"Maximus. Maximus, wake up!" the harsh whisper of the priestess brought her from her slumber. "Maximus, get up, we need to go!" She bolted up, hand reaching for the knife under her pillow. A firm grip on her arm stopped her. "Maximus, grab only what's necessary, we need to leave, now." The urgency in her voice had her reaching below her bed for a pack of emergency rations and supplies. She stood and turned towards her armor and weapons rack. "Leave the armor, we can't be identified." The priestess hissed, already backing towards the exit of the tent.

"Why are we leaving?" she asked, grabbing her machete.

"I'll explain as we go, for now, we need to flee. Stick to the outer edges of the camp, try not to be seen." Maximus obeyed without further question, ducking out of her tent and into the night. After a few miles of running, they came upon the Colorado River and stopped at its shore. The priestess bowed forward panting as Maximus caught her breath, looking around them for threats.

"What happened? Have they figured me out?" she asked, unable to wait for the priestess to come forward on her own.

"No. But you may as well have been." She said between heavy breaths.

"I don't understand. What happened?" she snapped out.

"Vulpes Inculta is set for crucifixion. If Caesar is willing to execute his own son, imagine what he will do to you." She bit out.

"What did he do?!" she gasped out, voice cracking.

"He broke rank. The details were vague, but he is being scourged, now. We need to swim across and flee west, before they realize that we're missing. If we can reach NCR territory, we should be safe." Maximus stared at her, terror painting her features. The priestess grabbed her hand and began pulling her towards the water.

"I can't leave" she mumbled. Grounding her feet to stop from being pulled into the water.

"What do you mean?! Do you not realize what kind of danger you're in?" the priestess shouted.

"I can't—" she stated louder "I just—please, I can't…" she shook her head, eyes wide as she began backing away.

"I can't go back with you. If this is your decision, then you must know I've done what I can. I have fulfilled your father's wishes, but I cannot stay around to watch you die-to be killed for hiding you." She took a deep breath as her face screwed up painfully, tears beginning to spill down her red cheeks. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Run. I don't yet know what I'll tell them of your absence, but I will come up with something, I promise you. Now, go. I need to get to Vulpes." Without another glance, Maximus turned and ran back towards camp as the eyes of the priestess stayed on her until she was swallowed by the night.

"Maximus ran back to the camp and abruptly stopped after pushing through the crowd gathered at the center. By torch light, the bleeding body of Vulpes was on display for all to see. The crack of a whip was the only sound to meet her ears as the noise of the crowd faded into the background. Vulpes did not cry out as his flesh was split by the strike. His brows were furrowed, his teeth clenched, but he otherwise did not betray his pain. His eyes seemed focused on nothing at all until they locked with hers. For the next few minutes that seemed to stretch on for hours, his gaze remained on her, as if her being there was an anchor. She did not blink, did not look away, offering her silent apology for being unable to stop what was happening to him.

"Vulpes Inculta!" A centurion shouted. Maximus did not look to him, but she knew the voice of Aurelius. Her eyes remained on Vulpes. "Let your death be a warning to any man who chooses to disobey orders. This is what will become of you—even if you are the son of the son of Mars." He spat bitterly. A group of men moved forward and took hold of Vulpes as his bindings were cut. His body slouched, but his head remained up, eyes still locked on hers. He was dragged backwards and hoisted up onto a partially erected crucifix, his limbs tied in place before they brought it to its full height. And still, his eyes remained on Maximus. The intensity of his stare burned. "It is known that you are not Caesars true son, and for that you will die as all mortals do! Mars cannot save you!" Aurelius shouted. With that, he spat at the base of the crucifix before turning and storming away. The gathering of men began to depart slowly, a low muttering accompanying them until it was only Maximus left. Their eye contact never wavered. Slowly, Maximus approached Vulpes until she was at his feet.

"I'm so sorry", she whispered. Vulpes closed his eyes for a moment, his breaths shallow from the strain. When he opened them, Maximus felt them pierce her heart.

"Do not be sorry. I can only be grateful that my oldest friend could be here to witness my downfall. I do not have any regrets, though. I did what was necessary, and by Mars will, we were victorious." He stated, his lids growing heavy.

"Vulpes—"

"Do not offer to kill me." He said, blinking slowly.

"How did you—"

"You're predictable. You've always been predictable. I can't fathom…" he took a slow, strained breath. "I can't fathom not knowing you in and out. Which is why I know you are upset, but you will be strong and you will overcome my absence, brother." His eyes began to close, his head nodding towards his chest. Maximus stared, trying not to react to his state. Trying not to let the tears welling in her eyes fall. Trying not to cut him down.

"Vul…", he didn't respond, but his chest rose and fell slowly. "I'm not a man…" she whispered. "I've been lying my whole life. The only two people who have known have left me. And now you will, too…but I can't resent you." She continued watching his slowed signs of life. "I lov—"

"Cut him down!" the voice of Caesar broke out behind her. She stiffened and turned to see a group of men marching, Caesar leading the way with long, quick strides. "I said fucking cut him down!" he said, looking directly at her. As fast as she could, she grabbed a knife from her boot and began tearing away at the bindings around his ankles. By the time she was done, the group had reached them and made quick work of cutting his remaining restraints. His body slumped and fell to the ground. "Get him to a god damned healer. Someone get Aurelius and bring him to my tent!" Caesar shouted. Maxiumus didn't bother to hear what was said next. She quickly picked Vulpes up and slung him over her shoulder before running to the healer's tent. Vulpes was going to live.