During the night Savanna explained the proper role of a free woman in Legion society, and what was going to happen to Maude. It seemed later today she would be expected to marry Silus, and after a few nights together she would be moved to a base farther from the dam. There were a lot of rules about how you conducted yourself around men, in private, in public, ec. It seemed very oppressive, and Maude wondered if she was up to it.
Savanna also explained the extent of Silus's punishment for refusing to kill himself. He had been busted back to Decanus, and was brutally lashed in view of the other men. It was announced to all that he was not being crucified only because of the information he had managed to return with had proven invaluable. Of course no one but high ranking officers knew what that information was.
The next afternoon Savanna brought in some small desert flowers, and both women wove them together into a wreath for Maud's head. She brushed her hair and placed them atop her auburn locks, and felt prettier than she was before.
After dusk settled a Legionary came and escorted Maude from the tent. She first saw, Aurelius who had come in from Cottonwood Cove to preside, and stood next to a torch in his silly feathered hat. Maude smiled softly as she saw Silus standing their in polished armor waiting for her.
Silus held out his hand, and Maude put hers in his. A few words were said in Latin, and Aurelius of Phoenix announced them wed. They kissed more for show than passion, and Silus lead her over to a table near the mess hall that was lit with torches and had a small feast for the couple to enjoy. The men who served under Silus, and several officers stood around and made jovial conversation with the couple..
Silus left Maude to go great an old friend. She watched him walk over and grab the man by the shoulders, smiling like they hadn't seen each other in ages. Maude stepped back near a brazier with a warm fire going, deciding it better to not actively engage any of the men with out her new husband present. The flames made her feel warm in contrast to the cool air of the desert night, and she realized, for the first time in a long time, she was happy.
While she was stargazing Maude heard footsteps behind her and turned. The light from the brazier fell upon the face of a balding middle aged man, Lucius, and two others she didn't know. She smiled in a courteous way, and was greeted by the middle aged man.
"I should thank you my dear; I think your marrying old Silus has lifted the spirits of the troops. I believe you give them hope that there will be other beautiful women for them in the Mohave waiting to be conquered."
Maude laughed a little at the odd compliment, and then said in a kidding way "I don't know that I'd say I was conquered...Perhaps the two of us gambled successfully and are enjoying the fruits of our winnings."
The middle age man chuckled sincerely "If what I hear is true, then perhaps that is an accurate assessment of the situation. It amazes me the NCR Profligates are so foolish as to leave documents guarded poorly enough that a maid could make off with them. If their folly continues I see more good fortune for our future."
Maude grinned, thinking to herself that it was nice to find such a friendly person in the Legion, she'd started to wonder if any of them had a sense of humor.
A firm hand landed on Maude's shoulder and Silus stepped next to her then bowed "Hail Great Caesar! I am honored you would take the time to come to my wedding feast. Please excuse my wife's boldness in addressing you, she does not know our ways yet."
Maude then felt the blood rush out of her face and her lips go numb with fear. Had she said something offensive? Was she endangering herself or Silus by addressing Caesar so casually?
Caesar patted Silus back in a friendly way, causing Silus to grimace in pain, and then laughed boldly. "Of course I knew that, you scaly bastard. I'll have you know that your bride said nothing that you need to worry about And look how charming she looks over by the fire, scared to death of me because of you. Be good to her Silus, or I might remember my love of red headed women and steal her away from you."
Maude and Silus laughed with Caesar, but with nervous looks shot between the couple.
After several minutes of friendly banter between Caesar and the former Centurion, the dictator turned and looked at Maude, "Now, now, now all of this business must be boring Silus's new bride. Plus I have something else I want to ask her. Maude, tell me, when you walked out of Hsu's office with those blueprints, did you have any idea what you had in your hands?"
Maude smiled nervously at Silus who seemed to be encouraging her to answer.
"Well...I had no idea they were blue prints...It was a folder someone had found in a bunch of boxes brought over from the dam for the scientists to go through. Colonel Hsu said what was in them was one of a kind, and needed studying for the security of the dam. He had forbidden any copies to be made least they fell into the wrong hands...Most of the soldiers at McCarrin always ignored the Crimson Caravan workers, sense we were all under hefty contracts to keep stuff secure...So during the night I helped my friend Kara with the laundry rounds, and used her master key to sneak into Hsu's and pick up the plans. I wrapped them in fatigues, stuck under my shirt, and snuck to Silus the next day."
Caesar grinned and slapped Silus on the back again causing Silus to hold back a whimper, and then announced "Lady Fortuna smiled on you Silus, because if she had not given you those documents to bring back to me, you'd be on top of a cross right now."
The crowd laughed and Silus excused himself and Maude so that they could eat. They sat in the center of a table and dined politely as the camp shared stories, and even sang a little. As she cut her meat Maude thought she could adjust to this society, they might not have drinks on occasions like this, but even the Legion could have a good time.
After they had finished eating a slave brought Silus and Maude both small cups of honey, and took a 3rd glass over to Caesar, who took it and began to speak.
"To Silus and his wife Maude. May their mouths always remain sweet like this honey for each other. May they have many children for my Legoin. May the happiness they share with all of us tonight be a good omen of our victory at Hoover Dam. For we will move forward from this day, as they will with their new lives, and crush the Profligate scum that stands between us and our Rome. Soon New Vegas will know the civilizing blade of The God Mars, and I, his son, will forge the way so that Silus and his sons will not know the filth of the NCR! To Silus and Maude!"
The crowd repeated "To Silus and Muade."
The newlyweds followed Caesar's lead and swallowed the honey.
Silus then reached over and pulled Maude to her feet and kisses her passionately. He seemed to have an almost drunken confidence brought on by the merriment of his comrades. Silus then pulled her by the hand towards his tent to the cheers and whistles of the men around them. Maude felt bright and happy as he lead her back to the tent.