Gladiator: Resurrection
Chapter Four
Maximus decided to help out around the villa for the time being, having too much energy to sit around and wait. So, he was out planting in a hillside field with Memmon when he saw the dust cloud down the road. He wandered down to the house, sensing trouble.
"It can only be Barnabas," Aureilius remarked, having come from the herb garden. He nodded and took note of the knife in her basket.
The caravan made its way up to the drive and towards the house, the carriage bouncing in the ruts. She sighed, knowing it was for her he rode in it. It wasn't proper for a lady to ride in a saddle, according to him. It stopped and the footman ran over to open the door. Memmon came over to find out what the fuss was all about too. Barnabas stepped out and squinted in the sunshine before coming over to hug Aureilius. She went as stiff as a board in his grasp.
"What are you doing here! I told you not to come," she growled through clenched teeth as she backed away quickly.
"I couldn't leave you alone out here in this barbarian province, my love. Besides, when you return with me to Rome…" he wasted no time announcing his plan to all present. Maximus' expression clouded over and Barnabas enjoyed it, smirking.
"I'm not returning to Rome with you. You are delusional. Spain is not a barbarian province either. Its people are quite charming."
"Compared to whom, Aureilius?"
"You in particular," she shot back hastily.
"Come now. I traveled all this way to see to your safety and wellness. I have our travel plans all mapped out as well. We'll leave in a couple of days after you've grown tired of your little holiday. You'll thank me after the wedding that I brought some sense to you."
"Wedding! I thought I made it quite clear that I am not marrying you! You've known that since my father died!"
"Aureilius, it is only proper that we, the two children of important families, be wed! Look at how it would appear…"
"Sense indeed! I see what kind of man you really are now, Barnabas! Well, as long as we are being truthful, here it is! I don't love you and I never have, nor will I ever! You are a weasel who snivels at your father's feet! If I marry you, I will only become another accessory in your climb up the political and social ladders! So, I will never, ever marry you! I love Maximus and we are going to build our own life here in Spain! Now leave me alone!"
She turned to leave and he went to grab her arm. Maximus was like lightning as he pulled her away and put himself between them. Barnabas' hand recoiled instantly and he heaved out his breath angrily.
"If you try to touch the lady again, you shall be missing that hand," the gladiator spoke so low that only the other man heard.
"Aureilius, you're a fool if you think he'll be good for you! I can give you everything while he has nothing!"
"He has love, honestly courage and strength! You will never know any of those traits," she rallied back as she entered the house.
The young man went to follow, but Maximus and Memmon made an imposing wall. He couldn't get around them. Howling in rage, he tried to throw a punch, but the gladiator easily deflected it.
"A curse on your family! I will have her, Maximus! She will belong to me," he bellowed and marched back to the carriage, boarding hastily. The caravan left quickly.
"Persistent little devil," Memmon shook his head.
"Yes. He will have to be dealt with sooner or later too," he replied as he watched them go.
* * *
Aureilius was in the kitchen helping Kelse dry dishes from breakfast. Maximus wandered in and leaned on the counter. She was running the cloth towel over the plate as if trying to scour away the argument outside.
"Is he gone," she asked, voice clipped and tight.
"Yes. We sent him on his way," Maximus replied.
"He's a bastard, Maximus. A damn fool! He lets his father run his life and never for once believes he is capable of wrong. Marry for appearance, indeed! I certainly would get placed in a corner for all of Rome to see!"
The plate slipped from her grasp and crashed to the title floor, shattering at their feet. She jumped back as a hand flew to her lips in surprise. He took the towel from her and placed it on the counter before shepherding her out to the sitting room.
He knelt before her as she sat on the settee, wringing her slender hands together nervously. Something more was bothering her. They had been here only three days. He was certain it wasn't anything to do with the villa. Lifting a hand, he brushed a stray hair from her forehead. That was when he noticed the birthmark in her hairline, the shape of a lightning bolt. The mark of the Gods.
"What is it that frightens you so, Aureilius," he asked softly and took her hands in his.
"Barnabas, for all his stupidity and arrogance, is a very powerful man. His father is a member of the Senate with influence. I'm afraid of what he can do to you."
"He can't harm me, in any way. I'm not afraid of him either. Besides, I sense that there is something else worrying you."
"Besides my ex-fiancé', as if he wasn't enough, I fear for my health, Maximus."
"Why is that?"
"Remember our night on the road?"
"Certainly. Do you suspect you are…"
"I am not sure, but you are correct. I cannot have him pestering me if I am expecting. This child is much too important for him to jeopardize."
"I cannot promise you that Barnabas is not a threat. He is another dark entity that they cannot completely foresee. I can promise that I will protect you from him as much as I can. In fact, help is on the way as we speak."
"Help from who?"
"One of my friends from my first life. Juba lives in Africa and is already back in Roman territory. They contacted him before I even returned myself."
"He is a former soldier like yourself?"
"A gladiator. I freed him."
"Then he owes you a debt."
"Not exactly, but he will fight beside me and he will die for you if he must."
"I don't want anyone to die."
"Neither do I, but we will have few allies in Rome when we return. Barnabas will spread word about your deceit to others."
"It will be a rough journey," she sighed and rubbed at her brow.
"Why don't you rest for awhile? This morning has been stressful for you in many ways. I will take charge of the household for now."
She nodded and headed upstairs to her room. He watched her go and then went back outside to find Memmon. The young man was back in the field planting seeds. Rain clouds hung off in the distance, promising to water the earth later in the day.
"Do you have any corn left," he asked and Memmon nodded, pointing to the barn.
Maximus wandered that way and let himself in. The three horses were out to pasture, leaving the two cows as they chewed their cuds. He took a few kernels and returned to the house, entering the kitchen once more.
He found a jar and filled it with water before placing the corn kernels inside. Then he snuck up to her room. The chamber pot had been left outside the door to be emptied, which had yet to be done. Pouring some of the contents into the jar, he set it back in place and continued to his room.
They had done this test many times to tell if the various farm animals were pregnant on his farm. It had even worked for his wife when she was carrying their son. It should be no different for Aureilius. He made sure the kernels had settled to the bottom evenly before covering it in cloth and setting it in dark cubbord to wait.
The next morning, Maximus woke and remembered the little experiment. He carefully took out the jar and uncovered it. There he spied the tiny green shoots growing in the strange liquid as it sat on his cubbord. He smiled to himself.
Rain pounded the courtyard and house incessantly. He came down to find Aureilius outside on the covered porch, watching the falling water make tiny rivers in the dirt. He took her up in his arms from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"What a gray day. I suppose we will have to find something to do indoors," she sighed.
"It is done," he grinned and she turned, puzzled.
"The chores, or something else?"
"You were right, about that night. Aureilius, you are with child."
"How do you know this, Maximus! How are you so sure!"
"I did a test, with corn kernels…"
"Yes, I know the one! Go on!"
"There were things growing. It is done," he clasped her shoulders as she took in the news.
Then, Aureilius laughed for joy and ran out into the warm rainshower. He followed and picked her up in his arms, both being drenched to the bone, before they kissed.