ON THE OUTSKIRTS of Leptis Magna, Aurelius Falco, along with Rubio and Titus Buccio, arrived at the expansive villa and stable complex of Tertius Honoratus. It was late in the morning and it was still cool and crisp, still a good hour until noonday. Honoratus greeted them on the terrace of his villa, aptly named the “Domus Veneta,” it being the headquarters of the Blue Faction of Leptis Magna. He was a large, hoary-haired man of African complexion with a bulb-like nose. He was garbed in a blue linen tunic edged in golden stripes, his wrists adorned with gilded wristbands. He was flanked by two huge Numidian bodyguards, each one armed with a long hasta-spear and sheathed dagger. Honoratus smiled largely as Falco exited the wagon, his hands gesturing
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“That horse was best ever on any circus track. Why—he was once owned by the great Flavius Scorpus himself, I heard it told. Right, Honoratus?” “That is correct, Buccio.” Honoratus nodded. “Scorpus drove him for three years in the Circus Maximus, notching a hundred and ten first place purses with him—nigh hundred second and third, as well.” “How old is Candidus?” “Fourteen, Falco.” “How about... 7,500 sesterces?” Honoratus grumbled. “Nay. I will only take full price for him. His seed is worth far more than his actual flesh and bone. He’ll sire many champions, like his begetter before him. I guarantee it, Falco.” “I’m sure he will. But alas, I cannot afford him. I’ll take Advolans for the aforementioned 7,000 sesterces. He will suit me well enough.” “Very well, Aurelius Falco.” Honoratus pulled down two papyrus scrolls from a tall wall cabinet and laid them on the desktop. “There, these be the titles of ownership, yours upon payment, of course.” “And what of the Iberians—you said had a few Iberians?” “Yah, what of the Iberians?” Rubio chimed in. “Aye, Iberians I have,” Honoratus replied. “One for studding and one for racing. The latter is a fast six-year-old fully trained, with ten wins in thirty-four starts …show more content…
I’ll let him go for... 6,000 sesterces.” Falco scoffed softly. “I’ll give you 5,000. And that’s my final offer.” Honoratus shrugged. “So be it—5,000 sesterces. His name is Maculosus, after his spotty horsehide. He be a good near-hand horse. Do not yoke him. Traces only, as he is very fast and sure-footed.” “Gratitude.” Falco nodded his thanks. “I’ll remember that.” Honoratus retrieved the title for the Iberian and laid it next to the others. “So. That be... mmm—18,000 sesterces, correct?” “Correct.” Falco gestured to Buccio. “Pay good Honoratus the sum he asks, Doctore. Then I’ll take possession of the titles.” “Yes, Dominus.” Buccio picked up the heavy, iron pay chest sitting at his feet and inserted the key in the lock, which was hanging around his neck on a leather cord. He opened the pay chest and then counted out 180 gold pieces—the Imperial equivalent of 18,000 sesterces. Most business transactions of this magnitude was usually paid out in gold, as the smaller denomination of bronze would’ve been too unwieldy. “Excellent!” Honoratus said with glee. He handed Falco the titles as Buccio laid the coinage out on the desk. “Now that that is settled, let us adjourn to my luxurious dining room and eat, eh? My cooks have prepared a sumptuous feast in honor of your
“That horse was best ever on any circus track. Why—he was once owned by the great Flavius Scorpus himself, I heard it told. Right, Honoratus?” “That is correct, Buccio.” Honoratus nodded. “Scorpus drove him for three years in the Circus Maximus, notching a hundred and ten first place purses with him—nigh hundred second and third, as well.” “How old is Candidus?” “Fourteen, Falco.” “How about... 7,500 sesterces?” Honoratus grumbled. “Nay. I will only take full price for him. His seed is worth far more than his actual flesh and bone. He’ll sire many champions, like his begetter before him. I guarantee it, Falco.” “I’m sure he will. But alas, I cannot afford him. I’ll take Advolans for the aforementioned 7,000 sesterces. He will suit me well enough.” “Very well, Aurelius Falco.” Honoratus pulled down two papyrus scrolls from a tall wall cabinet and laid them on the desktop. “There, these be the titles of ownership, yours upon payment, of course.” “And what of the Iberians—you said had a few Iberians?” “Yah, what of the Iberians?” Rubio chimed in. “Aye, Iberians I have,” Honoratus replied. “One for studding and one for racing. The latter is a fast six-year-old fully trained, with ten wins in thirty-four starts …show more content…
I’ll let him go for... 6,000 sesterces.” Falco scoffed softly. “I’ll give you 5,000. And that’s my final offer.” Honoratus shrugged. “So be it—5,000 sesterces. His name is Maculosus, after his spotty horsehide. He be a good near-hand horse. Do not yoke him. Traces only, as he is very fast and sure-footed.” “Gratitude.” Falco nodded his thanks. “I’ll remember that.” Honoratus retrieved the title for the Iberian and laid it next to the others. “So. That be... mmm—18,000 sesterces, correct?” “Correct.” Falco gestured to Buccio. “Pay good Honoratus the sum he asks, Doctore. Then I’ll take possession of the titles.” “Yes, Dominus.” Buccio picked up the heavy, iron pay chest sitting at his feet and inserted the key in the lock, which was hanging around his neck on a leather cord. He opened the pay chest and then counted out 180 gold pieces—the Imperial equivalent of 18,000 sesterces. Most business transactions of this magnitude was usually paid out in gold, as the smaller denomination of bronze would’ve been too unwieldy. “Excellent!” Honoratus said with glee. He handed Falco the titles as Buccio laid the coinage out on the desk. “Now that that is settled, let us adjourn to my luxurious dining room and eat, eh? My cooks have prepared a sumptuous feast in honor of your