Mark of the Thief

Crispus accuses Aurelia of having turned Nic over to Horatio, but she denies it. Horatio enters with his guard and announces that he is there to arrest Nic. Nic replies that he and the emperor have an agreement, and he will turn over the bulla when he has fulfilled his end of the bargain. Valerius interjects that Nic’s magic is strong and demands Horatio surrender the key to the Malice of Mars. Aurelia tells Horatio not to threaten her friend, and then she reveals her crepundia. Horatio steps toward her, saying he did not know she was still alive, but he becomes angry when she tells him Nic has done nothing wrong.

Horatio orders the house burned and any survivors arrested. Nic uses his magic to push Horatio back but is struck deeply by a soldier’s sword. Crispus runs to his side, and Valerius and Horatio are both furious, the latter because Radulf wants Nic alive. Nic feels the presence of Radulf; he is angry with Horatio. Nic swears the cut will not stop him from fighting Radulf. Crispus urges him to heal his wound, but doing so saps his strength. Horatio orders him to be put in his wagon and leaves with Nic and Aurelia.