A loud clapping went through the room then as slaves began to carry in platters of roasted venison and boar, trout stuffed with grains, an array of delicate birds, and dormice stuffed with chopped olives.
The low tables that lay in a long row flanked by couches were filled, and everyone was ushered to their assigned couches as Papinianus and Castor helped the emperor to descend the steps to his own couch at the head of the gathering.
Lucius found himself half-way down the length of couches, beside Senator Dio, and across from Nearchus Chioticus, the Coastal Praefectus.
When everyone was settled, Severus held up his golden cup of wine, and poured a libation on the floor.
“To Jupiter, Mars, and Baal, the Light of the World. To victory, and a lasting peace!”
Everyone held up their cups,
