Two

My story is not yet over. Yes, for years I believed Olivia's lie. Her lie. Olivia had nearly broken me in two. Months later I left Rome to pursue the life of a gladiator elsewhere, so my master could showcase my talent.

The life I had as a gladiator is a story that I will not tell you, for it is every master and slave story. The master buys you, you are to do your duty until the end, and then you either buy yourself freedom, are set free, or you die.

All around me I saw shadows and dust. Men wanting to grow old playing the deadly sport of a gladiator, women wanting to love these men without responsibility, and the masters who wanted only money and blood. Greed drove us then and it drives us now.

I had gained notoriety by then and it had been many years since I had been back to Rome, but my return was a good one. Food, wine, and women were plentiful in Rome, but first I had to earn it all.

On my return to Rome I nearly died, but fate would keep me alive. The arena was filled, men and women packing the stadium to the hilt, and there, on the opposite side, came my enemy. Tigris of Gaul. The fool.

So many times I had defeated this bumbling fool and still he lived. At least I could get a drink with him after the show—he always knew the best places in town.

Now we were enemies and we stared each other straight on. Tigris was not so fancy then, only with a pelt of a wild animal, and a bit of armor that was nicer than mine I may admit. "We who are about to die, salute you!"

Marcus Aurelius was young then, his rule young, too. He was the sun, the god, and his children climbed all about him with fervor to sit in his lap and watched the games.

Tigris struck first, kicking some sand at me, and I took the lead, wailing my sword in the air and striking the nitwit just above his shield. Tigris fell back a few feet, inspecting his new wound with only a glance.

"I should have killed you years ago."

"You took pity on me." Tigris replied with his deep accent. "Besides, how could you get the best wine without me?"

I charged at Tigris, knocking him back a few more feet with my shield and then striking at him again and again before he nearly was pinned to the wall. "Proximo! Proximo!"

Cried a little voice, and when I took a moment to raise my eyes I saw her—Cassia. Cassia was in the crowd, cheering, beside her husband, a baby in her arms, and a young little girl straining to get a good look as she called to me. "Mama!" Cried the little girl. "He sees me!"

Cassia saw my diverted attention and when our eyes met she sat in utter disbelief. "Ah!"

I stumbled back, inspecting the new wound across my chest, and then I turned my attention to Tigris. "You should have been paying attention."

"Stupid bastard." I growled.

Soon I had Tigris pinned on the ground, his head beneath my foot as I wielded my sword, waiting for the sign from Marcus Aurelius. The crowd called for life and so did the emperor, pointing his thumb away from his chest. The idiot would live today.

When I entered the bowels of the coliseum I was greeted by my furious master. "Look what you did! Now I have to pay for a doctor!"

I ignored the old wart and went on to wash my face of the sweat and sand. After being seen to by a physician, I went to my chambers where I could rest for some time, but when I arrived I was not alone.

"Proximo."

I stared at Cassia, at first with shock, and then anger took its place. "Back from the dead?"

"Is that what she told you?" Cassia asked with regret. "I thought she told you the truth…"

"And what is that?"

"I married." Cassia replied. "A wonderful man. A good man, who treats Aemelia like she is his."

"She's alive?"

Cassia paused. "Forgive my mother…what she did she did in good judgment."

"Where's my daughter?" I commanded. "I want to see her."

"No, Proximo, you can't!"

I grew furious. "How dare you! She's my daughter!"

"It would break her heart!" Cassia cried. "I never told her who her real father is—who you are to her…but she adores you. She even places bets on you, but she doesn't know who you are to her…neither does anyone else except for my mother and I. She desperately wishes to meet you…you're her hero."

"Let's hope she's not turning into her mother." I spat bitterly.

Cassia's gentle demeanor faded and she became cold. "If you wish to see her…I can make arrangements. I can't promise you anything."

I gazed at the woman, still small and fragile looking, but she had aged beautifully and the maturity within her face shone, as did her happiness. I took off one of my rings. "Give this to her." Grabbing Cassia's hand, I shoved the ring into her palm. "Don't tell her who it's from if you wish."

Cassia left.

I suppose I had no faith in mankind after what I had been through many years before. Cassia kept her word, though.

A fortnight from my arrival in Rome I received visitors and when I was summoned, that is when I saw Cassia and our daughter at her side. I marveled at the sight of her, Aemelia—how I could not forget her name. It meant 'one who opposes' and it would prove to be a very good name for her indeed.

"My daughter insisted she thank you personally, great Proximo." Cassia smiled as Aemelia gazed at me with bright eyes. "Aemelia, this is a friend of mine, Proximo."

"I know who he is, Mama." Aemelia replied, her eyes alight. "Thank you for the ring, Proximo, it's beautiful."

I smiled gently. All little girls liked jewelry. "It was the least I could do, my dear."

The ring was thin a gold, but the rock it held was priceless and a shimmering dark purple color, like Aemelia's eyes. A cross between brown and blue, producing violet within those eyes, and she had hair not so black like her mothers, but light and sun burnt like mine. Aemelia was not so thin as her mother, but built like me with high cheekbones and a strong lower jaw. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on.

I wished I could have been her father, but it was impossible. In that small amount of time I had with Aemelia, I felt nearest to heaven.

"How old are you, little one?"

"I will be thirteen tomorrow." Aemelia replied with a great smile. "Do you think you could come?"

"Aemelia—"

"Oh but Mother, please!" The little girl pouted. "No one will believe that I got this ring from Proximo unless he comes himself!"

Cassia started to admonish the little girl. "Now, Aemelia, surely Proximo has other things to do tomorrow—"

"Well then ask him!" Aemelia commanded, then turned to me. "Are you busy tomorrow?"

I was a little shocked by Aemelia's brazen nature. She reminded me of my mother, who taught me I must fight to survive. "I would not be fit to attend at such a party, child."

"Of course you are." Aemelia rebuked. "You're Proximo and tomorrow I want you to come to my party—that's it Mother, all I want for my birthday. I want a real live gladiator at our villa!"

Cassia was torn. "Oh Aemelia, what would your father say?"

"Yes," I agreed with a laugh, "he shouldn't like me being there."

"Of course her would!" Aemelia argued. "You know how Papa loves the games—I shall ask him the moment we arrive home. Nice meeting you Proximo, I will see you tomorrow!"

With that Aemelia ran off, Cassia rolling her eyes, bidding me farewell and going off herself. A birthday party, I thought. Good thing Senator Aemelius Faustus did not know Cassia's dirty little secret about me.