Chapter 13: The Spaniard, the Celtess, and the Caesar

Commodus had led Aislinn back to her quarters for the afternoon. He then sat through another meeting with the senate, with Falco staring at him hatefully and his sister not looking at him at all. The meeting was coming to a close when Falco stood up abruptly.

"I have one more issue to place before you, Caesar," he hissed. Commodus whirled around. He was incredibly hungry, tired, and wanted to spend some time alone with his nephew.

"What is it, senator?" he asked very agitated.

"I think myself and the majority of the palace is concerned with the safety of the people with you keeping that Celt in good health," Falco said icily. Commodus glared at him. "I propose that we send her to the arena where she belongs and test her strength."

"You are out of line, senator," Commodus warned.

"I agree," Lucilla said as she stood up. Commodus smiled. "I agree with senator Falco," she continued. Commodus's face twisted in anger.

"Remember your place, sister," he growled.

"Remember your duties, brother. Send your new recruit into the arena. Let us see how well you have trained her between torturing her," she said. Commodus flew up into her face, flaming with anger in his eyes and breath. "Or are you afraid of losing her?"

Commodus drew back. It was a fear of his at the moment. He frowned. He knew that Aislinn was strong, but he also knew that she fought only in self-defense. He wondered if the Celts were only fierce warriors when they needed to be. He drew in a very deep and long breath and cracked his neck once, trying to regain his calm.

"Very well. Aislinn will face Maximus in the arena tomorrow," he said triumphantly. Lucilla looked hurt deeply. She lurched forward to slap him, but simply turned and hurried away. Commodus motioned to Quintus who went to follow her and make sure she didn't leave the palace. Gaius looked at Commodus with concern. Although he did not always agree with the emperor, he knew that Caesar was fond of Aislinn. He must've seen her as precious as many of the others before him had seen a particular wild cat or dog that they tamed. He stood and looked him in the eye.

"Caesar, I do not agree with senator Falco or your sister. I think that the girl would be just fine if she were simply confined and kept securely when you weren't at play with her," Gaius added. Commodus turned to him angrily at the use of the word 'play'. Gaius frowned and bowed. "I do not see this girl as an immediate threat. Your highness is quite capable of dispatching her."

"I gave an order, Gaius. My word is law. Aislinn will face Maximus in the arena. It will be a grand display." He turned to Falco. "I would just hate for anyone to miss it." He turned and stormed out of the room, but not towards Aislinn's quarters. He headed straight for the prisons.

(*)

Maximus paced back and forth in his cell as Aislinn had done on first arriving. He heard a familiar marching coming towards the cell. It was the sound of a small band of Praetorians and the Caesar. He smiled and stood waiting. He had spoken at length with Lucilla for several days. Commodus was no murderer. He was confused about and angry at his father, but he wouldn't have killed him. And as far as Maximus's family, Commodus was in no state, at that time, to order a plan like that. He had barely had the clearness of mind to order Maximus to be executed. Still, the little weasel made Maximus very irritated. Here he sat on the throne of Rome when he knew very well that his father had wanted Rome to become a republic once more. Commodus entered the cell and ordered the guards to move away several feet. They obliged, leaving the two men alone to speak. Commodus raised his hand to his chest in a slight salute to the ex-general, but Maximus did not return the favour.

"Highness," Maximus managed to say. Commodus accepted the gracious word. "What can I do for Rome?"

"I'm afraid I come here with a bit of a selfish request," Commodus admitted motioning for them to sit. He took his crown off sadly and rubbed his head. "Maximus, the senate; well, Falco and my sister, wants Aislinn dead," he said slowly.

Maximus frowned. He had heard Lucilla rant about her brother's 'enchantment' with this Christian Celtess. He knew from Lucilla's description, that her little brother had it bad for Aislinn. It had amused him at first, now it was worrying him. He actually pitied Commodus a little. He knew all too well what it was like to have your beloved ripped away from you. "How can I help, Caesar?" he asked genuinely.

Commodus looked up at him, fighting tears. "I've ordered a game tomorrow. You and Aislinn must fight to slake the bloodlust of Falco and my sister." He looked deeply into Maximus's eyes. Maximus watched as a tear rolled down the young ruler's face. Maximus fought the urge to fully embrace this man that he had known as a whimpering and rather effeminate young child. He instead placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Please don't kill her, Maximus. Just wound her. I...I can take care of her after that! We have magnificent physicians at the palace! You could go for her right leg; it's already been injured once!"

Maximus looked disgusted at this suggestion. Commodus looked down. "Highness, I'm not going to fight her," Maximus said firmly.

"You must. I gave the order. It's expected tomorrow, Maximus. There's nothing that can be done," Commodus said depressed. "Just please don't kill her."

"My friend," Maximus said slapping him on the shoulder like a fellow soldier, "I will enter the arena with Aislinn. I will draw a sword to her. We will make a grand show of throwing down our weapons and refusing to fight." Commodus shook his head. He feared that if these two defied him openly that the senate and his sister would demand that he personally fight them. "And if they want to know why, I will tell them. In fact, highness, you should demand of me why I will not fight her."

"Why won't you?" Commodus asked. Maximus chuckled and stood up.

"Ask me from the imperial box tomorrow," he said with a smile. He noticed that Commodus looked unsure of this. Maximus looked a little serious and smiled resolutely. "I swear on the spirits of my ancestors; on my son, on my wife, I will not lay a hand in harm on Aislinn."

Commodus was moved by such words. It was truly a great gesture on the part of this man that had just recently accused him of murdering his father and family. He sighed heavily. He needed to see Aislinn. He nodded to Maximus and saluted him as he left. Maximus watched, smiling slightly. Poor Commodus, he's truly in for it. He's out of his mind in love with this girl, he thought.

(*)

Commodus went into Aislinn's quarters and explained as calmly as he could, what was to be done in the morning. He expected her to have a fit of fear, anger, or sadness. Instead, Aislinn laughed. He looked at her with all sincerity. She frowned a little.

"Your sister wanted this?" she asked sadly.

"Yes," he choked back.

"And what did you say to them?"

"I couldn't deny them, Aislinn. If the senate thinks I'm favoring you out of affection, they will have you murdered, or worse," he said feeling sickness rise up in his stomach at saying this. He looked up at her, holding onto both of her hands. "I really don't want this, Aislinn. But I have ordered Maximus not to hurt you."

"So you are afraid of the senate, your family, and the people; but me, the Celt that you ordered captured for your amusement, you feel I'm WEAK!" she said loudly.

He looked very hurt and held onto her hands tighter. "I'm not happy about this, Aislinn. Please try to understand the position I'm in..."

"Position! You are emperor of Rome! You are the Caesar! You are the most powerful man on earth and you cannot act the way you know is right because of your sister and your subjects!" she fumed.

"Don't raise your voice to me, Boadicea Christian!" he yelled angrily letting go of her hands. He had said the very wrong thing. By using this title for her, Aislinn realized that he had removed his tenderness towards her. Mission accomplished, her mind said bitterly. He looked down, breathing sharply.

"Leave my quarters, Caesar. I need to sleep for the games tomorrow," she said angrily. He looked into her face. Both of them had tears streaming down their cheeks.

"Sleep well, Aislinn," he said softly. He turned and left. As he closed the door and the guards surrounded him, he heard Aislinn crying loudly. It cut into his heart like a stiletto. He was powerless to end it and he knew it. He walked back to his room and wallowed in grief and darkness until the sun began to rise.

(*)

The arena was full to bursting with patrons and nobles. Falco and the other senators sat very near the imperial box. Lucius looked up nervously at his uncle. So did Quintus. Lucius grabbed his uncle's sleeve.

"Uncle, please don't do this. I like Aislinn, she shouldn't die," Lucius said very boldly. Lucilla grabbed him by the arm, forcing him to sit as she corrected him. Commodus felt an enormous lump rise in his throat as the orator began to announce the fight. His stomach lurched as the doors were opened and the two warriors walked into the arena. Silence descended over the crowd as the two advanced on one another. The orator had introduced Maximus as Rome's champion, The Spaniard; and his opponent was the Bloodthirsty Boadicae of the savage highlands. Aislinn wore a great helmet that looked like a snarling wolf and traditional gladiatorial gear otherwise. No one from a distance could tell that she was a she. Maximus stared Aislinn in the face as they stood in front of one another.

"I am not ready to die," she admitted.

"I know. Neither is Caesar. I need to know this before we begin, do you love him?" he asked.

"Yes," she blurted out without thinking. "That is, I think its love. I'm a little young to be sure. But if this is what love is, it is terrible."

He smiled. "Why?"

"I can't get him out of my thoughts. I can't sleep, but I do nothing save daydreaming. I can't eat, but I hunger so badly. I can't speak, but his face and voice send me a thousand words. I am so torn," she said sadly. The arena really wasn't the place for sentimental banter, but she probably wouldn't get another chance. This man was a Roman and he had been ordered to kill her in the arena. She knew the rules. "I love him, but he does not love me."

"How do you know that? Have you asked him?" Maximus said.

"No," Aislinn realized. Maybe she should give Commodus a chance to be confronted by her about how she felt for him. He had already told her that he couldn't stop thinking about her and feeling for her. She sighed. "And I suppose I never will."

"Who gave that order? You are in Rome, Celtess. No one but the emperor may say always or never to anything or anyone. Do you understand?" he asked drawing his sword. Aislinn nodded sadly. She made no effort to draw her sword. Maximus smiled as the crowd began to roar. They screamed for fighting, for death, for the blood of the savage. Maximus raised his blade. Commodus sat forward, feeling his heart beating like thunder, like running horses. Lucius began to sob. Lucilla put a firm hand on his arm to quiet him. Quintus looked urgently at Commodus. His eyes screamed, Only you have the power to end this, Caesar! Stop this travesty! She loves you! Commodus's eyes were affixed on Aislinn. Falco smiled and held the hand of his daughter, Drachma, who was probably the loudest woman crying out for Aislinn's demise. Maximus held his hilt tightly and gathered his strength. Aislinn closed her eyes as he struck her. Everyone gasped. Commodus stared at them, dumbfounded.

Aislinn's helmet fell from her head. She was unscathed. She opened her eyes as her hair tumbled around her head and cascaded down her shoulders. The crowd began murmuring and then a series of admiring 'oohs' and 'ahs' streamed from the stands. Maximus smiled and turned to face Commodus. He threw down his blade. Commodus didn't know what to do at first.

"Brother?" Lucilla said in surprise. "Caesar? Isn't the Spaniard defying you?"

He smiled. Quintus gave a brighter smile than he had in years. Commodus stood, shaking slightly. He somehow managed to keep the composure of being a stalwart emperor before his people.

"Gladiator, Spaniard, why do you not fight as I have ordered?" he demanded.

"Because, highness. She is a girl," Maximus said with a smile. The crowd roared with laughter. Falco seethed angrily with Drachma. Even Lucius broke into uproarious laugher at the statement. "Your highness must pass judgment. I cannot strike her down without your saying it to be."

Commodus smiled brightly. He raised his hand in front of him and theatrically displayed the 'thumbs-up' giving Aislinn her life. The crowd laughed and cheered. Quintus stood and began applauding. The stands soon filled with people standing and cheering for the three that had played their roles in this wonderful comedy; the Spaniard, the Celtess, and the Caesar. Maximus smiled at Commodus as he had done when they were young friends. He looked up at Lucilla reassuringly. Lucilla felt a little angry, but Maximus was a very patriotic and moral man in her opinion. If he felt that killing Aislinn was wrong, it must have been true. Commodus nodded slightly, giving a warm gesture of thanks to his friend. Maximus saluted him in return. Commodus felt his heart leap with j0y. Maximus was a true friend. His list of great allies was growing with each act of goodness he displayed. The two were escorted out of the arena by the guards. Aislinn was led back to her quarters, and Maximus was asked to go into the palace, guarded, to speak with Lucilla and Commodus.

Commodus forced his way to Aislinn's quarters. Claude was tending to her. She was exhausted from fear and sadness. He watched her drink from a glass of water, and then Claude offered to bring her some nectar to raise her strength. Aislinn agreed instantly. Aislinn kept her eyes closed as she sat. Claude walked over to the emperor and went to salute him. Commodus motioned for him to be silent. Claude nodded. He went out for a moment and came back with the glass of nectar. Commodus took it from him and motioned for him to leave. He walked over to the bed and sat down beside Aislinn. He placed the cup in her hands and closed his hands gently around hers. Aislinn noted that Claude's hands were significantly softer, larger, colder, and damp with nervous sweat. She looked up and gasped. Commodus smiled and the two stared at one another in relieved silence for a moment. She tossed the glass to the side and threw herself into his arms. She kissed his face and hugged him tightly.

"Oh, Commodus! I love you!" she breathed in between tears. He held her still in front of him and looked into her eyes.

"I love you, Aislinn," he said. They embraced tightly once more. The world outside their arms faded into nothing. The plots and conspiracies that were being made against them were meaningless. They spent what should've been eternity in a warm hug until Commodus encouraged Aislinn to get some rest while he went and spoke with Maximus and his sister. As Aislinn lay down to sleep, Falco's mind was ablaze with hatred and a thousand angry schemes to heartlessly slaughter Commodus and Aislinn. He would carry them out soon enough. Gracchus, Gaius, and the other honourable men in the senate hoped that he would not be successful. In the meantime, Commodus embraced a long lost friend, and Maximus did the same.