*** **
4 Augustus 174
The months at sea had been endless and uneventful. Maximus spent much time with his men on deck playing cards. They soon tired of it though as Maximus was a master at cards.
So he would spend his time looking out over the sea, thinking of his love back in Rome. She was ever present in his dreams at night; a comforting image.
Now here he was in Alexandria, miles away from the only person who brought serenity to him. And miles closer to the person who made him want to seek out Medusa.
"Maximus, you've returned," said the voice of Octavia from behind him as he sought out Pharaoh Ptolemy.
He groaned angrily but only loud enough so Palidorus next to him could hear. "I have this woman," he muttered lowly to Palidorus.
"I shall go seek out Pharaoh and bring him to you,' Palidorus said, trying to save his lord from this woman. He left before Maximus could say otherwise.
"No, don't leave me with…" but Palidorus was too far away to hear his pleas.
Octavia stood in front of him when he turned back around. He started, but did not let her see it.
"Octavia," he said with false cheeriness. "How have you been?"
"I have been well. You look wonderful, Maximus," she noticed. He did look different. Happier, maybe? "How long has it been since we last saw one another?"
Maximus shrugged. "I'm not sure. I've been so busy with other matters."
She nodded. Of course, he was a busy man. She made the move to step closer so Maximus put his hands behind his back. He didn't want this woman touching him. He only wanted Lucilla's hands on him.
If Octavia noticed this, she didn't' say or do anything. "I missed you, Maximus."
"Thank you," he said. He certainly couldn't tell this woman what she wanted to hear. "My heart was missing Alexandria so I decided to return for a short while."
'Where is Palidorus?' He discreetly peered over her shoulder.
"You're not here to stay?" Octavia sounded disappointed. "Are you ever going to choose a wife, Maximus? It's about that time."
"Well, uh, I'm, uh," he stuttered, "I'm not really the marrying kind. I'm more of a, a uh free spirit."
"But Maximus," Octavia protested. But she wasn't able to finish.
"Maximus, my boy! Welcome back to Alexandria?" Pharaoh Ptolemy XII greeted warmly. He was followed by several attendants, some closely watching the generals every move. Though Ptolemy trusted the native man, others knew where his allegiance truly laid. Maximus did favors for Ptolemy but he fought wars for Marcus Aurelius.
It was no doubt Maximus was relieved to find an escape from Octavia.
"Greetings, Pharaoh. It is good to be back in my homeland." The two men embraced quickly. While he didn't consider Ptolemy like a second father to him, like he did Aurelius, they were still good friends.
"Is your business in Rome finished?" the old man asked.
Maximus nodded. "For now. I wanted to return home for a little while."
"Eager to return to the harvest?" he asked the general. "Or are you eager to finish the harvest to return to a woman in Rome?"
Maximus couldn't help his faint smile. "I'll never tell, Pharaoh."
"Ahh, I can see right through you. You have a woman waiting for you in Rome."
"Perhaps, perhaps not," he evaded. "Even so, I am back to stay for however long."
"Then we shall make your time worthwhile."
*** **
"It feels wonderful to be home, Palidorus," Maximus said out loud to the man. He looked around the expansive estate, a smile growing on his face as he took in the familiar sights.
"It does feel wonderful, my lord, though a bit warm," Palidorus mentioned. It had been years since they had spent a summer in Egypt. Normally they were on campaign or in Rome. The weather was breezier due to the river and reservoirs. Egypt was just downright scorching.
"We'll have to head over to the docks later," Maximus suggested. "The breeze across the ocean will feel nice."
"Looking for ships on the horizon, my lord?" Palidorus questioned, being bold enough to ask. He busied himself with the unpacking of their things.
Maximus took a moment to answer. He looked out his window. Palidorus knew he was looking for something. Or someone.
"Perhaps I am," Maximus finally said. He put his hands behind his back and continued. "Perhaps my mind is still in Rome. Perhaps I haven't left yet."
Palidorus nodded. "I noticed you gave her your grandmother's ring. The two of you must finally be serious."
Maximus smiled but tried to hide it. "Yes, we uh, finally decided to give it a try. Everything was different about this trip and… it just felt right. Perfect."
"Octavia will be sorely disappointed," Palidorus mentioned, knowing how his master felt about the woman. For as long as he could remember, Octavia had had her sights set on the younger general. But Maximus never showed interest.
Except once. Maximus had been going through a particularly rough time. One of his best lieutenants had died of a battle wound and Maximus was beating himself up over it. His master had had too much to drink one night and Octavia had been aware of that but she still wanted to take advantage. Palidorus had interrupted before anything could happen that he knew Maximus would regret. The day after, Maximus had received the call of duty from Aurelius. A few months later, after the journey across the sea, Maximus had met the beautiful Lucilla and had forgotten all his worries and never gave Octavia another thought.
Maximus proved his point by brushing off the mention of the older woman.
"I could care less of Octavia. I don't know why she has her sights set on me. I've done nothing but ignore her for the last six years. Shouldn't she realize that there's someone else in my life?"
"Perhaps she doesn't want to accept that," Palidorus suggested. "Perhaps she needs to see the evidence first hand."
"I don't think Lucilla would ever visit me here," he mused. He smiled at the mention of her name. Palidorus noticed.
"I don't think I've ever seen you like this, my lord."
"I know. It's sickening, isn't it?" he joked. "She makes me change but in a good way. She makes me want to be a better man, to… be more careful when I enter the battlefield. I make sure I have all of my armor and that it's on tightly. I make sure I have all of my weapons. I watch my back so I can live to see another day with her."
He grew more and more wistful as he spoke about his lover. It was obvious the effect she had on him. He grew depressed when he was away from her for too long, though. And grew elated when he saw her again. She was the basis of his sanity and he was fairly positive she was aware of it.
*** **
5 Augustus 174
'To the loyal general Maximus Decidus,
I am on my way to Alexandria for the winter season. I thought I would take a vacation for myself before I grow too old to travel any further. I should arrive in Alexandria in late October or early November.'
--Caesar Marcus Aurelius
"He's really coming here?" Maximus wondered when Palidorus finished reading the letter.
"That's what it says."
"Mmm, that's odd and certainly unlike him," he mused. He stood from his desk and wandered around the room. "I wonder if he'll bring the family."
"It doesn't say," said Palidorus. "But it seems likely."
"Surely he can't be coming for just a vacation," Maximus said. "There must be a catch."
"He can't possibly need your assistance again so soon," Palidorus reasoned. "Maybe he wants to get away from the politics of Rome."
"Maybe," he agreed. "Or maybe he has something up his sleeve."
*** **
Maximus kept an eye on the days, which may have been why they seemed to pass by so slowly.
So he busied himself in the fields. His kin grew darker from the hours outside. He grew stronger from all the lifting.
The days went faster with the hours he spent working but the nights were long and lonely. Often he spent the time gazing out the window, looking for a ship off in the distance. Other times, his sleep was interrupted by nightmares of a sad past. Without Lucilla, he was unable to fall back to sleep.
He spent many hours talking to Palidorus about everything from warfare to the status of the fields to love and eternity. He spent just as many hours avoiding Octavia. He couldn't understand why the woman wouldn't take a hint. Maybe if he told her about Lucilla she would leave him alone. Then again, she might just try harder.
He just didn't understand women sometimes.
*** **
12 November 174
Maximus was in the fields when Palidorus ran up to him.
"My lord, his ship has arrived."
Maximus smiled. "It's about time."
They hurried on to the house, knowing Caesar would find his way there. He had never been to Alexandria before but Maximus had posted some of his men at the docks so they could escort Caesar to his home for the winter.
Caesar was admiring the land when Maximus arrived.
"Caesar, it's wonderful to see you again," Maximus said by way of greeting. The two men clasped arms before embracing in a hug. "I was surprised when I received your letter."
"I suspected you would be. It was a spontaneous action," Aurelius admitted. "Melania thought it would be good for me to get away from Rome."
"Is she here with you?"
"Yes, she's down in the marketplace looking around. I would say she'll be back shortly but the woman takes forever to shop."
"Perhaps it is for the best," Maximus said, looking down at his attire. He wore only loose cotton trousers. His shirt he always deemed unnecessary for being outside. "Now I shall have time to change into appropriate attire for my guests."
Aurelius brushed it off. It did not bother him.
"Still," said Maximus. "Palidorus can show you around while I change. If you'll excuse me."
Aurelius excused him and fell right into conversation with Palidorus. Maximus saw them head towards the stables before disappearing into the house. He moved quickly past the few servants he had and dashed up the stairs. He was swift down the long corridor to his room.
'If Melania is with him, surely Lucilla is to,' he thought. 'Maybe she stayed in Rome. Maybe she doesn't want to see me.'
He closed the door to his rooms; Octavia often snooped around. 'Probably trying to see me naked.'
"You wear less in Alexandria than in Rome," a woman's voice told him. "It doesn't seem fair."
He turned quickly on his heel but didn't draw his knife like normal. He knew that voice better than his own.
"You're father didn't say anything about you being here," he said, slowly moving towards the woman.
She stood from the chair she sat on. "I told him not to tell you I was here." She placed a hand on his chest when he drew closer. "You look good, Maximus. It seems Egyptian weather agrees with you."
"Not as much as the comfort of your arms, though." he pulled her close, wrapping his strong arms around her. He took in her scent. Oh, how he had missed her. "The days have stretched long without you, Lucilla."
The princess smiled up at him. "Then it's a good thing I'm here now."
"Oh, Luci." The emotion was evident in his voice. She knew exactly how he felt. She accepted him when he kissed her. Her arms found their way up his shoulders. She pulled him close to her, afraid to let go. He was still warm from the sun. It felt good against her skin.
"This isn't just a dream?" he wondered when he pulled back for a breath of air. "You're really here? You're not going anywhere?"
"The only way I'm leaving is with you beside me," she promised.
"Is that your ulterior motive?"
"Yes, it is. I want you to come back with me to Rome. You spend more time there than you do here," she reasoned. "It is only right."
He kissed her to make her stop talking. She didn't protest. His arms held her more tightly and just as he was about to lift her to put her on his bed, he remembered who was outside.
"I will go anywhere for you, Lucilla," he promised her. "As long as I am with you, I will go anywhere. But first you are stuck here with me until winter passes."
Lucilla smiled. "Then you can show me your home. You can show me exactly what it is that made you leave the comfort of Rome and my bed." The way she said that made his body tingle.
He held up a finger to her lips. "First of all, nothing is greater than the comfort of your bed. Second of all, as soon as I get dressed, I will show you my home."
"Must you get dressed?" she pouted.
"Yes, I must. You'll know why soon enough," he explained vaguely. He kissed her sweetly on the lips, wanting to memorize her one last time.
"I missed you so much, Maximus," she murmured, her words gentle.
"And I you."
*** **
"I admire you, Maximus," Aurelius told the man as the group gazed out over the property. "All of this… freedom. It must be wonderful."
"I can be but it can also get lonely sometimes," he admitted. He looked down at Lucilla next to him and squeezed her hand. Her arm was looped through his under the pretense that she still hadn't gotten her land legs back and she needed Maximus to escort her. Her mother had joined them by this time and gave her daughter a knowing look but Lucilla paid it no mind. Melania knew her daughter had no issues going from land to sea and vice versa. She was like her father - born to be on the sea.
"There are no worries, Maximus," Aurelius said. "You'll soon take a wife, won't you?"
He was looking for clues, Maximus knew. 'He's onto us,' he thought. 'But is he pleased with it or is he looking to kill me?'
"I'm a free spirit, Caesar," was all he decided to say. It wasn't far from the truth, either. Although lately, Lucilla was changing his mind about that.
"You'll change your mind soon enough, my boy. Some beautiful woman will cross your path one day and you'll never be a free spirit again," Aurelius advised, smiling at his wife.
Lucilla squeezed her lover's arm so he wouldn't become enraged by her father's assumptions. She, too, knew her father was on to them.
"Maximus, why don't we take a walk?" she suggested. He needed to get away from the environment as much as she did.
"That sounds like a good idea. If you'll excuse us." he didn't bother waiting for someone to say something. He only wanted to be alone with Lucilla now.
"Why does everyone want me to choose a wife now?" Maximus questioned out loud when they were far enough away. "\Why is everyone so eager for me to get married?"
Lucilla didn't have an answer for him. She let him continue to rant.
"Marriage is not for people like me. Life is unpredictable for soldiers. No woman wants that. They want security and a husband who is always home."
"I feel secure," she interrupted softly. "I have faith that you're not going anywhere. I have faith that you're not going to die anytime soon. I know it's always a possibility but I don't dwell on it."
He smiled and turned to face her. He tried to discreetly brush a hand across her cheek but it was difficult when he knew three people were watching them intently from across the way.
"You do think about it, Luci."
"I know but I said I try not to," she corrected. "Pay no heed to their words, Maximus. Focus on now, not the future."
"I find it difficult when their questions repeat themselves," he growled. She ran a soothing hand down his arm, hoping to calm him. He looked at her, a question he dreaded to ask on the tip of his tongue. "You don't… expect marriage, do you?"
She leaned closer to him. "The only thing I expect from you is your companionship and your love. I can't ask you to offer me something you feel you cannot give."
Despite the audience, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "When did you become so wise?" he teased.
"Sephora," she said, smiling up at him. "She told me not to doubt myself or you and I haven't. It's been working wonders for me."
"Hmm, I can tell." He kissed her hand and resumed walking. She trailed closely next to him, enjoying the comfortable air that surrounded them. It was as if they had never been apart. Their rapport never left them.
"Maximus, there you are." The couple turned at the sound of the overly confident voice. There stood Octavia looking rather miffed that Maximus was with another woman that wasn't herself.
Lucilla felt Maximus stiffen at the sound of the other woman's voice. She knew instantly that she didn't like this woman.
"What do you want, Octavia?" Maximus asked unkindly. He didn't have the patience to deal with her today.
"When I didn't find you in your room, I figured you must be outside," she explained. She pretended not to notice Lucilla.
"Why would you be in a my house, Octavia?" he wondered, his grip tightening on Lucilla's hand. "Or anywhere near my private rooms?"
Octavia smiled, hoping to get back into his good graces. This other woman must have turned him against her.
"Well, I was looking for you, Maximus." Her voice kept faltering from nerves. This other woman was young and - she hated to say it - beautiful.
Maximus ran a hand through his hair. "Surely you heard I have guests that arrived today."
Octavia looked over at Lucilla as if she just noticed her. "Oh, so you do."
Maximus felt obligated to introduce the two, though he knew neither woman cared for one another. Lucilla had stiffened as well.
"Lucilla, this is Octavia, cousin of Pharaoh Ptolemy XII. Octavia, this is Lucilla, daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius." The two women smiled weakly at one another. "Lucilla and her family are my guests during this winter season."
"Oh, how delightful," Octavia feigned. Lucilla opted not to say anything. She had nothing to say to a woman who was obviously trying too hard. Instead she touched her lover's arm to get his attention.
"Maximus." That was all she had to say. He understood what she was asking.
"Right, if you'll excuse us, Octavia." The couple began walking in the opposite direction of the older woman.
"Maximus, will I see you later?"
He stopped and turned his body slightly to look at her. "I doubt it. I'm going to be very busy this winter."
Lucilla smiled when she saw Octavia's jaw drop. Let that teach the woman a lesson.
Maximus walked briskly toward the beach and Lucilla had no option but to follow.
"Who is that, Maximus?" she asked. She wasn't feeling jealous, for once, but she still wanted to know Octavia's place in his life.
"A pain in my ass, that's who," he truthfully answered. "I've known her for as long as I can remember and she'd been after me for just as long. You have nothing to worry about, Lucilla. I want nothing to do with her."
"She seems overly confident of herself," Lucilla mused out loud. She glanced over at Maximus. His expression was the same as normal. "Have you ever … been… involved with her?"She knew better than to ask, but she had to know. She didn't much care to hear about the women of his past; it brought about painful images. Her heart began its normal rhythm when he shook his head.
"Well, there was one time that I was upset and rather drunk about seven years ago," he admitted to her, "but Palidorus stopped anything from happening."
She shuddered at the news but was once again grateful for Palidorus. "Why were you upset?"
He hung his head down in remembrance. "A great friend of mine had just died. It was a hard loss to handle. Octavia knew this and that I had had one too many drinks but she saw her opportunity."
Lucilla didn't say anything.
"It was just months before I met you and decided that there was no one else for me but you."
She smiled at that. She remembered that day well. She had been instantly enamored but done her best to make sure it wasn't noticeable.
"My mother was right. You are a flatterer," she told him with her smile still there. She let go of his hand and moved to sit on the beach.
"But you still love me despite that." He sat next to her on the soft sand.
"Yes, I love you." She looked over at him.
She was radiant in the sun. She positively glowed. 'And she's a graciously understanding woman.' It was no wonder he had fallen in love with her.
"What, Maximus?" she asked under his scrutiny. He realized he had been staring at her and hadn't said anything.
"Nothing; I'm just remembering why I fell in love with you," he said. His tone was surprisingly soft. Her smile grew.
"Flatterer," she whispered as he drew closer. Her nerves tingled as he kissed her. She didn't care if people could see them. She only wanted to feel him. His hands framed her face, keeping her close. His grip was firm but not painful. It was reassuring.
"I'm so happy you're here," he whispered to her. He rested his forehead against hers.
"I'm very happy to be here. I'm happy to be anywhere you are," she told him. "I want to be everywhere you are."
He looked into her blue eyes. "Then you will be."
*** **