Athos couldn't have cared less that his sister and Reed were attending the brief while he mingled with the common folk in the Fly Trap. He was content with his position as a lowly Legionnaire. Even as he held the position of Decanus, it was hardly an appointment that held much significance when it came to the decision making of the Legion. He was content leaving those calls to people like Brutus, Reed, Cerberus and Caesar. Aramis' own council seemed to be required from time to time but that was no surprise, she was the smart, strategic one.
He had already led his Contubernia on a long twenty-six mile run this morning as he had nearly every morning since he took over the section while the meeting took place in Caesar's War Room. The only thing Athos seemed to truly relish was making his group of ten Legionnaires the strongest and toughest in the Legion.
His men were the first ones up every morning as they prepared for the grueling run to the base of the dormant volcano crater and back. When he first began this ordeal, many of the men had dropped out, puking up the contents of their stomach on the side of the cracked and torn up 89 highway.
It took several long months before his men began to embrace the long run and eventually none dropped out again. It became their time to get away from the putrid smell of rotting meat, necrosis and dysentery that seemed rampant all over Flagstaff. This was their bonding time, they joked around, told stories, and laughed as they ran. Athos couldn't have been more pleased with them.
When they returned from their run it was always a bit of a showboating ordeal. The men were sure to be as loud and obnoxious as possible to get a rise out of the other, lazier Legionnaires, as Athos put it. If Decanus Argo happened to be in proximity when Athos and his men charged in, Argo was usually taunted good-humoredly that he was too nice to his Contubernia.
From there Athos' men were permitted to take a couple hours to fix the camp infrastructure, work on stitching and repairing their armour, creating new weapons or sharpening already existing ones. From there the men went to the mess tent for a quick lunch then straight to the training arena for lessons, sparing or other fitness related activities.
It was always their reward at the end of the day to be allowed a daily shower privilege, the only Contubernia to be granted such an honor where most were lucky to have one a week. Athos had fought hard for permission. He had argued that his men needed more incentive to put themselves through the rigorous training regime besides it was for the good of the Legion and to honor their High Commander, Caesar. It was their gift so long as they remained the strongest force in Flagstaff.
Athos usually received the day's orders between the time when he and his men returned from their run and lunch from Reed but he was having difficulty finding his Centurion this morning.
He strode through the Fly Trap, his head on a swivel trying to locate Reed but the Centurion was nowhere to be found. It was at that moment that Athos took notice of the cheers, shouts and jeering coming from inside one of the shelters of the Fly Trap. A large group had gathered outside Shelter 4, which housed Argo's Contubernia.
As Athos approached Legionaries moved away from the door to permit him access.
"Come to take part Decanus?" a youthful Prime Legionary of perhaps eighteen asked. He had small dark eyes, a hooked nose with a narrow brow. His dark greasy hair curled back over his smallish ears. He was and extremely ugly man.
"What's going on?" Athos demanded in his usual commanding voice he since adopted when he became a Decanus.
"Your brother brought a gift back for the men. Some Capture he's telling the men to spoil until we've had our fill," the young man replied.
Athos raised a brow. What was this man talking about? What gift, Athos thought. He moved passed the crowd outside the shelter and stepped in.
The moment he entered Shelter 4 he was hit by a musty wave of sweat and body odour that was pungent and acrid on the eyes and nose. The hoots and hollering were so loud that calling out for anyone would be futile. Despite the thunderous chants from the men, Athos heard the cries of pain and suffering from a shrill female voice that sent a chill down his spine.
His first thought was that the Legionary outside had been mocking Athos and the men had discovered Aramis' true identity but as he pushed through the crowd gathered in the center of the shelter like a stampeding Bighorner he saw the shrieks weren't coming from his sister at all but some disheveled woman he'd never seen before.
Before he knew it his sister was beside him, arms crossed with a grin that stretched the width of her face.
"Come to watch the show?" she asked cheerfully with eyes on the woman in the center of the crowd.
Athos followed her eyes to the woman who must have been in her late twenties. The woman's dark hair fell over her face, covering the tears that streaked down her bruised and battered cheek mixing with the blood that fell from her nose and lip and pooling on the rotting wood floors where the flies were already collecting.
The woman was stark naked and bent forward where her face was being met by an unknown Legionary who had drawn up his armour skirt and presented his penis for her to take in her mouth. At first she protested, moving her head to the side but the Legionary took her messy brown hair in his hand and forced her mouth upon it. Reluctantly she took him in her mouth and the crowd raised their voices in cheers.
Behind her another Legionary was taking his time fucking her in the ass. Athos knew this man by his spiked plume of red hair and the tree scar on his cheek to be Brash, a brutish Veteran who should have been a Decanus, perhaps even a Centurion by now had it not been for his piss poor attitude and inability to take orders without raising a defiant word. The man had been demoted twice but none were willing to have him killed because he was too damn good a fighter.
Athos watched as Brash drove his cock deep into the Capturee again and again and again each time making a grunt like a wild animal though the comparison was not far off.
The woman was marked up from head to toe with bruises, deep lacerations and burns from where the men had used objects left in the braziers to burn her exposed flesh.
"The bruises actually help cover up just how ugly she really was," Aramis mused.
Athos felt something most uncomfortable grip his lungs, like the air was being squeezed out and finding his words was a challenge.
"Who is she?" he managed to get out, wanting to know.
"Some Raider cunt that thought she'd take a shot at me," Aramis spoke nonchalantly as she showed Athos the part of her scalp above her left ear where the hair had been skinned away by what he could only assume was a bullet.
Suddenly Reed was beside him looking most concerned.
"This needs to stop ... now," he demanded but only loud enough for the two of them to hear.
"Why?!" Aramis roused angrily.
"This is barbaric, Aramis! You of all should know this is not how we treat some one," he warned keeping his voice low.
Athos knew exactly what Reed meant in his words. Reed meant this is not how we treat women and Aramis of all people should have understood that.
Aramis rolled her eyes, something she'd never do to any other Centurion but between the three of them, they never pulled rank so long as it was kept discreetly.
"She shot me!" Aramis defended.
"Are you dead? Maimed even?!" Reed bit back.
Athos could see Reed wouldn't budge on his stance and his sister was standing firm too.
"What lesson does this teach?" Reed asked, his temper rising.
"Not to fuck with us!" Aramis replied childishly.
"And who the hell is going to know? She's not going to have a jaw to flap around once the men are finished with her!" Reed snapped.
"Then she dies, what do I care?" Aramis mused.
Reed looked as though he was going to strike her but exercised more restraint in that moment then Athos thought Reed possessed.
"The men are having a good time. What's the big deal if they ravage some cunt that deserves it?" Aramis questioned.
Reed was silent as his eyes fell back on the woman. Brash had finished with her, now it was another's turn. Reed shook his head and left the shelter without uttering another word of protest.
"You really shouldn't defy him like that," Athos warned.
"He may be a Centurion but he has no authority over operation of a Frumentarius," Aramis defended.
"And how is this a Frumentarii operation?" Athos asked.
Aramis merely shrugged, as the smile grew wider.
"No idea, but I sure as hell enjoy it," she mused.
Athos turned back to look at the girl being ravaged by the Legionaries. It didn't bother him so much to watch the Capture be abused in such a manner that as Aramis stated, seemed fitting for what she had done to Aramis but he knew Reed had a point.
What did bother him was that it had been Aramis who had enacted such a punishment. He never thought she'd be capable to put another woman through such an ordeal.
"What will you do with her after?" Athos asked.
"I don't expect her to live."
"You want her to die?"
"Seems like the merciful thing to allow."
"And you don't see anything wrong with this?"
"Should I?"
Athos knew this was not the time or place to bring up the moral implications of what Aramis was doing so he chose to just keep silent.
"I'd offer you a turn but I doubt Seekra would like that too much," Aramis muttered.
Athos just shook his head in utter disbelief that of all things to be concerned with, that's where Aramis chose to hold to her morals – he and Seekra's fidelity towards one another while a woman was being raped and murdered before his eyes on Aramis' order.
It was hard to judge her though. He was guilty of many atrocities but it seemed just wrong that she was condoning such an act. Still, he chose to remain silent and appear indifferent.
Athos watched as another Legionary tapped out with the Legionary whose dick was being sucked by the Capture, and he was surprised to see it was Argo.
When Argo saw Athos he smiled and waved. Athos returned the smile awkwardly. Argo was now presenting his own semi hard penis before the mouth of the young woman and placed his hands on her head when she accepted it.
Athos watched as Argo plunged his member deep down the woman's throat. She choked and gagged on its size, which only brought out a roar of cheers and laughter from the men.
Athos had seen enough. He cupped his sister's shoulder, giving her a firm pat before turning and exiting the shelter without a further word spoken between them.
When he descended down the stairs of Shelter 4 he caught sight of the young Prime Legionary who was beaming at him with those small puckish eyes.
"Pretty wild in there eh! Your brother's the shit!" the man jeered.
Athos didn't have a reply for the man so he casually walked by without even acknowledging the comment.
He walked through the Fly Trap trying to make sense of what he had just seen, that's when he saw Reed striding up the small hill that separated the Fly Trap from the high command's own living quarters.
"Centurion!" Athos called out.
Reed turned and eyed Athos with narrowed eyes of skepticism but stood waiting for Athos to catch up.
When Athos was beside him Reed carried on his walk towards his own private quarters.
"That didn't seem right, did it?" Athos asked.
Reed gave him a mocking stare.
"You think?" Reed snapped.
"I didn't know she would do that … I … I didn't know she could," Athos admitted.
"I think we're both surprised," Reed acknowledged.
"She's just angry. The bitch shot her. Aramis doesn't see her as another female; she's just a Capture who tried to kill her."
"Be that as it may, she of all people needs to know what's an appropriate battle to pick and the course of actions that proceed it," Reed warned.
"I don't think we need to be too concerned about her …" Athos began when suddenly he saw Reed's eyes flash to a figure striding towards them.
He was walking with a slight limp but that didn't make him appear any less menacing. The Legate was smiling as he approached the two of them.
Athos hated that smile. It was cruel and untrusting. He could never figure out who was the man behind that smile.
"My Legate," Reed spoke sternly as he crossed his fist over his chest in respect. Athos did the same.
"At ease gentleman," the Legate offered courteously. "Are you both well? You're quite flushed and appear bothered."
Athos didn't like that the Legate seemed too in tune with the emotions and feelings of those around him. He hated to think he was so transparent that this twisted man could read him so.
Athos shook his head but Reed didn't skip a beat and piped right up saying,
"It's Aramis, my Legate. The Capture you two found in the wastes. I think he's just gone a bit too far with the her punishment."
The Legate's smile grew and he narrowed his eyes like he was privy to a secret neither Athos nor Reed were.
"Is that so?" the Legate began. "The Raider shot Aramis you know. Almost killed the young Frumentarius. I believe Aramis' punishment is suiting of the woman's crime."
"You're aware of what's going on in Shelter 4?" Reed asked in surprise.
"No, but I'm sure Aramis is acting appropriately," the Legate muttered.
"He's not really the one evoking the punishment. He's leaving it just about every Legionary in the Fly Trap," Reed informed.
Athos remained silent while Reed took on this battle.
The Legate cupped his chin in his hands and rubbed the shadow of a beard that was coming through.
"What is so dismaying about a Legionary taking a woman? Or several Legionaries taking on a woman?" the Legate asked subtly.
There was something about the Legate's line of questioning that made Athos think he was leading them in a conversation and it was up to them to come to the conclusion he wanted.
"It seems excessive," Reed tried but he knew he wasn't getting anywhere.
"And when Aramis tortured Decanus Sipher, mutilated him, did that seem excessive?" the Legate asked.
"I think in light of those events, that was acceptable. This is a different case," Reed said but he was starting to waver.
"Is it because the Raider is a woman?" the Legate asked.
Reed swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Or is it because you finally see the full extent of what we have all created?" the Legate asked casually.
Reed tried to appear confused but he was clearly nervous and he stole a glance with Athos.
"I'm not sure I follow," Reed admitted.
"I'm sure you do," the Legate accused.
Reed took a step back nearly bumping into Athos.
Athos was playing with the idea of killing the Legate right here and now. Was he really hinting what Athos thought he was? Could the Legate have known what Aramis was? No, there was no possibility of that. Sure Aramis would have told her brother of this.
"Have a good day gentleman," the Legate spoke calmly as he walked right by the two gawking men who were too paralyzed with shock to do a thing for several seconds.
"Does he know?!" Athos suddenly cried out.
"I don't know how he possibly could. I mean … if he did surely he would have done something about it instantly! There's no way he'd permit her to carry on as she is. Unless he's waiting for the right moment to reveal her," Reed replied in a panic.
"What do we do?" Athos said in a panic.
"Nothing. We do nothing. For now that is. If he does know, the last thing we should do is go running to her, that's what he'd expect. We can't appear spooked," Reed told him.
Athos was nodding but he was having trouble piecing it all together. At that moment all he knew was that Aramis was perhaps in great danger.
"Carry on with your day Athos. Go train your men. Don't do anything stupid. Leave this to me," Reed told him.
Athos had a hard time accepting his submissive place in all this but he trusted Reed and knew he cared for Aramis as her own brother did. He gave Reed a curt nod and watched as the Centurion disappeared from sight.
Athos willed himself back to the Fly Trap unable to shake the thought that perhaps the Legate knew Aramis' true identity and the danger she was in.
"Athos?" a soft voice called from behind him.
He turned catching sight of Seekra who stood just mere feet away, her face full of freight and concern.
"Athos are you all right?" she asked.
Clearly he was carrying his emotions plainly on his face for all to see.
Seekra checked over her shoulders to make sure their words were not heard by those she did not wish to hear them.
"Is this about Aramis? About what's going on in Shelter Four?" she inquired, her voice low, gentle but full of worry. "I've heard talks from the other slaves. What Aramis has done. It's … I know it's not my place but …."
Athos masked his concern instantly. It had been months since the incident with the Slave girl and her child. Seekra had done her part to avoid Athos as best she could and it plagued him every night to know she held him in such little favour. He was determined to win her back but he had no idea how he could ever get her to forgive him.
"I know," was all Athos could manage. He was crippled with thoughts that he wanted to fix his relationship with Seekra but now seemed hardly the time. Aramis was in trouble. He needed help he … suddenly he thought of an ally he hadn't gone to in years.
He looked to Seekra and suddenly a smile appeared in his face.
"Do you want to see your son?" he spoke out abruptly.
Seekra appeared taken aback.
"Alexus?" she asked as if the name was unfamiliar to her.
"At the Lion's Den. Do you want to go see him?" Athos reiterated.
Seekra looked as though she couldn't comprehend what Athos was offering.
"I … of course but Athos, that's impossible. I'm forbidden from …"
"I need to speak with Lion immediately. If you wish, come with me and see your son."
It seemed selfish to use this opportunity to win back favour with Seekra but Athos wasn't going to allow this chance to slip away.
"Now?" she asked.
"Right now." Athos took her arm and with a firm jerk he led her down the hill towards the Lion's Den where the young up and coming boys of the Legion were training under Instructor Lion's watchful eye.
At the sight of Athos a wide grin played on Lion's face. Seekra's presence didn't seem to cause a waver.
The instructor had aged immensely over the years. His wrinkles grew in number and depth on his sun browned skin. His hair had nearly all gone to grey but a few strands that clung to their rusty pigment. He had come to keeping it long and tied back in a bun behind his enormous head. His eyes had become more sunken above large bags of darkened skin but their still carried a warmth and brightness that nothing could take away.
He hobbled on his crutch to where Athos and Seekra approached. He scooped up Athos in massive vein popping arms and in that moment Athos had realized that despite his age, Lion still carried the strength of any young man.
"Athos my boy!" the great man jeered impressively.
Athos couldn't help but feel the infectious happiness and he returned the hug and warm smile.
"What brings you to my den?" Lion asked curiously. His eyes flashed to Seekra and he raised a greying brow.
"I need to have a few words in private. You remember Seekra don't you? The slave girl who …"
"Aye, I remember the girl … not so much a girl now is she," he mused and nudged Athos teasingly.
Athos gave a giggle and nodded.
"None of us are quiet so young as we once were," Athos replied in jest. "But I must speak with you now. I was hoping while we do so, Seekra may be able to watch her son train for a moment."
Lion's smile faded instantly and he eyed Athos with caution.
"It is not wise to allow a slave to reunite with their children. They belong to the Legion now, not their mothers," Lion explained.
"We know but … just this once," Athos pleaded.
He recalled how it had been Seekra who saved Aramis that night many years ago when they were mere children and the men of the Legion were forever indebted to her for years of faithful service. He hoped Lion saw things the same way.
Lion groaned and rubbed the stubble on his chin.
"Make it quick," he ordered.
Seekra gave a slight shriek and hurried off to the training circle to see her son.
"Now what is it you want to speak with me about?" Lion asked as he leaned in on his crutch.
"It's Aramis. I think the Legate knows she's a woman," Athos spoke plainly.
"Impossible. If he knew the camp would be in uproar," Lion objected.
"He hasn't made it entirely clear if he knows and if he does, he seems to be holding on to the information for whatever reason he may have."
"Why do you suspect this?"
"Something he said to Reed and I just moments ago. Aramis captured some Raider girl in the wastes and Aramis gave her over for the men to use as they saw fit. Reed and I were speaking privately in protest when the Legate came up on us. Reed voiced his concerns to the Legate but the man seemed to find our complaint amusing. He knew we were bothered that Aramis had allowed a woman to be abused and he went as far as saying we were all responsible for Aramis' actions," Reed explained.
Lion gave a pause and put more of his weight on his crutch as it sunk a bit in the sand.
"It seems his suspicion is made worse by you and Reed's careless actions to voice concern about matters pertaining to the treatment of a woman," Lion accused.
Athos let his eyes fall to the ground in shame.
"What's done is done. We must figure out what to do next," Lion explained.
"I have to kill him," Athos spoke out.
"Now you're speaking insanity. The man is not called the Malpais Legate for nothing."
"I'm bigger and stronger then he is. I can take him."
"Aye, you can but then what? The Legion will want your blood for that and what good are you dead?"
"As long as Aramis is safe."
"You speak of her like she is some delicate flower growing in this place. Do you forget she is now second in command of the Frumentarii? She's a trained killer and she can operate much more stealthy then you can. Why not make her privy to this information? Why not get her to do the deed and save herself? Sometimes the brother doesn't need to always protect his sister," Lion explained.
Athos contemplated this for a moment. Lion was right. Aramis was far more capable then he was at an assassination job. If she was going to be safe, she'd have to save herself this time.
"You're right," Athos spoke in a mild tone.
"I know," Lion smiled. She'll have to act quickly. If you're right, I'm sure the Legate will not hold onto this information for too long."
"This is asking a lot of you Lion. You've kept her secret now we burden you with a plot to kill the Legate," Athos pointed out.
"I don't like the man. With Caesar you see the man for what he is; brutal, harsh and he displays it for all to see. The Legate is of a different evil - one who can use the word of some deity to commit the most heinous of crimes and feel nothing for it … that's the type of man who terrifies me," Lion explained.
Athos nodded. He and Lion were in agreement there too.
Both men fell silent as they looked to the two young boys draped in the arms of Seekra.
"I thought she only had the one son," Lion asked.
"She fostered the other boy. What's his name again?"
"Dead Sea," Lion said.
"Are they strong?" Athos asked.
"They will be excellent Legionaries one day," Lion assured him. He gave Athos a firm strike on the back. "Much like you."
Athos smiled, leaving Lion's side and approached Seekra and the young boys. When he was close he saw she was crying. She held both boys tight in her arms, whispering how much she loved them both. He noted that neither boy was crying. They looked strong, hardened yet he could see in the way they held her that they loved and missed her too.
Alexus would have been around six by now and Dead Sea about nine. Dead Sea stood over a head taller then little Alexus. Both had grown shaggy gold hair but Alexus' shone in the sun like that of his mother's. Despite the fact the boys shared no blood they appeared brothers regardless - same thin mouth, small nose and darkish eyes.
"We have to go now," Athos told her gently.
"You be brave. Be my brave boys," she told them as she gave them a final squeeze. Neither boys said nothing but starred at the woman they once knew as mother in quiet content.
Athos took her arm and led her away from the two young boys. As they passed Lion, Athos gave him a warm smile and a nod of the head, which was met by the same gesture. He and Seekra went back up the hill until they were back in the Fly Trap.
"Thank you," Seekra spoke up once they were near her tent. "That was the kindest gift you could ever give me."
Athos felt the weight of the world lift off his shoulders.
"You know I love you more than anything," he told her.
"I know."
"I will do anything to make you happy and keep you safe."
"I know, Athos."
"I will marry you, if you'll have me."
Seekra looked stunned. Her eyes went wide and her mouth gaped.
"Athos you don't want to marry me," she suddenly broke off.
"Yes I do! I always have. I've loved you since we were children," he told her.
She smiled as her cheeks went red but she shook her head.
"You can't marry me. It's not allowed."
"One day, I will be a Centurion, like Reed and on that day I will take a wife and that will be you," he told her as he took her hands and cupped him in his, pressing them to his chest.
"You will be allowed to take any woman you want, as many as you want. You'd be wasting such an honor on me."
"How can you say such things?"
"I have been spoiled again and again and again. No man would want me."
"I want you and I will have you," he told her, his voice low and stern.
Finally she seemed to submit as she relaxed in his grasp and smiled. She gave the slightest of nods and a smile lit up across his face.
"I promise," he told her as he stole a quick kiss before releasing her. He watched her enter her tent but before she disappeared, she looked back and gave him the sweetest of smiles that would keep him going till the end of his days.
Reed had just left his cabin when he saw Athos hurrying to him. Reed waited before Athos was upon him before he spoke.
"What is it?" Reed asked.
"I have an idea!"
"I thought I said to leave it to me," Reed warned.
"I know but then I went and saw Lion. I told him everything. He thinks we should have Aramis kill the Legate!"
Reed looked around in alarm before grabbing Athos by the arm and dragging him back into the cabin.
"Are you insane?!" Don't speak so loudly! What are you even thinking of getting Aramis to kill the Legate?!" Reed exclaimed.
"She can do it! She can sneak into his cabin while he sleeps and kill him. It will be easy for her!" Athos said.
Reed strode around the room weighing Athos' words.
"It's crazy but I think you may be right," Reed fessed.
Athos beamed from ear to ear but tried to hide elated expression by turning his back to Reed.
"We better find her quick. There's no telling how much time we have," Reed said as he opened the cabin door. "Come on."
They found Aramis in her shelter surrounded by the gawking eyes of her companions.
"Friends! Join us!" the cheery voice of Connor offered when Reed and Athos entered the Frumentarii's shelter. Athos had little contact with the men of the Frumentarii despite his sister's position amongst them. He only knew Connor by his upside down birthmark but the man was plain looking besides that with crooked teeth, dark eyes and even darker hair which he kept always clipped short so it was nothing more than thick stubble on his head.
The four present members of the Frumentarii were positioned around a table playing a game of cards it seemed.
How nice it must have been to have so much down time for games, Athos thought.
"I'm here to see my brother," Athos announced trying to sound intimidating.
Aramis rose from her place at the table and approached her brother and Reed.
"What is it?" she asked but her voice had an air of hostility.
"Privately," Athos and Reed spoke in unison.
"Your cards sucked anyways, Aramis. Just go," Picus' voice called out.
Aramis, Athos and Reed stepped out of the shelter and Reed looked around to make sure they were alone.
"We think the Legate knows you're a girl," Reed spoke bluntly.
Aramis looked surprised but composed herself right away.
"What makes you think this?" she asked.
"He said something to the two of us that gave us reason to believe this," Athos spoke up.
"The Legate knows nothing," Aramis tried.
"He knows Aramis. We're certain of it. If you had been there and heard his words you'd know too," Reed carried on.
"He doesn't and you two are being ridiculous," Aramis exclaimed.
"You're in danger Aramis. He can't be allowed to tell anyone. If he does we're all dead and you … you will be tortured just as your Raider friend … but worse. We have a plan," Reed tried.
"A plan?" Aramis said as if mocking this allegation.
"You have to kill him," Athos announced.
"Kill him…" Aramis echoed.
"In his tent. Tonight while he sleeps. You have to kill him or that's the end of us all," Reed went on.
"Enough. You two need to drop this," Aramis said, her voice getting heated.
"Aramis you …" Athos began but Aramis cut him off.
"I said enough. You two worry about your lives. Let me worry about mine. The Legate doesn't know anything and he is of no threat to us. If you'll excuse me," she snapped as she opened the door of her shelter and slammed the door behind her.
"Well, that went well," Athos grumbled.
"We'll have to come up with another plan and hope we have time. It's all we can do," Reed muttered. "I have to get to a brief. We will speak again of this tomorrow."
"But what if we're too late?" Athos asked.
"We pray we're not." Reed said grimly.
Lion woke with the uncomfortable feeling in his groin and he new he had to take a piss and perhaps a long shit. He groaned, kicking off his animal skins and extended a long muscled arm out for the crutch propped at the side of his bed.
In the dark he fumbled the air for it until he felt the wood trace by his fingers and grasped it with tired hands. He eased himself out of his bed and on weak legs and limped his way out of the large tent that housed he and the Legion Children. The night air was unseasonably warm and he looked up to see a clear night sky and the spectacle of stars that splattered the blackness with faint shimmering light.
He hobbled paying careful mind not to stumble and trip. The latrine stood out darker then the open ground around it. It was a small hut constructed with scrap wood and metal too useless to make up anything but a structure that contained the Legionaries shit and piss.
The smell inside was so foul Lion had to cover his nose and mouth with the collar of his tunic to try and filter some of the vile stench. It was pitch black inside the latrine and the lack of visual sensory made his olfactory sense that much stronger and his tunic did little to shield him from the smell. The inside was nothing more then a large wooden stool with a hole cut in the center. If you wanted to take a piss you merely aimed at the massive whole in the wooden floor to the metal containers below but the stool was an effective perch for one to sit and take a shit.
It was the duty of the older Legion children to empty the large metal containers beneath the structure. It was one Lion ensured they did as often as they could after all; he had to do his business in here too.
When he had finished he left the latrine and searched the wall for his crutch he saw a lone figure in the far distance fumbling up the steep hill behind the High Command's living quarters.
Lion felt his heart quicken and the air in his lungs turn stale. Who was wandering around the camp at this hour and why were they sneaking behind the High Command's camp? It dawned on him in the next moment that there was only one possibility, it was either an assassin or Aramis and when he thought about that in greater detail he realized both were correct assumptions.
He knew instantly it had to be her. Even at this distance he could make out her smaller frame and the way she scaled the steep bluff of the camp, so precise yet carefree like her body weighed nothing on the rocks identified her with ease.
He knew what she was up to; he had been a part of the plan after all. He watched her pull herself up over the ledge and check to ensure she was unseen. The braziers that remained lit through the night in the High Commands' quarters illuminated many of the large tents and cabins that housed the highest of Caesar's upper echelon. When the coast was clear she slipped to the edge of the Legate's own cabin quarters.
Lion held his breath as she ascended up the few steps to the front door of the Legate's cabin. When she opened the door and slipped in silently he allowed himself to take a breath but he knew the worst was yet to come.
A minute went by.
Then two.
What was going on? Lion thought. Aramis was professional. This shouldn't have taken so long.
Another minute dragged on and Lion began to worry.
His eyes were fixed on the door of the Legate's cabin.
"Come on Aramis …" he muttered in a low whisper. He was beginning to sweat. It had gone wrong. He knew something was wrong. Aramis was in danger. His little Aramis needed help. He had to save her. The only weapon he had taken with him was his large trench knife. He used it to kill snakes, spiders and scorpions that often nestled in the dank latrine.
Lion took a step forward then another. Suddenly his legs were weightless beneath him and he rushed up the slight hill. He had to take the long way up to the High Command's camp. There was no way he could climb the bluff on his bad leg but he was moving faster then he had in years, the crutch barely skimming the sand as he ran.
Before he knew it he was outside the Legate's door. He pressed his ear against the door. He heard what he was sure was the slightest of cries. That was all he needed to hear to confirm in his head that Aramis' mission had gone wary. He pulled out the large knife. It was a poor choice of weapons but he knew he'd be able to throw the blade accurately and plant the blade in the Legate's chest if it came to that.
Suddenly he flung the door open brandishing the knife, poised to throw when he saw the naked form of a woman fall from the Legate's bed, her arms grabbing for an animal skin to cover herself while the Legate remained frozen kneeling on the bed, naked, his face full of fear.
Lion had never seen the man look afraid. Lion's eyes fell to the young woman who sat on the cold floor, knees tucked into her chest and skins covering her just barely.
Her eyes were shut, refusing to look upon the face that had caught her.
"Lion, it's okay," the Legate's voice spoke in a soothing manner. He raised his hands out in front like he was trying to calm a savage beast. "I'm not hurting her. She's not in any danger."
Lion's eyes were wide and maniacal. His brain couldn't comprehend what he had seen. He stood perfectly still, holding the knife, ready to throw but he restrained himself. After a few drawn out seconds the woman on the floor braved to open her eyes and look upon Lion's face.
Her skin was a ghostly white but when her vibrant green eyes locked with his there was a moment of recognition followed by relief in both of them.
Nobody spoke until Aramis slowly rose to her feet with the blanket wrapped around her naked frame and she took a seat on the edge of his bed.
"You can put the knife down Lion," the Legate spoke, his voice calm.
Lion lowered the knife but he remained in place.
"I wont ask what you're doing in my room Lion. I simply assume you thought Aramis was in some kind of danger," the Legate went on. "I assure you she's perfectly safe."
Lion looked to Aramis. He needed to hear her speak.
"He's right Lion. I'm all right. The Legate knows everything.
That wasn't a satisfying answer. He wanted to know why she was naked and in the Legate's bed.
"Are you insane?" Lion finally spoke up. "What if it had not been me? How long has he known? How long has this been going on? What kind of sick deal did you two reach?!" His voice was getting heated.
"It's not like that Lion. I told the Legate recently when I found him near New Canaan badly injured. He knows about everything. He knows that it was you, Reed, Seekra and Athos who have protected me all these years and he's can be trusted not to tell anyone either," Aramis assured him.
"Is it because he takes you in his bed?" Lion accused.
"No, it's not like that at all Lion," the Legate said calmly. "I care deeply for her. I would never hurt her. I'll do anything to keep her safe."
Lion wasn't convinced. He never knew the Legate to care about anyone besides his deity and that was worth very little. He could never be trusted but Lion was in a difficult place and there was nothing he could do about it. The Legate was the second highest man in the Legion and to go against him would only make things worse.
"Is this true?" Lion asked looking to Aramis.
She nodded.
"What if you're discovered? This is hardly the appropriate place to have a secret relationship!" he berated.
"I know Lion and you're right. This is foolish and dangerous," Aramis admitted.
"What if you're caught? You're not only risking yourselves but your brother's life and all those who have kept you alive thus far as a Legionary!" Lion snapped.
"You're right. You're absolutely right," Aramis tried to sooth. "But if there's one thing I'm good at it's sneaking, lying and keeping secrets."
Lion knew this to be true but it hardly seemed enough.
"You're not going to stop this are you?" he asked.
The Legate looked to Aramis. She said,
"We'll be more careful. There's nothing suspicious about a Frumentarius speaking with the Legate."
"It will start to look suspicious," Lion tried.
"Only for some one who is looking for a conspiracy but no one has ever had reason to suspect I'm anything but a man and I'd sooner be interrogated for scheming before my sexuality would ever be called into question," Aramis replied.
This was also true but it still felt wrong. His heart slowed down and he was breathing at a normal rate. He was finally able to rationalize everything and speak in a peaceful manner. His eyes flashed to the Legate.
"You're all right with all this? With what I've done allowing her to grow up as a Legionary?" he asked.
The Legate smirked.
"Can I really fault you after what I've done?"
Lion didn't answer. Sure he could, he thought. The Legate could pull one of his crazy rantings saying it was Lion's fault he allowed this foul temptress to infiltrate the ranks and poison the minds of the men.
However, the Legate didn't do this.
There was still something not sitting well with Lion. Though she was a woman in her early twenties, Aramis was still a child in his eyes and the Legate was nearly double her age though he barely looked a day older than thirty.
It occurred to Lion that perhaps he was just jealous of the Legate. Lion's own wife had been stolen from him and he missed the embrace of a woman. Aramis was certainly striking when one could see her in her most exposed form and he shamefully wondered if she would have allowed him to embrace her and he just made the attempt. He pushed the thought from his mind and bent down to pick up her armour, which was splayed on the ground. He handed it to her and to his surprise she dropped the blanket without coyness.
Seeing her naked was awkward. The men dressed and showered in front of one another all the time but they were men. Aramis had always been careful to avoid moments like this but in a room where her secret was safe she must have felt comfortable though it made Lion uneasy. A woman naked in Flagstaff was nothing new. The slaves were often seen naked as they were taken by the Legionnaires but there was something very taboo about a naked Aramis.
Her sculpted body was well defined by strong muscles, thick legs and a flat stomach. Her skin was marked up heavily in deep healed scars from training and her conquests out in the wastes. The most visible marks were the rings around her wrists where the ropes had once bound her to the ground. An order enforced by the man she crawled into bed with. That infuriated Lion. Her breasts were quite small, more nubs that poked from her chest but her soft pink nipples poked out.
Lion breathed a sigh of relief when she was dressed. He looked over to the Legate whose brow was raised and Lion knew he'd been caught staring.
"You will keep this between us?" the Legate said those his words were more and order then a question.
"Of course, Sir," Lion spoke sternly.
"I should go," Aramis mumbled. She could barely meet Lion's eye.
"I as well," Lion spoke and he turned to follow her out of the Legate's shack. When they were outside Lion forced her to turn and face her.
"I don't approve of this," he spoke to her as if he were still her instructor.
"I know," she spoke in a defeated tone. "But we love each other."
Lion snorted and said,
"That man isn't capable of loving some one other then his God."
"Not too long ago I would have agreed with you," she paused. "And I probably would have carried out your assassination plot against him but he has changed a lot for me and I can't help how I feel. I have to trust him. I have to believe I'm safe with him."
Lion groaned and scratched the back of his head.
"I hope you know what you're doing kid. You better tell your brother and Reed too before they do something," Lion told her.
Aramis nodded.
"I have to go," she said as if staying here was uncomfortable. She didn't wait for an answer before she slipped away.
Lion eased himself down the hill back to the Den. His leg was throbbing and he just wanted to throw himself in his bed and hope that in the morning he'd wake up and realize this had all just been a terrible nightmare.