Heading to Rome taking the route from Apollonia to Brundisium. It would only took three weeks of travel. By the time Arete arrived, she made it before the festival day.

She covered herself with a dark cloak. There was nothing to worry about Aethon though. Rome was a large city and was full of foreigners during the festival period. She able to disguised herself as a foreign man. She was surprised to see many foreign traders had brought their horses to the city and traded them with the Roman aedileses.

“Oh my, what a handsome Thessalian horse you have there!” An aediles approached her, trying to pet Aethon, but the horse neighed and refused the touch. “What’s your price?” The man asked.

“I’m sorry, he is not for sale.” Arete replied.

“Oh, you gotta be kidding me! Everybody knows that the imperial advisors are willing to pay huge amount of gold for every healthy strong Thessalian steed. The record price of ten talents per horse!” Said the aediles.

Arete was troubled. The aediles work for the Roman officers. She needed to avoid and get rid of him as soon as possible.

“I need the horse for my race.” She said.

“Ah, I see.” The aediles then moved his head towards Arete’s left ear. “How about this?” With his hand covering his mouth, he secretly ask, “I will offer you 10 talents plus another four regular Thessalian horses.”

Arete knew this aediles was really good at evaluating a horse. He knew that Aethon’s rare coat and strong physique hit every signs that he was a rare gem. She gave Aethon a look in his eyes.

Ugh! Please, I don’t want to do this! It’s embarrassing! Aethon lightly neighed.

“I’m sorry, it is not that your offer wasn’t good enough. It is…” while Arete tried to reply the aediles, Aethon urinated and he squirt his pee towards the aediles.

The man cussed, disgusted. He instantly judged the horse to be unfit for his deal. Uncontrolled urination might be a sign of illness. He ran away to clean himself while Arete immediately pulled Aethon out of the way. The other aedileses saw that and they all ignored her and no longer eyeing on Aethon.

Arete saw the large announcement board at the plaza. The main focus of the festival would be the grand tethrippon chariot race at the Hippodrome. There will be total of four faction teams, identified by four colours, white, red, green and blue. Each team represented by three charioteers that will be driving a four-horse pulled chariot.

The emperor Nero will be leading the blue faction?!

Arete was surprised. She wonder why Nero would dare to risk his own life on becoming a charioteer. But that meant she would have opportunity to get close to him.