Chapter V: XIX
I have to tell you, this is another one that’s really fighting me. I’ve tried several different approaches. I’m not sure this one works, or that it tells the story I want it to be telling. But I wanted to have something more to show you this week.
Tomorrow (Friday) is my day to draw at Carmine Street Comics, and I’ll work on some new comics and art as well as this one.
Here’s the work-in-progress version that was originally posted–click to see larger:
Hm. What could Felix be needing to burn? I don’t think he’s making a religious offering.
He is burning the equestrian tunic.
And you still keep us in the dark regarding who is the spy. I wonder why the spy lied, to protect Iusta?
There’s the major branch of the Petronius family who were big patrons earlier on of the Flavii (I’ll have to get more specific about that in the comic). A lot of influence. Petronius Stephanus was a mover and shaker in Herculaneum, but in the big city…?
I wasn’t aware that there was a Petronius family who were movers and shakers in the big City.
Methinks that Stephanus was not that lowly since he had property in Rome in a very nice neighborhood. Probably the son of some third or fourth cousin to the current Petronius.
Even if he were from a freedman branch, ties of loyalty and obligation could run deep. Shouty Guy’s informer should research more. I mean…a concerned citizen. There are no more informers in Rome, right?
Roman slavery was unique. Being a slave was detrimental but the slave had many opportunities not only to earn his/her freedom but to get citizenship and even become a millionare.
Vitalis fortune was not the only one. Many libertus became quite rich and powerful and even had sons and daughters marry into the Patricians.
I recant about the spy. It is obvious that it is Novellia. Also I found it amusing how she found out that Felix is doing something more than just “lodging”. It seems that our Felix did not took her offer for a free “workout”.
if so, the House of Genia is a lousy place for Damon to hide.
And you’d think a house of ill repute would be the perfect place for a preteen boy…
See, I’m guessing Urbana of the servants that “came with the house”. They knew about the “Lodging”, They knew about the family (Iusta was talking about family property around Urbana and the other servants must know this) and the fires were already lit. dun Dun DUN!
dun dun DUN!
I’ve just always wanted to use that.
Urbana is a possibility since we don’t know anything about her prior to her appearance in Misenum. She could very well be one of the girls at the local bordello who was saved by Felix and Vibius.
I think the tenants are very likely innocent. They knew that the owner was coming and that it was a woman, but beyond that nothing.
On the other hand, it could be all Vibia’s doing. She could have spotted Sabinu’s men looking for information on Felix at Misenum and she identified herself as Felix’s woman and extract all the information from Novellia by just talking to her.
The only bit of information about not being Urbana is that Sabinus knows that Felix identified Iusta as his ward. And he only said that to Novellia, who probably told the same to Vibia along with her suspicions about Felix doing “things” with his “ward” since he did not took her offer for a free “workout”. And being from Herculaneum, both Vibina and Novellia would know about Iusta and her family. Specially if Felix talked with Novellia during their “workout” sessions.
Ahh but see, I’m seeing column 1 and column 2 happening at two different times. Column 1 we’re chatting up Vibia in cloaks where we can find out that Iusta is a “ward”. Column2 where we are down to tunics I think is later on. Perhaps this is a night/morning panel as Vibia looks rather…fancy for the early morning….when the kitchen fires were already lit… And a servant could slip out before the masters, are awake…. dun Dun DUNNNN!!!!!
And your welcome for the dramatic squirrel excuse.
Also, is Felix’s servant (forgot his name, sorry!) crying in that first appearance through the door? Poor man. 🙁
He (Irenaeus) will buttle through with a stiff upper lip like a good butler when the master is there, but…
Vibia? I guess she did take his name after all.
A new city, a new chance to remake yourself…