Growing Up “Livia”
Written by: Caina Q.
Fuller
Ghita knew she should have stayed in her room, but she just had to
watch Doran leave. In the five years she’d been raising him they hadn’t spent
one day apart. But this was for the best, she knew. When Livia and her men were
gone, they would be together again.
“Does he know you murdered his mother…Gramma?”
Ghita had always wondered what it would feel like to have her
heart stop in her chest.
Now she did.
She slowly turned to face the owner of that cold, hateful voice. If
only I’d stayed in my room…
“Livia. And how many people have you murdered?”
The corner of one of Livia’s lips curled up in an evil grin. Ghita’s eyes were full of fear, and the
older woman’s body trembled, though she tried to hide it.
“Of all the places we’d meet, its here in Pella,” Livia ignored
Ghita’s question and stared daggers through her. “Home of the largest Elijan temple on Earth.”
Livia slowly walked toward Ghita, and for every step she took
forward, Ghita took one back until she came up against the wall. Tears of fear
glistened in her eyes, and Livia was loving every second of it.
“You know I could snuff your life out in seconds, don’t you
Ghita?”
“I know you can.”
“You know there’s nothing I’d like to do more than kill you. Right here…right now.”
Ghita took a breath in and steadied herself, but her voice still
trembled when she spoke. “You wish to
kill me because you loved Jara and Cadmus so much, didn’t you Livia?”
Livia stopped in her advance on Ghita. The woman had made her
point well in only a few sarcastic words.
Livia loved no one.
“Sarcasm from a dead woman. That’s funny.”
“You’re not going to kill me Livia.”
This time Livia did feel something. Amusement. “And why won’t I? I’d love to know.”
“Because killing me would hurt Doran more an it would hurt
me. The son of Cadmus loves me, and to
take me away from him would destroy him.”
Livia had begun to pace back and forth before Ghita, enjoying her
game of stretching out the last few seconds of Ghita’s life before she ended it
slowly and painfully, but then Ghita’s words rang true to her. She would probably be dead now, had Cadmus
and Jara not risked their lives to put her in power and fight by her side to
return her to Rome at the head of the Alpha Legion.
She owed Cadmus and Jara.
“The irony of this situation is almost enough to make me laugh,”
Livia said, facing Ghita once more. She
placed a hand on either side of Ghita’s face and leaned in close enough to kiss
her. “I owe it to Cadmus and Jara to
make certain their son lives a happy life. The only way to do that is to spare
the life of Jara’s murderer.”
Ghita stared at Livia, feeling like a rat in a trap. She knew
first hand how unpredictable and dangerous Livia could be. The girl said she
would do one thing one minute, then turn and do something completely different
the next. She just hoped that this time Livia would do the right thing and
spare her. Not for her sake, but the sake of an innocent child.
“I’ll allow you to live.”
“I hear a ‘but’ coming.”
Livia smiled once again. Her breath was hot and strangely odorless
against Ghita’s face. Looking into the young woman’s eyes at this close
proximity was like looking into the eyes of a shadow. Everything about her
seemed so empty.
She was like a copy of a woman.
She seemed to be a nearly perfect forgery of a human being. Only the force that made her forgot to copy
a soul for his clone.
Or worse, he left one out on purpose.
“You’re absolutely right. I need you to take care of something for
me. Refuse, I’ll kill that man you’re
so fond of. Succeed and I’ll allow you to live.”
**********
Senetus found the perfect spot to rest at the edge of the camp his
men had made. He’d ordered that the perimeter guards keep their distance from
him so he could enjoy the quiet and write his journal in peace.
He was
the type of man that enjoyed keeping a record of his life. He had a two sons
attending school in Carthage, a daughter at home with his wife, and another
child on the way. Some day they would have the privilege of reading his entire
life. He hoped, deep in his heart, the stories of his life would be an
inspiration to them to fight the tides of life and succeed in all their heart desires,
as he has.
He also enjoyed those rare trips to Rome where he could go into
his study and read the scrolls of his youth. It amazed him how naïve he’d been
in his younger years. How optimistic he’d been about the future of mankind and
Rome. He’d always hoped to retain some measure of his youthful exuberance for
life, but the older he got the more cynicism had become a part of his
philosophy.
“Hope is a gift from the gods for the young,” he said, speaking
what he was writing in the scroll, “so they won’t give up on life before they
realize that no matter what they do to make the world a better place, there are
a hundred other older souls committing unspeakable horrors against their fellow
man to outweigh the good they have done, and make the world a worse place in
which to live. Therefore the good that
the young strive to bring to the world is made moot by those old enough to know
that all the good deeds the young do to improve the world is a pointless waste of
energy in the long run.”
He chewed on an apple and looked to the stars. “Was that too harsh?” he asked aloud.
“I don’t think so.”
Senetus spun around, his sword drawn and his body ready to fight
the unexpected visitor in his private little corner of the world. An exquisitely beautiful middle-aged woman
stepped into the silver light of the moon with a broad smile on her face.
“Who are you? How did you get in here?”
“My name is Ghita. I was
sent here by your commanding officer as a gift.”
“You’re a gift?”
She nodded and held up the wineskin and basket of food she’d
brought with her. “She said I was the
appropriate age for your…mature tastes.”
She was right, Senetus thought, looking around to see if anyone was watching
them, though he doubted even his sharp vision could pierce the inky darkness
surrounding the small clearing he had found.
Ghita looked up at the moon. It had been a long time since she’d
played the role of the seductress, and she couldn’t believe she used to
actually enjoy it. The idea of giving herself to a man to achieve a selfish end
had become so foreign to her that it made her sick now.
However Peter’s life depended on her success tonight. If she failed she would have to live with
the knowledge that his life had been in her hands, and she’d let him down in
the worst possible way.
“Hungry?”
Senetus sheathed his sword and nodded. Livia must have sent the
woman, or she wouldn’t have made it through the camp, Senetus thought.
“Yeah, why not?”
**********
Livia watched from her perch in the trees as Ghita inched closer
to Senetus. The woman’s seduction
skills, even rusty as they were now, were incredible. Ghita seemed to
instinctively sense what Senetus liked in a woman. Everything he responded to
in a favorable way she amplified to get him to relax, but she didn’t overdo
anything.
No wonder she was able to get so close to Augustus, Livia thought, watching Ghita work her
magic on the older soldier. I can
only imagine what she must have been like in her younger years.
Speaking of which, Livia knew that had Ghita been younger Augustus
wouldn’t have given her a second look. Though she was showing the signs of her
age, Ghita was still magnificently beautiful. Her eyes were sharp and clear,
her skin was smooth and glowed with youthful luster, though some wrinkles had appeared
around her eyes and lips.
Her body was still taught in all the places they should be. The
woman had unnaturally perky breasts to be forty-nine years old, or so Livia
thought. Ghita was a vision of loveliness, and Livia could only hope to be as
graceful when she was Ghita’s age.
If I live to be forty nine, Livia thought. Warriors weren’t known for living long
lives. They lived fast and hard, and
they died young with cynical hearts and bloody hands. She knew all about blood.
She’d been a killer, it seemed, all her life.
Below her Senetus drank his third glass of wine, while Ghita still
sipped on her first. It was amazing how she was able to load the man up with
drink and not touch her own without looking suspicious. A real pro.
Ghita laughed at some inane comment that Senetus made about life
being a trial the gods put you through for no apparent reason other than their
amusement.
Livia was amazed that the laugh sounded so smooth and natural.
From the gleam in Ghita’s eyes, it looked as if the woman actually thought his
comment funny.
“Senetus, why do you have such a cynical view of life? Is it the
years of war?”
Senetus lay back onto the blanket Ghita had spread out, giving her
comment serious consideration.
“I think so yes. I talk with shopkeepers and the metal workers at
the forge when I go back to Rome to visit family. They seem so unaware of the
danger that lurks around every corner. They seem to hold on to this childish
hope that in the end, everything will be ok.”
“Maybe it will be.”
He shrugged. He obviously didn’t agree with her, but he was too
polite to say anything. Besides, he wanted to score with Ghita. Not just
physically but mentally.
“The gods don’t really take an interest in our lives. They’ll use
us if we amuse them, but they don’t care about our well-being. Rest will only
come when we’re dead.”
“Not if you end up in Tartarus.”
Senetus laughed and she lay down next to him and began feeding him
grapes. “You’re going to make it to
retirement.”
“How can you be so sure?” He looked into her eyes and like the
gentle soul he saw behind them. She seemed to take more of an interest in him
than his own wife did, though he knew she was nothing more than a whore and a
consummate actress. Still, it was pleasant and the wine made it easier to
believe she really enjoyed his company.
“I know Livia’s type. She’s hard but she’s honest. What you see is
what you get. She’s rumored to be a good commander. She’ll see you through,
even though she’s young. She seems to have a guardian angel watching over her.”
Senetus began to laugh, and Ghita joined him, though she didn’t
know why he was laughing yet.
“What’s so funny Senetus?”
“She’s got a guardian angel alright. Ares.”
Senetus suddenly sat up, realizing he’d let his tongue slip and it
could cost him his life, but Ghita eased him back down.
“Relax. You’re suddenly all tense.”
Livia and Ares. Ghita thought. That explained a lot. She rubbed a hand over
Senetus’ muscled chest and gave him another glass of wine. He tossed it back in
one gulp.
“Lucky girl”, Ghita said.
“She’s got a god’s favor. That’s hard to come by.”
“I’ll say,” Senetus began to relax again. “I was supposed to tell
Augustus if I saw her with any other men or making alliances behind his back.”
“And you haven’t told on her?”
Senetus shook his head no.
“Nah. I don’t care what Livia does with Ares. Just as long as she gets
me home in the long run. She can mess with every man she meets as far as I’m
concerned.”
That was all Ghita needed to hear. She sat up, trying to think of
an excuse to get away from him and back to Livia in town, but he wrapped a
meaty hand around her wrist and eased her back to him.
“Where are you going?”
“No where,” she said, knowing what was coming next. “I just wanted to refill my wine goblet.”
Ghita drained two glasses of wine, much to Senetus confusion. It
would be easier to do what was expected of her, she knew, if she were drunk
first.
“You’re going to get drunk if you down that wine too fast.”
Ghita looked into his eyes and gave him a false smile. “You know what they say. Eat, drink and be merry…”
From her perch in the trees Livia watched Senetus cover Ghita’s
body with his own, larger one. She knew
all she needed to know about her second in command. Now all that remained was
getting back to the Inn and waiting for Ghita’s report.
*********
The next day Livia came downstairs to leave with her men for Rome.
She found Ghita waiting for her at a table in the main room. Doran sat on her
lap. She held the sleeping child close to her bosom, her face a mask of shame
for her actions the night before.
Livia loved it.
She smiled at the older woman when she came into the room. “You’ve
got the look of a guilty woman Ghita.”
Ghita stared daggers at her, and it was obvious she hated Livia
with a passion for what she’d made her do the night before. “I gave you my report last night.”
Now get out
was the unspoken ending to that sentence, and it amused Livia immensely. She plopped a bag of gold coins down on the
table.
“For your services…whore.”
The hatred in Ghita’s eyes was the icing on the cake of Livia’s
day so far, but she wanted more. She
leaned close to the woman and stared at the sleeping boys face.
“The next time I see you Ghita, I will haul you back to Rome and
make you answer for your crimes against the boys mother. I’ll drive the nails
into your cross myself.”
Ghita swallowed audibly, but sighed with relief when Livia was
gone. She studied Doran, and tried to take solace in the innocence of the boys
sleeping face.
**********
Livia mounted her horse and rode to the edge of the camp. Her men
were ready, waiting only for her to lead them the rest of the way into
Rome. She found Senetus waiting at the
head of the line. Now that she knew he was no threat to her, she found herself
beginning to like him.
“Senetus. Ready to return to Rome?”
“Indeed.”
“How did you like your little present last night? Did you find her
interesting?”
Senetus smiled and bowed his head. He looked genuinely grateful to
her. “I had a good time. She was very
accommodating.”
“Good. Now let’s get you back home. I’m sure you’d like to visit
with your family.”
She started off and her army followed, pulling along their two
thousand plus captives from the Elijan temple.
**********
Augustus Caesar stood at the top of the steps of the Senate Hall
and watched as Livia, his former charge and now lover, led over two and a half
thousand Elijan slaves through the city streets. As usual her face was
expressionless, and he wondered what she was feeling inside. Did she hide her
emotions or did she simply fail to feel any?
Laertes, long time friend and most devout supporter, leaned in
toward Augustus to be heard over the din being created by the citizens that had
gathered in the streets to witness this historic event.
“This is Livia’s greatest accomplishment in the war against the
growing Elijan cult Augustus. The people clearly approve.”
There was an unspoken part of Laertes statement, which Augustus
uttered for his friend. “So surely she
deserves the title of Rome’s Champion?”
The two men laughed as their eyes returned to Livia. She
dismounted at the foot of the steps and began to make her way towards him.
“Indeed she does my friend.”
Laertes nodded in agreement. Augustus was struck by a sense of
déjà vu. It wasn’t long ago that Livia
had returned home in a similar manner, cheered through the streets of Rome by
the citizens welcoming her home. She’d marched up the steps toward him then the
same as she was now, only back then there had been a light in her eyes that was
gone now.
She stopped about ten steps below him and bowed, and then motioned
to the slaves captured below. “Hail Augustus, Emperor of Rome. I render to you
the spoils of battle.”
The crowd exploded with cheers at her salutation. Livia made her way
up the remaining steps and Augustus took her into his arms and kissed her. When
he did the crowd began to roar even louder. Clearly they approved of the change
in the couples relationship.
“Livia, I have an announcement to make. Remain by my side.”
“Of course my lord.”
“Stop that,” he said, trying to keep the irritation out of his
voice. “You know I hate it when you call me lord.”
“Alright then. I’ll just call you Augie.”
He laughed and placed her on his right side, the most honored
position one could have. Even higher than empress. Augustus held up his hands and motioned for the ceremonial ram’s
horn to be blown. After a few moments the crowd settled down.
“I have an important announcement to make. My former charge Livia,
has dedicated her life to securing Rome’s position in the world as the most
powerful Empire to ever rule. She
epitomizes the Roman way of live in all she does to protect this glorious
empire. With that in mind I have a special announcement to make. On this day,
the fifteenth of March, I declare Livia the official Champion of Rome”.
The crowd burst into cheers and for once Livia was genuinely
surprised. She’d expected to be named champion after this victory, but not this
quickly.
She leaned in and whispered into his ear. “I had forgotten this is the fifteenth of
March Augustus. Are you sure the Senators aren’t going to gather around and
stab me to death?”
Augustus laughed and snapped his fingers. When he did a Praetorian
emerged from the Senate Hall, carrying a folded uniform. Augustus took it and
presented it to Livia.
“I present to you Livia, the uniform, somewhat modified I
confess,” there was a low rumbling sound as the people who could hear his joke
laughed, “the uniform of the Champion of Rome. I know you will bring honor to
this age old, sacred position. Wear it well.”
Livia bowed, but her words were only for Augustus. “I intend to.”
Once she had the uniform tucked under her arm, Augustus surprised
her once again. “I have another
announcement. Livia and I have always loved one another, but over time our
platonic love has changed and evolved into the love only lovers know. In
exactly one year from today, Livia and I will be joined in marriage. She will
not only be Rome’s champion, she will be Rome’s empress.”
The crowd below them exploded into cheers, especially when
Augustus planted a soft kiss on her cheek. Her heart was pounding with rare but
genuine excitement, so it wasn’t difficult for her to smile up at him.
For the first time in over five years she smiled a real smile, and
she had this man to thank for it.
“Let’s go home Augustus.”
He grinned, knowing what she had in mind for them once they
reached their bedchamber. “If we do that I may have to marry you ahead of
schedule to avoid a scandal.”
Her laugh came smoothly and without force. She had returned home
victorious over the Elijan cult, she had been officially named the Champion of
Rome and Augustus had secured her future as his wife and empress of Rome.
Things were moving along slightly ahead of schedule, and that was just fine by
her. For Livia…
It was a good day.
The End of Chapter
Twelve.