The backlash from the chariot celebration had been damning for Antonia and Magnus. Although many had commented on how entranced the audience had been at the deadly spectacle, the defiance of the birded beast (which was what the plebs were calling Aoife) had been complained about by other leading figures, and influential political members. Magnus was wise enough to reflect on his mistake. He had wanted to punish her for having the love he craved from his father but he had taken the sting to her battleground. Now he was the one recovering. Despite losing that fight, he was quick to hit Aoife where he knew it would hurt the most. The money pouch he had given Winnifred that week had been even lighter than the week before. The drip feed of money was so miniscule that the only thing she had been
