"You took the key from my father. Knowing it would make him a target for Radulf, you took the key."
"How many times do I have to say that I don't have it? I have no idea why your father said that!"
"We'll never be able to ask him. Not now."
"Maybe if
you --" I could've argued that she never should've come into the arena, that her coldhearted father had been ready to sacrifice her to prove his loyalty to Radulf. But that would've passed the guilt to her, and I wouldn't do that. Better she blamed me than herself. "Maybe not," I whispered. I removed the crepundia and held it out to her. "Thank you for this. It belongs to you, to remember your father."
Her eyes softened as she took the crepundia back. "Those children who were in the sewers with me, I have to find them again."
"I can help you do that."
But she shook her head. "I'd rather go alone. I need time, Nic."
I didn't answer, just shuffled the rest of the way to Caela on my own.
"Please don't go," Crispus said. "My father is your only protection now."
"No," I said. "I am my only protection."
With some effort, I climbed onto Caela's back and let my weight collapse into her as she flew away. She took us at a steep angle into the air and then arced over the amphitheater. I stared down into the arena, hoping the damage from my fight with Radulf hadn't been too great, but what I saw instead surprised me.
The arena was full of thousands of people, and every head below was turned to me. Arms raised up in a salute of honor, and then a cheer rose from their near silence to thundering applause. Caela cawed back, accepting their praise for herself. But I sat taller and even managed a smile. Perhaps some hope remained after all. Valerius had condemned me for Horatio's death, but the mob saw it differently. An escaped slave of Rome had just earned the hearts of the people.
The courtyard of the emperor's palace was directly uphill from the amphitheater, so I'd barely had any time to recover before Caela touched down. Surely no place on earth was so beautiful, or fitting, for my griffin. Like many other buildings in the forum, the floor was made of white marble with inlaid mosaics giving honor to the gods. The entire room was surrounded by tall columns that held up a partial roof. The red fresco walls of the courtyard were gilded with gold, which I knew was real because Caela's attention went directly to it. It was so beautiful that at first she failed to notice the emperor's guard filling the room.
But I noticed them, and straightened my back. "I wish to see Emperor Tacitus," I announced as boldly as I dared. "His life is in danger."
"So is yours," one of the soldiers replied.
I raised a hand, palm out. It lacked any feeling of magic, and I was empty of any physical strength beyond what I needed to remain upright, but he didn't know that. "The emperor must know about the Praetor War," I said. "If he rescinds the order of death upon me, I can help him."
"This isn't about the emperor's orders," a voice said from behind me. "He's thinking about my plans for you."
I turned so fast that I nearly rolled off Caela. Radulf stood in the doorway, looking far more rested from our fight than I felt. But I didn't understand. How could Radulf be here, standing in the courtyard of the emperor's palace, as if it were his own?
"You?" I blinked twice to be sure. "Where is Tacitus?"
"His Highness has just returned to Gaul for a military campaign there, leaving me in charge. After five centuries of rule, with millions of my people slaughtered or enslaved, apparently Rome still has not yet conquered it enough. So the wars continue."
"You're a general of Rome," I said. "You were a part of those wars!"
"Was I?" He sounded amused. "Or am I the reason why Rome must still continue to battle those ... barbarians? Because perhaps Rome has a barbarian at the head of its armies? My soldiers will never betray me."
"Maybe they're just waiting for the right time. Later today, if we're lucky."
Radulf motioned for his men to raise their bows at Caela. "Get rid of that bird," he said. "Or else we'll cook it for supper."
"No!" I raised a hand, hoping for enough magic to repel them, but still there was nothing. That was no small surprise. The bulla was empty.
Caela angrily cawed back at him. Even if she didn't understand his words, she would know the cruel tone of his voice. I nudged her side, urging her to take flight again, but as she reared back, I lost my grip and fell to the marble floor. The bows arced in her direction and I kicked at her leg, urging her into the air. "Go," I said to her. "Leave me -- now!"
Caela looked back at me, but I swatted at her again, and then ducked as she spread her wings and flew away. I was alone, once more. Probably never to see her again.
Radulf's soldiers turned their arrows toward me. "How is your magic?" Radulf asked.
With great effort, I got to my feet and stood tall, hoping it would hide the fact that I felt absolutely nothing. The bulla weighed less now, and hung cold against my chest. "How's your reputation?" I countered. "At least fifty thousand Romans saw what you really are. They know you killed Horatio. The emperor can't be far from here yet. How long until he learns the truth?"