"The Malpais Legate stood before the altar as the priestesses dressed him in his armor, muttering on about the will of Mars. He closed his eyes, hoping the distant beat of war drums would drown out their nonsense. When his polished chest piece was finally latched into place, the leather straps smelling of perfumed oils, he ordered them away. Only one remained behind, his helmet in hand.
"He would want to see you." she said, quietly as she approached him.
"He can see me as we march, like everyone else. I cannot treat him with favor." he said, shaking his head.
"What if you don't come back? What if you were to fall in battle? Do you not want an opportunity to fix things, to at least bid them well?" she asked, a tear rolling down her cheek.
"I cannot be seen as weak. Saying goodbye will only make it seem like I've no faith in my ability to win. I have waged war countless times, this will be no different." he said firmly.
"You've waged war on tribes! This is an army, an organized military with established territory. This is different!" tears ran freely down her face at her outburst, as she prepared to be punished. A gloved hand raised to cup her cheek, mimicking what she had done so many times.
"I will come back. Even if we lose, I will come back." He pulled her into his chest, the cold metal biting at her skin. "I will return for you, my goddess."
"Do not forsake the gods with that title" she whispered.
"The Gods are not real." she drew her head back, wide eyes staring into his. "But, this is" he said caressing her cheek. Her bottom lip quivered at her loss for words. The Legate leaned down and kissed her gently, before taking his helmet from her hands. He placed it upon his head. "If something were to happen, I trust you to take care of him."
"I will do as I always have, but he's grown. Before long, that vicious independence you instilled will no longer be within my control." He smiled at that, the crinkling at the corner of his eyes contrasting with the violent imagery of his armor. After a moment, his face fell at the change of the drum beats in the distance.
"I must go." He said, his posture straightening. The priestess stepped to the altar and retrieved his blade, presenting it to him as she knelt He accepted it, fastening it to his belt before making her rise from the floor. "I love her, you know." He said, barely above a whisper. She nodded, snaking her hand into his. "I will see you, once we have secured the dam." He squeezed her hand reassuringly, placing a kiss upon it before gently releasing it and walking away from her and out of the tent. Tears continued to fall down her face as the mighty battle cry of Caesar's Legion sounded outside.