Read Online Pandora Gets Greedy by Carolyn Hennesy - Free Book Online

watch us all die horrible deaths?”
    Suddenly, a thought hit Pandy like a bolt of lightning.
    â€œWhere’s Hera … and Juno?”
    Before Alcie could even try to come up with an answer, someone was shoved into Lucius, who crashed into his wife, who crashed into someone else, sending a ripple effect throughout the crowd.
    â€œJupiter,” Lucius said loudly, straightening himself and his wife. “If Caesar doesn’t finish the Curio Julia soon, I’ll …”
    â€œYou will what, noble Lucius?” came a question from close by.
    Lucius snapped his head and found himself almost face to face with Julius Caesar, on his way to the dais, who had stopped when he heard Lucius’s comment. Lucius realized that he, and everyone else, had been pushed out of the way to make room for Caesar’s entourage.
    â€œPlease go on,” Caesar said with a smile that wasn’t really a smile. “If I don’t finish the Curio soon, you will …
what
?”
    â€œI will … continue to serve Rome and its citizens in any and every way possible,” he said. “And from whatever location Caesar decides, be it the Theatrum Pompeium or the Curio Julia, should it ever be completed, or the top of a tree.”
    â€œThe top of a tree!” Caesar laughed. “Perhaps that can be arranged, Senator. I should like to see you legislate from amongst the leaves!”
    Those closest to Caesar laughed as Lucius fought to keep from turning red with anger and humiliation. Caesar’s entourage continued forward until at last Caesar mounted the dais and turned to face the crowd.
    â€œCitizens of Rome!” he began, and from the time it took the sun to move from three to four on the nearest sundial, Caesar saluted the populace, told of the glories that were in the city’s future and detailed the far reach of the Roman Empire. He made clear that Rome was and would continue to be, “until the moment Phoebus refuses to pull the sun across the sky,” the greatest city in the known world.
    â€œAthens,” Alcie coughed in disgust, covering her mouth.
    Fortunately no one had heard except Pandy, and Pandy dug her fingernails into Alcie’s wrist when she saw Alcie was about to say it again. Caesar went on to tell how he was going to urge the Senate to allow thebuilding of permanent structures for sporting games, chariot races and theatrical productions.
    â€œI envision a Colosseum, a hippodrome, a Circus Maximus. And I believe that you, the people of Rome, will
not
be incited to riot at the sight of the spectacles of skill and daring to be held in these places. We witnessed such a spectacle today …”
    At this, he motioned into the crowd and Homer, flanked by two men, walked nervously onto the dais.
    â€œâ€¦ and you did not tear down the scaffolding at the sight of the mercy shown to this noble youth! I believe, and the Senate will know, that you are above such behavior!”
    The crowd cheered loudly. It was Alcie’s turn to grip Pandy at the sight of Homer.
    â€œEasy,” she said to Alcie. “Easy, we can’t get to him yet.”
    Pandy looked about, seeing senators she knew shaking their heads slightly and pursing their lips in subtle disagreement at Caesar’s edict.
    â€œI shall also, as one of my first acts, declare that one of our immortals—someone who deserves a higher place in the pantheon of the gods—be given her rightful status!”
    The crowd hushed.
    â€œI shall completely redesign, rebuild, and reroutethe sewer system and, at various points, erect temples to one of our most important but often overlooked deities: Cloacina, Goddess of the Sewers!”
    At this, the crowd nearly did riot—with joy. Rome had an advanced sewer system, but of late it had fallen into disrepair—which was evident if one took a deep breath.
    â€œI only hope that I live long enough to see the completion of such