Maximus' Story
Chapter 16 - The Promotion
The next day Maximus told his story to the general, tribunes, centurions and senators, careful to make it clear that Petronius had played no role in the battle -- and the boy hadn't, so it wasn't a lie. Maximus knew that if he were ever asked a direct question about the boy's presence on the beach last night that he would tell the entire truth so he was very relieved when that didn't happen. Lying was not something that Maximus was comfortable with.General Patroclus clasped Maximus' shoulder after he had told his story and said, "I'm not at all sure it was wise of you to be out there alone last night but, as it turns out, it's a good thing you were. Your bravery and skills are commendable, Maximus. I doubt if there is another young soldier without real battle experience that could have done what you did."
"Thank you, sir."
"Four men dead and look at you -- not a scratch." The dignitaries laughed with admiration.
With his hand still on Maximus' shoulder the general turned to face the assembled Romans. "This young man was born in Spain and joined our legion when he was only a very young lad. I recognized the fighting spirit in this soldier so I granted him citizenship so he could remain with our legion. He has been promoted quickly -- I am sure you can understand why -- and he has been awaiting his next promotion to centurion." Patroclus smiled at Maximus then at the crowd. "I can't see the point of waiting any longer. Maximus, you are hereby in charge of the sixth century as Centurion Macrinus is about to be honorably discharged after twenty-five years of service."
Maximus was stunned.
"Congratulations, Maximus," said the general to thunderous applause. "You have certainly earned it."
"Thank you sir."
But Patroclus wasn't finished. "As I'm sure you all know, after Maximus has risen to the highest rank of centurion, which I'm sure will take him all of a few years," Patroclus waited for the appreciative laughter to die down, "there is no other promotion available to him. Centurion Darius approached me about this issue quite some time ago --" Maximus' eyes met Darius' in surprise -- "and we both agreed that something had to be done about that. Now is the opportune time, with so many senators in our presence. I am going to request that one of you volunteer to adopt young Maximus --" Maximus gasped -- "so he may continue in the army to the highest level that he can achieve. The army needs men like this, gentlemen. When the emperors arrive in a few days time I will ask them to agree to this adoption and one of you, senators, may have the great honor of calling Maximus your son." A number of hands shot into the air and some senators even started good-natured bickering over the young soldier. Laughter washed over him again and Maximus blushed furiously unsure of what all of this meant.
He was greatly relieved when he was finally allowed to sit down and a goblet of wine was shoved into his hand. He downed it in one gulp. It was removed and another took its place. It, too, was on its way to Maximus' lips when his hand was stopped by Darius.
"Planning to get drunk?"
Maximus just blinked at him. Darius laughed. "What did you expect he'd do Maximus? You single-handedly stopped an enemy spying party. Of course you should be rewarded. Do you know that some men are with the army ten years or more before they ever see a battle and here you took on four men all by yourself at age twenty." Darius slanted a look at him. "Or did Petronius help you?"
"Petronius didn't lift a sword. I already said that."
Darius looked into Maximus' eyes and the younger man quickly averted his. "Who was it that was out there with you last night?
Maximus was silent.
"That information will not go beyond my lips, Maximus. I swear it."
"It was Lucilla," Maximus whispered.
Darius sighed. "I was afraid you'd say that. What were you two doing out there-- no, don't answer that! I don't want to know." Darius sighed again. "She's a beauty, Maximus, and very easy to fall in love with, I imagine. But she's not for you, boy. Not even after you have been adopted--"
"That was your idea?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you say something to me?"
"Because I wasn't sure it was going to happen. And it still may not, but I imagine it will."
"What does it mean?"
"It means that you may take the name of a family of the senatorial class--"
"I want to keep my own name."
"Well, I suppose that could be worked out -- and have all of the rights and privileges of that class. It means that you could be general some day, Maximus. You won't live with the family or anything like that, but they will have bragging rights about you." Darius smiled. "It's really just a piece of paper signed by an emperor and -- poof -- you are a high-born man." Darius paused and cleared his throat. "As much as I am proud to see you gain the rank of centurion, I can't tell you how much I am going to miss having you in my century."
Maximus smiled and clasped his friend's hand. "You won't get rid of me that easily. I'll be around asking you plenty of questions. Besides, where am I going to find another man who's so easy to best at dice?"
Darius cleared his throat again. "Drink up, boy. Tonight's a good night to get drunk!"Chapter 17 – Hangover
Maximus was drowning. Water washed over his head and no matter how hard he tried to pull himself to the surface, waves entered his mouth and hands grabbed his feet to drag him down. He could hear Lucilla in the distance calling his name. Coughing and spluttering, Maximus grabbed for a hold on anything and came up with a fist full of fur. Huh?
His eyelids fluttered open only to shut again quickly when he saw a huge, pink wet tongue coming right at him. He turned his head away with a jerk then groaned in misery as shards of glass shot through his brain.
Lucilla laughed. "Serves you right, darling. How much wine did you drink anyway? I've been trying to wake you up for an hour without any success so I finally enlisted the aid of Hercules. We're both quite worried about you."
"I'm dying," Maximus groaned.
"No you're not. Oh, you may feel like you're dying but I assure you that you're not, and neither is your friend there, although he certainly sounds like he is."
For the first time Maximus was aware of a dead weight across his legs and very loud snoring coming from the direction of his knees. "Darius?" he asked, not daring to lift his head.
"Big man with a scarred face?"
"Yes, that's him."
"Looks like he had even more than you did." Lucilla surveyed the room taking note of some other soldiers as well as a few senators in the same condition. "It must have been some celebration." Her hand smoothed his rumpled hair and she kissed his forehead. "You look awful."
"I can't look any worse than I feel."
Lucilla laughed again as she stroked his hair. "Don't count on it." Then she grew quite serious. "Congratulations, Maximus. News about your valor and your promotion is all over the camp. Commodus is dying to talk to you about the fight last night. I, uh, promised him that we'd all go riding today."
Maximus simply groaned.
"Well maybe later. I also heard that you are to be adopted by one of the senators and that there are quite a few volunteers. Maximus, do you realize the world of possibility that opens to you? You could become a political leader as well as a military one. Nothing would be beyond your reach."
Maximus' bloodshot eyes searched hers. "Nothing?"
After a moment's hesitation Lucilla said, "I love you, my brave soldier."
"I love you too." His voice was barely a whisper.
"Well, he doesn't look much like a hero this morning, does he?"
Lucilla gasped and stood quickly. Commodus. How much had he heard?
The boy sauntered over to the prone man and looked down at him with a slight sneer. "I believe it is customary for a soldier to rise before a future emperor of Rome."
"Forgive me, Highness, but if I do I fear I will lose the contents of my stomach all over the future emperor of Rome."
Commodus laughed, much to Lucilla's relief. "I like you, Maximus. Be ready to go riding after the noon meal. Lucilla promised."
"Yes, Highness."
Commodus tossed at a glare at his sister and roughly kneed the dog aside before stocking away. Hercules growled.
"Nasty little bugger," observed Maximus.
"He's very lonely. My mother dotes on him but her interests are not healthy. He craves the attention and approval of my father but he seems to have no time for Commodus. I'm the only one he has, really."
"You have your own life to live."
Lucilla crouched beside him again. "My life is dictated by my position as the daughter of an emperor. Everything I do is governed by that. If Commodus is to be Caesar one day then I must do everything I can to help ensure that he will be a good ruler. He needs a role model, Maximus, and you would be ideal for that. He needs to be around a man like you who is brave and strong but also kind and compassionate. A man with principles. Commodus doesn't seem to realize that a man can be all of those things."
"You give me too much credit."
"No, I do not. You are all of those things and more. You're wonderful." Lucilla chuckled. "But now you need to sleep more and I'll arrange for our afternoon ride. This time we'll have a contingent of Praetorians with us so you don't need to worry about fending off an attack."
"We're gong outside the walls again?"
"Of course. There's nothing to see inside them but row upon row of tents."
Maximus groaned again and Hercules licked his hand in sympathy.
"He's a loyal friend isn't he?" Lucilla commented as Maximus scratched behind the dog's ears with one hand. The other lay across his rumbling stomach.
"The best."
Lucilla smiled. "Get some rest. I'll see you later, centurion."
Chapter 18 – Commodus
By two hours after noon Maximus, Commodus and Lucilla made their way on horseback though the main gate of the camp, followed by ten heavily armed Praetorian guardsmen. Normally Maximus would have resented the intrusion but after his adventure two nights ago, and with the condition of his head and stomach today, he was glad of it. As usual he wore his sword at his hip but he didn't plan to have to use it.
Hercules tried to follow them through the gate but Maximus ordered him to stay, knowing that the dog would not be able to keep up and Maximus didn't feel like having to carry the animal. Surprisingly enough, he did as he was told but registered his protest with a few barks and whines.
Lucilla maneuvered her horse so that she was behind her brother and lover, wanting to give the two men time to get to know one another. She knew that Maximus did not hold a high opinion of Commodus but she was anxious for them to be friends. It would make things so much easier if she had Commodus on her side when it came to Maximus' future role in her life.
"You like that dog, don't you?" observed Commodus.
"I was your age when I first joined the legion, Highness, and I had few friends. Hercules has helped me in a number of ways, but most importantly he is always there when I need someone to talk to or just someone to sit with quietly. We used to go for long runs together and swimming but he's too old for that now."
"You talk about a dog like he's human."
"He is to me, Highness. Have you never had a dog?"
Commodus snorted. "A dog in the Imperial Palace? It would never be allowed."
"That's unfortunate. A wonderful way to teach a child compassion is to give him an animal to care for."
Commodus stiffened. "Are you saying that I lack compassion, Maximus?"
"No sir, not at all. I didn't mean it that way." Maximus was quiet for a moment. "Maybe some of your friends have dogs?"
"What friends."
"Surely you have friends -- sons of senators perhaps."
"No."
"Forgive me, Highness, but how do you amuse yourself?"
"I have lessons in history and reading and writing. I study politics"
"I meant for fun. What do you do for fun?"
"I go to the games with my mother."
"The gladiatorial games?"
"Yes. Have you ever seen gladiators fight, Maximus?"
"No, Highness. I have never been to Rome."
"I believe that games exist all over the empire. Almost every town has it's arena but the biggest is in Rome, of course."
Maximus was happy to let Commodus talk about something that interested him. "Who are the gladiators?"
"Slaves mostly. Prisoners of war. But sometimes even noblemen enter the arena to test their strength and bravery and I intend to do that one day. There are even fights against wild animals such as lions and tigers."
"It sounds quite dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Commodus was incredulous. "It's lethal. The fights are to the death."
"Men are killed for sport?"
"Why are you so surprised? You killed four men the other night."
"That was not for sport, Highness--"
"What difference does it make? Killing is killing. It's all thrilling no matter who or what dies."
"The empress enjoys these games?"
Commodus laughed. "She enjoys more than the games, Maximus."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, let's just say that she has her favorite gladiators and they keep her very happy when father is away."
Maximus was shocked. He turned slightly in his saddle to look at Lucilla who immediately averted her face, suddenly taking great interest in the spring flowers which grew along the roadside.
Commodus continued. "The bravest gladiators are loved by the people. They are worshiped."
"It would seem to me to be a superficial love."
"Love is love no matter how you get it."
Maximus was astounded by the cynicism in this young boy and he fully understood Lucilla's concerns about him, but was he an appropriate role model for the youngster? It seemed to him that he had earned Commodus' new-found respect simply by killing men. His fears were confirmed with the boy's next statement.
"I wish I had been there to see you massacre those Germanic tribesmen, Maximus. Ah, you are so lucky to have killed a man."
"I took no joy in it, Highness."
Commodus laughed. "Then I shall have to teach you that killing is also for pleasure, Maximus -- that wresting life from a living body is like well, it gives great pleasure."
The procession continued on in silence for a while as Maximus could think of nothing further to say to this boy. Lucilla occasionally remarked about the beauty of the landscape but Maximus didn't feel like responding to her either. The attitude of the boy beside him troubled him deeply. He would be emperor someday.
"You like my sister, don't you?"
The question jolted Maximus back to reality. "Yes, Highness, I do," he said carefully.
"And she likes you. I can tell that."
"Yes, I think she does."
"Lucilla loves me, Maximus, and I don't believe it is possible to love two men at the same time."
"But surely the love that a woman has for her brother is different--"
"You heard me," Commodus snapped. "Do not try to take away from me something that I love"
The implied threat was very clear. "Of course not, Highness."
They rode the rest of the way in silence, a chill not caused by the weather making Maximus sit very straight in the saddle.
Chapter 19 – Revenge
Lucilla lay on her bed, her knees drawn up to her chest. All morning Commodus had badgered her about Maximus until she felt she would scream. His words and tones were accusatory and when she finally admitted that she loved the soldier Commodus would not listen to her pleas that she could love both of them at the same time.
When he stormed out of her room she curled into a ball and wept, longing to feel Maximus' strong arms around her, comforting her. But he had avoided her last evening and had not appeared this morning even though his new status as centurion gave him free access to the praetorium. She realized he was busy with his new responsibilities, but didn't he understand how much she needed him?
A hot bath did little to comfort her and she returned to her bed still agitated. She refused the evening meal and lay staring at the diaphanous silk drapery surrounding her bed, imagining that every slight movement of the fabric heralded his presence. Finally, she sent a note to Maximus demanding that he come to her immediately. A short time later he stood in the doorway.
"You sent for me?" His attitude and tone were very formal.
"Maximus, come here please." Lucilla extended her hand and coaxed him under the curtains to the side of her bed. He remained standing, obviously uncomfortable in the intimate surroundings with so many people nearby. He kept glancing towards the doorway and Lucilla knew why. "You look very handsome tonight. I love the leather armor on you. It's so much more -- friendly -- than the steel. Darling please sit down."
"This is not the place, Lucilla."
"These are my private quarters--"
"That could be invaded by your brother at any time."
"Are you afraid of my brother, Maximus?" Lucilla was incredulous.
"Your brother has the power to make my life miserable, or even much worse. I do not want to make enemies of your brother."
"I love you."
Maximus stared at the doorway a long time before saying quietly, "I love you too."
A sob caught in Lucilla's throat and she rose to her knees, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her face to his chest. "Then we can work something out, Maximus. We can figure out a way to be together."
"I want to be with you as your husband."
"Then, then you will be, my darling. You will be. Just don't leave me, please."
Maximus regarded her beautiful tear-stained face then sat on the side of the bed and took her into his arms. He kissed both eyelids then her mouth as she crawled into his lap and wrapped herself around his body, pulling him as close to her as she could.
A sudden cool breeze lifted the gauzy curtains around the bed but neither of the lovers noticed it, so intent were they on each other.
Lucilla's hands trailed from Maximus' back to his hips and she pressed herself to him marveling as she felt his body quickly respond. He lifted her as if she were made of fragile glass and lay her on her back on the bed then covered her body with his. Her long legs immediately entwined around his hips in open invitation to her body. Maximus was lost now and he knew it. His hands moved under her and he ground his hips into hers, eliciting a moan of pure pleasure from her throat. As his mouth devoured hers his hands groped under her skirts.
"Take off the armor, darling," Lucilla managed to laugh softly. "It's killing me."
Maximus rose to his knees on the bed and quickly stripped off the heavy leather then sent it flying into the corner with a thud. On his hands and knees now over a prone Lucilla, he stared down at the heavy-lidded green eyes beneath him. "You're sure?"
The words were no sooner out of his mouth when a squeal and yelp of pure pain reached his ears from beyond the doorway. Hercules? Maximus bounded off the bed despite Lucilla's pleas to ignore it. He exited the tent at a run and tripped headlong over a form on the floor. Pulling himself to his knees, Maximus looked in outright horror at the bloodied and still body of the dog. He scrambled to the animal and took his large head in his hands. "Hercules?" The word was more like a strangle. Red blood poured over his hands from a deep gash in the dog's neck and his lifeless brown eyes stared up at Maximus. Unwilling to believe what he knew to be true, Maximus felt for the dog's heartbeat but found only more wounds -- deep, stabbing wounds. Any one of them could have killed the dog. In agony he buried his face in the animal's fur and choked back sobs. He didn't even lift his head when he heard Lucilla's footsteps and her stifled scream.
Finally he raised his head, tears streaming down his face. "Your brother," he growled in a low, dangerous tone.
Lucilla's face was chalk white and her hand flew to her mouth. "No, he wouldn't--" she started to protest.
"Your brother!" Maximus screamed with rage. By now a crowd had gathered around him, many expressing their horror at the deed. "Get out of my way," snarled Maximus as he lifted the limp body in his arms and headed for the gate, a trail of rich, red blood dripping from his hands onto the ground behind him.
Lucilla could only stare after him rooted to the spot in terror, grief and pain. Would her brother truly do such a dreadful thing? Would he go to any lengths to stop their love? And was Maximus in danger of meeting the same end?
Chapter 20 – Lies
The next day Maximus refused Lucilla's summons to the praetorium. She was desperate to talk to him -- to be with him -- so she picked up his armor and exited the gate, ordering the Praetorian guards not to follow her. They did as they were bid but she could see them smirk slightly when they saw what she was holding. Undaunted she headed towards the rows of tents, not at all sure where to find Maximus now. Ignoring the stares, she stopped the first man she knew -- Darius -- and asked him for directions.
"Please, my Lady, let me hold the armor." Lucilla clutched it to her. "Please it would look better if I held it, my Lady." Reluctantly she relinquished it. "Thank you, my Lady. I'll take you to him. He just finished putting his men through their paces so he's probably back at his tent. Follow me, please."
Lucilla had taken special care with her appearance today but took little notice of the appreciative stares she drew as she followed Darius past rows and rows of pristine white tents.
"Here, my Lady. These are his quarters. Wait here and I'll get him for you."
"No, I'll go in myself," said Lucilla pulling the armor back from Darius' hands. "Thank you, soldier."
"As you wish, my Lady." Darius started to turn away. "My Lady he's still very upset. He may not show it, but he is."
"Thank you, Darius. I understand."
Lucilla pulled back the tent flap and entered the murky interior calling out his name before her eyes had even adjusted to the dim light. She knew he was there -- she could feel it -- but he did not respond. "I'm returning your armor. I thought you might need it."
"Just put it on the floor."
She still could not see him. "Maximus, please I am devastated by what happened."
No response.
"Maximus, I love you. I want us to be together. I need us to be together."
Maximus finally moved from the shadows into the lamplight. "Your brother will never allow it. He will stop at nothing to destroy me or everything I love to stop it."
"I've been thinking about that. Maximus, he need never know." Lucilla continued in a rush, "You can become a Praetorian and return to Rome with me. They are the most elite soldiers in all of the empire and they hold great political as well as military power." She grabbed his forearms, pleading now. "Maybe we can't live together as man and wife but we can be together, my darling."
Maximus went deadly still. "You want me to be your lover," he spat with contempt.
"Yes it would work, Maximus. Many high-born Roman women have lovers, as do their husbands. We would be together often and you would not have to risk your life in war. You'd be safe. We'd be together. I... I wouldn't have to marry at all. I'm sure I could convince my father to let me remain unmarried. We could be together all the time..."
"No Lucilla."
"Oh, Maximus, why not?"
"Because that is not the kind of life I want."
"What do you want?"
"I want the woman that I love to be able to stand beside me and proclaim that love. I don't want a love that has to remain hidden for fear of reprisal."
"Is it not enough that I proclaim my love to you?"
"No."
"Maximus--"
"Lucilla I... I don't love you. I thought I did but I know now that I didn't. I was dazzled by your beauty--"
Lucilla gasped and drew back as if he had struck her. "You're lying!"
"No--"
"Let me see your face." She grabbed his chin. "Look at me, Maximus! Look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me."
Maximus hesitated only momentarily before saying with conviction, "I don't love you."
He was shocked at Lucilla's reaction. She laughed and clasped his face tenderly in both hands. "You soldiers. You are taught to be so honest, aren't you?" Her face stiffened and grip tightened. "Maximus, you are lying." She shook him in frustration before he pulled free from her grasp and turned away.
"I'm very tired, Lucilla. I hear that your father will be here tomorrow and the exhibition battle will begin the next day. I have much work to do with my men before that time as I don't know them well yet and they are not accustomed to my style."
"Are you dismissing me?"
"Yes."
Lucilla was outraged. "Who do you think I am, soldier -- one of your little village sluts!?" Tears sprang to her eyes and sobs welled in her chest. She would never give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry again. She whirled around and gave his leather armor a solid kick before fleeing from the tent.
Maximus stood rock still for a while then he slowly raised one hand to massage the tension from the back of his neck and closed his eyes. Except for that nagging pain his body was totally numb.
Darius poked his head in the door. "You alright?"
Maximus just snarled.
"Okay, okay," said Darius as he backed away from the doorway, his hands raised in surrender. He decided -- wisely -- that now was not the time to say 'I told you so.'
