Fvlvia walked a little longer in the garden with her sister after dinner, before Kyra prepared them for bed. She declared triumphantly that she had been right: Malricus was withdrawn. He had barely spoken during the meal.
Aemilia did not wish to upset herself before sleep. Whenever the young orator came up, she immediately changed the subject. During their short walk, Fvlvia did not mention him again.
In the middle of the night, she awoke to furtive sounds—soft ssst and pssszt noises. She wanted to know what had disturbed her sleep. She draped a light shawl over her night robe and peered out through the door of her chamber.
"Oh. It's only Malricus returning from somewhere with Bato."
She wondered where they might have spent the night.
She entrusted even her most private matters to Bato. He faithfully tended to the letters Fvlvia and Aurelius, her betrothed, wrote to one another. Aurelius' servant always handed the letters to Bato, and Bato passed Fvlvia's replies back in turn.
I'll have the chance to question him, she thought.
"Tomorrow I'll ask where they were," she decided, before falling back asleep.
In the morning, she attended to the weekly shopping with her sister and Kyra. They never stockpiled too many creams, salves, or scented oils—and they genuinely enjoyed the time spent together among the vendors.
Kyra knew exactly which colors and shades suited the girls. They always chose together. Even their friends often asked Kyra for advice.
That morning, Malricus was not mentioned. Fvlvia did not say that the young orator and Bato had returned home in the dead of night. Wherever they had gone, they were surely still asleep at this hour.
The market women warmly offered their wares in finely wrought silver boxes and colorful glass bottles. They lingered long at the stalls.
"I'm so glad you thought of the hair salve," Kyra said happily.
A few days earlier, when Malricus had seen Fvlvia from afar, this was exactly what the girl had been arranging with her friend. One vendor's mixture was so well made that Roman women snapped it up in moments. The other vendors were envious, but she kept the exact ratio of fat and ash a secret. Now she had set aside the necessary amount for the girls.
The sun shone brightly—perfect for an afternoon of beauty rituals.
"Let's send word to Claudia!" Fvlvia suggested with delight.
Aemilia was just as pleased that they had found the salve at that stall.
Kyra's woven basket was already full of cosmetics enough for the entire week.
"I'll take these home, then let Claudia know," she offered.
The sisters bought flowers from one of the vendors. Today, they would go together to Minerva's temple.
They walked comfortably, cheerfully, when Fvlvia suddenly felt as though someone were following them, watching them.
She was not mistaken. It was the old madman Maximus—as Aemilia had called him in the forum.
"What could he want?" Fvlvia whispered to her sister.
Aemilia looked back as well. They quickened their pace, but when the old man did the same, it became clear that he meant to speak to them.
"Let's wait for him," Aemilia said first, recovering from her alarm.
"The worst that can happen is that he calls us lupas and meretrices," Fvlvia whispered.
Still, they looked around carefully. Among the vendors were strong-built men. The girls knew that even these merchants kept cudgels close at hand against market thieves—and did not hesitate to use them if trouble arose nearby.
They slowed their steps, pretending to browse.
Maximus caught up to them. As if by accident, the clay vessel in his hands slipped and fell. A generous handful of mixed grain spilled onto the ground. Perhaps he had been carrying it as an offering to some god. The vessel did not break.
He doesn't seem either old or mad, Fvlvia thought for a moment.
Then she immediately reconsidered.
Maximus examined the fallen vessel and the spilled grain. Before lifting it, he revealed the mark burned into his skin. Someone had branded a rooster into his forearm with a hot iron. Judging by the scar, it had happened long ago.
It's as if his eyes are glowing, Fvlvia thought, startled.
The street vendors began to pay attention.
Maximus spoke calmly, quietly, looking straight into Fvlvia's eyes.
"The breath of a curse can already be felt upon you—but do not fear. I give you a blessing. Walk the path of your fate, but only the path of your fate."
He did not release her gaze. Fvlvia stood there, stunned. She felt no fear. It was as if a force had pressed upon her, then gentled, becoming part of her bloodstream.
Maximus truly had given a blessing.
Then he turned on his heel and left without another word.
"He really is mad," Aemilia decided.
Fvlvia did not judge him. She was still shivering from his words and his gaze.
"He bore the sign of Mars," she said at last.
"An old madman," her sister repeated curtly.
"At least the pigeons will eat well today," Fvlvia said, easing the tension.
For a while, neither of them thought of Maximus again.
♡
By the time the girls returned home, Kyra had already prepared everything diligently. She had brought four woven chairs into the sunny part of the garden, a small table, a light wooden bowl, linen capes, a spatula—everything required for the procedure.
She had also placed the hair salve made from fat and ash on the table. She had forgotten to bring down the essential oils from the basket, but those would only be needed at the end anyway. There would be time to fetch them.
By the time the girls arrived, Claudia had arrived as well. Since Fvlvia had not attended the reading the day before, Claudia had brought along the passages she found most outstanding.
Bato will read them aloud, Fvlvia thought.At least they would not be bored while the salve took effect in the sun.
But Bato was not home. He had accompanied Malricus to the forum again that day.
"I'll read them," Fvlvia offered.
Kyra also received some of the hair salve. With the girls, she was more companion than servant.
That day, Claudia stayed for dinner as well. They appeared carefully prepared—fresh, fragrant.
Malricus stared at them again during the meal. Fvlvia found nothing strange in this. Their hair color had lightened, and they wore new styles. The young man noticed.
What she regretted was that she had not been able to question Bato that day. She had only seen him long enough to receive Aurelius' letter.
And that had been in front of Aemilia, Claudia, and Kyra.
Fvlvia read the letter later. Aurelius would visit the afternoon after next.
"At least he'll meet Malricus," she thought.
She hoped that no sound would wake her that night.