Summary: Pullo looks back on his relationship over the years with his commanding officer, Lucius Vorenus
Warning: character deaths mentioned and strong language
Comments & Reviews: positive comments welcomed
Disclaimer: everything you recognize belong to HBO, only seen entirely from Pullo's perspective.
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Fraternitas
Part III
Pullo's point of view:
Once I'd got over the initial shock, I quickly came around to the idea of being a father. Being with child clearly suited Eirene - she looked radiant, and to me, she'd never looked as lovely as she did then. With the gentle curve of her belly becoming gradually swollen with every passing day, her bright eyes softly sparkling and her skin glowing with health and vitality, my Eirene was a sight to behold. And, if it were possible, my love for her grew stronger and deeper during that time.
But there was an air of tension developing between my beloved and the slave girl, Gaia - and I was its unwitting cause. I'd been aware of the raven-haired beauty's growing interest in me for a while and had I been a single man, free of responsibilities, I would have dragged her to my quarters and throughly ravished her time and time again. But I wasn't free to do as I wished, I was a husband and despite my faults, I loved my wife deeply. That's why I kept the girl at arms length, and even encouraged Mascius to take her to his bed. It did not prevent Gaia from flirting outrageously with me at every opportunity, especially when Eirene was nearby, nor did it stop her from running her dark, flashing eyes - beautiful eyes which promised so much - boldly and lasciviously over my body. In many respects, you could say she was me in female form, when I was at liberty to do exactly as I pleased.
Both women were poles apart, in nature and appearance. My pretty Eirene, was tiny, slim and delicate with wavy, light brown hair, fair skin and bright blue eyes. I suppose statuesque would be the best way to describe Gaia. She had a figure which had most men - myself included - salivating with lust. Slender, yet very curvaceous in all the right places with toned, sleek limbs that a man would crave to be ensnared by. She moved with the silent grace of a large, predatory feline. Hers was a golden-skinned exotic beauty, with eyes so dark which had hidden depths and a mass of braided raven hair that flowed past her shoulders.
Eirene was quiet, timid and gentle by nature, slow to anger yet fiery when roused. Gaia was insolent, daring, sharply intelligent and cunning; confident of her sexuality and her power over men. She was also extremely capable of taking care of and defending herself - there had been numerous occasions when she herself had broken up fights in the tavern and nearly always succeeded in walking away unharmed.
Matters came to a head between both women one afternoon and after a blazing row, Eirene demanded that I punish Gaia for her insolence. I wasn't happy about this and desperately tried to worm my way out of it. I even tried to persuade Vorenus and Mascius to trade places with me, but they both refused. Eirene was adamant that I'd do it, and I reluctantly made my way down to the storeroom with my whip, where I knew Gaia would be working. This was the last place I wanted to be. I didn't want to be alone with her, as despite my love for Eirene, I was deeply attracted to Gaia and she was forbidden fruit. Fruit which deliberately and enticingly hung herself in front of me at every available opportunity ... She immediately attempted to seduce her way out of a flogging and we fought. Our fight quickly ended up in a bout of mindblowingly spectacular sex, where I roughly took her from behind on the storeroom table, much to her satisfaction. I quickly realized my mistake and warned her it would never happen again. Consumed by guilt for betraying my Eirene in a moment of weakness and insanity, I prayed fervently that she would never find out that I'd screwed up so badly. If she did, well ... I was a dead man ... Gaia's response was seemingly laidback and all she said was, "Shame ... You and me go nicely together ..." How was I to know then, that I held a she-wolf by the ears ?
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Vorenus was still unaware of his eldest child's hatred for him and knew nothing of her decision to spy upon him on Memmio's behalf. So when he outlined the gold transportation plan to Mascius and myself, he thought nothing of Vorena's presence as she swept the floor outside his office. As both Octavian and Mark Antony knew and trusted me, I was assigned to the task.
But the gods and the fates were conspiring against us ... for hours later, I found my sweet, gentle Eirene lying on the blood-soaked sheets of our bed. Despite every attempt by the local healer to save her, I was at her side when she finally died. I had lost both my wife and unborn child in one fell swoop and it left me devastated and blinded by grief. I did not burn my wife's body, but faithfully followed her dying wish of being buried, as was the tradition of her people.
Because I was in mourning, Vorenus put Mascius in charge of the gold's transportation. Although everything had been planned carefully, Mascius and his men were ambushed and the gold stolen. Mascius barely escaped with his life. After assuring Mark Antony that he would return the gold or suffer the consequences, Vorenus headed for Memmio's lair and warned him of the grisly death which would befall the thieves if the gold was not returned. Memmio promptly suggested that Vorenus should look to his own people, cunningly casting the blame upon our loyal Mascius.
I was riled out of mourning by Vorenus' tale of his confrontation with Memmio. I'd been right about my suspicions and had never trusted the man, but Memmio's "warning" of looking closer to home had clouded both of our judgements and we firmly believed Mascius had betrayed us, despite his protests of innocence. It was only by accident that Vorenus, to his great horror, discovered his daughter's duplicity. The depth and strength of Vorena's hatred shook my poor friend to his very core, as she accused him of killing her mother, turning her into a whore at the slave camp and betraying her siblings. Vorenus finally snapped when she vehemently told him that she wished he were dead. The sight of the normally calm and composed Vorenus furiously throttling his much loved child, roused me out of my grief and I swiftly intervened, thus preventing further tragedy.
Vorenus promptly informed Mark Antony that Memmio was in possession of the gold and that I, in order to reclaim it, would be taking over the Aventine. Still distraught by the breakdown of his relationship with Vorena, Vorenus offered his services to Mark Antony in Egypt. I tried desperately to convince him that Vorena would eventually come around and even pointed out that she was definately his daughter, as like him, she did not forgive easily. But he was adamant about leaving and entrusted all three children into my care. After Vorenus' departure to Egypt, Mascius, Gaia, our allies and I faced Memmio and the other opposing gang leaders at the forum. In an attempt at reconciliation, Memmio blamed the "madman" Vorenus for everything. I pretended to consider his words, but his disrespectful lies about my friend enraged me. I swiftly incapacitated and imprisoned him, then laid waste to the remaining disloyal collegium members who stood before me.
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Time flew quickly, and because I was lonely and needed companionship - well, I am a man, after all - I became involved with Gaia. She had been right when she'd claimed we went well together, yet despite that, she was not my beloved Eirene, who I continued to miss with all of my heart.
The country was in a bad way, its people starving and food was being rationed. In order to help feed the Aventine's inhabitants, I met up with Octavian and was informed that the granaries were empty and any available grain had been allocated to the Roman army.
Meanwhile, in Egypt, grain was plentiful. Vorenus had been spending a lot of time with Cleopatra's son, Caesarion. The boy was eager to learn of his father and Vorenus, who had learnt the truth of the boy's parentage, described him as a "fine horseman. Bad gambler. Though he'd never admit to it. Liked the women. Liked to eat. Eat the table if you'd let him." He had spoken of my good self to the lad, for as luck would have it - although it was hard to believe - I did happen to share some characteristics with the late Caesar. Caesarion, however, was not impressed by the last part, having heard Caesar had an "abstemious diet."
Vorenus was offered a chance to return to Rome but declined. Although, he did request that if I was seen, that I kiss his children for him.
I was requested by Octavian to join him in Egypt to fight against Mark Antony, in the hope that Vorenus and I could help broker peace. As Octavian relayed his plans, he explained Caesarion must die. I was so struck by this news that I agreed accompany him. I went back to the Aventine to tell the children that I was leaving for Egypt and would probably see their father. I kissed both Vorena the Younger and Lucius, but they did not reciprocate. Like their eldest sibling, it seemed that they too believed Vorenus was responsible for their mother's death.
Gaia pleaded with me to take her with me to Egypt but I refused. We had been discussing the matter in the room where we held Memmio caged, and had been so distracted that we failed to notice that he was no longer safely under lock and key. I was unexpectedly attacked and knocked out by him. As he was about to kill me, Gaia sprang to my defence like a lioness protecting her only cub. She succeeded in killing him but was mortally wounded in the process and I could not understand how someone I was starting to care for, had been stolen from my grasp. But as she lay dying in my arms, all those new feelings instantly disappeared when she made a confession. She had fallen deeply for me and meant to have me. Eirene was the fly in the ointment that stood in her way and being a resourceful woman, Gaia poisoned her. Feeling completely numb, I wrapped both hands around the slim column of her neck and slowly squeezed what life she had left from her, before dumping her still warm body outside.
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It became very clear that Octavian would only accept complete surrender from Mark Antony. But to be fair, he did state that if Vorenus would open the palace gates, his life would be spared and requested that I put a message to him to prove his safety. The message I gave was: "Tell him his children are well, and I hope my child is well also." Sadly, despite this, Vorenus refused to turn against Mark Antony.
Not long after this and believing Cleopatra dead, Mark Antony committed suicide. To Vorenus' disgust, Cleopatra still lived and at her insistence he agreed to take Caesarion to ensure he survived. He vowed to take the boy to his real father - me - and they both made their escape, much to Octavian's fury. After Cleopatra took her own life, I was sent to track the pair down and was reminded that although Vorenus had helped Caesarion escape, only he would be permitted to live. Eventually, I came across them both in the desert and we decided the safest escape route was South, until we reached Judea, where Vorenus insisted he would part company with us.
As soon as I laid eyes on the boy, it was clear that he was mine - a blind man could have seen the likeness. He was tall and lanky for his age and was a good-looking lad, determined and inquisitive. Traits he had obviously inherited from yours truly. I could find no credible explanation for his arrogance, wilfulness, the inability to keep quiet at vital times and his lack of tact and discretion, except that he must have got those "qualities" from his mother ... Other than that, I couldn't help but like the impudent little whelp !
Sadly, it was Caesarion's runaway mouth which got us into trouble. We ran into one of Octavian's platoons and were quickly rumbled when the gobby little brat couldn't keep his opinions to himself. A fight broke out and even though we succeeded in protecting the boy, my friend was critically wounded. It was enough to make Vorenus change his mind about returning home. Against all odds, I got him back to Rome alive, but only just. He was finally reunited with his children and on his deathbed they made amends, allowing Vorenus to find peace at last.
Afterwards, I told Octavian that I'd killed Caesarion in the desert and that Vorenus had also passed away. I met Caesarion after the meeting and told him Octavian had bought my story.
The boy immediately vowed to avenge his parents and I finally had to interrupt him and put him straight about one slight thing: "Listen, about your father ..."
In such a short space of time, I'd gained a fine son, who despite his faults, I grew to love dearly and be proud of. But the loss of Vorenus, who had been my commander, my brother-in-arms and companion had been one of the greatest sorrows of my life. Even now, years later, not a single day goes by that I do not grieve and miss him terribly. My best friend ... my brother, Vorenus ...
Finis