While the Queen pretended to be seven months pregnant, Aureilius actually was. Time seemed to slip by so quickly and she could barely keep up. She could tell that her delivery date was not far off too. So, the entourage packed up for Rome.
Kelse had made amends with Temhas and they seemed to be good friends at least. Memmon and the two could be found drinking late on any given evening. Aureilius was sad to think that their comradely would be put to an end as more urgent business presented itself.
She rode with Maximus on his black steed while Memmon took the white mare. Juba looked like a giant on the bay as he rode silent, preparing for what may lay ahead. Temhas had his own silver dapple and usually scouted ahead quicker that the rest to warn of danger. His boundless energy often made him a good guardsman at night when they pitched camp to rest.
The city was as crowded as ever. Aureilius had never seen so many people out in the streets. They arrived in the morning after a week's travel and she felt her heart flutter at the sight of the marble gates. She was back home.
Maximus had his green hood raised to conceal his features. She could feel his breath on her neck nonetheless and the arm around her supported her a bit firmer, but just as tenderly. There would be no more fun and airy romance. The plan was set in motion and it couldn't be stopped by anyone now.
The sale of the villa's crops had secured them a manor house to stay at for the time. It was near the Palace to allow easier access. Maximus dropped Aureilius off at the walk and Memmon stayed with her while the others saw to the horses. A thin weed of a man in a pristine white toga approached the pair.
"May I help you," he asked and Memmon went on the alert.
"We've reserved the house while staying in Rome. I'm Aureilius Meridas," she introduced herself, giving him a false name of sorts for protection.
"Welcome. I am Valcarus. The proprietor sent me over. You have other companions?"
"My husband and nephew are seeing to the horses, along with our manservant. They should be along shortly."
"Allow me to show inside so you can get off your feet, milady. This way."
She nodded and Memmon followed Valcarus first towards the door. There was a spacious sitting room and kitchen area from what she could see already. Aureilius surmised that the bedrooms were upstairs. The man was pointing out the collumnated garden when a larger man appeared from nowhere, a pruning knife in hand. She spun in surprise and Memmon moved in between them to protect her. Neither was quite sure what his intent was.
"Ah, this is Althou. He's the groundskeeper," Valcarus introduced them, but neither relaxed much.
"Welcome. I'm sorry if I startled you, milady," he reached out his hand and she tentatively placed hers inside to shake. Instead he lifted it to his lips and laid a gentle kiss on her knuckles.
Maximus had come in from the courtyard and quickly assessed the situation before him. Here was a strange man kissing the hand of his beloved. It caused a little pang of jealously, but he quickly brushed it aside. He should know better than to believe she was interested in him when the Gods had fated them together. He made his steps a bit louder though and she took her hand from his and stepped back, a blush coloring her cheeks ever so slightly.
"Maximus…this is Valcarus and Althou. They are the attendants for the house," she stammered, but recovered quickly and he nodded.
"A pleasure to meet you both. Do you live here by chance?"
"No. Our employer sent us to clean up and greet your company upon arriving," the older, wiser man answered.
"I see. If you'll excuse us then, its been a long journey and the lady should rest now."
He dismissed them easily and the group went inside to the quiet safety of the house's interior. There was just something he didn't trust about the one, Althou. He made sure Aureilius was settled on a couch and then took Memmon, Juba and Temhas outside to talk privately.
"I don't know who those men were, but nothing is to be said around them should they return. I don't entirely trust either and the less people who know our intentions, the better. Stay alert and be careful. That is all," he said and left them standing there with their orders and the responsibility of moving into their rooms for the night.
He entered to find Aureilius at the door and a note in her hand. She was about to pry open the wax seal when he asked for it from her. She handed it to him and he finished the job to read. Scrawled in red ink was a simply, but threatening message.
"I know you've arrived back in Rome."
"What is it, Maximus," Aureilius asked as his expression clouded over.
"Nothing for you to worry about. Why don't you ask Memmon to warm some water for yourself and take a bath? Relax, my love. Things will become very busy from here."
"Alright. I trust you."
She smiled and he watched her go, passing Juba along the way. The big African strode over to his friend and Maximus passed him the message.
"What do we do about this," he asked of their leader.
"We pay a visit to the Queen Mother as planned. All it means is that Barnabas knows we've arrived. Tell Temhas and Memmon we are headed to the Palace and not to allow anyone near Aureilius while we're gone. There's no reason to deviate from our plans because that fool is trying to scare us."
Juba nodded and went to carry out his instructions. Maximus sighed. He could almost feel the interpretation hanging over everything he did from now on. Caution was the only way to proceed. A little royal intervention would hurt nothing either.
* * *
Maximus walked down hall after endless hall it seemed. Juba and himself kept pace dutifully behind the servant girl, keeping silent. He had only been to the Palace once as a young man. That had been when he had met Lucilla. It seemed a lifetime ago and then he realized the irony of that thought.
Her personal quarters were in the west wing. The girl let them into an audience room and they then waited. Lucilla entered shortly and Maximus thought she still looked beautiful. Twenty years had given her a few new wrinkles and gray hairs, but she remained a great regal beauty nonetheless.
"Is this truly the Hero of Rome before me or another cruel dream," she spoke softly as she took a seat.
He pulled back his hood and the smile escaped him despite trying to remain calm. A hand flew to her trembling lips.
"It is I, the Hero of Rome. Although I usually am addressed by Maximus."
"I couldn't believe it when the dreams began, but here you are alive again. I was told you have very important news for me, my friend."
"Yes. It concerns Queen Yasmyn."
"When does it not these days? The girl is a handful in the best sense and with the baby…"
"Baby? What baby is this?"
"She is seven months along."
"Does she let Lucius touch her, ever?"
"No. Why? What exactly have you brought back from the grave, Maximus?"
"The Queen is receiving the entire empire and your son as well. Lucilla, there is no baby. She was born a barren woman."
"How do you know this?"
"The same Gods who brought me back from the grave and gave you dreams of my return. They have also told me that without an aire, barbarians will tear down our boarders and destroy us all."
"Barbarians, from where," Lucilla was trying to put all the clues together in her head.
"Persia."
"Yasmyn's homeland. Her father is the Shah. It makes perfect sense. I take it you have already seen to fit to provide for an aire?"
"Yes. Aureilius Percius, the daughter of Senator Pius, carries my child as we speak. She has traveled here to Rome with me."
"I know her. She played with Lucius on occasion. A lovely young woman and a good choice."
"You aren't surprised, Lucilla?"
"Why should I be? If the Gods can make a dead man walk again, I'll believe anything he has to say," she said and they shared a smile at that.
"You still have your sense of humor as well as your grace and charm."
"Well, I must retain some part of myself after all these years. Poor dear Lucius. He'll be heartbroken over the truth."
"Say nothing yet. Yasmyn will expose herself soon enough."
"I want to meet this young woman who carries the next Caesar. After all, I suspect I will have something to do with this child's life. Please join us for dinner; your entire company and yourself."
"We cannot refuse," he nodded.
"I'll introduce you to the lying little witch I call daughter-in-law and you can judge her for yourself."
"I've no need to judge. I will protect what is mine and if she impedes me, she will feel my wraith."
He left on that note, Juba close behind. They showed themselves out and headed back towards the house to inform the others on the current state of the plan.
"Do you believe it is wise to expose Aureilius to all of this," his friend asked quietly.
"She should meet Lucilla and Lucius, know who is raising our child. I sense no harm."
"I hope you are right. I get the feeling this young queen will not take kindly to the intrusion."
"Good. She needs to be taught a lesion and I will happily play the teacher," Maximus smiled knowingly as they strode down the busy street, incognito to all around them.
* * *
In a non-script house down the road from Maximus' manor house, Althou the groundskeeper was reporting back to his employer. A sly smile of satisfaction spread over his ruby lips like a tiger ready for the kill.
"They are exactly where you said they would be. Valcarus nor the others suspect anything otherwise," he said as a slender jeweled finger tapped at a smooth chin thoughtfully.
"Good, good. You must be careful around Maximus though. I imagine that he is leading the rest of them. How did she look?"
"Very heavy with child, but as beautiful as you described. I knew it was her the moment she caught my eye."
"Carrying his child! Really! My spy in the country did not inform me of that. That will make his untimely death all the more painful for her, but no matter. Children and lovers all die in the same ways. Keep an eye on them and if anything happens, let me know at once. I have a state dinner to attend tonight at the Palace and then I shall return here for your next report."
Althou nodded in understanding and cautiously slipped out of the shoddy house, only to be followed moments later by Barnabas as he headed in the opposite direction.