I'm have an extended school break and the weather doesnt seem to be cooperating boo Canada so I'm basically imprisoned in my home for the 'break'. so I've decide to upload a new chap. BEWARE this chapter as more um.. Themes but its very subtle. NOTES: The Pontifex Maximus (Latin, literally: "greatest pontiff") was the high priest of theCollege of Pontiffs (Collegium Pontificum) in ancient Rome. This was the most important position in the ancient Roman religion. Enjoy the chapter.
Reyna made her way through the rowdy and bustling city. The whole of Rome was in preparation for a celebration because of a triumphant campaign in Brittannia. There was an air of festivity filling the city. Reyna couldn't feel more content.
Her mind suddenly drifted back to what happened earlier that afternoon. She was making her way towards Collegium Pontificum to meet with the Pontifex Maximus in order to get consent into joining the college and become a priestess. Midway through the voyage her chariot unfastened off her mare. She had assumed that it inflicted immense pain to the horse, which in return caused the stallion to become completely rampant.
A gallant centurion had saved her life that afternoon. No doubt from afar her chariot moving wildly down the jagged pathways looked like a helpless cause, yet he still chose to save her.
She hadn't had a good look at his face, as his helm on his head. All she could notice was his luminous blue eyes. They seemed to be ablaze under the afternoon sun. He also had light golden skin and a beaming smile. If he where to remove his helm he would have probably been quite handsome.
Stop it, she chided herself mentally, you are soon to be a priestess of Rome. Although she couldn't help but think something about him had been recognizable. But she was sure they've never met before.
She refused to ponder more on the subject, she was to forsake men for that matter. But she couldn't help musing on how he would of looked like without his helm or what he had said of her. Did he really think of her as beautiful?
Her sister Hylla was considered a true beauty and now and then people would remark on how similar they had looked. Part of her felt complimented but the other part felt deeply angered. She was angered at the fact her sister had abandoned her and their family. The sister she once had admired and striven to be like. She didn't want to be compared to someone like that. Still she loved and cared for her sister unconditionally but deeply wished that instead of her fleeing she'd have dealt with her engagement honorably.
She was now in front of the collegium. The collegium was a grand building. All the religious rites took place here. Majestic columns framed the complex. Statues adorned the structure and beautiful mosaics of religious rites were engraved all over the building. Reyna regarded the Collegium Pontificum as one of the most beautiful models of engineering in Rome next to the Imperial palace and the forum.
She had noticed the temple was vacant on sight. So she just figured she'd wait on one of the balconies. The balcony overlooked the whole of the forum. She could see people holding up banners, musicians playing music and people preparing for the evening festivities. She was too absorbed into what was going on below her to notice her friend trail in behind her.
Gwendolyn, her namesake was of the famous Queen Regnant of Britannia, was of britannic origin. She came from a working class family who happened to have migrated here for work. She had a mane of fiery red hair and clear azure eyes. Her appearance enchanted people. Not many people had her distinct coloring considering that she was a foreign beauty.
"You arrived, I thought I was going to meet the high priest alone," Gwendolyn said with relief. "He is known to be quite intimidating."
"I was entangled with something earlier," she shrugged.
Reyna did not want to go into great detail over what had happened earlier in the afternoon, but Gwendolyn was nearly as tenacious as she herself was.
"Care to explain?" Gwendolyn suggested. "Most likely everyone is preparing for the legions return. They won't be here for awhile."
Before Gwendolyn had met her, she was a sweet and delicate girl. Over their years of companionship she had started rubbing off on poor and sweet girl. She cursed herself on her unyielding personality.
"I had a mishap with my chariot, and I was rescued by some centurion." She answered as if it was the most normal of things to have happen.
"Reyna you could have been killed! You are fortunate that centurion saved you," Gwendolyn scolded. "Thank goodness your not in pieces, you should have been more careful."
"It couldn't be helped, what comes to pass, passes." The girls glared at each other, both of their stares unwavering. They bickered back and forth until they where finally brought out of their controversy by the rallying people below them. Tens of thousands of people assembled in the already overcrowded forum, as if they where welcoming someone.
"I think someone of high bearing is entering the city." She told her dear friend. "Maybe a Consul or a General." Gwendolyn gave her an incredulous look.
"Or maybe a Prince who reclaimed a lost province." Gwendolyn replied knowingly." I cannot believe you haven't heard of the crown Prince's return, it was what the whole of Rome was raving about." Then Gwendolyn nudged her. "I've heard he is quite handsome, don't you think." Gwendolyn taunted her, probably trying to see her break. She genuinely didn't know what to say, the whole matter been quite indifferent to her.
"They say his hair shines like polished gold and his eyes are as deep and clear as the oceans," Gwendolyn said breathlessly." His body is said to be as muscled and toned as a statue. I am convinced the man is a living breathing work of art," Gwendolyn sighed."Look he's arriving." Picking up her skirts her friend surged toward the balcony.
She too had moved closer to get a better glimpse of him. To her dismay Gwendolyn had been right, everything she had said fitted his description perfectly. He had seemed tall even though he was riding his steed. He had removed his helm and smiled broadly at the crowd. The cheers the crowd was emitting where loud on a monstrous scale. The whole city shook from the cheers of the crowd. The people were uncontrollable, they surged forward just so the can be nearer to their victorious Prince. Observers were spewing out praises just as much as a fountain spews out water. She was in utter shock that he was the one who had saved her earlier.
Once he had reached the senate building the whole of the senate congratulated him. They placed enormous honors on him and war medals. The High Priest was even there bestowing blessings and glad tidings on him. Religious rites where finally performed by the priestesses. With that Prince gave the the crowd a once over and finally turned up to glance at the surrounding buildings. His gaze instantly landed on the Collegium Pontificum.
He immediately gazed at her attentively, as she hitched her breath all the while. His gaze was ceasing to falter. Reyna felt heavy under his gaze, she suddenly felt uncomfortable at him looking up at her and wrapped herself up in her thick wooly and white priestess shawl. She quickly glanced up and seen he had chuckled at her reaction and looked away.
She then lifted her head defiantly, by no means would she be reduced to act like a shy blushing maiden, being the very proud woman she was. She thought all those romantic Roman dramas she had been watching at the theaters where getting the better of her. This had not been left unnoticed by Gwendolyn. Gwendolyn's gaze fleeted between her and the Prince, then she creased a brow.
At that moment head priestess lady Faustina chose to walk in.
"You know you should especially understand to subdue your voices, especially once talking about the topic of men." Lady Faustina said humorously. She walked towards them and followed their gaze."Ah.. The Prince has always been an exceptionally handsome one, I could see what all you young maidens rave about." Lady Faustina laughed.
"A maiden's fantasy." Gwendolyn cooed. Reyna glared at her absurd friend. "You know he is participating in tomorrow's Circus Games. I will be sure to root for him." Reyna ignored her erratic friends behavior and turned towards the forum.
"Reyna may I have a quick word with you in my office?" Lady Faustina asked. Reyna turned to look at Gwendolyn.
"It needn't be a problem, I was making my leave anyways." Gwendolyn hitched up her skirts."Goodbye, I will see you later at the feast." Gwendolyn disappeared into the temple.
Once her and Lady Faustina reached the office, The older priestess had ordered Reyna to take a seat.
"Reyna," she started, "Being a Priestess of Rome is a very sacred and important role, it is held with high esteem and regard in our culture." Lady Faustina stated.
"Regarding the vows, I know I could keep to them..." She began. Lady Faustina inspired her when she had first came. They were quite similar as young girls and were forced to grow up. Ever since accepting priestess-hood Faustina could neglect the traditional ways of a woman. Getting married, having children and provide for their husbands. Lady Faustina was also given privileges of voting, owning property, was celebrated wherever she went and had many other privileges bestowed upon her.
"No it is not that. I know you desired to be a priestess since you came but.. I fear it is not right for you, my dear," Lady Faustina let out a breath. "My child, it is easy to want something but you cannot always have it. You are the only remaining child of your father, he will be losing you to the state if he lets you join," Lady Faustina said calmly. "Me and you come from a completely different type of family. You came here to be taught for the future, and I came here with nothing and no one. You my dear are part of a bigger plan. The only reason why I am here is because I had no one. You will be not only be forsaking men but your whole family if you join us."
Reyna excelled in masking her emotions incredibly. She was notorious for her nonchalant persona. But inwardly Reyna urged herself not to protest. This is what she wanted after all, she could see her future here.
"What should I do?," she said with a hollow voice.
"Wait, all you could do is wait my child. Better things come to those with patience." Lady Faustina gently grabbed her hand. "Talk to your Father about it, once you clear things up come back with your decision."
She shifted out of her chair and gracefully left the room. That evening she had been told her Father would be arriving to the Capital for the annual games, so Reyna waited outside the collegium for her coachmen provided by her Father. Once the carriage came into view she elegantly glided onto the cushion seats and was taken to an extravagant private villa. Her father was keen on extravagance, she begrudgingly thought. Once she arrived to the villa she changed out of her priestess garbs and took a hot bath. The bath had relieved her aching muscles and once she was done she slipped one a robe and paced towards the bedchambers.
Upon her arrival, chambermaids were awaiting her with a low cut Grecian dress, with drapings on the back. The silky royal blue fabric was form fitting yet seemed flow freely around her. Her hair was kept semi down that night. The servants embellished her hair with glimmering jewels and she also wore droplet like sapphire earrings. She felt a little peeved about the top-cut of the dress and proceeded to where a semi-sheer shawl overtop.
After a series of loud knocking coming from behind the door, her father proceeded to enter without her permission. Prefect Marcus was powerfully built with large broad shoulders. Her father towered over the average man and above all he was quite intimidating to look at. She inherited the same glossy dark hair and black eyes."You look lovely Reyna," her father started.
She nodded back in reply. It had been years since they had last seen each other. The air around them had become tense."How have you been doing father?," she asked him, although she couldn't hide her lack of interest.
"I am fine Reyna, you needn't worry yourself," he paced towards her and picked up a loose strand of her hair, musing to himself: "Oh how you resemble your mother." It wasn't long after that when he quickly returned to his former demure self."We will continue to talk later, the feast will beginning soon. Come outside, quickly." After their final exchange of words her father rushed out of the room.
When they arrived, the Imperial Palace was already swarmed with distinguished guests. She interpreted people from all over the empire flocked to witness the annual games. She seated herself next to her father and his men. Glancing around the banquet hall, a sense of nostalgia washed over her, it had been here where she first feasted. The hall looked even more impressive then the last time she had been there. Even more tapestries, statues and works of art garnished the hall. Little bits of flowers and plants where planted and even more mosaics where painted on the ceilings.
More guests started filling the hall. The gentle plucking of lyres played in the background. Finally her friend Gwendolyn brought herself forth from the swarm of guests. She dressed in a lovely one shoulder dark green dress, complimenting her gorgeous red hair. Her hair was gleaming, her curls flowing freely down her back.
"Her take a seat," she beckoned her friend over.
The music seemed to grow more commanding and intense and soon started quickening.
"The prince is coming," Gwendolyn said in a hushed tone. The whole hall of guests risen to greet the Imperial family. The Emperor, his wife and the prince where all seated up on the dais.
Once the where all seated the food was passed out and the music began to play in its former soft and strumming beat. The whole night the guests drank merrily. Entertainers danced for the guests doing an array of strange acrobatics. In midst of it all, Reyna had decided she needed some air, seeing that there was way too much going on for her liking. She had chosen to go on a walk through the palace gardens, considering that was the only relatively quiet place the palace had to offer.
One of the most pleasurable parts of the the palace was definitely the gardens, an assortment of plants grew there. Fountains and marble columns filled the gardens. Waters pools and miniature lakes where embedded in the cobbled ground. She let the tranquil noise of running water and soft music had taken her in, although she felt a slight chill coming in and wrapped the shawl even more tightly around her.
"You've been just like this when I first shown you the gardens." A deep voice called from behind. She immediately whipped her head towards the source in which the voice was coming from.
It was the Prince standing tall and proud in all his glory. She stood there unfaltering, analyzing the man in front of her. He advanced towards her lessening the space between them. "Your not wearing white, I fear I was beginning to take a liking to you in it. No matter, change is good," He smirked at her.
She was beginning to not take the whole situation to her liking. She refused to show it, it would look like he had the upper hand. She hardened her gaze on him and then proceeded to ask, "This banquet was partly held for your return, I suggest you return, your guests are in no doubt looking for you,"
"I fear the banquet was not much to my liking, my lady, it is much to over crowded for my taste." He flashed her his perfect luminous smile. Then he countinued to lessen the gap even more. By now her blood was roaring in her ears. By now her worry was flooding her. "I was pondering about us when we were younger, earlier today." He stepped closer until the gap between was almost filled.
Reyna never been so close to a man before. What if someone had seen them. This was certainly not the Jason she knew, despite that fact that she barely even knew him for that long at all. She didn't know what to do, nobody had taught her the precautions she needed to take, in these types of... situations. By all means she was not panic-stricken, but she did not like what this turn of events was leading to. If he moved just a little more his body would have been pressed right up against hers. She moved her body to the other side so she would not have to be facing him.
"That seemed to be so long ago." She remarked dolefully. They had been so different back then. She was completely 'untamed' and both where hopelessly naïve. The both of them carried a innocence back then. She still did, but she was apprehensive on Jason's part.
Jason analyzed her with his icy blue eyes that seemed to be iridescent that night. His eyes seemed to be trailing over her silhouette. Which in her part caused her to wrap herself up even tighter, which barely even made a difference. A draft past through the both of them. Seeing how cold she was, Jason offered his soldiers cloak to wrap around her but after all his insisting she politely declined.
"It is quite possible you have found out what I have been up to these few past years." Jason told her as they where strolling the gardens. "Now I want to know what you've been up to."
"Maybe another time my Prince, right now the guests probably already noted your absence." She curtly said. "Perhaps at the Circus games."
Jason looked dissapointed at her decline but accepted it anyway, then he added solemnly. "You have changed Reyna."
"As of you too, my prince." She said upon walking back towards the hall.
