Rome led the emperor into the dining room, where the first course had already been laid out by Britannia, who was ferrying the dishes in and out of the dining room. The emperor and Rome reclined on opposite couches as they ate the first part of the meal.
"So what have you come here to speak of?"
"Oh, news from Byzantium and the generals in the north are getting jumpy again, like nervous cats they are" the emperor responded, nonchalantly reaching for another egg. "These are bonum, tell me what sort are they?"
"Simple duck eggs"
"Really? They do not taste like it. Your Gaul is a cook optima"
"She certainly is, are you sure that is all?" Rome said with an edge to his voice, he could not bring himself to trust a man who disregarded the words of his generals so casually.
"Of course! You act as if they warn of impending invasion."
"Do they?"
The emperor faltered, then said "Of course they do. You know generals, warning of invasion then overthrowing the emperor, you've seen that happen so many times; Vespasian, Septimus Severus, Augustus himself if you count overthrowing the triumvirate"
And all were better emperors than you and your ilk, Rome thought to himself as the emperor continued.
"In fact, I think that you should worry about the generals, they seem a shady bunch to me."
"mhm"
After Britannia brought the middle course, the emperor and empire gorged on the rich meats that Gaul had prepared and admiring the artistically decorated peacock that was served on a golden platter. Rome was quite pleased with how the meal had gone, but as they pecked at the desert the emperor thought there was something missing.
"Where is that beautiful ancilla of yours, the one who used to sing so prettily?"
"Iberia?"
"That's her name."
Rome sighed, then whistled and gestured toward the table. A brown haired woman entered the room, a lyre in one hand. After a nod from Rome she began to play some old song, singing as she played.
Rome looked over to the emperor, who was greedily watching Iberia dance, a twisted expression on the old man's face. The performance was cut short by the shrill cry of an infant and Rome waved her away to deal with the boy, much to the emperor's disappointment.
"I think that concludes cena," Rome said, getting up and gesturing toward the study again. "I want to hear about the events in my little Byzantium's house-"
"He is hardly little anymore," the emperor chuckled
"and what those northern general's have to say." Rome added. The emperor's smile shifted and he grudgingly got up and headed toward the study.
Latin Glossary:
bonum: good
optima: very good, excellent
ancilla: slave girl
cena: the evening meal, largest of the day
I expect to be updating this story every two or three days, thank you for coming back.
