home, but as Antonius was such a good friend of the family he would like to take him in his son’s place.
Paulina smiled ingratiatingly and asked Otho to send for Antonius to come at once. It did not take him long to arrive, and when he did Marcus greeted him with a warm smile.
He casually walked around the atrium, talking to his guests until he stood before the door of the little room where Felicia was still imprisoned. He turned to face Antonius as though he did not have a care in the world.
“Antonius,” he said, “I am leaving today on a rather long journey and require a traveling companion. It has always been my policy that no journey should be undertaken without a companion lest one encounter illness or injury on the road and assistance should be needed. If my son were here I would have him accompany me. As he is not, I wish to engage your services instead.”
Marcus noted that the young man turned a little pale, but gulped and regained his composure quickly.
He would be delighted, he assured Marcus hastily, to accompany him. Most gladly would he serve him!
“Thank you, my son. I shall be packed and ready in no time. I would advise you to send at once for your things and be ready in an hour’s time.”
Marcus raised his voice loud enough for his daughter to hear.
“Felicia will be most grieved to discover that I am leaving again so soon after my arrival and with her mother and brother still away. But I am sure she will be relieved to know that I am not going alone.”
He then beamed a dazzling smile upon his secret son-in-law and enjoyed the young man’s discomfort.
“I know just how delighted she will be when she hears that you are coming with me.”
They were on the road within an hour. Paulina had been flustered at the urgency with which Marcus had commandeered her son to accompany him on his sudden journey, but she obliged him and said she would be sure to call on Drusilla so that she should not be too lonely in the absence of most of the family. And she was so looking forward to meeting his daughter, for Antonius had mentioned to her last night that she had returned from her travels. Marcus did not comment on that remark.
They soon left Lycenium behind them and headed east for the uttermost edge of the Empire. Marcus had never been to Lucerna, but it was a land that intrigued him, and one he wished to visit. How he might have enjoyed this expedition were it not for the necessity behind it!
Antonius was very quiet as they rode along. Marcus felt that horses would be quicker than a cumbersome carriage that would hamper their speed, and so he and Antonius packed lightly, taking only what was needed. Marcus had Otho prepare some food, and he supplied them with plenty of dried fruit, cheese, and bread, the staples that Marcus took on any journey that might require him to make his accommodation on the road.
In spite of the need to find Tullia, and the unresolved situation with Felicia, he found his heart lighten as they left Lycenium behind them and they headed into the wild. How he missed his younger days, so filled with adventure! It had been far too long since the last time he had taken to the open road, leaving his destination to chance and the leading of Dominio.
He noted that Antonius appeared somewhat somber and that the young man cast many furtive glances in his direction. Marcus decided, however, to save conversation for stops on the road.
At the end of the first day they found a small copse of trees set well back from the road that would provide shelter. Marcus signaled to Antonius to stop, and when they had tied their horses to a couple of trunks they prepared to make camp for the night. Over their meal Marcus at last allowed the luxury of conversation.
He decided to wait and confront Antonius about his secret marriage to Felicia until they were back on the road from Lucerna. He did not wish to risk having the young man fly from him back to Felicia and perhaps run away with her. It was all Marcus could do to restrain himself from upbraiding the young man, but in this case silence was the wisest course.
Antonius, however, surprised him on the very first evening.
“Sir,” he began hesitantly, and cleared his throat.
Marcus looked at him searchingly and seeing the questioning look in the young man’s eyes, felt his heart begin to beat its strange pounding once more.
“Sir,” Antonius began again, “there is something I must tell you.”
“Yes?” Marcus queried.
“I respect and admire you sir, and therefore I feel I must be honest with you about something. Something I have done.”
Marcus waited.
Antonius cleared his throat again, and surveyed the ground at his feet before continuing.
“I, I…I married your daughter, sir,” he sputtered and suddenly coughed. “It was very sudden and very secret, and I know we should have told our parents. But we did not. I take full responsibility, sir.”
He stared at Marcus and turned red, and then pale, and then red again. Then he gazed at Marcus questioningly.
“You know,” he stated.
“I got it out of Felicia after you left last night,” Marcus admitted. “Why did you think I demanded that you accompany me? I think it best to keep the two of you apart until my wife and your parents have been informed.”
Antonius reddened again, but took the rebuke with good grace.
“I am sorry, sir,” he said softly, then his words came out in a rush of emotion. “But I love your daughter so much! She is the best thing that has ever happened to me, the greatest joy I have ever known! Please say you will give us your blessing, sir.”
Marcus continued to stare at Antonius with the same unflinching gaze until the young man dropped his eyes.
Were it not for Decimus and how angry I know Tullia will be I would give my blessing, he thought. For I truly do love
this young man and think he will be an excellent match for my daughter.
“I am sorry, Antonius. I am not free to give you my blessing until I have consulted with my wife. And I am searching for her at the moment. Your wife will have to wait for now.”
When they entered Lucerna, Marcus was astounded by the incredible beauty of the land. He had heard it said that it was lovely beyond belief, but he did not believe everything he heard, rumor having been wrong far too often. Now as he beheld the vast mountain ranges and inhaled the crisp pure air, and glimpsed clear lakes he held his breath, certain that if he exhaled it would blow away the land below him as it would a puff of smoke.
Antonius also seemed entranced by the village below them. His face beamed with quiet appreciation and he turned his head this way and that as if to take in everything at once.
Two guards asked their business and admitted them when they heard the name Maximus. Even now, Marcus thought, the name of his father was legendary. A thought struck him suddenly.
“And this is Antonius Hadrianus,” he announced to them. “Perhaps you are familiar with his uncle who lives here in your splendid land.”
They looked at him blankly, and then turned to each other and shot questioning gazes. Shaking their heads they turned back to Marcus.
“We have no one by that name in Lucerna. No one at all.”
Chapter XXXI
The Wise Woman
Dirk was not satisfied with his sister’s explanation. He and Judoc bade Dag rest and they left the room with Nolwenn in order to question her regarding the potion that had nearly killed her father.
When he questioned Nolwenn he got only sobs and cries of ‘It isn’t my fault, it isn’t my fault,’ over and over until he at last shook her by the arms and slapped her across the face. This dire action appeared to have some salutary effect on the girl, who snapped out of her hysteria and sat down in a chair to collect herself. Her sobs gradually died down and she told him and Judoc all that had happened. It was a strange tale indeed.
