"I am not sure she will agree to this," says Nicomedes, the Greek steward. He frowns at the group of the Domina's servants who are clustered around him in the atrium. He is beside himself. Pratically the whole household is standing around chatting and not working. He thinks he shall surely be crucified for this!

"I do not see why we cannot enjoy these festivals too," says Virodox, crossing his arms over his chest. "Besides, it is my homeland and I would very much like to see it again. I have been making her favorite foods for the past week." The rotund Gaul grins. He thinks he is the best cook in all of Rome. "So, she is in a very good mood."

"No more walking!" complains Carnifex. He's still sore from his visit to the Americas. His buddy, Cicatrix grunts in agreement.

"She is not so bad as she makes herself out to be," says little Atia, who is one of the serving maids. Her mother is Avernian and has served the Domina for many years, but the little girl was born in Rome and has never seen the land of her people. "And besides I would like to go to this festival."

"Then it is settled," Virodox pronounces with all the authority of an augur.

"Nothing is settled," insists Nicomedes. He wrings his hands. "She will surely be angry when she hears of this..."

"Hears of what?" a voice inquires and the assembled group turns to see Domina Faustina herself, flanked by her little maids, Maia and Junia. "What are all of you rascals plotting?" One scarlet eyebrow stirs and rises.

Nicomedes steps forward to explain, but the child runs in front of him. "Please Domina! We want to go to the boat race! I want to see the land that my mother tells me stories about!"

"It is not good to work all the day long," adds Virodox. "Not healthy! And besides they will have good food there. Real food! Nothing like this silly turbot and stuffed dormice nonsense." He snorts in derision.

They wait while Faustina thinks. "Is one Saturnalia not enough for you all?" she asks, giving the servants a stern scrutiny. Nicomedes sniffs and puts on his best "I told you so" expression.

"Pleeeease," says little Atia. She is bravely trying not to cry. "It could not hurt and it might be fun."

"Fun?" Faustina looks down at the child. "Do I look like the sort of person who is interested in fun?"

Atia looks back at her mistress. Oh dear, those grey eyes of the Domina's look mad, she thinks. A sniffle does escape then. "You...might be?" she offers hopefully, one hand pulling at her thin blonde braid.

"Well, lucky for you, little lady," here Faustina pauses to wink at the child, "I can become interested in fun from time to time. As a matter of fact, I heard something of this festival on the Seine from that wonderful Roman tour guide Lucius Flavius Verres Multiplex. It's sure to be a grand spectacle, he said, and what Roman doesn't love a good spectacle?"

"Ah ha! I told you she would let us go, you skinny Greek!" Virodox laughs, and slaps the steward on the back.

Nicomedes coughs from the force of the blow and puts on a face of injured dignity. "Very well, Domina. I shall start making the preparations."

"Do not worry, Nicomedes," Faustina laughs. "You do not have to come. As for the rest of you, round up your traveling things quickly! We are off to Celtia!"

"Does this mean I have to walk?" Carnifex whines.