Chapter 9: Being Careful What to Bargain For

Rather than meeting the emperor in the morning for practice, as was the habit, later that week Aislinn met Commodus in the courtyard in the afternoon. The games would be starting soon so she knew that he would want this done and over with. After the bout in his bedchamber, she had been very docile, very tight-lipped during practice. She made no playful remarks or gestures. She was like a very different person. He watched her bow low as she stood in front of him. She heard the procession of people laughing and yelling in the distance on their way to the Coliseum. He looked at her sternly.

"Aislinn of the Boadicea, I have a proposal for you," he said.

She nodded.

"In a few moments, more of your 'brethren' will meet your God after their executions;" he said and waited a moment.

"Slaughter in the arena is hardly an execution," Aislinn said. He frowned.

"It is back-talking like that which inspires me to make this agreement. You have been a very good warrior as of late, and very respectful of me. If you can keep this up and continue to be obedient and respectful, then for every good fight we have I will keep the Christians out of the arena," he said. "But, displease me once, and every Christian that has been spared will be sent to the lions."

She looked at him worriedly. "Caesar, it isn't fair to tie their fates to my mood or yours."

"Nothing is fair, Aislinn. You said so yourself. Do you have what it takes to save your people? Or should I send them to their deaths knowing well that they could've been spared by you?" he watched horror wash across her face. "Yes, if they die because of you, I will make a grand speech before them explaining to them who refused their perseverance."

She looked down and swallowed hard.

"Then I will be what you ask, Caesar. A good diplomat represents their people well, and I intend to show you that my people mean you no more ill than your own family does," she said softly. He smiled.

"Good then. I will go and give the order now. It is a noble thing that you do, and wise as well," he mused and walked past her. "Be ready to face me in the morning."

"Yes, Caesar," she replied sadly. She had a mission now, a very burdensome one. If Commodus had a bad day, or felt embarrassed by losing to her in practice, her people would die. It wasn't unusual for Caesar to take his frustrations out in the arena, but now her name would be tied to it. She would play a role in it. She sighed and went back to her quarters to pray long and hard.

(*)

Commodus enjoyed the next few days. There was very little to do in the senate as his instructions were being carried out and Aislinn was losing to him again and again. After a week and a half, it became very apparent that Aislinn was letting him beat her. She wasn't speaking up, speaking out, lashing out, cutting up, or doing anything that defined the personality he had grown a little fond of. Then the senate began chiding him again about finding a wife. Lucius suddenly announced one evening that he was going to be a tutor, never emperor because emperors became cranky and ill-mannered after assuming the throne. Then, Lucilla had started in about Maximus needing to be released. He was having a very bad week. He lay awake for several nights with the assurance that he could vent all anger by fighting with Aislinn. She was fiery and would bring enough of a challenge to burn the anger out of him. He stalked, still exhausted and furious, into the courtyard before daybreak. He waited for Aislinn who came out before him and was looking much oppressed.

"Feeling the weight of a nation for the first time, are you?" he asked coldly. He waited for her to give a verbal parry, but she said nothing. This angered him. "The weight of a sword shouldn't be too difficult, then."

He motioned for Quintus to bring her a sword. Aislinn took it. She was becoming more skilled by the day. Commodus motioned for the fight to begin. Aislinn fought, but barely. He tried everything to make her angry at him. He cut a gaping hole in the abdomen of her tunic. Knocked her to the ground repeatedly. Made cruel remarks about the Celts and the Christians. He noticed tears forming in Aislinn's eyes. He lunged at her again. She fell backwards and looked up at him, terribly hurt in her soul by his viciousness. He snarled. Why wasn't she reacting? Why didn't she tear into him?

"You're not doing your best Aislinn! Fight me!" he yelled. Aislinn dodged and then took a hit from him, falling to the ground. He straddled her, holding her wrists down with his hands and looking angrily into her face. "Why aren't you trying to hurt me?"

"If I displease you, highness, I doom my family," she choked. He let go of her wrists and sighed.

"I want you to present a challenge, Aislinn!" he fumed. "Can't you do that without contradicting me and making me angry?"

"Challenges are contradictions and often make us angry," she said calmly. He groaned and looked away for a moment still on top of her.

"My position as emperor is making me crazy," he said aloud. No one but Aislinn was in range to hear this. "I just want a few light-hearted moments where I can forget everything going on around me."

"Then find humor in the little things. It's what keeps the leaders of my people sane," she offered. He shook his head.

"There's no place for simple humor and laughter as emperor or warrior. Smiling and play have no place on the battlefield."

Aislinn smiled wickedly. She looked up at him. "Do you really think that laughter has no place with you?" she asked.

"It hasn't so far," he grumbled. Aislinn's eyes flashed with playfulness. He noticed it, but far too late. Aislinn reached up and gently tickled his exposed belly. He jumped up to get away, giggling. He hadn't been taken by surprise like this in a long time. "Aislinn!" he yelled as they stood up and she stood back away from him. She suddenly looked down. She turned away.

"I have angered you," she said depressed.

"No!" he laughed. "Quite the opposite! I shouldn't have asked you to be obedient and docile. What I want is for you to respect me enough to not chide me in front of my men."

"Agreed, highness. Does your offer still stand if I decide to be a little playful and spontaneous?"

"Absolutely. I'll be expecting it from now on," he said very amused.

"No you won't. That's half the fun right there," she said with a smile. He nodded.

"You can go back to your quarters for now. It disturbed me to see you in such poor spirits, Aislinn," he admitted.

"Then I apologize for troubling you. You have enough to worry about," she said with a bow.

"Indeed, but now I know that it is possible to laugh in the face of frustrations," he said with admiration. "I'll have to watch you, Aislinn. You keep surprising me at every turn."

"Good, then you'll rarely be bored for the next few months."

(*)

Commodus walked into the palace and sat down to eat with his sister and nephew. Lucius still looked a little upset. Since his declaration to abstain from the office of Caesar, Commodus had been very harsh with him. He had also been quite mean to Lucilla. Both were very silent at the table. He frowned.

"Lucius, how are your lessons coming along?" he asked.

"Very well, uncle," Lucius replied half-heartedly. Commodus frowned and turned to Lucilla.

"What about you, sister? How have your painting lessons been?"

"Very good, brother," she said softly.

He shook his head and looked down. "I've been very busy lately. Too busy. I believe I allowed my position to frustrate me and harm our family. I am sorry, Lucius. You have the right to refuse the throne if you wish, but I feel you would be a very wise emperor," he said turning to Lucilla. "I am grateful that you feel compassion for others, especially me. I will speak with Maximus again in the prison and find out the truth behind everything that has happened between the two of us."

Lucilla nodded. He looked over at Lucius who was now smiling a little.

"Good; that entire aside, I think we should send for a story-teller. What do you say to that?" he asked. Lucius looked up excitedly and Lucilla nodded approvingly. Since Commodus had ordered that the games be continued on a later date, when Rome was in better spirits, storyteller and musicians had been in demand among the people. He hoped to bring them back in time to fight Aislinn and after the issue of unemployment and plague in the capital was resolved. He smiled at noticing that the tensions felt between all three of them had lifted. He sighed with relief and went to send word for a story-teller. Then he stopped. Maybe Aislinn knew some fantastic tales from her homeland and a song or two. He would love to see that. He watched his sister leave the table and tell Lucius to begin his daily routine. Before leaving, Lucius went to his uncle and hugged him tightly. Commodus smiled at feeling the boy embrace him with love and forgiveness.

"I love you, uncle," he said quietly before running off.

Love, Commodus thought. That is all I want from my people, Love. Perhaps with Aislinn's short lectures he might have it.