Read Elements 03 - Monsters of the Earth for Free Online

neck-yoked like slaves, each one to the one ahead and walking on their own. They asked what we’d pay for ’em—they’d never seen the like before. And I said, same as for baboons, since that’s what they likely were. Only they weren’t baboons. And I don’t bloody know what they are!”
    “My friend Varus and I are also at a loss, Veturius,” Corylus said, speaking clearly and with his voice raised. He was focusing all attention on himself—and away from the youth at his side. “Now that we’ve seen these lizard apes—lizard men, I should say—we’ll be able to enlist the aid of greater scholars than ourselves.”
    He’s covering for my brother. Varus and Corylus hadn’t discussed the creatures or anything else since Varus slipped into his present state. By speaking for both of them, Corylus concealed the fact that his friend was only physically part of the world around him.
    Instead of coming to Puteoli with the rest of the family, Varus had remained in the town house in Carce while he took classes in speaking and argumentation from Pandareus of Athens. Varus had sent a messenger to inform the family as a courtesy that he and Corylus would be visiting Puteoli to view some unusual animals. Saxa had decided to join his son and his friend.
    Whereupon Alphena had announced she would go also.
    She hadn’t known then why she said it, and now in reflection she didn’t have any better notion of what had been going on in her mind. She had just said it; and once it was said, there was no taking the decision back. Not for her.
    Hedia’s decision to join the group as soon as Alphena spoke was as certain as sunrise: she thought her daughter was too interested in Publius Corylus, and she didn’t trust anyone else to chaperone the girl effectively. Hedia’s attitude infuriated Alphena.
    The possibility that there might be some truth to her mother’s opinion made Alphena even more angry. She had learned by experience that Hedia was extremely perceptive. That was true whether or not Alphena liked the things that Hedia perceived.
    “Lord Macsturnas, may I ask…?” Corylus said, turning from the beast catcher to the aedile. “If these lizardmen will be going to Carce for your show with the rest of the consignment of animals?”
    “Why, yes,” Macsturnas said, looking puzzled. “That is … I mean, is there some reason they shouldn’t?”
    In a tone of rising agitation, he went on, “Is there something you’re not telling me? There is something you’re not telling me!”
    “No, my lord, there is not,” said Cispius, stepping between his son and Macsturnas. Cispius didn’t raise his voice, but he was suddenly in control of the situation.
    Alphena realized that she was seeing the difference between rank, which her father and the aedile had by birth, and command, which Publius Cispius had gained on the frontier. She felt suddenly ashamed, though neither she nor her family was a part of this unexpected confrontation.
    “No, Your Lordship,” Corylus said calmly, moving again to his father’s side. Nothing in Corylus’ tone suggested that the man to whom he was speaking had seemed to be on the verge of panic. “I was hoping that if you sent the creatures to Carce, there would be an opportunity for Master Pandareus to view them himself.”
    “Oh!” said Macsturnas, suddenly embarrassed. “Why, yes, of course, what a good idea, Master—”
    His mouth opened and shut for a moment without further words coming out.
    He doesn’t remember Corylus’ name. Aloud Alphena said, “I’m sure Corylus and my brother will take care of that for you. You’ll see to it that the attendants in Carce are instructed to allow them and anyone they bring with them to view the animals. Won’t you, Quintus Macsturnas?”
    Corylus glanced at her. His smile and the jerk of his chin in approval were minuscule, but Alphena noticed them.
    “Why, yes,” the aedile said, his words running over each other. “Why, yes, of course,