Chapter 1: Evia

I did not understand. I thought that we were family. I mean brother and sister are supposed to stick together right? I guess not. I bet you are probably thinking hold it right there; what in Rome are you talking about? Well I'll start from the beginning. My name is Eviarania (Evia for short) Scaptulasus and my brother's name is Jakarius Scaptulasus (i know Jakarius sounds weird it's a Greek name as was our maters). Our parents were murdered while at the emperor's villa. Pater was an official in the centurion legion and our family had quite a pretty penny my brother (and me sometimes) even got to go to school! Though I have to say is not that great I really don't understand why school is a privilege. Because apparently all you learn is math in standard numerals, gladiator skills and how to kill someone with your looks.

When our parents died everything was entrusted to me and my brother my brother and me I. we were both overwhelmed at the sight of all that stuff; I mean we had enough to fill the imperial villa, for figs sake! We were (and still are) rich. In total we had about:

300 dogs and cats

100,000,000,000,000,000,000 aurei

100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00 0,000,000 sestertii

4 personal roman baths (you haven't lived till you've had a roman bath)

4 family roman baths

60 slaves each

10 familia villa's

As you can see our parents were awesome!

Anyway back to the reason I am fuming in anger at Jakus (my nickname for Jakarius, cause truth be told, that name is just too long) is because he won't let me go to the front line to take one last look at all my father's friends before they go to war with Carthage. He's being so heartless right now, but then again ever since our parents died he's been as cold as stone, closed off to the rest of us in his own isolated room, hating everyone and everything. And now this, pater's friends will most likely be dead by the time war is over. If so, this will be the last time I ever get to see them.

Suddenly, I know what I have to do. I have a plan. It will require my skills in style and my wits to pull it off. First, I will need to convince Jakus that he needs to get out of the house. Then, I'll look in his closet and find the perfect war outfit to combine with my own clothing. Finally, I will wear pater's helmet and his leather shoes to sneak into the legionary holds to say goodbye. It will be risky, and if I'm caught I will be executed as a warning to others; but I am determined to risk it. With a newfound sense of defiance I walk into the central room as assertively as I can and say "Hello Jakus, we need to talk."

I can see the look of shock on his face. He was expecting me to go and sulk somewhere else in the villa. His cheeks flush and he looks flustered.

"H-h-hello Evia, about what do we need to discuss?"

"How about your mental sanity"

"I'd rather not"

"I rather would"

"When did you get so annoying?"

"When did you get so boring?"

"Just stop. Ok?"

"Stop what?"

"Forget it. I'm going to the discus field to practice."

Phase one of my plan is now complete. Now that Jakus is out of the villa, I need to find something to wear.

Jakus needs some fashion tips. I mean honestly, lion fur was out way back in the B.C. He even has a pair of sandals with the straps stopping mid-thigh; for men that is unacceptable. For women it is the perfect complement to a short chiton.

After about 45 minutes of vigorous searching I finally found a tunic that was embossed with gold decals. When I saw it, I thought I had died and gone to fashion heaven! It was short enough to wear high-strapped sandals (my fave shoe ever) and was a powdered blue. I immediately put it on and found a small folded square of parchment. It said: for Evia, when she may find the need, love pater.

I was confused. I was angry. But most of all I was hurt. I was hurt by Jakus when he didn't tell me for so many months. I was hurt by dad, by going to the imperial villa even when one of his closest friends, Maurius slipped him a note that said: the poison lies in the villa. Don't go. Save yourselves. The emperor Nero is evil. I was hurt by mater for going with dad even when she knew it was dangerous. I was a mess and no one was left to care about me and my needs, all they cared about was their little star, Jakus. Why did he get all the attention; just because he has fathers good looks, plays sports and is smart does not mean that I can't do anything! I'm gorgeous even without any makeup; I am thin and run faster than Jakus and I am smarter than he will ever be. Even he does not care for me, ever since he started going out with Lilina he has spent all his time either inhaling her face or trying to impress her. I've been getting the feeling that she really does like me, but Jakus won't let her out of his grip.