SPECIAL PREVIEW FOR READERS OF THE LONG GAME

DELETED SCENE

THE BATHS

ABOUT THIS SCENE: Servilia is roughly ten years old, and her slave Karteria is thirteen, the narrator of the this story and the novel. It is 90 BC, Servilia’s Uncle Drusus has been killed, and the wars have begun against the Italians (who wanted citizenship as Uncle Drusus had campaigned for. Factions are developing: the family and supporters of the rising star, Sulla, and their opponents, the Marians, who support the famous and accomplished older general. Here, the women head to the Baths to catch up on the gossip.

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Servilia comes with me to ensure the rest of her siblings live up to her expectations.

Lily is the picture of health, cheeks flushed, angelic face framed with tumbling hair tied with delightful ribbons. Young Porcia is grumpy and stomps about pulling at her own ribbons, much to the exasperation of Nurse, while Quintus and Cato, as usual, are inseparable.

‘We're being paraded like cattle,’ Cato says to Servilia.

‘Of course we are,’ she replies. ‘We must show the family retains its dignity and grace, despite what's happening in Rome. We must model calm.’

She gives Cato a quick hug, and his scowl lifts just a little.

We march them all into the atrium and they line up like soldiers, waiting for the guests. Melitta and I take up position behind them with jugs of wine at the ready as Grandmother Cornelia walks the line of children, adjusting a collar here and straightening a tunic there.

Thus arrayed, we parade through the streets to the public baths, where Caecilia and her cousin Cornelia are already ensconced. Melitta and I follow at a pace behind.

Caecilia spots us first and rises from her couch with arms spread wide.

'My dearest! So excellent to see you.' She embraces Grandmother Cornelia with great enthusiasm. 'Thank you for the suggestion. We are much in need of some elevated company.' She lowers her voice theatrically. 'Such barbarism occurring in the political world. We are far too often forced to share company with ruffians and such.'

Grandmother Cornelia arches an eyebrow. 'You mean politicians?'

Caecilia lets out a delighted laugh. 'Precisely.'

Even Aunt Lilia's mouth curls. Cornelia Sulla remains seated, elegant and composed in a cream-coloured stola trimmed with red. She acknowledges the newcomers with a polite nod. 'I am pleased to see you all.'

Grandmother Cornelia studies her daughter-in-law. 'And I you.'

The exchange is perfectly civil. Which somehow makes it more hostile. Servilia nudges me lightly. 'Hens in a henhouse,' she murmurs.

I fight back a smile. 'Peacock and hen,' I whisper. Her shoulders shake. It is good to see her laugh. It is so rare.

The older women settle themselves amongst cushions while slaves hurry to bring watered wine ahead of the bathing. Conversation begins with the usual inquiries about health and family. It lasts less than a minute.

'Have you heard from Mamercus?' Caecilia asks Cornelia Sulla.

'Recently.'

'And?'

Cornelia Sulla lifts her cup with graceful fingers. 'He is well.'

'Only well?'

'He remains attached to Sulla's entourage, occupied with military matters.'

'Military matters,' Grandmother Cornelia repeats. 'How delightfully vague.'

Cornelia Sulla’s lips tighten. 'Military matters are often vague.'

‘I would think a wife might merit more detail from their husband.’ Grandmother Cornelia says with a hint of chastisement.

‘So might a mother of her son,’ Cornelia Sulla retorts with a bitter lash. ‘But not all sons are raised with these considerations.’

I wince despite myself and am glad the steam obscures our faces. I sense Grandmother Cornelia tensing for an attack. Caecilia cuts in and leans forward eagerly.

'And what of Sulla? Is he making good progress?'

At once, every woman in earshot becomes interested. 

Cornelia Sulla takes a measured sip of wine. 'My father is succeeding exactly as everyone expected.'

The answer reveals nothing. Grandmother Cornelia sighs dramatically. 'Men. They spend years chasing power only to become impossible once they catch it.'

'And women? What do they do while their men “chase power’?”’ Cornelia Sulla asks with contempt.

'Women merely have the burden of cleaning up the mess afterwards.'

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The Pearl and the Dagger is set for release in early 2027. You can read the prequel, The Scroll and the Knife here for free.