8
The Price Of Nobility
Nikolaos clutched the wrapped pack of vellum sheets under his arm. Argolicus strode in thought along the main road of Ostia, Decumanus Maximus. When the road angled toward the town wall, he continued walking headed for the main gate and the shore of the ocean. They passed the baths and the guild house and working people on the street who served the needs of the lingering patricians. Argolicus was the only patrician on the street as they walked between shops, workshops, bars, restaurants interspersed by empty buildings toward the city gate.
Argolicus spoke. “There was snow in Rome, but it seems colder here, even with the sun almost at midday.”
“No complaining,” Nikolaos chided.
“I’m stating a fact. I feel as though it’s the only fact I know at the moment. My hea
