Having safely returned from the day's errands, Arminius decided to spend some time in the lower gardens, where there was an arbor of roses--dormant at the moment--which he loved to sit under. Through some clever piping, a long narrow stream seemed to meander through this private garden, giving off a pleasant sound as it made its way at one point down a stepped cascade. At one point, he heard Maria giving instructions for dinner and shopping, then he saw her approach the lower garden with her basket of tools in hand. Uh oh...that is a sure sign of trouble! Something is up when Maria feels the need to garden!

"Alright, mel...what's bothering you?" he asked in a joking tone of voice.

"I could ask you the same--you only sit here when there is a troubling matter pressing on you. You go first...."

Arminius smiled...she did indeed know him too well! "Very well; I think we are both pondering the same thing: the City is at peace for now, but once Octavian arrives, will Antony give over his inheritance? And if not, what will the boy do--what can he do?"

"There is also another matter, husband--how long will the city be at peace? The crowd will not be pleased at hearing amnesty for Brutus and Cassius--and who knows how they will react to the funeral of Caesar? My big worry is: are we right to stay in Rome? I stayed for that Egyptian whore, and look what happened! We'd have been on the farm in Fortunae right now, instead of at the center of potential war!"

Arminius tut-tutted gently. "The decision was mine as much as yours...who could have foreseen the events which occurred? We are not gods, despite what Caesar thought of himself. For now, I think staying may be the best course..."

"How so? With Lepidus gathering forces, and Antony trying to be a cut-rate Caesar, and who knows what else Brutus and his faction have planned?"

"Mel, it still holds...the safest course for the present is to stay; it is known that I have long wished for the restoration of the republic, and even though I did not take part in killing Caesar--should we try to leave it might seem that way. If the mob should riot...why, we have guards, and the house is well built to withstand fire and assault."

Maria considered his words for some time, then nodded. "You are right husband..." though her voice did not possess as much confidence as it might have. "I have told Susannah to purchase extra stores later today when she does the shopping--and to take several guards with her in addition to the usual porters."

Arminius nodded. "Now, mel--Calpurnia is going to Fulvia's for a time...what of the imminently reproachable Egyptian whore?"