‘You need food and drink’.

Fastidius clapped his hands and a servant scuttled in.

‘Something for our guest. He needs feeding up. And bring some wine’.

The servant nodded, bowed and scuttled back out again.

‘Oh, and Accia – ask Alba to join us. Tell her that the boy needs treatment’.

The servant nodded slowly, then glided out of the room.

‘So why were they chasing you?’

Fastidius looked the boy up and down.

‘Patricius – that is your name is it not?’

The boy said nothing.

‘You have no need to worry – you are among friends here’.

Fastidius held out his hands, but Patricius remained motionless.

‘I understand. Why should you t...

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