<strong>Amplus thanks the gods for allowing him to see Cariad one last time</strong><br/><br/><div class="floatright">(http://boyculture.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c2ca253ef010536e54c6a970b-400wi)</div>Amplus watched as one of the maids was instructed to summon Manius. He felt sorry for the man as he knew the power and influence that Matriana had. She had destroyed livelihoods before, she was practiced at it. He had hoped she would not do it here. The trouble with his mistress was that she did not make idol threats. If she said she would do something she would do it. Anyone who foolishly thought otherwise was usually lost to the sands. After all she had the connections and a father who would give her anything she wanted. A powerful senator he was with eyes on the ‘prize’. It seemed to Amplus that the reason for her coming here was simple. She saw Manius and his Ludus as a threat and did not want him to advance to Rome unless she held the reins. It was that simple. Of course he had no proof, but this was a possible explaination for the mess she had made. No servant had killed his Master, it was her and she was getting away with it.<br/><br/>While he helped the murdering pig pack, he watched her bark her orders and plot. Within moments, to his delight, Cariad was in the room. It seemed that she had been brought along with Manius. What was the reason for this? Was she for Matriana? If she harmed a hair on Cariad’s head he would kill her or indeed take his life if killing his mistress became impossible. He steadied himself before moving over to where Cariad had positioned herself.<br/><br/>As he got closer he noticed that she seemed to be crying. Seeing her distress he ripped a small piece of cloth from the tunic he was wearing earlier. He had been ordered to take that off, much to his delight, once he was in his mistress’ chambers and put a loincloth on instead. Easy access Matriana called it. Unnoticed by his owner, he lifted the cloth to Cariad face and wiped the tears from his eyes. In her native tongue he tried his best to comfort her. “No need to cry, the fates have brought us together once again. I did not think we would see each other again.” He smiled at her as his eyes glanced from her face to her breasts and then back to her eyes.<br/>