"Do not break those branches, ever," the vestalis said. "Not until the time is right for you."
I stared at her. I had no reason to break any branches of that tree, nor would I cause it any harm. I was tired of only destroying things.
And we sat a little longer until the sun had lit the entire tree. Where the tips had once seemed touched with fire, now the entire tree caught the sunlight like a flame.
The vestalis stood, and I stood with her. "Now it's time," she said. "Place your stone on a branch of that tree, any branch you choose."
I gripped it tighter. "It won't be safe there. Anyone could grab it."
"They won't even see it. Because it's your stone now and will stay in the protection of the tree until you call for it. If you ever choose to call for it."
So I walked forward and reached to the highest branch I could, then rolled the Jupiter Stone onto the limb, near the trunk. I didn't see how anything she said could be possible, and yet the tone of her voice was so certain, I didn't doubt her either.
Once I returned to her side, the vestalis cupped my face in her hands and lifted it so that she could see me better.
"Remember that victory comes in protecting those you love, not destroying those you hate." When I nodded, she said, "You'd better get home now. There are difficult days ahead."
She started to leave but turned when I asked, "Domina, will I ever see you again?"
She smiled. "You will, when you need me most."
With those words, Caela appeared overhead with a fierce screech and circled around, looking for a place to land. I called up to her that I would move into a clearing. When I looked for the vestalis again, to offer her some help up the hill, she was gone.
Several minutes later, Caela brought me back to where Callistus was waiting near the lake. He'd had a nice rest and was obviously eager to ride again. Which was fine for him, but I hadn't slept all night and the road back into Rome was far too long. I wished Caela would fly me there while I closed my eyes, but that was clearly not their plan. Before I left Caela, I wrapped my arms around her and whispered, "Do not forget me. For I will never forget you."
She nudged at my side with her beak, a sign of some affection, I thought. Then she flew into the skies and disappeared against the rising sun.
The ride back with Callistus was a somber one. I wasn't sure exactly what had just happened with the vestalis, and she had given me multiple warnings, none of which sounded particularly pleasant. And through my exhaustion, every problem seemed bigger than it had felt before. Although it was still too early to expect many Romans on the street, we had to take extra time to avoid the ones who were already at work. Unicorns were exceptionally rare. Better to keep Callistus a secret.
Radulf was waiting for me in the courtyard when we returned. I knew some of the deeper scratches from my fall and battle with the eagle still hadn't healed. Certainly my torn tunic hinted that something significant had happened. My hair was wild and blown back from my face, which was windburnt on my nose and cheeks. The Divine Star was alive and the bulla was warm, and I was sure he wondered where I had been for the entire night.
But before he could ask, I dismounted from Callistus and strode past Radulf, saying only, "I'm going to sleep. We have practice today."
"It is today already," Radulf said, half grinning.
"Later today," I mumbled. "Unless you want me driving the horses into the wall."
Which, as I thought about it, seemed like a far better alternative than the bargain I'd made with the Praetors.
I was only allowed a couple of hours of sleep before Radulf had me summoned to meet him at the circus. Still struggling to keep my eyes open, I walked with him toward the stables where my horses were kept. Other teams were here to practice, but I was no longer interested in competing against them. Once I raced, it wouldn't be red versus white or blue or green. It was me, riding for my life, and for the future of Rome.
Radulf hadn't asked about last night, though I knew he must be curious. No doubt he would ask soon, but until then, we both knew I had to focus on the coming race.
"Charioteers are drawn at random to choose their starting gate," Radulf told me as we walked toward them. "You want to be one of the last ones chosen so that you can pick the gate farthest away from your toughest competitors. Choose the lowest number possible, though, because once you leave the gates, you must press to the inside track. You want to get ahead and then stay ahead. It's much harder to come from behind."
I understood that, and I had no worry about my courage to press in to the center. My greater concern was how the Praetor I'd be competing against would try to stop me.
Radulf continued, "For the Ludi Romani, you'll go around the track seven times. The entire race totals about three miles, so you must pace yourself."
"I know all this," I told him. "I've raced before."
"You've practiced before, and you drive too fast too early. You'll wear out your horses if you push them at that speed. Drive just fast enough to stay in the lead."
"How many horses am I allowed in this race?" I asked.
"Four. Though it won't matter since everyone gets the same number. But I am buying us new horses, the finest money can buy."
"I know the other horses better," I said. "The ones I've already practiced with."