While the people of Rome love Joan for being one of them, the optimates and high clergy are scandalized by her behavior and disagree with her progressive thinking. Arsenius sees an opportunity to discredit her when she circumvents the bureaucracy's red tape to get funds for Gerold's project on the aqueduct. Further, Joan angers Magister Militum Daniel by appointing a Greek priest Bishop instead of his son, and Joan knows Daniel will go to Arsenius to make trouble.
In the meantime, Anastasius has won the respect and favor of Lothar with his knowledge and wit and, learning of Daniel's situation, sends for him.
Joan is pregnant and using her herbs to try to abort the fetus, wrestling with her Hippocratic oath, but the ergot does not work. Once again Gerold tries to convince.....
