Caecilia was stunned. There had been peaceful trade between the Rasenna and Gauls for years. What had caused them to become warlike? Did they, like the Romans, now covet the fertile pastures of the League? “So Postumius’s force deserted for no other reason than rumor?”
Mastarna nodded. “So it seems. The tale of the rising of the Twelve proved to be as potent as an advancing army. But with the help of the other three Rasennan cities, Karcuna and I scored a decisive victory at Nepete. Thefarie did the same at Capena against Titinius, who was slain. The roads south were clogged with soldiers scurrying back to Rome.” He squeezed Caecilia’s hand. “Aemilius and Marcus were among them.”
“So there will be no force to invade Rome?”
Mastarna frowned. “There’s no need, Bellatrix. It will be some time before our foe recovers both its pride and strength.”
A sense of foreboding spread through her. With news of the confederation’s support, she’d believed her destiny was secure. Now, once again, the fickle goddess had set her wheel of fortune spinning in a different direction. “So no advantage can be gained from your victories after all?”
“Advantage? Of course there was benefit in our success. Our allies are now free from the Roman menace. And the northern trade routes are open. When I heard the Romans had deserted I rode ahead.”
Her unease deepened. “So Rome will remain unconquered, then.”
Mastarna stared at her. “There’s opportunity for peace now, Bellatrix. Do you still want bloodshed when Veii is no longer surrounded? You’re a fiercer warrior than I.”
She withdrew her hand from under his. “I’m not ashamed to want the Rasenna to once again rule Rome. What if the enemy returns and the wolf once again bays outside our door? Three of the Twelve are with us. Why not command Thefarie and Karcuna to continue on with those allies?” She looked at Lusinies. “Why not muster all Veii’s tribes to fight?”
She saw Vel’s shock at her challenge. He scanned the thin frames of Tarchon and Lusinies before returning to meet her eyes. “And what type of men are we to lead, Bellatrix? Feluske is dead. We would lead a force of armed scarecrows. And without all in the Brotherhood, there’s no chance of taking and holding Rome.”
She reddened, ashamed she should press him. He was fit and healthy, but she could see the strain in his eyes. Who was she to urge a general to follow her strategy? What right did she have to strive for conquest just because she feared she’d taunted Fate?
“Then you believe the Romans are defeated, Father. That they will not return?” said Tarchon.
Mastarna dragged his attention from his wife. “I doubt it. We’re in a position of power once again. And this war depletes Rome’s resources and costs lives, too. The Romans suffered heavy losses in the north before they retreated. Let’s see if they have any resolve to begin again once we’ve dismantled their fortifications. Let’s see if the common soldier has the appetite to pay more war tax while shivering in winter and sweltering in summer far from home.”
The sound of children’s voices raised in excitement cut through the somberness of the conversation. Mastarna’s frown vanished. He stood, gesturing Arruns to allow the princes to enter.
There was a scrape of chairs as the others also rose to bow and then depart the room.
Vel clasped Caecilia’s hand. “Don’t worry, Bellatrix, I believe Nortia has spared us.”
Larce and Arnth rushed in, clambering over their father, who let them haul him to the floor: the great warrior conquered by a puny assault. Even Tas joined in, standing behind his father and wrapping his arms around his neck. And as Vel pulled Caecilia down to join the jumble of boys, she pushed apprehension aside to delight in the moment of sweet and heady reunion.
FORTY-SIX
Semni, Spring, Veii, 396 BC
The joy at the lifting of the siege had waned. Married life was not as Semni imagined. Constrained by their duties, she and her husband could not reside together. The barracks were no place for Nerie, and Arruns balked at sleeping next to the nursery. They snatched time together when Semni would visit his cell after the boy was asleep. It was a relief to feel no guilt when lying with him, but being denied the chance to wake beside him fostered frustration. She thought more and more of a life where the needs of others were not paramount. She did not want Arruns to be required to die for another man’s family. And so, as the babe grew within her, so did her discontent.
In the few weeks since the king’s return, she’d often steal into the loggia at night before visiting Arruns at the end of his shift. There she would confide her worries to the row of caryatids whose fair, solemn faces never expressed disapproval.
The night was mild, the stars blanketing the sky in a swirling milky mass. The moon was lucent and bright, illuminating the forum and its buildings. Standing at the gallery’s balustrade, Semni wondered if she would see the same constellations if she traveled across the Great Sea to Canaan. Then she chided herself, knowing her dream of seeing distant shores was verging on delusion. She was better served looking forward to spending a short time in her husband’s bed. But as she headed down the stairs, she was startled to find Arruns at the bottom. He clasped her hand. “What are you doing here? I’ve been looking for you.”
Before she could answer, they heard voices in the courtyard: the soft feminine tones of Lady Caecilia, the deep bass of the king, and Prince Tarchon’s, which was light in comparison to his father’s. Twelve lictors followed the royal trio, stationing themselves at intervals at the outer doors and entrances leading from the open-roofed hall.
Arruns signaled Semni to be quiet by placing his finger to his lips, directing her to copy him as he pressed against the wall of the stairwell.
Lady Caecilia’s voice was cheery. “It’s such a beautiful night, Vel. Can’t we sit beneath the stars for our council meeting? I’m tired of the fustiness of the war chamber. It only reminds me of grim times.”
Aware they would be eavesdropping on official business, Semni glanced at Arruns, but he remained inscrutable.
She heard Prince Tarchon laugh, teasing the queen for such an indulgence. The king sounded good humored. “Very well, Bellatrix. If we’re to talk of peace, then let it be under night skies.”
A tremor of excitement buzzed through Semni. Impassive, Arruns gestured her to ascend the stairs. They crept into the loggia, crossing to the opposite side of the gallery to the one facing the forum. From there they could look down on the nobles in the courtyard. They crouched behind the balustrade. Her husband’s stealth reminded her it was his job to merge into the shadows to watch and listen. She clutched his forearm, thrilled by the subterfuge. How much had he overheard in his time in Veii?
Two lictors arranged five bronze armchairs in a circle. Servant boys hastened to serve the king, queen, and prince wine.
General Karcuna was the first to arrive. He frowned at the arrangement, casting a doubtful look at the king when he heard he was pandering to his wife’s whim.