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Chapter XXVIII

The Tempter of The Temptresses

"Until the day breathes
and the shadows flee,
I will go away to the mountain of myrrh
and the hill of frankincense.
You are altogether beautiful, my love;
there is no flaw in you."

– The Song of Solomon 4:6-7

The morning sun glittered off the Asinius domus; the large land of property stretching endlessly before Titus while he jogged and exercised for several hours as though still on duty at the Antonia fort. Truthfully, it was quite refreshing to rise up at dawn before everyone else and train like a soldier. Perhaps, tomorrow morning he would be able to take Argento for a nice gallop in the countryside? The fiery stallion would certainly appreciate that. The run had helped him clear his head. He had not slept well after his Pater announced the news of an upcoming triumph, so instead of tossing back and forth, Titus rose altogether.

He had just entered through the gate that led to the peristylium, when right across the courtyard, he heard a very familiar exclamation.

"Titus!"

He spun round as the voice continued, "Why, by the Divine Augustus!"

Titus' hazel eyes brightened, unable to help laughing when one of his oldest friends barrelled toward him. "Lucius!" He steeled himself for the enthusiastic embrace that Lucius did not withhold. "What a surprise. Aren't you supposed to be in Ephesus?" He asked as he studied the friend of his youth.

"I returned a month ago." Lucius was grinning like a fool, his hands still laying on Titus' shoulders. "And of course, once I learned from my father that you were back as well, I simply had to rush and see one of my dearest friends!" He took a step back to assess the man before him. "Look at you, centurion, back from the service and…" he suddenly halted and jerked his arms away from Titus, distaste coloured his pale features. "Well, pray tell, why in Hades' name are you sweating like a lowly pleb?"

Titus rolled his eyes as a small chuckle escaped his lips. "I had just concluded my morning jog. I have no intention of growing soft simply because I am back to being a civilian."

Lucius' expression held a certain level of amusement as he nodded. "No doubt. I hardly recognized you with all that tan and a plain soldier's tunic. What have you done to the aristocratic Titus Asinius?" He wiggled his brows, a playful smirk pasted on his face.

"He is still here, Lucius," Titus responded, shrugging. "I am a patrician it is true, but that does not signify that I want to be as delicate as you," he teased as he grabbed Lucius's hands and studied his palms. "My friend, aren't you ashamed of your plump, soft hands? It looks like they haven't done a day's work."

"And I intend on keeping it that way." Lucius grasped his palms free from Titus' grip, dismissing his words with a wave. "Why do the work when we have slaves and plebs for that? I shall take my privileges of an equestrian order, thank you very much."

Titus laughed, shaking his head. "You have not changed one bit. Still the same snob I left a year ago."

"And you are still as arrogant as before, though, your habits seem to have altered a bit, no?" Lucius questioned with an intrigued air.

Oh, he had no idea just how much. Titus glanced down at his sandals for a moment, not knowing what kind of a response to make. It was impressive that Lucius had already suspected a change in him despite the brief encounter.

Luckily, Titus did not have to fish for a proper reply, for Lucius chimed with a change of topic. "So, that old fox of a father of yours really pulled through, eh? I was uncertain how he would be able to get you out of the army so soon, but I must say, it is most impressive. But then again, he has always prided himself in getting everything he sets out to get and universe be damned if he does not. This is the Asinius style as my father so eloquently puts it."

Titus allowed a small smile of amusement at his friend's comment. "Being a former consul's son is not without its advantages."

"Well, tell me. How was Judea?" Lucius started to rain down the questions with much eagerness. "I heard you had to deal with a lot of unrest and rebellions there, and that you even oversaw a crucifixion!"

So, it appeared Gaius Asinius kept most of his and Titus' friends in the loop with whatever updates he received from his son. As he considered Lucius' final words of excitement, flashes of that fateful day at Golgotha surfaced up his mind. The three wooden crosses, the innocent Messiah erected in the middle, the earthquake, the chaos, the heavily pregnant Abigail and most importantly, his own change of heart as the realization dawned on him. "Truly, this Man was the Son of God."

How was he to explain all this to Lucius, who quite eagerly awaited to hear a different story? And who without a doubt would laugh at him if Titus mentioned any of that. So, he simply settled for the casual, "Judea is a turbulent province."

Lucius snorted in agreement. "I heard it's a blasted place with the most stiff-necked nation. At least that is what my father says. Pity you had to deal with one of the worst barbarians our Empire has to offer."

Barbarians? What an utter exaggeration! He could see why Germanic tribes would acquire such a calling from the Romans, yet the Jews...they were a completely different breed. But then again, he used to share the same sentiments as his friend. Once more, Titus was powerless to find an appropriate answer to Lucius' babbling. He chose to stay silent as the enthusiastic friend of his kept on with the questions.

"And your commanding officer? Was General Vitus agreeable to work under? They say governor Pilate is not favoured in the Senate, but Vitus has been receiving praise."

"Well, he certainly is no Scipio Africanus or Rome's beloved Germanicus, but I had no qualms with him. He was fair and managed the turmoil of Judea as well as he was able."

Titus's reply seemed to have steered Lucius' thoughts elsewhere. For a moment, he became wistful. "Ah, I still think Germanicus would have made a good Imperator."

"Hush, Lucius." Titus pretended to look scandalized and shocked as he teased. "If you keep talking like that you may be the next victim of the very mysterious illness that seemed to have taken Germanicus."

Lucius groaned as he so often did when they were but little boys, squabbling with one another. "I do not play in politics so I can say whatever is on my mind. It is you I feel sorry for if your father has his way. You will always have to please the whims of the Senate and the Emperor. Like your most unfortunate governor of Judea."

His words struck Titus as he recalled the governor and his laughable trial. "Do not get me started on Pontius Pilate…I would rather forget about his incompetence altogether."

"Hmm, that bad, huh?" Observed Lucius with curiosity. "Well, in any case, you are back now and you can put the whole undignified affair of the army behind you."

Titus remained quiet as the face of the dying Jason came to his mind. But then just as suddenly, his memory was refreshed by the sight of the living Jason, who had led him to the midwife Tabitha. The one who had stood over Abigail's bed as she gave birth to their son. He was alive! Christ has raised him from the dead, just as He had raised Himself from the tomb on the third day. He could not think of that miraculous day without goosebumps appearing on his arms.

As though sensing where his thoughts had wandered, Lucius spoke up. "I am sorry. Your father told us about the Visibullis men. Great loss, I am sure."

There was a small pause and Titus briefly wondered what his father had not told them while he had been away.

It seemed Lucius and most of his other acquaintances were well informed, for the next sentence showcased just that. "The rumour has it that you brought a young woman with you from Judea. Care to explain?"

The rumour or his father? Titus smirked, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "That would be Abigail Visibullis, Jason's widow. I escorted her here to claim Jason's inheritance for their son."

A sly smile spread across Lucius' features. "Yes, I am certain that was your ONLY reason," he said sardonically.

Titus frowned, not liking the insinuation, but his friend went on to say, "I had of course, as did most of the high society, heard that Jason Visibullis married a Jewess. It was a big scandal once the news got out. First his father and then him. Do they never learn? Besides, from what I hear, unlike the mother, this girl was a slave, correct?"

"It depends on your definition of the term, I suppose," sighed Titus as he rubbed his eyes. "Jason's parents raised her as their daughter, educated her, clothed her as a gentlewoman. Jason, obviously, did not feel inclined to regard her as a sister, though."

Lucius sniggered. "I should think not. But then again, neither do you seem to view her as a slave…or I dare say, as a sister, for that matter."

Again, with these probing implications. In spite of the irritate feelings Lucius' nosiness roused in him, he could not fully blame him. Lucius had always known Titus as the notorious philanderer.

Titus let out a sharp breath and prayed for patience. "It is nothing like that, Lucius. She is my good friend's widow and I respect her."

"When has that ever stopped you?" Laughed Lucius in disbelief. "Was not Cornelia, my sister, betrothed to Aulus?"

"Your sister was a willing participant."

"But you seduced her!"

"Oh, believe me, she did not require seduction."

Lucius reddened like a blushing bride. Before they would both say something they'd regret later and result into an angry outburst, Titus tried to divert his mind. "Which reminds me, how is she faring these days? Is she enjoying married life?"

Lucius amusement was wry, but his teasing air returned to him. "She is not. She finds her new husband a bore, which is not unexpected when one marries a man as old as one's grandfather. But when one is convinced that only a man in his dotage will forgive one's lack of innocence…"

Titus fended off the old accusation with a raised hand. "It was years ago, my friend, and your sister did not seem so concerned about her 'innocence' at the time."

Thankfully, Lucius did not take his blunt statement as an insult. "I shall take your word for it. Though, you'll be pleased to know that she still asks after you." As he spoke in an unconcerned manner, he scanned the courtyard. Suddenly, his gaze halted and his brows flew up. "By Venus!" He cried. "Who is that delicious little creature?"

Titus turned to where his friend's eyes had latched and beheld Abigail on the balcony. Had he not mastered the art of Stoic self-control, he would have gasped. Her dark locks were done half up, and the rosy Roman styled dress seemed to cling to her in all the right places. While she had been more than lovely in her modest Hebrew garments, Roman fashion seemed to transform her into a literal goddess. His mouth almost went dry. She was exchanging words with Antonia with a beautiful smile on her face. A slave boy offered her a cup of water and then boldly handed her a rose. Where he got it, Titus could not tell. He was certain, however, that the slaves would never dare pluck flowers from his garden. But it was becoming quite clear that with the exception of his father and several envious slave women, everyone else was falling in love with Abigail.

"By the gods, who is she?" Demanded the impatient Lucius.

"That is Abigail Visibullis." He expected jealousy to surge, but instead it was a strange sense of pride that filled him.

Lucius gaped in puzzlement. "Her?"

Their continued gazes in her direction brought Abigail's eyes up, and when she saw Titus, she flashed him a coy smile, which warmed his heart.

Lucius shook his head. "I did not realize they were hiding such beauty out there in barbary."

Titus breathed a laugh. "Call her a barbarian when she can hear you, and you shall find yourself the recipient of a nicely delivered lecture on civilization through the ages of the Greeks versus the unbroken chain of law of her own people. If you are lucky, she will throw in a few musically rendered lines of Homer, and then compare them to Virgil's attempt at modeling it."

Lucius laughed, looking fascinated. "Come, friend, you must introduce me to this paradigm of charm." He started in her direction, leaving Titus little choice but to follow.

Abigail stiffened when she noticed Titus and the unknown Roman heading her way. She grew even more flustered, however, when the stranger started obnoxiously quoting a romantic poem and sizing her up as though she were his next conquest.

"Behold, she stands with her gown hung loose, framed is her face in perfect tresses, reflecting the sun-kissed beauty of her shoulders. So, it was that Venus stood before Mars, welcoming her lover."

Mars? She pursed her lips. Was he identifying himself with the war god? What a stretch. Abigail studied the unknown man from underneath her lashes. A head shorter than Titus, his brown, cropped hair was arranged in the latest Roman style. His toga was pristine, his hands smooth, his physique did not boast much strength. Let alone the strength of a warrior. All in all, this was a patrician used to nothing but comfort all his life. He could not be more unlike Mars had he tried. Now Titus, on the other hand, decked out in a simple soldier's tunic…her breath caught. Blushing, she lowered her gaze.

"I have never seen such perfection," concluded the stranger. "Are you quite certain she is a Jewess?" he asked Titus, who appeared to look just as uneasy as Abigail felt.

"Abigail," Titus cleared his throat, attempting to introduce the man. "Forgive the dramatics. This is–"

"Just call me Lucius, my dove! Titus and I go way back," the man cut in and exclaimed merrily, "he tells me you can sing the Greek poets."

Abigail glanced at Lucius, then looked with curiosity at Titus. He had stepped closer to her side to keep as much space between her and Lucius as possible. "Strange, I do not think Titus has ever heard me sing the Greek poets."

Titus' hazel eyes were tender as he smiled. "Perhaps it is just that I have heard you speak of the poets, and your voice is always a song." When his friend laughed, Titus decided to continue. "You would have loved to hear her the first time Jason invited us to his home, Lucius. She chastised us as lawless pagans, subtly rebuked us for staring at her, and proceeded to teach us about our own religious figures so that we were truly ashamed at having not realized ourselves the things she pointed out."

"You were lawless pagans." Her expression combined amusement with a hint of irritation. "You spent every moment you could carousing in the city, and you made my husband feel guilty for opting to stay at home with his family."

Lucius burst into an entertained laughter, clapping his heads together. "My, my! Not only beauty but spirit as well." Lucius grinned, winking at her. "I see you know Titus well. You should have seen him here before he left, my dove. There was not a party he did not attend, a woman he did not seduce, a wine he had not tasted–and still he was one of the most stubbornly reasonable men I ever had the hardship of knowing! I could not once instigate a fight with him, and trust me, I tried. I even had good reason once or twice, but he would never rise to the bait. Now if his father dared to insult him, that was a different story."

"Enough of your reminiscing, Lucius," interrupted Titus, impatience coloured his tone. His expression was impalpable, but she could sense that he did not appreciate the reminder of his past debaucheries. "Abigail does not wish to hear about my ill-spent youth."

He was right; Abigail truly did not wish to hear about it, but Lucius apparently thought the comment indicated its opposite. With another snigger, he leaned closer to her. "He was the envy of every man in Rome. Not only was he known to have the most beautiful slaves awaiting his every whim at home, he seemed to be able to merely quirk his finger and have any noblewoman willing to throw aside her virtue and invite him into her chamber."

Abigail was unable to veil a small gasp, her sienna eyes widened, her cheeks burned and an awkward smile painted her lips. She had always known the kind of reputation Titus Asinius had, but to hear it in such vivid detail was unsettling.

"Truly, it is a miracle he has not tried anything with you," snorted Lucius with another chortle, making her blush hard.

Titus roughly cleared his throat, yet interjected in a calm voice. "That is enough, Lucius, take pity on the lady. You will offend her sensibilities with such talk."

The obnoxious Roman shrugged, yet his eyes would never leave Abigail's form, which made her all the more uncomfortable. "I only thought to make sure that she truly does know whom she has aligned herself with."

It was then, Abigail noticed a flash of sadness on Titus' Stoic expression. It was very brief, though, and vanished just as swiftly as it came. "I know Titus. I know the kind of man he was," she said at last, coming to his defence. Her gaze was focused on him, even as she addressed Lucius. "And I also know him as a man far different from the one you describe."

Lucius arched a brow and glanced over at Titus. "Really? How interesting. I have never known him to hide his nature."

"Nor have I." Abigail beamed. "But even the most lawless of boys can grow into decent men."

A grin broke out on Titus' solemn features as he nodded at her in acknowledgement. Abigail smiled right back, while Lucius looked from one to another in utter confusion and intrigue.

Before Lucius could speak up, Abigail found the momentary interval as a perfect opportunity to slip away. "Forgive me, I must tend to the children. They should be waking up now." She bowed respectfully and said in a sweet tone, tinted with politeness, "It was nice meeting you."

Titus nodded and exchanged a glance with Phillip, who had just come out to peristylium to guard her. Once he noticed Titus' meaningful stare, he got the hint and followed after Abigail, who hastily retreated back into the house, grateful to be away from the overbearing Lucius.

"Who is the gladiator lookalike that's guarding her?" Lucius spoke with great interest, as he kept watching the disappearing figures of the girl and the colossal Germanic.

"Does not matter," responded Titus. "Important thing is, he keeps her safe."

Lucius cackled. "From who? Me or…you?"

"From any men who dares to cause her harm."

Lucius pouted as though he were a little child who had just been struck on the cheek. "Oh, come now, I do not mean to harm her. Though, I admit, I do wish she were still a slave. I would have offered a king's price for such a beauty. It's a pity. Aren't you least bit curious what she hides under that stola?"

Titus exhaled in annoyance. Lucius was beginning to grate his nerves. "I am glad you waited until she left before you announced that."

Lucius chortled. "I am not a complete scoundrel, Titus. At the very least, I realize that saying such a thing to a woman will ruin any chances I may have to begin with." He grew suddenly pensive. It was not an uncommon thing for him, shifting moods so quickly. "It is not fair that she lives so close to you. But truly, I wonder what chances I may have with her since you are so determined–"

"Do not even think about it," Titus snapped, causing Lucius to smile knowingly, as though he had been waiting for that exact reaction all along.

"Oh dear, I sense a certain…frustration."

Titus felt his brows draw together. "You are mistaken in that, Lucius."

"No need to be so defensive," chuckled Lucius with lightheartedness, thoroughly enjoying himself. "I cannot blame you at all. She is a temptress…but then again, you, Titus Asinius, have always been the tempter of the temptresses." He winked suggestively.

"I have not missed your moods, Lucius," Titus returned in a dry tone, as he tried to ignore the strange heat that settled in his stomach. "Abigail Visibullis is off limits. She will soon return to her home country and we will forget about her."

Lucius brightened again, an impish smile on his lips. "I do not think any men could easily forget that Venus, even if they tried. But I wager she is not nearly as talented behind closed doors as imagination would suppose. Jews are known to be prudes. Although, it is worth finding out." He jabbed Titus in the stomach. "As I said, you have a skill of charming the most devout of women." He playfully pushed Titus' shoulder and then to his friend's great relief, exclaimed, "Well, send my regards to your father. I must be on my way now. I shall see you at the triumph. I heard you will be there on the parade grounds."

Titus let out a sigh, glad that his overbearing friend was finally leaving. "Yes, thanks to my father, I will be peacocking in front of the Palatine."

Lucius laughed again. "I love your enthusiasm. And I look forward to watching you!" With that, he walked back to his slaves, who were all dutifully waiting for him. Titus observed him climb in his litter and as the old friend of his boyhood departed, he was unable to shake one of his statements from his mind:

The Tempter of the Temptresses.

At last I managed to update. As mentioned, life has gotten busy with Uni and work, but I knew I had to post at least one chapter this month.

I chose this day specifically because one of my favourite tv series has been released and to honour its new main character and the historical figure, I felt the need to mention him in this update: Germanicus.

The "poem" that Lucius quotes is taken (with some liberties) from the 1950's film Quo Vadis.

Lastly, my course about Ancient Rome has been most eye-opening and I realized there are some inaccuracies in the original story of this fanfiction. So, I will obviously not follow the canon in that and will try to make this as authentic as possible with my own twists to it.