The slaves jumped down quickly from their perches on the driving bench and bent their backs to putting the moveable steps in place for Lucius and Adara to come down.
All eyes were on the couple, the beautiful, dark-haired woman in the blue and gold stola, and the ‘Dragon Praefectus’ who had wreaked havoc on the tribes north of the Wall, only now he wore the toga angusticlavia instead of armour. It was whispered there and then that the Lady Metella was personally acquainted with the empress, almost as much as her husband was a personal favourite of the emperor.
“Welcome to you both!” Crescens broke away from the small group of men in richly coloured togas and pressed his hand into Lucius’. “We’re so glad you were able to join us.”
“As are we, Serenus Crescens,” Lucius answered.
“Oh plea
