Vici

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“Well, Antonius,” the magistrate said, “you are without question a licentious and disreputable young man. You have disgraced a noble patrician name and sullied your character in the lowest of pursuits, and we have received testimony that you are not only a drunkard and a gambler – but an outright murderer as well.”

With an opening like that, the old vulture was sending him to the block for sure. Antony shrugged philosophically; he’d known it was unlikely his family could have scraped together enough of a bribe to get him let go. Claudius’s family was a damn sight richer than his; and in any case he could hardly imagine his stepfather going to the trouble.

“Have you anything to say for yourself ?” the magistrate said.

“He was a tedious bastard?” Antony offered cheerfully.

The magistrate scowled at him. “Your debts stand at nearly 250 talents—”

“Really?” Antony interrupted. “Are you sure? Gods, I had no idea. Where does the money go?”

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