Free Hannibal: Fields of Blood by Ben Kane Page A

kitchen, the sound of Julius chiding his minions, telling them to be quiet. Atia’s voice, thanking Julius for his efforts. Her feet pausing by Aurelia’s door; a faint creak as she opened it and peered inside. Aurelia hadn’t moved a muscle, had kept her breathing deep and regular, and her eyes closed. Her efforts had seemed to work. Atia had gently shut the door and gone on her way. The last noises Aurelia had heard were a dog barking from the outbuildings and the subsequent yelps as one of the farm slaves kicked it into silence. She had lain in the darkness since, her blankets pulled up to her chin, listening hard.
    All she could hear was her own heart, which was thumping hard off her ribs. Aurelia realised that her previous behaviour had been nothing more than bravado. Sadly, it had worn off. Was going to see Gaius worth the risk? If her mother were ever to realise, a whipping would surely follow. Aurelia had seen Atia punish a slave that way once when her father and Agesandros hadn’t been to hand. The slave had screamed throughout the entire procedure. Don’t be a coward, she thought. What she was about to do could not even compare to the dangers faced daily by Quintus.
    With renewed resolve, she threw back the covers and climbed out of bed. Lighting her oil lamp was too risky. Besides, she knew the layout of her room like the back of her hand. Shrugging a blanket over her shoulders to guard against the chill, she tiptoed to the door and placed her ear against the timbers. Not a sound. Aurelia had long since perfected the knack of lifting the latch without making any noise. Pulling the horizontal bar towards her, she raised it while with her other hand she firmly pulled the door ajar. A glance outside. Nothing moved. No one stirred.
    Aurelia slipped into the covered passageway that bordered the courtyard. Everything had been turned a beautiful shade of silver by the moon. The cold was piercing, and she clutched the blanket to her. Her exhaled breath formed instant clouds before her face, so she was careful to remain in the shadows as she scanned the square for any sign of life. The only creature in sight was the cat that hung around the kitchen, and it ignored her. Content, Aurelia slid her feet across the mosaic floor, counting each step. To reach Gaius’ chamber, she had to go past her parents’ room, which lay fifteen paces from hers. By the time she’d reached ten, she could feel sweat running down her back. Eleven. Twelve. Somnus, she prayed to the god of sleep, keep my mother firmly in your grasp, I beg you.
    Aurelia was right outside Atia’s door when there was a cough from within. It took all of her self-control not to turn and bolt. She froze. Time stood still as she waited to be discovered. Blood rushed in her ears. She saw her mother before her in a towering fury, a whip in her right hand. She blinked. The horrific image disappeared. Aurelia forced herself to breathe slowly. By the count of twenty, there had been no further sounds. Knees weak from trembling, she crept on. Outside Gaius’ room, she paused. There was still time to return to her bed unnoticed. That notion vanished in a heartbeat. After the fear, she wanted some reward. She shocked herself by visualising a lingering kiss with Gaius. That picture bright in her mind, she lifted the latch with a practised hand and padded inside, closing the door behind her.
    The momentousness of her actions hit home like a hammer blow. If she were caught, her mother would be incandescent. The very least she could expect was a whipping. Aurelia’s resolve weakened. Her arm reached back to the latch.
    ‘Who’s there?’ It was Gaius’ voice.
    Her courage returned. ‘It is I, Aurelia.’ She rushed to his bedside.
    ‘Aurelia?’ He sounded confused. ‘Is something wrong? A fire?’
    ‘Don’t be alarmed. Nothing’s wrong. I wanted to talk to you.’
    ‘I see.’ He sat up. It was so dark that she could see only the outline of his face. ‘Your mother