The Germanian grabbed Antonia and threw her into a tree.
"So, it's a Roman whore left on her own!"
The man advanced, then grabbed her braid, throwing her into another tree.
He was about to do it again, but was stopped by a hand grasping his arm.
"You don't want to do that" Maximus said in a deadly tone.
The Germanian was about to say something, but Maximus' sword was quicker, slicing his head off in one movement.
"Let's go" he said to Antonia, picking up her bag and not looking at her.
He led her through the forest, not saying a word.
"Are you displeased with me, my lord?" Antonia asked, trying to keep up with his long strides.
"I told you to hide Antonia, how hard is that?" Maximus replied, turning around with his hands held out.
"I did what you asked, but that soldier intercepted me!"
Maximus turned on her so fast that she almost walked into him.
"Do not make excuses, you are a servant, and you do not argue with your master"
Antonia hung her head, hot tears stinging her eyes.
They reached a clearing where a horse was waiting.
He picked Antonia up and placed her on the saddle, swinging up behind her.
The rest of the ride to camp was painfully silent, Antonia wiping away tears from Maximus' outburst.
Maximus was not a man to get angry easily, but she could have expected his response.
Still, he had been so generous to her.
Antonia resumed her duties in the camp, cleaning and cooking.
MAximus noticed a change in her attitude, she was quieter, more withdrawn. Antonia didn't even argue with him anymore.
After this went on for a few days, he couldn't stand it anymore and called her to his quarters.
She came in and he noticed that she was wearing a beautiful blue tunic that hung off her hips in perfect ripples.
"Have I offended you in any way?" His tone was quiet, but kind.
She shook her head.
"Then what is the cause for your melancholy?"
Antonia straightened her back.
"You reminded me of my duty, I am only following what you said"
Maximus shook his head.
"I realize that I may have spoken harshly"
Antonia took a step back.
"I am a servant sir, I appreciate your concern, but I have duties that need attending"
Maximus nodded and dismissed her.
That evening, Maximus came in late to dinner.
He sat heavily in his chair and waved away his food.
Maximus put his head in his hands.
"Plans troubling you, sir?"
"The Emperor has died"
Antonia's reaction shocked him.
She dropped the plate she was holding, then bent over the sink.
"Are you alright?"
She nodded, tears starting to fall down her cheeks.
"P-please excuse me"
WIth that, she left, leaving a confused Maximus in her wake.
That night, Maximus retired early.
Antonia sat at the shrine, praying.
She could hear the rustle of Maximus' sheets as he lay down to sleep.
She heard the raucious laugther in the room next door.
She finished her prayer and kissed the small figure on the altar.
As she stood, a ripping pain shot through her abdomen, causing her to double over in pain.
Oh no.
As she looked down, a red stain was spreading across her dress.
Antonia walked as quickly and quietly as she could to her bedroom, muffling her gasps of pain so Maximus wouldn't hear.
She shut the door and took out some towels, tears of pain starting to run down her cheeks.
She undressed, the cramps getting worse as the blood started dribbling down her legs.
She laid down and tried to ignore the cramps.
Then, there was a big pain so bad she felt like she was being split apart.
After what seemed like forever, it was over and a bloody mass lay on the towels.
Antonia sobbed as she wrapped what was left of her baby in the bloody towel and placed on the fire with a prayer.
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