"Will I be Emperor?"

"I see... sapphires, and rubies, and silver..."

After three days of waiting in line, the Roman Emperor's most praised General, his right-hand man, and a close family friend had finally reached the Oracle of which he had heard so many stories. He knew he had to ask a simple question and that the answer was going to be cryptic, but he wasn't worried. The General had agreed to take his daughter with him at the very last moment when she snuck away from their villa at the break of dawn when he was leaving on this secret pilgrimage. The man had been blessed from birth, he was certain of it, as all of his efforts had been rewarded generously and by Jupiter, he worked hard!

He was born a commoner, but with a bright mind and an incredibly strong body. It only took him two years to become the youngest General in the past century and from there to befriending the Emperor was only a matter of timing. He had been lucky enough to stop a barbarian's ax from hitting the Emperor's back - he did it in style, too, blocking its threatening spin with a swing of his sword. He had a very beautiful, but kind of dumb wife who had gifted him a daughter. He had earned himself a fortune, political sympathies, and a high status in Roman society. The only way the General could explain his life was through a combination of hard work, determination, and the favor of the Gods.

These days though, the Emperor was away from Rome very often. They barely conquered any new lands and the General could see chaos slowly taking root into the empire. After all, anarchy thrives when there the real leader is away, doesn't it? And so, he thought that since he was well-educated and versed in the political arts, and incredible soldier and strategist, it would only be natural for him to rise to the throne. However, there was the faintest shadow of doubt creeping up in the corners of his suite, enough so he could be reminded of its existence, but gone before he could face it. The General had become restless and had spent most of his nights staring at the moon until he finally realized - if he wanted to make his doubts disappear, he might as well go talk to the Gods.

He had brought a generous offering with him and left it at Apollo's temple in Delphi. However, his status didn't allow him to skip the queue. He still had to wait in line for three days, until finally, in the morning, right as both the sun and the moon met at the same level in the sky, he got to see the Oracle and ask his most pressuring question.

His daughter wanted to see the games and concerts of which she heard others talking once they returned from Delphi. She wanted to walk around and gaze at the architecture, to pose for a nameless artist on the street, and listen to musicians in the square. It was one of the few times she was allowed to leave their villa or the gardens surrounding it, and she was in awe, but her father made sure to keep her by his side at all times.

She had bright green eyes and dark red hair that flowed over her shoulders and chest in twists and waves, like the mane of a lion from Africa. Her skin was fair and flawless, glowing healthy, and youthful. She dressed in the most beautiful gowns of deep red and golden trims, with ivory or creamy undergarments, and a carefully selected set of jewelry for every occasion. During the three days that they had spent waiting in line, she kept asking her father to buy her gifts of gold and rubies; and spoke with him of the fate of Rome. He didn't take her too seriously since she was still young, but he didn't completely disregard her ideas either because she was his daughter, after all, and his only heir.

It had been hot and sunny in Greece. Her cheeks were red from the heat of the summer sun and felt a little bit hot, but that didn't look bad at all on her. She followed her father away as he had received his cryptic answer. He was certain that the Gods were on his side once again, especially after his offering. What else could it mean that the Oracle spoke of precious stones?

The girl wasn't so sure about it. "She said silver, father... Silver is much cheaper than gold. Could that mean anything?"

"She spoke of riches, my dear. Isn't it obvious? Come, we'll take a commercial ship to Egypt and I will ask the Emperor to step away. After all, who are we to stand in the way of love?"

She looked at him curiously. "Love? Isn't he away with affairs of the empire?"

"Affairs, of course, but not political, from what I've heard. It seems he has a lover there, which would explain why he is so careless about politics and military strategy lately. We can't risk the wellbeing of the Empire over this, though. I'm sure he's going to see the logic behind my proposal - it's only rational that he allows me to take control, at least for a while."

The man stopped all of a sudden when his daughter pulled his arm. "Father, look! Aren't those pretty?" She had stopped in front of a booth selling jewelry, pointing at a pair of hair clips shaped like round flowers with pointed petals and ruby centers.

"A fine eye, young lady! I've got those with other stones too if you'd like to see." The merchant sat up from his chair.

Shaking his head with a smile, the General took out his pouch. "Rubies are her favorites. How much do you want?"

"Three coins, sir!" He held out his hand and received the money, then held it up into the light of the sun. "Roman coins?! Wait, sir, this is too much!"

"Keep it, then," the General said as he watched his daughter lift up a few strands of hair and pinning those in place with her newest clips.

"Thank you," she said with a smile. "Shouldn't we eat first? If we're leaving for Egypt, it's going to take some time."

The General nodded. "You're right. Have you seen any terrace worth our time?"

"I did, now if only I could remember where..." The girl looked around before deciding on a direction.

They walked around until they reached the main square, and from there, on a tight and twisted side street. There was a restaurant with tables on the side of the street, under orange trees and ivy. Beyond the metal railway, they could see the abruptly rocky shore and the sea sparkling into the sun, and the lush vegetation around them made it feel like a small corner of paradise. They occupied a table close to the railway and the girl leaned with her chin over her hand, unable to look away from the scenery for a few moments.

"How come I've never noticed this place before?" The man laughed. His guard was down as nobody knew them in Greece. They were simply travelers, walking around and enjoying the city of Delphi and everything it had to offer. It was refreshing to take a break from the role of Rome's most praised General.

"I heard music coming from somewhere around here when we passed it. Haven't you?"

The man looked surprised. "I don't remember. I probably didn't mind it."

"Of course not - you were too worried about that." She laughed. "Let's stay for another day before we visit Egypt."

"I don't think we should... Not now, that is," he sweetened his refusal when he saw her smile fading. "I haven't told you because your mother is always around and she doesn't know what to keep for herself, but there are some tensions in Rome about the Emperor being away so much lately. They're planning an assassination. If I can get to him before anyone else, I can even give him the names of those plotting against him and once he leaves me in charge, I will carry out trials for them."

"Will they be executed?" she asked in a serious tone.

Her father took a moment to think about it. "Perhaps the leaders of this movement will, but the rest are more likely to be exiled than anything else."

"I see... It's tragic, in a way... He's the Emperor of Rome, but he can't fall in love without someone plotting his death while he's too distracted by it."

"Speaking of love," her father began and watched her roll her eyes, "What do you think about Andreas?"

"Rude, egotistical, and so full of himself! He's also much too impulsive - I bet he worships that savage god of war, Mars. I doubt any other God would pay any attention to his sorry existence."

Her father let out a laugh. "Alright... What about Julius?" The man watched her raise an eyebrow in confusion. Julius who? "The son of Senator Marcus. He wrote you five poems this month."

"Oh, him! He's too... how should I say it? He's got his head in the clouds, he can't hold a conversation. He's also kind of old... What is he, thirty-five, thirty-six?"

"Marius, then - he's a painter and a military strategist. I've trained him, he's talented and disciplined, well-mannered, with a thirst for knowledge I rarely see in young men."

The girl rolled her eyes again. "That's what the maids say, father... I heard he's quite charming, but what for? Everyone who wants him - has him, which is precisely why I don't."

Once they've been noticed, a young man came to take their order, and soon, the two Romans were enjoying lemonades with orange slices and mint leaves, sweetened with honey. The girl sighed in content, trying to remember the scent of this exotic place and commit its scenery to memory. All of a sudden, her eyes lit up with excitement.

"Look, over there! What are those?" She pointed towards the sea below them.

The man looked and saw the creatures playing between the waves of the sea. "Dolphins, I think."

"...Are we going to come back here sometime?"

"Of course! Once I take over the throne and set the politics in order, we can come again. Or, if you'd like, you can ask someone to take you. I still think Marius would be a good match for you. There are many youngsters who act in a similar way before marriage."

"He's from a good family with status and education, but he sleeps with the servants. I don't think he can change my mind - or you, for that matter."

The General laughed to himself as their food was being served. "If you're so picky, you might end up the way I did with your mother." It was no secret that he didn't love his wife, he merely tolerated her around. She was beautiful, but that was her only quality, in his eyes. She was emotional and overreactive, moodier than the phases of the moon, jealous, needy, and not exactly the brightest when it came to politics or economics. She was precisely the portrait of the typical woman that his colleagues described when arguing about why the state had to be ruled by men.

"I'd rather stay on my own than in a relationship like that, no offense intended."

As they were enjoying their food, a musician came around with a lire, playing so beautifully that everyone walked out into the street to listen and marvel at his talent. He was tall and tanned, built like a warrior, minus the battle scars, and his wavy hair reflected the sunlight like gold. He danced around the terrace for a bit, quite obviously making his way to the table of the two Romans while the girl had forgotten all about her food and was watching him in awe.

Her father was enjoying the spectacle as well; until he caught sight of his daughter. Would it be possible...? With a street musician? No matter how talented, this was a still street musician, a commoner. No, this made no sense. It couldn't be. Surely she was simply stunned by his talent and nothing more. He was a very good-looking street musician though and he didn't look like the typical city rats that survive by begging and picking pockets of the unsuspecting.

The musician played a few songs, enjoying the full attention of the foreigners, and gathering a crowd. The restaurant owner went in the back and kneeled in front of a window, praising the Gods to have faith smile on his so brightly. His tables were full of guests in just a few minutes thanks to this mysterious man choosing his terrace of them all! After a quick moment of gratitude, he called his wife and sons to help serve everyone. They even brought a few tables from the back and extra chairs.

"May I have the pleasure?" he asked the girl, as he saw the man eyeing him with suspicion already. The moment he stopped playing, people began cheering and complementing his talent, calling his music divine and unearthly.

She sat closer to the railing covered in ivy. "I don't see why not."

"Who are you, sir?" the General asked. He was trying to be polite but didn't enjoy the sudden appearance at all.

"Amon," the musician said with a bright smile. "Delighted to meet you. I don't think you're from around here, are you?"

"That's-"

"We're from Rome," the girl said before her father could dodge the question.

"And we are leaving soon," the General continued her phrase. Where had he heard this before? Amon... It sounded so familiar, but he couldn't place it. The General certainly didn't know anyone with this name. Was it from literature, then?

"Oh, what a shame. It's such a lovely day, why don't you stay until tomorrow at least?" He looked at the sky, then back at the girl to his left. "I haven't caught your name."

The red-haired smiled, amused by how he was trying to pretend she had mentioned it before. "Carina."

"Just Carina?" he asked while returning her smile.

"For you, yes," she laughed. "Don't act like you've given us too many details about yourself."

"I've got many stories to tell... if you'd spare a few hours of your time to listen to a poor street musician like me."

Both Romans noticed how proud he was. It sounded much like a joke when he presented himself that way.

"Let me repeat myself for you - we are going to leave this evening. I have meaningful affairs to handle." The General didn't see their interaction as a good sign. He's never seen Carina actually enjoy the presence of a young man until now and the fact that he didn't know this stranger who had the audacity to simply show up and place himself at their table only added to the tension.

Amon sighed. "Ah, that's too bad... Enjoying life or not, it's still going to pass, so why rush so much through it all?"

"To save somebody's life, actually," Carina answered him. "Just this one time."

The musician shrugged. "Well, if his thread is ending, there's not much we can do..." He sat up and made a theatrical bow. "I hope to see you again."

The General stood up as well, paid for their meals, and held out his hand for his daughter to take. She did so without taking her eyes off Amon.

"Maybe," she managed before her father led her away. She followed him with a smile never leaving her face as they went down to the docks and negotiated their urgent voyage to Egypt.

As he was leaving, the musician saw a little boy with a bow and a dark lead arrow pointed towards the red-haired beauty.

"Oh, don't you dare do this to me again!"