Sorry it's been sooo long. School has been hectic! Thanks for putting up with me!

Chapter 6

Destination Reached

A huge roar erupted as they made their way to the fortress. Centurions raced behind to be there to greet the new Commander's wife. This was the most excitement they were experiencing since Marcus arrived two weeks ago. Even when living in Rome the probability of seeing a Senator's daughter would be scarce. They lived, worked, and played in areas off limits to the rest of the city.

In argument to Galahad's earlier statement, many Roman women were hideous. The plague that sprung up constantly in the city had taken its toll on the people. Birth defects were common of people of the lower classes, yet the upper classes were not in contact with the plague hence they were considered the beauty of the city.

Arthur and the Knights made their way to the inner gates of the keep. Marcus was standing there waiting for them, with a few other Roman officials. The Centurions were formed in a square around the walls; they were all wearing their blue cloaks and battle armor. Their shields were out in front of them and with the other hand held large spears, merely for show. These spears were far too large to use in battle, they were extremely difficult to lift.

The horses had some difficulty maneuvering inside the small gates due to all the soldiers. The four horses leading the carriage were having an issue, getting quite uneasy with all the people. Jols, Arthur's steward, had to come over and calm them down in order to pull the rest of the carriage through the gate. It was obvious that Marcus was getting impatient.

Marcus stepped down from the entrance of the hall of the Round Table and walked toward the carriage door. Gaius opened the door and a delicate hand emerged clasping Marcus's. All the Centurions took a deep breath and stood up straight, the Knights remained mounted.

Lucilla lightly stepped from the carriage onto the cobblestone ground. She felt very self conscious will all the eyes on her. She wore a light peach dress that had half sleeves with a matching shawl with gold outlining. Her brown waves were pulled back in a traditional up-do of Roman style. A few strands hung down near her face and in the back. A true Roman beauty.

"Was that really the most appropriate dress to wear?" Marcus whispered to her.

Her eyes searched the crowd just so she didn't have to look Marcus in the eyes; awkwardly her eyes met Tristan's. "It was all I had left, everything was the trunks. I shall go up and change."

"Good." Marcus sharply agreed.

She hadn't even been at the Wall five minutes and already Marcus was on her about everything she had done wrong. There was no 'hello nice to see you,' or 'hello, I missed you.' No, already the criticizing came.

"I shall meet you in five minutes to escort you back down here to meet the soldiers."

"Yes husband." Marcus motioned for a woman to come over and show Lucilla to her chambers.

The Knights had been taken back by her beauty. They all saw the same thing, a goddess. But she was not one of the fool wenches from the tavern, no; she was the daughter of Senator. Most were already thinking of the right way they could seduce her into their own beds, little did they know how difficult it would prove to be.

They weren't even able to appreciate her beauty until she was being pushed into the hall, most likely to her chambers. Bors laughed.

"What's so funny?" Dagonet asked.

"Lovely Vanora is taking her up. She'll get everything we need to know." Bors laughed again.

The Knights joined in. Vanora could get information out of anyone if she wanted to. She was extremely persuasive. They were sure they would know Lucilla's favorite food and shoe size by the time drinking time came around later tonight.

"Well here it is," the red head opened the door for Lucilla, "home."

Slowly Lucilla took the few steps through the threshold. "Thank you." She said turning to the woman. "It'll do very well."

"This isn't your husband's room; his is the other door down the hall. Is this how it's supposed to be?"

"Yes."

"Alright then. Your trunks should be up momentarily. Can I get you anything else?"

"Your name?"

"Vanora," she seemed surprised that a woman of such status would care about her name.

"Thank you Vanora."

"You're welcome my Lady. If there is anything you need I can be found roaming the fortress during the day and working the tavern in the evening. Or just find my Bors."

"Pardon me?"

"Bors, he's my lover. He'll find me if you can't." A few men arrived with the trunks from the carriages.

"Oh, thank you. Please put them over there." Lucilla softly spoke as the men placed the large trunks against the far wall.

"Anything else my Lady?" Vanora questioned.

"No thank you." Vanora nodded and left back down the stairs.

Within a few minutes all twenty-four trunks were packed into Lucilla's room. A bit overwhelmed she began with the closest trunk. Seeing that it wasn't her wardrobe she moved on to the next until after five trunks she finally found it. Pulling out a grey gown with the same cut as the one she was wearing she put it on. But realizing that Marcus still would not approve she found her large fur cloak. Wrapping the fox fur around her she clipped the star shaped clasp.

Hearing Marcus's knocking on the door she checked her hair in a small mirror and opened the door. "Are you ready?" He hastily asked.

"Are we late for something?" Lucilla quickly spoke.

"Are you talking back to me?" Marcus sharply asked.

"No of course not. I'm just saying." Lucilla looked towards the floor.

Marcus pushed her against the closed door of her chamber. "Good, if you were talking back to me, I would hate to think about what I would have to do to you. You're job Lucilla is to make my life easier. If you don't you pay the consequences." Grabbing her neck squeezing just tight enough to scare Lucilla he said, "Do I make myself perfectly clear… wife?"

"Yes… perfectly clear husband. It shan't happen again." Marcus let go of her neck and took her arm to walk with her down the stairs toward the waiting officers.

The corridor was darkly lit as they walked down the stairs. About half was down the stairs took a sharp turn, Lucilla slipped on a puddle into Marcus's hands. "Will you please watch your step! Do not make me look like a fool in front of these men."

"I would never dare do that. Please forgive me." Her voice was in a whisper for fear of saying something out of wrong.

Marcus introduced her to countless men, each were gawking at her beauty and intrigued to meet a Senator's daughter. Each man was the same, Marcus would walk up to them, they would salute him, he would shake their hand and he would introduce Lucilla. The officer would ask for her hand and he would kiss it delicately. Lucilla would smile at the man then Marcus would pull her to the next soldier in line. It was a tedious project, and she supposed it served a purpose. The only thing Lucilla wanted was a hot bath with her incenses burning all around, so she could imagine she was back in Rome.

After almost an hour of shaking hands Marcus led her into the tavern of the wall. It was a large area with many tables, each telling their own stories of bar fights, and gambling. The tavern was near empty as they entered. Marcus help Lucilla take a seat on one of the benches as he himself took a seat. One by one Marcus' generals took a seat at the table, the only commanding officer she didn't see was Arthur, and surprisingly she was a bit disappointed.

Vanora was the hostess bringing them large mugs of mead and Lucilla a glass of her finest wine. Thanking her Lucilla took a sip of the wine to find it was old and musty. In Rome the bottle would have gone for mere pennies, but she was sure that in Britannia this was a commodity. Yet during her dinner that was brought out she could feel a pair of eyes always watching her. Not to sound self-confident, but Lucilla was used to at least one pair of eyes on her but this was different. This pair was seeing deeper than mere beauty…as if the watcher was peering directly into her soul.

The feeling made her queasy. Excusing herself she left the table and made her way up to her room…now if she could only remember the way.

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