Vincent entered the main room of the Scriptorium, he was surprised to see the girl still bent over the desk working away. 'Well if she's that slow I don't really think.......' His thoughts were interrupted by Lurcio. 'Master this letter has just been delivered by a rider, he'd been first to the villa, it would appear to be urgent.'

Vincent went out on to the terrace and broke the familiar seal on the parchment and read.

My Dearest Vincent,

It is with a heavy heart that I find myself greeting you. I must inform you that my father and your great friend Lucius Paulus is in grave health and his physician holds no hope for his recovery, indeed he may well be in Elysium by the time you receive this letter. At this tragic moment I have no more trusted friend to call upon, as you know my father regards you as a son. He wishes you to come to our aid, both in the hope of seing you one more time, but also to lend me your loving support, for we have no one else we feel able to trust here. Indeed the vultures of the 'family' are already circling, and he is determined that nothing shall fall into their claws. Therefore although I know that we may be demanding too much, in asking you to neglect your affairs in Italia and come to us now, but after my father there is no other but you to whom I can appeal. May the Gods keep you safe, so that we might greet you soon.

With all my love.

Lucilla

Vincent stood in silence, staring at the parchment as if still reading, his eyes moist with the first tears. Eventually he shouted out 'Lurcio get ready to depart for the villa, and start preparations for a journey to Gaul, Lugdunum to be precise.' It would take a few days to wrap things up here, how long he would be away he had no idea.