Vulcan's Fury: The Dark Lands Read Online Free PDF

send Pelonius along.” Valeria opened her mouth to protest, but he didn’t give her the chance. “Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you can neglect your studies. And he’s been to every province in the Empire and speaks a dozen different tongues, so he can help you understand the local customs where those of Rome haven’t fully taken root, and act as interpreter where necessary.”
    Valeria nodded, in truth deciding that Pelonius going along would be a good thing, despite having to endure the gentle tyranny of his lessons. While the old scribe was as merciless in his teaching as Marcus Tullius was with training his soldiers, she always enjoyed his company. Upon reflection, she couldn’t have imagined him not going. Who better to help her unravel the mysteries of whatever was happening in Aquitania?  
    “When would we leave, sir?” Paulus asked.
    “How about tomorrow?”
    Valeria’s eyes flew impossibly wide. “Tomorrow, Father? Really? So soon?”
    Tiberius glanced at his wife, who nodded. “I don’t see any reason to delay this great expedition of yours,” he told her. To Paulus, he said, “After you leave here, and before your lesson with Pelonius, please inform Centurion Tullius that he is to make travel arrangements for the princess to Aquitania, leaving on the morrow.”
    Paulus smiled. Despite his giving Valeria a hard time about it, he, too, was looking forward to the trip. “It will be done, sir!”
    With a sudden stab of worry, Valeria looked over her shoulder at the huge mound of orange, black, and white fur that was now snoring loudly on the floor. “I can bring Hercules, too, can’t I?”
    “Of course you can, dear,” Tiberius told her, favoring the sleeping hexatiger with a thoughtful gaze. “And wherever you go and whatever you do, promise me that you’ll never let him stray far from your side.”
    ***
    After the two children, accompanied by a yawning Hercules, had departed to inform Tullius of their travel plans and then attend the day’s lesson with the waiting Pelonius, Tiberius leaned back in his chair and blew out a long breath. “That couldn’t have gone any better had we planned the entire affair. If either of them even suspected what was really happening, neither would want to leave.”
    Octavia took her husband’s hand, her face a mask of worry. “Will they be in danger?”
    “Of course, they will. They’ve been in danger every day of their lives since I accepted the rank of general, and more when I took the throne. But they’ll be far safer on the road where Tullius can use his soldier’s skills to best advantage than here in the capital where the children could be set upon by a mob from around a corner or an assassin in a crowd. I’m terrified every time they venture from the palace, and even when they are here I worry.”
    “You’re sending more than just her personal guard, aren’t you?”
    “Just as I told Valeria, that’s up to Tullius,” he told her. “A larger escort is not necessarily better. It slows them down, attracts far more attention, and nearly guarantees that one or more pairs of unfriendly eyes or a hidden dagger is in their ranks.” He frowned. “Tullius and I have done all in our power to guarantee that those in her personal retinue are loyal, but that being said, this is still Rome. Most men have a price, and many senators who would see my head on a platter have enough wealth to pay it.” He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Try not to worry, my love. Tullius will keep the children safe.”  
    “And what of you, husband? What danger do you now face?”
    Tiberius hesitated. He could not, and would not, lie to his wife. While he was more than adequately skilled in the necessary Roman political arts of concealing the truth and telling lies, his wife saw right through to his soul. There had been rare occasions when he had withheld information from her, but if she asked if he was doing so, he would tell her, and she knew him