'Don't want to interrupt,' muttered Brennus. 'But Macro has seen what you're up to.'
Romulus released his grip and spun to see the man mountain approaching fast. Julia moved off, responding to the call of a customer. She left a faint whiff of perfume behind.
'No touching the slave girl.' There was no mistaking the threat. The doorman's hand was already on his dagger hilt. 'Do it again and Brennus will be carrying you home in little pieces. Clear?'
Romulus nodded silently, unperturbed. He was too elated at Julia's response.
'She is off limits!' Macro poked a thick forefinger into his chest for emphasis. 'Remember that, boy.'
'What are all the soldiers doing here?' With a smoothness Romulus had never seen before, the Gaul intervened. 'Don't normally see them in the city.'
'Crassus' men.'
'Shouldn't they be in camp outside the walls?' To prevent attempts at seizing power, legionaries were still not allowed into the capital in large numbers.
'Senate granted a special dispensation. The general has raised an army. They're on leave till the morning and Publius promised cheap wine in here.' Macro jerked a thumb at the nearest group. 'Tomorrow they march for Brundisium, to take ship for Asia Minor.'
'Why go there?'
'What do you care?' The doorman seemed to have calmed down. He rubbed his shaven head idly, scanning the room for trouble. Finding none, Macro turned back to the Gaul. 'Heard some saying it will begin with an attack on Jerusalem.'
'Jerusalem!' Brennus' eyes lit up. 'Its temples have doors of beaten gold.' There was a Judaean retiarius in the ludus who told fantastic stories about his homeland.
Romulus wasn't really listening. He glanced towards Julia, who smiled radiantly. His mouth went dry with tension.
'Eh, Romulus?'
'What?' With a guilty start, he gaped at Brennus. 'What did you say?'
'Plundering Jerusalem doesn't sound like a bad idea.' The Gaul elbowed him none too gently.
'Can't hold his wine!' Macro had not noticed what had gone on. 'Keep him in line, Brennus.' With a deep belly laugh, the huge slave stalked back to the door.
'What are you doing?' hissed Brennus as soon as he was out of earshot. 'Staring like that? If that ox sees you again, you will regret it.'
'I want to get to know her,' Romulus protested. 'She 's lovely.'
'Macro kills men who don't do what he says.'
Romulus was not going to be put off. 'What would you do if Memor took Astoria?'
Brennus was nonplussed. 'Not the same thing.'
'Why?' challenged Romulus. 'What if she had been Memor's bed companion before you saw her?'
'She wasn't. Good point, though.' Brennus grinned. 'Got something in mind?'
'I need to talk to her.' The barmaid had set Romulus' heart racing.
'Forgetting the slight problem of Macro?'
'That's where you come in.'
The Gaul raised an eyebrow.
'Just keep him occupied for a few moments,' pleaded Romulus, forgetting their decision to have a quiet night.
'I'm not fighting that monster,' laughed Brennus. 'I want to keep all my teeth.'
'So pick a fight with someone else.' Romulus indicated the room full of legionaries. 'I don't need long.'
'Your first time, then?'
He poked the Gaul in the ribs. 'Can you do it or not?'
Brennus smiled. 'I never say no to a good brawl. Beats killing men for a change. But make it quick. You saw Macro in action earlier.'
'Thank you.'
Romulus watched with fascination as Brennus decided whom to quarrel with. The big gladiator didn't take long to make up his mind. He winked at Romulus before sauntering over to a group of soldiers arguing loudly about a game of knucklebones.
'Can't agree, boys?' Brennus pointed amiably at the worn pieces of sheep tailbone lying on the tabletop.
'Piss off, barbarian!'
'Who asked you anyway?'
All four legionaries glared at him belligerently.
'Got two fives, a three and a one there.'
'Deaf too, scumbag?'
'Don't be like that,' said Brennus. 'Only being friendly.'
'We don't need any friends.' The biggest soldier, a stocky barrel of a man with a broken nose, pushed back his stool, screeching it off the stone floor. 'Dirty Gaulish bastard.'
'That's not very nice.'
'Oh no?' sneered the legionary.
His friends began to stand up.
'No.' With a heave, Brennus lifted the end of the table, sending everything flying. Bone playing pieces, wooden beakers and an amphora of wine flew up and two soldiers fell cursing to the floor.
Romulus didn't wait to see what happened next. Macro had noticed the brawl and his attention would be taken up until it was settled. He darted to where Julia was standing, lips pursed, her arms folded in clear disapproval.