A week after Elizabeth confessed to Vulpes Inculta that she had been supplying herbal contraceptives for other women, the tension within the camp was beginning to reduce. When Vulpes brought the information to Caesar, he demanded that every woman's possessions be examined and any and all herbs suspected of being used for contraception to be destroyed; as well as administer punishment to every non pregnant woman in the camp, whether or not they partook in the consumption of these medicines. Olivia suffered a dozen lashes from Vulpes, but she didn't give him the satisfaction of hearing her pain as every thick leather strip broke her skin. Instead she focused all the pain he was inflicting on her into rage and hatred towards the Legion, picturing the camp burning and all the men being slaughtered in the most brutal ways conceivable. The sounds and sights of that night still burned in Olivia's mind; she will never forget the screams of terror from the women, and the men yelling and beating any woman they got their hands on.
Elizabeth's punishment was the most brutal. Caesar demanded that she be blinded with hot iron and her hands dismembered, so that she may never again be able to distinguish or handle anything that might hinder the Legion's efforts. No doubt he felt embarrassed at the fact that a lowly woman almost derailed his entire plans, and so chose to force the other women to watch as the punishment was exacted. What she saw that day haunted her; it was the most grotesque display of misogyny and brutality, so much so that it affected some of the younger soldiers in training. After that they dragged Olivia into Caesar's tent and gave her to Vulpes as a "gift" for a job well done and as a warning to her that if she should disobey again, she would have to suffer his punishment. What this really meant was she was now a prisoner in Vulpes' tent as well as a slave. It was then that she decided that she couldn't wait any longer; she was going to find a way to escape with Elizabeth or die trying.
It was late in the evening when Vulpes walked into his tent to find her mixing some broc flower and xander root in a wooden mortar and pestle.
"What are you doing?" his cold voice called behind her, making her flinch.
"Nothing", she averted her gaze from his and tried to hide her work, but Vulpes was too quick. Swiping the wooden bowl from her, he brought it up to his nose and sniffed the astringent contents with a scowl.
"No doubt you were thinking you could go to see that wretched woman again", he tossed the bowl angrily to the side, glaring at her, "I will not make any more exceptions for you! You will stay inside the tent during all hours, unless I say otherwise".
"She needs treatment after what you all did to her", the words seethed out of her as she averted her gaze from his.
Vulpes approached her and stood so close that she could feel his breath on her neck.
"She deserved her punishment, after what she did! And you… I would have thought you'd know better after everything that happened", his words were low and threatening.
"She'll die", Olivia's voice trembled with restrained sorrow. She didn't want to see the woman who had kept her safe, tended to her bruises and wounds all these years die while still a slave to the Legion... She couldn't, not after she promised that they would both make it out of there.
"Then she is weak", Vulpes grabbed her jaw in his palm and forced it up so she would meet his gaze, "And if you are not careful, you will die too".
Olivia wanted nothing more than to spit in his face and kick him between the legs so hard that he'd never be capable of procreation, even though that would mean certain death on a cross for her. She bit her tongue and stayed silent until Vulpes dropped his grip and moved away, making a promise to herself that she would visit Elizabeth in the early hours when Vulpes was fast asleep.
Content. That was the best word that described the way Aelius had started to feel with Ash and Gael on their travels together. With Ash he was finally beginning to break down the barriers and walls that he had to build over the years from his conditioning in the Legion, but just as he was beginning to make progress things shifted again. Since they were rescued by Joshua Graham and reunited with the surviving New Canaanites the previous day, Aelius had to settle for observing them from the side-lines even though all he wanted to do was be by their side. It was this and a fear of the unknown that was creating a conflict of emotions.
Ash was now happily reunited with her family; where did that leave him now though? He found his thought dwelling on his mother and two sisters, wondering what they were doing. Were they safe? Were they even alive? As the sun rose from its bed of black, he watched over Ash and Gael from a distance with the all too familiar sensation of loneliness and uncertainty creeping up again. But there wasn't a lot of time for doubt or hesitation, for when morning came the camp roused and it was time to decide what to do with the Legionary soldier Aurelius. He stood behind the circle of people that had gathered around Joshua and Aurelius. Standing taller than all the others, he had a clear view of everything that was happening. Aurelius was tied up with his arms behind his back, kneeling in front of Joshua and looking up at him defiantly as he questioned him probably for the last time. It brought Aelius a certain amount of satisfaction to see the soldier's unfortunate fate unravel in front of him.
"Joshua, think about what you're doing", one of the men wearing a dark brown Stetson hat approached the burned man, "This doesn't have to happen; spare his life". Aelius couldn't understand why he was asking for Aurelius' life to be spared, especially after what the White Legs did to their tribe.
"This has to be done Daniel", Joshua walked past him, loading his 0.45 pistol, "If you do not wish to watch, then I suggest you leave".
Many of the other New Canaanites seemed equally as disturbed by Joshua's statement, though they didn't argue with him. Instead, many of them packed their belongings in their bags and carried on forward, with Daniel in the lead. The only people who remained were Joshua, Ash, Aelius, and one more hardened looking New Canaanite who had his rifle in hand.
"I can make this quick and painless, or you can make this hard on yourself. Either way, I will get the answers I seek", Joshua spoke ominously, "The choice is yours".
Aurelius laughed and spat at Joshua's feet, "Get on with it".
"As you wish", and Joshua quickly proceeded to unleash full forced blows on Aurelius that knocked him to the ground, a shocked surprise on Aurelius' face. Clearly he had underestimated Joshua's physical power.
Joshua paused, taking a couple of steps back on his heels and observing the damage he had already done to Aurelius. From the blood flowing freely from his nose there was no doubt it was broken; his lip was busted and there was already a red bruise forming on his left cheek.
Though he wasn't showing it, Aelius knew that Joshua was in pain. Part of him wanted to go forward and request that he be allowed to continue for Joshua, but before he could do anything a woman from the group that had left approached them. She walked up to Joshua and spoke something in his ear, but from the annoyed look in his eyes and the shake of his head he seemed to ignore it.
"Have you reconsidered?" Joshua asked, moving back to Aurelius.
Holding his nose to stop some of the bleeding, Aurelius smirked and looked at the woman standing several paces behind Joshua, "That your woman back there? She ask you to take it easy on me again?"
With a swift kick to his chest, Joshua winded him and sent him sprawling on his hands and knees. "Your fate is sealed; no one is stopping this".
After taking a moment to compose himself, panting with pain and frustration, Aurelius decided to speak.
"As I said before, I had no knowledge of your survival".
"I find that hard to believe", Joshua sneered, "Caesar sent some of his best men after me shortly after I was….executed. It stands to reason that youwere sent to finish the job".
"No… I was on a voluntary mission, but not for you", Aurelius panted, a stupid grin on his face, "I…suggested it; and Caesar approved. My return with the traitor, dead or alive, would have secured me a seat within Caesar's counsel… It would have proven my loyalty… So, do what you will. I don't care anymore".
"If that is your choice, then so be it", Joshua snarled, and as he aimed the barrel of his gun the woman that was standing behind him rushed to his side, laying a hand on his arm.
"Joshua, please… Don't do this", she pleaded.
"Don't involve yourself in this Mary", Joshua's almost snarled at her, "It has to be done".
"No, it doesn't. Haven't enough people died over the past three days?"
"You don't understand", he answered through gritted teeth, "If I let him live, he will go back to Caesar and lead the Legion straight to us".
"No, he won't", she said, turning her gaze to Aurelius, "Will you?"
Aurelius looked up at her with disdain at first, but after considering his options he lowered his gaze and relented, "…No".
"Liar", Joshua jeered, "It's like you said; you're here so you can get your advancement in the ranks. And what better way than to bring Caesar my head on a platter".
"Since you have already made up your mind, just go ahead and do it", Aelius could see Aurelius' body shuddering, "Do it".
"Wait", Aelius blurted out, surprised with himself that he was willing to speak up for his enemy's life, but an idea sparked in his head and his instinct told him to pursue it.
"You would stay my hand?" Joshua looked at him in surprise, "After everything he has put you through?"
Aelius clenched his jaw and nodded, hoping he wasn't going to regret this later.
"My motives are not without purpose", Aelius approached hesitantly and stood next to Joshua, "You say you volunteered for the mission".
"As I said, I did not merely volunteer; I proposed it", he said.
Aelius looked down at him with veiled satisfaction. How he would love to see Aurelius limp back home and grovel to Caesar on his hands and knees.
"And you say you had no orders, or intention, on finding the Malpai – Joshua Graham", Aelius corrected himself.
"Yes", the Legionary answered in a bored tone, "I have already stated as much".
With a curt nod, Aelius reached in his old pouch attached to his belt and pulled out a single gold coin with an image of Caesar's profile stamped on one side, and the Bull on the other with his name etched on the sides.
"Then take my viaticum as proof of your success", he tossed the hefty coin at Aurelius, watching it land with a thud where he knelt.
"No… I cannot. I have failed in my mission. You're better off just killing me", Aurelius scoffed, but Aelius could see the fear in the man's eyes.
"I agree", Joshua voiced his opinion next to Aelius, his tone impatient.
"Yes, you have failed. But who of your men is here left to tell the tale?" Aurelius looked around with a grin, "And if you are so eager to die, then that can be arranged. Choice is yours". He stepped back, giving Joshua space to fire if he chose.
Aurelius' eyes shifted from Aelius to Joshua and back, sweat beading on his forehead and his heart threatening to burst out of his chest. He was panting with dread without realising it.
"Wait!" he called, grabbing the coin in his hand, "Wait…Alright…I'll do it."
"You're forgetting who's holding the gun here", Joshua aimed his pistol at Aurelius, and his eyes narrowing as he took aim.
"Joshua, no!" the woman behind him implored, "Please, don't do this".
"Stay out of this Mary!"
"If there is no one to return, then they may send more people after us", Aelius commented.
"We have no guarantee that he won't simply reveal everything he's seen here", Joshua countered.
"We know that your very survival threatens Caesar's position. If everyone found out that the Malpais Legate survived his execution, and that he eliminated every Frumentarii that was sent to finish the job, the Legion would lose their trust in his competence", Aelius spoke confidently, "And if they know of my survival, it would mean the end of Aurelius' career here".
The look of discomfiture in Aurelius' expressions was enough to confirm Aelius' points.
"If it were me, I would say kill him. The only good Legionary is a dead one… But you know better about the inner workings of the Legion and so far you've been right about everything. So… As reluctant as I am to say it, I think you should listen to Aelius Joshua. We should let him go", Ash's brow furrowed.
Joshua was almost in disbelief at what he was hearing, "You can't be serious", but when his only reply were silent and determined gazes, he realised he was outnumbered and reluctantly lowered his weapon. "If he comes back looking for us, I will hold you personally responsible", he glared at Aelius, "There will be no place on the surface of God's good Earth where you can hide".
With that he holstered his weapon, relenting to the vote of the majority. They collected the remainder of their belongings and moved out, leaving Aurelius bloodied but very much alive in the middle of nowhere and with only the clothes on his back to make his way back to the Legion.
When Olivia checked to see if Vulpes was finally asleep at what must have been almost 5AM, she quickly and quietly snuck out of the tent. Her heart beat fast in her chest, eyes wide to help absorb as much of the dark environment as possible, and ears alert to any sounds around her. Keeping low to the ground in a crouched position, she made her way to the women's tent where she found Elizabeth shivering in her cot.
"Elizabeth?" she whispered gently when she knelt next to her, "It's me, Olivia".
"Olive?" Elizabeth's soft voice answered, "What are you doing here?"
"I brought you some healing poultice", Olivia answered, examining her bandages. When she touched her skin, she noticed that it was hot and that Elizabeth was sweating profusely, "You're burning up!"
"You need to go, Olive. It's not safe… They will notice you're gone", Elizabeth shook her head, but Olivia already got to work on her bandages, swapping them out for fresh ones and softly applying the healing medicine on her amputated stumps.
"I'm not leaving you, you've got a high fever. If we don't get it down-"
"Listen to me!" Elizabeth's voice grew concerned, "What happens to me doesn't matter anymore"
"It matters to me", Olivia felt her voice tremble and hot tears roll down her gaunt cheeks, "God… I thought these women would be looking after you better".
"Stop it", Elizabeth answered sternly, "They have been helping me, as much as any one of them can. But I will not allow myself to become a burden to them".
"Elizabeth-"
"No! Do not ever blame these women, understand?" Elizabeth spoke, waiting until Olivia relented.
"I'm sorry, I'm just… just angry that I can't be here for you as you were for me countless times".
"I know dear", Elizabeth nodded, her brow furrowing in sadness behind the bandages that were wrapped around her eyes, "I don't want you to feel guilty. Now more than ever you need to be strong, alright?"
Olivia nodded and stifled her sorrow, wrapping her arms around the woman that had been her surrogate mother since she arrived in the Legion.
"Now listen, we don't have a lot of time and there's a few things you need to know", Elizabeth whispered in her ear. Olivia kept silent as Elizabeth revealed some surprising information about a hidden NCR sniper nest not far from their location. She told her how she established simple communication with them a couple of years ago using a shard of a broken mirror and reflecting light onto the north west cliffs in Morse code. It was through them that she obtained the seeds for the contraceptive herbs they needed. Using the river, the NCR secretly sent watertight packages of supplies allowing the current to carry them filled with medicines, even letters from the snipers themselves, offering words of hope, encouragement and support. In turn she had been working with them, relaying information about Caesar's numbers, defences within the camp, and any conversations she overheard from the Centurions around camp. Her words offered Olivia an infectious sense of hope, and she couldn't help but feel elated with the knowledge that they were being watched by the NCR.
"It's almost too good to be true", Olivia wiped her tears away, feeling a wide smile spread on her lips. Going so long without feeling a semblance of hope or happiness, the sensation was almost alien to her.
"I promised you that you'll get out of here, didn't I?" Elizabeth smiled, "I want you to carry on communicating with them. The shard is in my bag, I want you to take it with you now before you leave".
Olivia obeyed, quickly procuring the sharp piece hidden well inside Elizabeth's bag and wrapping it in a ripped piece of cloth to prevent cutting herself. Elizabeth gave her a quick rundown of how she used it, when she should expect another attempt at communication, and explained how to prepare a watertight container if she needed to send any information that was too long or too sensitive to compose using Morse.
"This is something I never wanted to burden you with, but there's no one else who I can entrust this task… you need to take over for me and carry on communicating with the other side. The tide in the war is shifting. With Legion numbers at an all-time low, the NCR is taking back control and soon the Legion will be destroyed. But Olivia, you need to be careful. Do not let yourself be followed; do you hear me? If you even feel the slightest sense of doubt, don't try to communicate. Wait for a safe moment, and most importantly; keep yourself safe".
"Don't worry about me", Olivia nodded determinedly, "If doing this will help free us all, then it is the opposite of a burden", she nodded.
Sliding the wrapped mirror in one of her wrist wraps, Olivia finished treating Elizabeth's wounds before giving her a heartfelt goodbye hug and hurrying stealthily back to the tent. Turning over on her sleeping mat on the floor, she wrapped herself in a blanket and tried to get to sleep. She could hardly contain the flutter in her heart and her mind from racing with wishful thoughts of rescue, images of the NCR storming the Legion camp and freeing all of the innocent slaves and children. Maybe someday soon she will help make that a reality.
Evening was fast approaching by the time the New Canaanites found a suitable position to make camp. They had found quite a comfortable spot nestled near a fresh water stream and surrounded by greenery; the sound of running water, crickets, and a gentle breeze rustling through the green leaves of the shrubbery was soothing, especially after everything they had all been through. Mary was busying herself with the tent when Joshua came back carrying two small bowls of food for them.
"Here Mary, have something to eat", Joshua crooned tenderly, a stark contrast to the way he had spoken to her earlier in the day. She hadn't said a word to him after the events with the Legionary soldier, and neither did he. There was no apology for his brashness, and he didn't attempt to speak with her when they were travelling. Mary could sense that a distance had already started to form between them.
She shook her head, declining his offer.
"You must be hungry by now", Joshua pleaded, setting the bowls on the floor, "Have something to eat and I will finish setting up the tent".
"No, it's fine", Mary answered curtly, securing the final pole in the ground and wrapping a rope around it to keep the fabric under tension, "All done".
Joshua's shoulders slumped slightly and he recognized that she was upset with him. He approached her and tenderly wrapped his arms around her from behind, "I'm sorry about today, for the way I spoke to you and my behaviour".
"It's like you were a completely different person", Mary shook her head, refusing to turn around, "Frankly it was…frightening".
"I know".
"You didn't even want to hear what I had to say. It's like the man I'd come to know and love simply vanished".
There was sadness in her voice that made him empathise; he didn't like how he had behaved with her, or that it was so easy for his mindset to revert some steps back to the man he used to be in the Legion. That wasn't the man he wanted to be for her, or for his people.
"I'm still here, I'm still the man you fell in love with", he rested his forehead on the top of her head and pulled her a little closer to him until he felt her shoulders relax, "I'm so sorry Mary. Please, forgive me. I promise you I will never behave that way with you again".
He felt her heave a silent sight as she turned around and reciprocated his hug. They held each other for a while until Mary pulled away slightly and confessed that she was famished. With a cheeky smile and nod, he took his coat off and placed it on the ground next to him for her to sit so that they may enjoy their meal in each other's company before Joshua took the first watch.
Once Ash tucked Gael into his sleeping bag and told him a bedtime story, which he fell asleep halfway through, she gave him a kiss on the forehead and carefully stood up so she didn't wake him. Most of the other New Canaanites were already asleep, apart from Joshua who had taken first watch. Stretching her arms above her head and bending back, she felt her spine release several satisfying clicks. Feeling tired but not an overly powerful urge to go to sleep yet, Ash looked around camp and noticed a light on the far edge of camp. It was then that she noticed she hadn't seen Aelius, let alone spoken to him over the past 48 hours. A pang of guilt sat bitterly in her throat as she realised, she'd forgotten him.
'That must be his tent' she thought, 'Go talk to him'.
Her mind wandered as she made her way to his tent, remembering the first moment she saw him and how much he'd changed since then. Or maybe he was always like that, but being a soldier of the Legion never allowed him to be his true self; and her thoughts wandered to the countless other men who were trapped in the Legion just like Aelius was. How many of them had families that they would never see again?
As she approached, she saw that her assumption was correct. It was Aelius' tent and he was sat upright and alert, a machete resting on his thighs as though he were ready to take on an enemy attack. He turned when he heard her approach, a befuddled expression in his eyes.
"Hey", she whispered, "What are you doing up?"
"Keeping watch", he answered, his gaze following her, "I thought you would be with your family".
"I was… I mean, am", she half laughed, "Thanks to you. We wouldn't have made it without you Aelius".
The corners of his lips turned up in a half smile and he gave her a curt nod of thanks.
"You know, you don't need to keep watch. Joshua's got the first shift covered", Ash teetered on her heel, "Is there something else that's keeping you awake?"
Aelius's gaze broke from hers and he gave her a half shrug with no other answer, but Ash could see that he was troubled. She took a deep breath and a seat next to him; she would keep him company for as long as he wanted.
"Why did you make camp so far away from everyone?" Ash asked after a moment, studying him in the dim warm light.
He was quiet for a while, considering an answer for her.
"I have escorted you home, as I promised. But I am not part of this…your tribe", he hesitated, and Ash could sense the uneasiness in his tone.
"That statement couldn't be further from the truth", she shook her head, "You don't have to be born in a tribe to be part of it".
Judging from Aelius' averting body language, breaking eye contact and shifting in his place, Ash could tell that he wasn't convinced. Either that or he was trying to put his walls back up. She wished there was some way she could make him understand and feel that he was still valued, and then without thinking she embraced him. His body tensed up at first, but after a moment of holding him tenderly his body relaxed, and he reciprocated her affection.
"I know you're feeling somewhat out of place; and that's partly my fault", she started.
"No", Aelius shook his head and pulled away gently, taking her hand in his, "No, it's not you".
"Yes, it is. You have pulled me and Gael out of that Legion camp with no regard for your own life, protected and guided us back home. I shouldn't have allowed myself to put you on the wayside when we were rescued from the White Legs. Aelius…", she tilted her head, gazing at him until her relented and his eyes connected with hers, "You need to know that, whatever happens, one thing is certain… You will always be our family".
She could see the lines around his eyes soften and the crease in his brow fade away.
"Alright", he said after a while, "Thank you, Ash. I… think of you and Gael the same", he nodded.
"Good", she smiled and leaned in, giving him a kiss on his cheek that made his face flush, "I should probably get back to Gael. Don't want him to wake up and think I've disappeared".
Aelius nodded and gave her a smile.
"If you want to, you can join us", she looked over in the distance and pointed where their camp is, "You can just about see us from here".
"I'm not sure… I don't want to make it awkward", he replied, looking over to where Joshua stood keeping watch. Throughout their conversation he caught him looking over in their direction, no doubt still wary of having a former Legionary among his people, let alone conversing with his cousin.
"It wouldn't be awkward, we've slept together on our travels", she said and immediately started to blush as she realised how her words sounded, "but if you change your mind, we'll be there".
She noticed his apprehension and decided not to push the subject. Quietly leaving him to his devices and before she said anything else that might embarrass her even more, she made her way back to her son and curled up in a sleeping bag. Rest eluded her though. She found her mind focusing on Aelius and noticed a rush of emotions accompany her thoughts whenever she did. Part of her felt sorry for him; they were both victims of Caesar's Legion, and despite what happened to her at the Legion scouting camp, Aelius never hurt her in any way…not like some of the other men there. Her cheeks flushed when she found her mind focusing exclusively on him; more specifically his physique and she immediately felt a sense of embarrassment and shame. Pulling the covers over her shoulders tighter, she tried to calm her mind so she could sleep, choosing to instead think about the long journey they had waiting for them in the morning and wondering where their new home will be.
