I want to thank those of you that reviewed last chapter, it was great to hear your opinions. I honestly hope you enjoy this chapter as much as you did the last.

Chapter 2

The Army's Departing

Anera woke up in a bitter mood. She knew Clodius would be leaving today along with most of the army and Caesar as well. The thought of her father leaving hurt her a bit deeper than anything, he was the one she was always able to confide in. Not knowing how long it was going to be until she saw him again made her uneasy.

But it is not to be thought that Anera and her father had anything but a good relationship. He had been gone most of her life fighting campaigns and when he was home he would lock himself in his study poring over papers from the Senate. The few times she would confide in him he usually made some sort of reference to the holy savior then in a roundabout way began talking about Rome and how she was. Anera could say with most certainty that he was not the best father one could ask for, he was never around.

She stretched as she put her fur robe on. It wasn't a cold day but leaving the fur covers gave her a chill, besides if someone came into her room she didn't want to look indecent. Anera walked onto the balcony of her chamber and peered into the city of Rome.

She saw the Forum shops were beginning to open along with the market, tents of vibrant colors began to open. People were already out and about in the city. The beggars had found their places on the street, the vendors were already haggling with their customers, and the army was forming in front of the Colosseum. She found Clodius easily by his red cloak and dark brown hair, standing before his black horse, Imperium, watching the formation of his army.

Smiling a bit she sat on one of the large chairs situated on her veranda watching the city. She looked at her canvas that was sitting next to her on an easel. She had been trying to paint the Colosseum but was having some problem on the proportions. Knowing she would have nothing to do for the next few days allowed her to calm her thoughts on the painting, she would finish it later.

The sun had left the cover of one of the clouds and began to warm the noble lady. She ran her fingers threw her uncombed but still flowing black hair and relaxed a bit in the seat. She didn't get to enjoy the silence long before a knock came on her door. She had a thought of not getting up and letting the person think that she was still sleeping, but she knew they wouldn't go away. Reluctantly she removed her rear from the seat and walked over to the large poplar door.

"Good morning sister," Lucius said as he walked into the room. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. He was already wide awake and dressed in the normal noble fashion. A flowing piece of blue material wrapped him around the chest and lay on his legs. He wore a dark colored pair of leggings with high black boots. His auburn hair was lightly curly but kept short.

"Good morning dear brother," she returned the kiss on the cheek.

"I imagine you slept well," he said looking at her unmade bed.

"Of course, you know how I adore those goose-feathered pillows and the large bear covers," Anera chuckled.

"Come you need to get ready to say farewell to Father and the troops. You know how much they adore it when you say good-bye to them," Lucius laughed a bit as he walked over to her wardrobe.

"They simply enjoy seeing a woman of high status. You said so yourself it is not often soldiers will be in the company of noble women."

"This is true, but I think it gives them a sense of what they are fighting for. You know many men fight in your name Anera?"

"I have heard that tale, but I must say I believe it is a crazy myth made up to make me feel needed and wanted."

Lucius chuckled at this remark. "Anera you are always wanted and needed, no matter where you go."

She walked over to him as he picked out a burgundy gown with a large golden belt wrapped around the waist. She grabbed the dress from him but he pulled her close, "there are many times where I need you." He put his mouth near her neck breathing in deeply her lavender scent. Him being so close made her shiver.

Anera gracefully released Lucius's grasp on her arm and looked into his eyes. "You constantly need me, and you know as your sister I will always be there for you."

"I know," he took a seat on her bed.

"What are you doing?"

"Waiting for you to get dressed so I can be the lucky one to escort you to the troops."

Anera laughed at this, "well you can't wait in here," She pulled him off the bed and pushed him out the door. "Wait for me in the gardens and we'll walk out to say farewell from there."

Closing the door on Lucius Anera was able to breathe a sigh of relief. She was never quite sure what he would try and do. Just his touch on her neck made her shiver. Anera hoped there would never be a day where she would need to fend herself off from him.

Quickly throwing on the burgundy gown and putting her hair up in a classical Roman style Anera walked down to the gardens. Lucius was standing there waiting along with Gaius and Galba. Galba Brassidius was a noble commander that served under Lucius. Although a noble man Anera never cared for him, he always seemed to be plotting against someone. He has a smug air about him that even at the sight of him made Anera shudder.

"Are you ready sister!" Lucius said as he strode up to her taking her arm in the Roman fashion. Both Gaius and Galba gave a bow at the Lady's presence.

"Yes I am brother." The two strode out of the palace onto the grand staircase that stood in front of the palace. There were soldiers everywhere preparing to leave and most were mounted awaiting orders to move while the foot soldiers waited patiently for their commanders to say farewell to the Senators and the royal family.

They walked passed many of the lower Centurions who gazed in awe at the princess of Rome. As Anera has said before it was unlikely in their normal days even in Rome they would see a woman of such noble birth. She would normally be surrounded by guards, even now she was surrounded by Lucius, Gaius and Galba, but she walked with an air about her. She knew the men were glaring and she kept a straight face but at the same time giggled at it.

Turning every eye as she walked by she finally reached her father who was standing next to Clodius. Still all eyes were on her as she reached Caesar. His eyes met hers but she stayed next to her brother until her father made the move to say good-bye.

"Farewell my flower," he said kissing her on the cheek.

"Farewell father, stay safe." Looking to Clodius she spoke in the noblest tone she could without sounding arrogant, "strength and honor General."

"Strength and honor my lady," he said bowing his head as he mounted his horse.

Lucius said the same to both Clodius and Caesar as the legions began to move out of the palace. Clodius turned his head as he exited the palace gates making eye contact with Anera. In that quick moment her heart sank into the hole she had been so good at carving out these past years. Anera watched as the horses cantered through the streets of Rome to cheering noises, the glory of Rome was to be defended with the utmost honor.

Weeks had passed where Anera did very little. Her heart was somewhere in Spain fighting against only the holy savior knew who. She was prepared to spend another day trying to finish a painting when the familiar knocking came to the door. Walking over she gracefully opened the door and was surprised to find her friend standing in the doorway.

"Anera what are you still doing in this room of yours?" Lucinda questioned in her snobbish tone. Lucinda was a woman who enjoyed speaking down to the people around her. Every luxury she took in excess. Everything she owned was either custom made or of the finest material and design. She was overboard with her lavish things.

"I'm trying to finish a painting that I'm not succeeding with," Anera said as she took the shawl from Lucinda and draped it across on of the chaises.

"Well I need to get you out of this room!" She said giggling as she sat down on the balcony overlooking Rome.

"What do you propose we do?" Anera said as she took a seat next to her.

"Do you remember Antonion?"

"Antonion? Of course I do. How could I forget the boy I grew up with in Illyrium?"

"I have been in correspondence with the man and he wants to see you again. I think we should make it a small trip."

"And take the small trip to where? Illyrium?"

"Illyrium? Do you not remember where he's from? Who his father is?"

Anera stayed quiet. In all honestly she didn't remember where the man was from.

"Greece, Anera, Greece! His father is King of Greece."

"Of course, how could I forget?"

"Well Anera, my dear friend. We are getting you out of this slum of Rome and getting you to the Aegean. And possibly get you a proposal."

"A proposal!" Anera spoke up. "Lucinda I'm not ready to be wed."

"Yes you are, you are well past the age to married off. Are you waiting for someone I don't know about?"

"Of course not, I just believe…." Anera didn't even know how to finish her statement.

"You want to be the idealist fool of Rome," Lucinda began to argue.

"Idealist fool of Rome?"

"You want to be the one that says they're going to marry for love," The word love Lucinda said in a disgusted tone. "Anera there is no such thing. Besides you are no common fool living in the streets of Rome, you are the Emperor's daughter. You need to think about marrying for your status. A girl like you shouldn't be looking at people in Rome."

"No one in Rome?" Anera wondered, Lucinda always had advice or rather information about what should be done and not done in Rome. She knew the 'unspoken rules' of Roman hierarchy and marriage.

"Not even a Senator's son or a General."

"Why do you say not a General?" Anera quickly shot back forgetting her manners.

"Because the only General that would be eligible is Clodius," Lucinda laughed a bit at the thought.

"What is wrong with Clodius? He's an honorable man," Anera tried to argue.

"He's from a town in the middle of nowhere in the mountains. There is nothing respectable about that," Lucinda shot back. "Why would you try and defend Clodius?"

"Because he a dear friend and a good man Lucinda," Anera tried to sound as if she had no feelings towards him.

"Well I hope there is nothing between you two because that would be repulsive, you need someone better than a General and much better than Clodius. Someone like Antonion," Lucinda laughed at the thought. "But you need to get that thought of marrying for love out of your little mind Anera."

"And what is wrong with marrying for love, I've heard it makes one happy."

"Let me use the classic example of marrying for love," Anera knew the story that Lucinda was about to tell, she had heard it since she was a child. "Lady Lucilla was known as the beauty of Rome the most respectable woman in Rome and at one point in love with your father. Thanks to love it drove them apart. She ended up being forced to marry General Patrious. It had been known that she had a love affair with Caesar and Marcus was the only man that would accept her."

"And then once in Britannia Marcus lost his mind," Anera added into the story to speed it up.

"Yes he did but she fell in love with a lowly Sarmatian Knight and look where it got her? She has no protection and Hadrian's Wall was attacked and she died."

"So you're telling me that if I marry for love I'm going to die?"

"I'm saying that if you marry for love you will lose the protection of Rome and most likely you will suffer the consequences."

"I think you've lost your mind, Lucinda."

"Perhaps I have, but still, will please give Antonion a chance."

Anera nodded. "Good! We'll leave the day after tomorrow!"

"The day after tomorrow? That's a bit soon don't you think?"

"Never too soon to leave the gloom behind," Lucinda smiled as he left the room.

Anera continued to stare into the city of Rome. Was Lucinda right? Somewhere deep in Anera's heart she knew she would never be marrying Clodius. A General was not a man the Emperor's daughter married, Antonion was. He was rich, high status in Rome society and well educated. Perhaps Clodius's departure was for the best, Anera could finally uphold the obligation she was forced to have since the day she was born, but could she push the rugged General out of her mind?

I hope you all enjoyed it! Please review! I will try and get the next chapter up ASAP, but midterms are this week. :( But like I said please review! Thanks!