Mars

Chapter 5: Honour Defended

As they walked back to the palace they talked of all of the wondrous things that would follow Commodus' declaration of leadership. They held hands, which was unusual as under normal circumstances they would be frowned upon for holding hands out of courtship or indeed wedlock, but they felt that nobody would mind with the Emperor absent.

"Don't you find your behaviour a little inappropriate, especially with the young son of your sister in the building." Said Gracchus, appearing from nowhere, as most people in Commodus' life seemed to.

"What behaviour?" Questioned Commodus innocently.

"That!" He pointed to they interlocked fingers.

"We're merely holding hands, if you could think of a better way to escort a young, fragile lady to safety, I'd very much like to hear it." Check mate.

"And where are you escorting her, pray tell?" The old man crossed his arms in front of his chest in an attempt to appear strong.

"I think you forget who you are talking to, this is the heir to the Empire!" Barked Amorina in a sudden display of nerves.

"No, I think it is you who forgets her place - I am ruling Rome in the absence of mighty Caesar." Sneered Gracchus. "Not so fragile now, sire?"

"Why don't you pick out your tomb - you will need one before long." Growled Commodus, leaning forward.

"Oh, don't worry, tombs are plentiful." He cast a glance to Amorina. "Pretty thing isn't she? I might borrow her some day."

"The only thing you shall borrow off me is my sword as I make you plunge it into your ribs." He was growing angrier.

"But she is not yours is she? She belongs to one of the other Senators. Is that not correct?" It was more of a statement than a question and he relished the murderous glint in the young Prince's eyes as he looked the girl up and down. "Yes, very pretty."

Amorina clutched his arm to remind him of her presence, as he would have quickly forgotten she was next to him and would have freely slaughtered the man. It worked, as Commodus nodded to his enemy and walked off leaving him in his bitter indulgence of evil.

"I should have killed him." He was more furious that day than any other day he had rowed with Gracchus - they hated each other, possibly because of the gap in years. "I would have killed him, had you not been there."

Rather than talking to him, she kissed him in an attempt to calm and distract him. He looked down into her eyes and soon forgot what he was yelling about as he ran his hand down her back and kissed her again fervently making his lips ache slightly. She stroked his neck with her nose as he planted kisses along hers savouring the taste of her honey-sweet skin. Emotions had been running high lately and they needed some way to release them and this was the only way they knew how without resorting to violence. They had never spent three nights in a row together until now and they were trying for a fourth as he lay her gently on the bed. They looked into each other's eyes and she began to stroke his hair lovingly. She knew now she was in love with him and wanted to tell him, but she could tell he did not feel the same way about her, she was sure that he did not love her.

The next morning Commodus strangely awoke naturally before Amorina so he simply dressed and left her there, he felt free today. He stretched and wandered into the gardens where he found his nephew sitting alone on a bench attempting to read.

"And what are you up to young man?" He mused sitting by him.

"I'm reading - I can read, you know." He seemed eager to appear intelligent, which amused Commodus.

"I know. And where is your mother?" He put a protective arm around the boy.

"She's still asleep. She was crying last night." Lucius said without care.

"What was she crying about?" Asked Commodus, concerned.

"Father I think, she always cries about father." He informed his uncle, who knew nothing about the tears.

"Well later we shall cheer her up." He smiled. "What is it you are reading?"

"I am reading about Gaius." He looked up at his uncle. "Caligula. Do you know anything of him? I only know he was called Caligula because of his sandals."

"His boots. He wore different boots, small ones, so he was called Caligula." Commodus took the book off the boy. "I do not think it is wise for you to read about him before you learn of Augustus Caesar. Gaius did some terrible things you could have nightmares about."

"It's alright. It's history." The boy was surprisingly bright and convincing, but Commodus closed the book and placed it down next to them.

"Would you like to see history?" He tempted his nephew.

"Of course, but how can you see history?" Asked the puzzled boy.

"Quite easily - open your eyes." He lifted the boy on to his back and carried him out of the palace. He was going to look forward to this, he needed to share his vision with the future and children were the future and as Lucius was the only child he knew he decided to take him.

Lucius was sparkling with delight and wonder as his uncle carried him off to 'see history'. He hoped that they were going to a temple where Jupiter would permit them to travel backwards in time, but his eyes opened wider as they entered the glorious Colosseum and he struggled to take in the magnificent view.

"Is this not amazing? Is this not history!" Enthused the prince, setting his nephew down. "If I were a boy I would long to enter the Colosseum and stand upon the golden sand where men fought and died for our ancestors! For their entertainment!"

"What could be entertaining about death?" Lucius asked.

"Plenty. They gave their lives for the happiness of others and thousands of people cheered for them in the rows as they stained the floor with their blood. Oh yes, the Colosseum was where everything happened, poor mixing with rich and men mixing with boys - it was amazing." He was brimming with delight.

"So why are there no fights now?" Questioned Lucius.

"Because Father did not like men dying for pleasure - but the gladiators had nothing to live for. Do you understand?" He felt concern growing that his nephew would not emphasise with him.

"Yes, I see the glory. I would very much like to see this place alive again." He grabbed a handful of sand and let it drip through his fingers.

"And you will, you will my boy." Commodus said mirroring his nephew. "You will."

They stayed in the Colosseum wrestling until the sun was very high in the sky then retired back to the dining hall where they ate with Lucilla, who heard everything of the Colosseum and the wonder and glory that went on there. Lucilla, however, did not agree with every word, although she enjoyed a good display of strength. Commodus did not tell his secret of his plans once his father passed away - he would save that for a later date when the time was more appropriate. He could not wait until he took control of the Empire and brought about his magnificent vision.