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Authors: Michelle Styles
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I wish her to read the portents.’ Zenobia glanced at Androceles who nodded.
Helena’s heart plummeted. What was Zenobia doing, deferring to Captain Androceles? She never deferred to anyone. It was one of Aunt Flavia’s standing criticisms. The Lady Zenobia would not even bow to Kybele herself.
‘Is there some matter in particular you wish the sibyl to consider or is it a more general request?’ Helena forced her face to remain impassive. She must wait until her aunt spoke. She must not offer anything, jump to any conclusions.
It might only be about temple business.
Had one of the temple’s goats escaped and eaten her precious orchids? Had she not had her feet washed first duringthe ritual? What possibly could warrant this visit, rather than sending a tablet as Zenobia normally did when she had a prayer request?
‘As we are caring for the good captain’s guests, the temple hums with activity. There are many demands on the sibyl’s time. Making sure the strangers are looked after according to tradition is very important to us.’
‘I have a matter I wish to discuss with Flavia.’ Aunt Zenobia’s face wore an expression as if she tasted a very sour grape. ‘You will fetch her for me. Tell her I am here and desire an immediate audience.’
‘The sibyl must attend on us at once.’ Androceles took a step forward. He placed a hand on her aunt’s shoulder. Helena bit back a gasp. No one used that tone with Aunt Zenobia or touched her person with such familiarity. It would be demeaning to her status. ‘Zenobia, you have forgotten what we discussed earlier. You were to use the exact wording we agreed on. We are concerned about the sibyl. Her behaviour yesterday was extraordinary.’
‘Androceles is right.’ Zenobia fluttered her eyelashes and gave a simpering smile to Androceles. ‘Her behaviour at the quayside was…unusual.’
Helena’s hand instinctively sought the Kybele amulet that hung from her belt. Its familiar curves and indentations provided a measure of calm. Giving way to panic would undermine everything. Shouting at Zenobia that Androceles was using her would serve no real purpose. Some sort of accord had been reached between the two rival seafaring houses. She had to find a way of distracting them and reassuring them that everything was normal. Only her mind was as blank as an unused wax tablet. ‘The sibyl…’
‘The sibyl is resting at present. I believe I have first claimon an audience with her.’ Tullio’s rich tones came from behind her, drowning out her words.
The pair turned towards him with an identical astonished expression on their faces. As distractions went, his intervention was a good one, Helena had to admit with grudging admiration.
‘Why?’ Zenobia asked. ‘Why should you wish to see the sibyl?’
‘The sibyl did a great service to my men last night. Several received medical attention and I wish to thank her for her assistance.’
‘Who is this man that he dares speak to me like this? Does he not know who I am?’ Zenobia’s elaborate mass of curls shook. Her face turned red underneath the white lead paste she wore.
‘Marcus Livius Tullio. The sibyl graciously consented to our lodging with her until the tribute arrives from Rome.’ Tullio made a flourishing bow towards the captain. ‘Captain Androceles is responsible for our presence in this place. I do not believe it was the sibyl’s intention.’
Captain Androceles returned the bow. Helena was reminded of two gladiators giving each other elaborate courtesies before the games began.
Helena forced air into her lungs and kept her hands still. She wanted to cry out, but did not dare.
What if they came to blows in this chamber?
It would give Captain Androceles the excuse he needed to station men here. At the very least, he would demand a personal audience with Aunt Flavia. There had to be a way of preventing that from happening.
‘Are you denying that you wished to be rescued?’ Captain Androceles’s
Helena’s heart plummeted. What was Zenobia doing, deferring to Captain Androceles? She never deferred to anyone. It was one of Aunt Flavia’s standing criticisms. The Lady Zenobia would not even bow to Kybele herself.
‘Is there some matter in particular you wish the sibyl to consider or is it a more general request?’ Helena forced her face to remain impassive. She must wait until her aunt spoke. She must not offer anything, jump to any conclusions.
It might only be about temple business.
Had one of the temple’s goats escaped and eaten her precious orchids? Had she not had her feet washed first duringthe ritual? What possibly could warrant this visit, rather than sending a tablet as Zenobia normally did when she had a prayer request?
‘As we are caring for the good captain’s guests, the temple hums with activity. There are many demands on the sibyl’s time. Making sure the strangers are looked after according to tradition is very important to us.’
‘I have a matter I wish to discuss with Flavia.’ Aunt Zenobia’s face wore an expression as if she tasted a very sour grape. ‘You will fetch her for me. Tell her I am here and desire an immediate audience.’
‘The sibyl must attend on us at once.’ Androceles took a step forward. He placed a hand on her aunt’s shoulder. Helena bit back a gasp. No one used that tone with Aunt Zenobia or touched her person with such familiarity. It would be demeaning to her status. ‘Zenobia, you have forgotten what we discussed earlier. You were to use the exact wording we agreed on. We are concerned about the sibyl. Her behaviour yesterday was extraordinary.’
‘Androceles is right.’ Zenobia fluttered her eyelashes and gave a simpering smile to Androceles. ‘Her behaviour at the quayside was…unusual.’
Helena’s hand instinctively sought the Kybele amulet that hung from her belt. Its familiar curves and indentations provided a measure of calm. Giving way to panic would undermine everything. Shouting at Zenobia that Androceles was using her would serve no real purpose. Some sort of accord had been reached between the two rival seafaring houses. She had to find a way of distracting them and reassuring them that everything was normal. Only her mind was as blank as an unused wax tablet. ‘The sibyl…’
‘The sibyl is resting at present. I believe I have first claimon an audience with her.’ Tullio’s rich tones came from behind her, drowning out her words.
The pair turned towards him with an identical astonished expression on their faces. As distractions went, his intervention was a good one, Helena had to admit with grudging admiration.
‘Why?’ Zenobia asked. ‘Why should you wish to see the sibyl?’
‘The sibyl did a great service to my men last night. Several received medical attention and I wish to thank her for her assistance.’
‘Who is this man that he dares speak to me like this? Does he not know who I am?’ Zenobia’s elaborate mass of curls shook. Her face turned red underneath the white lead paste she wore.
‘Marcus Livius Tullio. The sibyl graciously consented to our lodging with her until the tribute arrives from Rome.’ Tullio made a flourishing bow towards the captain. ‘Captain Androceles is responsible for our presence in this place. I do not believe it was the sibyl’s intention.’
Captain Androceles returned the bow. Helena was reminded of two gladiators giving each other elaborate courtesies before the games began.
Helena forced air into her lungs and kept her hands still. She wanted to cry out, but did not dare.
What if they came to blows in this chamber?
It would give Captain Androceles the excuse he needed to station men here. At the very least, he would demand a personal audience with Aunt Flavia. There had to be a way of preventing that from happening.
‘Are you denying that you wished to be rescued?’ Captain Androceles’s
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