Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate: A Novel by Diana Wallis Taylor

soon. Sejanus might be his mentor, but he has placed you in an awkward position.”
    “Yes, I know, Grandmother, but there is little I can do until Lucius sends for me. From our last parting I believe he will not rest until he has secured my passage on the first ship heading to Caesarea.”
    Scribonia smiled then. “I believe you are right. I saw the way he looked at you through the wedding and at the banquet.”
    The two women were silent for a while, each with their own thoughts. Then Claudia realized Medina had not come.
    “You did not bring Medina?”
    “She is not well. The physician said to let her rest and gave her some herbs. He felt perhaps she had eaten something that did not agree with her. I will bring her next time.”

    As the days passed, Claudia spent time with Marcus and Alba looking at the furniture and the linens. Finally, she decided to take only what linens she would immediately need and purchase others in Caesarea. The furniture in the house had been with the family for many years, and she felt strongly it should stay there. She would furnish the villa or residence in Caesarea after she had time to see what she needed there. Marcus seemed relieved that the household furniture wasn’t to leave the villa.
    “I think it wise to travel as lightly as possible, don’t you, Marcus?”
    “You are indeed wise, Domina. The furniture would be difficult to ship and you do not know what your needs will be.”
    A few chests were ready to be packed with what Claudia felt she would use immediately. She was as ready as she could possibly be, pending word from Lucius.
    With each passing week her ties to Lucius seemed to dim. Even the wedding seemed like a dream that really hadn’t happened. How would she feel when she saw her husband again, a man who was hers in name only? Would he feel the same?
    Her mind turned with all the questions and anxieties that would not be laid to rest until she and Lucius became one.
    She read, made a few trips into Rome with Hotep and Marcus to make some purchases. She had no desire to gossip with the other Roman matrons at the baths. She walked in the garden and the orchard and waited. It was almost two months before a young man came from a recently arrived merchant ship with a message for her. She thanked him and hurriedly unrolled the scroll.
    My dearest wife, I have settled in the winter palace in Caesarea and will remain until you arrive. I have secured passage for you on the ship that has brought you this message. You are to travel to the port of Ostia and load your goods as soon as possible.The captain of the ship has arranged accommodations for you and your handmaid. I eagerly await your arrival.
    Your husband,
Lucius Pontius Pilate
    She sat for a moment, reading and rereading the words from Lucius. She had hoped for something more endearing, but then realized it would not be appropriate.
    Finally, the young sailor who had waited patiently for Claudia to read the message said, “My lady, we sail from Ostia in five days when our goods are loaded. I am to return in three days to escort you to the ship.”
    “What is your name?”
    “I am called Titus, my lady.”
    “Thank you, Titus. I will be ready. Notify the captain that I bring only personal items and clothing. He needs to make room for only a couple of chests. I will also bring my maidservant with me. She will attend to my needs on the ship.”
    “I will tell the captain and return in three days.”
    Claudia thought quickly. “Wait, I need to have you take a message to my grandmother in Rome.” She sent for a stylus and wax tablet and quickly wrote, asking Scribonia to come right away.
    When he had gone, Claudia hurried up to her room to show the scroll to Hotep. “At last, we shall leave this wretched city for Judea.”
    “I am happy for you, Domina.” Her words did not match her face.
    “Oh, Hotep, is something wrong?”
    “I have heard things about Judea. It is so far away. The only ship I have been on was