Chapter XXVIII Lela #2
Malina dropped her head back and sighed. “Oh, how wonderful. I am so happy to hear this.”
“The lamb stew is ready, if anyone is hungry,” called the woman in the kitchen.
“Come. Let’s eat.”
We joined the men taking seats at the rough-hewn but sturdy table.
“Kara, this is my sister, Lela,” Malina introduced me to the stern-faced woman.
She paused and nodded. “You are welcome here,” she said, turning and muttering, “Though I don’t know where you’ll sleep.”
“Ruskus stays at Agatha’s more than he does here,” said Malina. “She can have his bed.”
“And what of the tribune?” asked Kara, dipping her ladle into the steaming pot of lamb stew she’d taken from the hearth and set on a sideboard to serve.
“Don’t worry about me, Kara,” said Trajan, walking up behind me and lowering his mouth to my ear. “If I’m lucky, you’ll let me share that bed with you.”
I elbowed him back then took a bowl of stew from Kara and found a seat next to my sister. Trajan smirked as he sat across from me.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well,” said Julian, sitting at the head of the table next to Malina.
Stefanos sat next to me and Kara sat at the opposite end of Julian.
It was odd, but also comforting, that his servants all sat at the same table with us.
But then, Trajan had told me these people were his family.
I realized then how harshly I’d judged all Romans after being subjected to life in Valerius’s household.
It was all that I saw and all that I knew, but now I knew better.
It gave me hope for this new Rome Trajan and Julian and their allies wanted to create.
“I must say it was a shock to see my wife’s sister, who she’d thought was dead, arrive with Trajan so unexpectedly.” Julian dipped his spoon into the bowl of stew. “But I can’t imagine a more welcome sight.”
He stared at my sister, his love and affection apparent in his gaze. A memory hit me suddenly.
“Oh,” I said suddenly. “You’re the centurion. The one who came to our camp years ago. To see our dance.”
Julian swallowed a bite and smiled. “I was.”
“You were a dancer?” asked Trajan.
“Yes. We earned money for the winter with a traveling troupe. My sisters and I danced as the final performance.”
Trajan arched a brow. “I would love to see one of these performances.”
Rolling my eyes, I took my first bite, humming at the savory flavor. “This is delicious, Kara.”
The austere woman blushed. “I am glad you approve.”
And though her tone was hard, there was sincerity in her expression.
We ate quickly and rather quietly. Afterward, we helped Kara with the dishes, then she excused herself to lie down. Stefanos went out to the barn to tend to the sheep, Amica at his heels.
Julian and Trajan pulled four chairs around the hearth where we all sat together. Now that the shock had worn off, I was simply content to sit with my sister, basking in her nearness, while Julian and Trajan caught up with each other about what was going on in Rome, knowing he’d be returning soon.
My belly sickened again, thinking of Trajan leaving me.
While back in Rome, I’d been happy to know he’d planned to carry me to safety then leave me to find my way in the world on my own.
But now, I didn’t want him to leave my sight.
I especially loathed the idea of him returning to that cesspool of danger and corruption.
“Alaric of the Visigoths,” Julian said dreamily. “And you’re sure he’ll follow through and join us with his army if we free him?”
“Yes,” said Trajan. “Of course, he could betray us. But I doubt it. His goal is the same as ours. At least in killing Caesar and all of his followers.”
“We?” interjected Malina. “If we free him? What is this about?”
Julian clenched his jaw before turning to her. “Do you remember when the barbarian leader injured me in Moesia?”
“Remember?” she scoffed, continuing angrily, “Yes, you almost died from his poisoned blade. And that’s who you’re freeing?”
“Trajan and Lela spoke to him in prison in Rome. He’s agreed to ally with us against Caesar.”
She looked at me. “This is true?”
“Yes. And for what it’s worth, I believe he was sincere.”
“He’s a dragon,” added Julian, taking Malina’s hand in his, smiling. “Just like we suspected. He has an army of dragons, bastard-born, who were sold to gladiator pits or smuggled out of the city. Who hate my uncle.” He laughed. “It’s like the gods truly are on our side.”
“They are,” said Malina with confidence. “But that doesn’t mean you have to be the one to free him.”
“I can’t let Trajan risk it on his own. He’ll need my help.”
“Actually, she’s right.” Trajan rubbed the back of his neck. “It would be foolish for us both to return. If I’m captured, then you must continue with our cause.”
“Yes, listen to Trajan,” urged Malina. “He’s always been the smarter of you two.”
Julian didn’t seem ruffled at all by my sister’s jab. Nor did he smile. His pensive expression was fixed on Trajan. Meanwhile, my mind was spinning at the thought of Trajan being captured. At what Caesar would do to him.
“I don’t like it.” Julian’s expression was dark and pensive. “We’d be stronger together.”
Trajan shook his head. “The risk is too great. One of us needs to remain here in safety.”
“Then let me go,” said Julian.
“No. The German barbarian knows me and made the oath with me. Besides, we’re entering the city during Lupercalia and at night. It will be the easiest time of all to move around the city without being detected.”
“What is that?” Malina asked. “Lupercalia.”
The men shared a look but Trajan gestured for Julian to explain.
“It’s a fertility festival that lasts days beginning on the first of Februarius every year.”
“Then the festival begins in three days.”
“Yes,” he agreed. “It happens to be one of my uncle’s favorites.”
“Why is that?” I asked.
“Because it’s a debauched, drunken orgy in the streets,” Julian answered. “Some people wear masks and costumes so that they can misbehave with other people’s husbands and wives without being recognized.”
“That sounds,” Malina began, searching for the word, “awful.”
“It wasn’t always so hedonistic,” said Trajan. “But Igniculus enjoys the depravity. He’s the one who encouraged the wearing of masks.”
Julian grunted. “It typically was only the priests who wore satyr-like costumes with horns during the fertility ritual that opens the celebrations. But my uncle noticed that the populace sank to new levels of debauchery when they could hide their faces.”
“Which he began encouraging patricians and plebeians alike to do,” interjected Trajan.
“There still is the matter of getting into the city. How do you plan to do that?” Malina then asked.
“I’ve found that ship captains can be bought quite readily.” Trajan looked at me. “Lela, my grandfather, and I figured that out together.”
“What if that same ship we bought isn’t sailing back up the Tiber when you need him?” I asked.
“We’ll find another. Coin is convincing. That’s the safest way in and out of the city. Apparently, Caesar isn’t paying as much attention to the port as he is the gates on land.”
I imagined Trajan hiding on board a ship and being arrested the second he set foot on land. All it would take was a little blood in the air and I could protect him. I knew that now, my confidence in my magical abilities growing every day.
“I’ll go with you,” I said.
All heads swiveled to me. But it was Trajan who spoke.
“No.” An emphatic, defiant retort.
Sighing, I said, “Think of it. With my gift, no one could stop us all the way through the city.”
“Those guards back at Caesar’s palace stopped you easily enough,” he snapped back.
Malina scowled with concern. “When were you at Caesar’s palace?”
“Trajan, the only reason I couldn’t is because I had no way to get to their blood. If anyone stood in our way, you’d cut them, then I’d make quick work of them.”
“No,” he repeated angrily.
“Now that I think of it,” I added, “we don’t need you, Julian. All he needs is me to help him through the city.”
“Lela, you can’t go. I just found you.” Malina gripped my hand in hers and held me tight, the fear in her expression making my heart ache.
“Good,” growled Trajan. “Listen to your sister. Even she thinks it’s a bad idea.”
“Malina, if Julian left, would you stay behind?”
My sister’s face paled and she gave one definite shake of the head.
“You’re not coming,” growled Trajan. “The answer is no.”
My own ire sparked at his stubborn refusal to listen.
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” I said, not so gently, “but you told me that I was free now. If that is so, then I’m free to make my own decisions.
That includes returning to Rome to help break free that German barbarian so that we have a real chance at defeating the emperor.
At creating this new Rome you want so badly. ”
Grim-faced, jaw hard as granite, Trajan said through gritted teeth, “I’m not going to use you or your power for my own gain, Lela. I am never going to be like him.”
Now he was simply being stupid. “Valerius only used my body. He never once thought to use my power, only to muzzle me and keep me biddable.”
“Valerius was a stupid, fucking worthless shit of a man.”
“Agreed,” I replied calmly. “But I’m offering to use my power for something good. For what it was meant for, Trajan.”
He stared at me, fury radiating. Even his dragon had shown up, glowing from the blue fire of his eyes.
“All right,” said Malina on a sigh. “I suppose I’ll have to let you go. As long as you return quickly.”
“Of course I will,” I told her.
“You don’t know that.” Trajan’s expression had gone dark, his entire demeanor defiant. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“So you’re admitting there’s a chance you might not make it back out this time? Then I’m definitely going. Because my magic can stop anyone in our path.”
Julian chuckled, but Trajan stood and stormed away from us, opening and slamming the door on the far side of the room.