“I suppose. Yes. But that was mad, no?” he whispered. Alerio’s eyes were wide.
“Be careful,” Lucius warned. “What’s the emperor going to do with him?”
“I don’t know. He’s ordered Caracalla to attend him shortly. Papinianus says I’m to come too.”
“Might be you who has to arrest Caesar,” Lucius said, his voice dark.
“That won’t go over well.” Alerio grasped the handle of his gladius. “You’d better get going. The men from sixth legion are waiting for you outside the west gate.”
Alerio leaned in to hug Lucius, which took the latter by surprise. “Take care, and let me know when you get there,” he said.
“I will.” Lucius stepped into the street in front of the barracks block. “Come and see us in the South when you get a furlough. Should be warmer down there.” Lucius smiled.
“I’ll do that.”
