7
Not The Man
The bright morning sun did little to ease the crisp air, but it brought what people were in Ostia to the forum. Wrapped in heavy cloaks over layers of clothing, tradesmen hawked their wares beside empty stalls, barbers busied themselves with blades, and the patricians and politicians stood in groups in the center of the large plaza chatting and exchanging gossip.
The empty shops marked only by the mosaic emblems set in the stones in front showed how much the town had dwindled only to serve the few patricians who still came to their country retreats. Argolicus knew he had made the right decision when he noticed the clusters of men talking in the large plaza. He turned to Pacilus.
“If you see any of those men on the list, point them out discreetly. Tell me his name. Mention
