Wind In Aquilo

Gallicenae, XV, 3.

When Gratillonius and Apuleius walk to the latter's farm:

"Wind boomed.... A buzzard rode watchful upon its torrent.

"Apuleius must raise his voice against the noise." (p. 334)

And he must inform Gratillonius of Imperial forces ranged against him. Gratillonius is regarded as "'...the King of that nest of pagans...'" When Apuleius says this:

"The wind slipped fingers under Gratillonius' cloak." (p. 335)

The main problem is that Stilicho:

"'...intends that his will, and none other, shall prevail everywhere in the West.'" (ibid.)

However, the wind blows both ways. Apuleius gives Gratillonius a horse called Favonius, meaning:

"'...the west wind that brings the springtime.'" (p. 343)

- and hopes that the horse will bear the King to his own springtime.