Chapter 21: Wise Men Say...
Gracchus was lead into Commodus's chambers after darkness had settled on the capital. Commodus sat in a chair at the farthest side of the room. Gracchus walked up to him, bowed low, and smiled. There were not as many lamps lit as usual. His prominent fear of the dark had obviously been soothed by Aislinn's encouragements to his strength.
"You needed to speak with me, Caesar?", he asked. Commodus motioned for him to sit. Gracchus sat down and looked at his troubled emperor with concern.
"I am very disquieted, senator. There are many obstacles before me, before my heart, and before the empire.", Commodus said with a sigh. "When did I first do wrong as emperor?"
"When you assumed the throne, Commodus.", Gracchus said plainly. Commodus looked up at him in shock. Gracchus put up his hand to signal that he was not yet finished with his explanation. "Your father was always telling you in the senate meetings that he feared you would destroy Rome. I feared something similar; I feared that Rome would destroy you."
"How can that be possible?", Commodus said still in surprise.
"Sire, this throne has been crumbling since Nero the lunatic had his slimy hand on the armrest of the throne.", Gracchus said with a sigh. He stood and began pacing. "The throne has never been the same. Peace and stability are simply pleasant illusions created by the absence of war."
"Peace and stability are the absence of war and violence, Gracchus."
"No, sire. Peace is the presence of love and stability is the effect of wisdom.", Gracchus replied. "You were never meant for the throne. You are strong-minded, strong-willed, and far too clever if I might add." The two chuckled. Gracchus looked at him seriously. "As of late, you have had the privelege of showing the tenderness in your heart. It cannot continue if you are to be Caesar, sire. You must be as cruel and firm as your predecessors."
Commodus shook his head madly. "You cannot love cruelty. I want love, Gracchus. I want the people to love their emperor, not fear him."
"Then you are not meant to rule Rome.", Gracchus said firmly. Commodus looked down. He now realized he could be honest with this man about how he had felt from the beginning. He had wanted to rule, but had decided against it towards the end of his father's life. It was only after hearing that someone other than Lucius or a member of the family would take the throne that his father had abandoned him in his childhood for, that he became angry about not being selected as emperor. Really, he had always wanted to be known throughout the land as the most incredible warrior that saved farms and nobles from outlaws. A hero for the people, someone they all loved. He sighed realizing that it could never happen for him.
"I do not want to rule Rome, Gracchus. If I could, I would throw this crown to the nearest willing fool that would wear it and escape with Aislinn to the highlands. I could be free and we could be together.", he said. A light went on in his head. "That's it! The highlands can't live without Aislinn and I can't live with Rome! I'll return with her to her homeland!"
"A lovely sentiment, sire. But the senate has already published your procclamation to fight Aislinn to the death. You couldn't just abandon the throne. The nearest fool that would wear your crown would try to make his throne bigger than yours, he would attack the highlands and slaughter all living creatures just to prove a point. It has happened before, highness. Men crave the power that taunts them from a distance, they long to outdo the man that preceeded them. You could not just leave Rome with Aislinn.", Gracchus said. Commodus felt a tear slide down the side of his face. He needed to be with Aislinn. Gracchus looked down at the young ruler and smiled brightly. "At least, you couldn't leave Rome with Aislinn, alive."
"I will not kill her!", he shouted angrily, rising to his feet and staring Gracchus in the face.
"Not her, highness, you. You must die.", Gracchus said. Commodus looked at him with confusion. Gracchus sat him down and spoke softly. Even the royal bed-chamber was a possible place for attackers and spies to hide. "I am quite versed in herbology and alchemy. There is a draught that induces a sleep so deep and powerful that it causes the person to appear 'dead'. You could take it before facing her in the arena. Any minor wounds she inflicts will be seen by the crowd and they will think that her many blows to you would have killed you."
"But, Aislinn would know that I'm not dead."
"No, sire. She must think you are dead. If she thought for one moment that you weren't, her reaction to your fatality would not be genuine. Only a few select must know your plan. Myself, yourself, Quintus, and senator Maximus."
"My sister..."
"Will be told once you are safely beyond the border of the capital. As will Aislinn. No one else must know. Rome must mourn for her emperor."
He frowned. "But a draught as powerful as that could kill me, couldn't it?"
"Of course, sire. Then again so could a battle with Aislinn. She will not lose, and neither will you. It would simply be a matter of whose heart would give out first. Spare her that, spare yourself that. Die, leave, and take your beloved home to her throne.", Gracchus said. Commodus thought long and hard about this before speaking again.
"Aislinn cannot meet with me until the day we fight. If I see her, I will be inclined to tell her everything.", he choked.
"Yes, sire. Until that time, I suggest you began drawing up the procclamation that will give her safe passage back to the highlands with your body as proof to her family of her victory. Also, study her language and customs. I will send for her brother to be brought back. He will also know of the plot, I gather from his mannerisms that he is wise enough to know that this is best for Aislinn's sake.", he explained. He looked around nervously and then spoke softer. "Commodus, Falco escaped. There were about 150 legionares that still held loyalty to him. They are in hiding. I don't know how they managed to do it, but I wager that they are counting on attacking after you lose Aislinn. Everyone who has seen you two knows that you are deeply connected to the other. You must do this."
He nodded. He looked up at Gracchus. "Aside from her homeland's language and customs, there are other things I will need to know. I need to speak with some of the prisoners."
"Agreed, highness.", Gracchus said. "This is a very brave thing you do."
Commodus frowned. He hoped that Aislinn would not be so hurt by his feigned passing as to bring harm to herself. He looked up at Gracchus. "I shall have to have people reminding her of her duty to her people on a daily basis until then. She will need a purpose to return to her home if she truly loves me and will feel my loss."
"Absoloutely." Gracchus looked at his emperor and smiled with fatherly admiration. "You know, sire, I have watched you since you were an infant. I have felt pride, frustration, joy, anger, and love. I only had three little girls of my own. You were the closest I ever had to a son and... (he looked him over smiling) you are enough. I will make this work for you, Caesar."
Commodus embraced him as a brother and sighed. "Thank you, Gracchus. There is much to be done between now and then. I will pray nightly that this will work. We will need the help of all the heavens to bring this about and have it follow through."
He nodded. "Until then, get some sleep. You will need strength of mind and body from now on."
Gracchus stood and left. Commodus watched, letting everything they had discussed churn in his mind and work through until he felt relaxed enough to sleep. He undressed, still pouring over the remnants of doubt in his mind that would cling to him until the plan was carried out. He climbed into bed and closed his eyes gently. He would have given anything to be with Aislinn right that moment. Her warm, gentle presence near him would have made all of the rest of the world disappear. He bore the weight of an empire for the rest of his waking moments. 'Not for much longer.', his mind replied with relief. Soon, he would be free.