The Portal
Author: a_delacroix@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: The standard words that someone else owns all of the main characters in this story.
Rating: R (Where's the fun, if you can't push the boundaries a little further.)
Chapter Four
[Author's Note: Like several of the characters, I assume many of the readers don't read Latin or Ancient Greek. So the readers can follow the dialog and still know which characters know what is being said and which ones don't, I am implementing the following simple method: " Text " = English "L text " = Latin "G text " = Greek
Now on with the story.]
Grinning, Chloe addressed the approaching man, "L Marcus Petronius Martialis."
Stopping five feet from her, he executed a small elegant bow.
"L Why so formal, Marcus, come here," continued Chloe.
Abruptly they stepped together and shared the warm, tight hug of two long separated friends. As they took a short half step back, while still allowing their fingers to touch, Marcus asked, "L Coelia, what are you doing here in Tolosa? When I left Rome six months ago, you were on your way to your family estate in Egypt."
Ahh, thought Chloe, now I know time and place, that should help a lot. Of course, I still need to figure out how to explain to the others what is going on without freaking them out. However if they can handle being stranded in the Roman Empire in the year 37 AD, then they should be able to handle the rest of it too.
To Marcus she said, "LIt's sort of a long story. Shortly after you left, some business things came up requiring me to visit some of our operations in Gaul." Realizing the others had stood up and were starting to approach, Chloe ran her hand nervously through her hair hoping they would see the one finger she held up to warn them to hang back until she motioned them forward.
"L One thing lead to another, and I ended up visiting our mining interests in Britannia. Speaking of Britannia, I would like to introduce Alexandrum Germanicus Luthorius." Chloe said with a quick glance at Lex and a subtle gesture with two fingers.
Lex was in a complete state of confusion. How did Chloe know this man? Everything they had seen said they were somewhere in the ancient Roman Empire. But if that was the case, how could Chloe know this guy? Something even stranger than he thought was going on, but for the moment he couldn't do anything but follow Chloe's lead. Therefore Lex step forward until he was half a step behind and one step to the right of Chloe and then execute a small bow similar to the one Marcus had given to Chloe.
Continuing the introduction, Chloe said, "L Lex's father served with Drusius Germanicus the Elder during his Rhineland campaigns. After he mustered out of the army he went to work for my family running our mining operations in Britannia. When he died two years ago, Lex took over and since then he has doubled production and increased profits by a factor of five. Therefore after meeting him, I decided to bring him along to look over our mining operations in Hispania. If he can work his magic there, I think I will have to find him an even more challenging assignment."
Turning to Lex, Chloe said, "L Lex, this is Marcus Petronius Martialis, the Governor of Western Gaul and my late husband's brother." While her back was momentarily towards Marcus, she mouthed "Later, play along."
Lex thought, 'This is just getting crazier and crazier.' However he carefully kept a neutral expression on his face as he stepped forward, clasped forearms with the other man, and said, "L It is an honor to meet you, sir."
As they clasped forearms, Lex sized the other man up. About five foot nine and muscular, he was taller than most of the men they had seen, but no where near Clark's six four or even Lex's six one. About twenty-five years old, he seemed young to be a governor, but then life was shorter and faster in Roman times. Plus thought Lex, politics probably played an even bigger part in job selection than it does in the 21st century. Of course, who am I to talk, running a company with hundreds of employees at age 22 and who knows what by 25, assuming we ever get home.
Turning back to Chloe, Marcus commented in Greek, "G So Coelia, is this your latest toy?"
Responding in kind Chloe said, "G No, Marcus, you know I prefer my 'toys' young and with hair. Now, it's not polite to speak in languages the others don't know."
With a smile and a nod Marcus switched back to Latin. "L So Coelia, where is your normal large entourage?" said Marcus, with a quick glance at Clark and Lana.
Without inviting them forward, Chloe introduced the others. "L The others are Clark and Lana, a son and a daughter of a couple of the local chieftains in the area of our mining operations."
"L Hostages?" asked Marcus.
"L Not really. You remember my maid, Juliana?" Marcus nodded his head. "L It was past due time to marry her off. So when she met this captain at a party in Gesoriacum while we were waiting for transportation across the channel, well I knew it was time to find a new maid/traveling companion. Lana seemed like an interesting choice. Spirited and inquisitive, I always enjoy introducing the 'right' barbarian to the wonders and luxuries of the empire. It helps keep things fresh for me too."
"L And Clark, hmmm, I think he will make an excellent bodyguard and is kind of cute, too." she said with a really bright smile on her face.
"L Anyway as far as the rest of my entourage, after leaving Britannia, we have been making our way down the west coast of Gaul. Two days ago bandits attacked our party. We were all that got clear, although I am sure we will be receiving ransom demands for some of the others in the next few days," said Chloe.
"L Sorry about that, Coelia. We have been having a lot of trouble with the Druids during the past couple of months. With the recent resurgence of trouble along the Rhine I am down to a single regiment to cover my entire district. If I spread the troops around in small groups, they just get massacred. If I keep them in a large group, the bandits melt away and strike somewhere else. It is a mess until we identify the ring leaders and their central headquarters."
Chloe looked thoughtful. "L Is that why you are in Tolosa? I thought your capital was in Burdigala."
Marcus nodded. "L Partly, also I am here to meet Senator Servius Aurelian Galba," with a gesture towards the couple who had entered the government building, he continued. "L He arrived yesterday from Rome on a fact finding mission about the bandit problem."
While this conversation was going on Clark and Lana tried to maintain the servile manner Chloe had requested. Both of them were wondering what was going on. It was apparent Chloe knew this guy, but how was that possible? Getting a sense of what was going on from her was hard, as she was all smiles and happiness. Normally, Lex had an effective poker face, but several times during the conversation they had seen a real look of surprise and confusion on his face. If Lex was being shocked and he could follow the conversation, Clark and Lana were starting to go crazy with curiosity. They would have to learn the local language, if they were going to be stuck here much longer.
Meanwhile Chloe was asking, "L I have been out of touch for a while, what's the news from Rome?"
Marcus looked surprised, "L You haven't heard? The news arrived yesterday with the senator and is all over town by now. Emperor Tiberius Caesar Augustus is dead and Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus is the new emperor."
For the first time since the conversation began, Chloe looked momentarily pale. "L Gaius Germanicus?"
Marcus noticed Chloe's response to the news and answered in a tone barely above a whisper. "L I see you've had dealings with him before." As she nodded briefly, he continued in the same tone. "L The average man on the street in Rome is very happy at the news. The men in uniform have been promised five gold coins apiece, so they are pleased. However, many of the senators and others of the upper class are quietly making plans to spend some time at their estates outside of Italy. This would be a good time to stay clear of Rome."
While Chloe nodded once again, Lex was trying to place this emperor Gaius Germanicus. He vaguely remembered the emperor Tiberius from history classes, but Gaius Germanicus didn't ring any bells. Also why had Chloe given him the middle name Germanicus? Was that a good or a bad sign based on the current situation? Lex hoped he would get a chance to talk to Chloe alone soon, before his list of questions got so long he couldn't remember them all.
Marcus had noticed that none of them were wearing shoes. "L Perhaps you better tell me a little more about your recent adventure," he said with a pointed glance at her feet.
Chloe said, "LWe were attacked in the middle of the night. While the guards did their best during the surprise attack, they were quickly overwhelmed. If it wasn't for the quick thinking and action of Lex and Clark," giving him a lingering flick of her eyes, "L we wouldn't have gotten away. As it was, we only had time to grab robes before our departure. Two days of hiking cross-country without shoes has been miserable. We just arrived in town an hour ago and had our first decent meal in a long time. Our next items, after a thanksgiving sacrifice to the God Augustus, are to acquire some shoes and then find a place to spend the night as Tolosa wasn't on our original itinerary."
"L Well, of course, you will stay with me at the local magistrate's palace," Marcus exclaimed with a wave to large red building across the way.
"L Thanks, Marcus. I am really glad we met. The day is finally started to look up." Chloe said with a smile of thanks. "L Now that a place to stay is solved, how are the local baths? I desperately could use a long, relaxing soak."
Marcus laughed, "LSame old Coelia, the baths could best be described as 'adequate'." Pointing to the street between the government building and the temple he continued. "LThree blocks down that street and then one block to the right is where you will find the best baths in town."
"L Thanks, I need to visit the temple and then would like to visit the baths. Could we meet at the palace, say late afternoon, to continue catching up?"
"L Yeah, that works well as I have several meetings to attend to now. I will let the people at the palace know to expect you. Again, it is great to see you," said Marcus as he stepped forward for another quick hug before turning and striding off towards the palace.
Lex, Clark, and Lana all let out a sigh of relief at surviving this encounter with their freedom intact. Even Chloe sagged a little after Marcus walked away. Now she just needed to get through an explanation to the others. For an hour of uninterrupted privacy, a private chapel at the temple should do.
"Chloe," Lex started first, but she quickly interrupted.
"Let's go to the temple where we can have some privacy and I will try to explain."
When the others signaled their agreement, Chloe led the way across the forum towards the temple. After passing several groups of children playing ball, an older group of children being lectured on philosophy and four old men playing a game of dice; they reached the three broad steps leading into the temple. Climbing to the top step Chloe stopped and bowed before entering the temple. Not quite sure what to do, but not wanting to stand out, the other three also stopped and bowed before entering.
Inside they found a main central room with a large statue of the God Augustus.
As Chloe stood looking at the statue, she got the others attention and said, "This is the Roman God, Augustus. Augustus was the adopted son of Julius Caesar. After Caesar was assassinated, Augustus became the first emperor of the Roman Empire, as Caesar had only ever claimed the military title of dictator. Augustus ruled for a mostly peaceful and prosperous forty five years. After his death he was deified by the Roman senate as a god whose only equal was Jove. Many temples throughout the empire were erected or rededicated in his honor. Like many others, the central chamber is dedicated to Augustus while smaller side chambers are dedicated to other members of the Roman pantheon of Gods."
Chloe led them halfway down the central room and then entered the chamber on the left dedicated to Venus. Somehow this seemed appropriate.
After seeing the area was empty, Lex started again, "Okay, Chloe, what is going on? How can you know this guy from what, 2000 years ago? And how could you have been married to his dead brother?"
Since they couldn't follow the previous conversation in Latin, Lana and Clark's mouths both dropped open with this latest revelation. Chloe had been married to some guy two thousand years ago? What?
Hearing the serious tone Lex had used, Chloe felt she needed to lighten the mood and have a little fun with Lex before she began the explanation. Turning to Lex she adopted a blank, vacant expression. Then using a very mechanical, droning voice she said, "I . . Am . . An . . Android . . Sent . . From . . The . . Jacta . . Alea . . Star . . System . . . I . . Have . . Been . . Here . . For . . Five . . Thousand . . Years . . Monitoring . . Mankind's . . Progress . . . When . . I . . Deem . . Mankind . . Is . . Sufficiently . . Mature . . You . . Will . . Be . . Invited . . To . . Join . . The . . Star . . League . ."
The others just stared at her. Clark was immediately thinking, 'I wonder if she knows what world I am from.'
After about twenty seconds, Chloe could no longer maintain the straight face. Suddenly, she started laughing. Laughing so hard she found herself sitting on the floor with tears running out of eyes, barely able to speak. Finally, she got out, "You should have seen the expressions on your faces," before she went into another fit of laughter.
Lana was the first to understand that she was pulling their leg and soon joined in by saying in a similar monotone, "We . . Come . . In . . Peace . . We . . Only . . Want . . To . . Serve . . Man . . . . . . . . For . . Dinner!"
Then Clark and Lex also realized it had all been a joke.
Finally, everyone calmed down. Lex said, "Sorry if I came on too strong before Chloe, but the craziness of the past couple of days was getting to me." Continuing in a quieter tone he said, "I would appreciate if you could help me understand what is going on."
Looking at Lex with just a little twinkle left in her eye, she said, "Since you asked nicely, I will try to explain. I am afraid my story will sound rather outlandish and hard to believe."
"How outlandish can it be to people stranded by a time machine in an ancient Roman town?" asked Lana.
"Okay, you have a point," responded Chloe, "The few other people I have explained this to didn't have your unique perspective to help convince them that my story wasn't a big pile of doo-doo."
So after postponing the inevitable as long as possible, Chloe began her life's story.
End of Chapter Four
Author: a_delacroix@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: The standard words that someone else owns all of the main characters in this story.
Rating: R (Where's the fun, if you can't push the boundaries a little further.)
Chapter Four
[Author's Note: Like several of the characters, I assume many of the readers don't read Latin or Ancient Greek. So the readers can follow the dialog and still know which characters know what is being said and which ones don't, I am implementing the following simple method: " Text " = English "L text " = Latin "G text " = Greek
Now on with the story.]
Grinning, Chloe addressed the approaching man, "L Marcus Petronius Martialis."
Stopping five feet from her, he executed a small elegant bow.
"L Why so formal, Marcus, come here," continued Chloe.
Abruptly they stepped together and shared the warm, tight hug of two long separated friends. As they took a short half step back, while still allowing their fingers to touch, Marcus asked, "L Coelia, what are you doing here in Tolosa? When I left Rome six months ago, you were on your way to your family estate in Egypt."
Ahh, thought Chloe, now I know time and place, that should help a lot. Of course, I still need to figure out how to explain to the others what is going on without freaking them out. However if they can handle being stranded in the Roman Empire in the year 37 AD, then they should be able to handle the rest of it too.
To Marcus she said, "LIt's sort of a long story. Shortly after you left, some business things came up requiring me to visit some of our operations in Gaul." Realizing the others had stood up and were starting to approach, Chloe ran her hand nervously through her hair hoping they would see the one finger she held up to warn them to hang back until she motioned them forward.
"L One thing lead to another, and I ended up visiting our mining interests in Britannia. Speaking of Britannia, I would like to introduce Alexandrum Germanicus Luthorius." Chloe said with a quick glance at Lex and a subtle gesture with two fingers.
Lex was in a complete state of confusion. How did Chloe know this man? Everything they had seen said they were somewhere in the ancient Roman Empire. But if that was the case, how could Chloe know this guy? Something even stranger than he thought was going on, but for the moment he couldn't do anything but follow Chloe's lead. Therefore Lex step forward until he was half a step behind and one step to the right of Chloe and then execute a small bow similar to the one Marcus had given to Chloe.
Continuing the introduction, Chloe said, "L Lex's father served with Drusius Germanicus the Elder during his Rhineland campaigns. After he mustered out of the army he went to work for my family running our mining operations in Britannia. When he died two years ago, Lex took over and since then he has doubled production and increased profits by a factor of five. Therefore after meeting him, I decided to bring him along to look over our mining operations in Hispania. If he can work his magic there, I think I will have to find him an even more challenging assignment."
Turning to Lex, Chloe said, "L Lex, this is Marcus Petronius Martialis, the Governor of Western Gaul and my late husband's brother." While her back was momentarily towards Marcus, she mouthed "Later, play along."
Lex thought, 'This is just getting crazier and crazier.' However he carefully kept a neutral expression on his face as he stepped forward, clasped forearms with the other man, and said, "L It is an honor to meet you, sir."
As they clasped forearms, Lex sized the other man up. About five foot nine and muscular, he was taller than most of the men they had seen, but no where near Clark's six four or even Lex's six one. About twenty-five years old, he seemed young to be a governor, but then life was shorter and faster in Roman times. Plus thought Lex, politics probably played an even bigger part in job selection than it does in the 21st century. Of course, who am I to talk, running a company with hundreds of employees at age 22 and who knows what by 25, assuming we ever get home.
Turning back to Chloe, Marcus commented in Greek, "G So Coelia, is this your latest toy?"
Responding in kind Chloe said, "G No, Marcus, you know I prefer my 'toys' young and with hair. Now, it's not polite to speak in languages the others don't know."
With a smile and a nod Marcus switched back to Latin. "L So Coelia, where is your normal large entourage?" said Marcus, with a quick glance at Clark and Lana.
Without inviting them forward, Chloe introduced the others. "L The others are Clark and Lana, a son and a daughter of a couple of the local chieftains in the area of our mining operations."
"L Hostages?" asked Marcus.
"L Not really. You remember my maid, Juliana?" Marcus nodded his head. "L It was past due time to marry her off. So when she met this captain at a party in Gesoriacum while we were waiting for transportation across the channel, well I knew it was time to find a new maid/traveling companion. Lana seemed like an interesting choice. Spirited and inquisitive, I always enjoy introducing the 'right' barbarian to the wonders and luxuries of the empire. It helps keep things fresh for me too."
"L And Clark, hmmm, I think he will make an excellent bodyguard and is kind of cute, too." she said with a really bright smile on her face.
"L Anyway as far as the rest of my entourage, after leaving Britannia, we have been making our way down the west coast of Gaul. Two days ago bandits attacked our party. We were all that got clear, although I am sure we will be receiving ransom demands for some of the others in the next few days," said Chloe.
"L Sorry about that, Coelia. We have been having a lot of trouble with the Druids during the past couple of months. With the recent resurgence of trouble along the Rhine I am down to a single regiment to cover my entire district. If I spread the troops around in small groups, they just get massacred. If I keep them in a large group, the bandits melt away and strike somewhere else. It is a mess until we identify the ring leaders and their central headquarters."
Chloe looked thoughtful. "L Is that why you are in Tolosa? I thought your capital was in Burdigala."
Marcus nodded. "L Partly, also I am here to meet Senator Servius Aurelian Galba," with a gesture towards the couple who had entered the government building, he continued. "L He arrived yesterday from Rome on a fact finding mission about the bandit problem."
While this conversation was going on Clark and Lana tried to maintain the servile manner Chloe had requested. Both of them were wondering what was going on. It was apparent Chloe knew this guy, but how was that possible? Getting a sense of what was going on from her was hard, as she was all smiles and happiness. Normally, Lex had an effective poker face, but several times during the conversation they had seen a real look of surprise and confusion on his face. If Lex was being shocked and he could follow the conversation, Clark and Lana were starting to go crazy with curiosity. They would have to learn the local language, if they were going to be stuck here much longer.
Meanwhile Chloe was asking, "L I have been out of touch for a while, what's the news from Rome?"
Marcus looked surprised, "L You haven't heard? The news arrived yesterday with the senator and is all over town by now. Emperor Tiberius Caesar Augustus is dead and Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus is the new emperor."
For the first time since the conversation began, Chloe looked momentarily pale. "L Gaius Germanicus?"
Marcus noticed Chloe's response to the news and answered in a tone barely above a whisper. "L I see you've had dealings with him before." As she nodded briefly, he continued in the same tone. "L The average man on the street in Rome is very happy at the news. The men in uniform have been promised five gold coins apiece, so they are pleased. However, many of the senators and others of the upper class are quietly making plans to spend some time at their estates outside of Italy. This would be a good time to stay clear of Rome."
While Chloe nodded once again, Lex was trying to place this emperor Gaius Germanicus. He vaguely remembered the emperor Tiberius from history classes, but Gaius Germanicus didn't ring any bells. Also why had Chloe given him the middle name Germanicus? Was that a good or a bad sign based on the current situation? Lex hoped he would get a chance to talk to Chloe alone soon, before his list of questions got so long he couldn't remember them all.
Marcus had noticed that none of them were wearing shoes. "L Perhaps you better tell me a little more about your recent adventure," he said with a pointed glance at her feet.
Chloe said, "LWe were attacked in the middle of the night. While the guards did their best during the surprise attack, they were quickly overwhelmed. If it wasn't for the quick thinking and action of Lex and Clark," giving him a lingering flick of her eyes, "L we wouldn't have gotten away. As it was, we only had time to grab robes before our departure. Two days of hiking cross-country without shoes has been miserable. We just arrived in town an hour ago and had our first decent meal in a long time. Our next items, after a thanksgiving sacrifice to the God Augustus, are to acquire some shoes and then find a place to spend the night as Tolosa wasn't on our original itinerary."
"L Well, of course, you will stay with me at the local magistrate's palace," Marcus exclaimed with a wave to large red building across the way.
"L Thanks, Marcus. I am really glad we met. The day is finally started to look up." Chloe said with a smile of thanks. "L Now that a place to stay is solved, how are the local baths? I desperately could use a long, relaxing soak."
Marcus laughed, "LSame old Coelia, the baths could best be described as 'adequate'." Pointing to the street between the government building and the temple he continued. "LThree blocks down that street and then one block to the right is where you will find the best baths in town."
"L Thanks, I need to visit the temple and then would like to visit the baths. Could we meet at the palace, say late afternoon, to continue catching up?"
"L Yeah, that works well as I have several meetings to attend to now. I will let the people at the palace know to expect you. Again, it is great to see you," said Marcus as he stepped forward for another quick hug before turning and striding off towards the palace.
Lex, Clark, and Lana all let out a sigh of relief at surviving this encounter with their freedom intact. Even Chloe sagged a little after Marcus walked away. Now she just needed to get through an explanation to the others. For an hour of uninterrupted privacy, a private chapel at the temple should do.
"Chloe," Lex started first, but she quickly interrupted.
"Let's go to the temple where we can have some privacy and I will try to explain."
When the others signaled their agreement, Chloe led the way across the forum towards the temple. After passing several groups of children playing ball, an older group of children being lectured on philosophy and four old men playing a game of dice; they reached the three broad steps leading into the temple. Climbing to the top step Chloe stopped and bowed before entering the temple. Not quite sure what to do, but not wanting to stand out, the other three also stopped and bowed before entering.
Inside they found a main central room with a large statue of the God Augustus.
As Chloe stood looking at the statue, she got the others attention and said, "This is the Roman God, Augustus. Augustus was the adopted son of Julius Caesar. After Caesar was assassinated, Augustus became the first emperor of the Roman Empire, as Caesar had only ever claimed the military title of dictator. Augustus ruled for a mostly peaceful and prosperous forty five years. After his death he was deified by the Roman senate as a god whose only equal was Jove. Many temples throughout the empire were erected or rededicated in his honor. Like many others, the central chamber is dedicated to Augustus while smaller side chambers are dedicated to other members of the Roman pantheon of Gods."
Chloe led them halfway down the central room and then entered the chamber on the left dedicated to Venus. Somehow this seemed appropriate.
After seeing the area was empty, Lex started again, "Okay, Chloe, what is going on? How can you know this guy from what, 2000 years ago? And how could you have been married to his dead brother?"
Since they couldn't follow the previous conversation in Latin, Lana and Clark's mouths both dropped open with this latest revelation. Chloe had been married to some guy two thousand years ago? What?
Hearing the serious tone Lex had used, Chloe felt she needed to lighten the mood and have a little fun with Lex before she began the explanation. Turning to Lex she adopted a blank, vacant expression. Then using a very mechanical, droning voice she said, "I . . Am . . An . . Android . . Sent . . From . . The . . Jacta . . Alea . . Star . . System . . . I . . Have . . Been . . Here . . For . . Five . . Thousand . . Years . . Monitoring . . Mankind's . . Progress . . . When . . I . . Deem . . Mankind . . Is . . Sufficiently . . Mature . . You . . Will . . Be . . Invited . . To . . Join . . The . . Star . . League . ."
The others just stared at her. Clark was immediately thinking, 'I wonder if she knows what world I am from.'
After about twenty seconds, Chloe could no longer maintain the straight face. Suddenly, she started laughing. Laughing so hard she found herself sitting on the floor with tears running out of eyes, barely able to speak. Finally, she got out, "You should have seen the expressions on your faces," before she went into another fit of laughter.
Lana was the first to understand that she was pulling their leg and soon joined in by saying in a similar monotone, "We . . Come . . In . . Peace . . We . . Only . . Want . . To . . Serve . . Man . . . . . . . . For . . Dinner!"
Then Clark and Lex also realized it had all been a joke.
Finally, everyone calmed down. Lex said, "Sorry if I came on too strong before Chloe, but the craziness of the past couple of days was getting to me." Continuing in a quieter tone he said, "I would appreciate if you could help me understand what is going on."
Looking at Lex with just a little twinkle left in her eye, she said, "Since you asked nicely, I will try to explain. I am afraid my story will sound rather outlandish and hard to believe."
"How outlandish can it be to people stranded by a time machine in an ancient Roman town?" asked Lana.
"Okay, you have a point," responded Chloe, "The few other people I have explained this to didn't have your unique perspective to help convince them that my story wasn't a big pile of doo-doo."
So after postponing the inevitable as long as possible, Chloe began her life's story.
End of Chapter Four