Ilithyia

It passes as any other day in Darrow.

In the late afternoon she takes two meetings with men from Lobos Locos, arrangements made for illegal fights she has taken to funding. The fights of such nature are more violent, more satisfying than those she has witnessed in the ring and with knowledge of fights in Rome, many of the men involved in such activity are often willing to bow to her superior capability. Most, but not all.

She sees the man whose face she cut at the second of her meetings. She smiles at him, bright, charming, knowing there is nothing he can do to touch her under such circumstances. The look he returns to her is malicious and there is a moment when Ilithyia considers contacting Kaine to accompany her home, but he leaves before she does, followed by a small group of five or six men, and so instead she simply goes on her way. Though she has found herself swiftly rising in rank within the illegal fighting area, she has begun to understand there is much more money to be made in other places. She holds little interested in the illegal substances the Lobos Locos peddle, but it is where she might find more wealth. More power.

She is still considering these options when she arrives to take Albinius from the woman who watches him and as the sun begins to set, she makes way toward her home, Albinius held snug and content against her breast.

Though it is not yet full dark, there are few others on the street and Ilithyia finds herself distracted as thoughts of her future are considered. The sound of footsteps behind her does not seem cause for alarm, but then there are hands on her arms, the strong grip pulling her backward before she has moment to protest, back into the shadows of an alley. She is struck hard before she has chance to gather thoughts and when she stumbles and looks up at her attacker, she catches sight of a familiar scar crossing cheek.

"I've been waiting for this since the moment we met," he tells her, ducking low to look into her eyes.

Ilithyia says nothing, hand moving slowly toward dagger she has on her at all times. Her only concern now is the safety of her son. She will not let them have him.

In the shadows of the alley, Albinius begins to cry.

When she wakes in a bed so unlike the one she's come to know in Darrow, Ilithyia simply lies there for a moment until she hears Albinius cry, then rises to look at her surroundings. For a moment, she thinks she has returned to Rome and a smile curves her lips, but then she hears an unmistakable voice.

Lucretia.

She's found herself in Capua.

Ilithyia rises slowly and it speaks to just how long she's been away from home that it startles her when a young woman hurries into the room, a gauzy robe trailing in her hands and lays it upon Ilithyia's shoulders. For a moment, she simply stares at the woman and although hers is not a face she recognizes, she bears the mark of her own body slave and, finally, Ilithyia's smile grows wider. More dangerous. She has returned to Capua and once again finds herself in position to retain status and power.

Once she's cared for Albinius, she bathes and dresses with the help of the slaves. Another young woman expertly braids and pin her hair and when Ilithyia leaves the privacy of her rooms and finds Lucretia, she is prepared for whatever might greet her.

"Ilithyia," Lucretia says, holding out both her hands and Ilithyia goes to her, clutches hands and presses lips to cheek.

"I've missed you," she says with a coy smile. "Have you met my son?"

He's with the slaves now, being attended to, but she is pleased to be able to introduce Lucretia to her husband's heir.

"I have," Lucretia says. "And he's beautiful. Welcome home."

Ilithyia's smile grows. Welcome home.