Chapter 4It was a windy, overcast evening when the wine merchant Marcus Albinus decided to visit his uncle’s home. He worried over his cloak as the wind tugged at it and was grateful to find shelter from the elements inside. His uncle’s home was larger than his own small lodgings. It greeted its visitors with pearl-white columns and statues of his patron goddess, Penelopia. Once inside the atrium, Marcus could hear the chatter of guests that had arrived before him. His late arrival would be a shock to no one, as Marcus was not known for his timeliness. Still, the Vivarrians would be far too occupied with their conversational partners to make much note of the straggler who had just arrived. Marcus accepted a glass of wine from one of the servants before pushing past the crowd of well-dresse
