The summons had arrived at late night, so much that Antonina Athenais had already changed into her nightgown, and the Praetorians that came to fetch her had to wait till her maids had dressed her again in a way that was appropriate to meet Caesar. When she was ready, the guards hauled the woman not too gently onto a cart, and took her to the imperial palace.

The trip to the Palatine Hill was short, but not enough to prevent Athenais from asking herself thousands of questions or conjuring up every kind of scenario.

Why did Commodus want to see her at such a late hour?

A shiver ran along her spine as she fervently hoped his interest in her was not a sexual one. The young man had never looked at her in that way while they had grown up together, more like two friends than as master and slave, but Athenais knew only too well how he had changed from those carefree days, and how that change had not been for the better.

Once the small party arrived on the Palatine Hill, Athenais was taken to a side entry and led through a series of long, deserted corridors to the most private area of the giant building. Almost two years had passed since she had last seen that part of the Palace.

Two years since she had been escorted to Lucilla’s private apartments, where both of them had cried together over the death of the former’s great father and latter’s patron, Marcus Aurelius.

Two years since Athenais discovered that the documents the late Caesar had left in her hands, the documents that had made her feel so important and trusted, had become nothing more than dangerous hidden-away papyruses, for the man who should have used them had been the first of a long series of victims Commodus made since his rise to the throne. Every person who had acted or spoken against the Emperor, whether politicians or military commanders, street actors or philosophers, had met a very quick and painful demise. Rome was full spies and no one knew anymore who he or she could trust. That was why Athenais had not even tried to discuss the Praetorians’ order to follow them, but obeyed without uttering a word, for it was extremely dangerous to raise even the slightest objection.

After crossing a seemingly endless series of rooms and corridors as dark as the man who inhabited them, the guard and his charge stopped, and the Praetorian knocked on a closed door.

"Come in," called a voice, but it was not Commodus.

Athenais’ eyebrows climbed as she recognized it. It was her former lover’s, Senator Publius Helvius Falco.

The father of her child.

The only man she loved and that had wounded her more than she ever thought possible. But what was he doing there at such late hour?

Athenais had no time to wonder about it too much for the Praetorian opened the door and motioned her inside.

The woman found herself in a room she had never seen before, probably one of the renovations made by Commodus after his ascension to the throne. She darted a quick look around, and she did not like what she saw. The room was too full of stuccos, gold decoration, dubiously tasteful frescos and statues to be elegant. Its opulence was almost vulgar, just like the man that had commissioned it - the man now standing in front of her.

Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus.

Athenais immediately went down on her knees and bowed her head in her most submissive stance. "Caesar," she murmured.

"Athenais," he replied and offered his hand to his father’s freedwoman for a kiss. She did not hesitate and pressed her lips against his cold skin, just wriggling her nose at the massive dose of perfume he wore even on his limb.

Then he commanded her, "Rise, rise. Let me look at you."

Suffocating a shiver at his last line, Athenais stood up and dared to look closely at the youth who had been her childhood playmate. If one looked briefly at his face, the young man did not seem to have changed much since those days. But it was necessary only to pause for a few seconds over his eyes to see that a terrible metamorphosis had happened. They were no longer full of joy and warmth. They were now cold, hard, cruel. The eyes of a snake, surrounded by deep, dark shadows and pale, unhealthy skin that spoke of too many excesses and dissolute behaviour.

Athenais could not help but shiver again at finding herself in such proximity to him.

Commodus looked at her for a while, then commented, "A lot of time had passed since we last saw each other, Athenais."

"Yes, Caesar."

"But I often remembered you when I saw Lucius play in the corridors and the gardens as we used to do. I have many fond memories of you." He smiled and it seemed so genuine that Athenais thought she could relax because nothing bad was going to happen. But it lasted only a moment for, without any warning, Commodus grabbed her chin and tilted her head up, the fingers digging deeply into her skin, hurting her.

"Are you loyal to me, Athenais?" He hissed, leaning closer to the woman’s face.

She could feel his breath on her cheek and it smelled of corruption too.

"Yes, Caesar, I am. I am!" She exclaimed hurriedly, trying to sound convincing and not as scared as she was. Then Athenais startled violently as two hands posed over her shoulders and a voice spoke, "Of course she is."

It was Falco; her attention all taken by Commodus, she had forgotten he was there too.

Caesar stared at the woman for a while longer, then let her go. Athenais’ jaw throbbed with pain, but she restrained herself from massaging it. She had no doubt it would be bruised by the next day.

"Good," he commented and turned to sit in his chair, while she remained standing, her knees trembling so badly she was afraid it was only Falco’s body supporting hers that kept her from crumpling onto the floor. She resented it as much as she resented her former lover, but she could not do otherwise.

The senator kneaded her shoulders and murmured, "Relax my dear, relax, everything is fine. You are going to be granted a great honour."

What honour? Athenais thought, for she knew her concept of honour was different from that of the two men.

"He is right," interjected Commodus. "I want you to be my nephew’s caretaker."

"What?" The woman could not contain her surprise.

"Lucius is going to leave Rome for a while. He is going to Spain and since he is fond of you, I want you to go with him provide him with the woman’s warmth a boy of his age needs."

"But what about his mother, the Augusta Lucilla?" Athenais could not help but blurt out and she sensed Falco tense behind her.

"She is not going," Commodus’ voice was deadly cold. "She will stay here."

"Oh."

"The Augusta cannot leave Rome, dear, she must stay here," Falco added and his fingers pressed into Athenais’ shoulders in warning: it was better to let the subject drop.

"I see."

She really did. Although Athenais no longer attended the circles more connected with the imperial family, for she did not like the people Commodus surrounded himself with, and she had few occasions to see her patrons in the last months, she knew things were not going well between brother and sister. There had been rumours about Lucilla having been very close to a senator that had been accused of treason and executed. Athenais suspected Commodus was sending Lucius away from his mother to terrify Lucilla with what could happen to her child if she did not behave as Caesar wanted.

The freedwoman was more than familiar with that kind of situation.

Falco had taken away their baby, her little Publius, just after she had weaned him. He had assured her it was only for the goof of their child for he wanted to claim him as his legitimate son- and she had believed him. Publius did not deserve to be raised as a bastard by an unmarried mother: he deserved to grow up as the son of a senator, respected and with the world in the palm of his hand.

Athenais had accepted it, but she had not seen him since the moment she had handed her chestnut haired boy to his father and not a day passed without her thinking about him and longing for him. She lived in a constant fear that something might happen to Publius and that she would not be there to help him. She wondered how Falco’s wife treated him, if she was giving him all the love he deserved and needed… Oh yes, Athenais could understand very well what Commodus was planning to do to his sister and she did not want to have part of it - but she had no choice. Then she thought that Lucilla would feel a bit of relief if she knew her trusted friend was going with her boy; at least she would know the liberta would treat him well.

So Athenais straightened her back, took a deep breath and asked, "When do you want me to leave, Caesar?"

Commodus and Falco exchanged a satisfied smirk, then the emperor began to talk…

Night had fallen and silence enveloped the villa in the gently rolling hills of Trujillo.

Everything was peaceful and quiet, but despite that serenity, Athenais had trouble falling asleep.

It happened often.

The freedwoman thought it was caused by the anxiety she always carried within her, and that assaulted her especially at night, when her defences were lowered. During the days she stifled her worries for Lucius’ sake, but it was impossible to silence them when she was alone with her thoughts. It was caused by her constant concern for Lucilla and Lucius; by her continuous wondering about her child, and by the sensation of sadness and doom that the villa raised in her.

Despite the luxury of the building and everything she had done to try to forget what she had learnt about its previous owners, she could not help but feel uncomfortable living in a land that had witnessed a horrible massacre, surrounded by those same Praetorians that had committed it.

In the six months she had spent living there, Athenais had heard enough talk between the merchants and shop sellers in Trujillo from whom she bought the provisions, to know what had happened more than two years before to the farm where Commodus had sent Lucius and her.

To the family that had lived there…the family of a general Athenais had known very well, although not in person, but through the vivid words of Marcus Aurelius.

The general the documents the late Caesar had left with her referred to.

Athenais had been shocked to learn what had happened to the farm and what had been the cause of the fire that had destroyed much of it, and had wondered at the strange coincidence. But then she had realized it was not mere chance she had been sent there. She knew - having been one of Lucilla’s closest friends – that the Augusta and the late general had an affair in the past, a youthful, yet deep romance she had never forgotten, and that had made Commodus seethe with jealousy. Athenais had no doubt that sending Lucius to live in the villa he had ordered rebuilt on the land he had confiscated from her past lover, had been another way for Commodus to hurt and pressure his sister.

Athenais turned again in the bed as she wondered about how the Empire might have been now had General Maximus Decimus Meridius been allowed to rule. She could not help but have been curious about the man Marcus Aurelius and Lucilla had both loved so much, albeit in very different ways.

But destiny had decided otherwise and Athenais, who should have helped the general’s rise to the throne, was now obliged to live in the farm that had been his, guarding the son of the woman he had loved, obeying the orders of the man who had killed him, and was now ruling in his place with iron fist and immense cruelty. Truly the gods had a perverse sense of humour!

The results of Commodus dissolute ways and total disinterest for the well being of the Empire were visible even in the provinces, where the bureaucracy was slow, the officers lazy, the taxes too high, the services inefficient. Although she had to admit she would be very happy to discover the lack of letters from Rome was merely due to the postal service and not, as she suspected, to Commodus and his desire to torment both his sister and his nephew with the lack of news about each other.

Athenais had sent monthly "reports" to the Emperor and several letters to Lucilla, but she had never gotten an answer.

Luckily, Lucius, still caught by the novelty of living in the countryside, surrounded by animals and things he had previously only read about, did not seem to miss his mother too much and had not yet began to ask when they would return to home.

Athenais was happy for it, for she dreaded the way she would have to explain to the boy why they could not return home without Caesar’s permission and why he had been sent so far away without his mother.

She and Lucilla had been able to exchange only a few words before the freedwoman and Lucius had been sent on their way to Ostia and then to Hispania, and the Augusta had begged her to keep silent as long as possible with the boy, and then to tell him the truth, if it was necessary, for it was better to begin to open his eyes regarding his uncle’s antics. What a terrible day that would be for the ten year old!

"I will never sleep if I continue in this way," Athenais muttered to herself, before sighing and standing up. She walked to the window, opened it and stepped out on the terrace to breathe some fresh air in the still warm night.

She leant against the marble balustrade and let her gaze wander over the peaceful landscape surrounding her. The darkness erased the still visible signs of the fire that had destroyed the farm and burned fields and trees, making the place look intact, serene, beautiful.

Athenais breathed in the jasmine-scented air that came from the kitchen garden below the terrace, then, as it often happened, her eyes ran to the south border of the farm, just beyond a little stream, to stop on the small hut that stood there. And, as it often happened, she noticed she was not the only one unable to sleep.

The younger of the two men living on that small estate was awake too, sitting on the ground, his back resting against the wall, a hand lazily stroking the fur of a dog. He seemed to be facing the full moon, and Athenais was able to make out his strong profile in the bright, silvery light. She wondered what kind of thoughts kept him awake night after night, when instead he should be resting after spending back-breaking hours toiling in his fields and caring for his companion, an elderly, fragile-looking man with hair as white as snow. His father, perhaps.

Athenais knew nothing about her neighbours, aside what was murmured in town, that they were freedmen of the late general, who had given them that portion of land along with their manumission. If that was true, she could fully understand why neither man had ever tried to communicate with her, even when she and Lucius had gone out for a walk that had taken them very close to the stream. They were certainly bound to be afraid of the Praetorians present on the estate, if they had witnessed the massacre going on their former owners’ farm. They did not want to draw attention to themselves, and they were probably right.

Suddenly Athenais got the distinct sensation that someone was staring at her. She blinked her eyes and noticed the man had turned his head in her direction and, despite the distance, she could swear he was looking straight at her. She sustained his gaze for several seconds, distractedly thinking his eyes had to be blue or green or grey to reflect the moonlight as they did. Then her breath caught in her throat, when she realized that the reflections did not come only from his eyes, but also from two streaks along his cheeks.

The man was crying and the tears painted silvery paths on his skin before disappearing into his beard.

Athenais’ heart constricted at that show of silent, solitary pain, then she lowered her eyes, before she too felt the urge to join him, and let go the grief that always kept her in its gasp. When she had calmed enough, she raised her head again, only to discover that the man had gone. Sighing deeply, she decided to return inside too, although she feared a lot of time would pass before sleep would come to visit her.

Athenais was standing in the courtyard, watching as two carts were loaded with Lucius and his entourage’s luggage. She pulled her shawl more tightly around her shoulder, for, despite the fact the air mild and the sun was shining, she felt very cold. But she knew it was only a manifestation of her inner turmoil and from the shock she had just suffered. That early morning, as the household had barely awoken, a squad of Praetorians had appeared galloping along the cypresses-lined road way. For several, terrible moments she had been afraid that land would soon witness to another massacre, then the column had come to a halt, and its commander had asked for an audience with her. She had agreed, of course, and after a polite bow, the guard had handed her a letter bearing the imperial seal. Commodus’ orders had been short and clear: Lucius had to return to Rome at once, while Athenais would remain in Hispania and arrange for suitable caretakers for the farm, before she too could go home.

Athenais had wondered about what this sudden order could mean. Was it a sign Caesar was no longer trying to punish and pressure his sister? Or was he wanting to have the boy closer to him to use him like a weapon against Lucilla? The lack of news from Rome was unnerving and when she asked the Praetorian commander, she received only the elusive answer that "everything was going as usual". Then the guard had told her to be quick to arrange for the prince’s departure, for they wanted to hit the road as soon as possible. Athenais, of course, had lost no time obeying.

Lucius had been happy to know he was going to return to his mother, but saddened that Athenais was not going with him. The boy had tried to look brave, but she had understood he was scared by the idea of a long journey by land alone with the company of his retinue of black-clad guards. About a month before Athenais had done what Lucilla had asked her, explaining to Lucius, as gently, but also as seriously as possible, how things really were in Rome and how his beloved uncle was not the good man the boy had thought him to be. Lucius had not been too surprised by her words. He was a smart, sensitive boy and even if Lucilla, perhaps doing the wrong thing, perhaps doing the right one, had always tried to shield him from the most brutal side of her brother’s behaviour, he had sensed something was wrong.

"I have heard Mother cry many times in the evenings," he had told her, a desolate look on his young face, "but she always refused to tell me why. She - she did not let me help her." His lower lip had trembled and Athenais had hurried to pull him into her embrace, soothing and consoling him as she had never been allowed to do with her son. And now, just three hours after the Praetorians’ arrival, Lucius was standing near her, dressed in a plain tunic that looked too solemn on a boy of his age, a ten year old child who tried valiantly to look as a young man, as he tried to cope with something that was so much greater than he.

"Don’t worry," she whispered to him, "You would not be alone. Tertia and Manlius will travel with you. They will keep you company and ascertain you have everything you need."

"I know. But I will miss you very much, Athenais. You have been so kind with me all these months." Lucius’ eyes were dangerously bright.

"Oh, master Lucius, I too will miss you. But I am sure we will be able to see each other again. I will visit you as soon as I return in Rome. Would you like that?"

The boy nodded eagerly and opened his mouth to say something, but the Praetorian commander’s voice stopped him.

"Prince Lucius, it is time to go." The man’s tone clearly said he would not tolerate long, tearful goodbyes. Thus the boy squared his shoulders, raised his chin and murmured, "Vale, lady Athenais, we shall see each other in Rome."

"Vale, my lord, may you have a safe journey. I will pray the gods to watch over you."

Lucius’ lower lip trembled but his eyes remained steady and with a final bow, he turned on his heels and boarded the covered wagon, looking more regal and noble than his Uncle would ever do.

The Praetorian commander saluted her with a gesture of his head and without another word, he mounted his horse and gave the order to depart.

Athenais looked after the small caravan until it reached the main road and disappeared beyond a turn then, she let out a long sigh that helped her to dispel part of her tension and turned to enter the house. She had to write letters and organize interviews to find the right people to whom she might leave the farm in trust. People that would like to live in a place that someone in town said was inhabited by ghosts, people who would be prepared to work for the Emperor of Rome and his corrupt officers, men who would certainly not be very understanding if something went wrong with the crops and they would not be able to give their landlord what he expected. Athenais certainly did not envy the people that will accept the task, even if she hoped to find them soon, for she too wanted to return home, away from that haunting place and closer to her son and her friends.

As she was about go inside, she once again felt eyes fixed on her. She turned around and saw, as she fully expected, that it was her neighbour. He was sitting astride a horse whose curved back, overly delineated ribs, prominent hipbones and almost white coat spoke of a very old age.

‘It seems he is surrounded only by old beings,’ she thought with sadness, ‘even his dog is so old it spends more time lying down than standing. It is not healthy for a man of his age to live only with beings so advanced in age. They will soon die, I am afraid, and he will be left alone.’

Athenais sighed – she seemed to do it too often these days - and kept on staring at the rider, somehow entranced by the way he sat on the horse. He was riding bareback, but his posture was so straight, the grace of his movements so palpable that he made his poor mount look more beautiful that it was. There was something noble and regal in the way he sat on that bony back and in her mind Athenais could very well imagine him dressed in shining armour and a proud crested helmet, riding a strong war horse while leading his men to battle, leading them to victory and glory.

She shook her head to dispel that fantasy and deciding she had lost enough time, she entered the house, conscious of the eyes what were still staring at her.

Athenais was sitting in the library, reading a scroll, when a knock on the door interrupted her concentration. "Come in," she called, and a slave appeared on the threshold.

"Domina, could you please come with me? You have a … visitor."

In this weather, she thought, throwing a glance outside the window? It had been raining for the past five days and it did not show any sign of improvement. Then she wondered about the strange hesitation in her servant’s voice before he had pronounced the word "visitor". It was as if he did not know how to define the newcomer. "Who is it?" she asked, rising from her couch and moving to the door. She felt curious though, and welcomed that unexpected visit as a remedy against the boredom that was threatening to overcome her.

"Domina, I think it might be one of your neighbours."

"Oh." Very curious now, Athenais followed her servant to the atrium where, to her surprise, found nobody waiting there.

"The man insisted to stay outside my lady," the slave commented, as reading in her mind. "He said his clothes are too wet and he does not want to drip inside the house."

Athenais was impressed by such politeness and went to open the door.

He was standing there, her ‘companion’ of so many sleepless nights, his arms clasped behind his back as a soldier at rest. It was the first time she saw him so closely and she could not help but stare at him. He was tall and sturdy, his muscled frame barely contained by the coarse brown tunic he wore. His eyes were, as she had always known, light, an uncommon mixture of green and blue that made her think about the colour of the sea. His hair was dark brown and almost shoulder-length and his face was covered by a wild beard that was in need of a good trimming. But despite his unkempt appearance, his patched up clothing and worn sandals, Athenais felt the impulse to bow in front of him, as she had felt only in the presence of few, truly great persons. And that certainly did not include Commodus. As she had thought the day he had seen him ride, she thought there was something noble in that man. Something in him spoke of much better, greater things than his poor looks suggested.

He stood there, bearing her examination in silence, until she got rein of herself and said, "Good day, sir. How can I help you?"

"Domina," he began, with a voice that made her think about the distant rumbling of a thunder, "I am sorry to disturb you on such a day, but I wanted to know if you have some logs of wood to sell to me. My provisions are almost exhausted, and, with this weather, there is no way to find something dry in the woods."

Athenais hesitated. Just that very day her steward had informed her that their wood supplies were scarce. Knowing that they would soon leave the place, and that the hired workers she had found would arrive carrying with them their own wood, she had bought only a limited quantity of logs that the damp climate of the past few days reduced quicker than predicted. She needed what she still had to keep the house warm and dry.

"I am sorry, sir," she began apologetically, "but we are in the same condition. We had not predicted the winter would last so long."

"I understand," the man murmured, and she could see his proud shoulder drop in defeat. It seemed an exaggerated reaction for a simple refusal, so she asked, "What’s wrong?"

The man shifted his weight from a leg to the other, then raised his chin and set his jaw. Athenais thought he looked distinctly uncomfortable, as if he did not like to ask twice for something. "The man who lives with me is sick. He is very old and has caught a bad cold. He needs a lot of warmth - but I cannot provide it with the little wood I have."

Athenais could hear desperation and sense of impotence in his tone and, spurred by an unknown emotion, she said, "Bring him here then. I have a spare room adjoining the kitchen. It is very warm. Your friend will be fine there."

The man’s eyes widened at her invitation and for a moment she could swear she saw a look of absolute horror flash in his eyes, before he swallowed hard and nodded.

"I have no words to thank you," he mumbled and bowed his head.

She smiled, before looking at the sky. "It is better you hurry to get your friend - the rain is falling slower now. I will have the room ready by your return."

He nodded and, without hesitating, the turned around, ran across the muddy yard to the tree where he had tied his old horse and jumped on its back, trotting quickly away.

Athenais watched till he reached the end of farm’s land, then returned inside to give orders to her household and arrange the room for her guests.

§§§§§

Later that night, Athenais had her usual sleeping problems, but this time it was not due to her concerns for her son, Lucilla and Lucius, but to the fact she could not stop thinking about her guests. The older one was reduced very badly and she was afraid he would not survive his illness- and that troubled her. However she was not worried the sickness might spread in her household for she knew it was only a cold that had degenerated into something much more serious. No, she was more troubled about the younger of her guests’ reaction at the more than probable death of his friend. She had seen with how much care the dark haired man had tended to the elderly one and with how much gentleness he had spoon-fed him, even refusing her offer of another room to remain near to the bed. Very seldom in her life she had witnessed such devotion in a man – or a woman – and that could have not help but raise her curiosity. Athenais had always been attracted by men that showed gentleness and kindness to those that were weaker than themselves, both socially and physically. And, given that fact, she once again wondered how it could have been possible for her to have fallen in love with Falco, who had certainly never showed those characteristics she so much admired in men.

Athenais turned in her bed for the umpteenth time and closed her eyes, only to open them again when she heard the back door – which was located at the ground floor just beneath her room - open and close. Who was going outside at such late hour?

She quickly left the bed, put on a robe and exited in the terrace. Luckily it had finally stopped raining and she had only to mind her steps to avoid the puddles here and there. She quickly reached the balustrade, leant against it and looked down.
It was her bearded guest, his broad, muscled frame unmistakable even if he was showing his back to her.

What is he doing? She wondered as watched him cross the whole kitchen garden, moving with purpose to the corner where a tall, big poplar stood. Then he stopped and fell down on his knees near the two small mounds that were there- the graves of two of the unfortunate people that had died in the fire that had destroyed the farm and General Maximus’ family.

Athenais looked at the man. He was obviously praying and mourning over the tombs, his hands clasped in his lap, his head bowed and she could see his lips moving. Then he leant forward till his forehead touched the ground between the two mounds, and his arms widened, as if he was trying to embrace both the bodies resting for eternity under those few feet of dirt.

It was a heart-breaking spectacle for, even from that distance, Athenais could sense the man’s utter despair and pain. A part of her was ashamed to remain there, spying on the grieving man without leaving him his privacy in such delicate moment, but on the other hand, she was curious and shaken by what she was witnessing. Who was that man? Who were the people he was crying for? His wife and child? Was it why he lived all alone but for his old companions? Was he really a freedman of the late general, as it was said in town? But that man did not look like a servant, even a freed one. Even when he had asked her for the wood, he had remained straight backed and proud, never lowering his eyes - the posture of a master, not of a servant. But that where did it leave her? Was it possible, she dared to wonder, that he was General Maximus? Athenais shook her head. It was a silly thought: Lucilla had told her the general had been executed in Germania, the same night Marcus Aurelius had died.

Down in the garden, the man had straightened and was now sitting near the graves. He was silent, occasionally sniffling and brushing his eyes. Not wanting to be seen and thus cause him and her embarrassment, Athenais moved away from the balustrade and returned to her bed.

The last image she saw before falling asleep was the stranger’s face and she remembered thinking he had to be very handsome under all that unkempt beard…

§§§§§

The following day the weather showed a distinct improvement, the sky being blue and the air warm. Unfortunately it was too late for Athenais’ sick guest. His condition had worsened during the night and the doctor she had summoned, silencing the younger man’s protests for he did not want her to pay for the visit and could not himself afford the expense, could only shake his head and tell them the end would arrive soon. The old man had already started his journey to the afterlife.

The bearded man’s face remained stoic and unmoved as he listened to the surgeon’s words, but his eyes betrayed a pain too great to be described. When the doctor was gone, he humbly thanked Athenais for what she had done, then he closed himself in the room with his dying friend, deciding to stay with him till the end.

Hours passed. Athenais lost herself in organizing the packing for her approaching journey to Rome, but when - it was early afternoon - she walked past the guestroom and noticed the untouched tray with food her servants had left by the door, she decided to go inside and check on both the men.

She opened the door slowly, without making any noise, in case her guests might be both asleep. They were not. The younger man was kneeling by the bed, a muscled arm behind the elder’s back, the other squeezing the frail one’s hand. They were looking at each other and there was a strange, almost ethereal expression on the dying man’s face. It was like pain had left his body and a little smile was painted on his sunken cheek and parched lips. His eyes seemed unfocused, as he if he was looking to something only he could see.

"Oh master," he was saying, his voice so feeble Athenais had to stretch her neck to hear it, "It is so beautiful…. So much… light…." His voice was becoming weaker and weaker, the pauses between the words longer and she knew the end would come soon. The younger man knew it too, for she heard a sob escape him. The old man tensed as a bout of coughing shook his frail body. When he calmed, his breath was raspier and more laboured; then he reached out a trembling arm "My… wife," he whispered, "she…is there… And the mistress….and the young master, too…They are smiling, General….I will - I will… bring them… your love." He gasped aloud, took a last, painful breath, then his arm dropped and he went totally limp. He was dead.

The bearded man laid the body delicately on the bed, before lowering his head over the unmoving chest in mourning.

As for Athenais, she slipped outside the room as silently as she had entered, leaving General Maximus Decimus Meridius, for she was now sure it was him, alone with his grief. As she walked away, she thought about the document and the letters she still conserved and wondered what she had to do with them.

Suddenly, incredibly, everything had changed in a way she had thought impossible and could not yet fully understand and she needed to ponder what the general being still alive might mean for Rome, for Lucilla and Lucius…and for herself.

Maximus Decimus Meridius wrapped his servant’s body in a sheet, then stood up and carried it out of the room, wanting to leave that house as soon as he could. He wanted to be away from that haunting building, away from the memories it conjured for, despite not being the place where he had lived with his wife and son but a different one, it had been rebuilt following the old layout and it was too familiar for him.

As he exited from the back door and walked to the stables to retrieve his horse, he tried to not think about the house, to not think about what had had just happened, to the complete emptiness his life was, now that his only tie with his past was gone. Poor old Marius, what a good man he had been! A freedman of his own father’s, he had been around Maximus since the day he had been born. He had never had any child with his wife, and the couple had been devoted totally to their young master, caring for him as if he was their son, being always at his side. And Maximus had returned their love with equal intensity. Old Marius had been a constant in his life, a sort of anchor: he had rejoiced with him on happy occasions, such as his wedding, the birth of his child, his promotion to general, supported and consoled him during his most difficult moments, such as when he had lost his parents and Selene and Marcus.

Maximus entered the stable and laid the body on a mound of fresh straw. He looked down at the still face for a last time. Marius seemed to be asleep, with a slight smile gracing his lips, for he was now in Elysium, near his beloved wife, near Selene and Marcus. Maximus smiled bitterly: how he envied him! How much would he give to be there with him, instead of remaining here, alone, embittered, living an empty live with no purpose. Till that day he had lived to care for Marius, that good, good man that had thought to do him a favour when he had rescued and healed him after he had collapsed over his family’s freshly dug graves, worn by fever, exhaustion and despair. Maximus had never told him it would be better to leave him die, because he knew that his rescue was, for Marius, the only reason he could still consider himself a man. He had confessed to his master he had feigned to be already dead to escape the Praetorians’ swords, and he had never forgiven himself for being a coward, for not having tried to save his mistress and her son. Maximus had told him he had nothing to beg pardon for, because he, and only he, bore the real responsibility for his family’s death, and he would never forgive himself for it. Caring for each other had been a way to assuage their guilt, a reason to go on living, despite the fact life had nothing to offer them, but now that Marius was dead, Maximus had not the slightest idea of what he would do.

Maximus picked a brush and began to groom Dux’s white coat with methodical, slow motions, as his mind filled with questions. What would he do next? Would he remain here, on Marius’ land for the rest of his life, always near his family’s remains, forever forbidding himself to even try to forget what he had done? Or would he sell the small estate, go away and try to leave his past behind? He already knew he was not able to end his own life. He was a survivor and determined to go on living, no matter how hard it was.

Maximus drew a deep breath, put away the brush and taking the bridle, slipped the bit in Dux’s mouth and did up the buckles. Then he picked up Marius’ body and carefully put it over the horse’s back, before grabbing the reins and leading the animal outside the stable.

He had just begun to walk in the direction of Marius’ hut, wanting to leave the farm before someone noticed him, when he heard steps behind his back and understood his plan had failed.

He turned around and saw it was his host, the tall, chestnut-haired, grey-eyed lady who now inhabited his former estate, although he had heard talks that she was not its new owner, for it still belonged to the Emperor.

"Domina," he murmured bowing his head.

She walked till she was in front of him, then said, "Are you leaving without even saying goodbye to me, General Maximus?"

Maximus’ eyes widened at the appellation and his mouth opened, but it took him a while to be able to formulate words.

"Wh-what did you call me?"

"General Maximus, for I am sure you are Maximus Decimus Meridius, the former owner of this land."

Maximus was too stunned to have been recognized even to try to deny it. "How do you know?" he whispered.

"I saw you cry over those graves last night… and I heard your friend calling you ‘General’ before he died."

Maximus nodded slowly, turning to look at Selene and Marcus’ tombs, remembering how he had sought comfort near them the prior night, when he had realized that Marius was going to die and he had felt so desperately, utterly alone. He took a deep breath, then turned to face the woman again and said the first thing came to his shocked mind, "You know this land was mine?"

"Yes. As I know it was burned down and your family killed at Commodus’ order."

Maximus’ eyes flashed with hatred upon hearing Caesar’s name. "And what do you plan to do with me now that you know I am still alive and not dead as everyone believes?"

"Nothing. Except, perhaps, talk with you, General. You must not fear me; I am your friend." The woman said quietly.

Maximus laughed bitterly. "I have no friends except my horse and my dog."

"That’s not true. I am sure plenty of people mourned your ‘death’ and I am certain they would rejoice if they knew you are still alive. Your soldiers and the Augusta Lucilla, for example."

He let go the reins and walked the few steps still separating them, staring hard into her eyes. "Who are you? How can you know so many things about me?"

The woman straightened and proudly said, "My name is Antonina Athenais. I am a Marcus Aurelius’ freedwoman. I grew up in the imperial palace along with Lucilla and Commodus while my mother was Empress Faustina’s chief maid, and the late Caesar had always been much more than my master and my patron for me. I considered him almost like a father and… and…" Athenais, who had spoken so surely till that moment, suddenly hesitated.

"And what?" Maximus urged her, so caught by her speech.

"He trusted me so much to leave in my care a very important document I should have taken to the Senate in case of his sudden death."

"Really?" Maximus’ eyes started to burn with a long forgotten fire.

"Yes."

"And did you take it to the Senate?"

"No, I did not."

"Why?"

"Because that act concerned a man everyone believed dead, for Commodus ordered his execution just after becoming emperor. That document regards you, General."

"Regards? Present tense?"

Athenais nodded. "I still have it. As a matter of fact, I have it here with me. I could not trust to leaving it in Rome."

"What?!" Maximus’ heart began to race and blood thundered in his ears. He did not know exactly what was written in that document, but he dared to hope it was the answer to his prayers that one day he would be able to make Commodus pay for all his crimes. As a sunbeam breaking through the cloudy sky, hope broke through Maximus’ bitterness and sense of failure, giving him a new purpose. "Can I read it?"

"Yes…but not now. First it is better you take care of your friend’s body. You might bury him near the tombs of your family, if you wish."

Maximus looked guiltily at Marius’ body, ashamed to have forgotten him. "Thank you," he then said to Athenais, "I appreciate it very much… and he too. He was born on this land and always dreamed to be buried here."

Athenais smiled sadly, "Then do it. And come to my study when you have finished. We have many things to discuss."

Maximus nodded again, and watched as she turned on her heel and walked away, before taking Marius’ body down the horse, and carrying it near Selene and Marcus’ graves, and for the first time since that fateful day, he felt grateful the old man had saved his life.

§§§§§

That evening before dinner, Athenais and Maximus closed themselves inside the library and she ordered her servants to don’t bother them for any reason.

Once inside, the door bolted behind their backs, they stared at each other for a while, before she motioned him to sit on one couch, while she took another.

Athenais was still trying to cope with her guest’s unexpected change of appearance. She had left him in the garden wild-bearded, with shoulder-length, ruffled hair in need of a wash and found him waiting for her few hours later sporting a well-trimmed beard and short cropped hair. His eyes too had changed; they were no longer filled only with pain and desperation, but also with purpose and determination. The man in mourning had gone, leaving a soldier ready for battle.

"General," she said, finally breaking the silence, "forgive my curiosity, but can you explain to me how it is possible you’re here and alive, while you should have been executed in Germania?"

Maximus nodded; it was a fair question and she deserved an answer. "I escaped from the Praetorians, but I was wounded very deeply in my left arm. I took two of the guards’ horses and galloped here as fast as I could, hoping to be able to save my family. But I arrived too late." He swallowed hard, "I buried my wife and son, then collapsed over their graves because of the fever- the wound on my arm had become infected. Marius, the old man that died today, the only survivor of the massacre, found me, took me to his hut, and healed me. I have been living with him since then."

"I see. Thank you for telling me." A pause, before she continued, changing topic. "This afternoon you were not surprised when I told you Marcus Aurelius left me a document concerning you. Does it mean you know about its existence?"

"No, but I think I know what he wrote in it."

"Really?"

"Yes. The day he died, strangled by Commodus, Caesar asked me to become the Protector of Rome after his death. He said he would give me the authority to do so. Marcus Aurelius was a prudent man. He knew he was dying and I now believe he arranged to communicate his wishes to me in case something happened before he was able to do so in person. Am I right?" Maximus looked straight at her.

Athenais swallowed hard to dispel the lump that had formed in her throat when she had heard about her beloved patron’s death. "Yes, you are. You guessed well. But before I give you what Caesar left to me, I need to know something. Do you intend to honour his last wishes?"

"I do. I will do what he asked me to do… or I will die trying."

Athenais was impressed by the resolution in his voice. He did not sound arrogant, he sounded deadly determined and she began to understand why Marcus Aurelius had chosen him as successor. He was everything Commodus never was nor ever would be: strong, honourable, loyal, self-sacrificing. In short, a good, honest man.

"Then you will need these." And speaking so she stood up and walked to her desk, and retrieved two folded papyruses which she handed to him. "Marcus Aurelius left them in my care the last time I saw him in Rome, before he left for Germania. As you said, he was concerned about his health and wanted for his last wished to be known, in case death arrived before he was able to speak with you and make it official. He left the document with me for he knew I was loyal to him to the death and because he did not trust to leave it with Lucilla."

"Why not?" Maximus asked, accepting the papyruses, "Why did he not trust his own daughter?"

"No, he trusted her. He knew she would do everything in her power to honour his last wishes, but he also knew Lucilla was – and is – extremely susceptible to blackmail or pressure because of her son. Marcus Aurelius knew, as well as I, that Commodus would not have any scruples about threatening or harming the boy to get the document, had he known about its existence, and what happened in the last months proved him right."

"How?"

"I am sure you remember the boy who was here with me till two months ago. You saw him go away." Maximus nodded. "Well, he is Lucius Annius Verus, Lucilla’s son. And he was not sent here for a vacation. He had been sent here by Commodus, using him in the game he is playing against Lucilla. He is using the boy to pressurise his sister and prevent her from allying with the people that oppose him."

"Oh." Maximus fell silent, and without losing more time, he broke the seal of the first papyrus.

It was a letter.

From Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to General M. Decimus Meridius, salutem dicit!

My dear Maximus,

I will be dead when you receive this letter. It is my hope that, before dying, I had the chance to speak you in person and that these lines would no longer be necessary. But, if it was not to be, I hope that what will follow will help to absolve the last duty I want to entrust to you.

Beloved friend and loyal subject, I hope you know what a comfort it has been for me to have you near all these years, and I am certain you are now mourning for me. Do not do it, Maximus, but instead rejoice: the place where I am now is certainly more quiet and peaceful than the world I left, and here I will be able to dedicate more time to philosophy. Leading Rome and the Empire had been my duty and my responsibility for twenty years, and I always tried to do what was right for my people, no matter how difficult or painful it was. And now that I feel death approaching, I feel increased anxiety for the future.

Oh no, I am not afraid to die. Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back. No, what bothers me is Rome’s future after I am gone. It’s the corruption that has spread there that worries me, that does not let me sleep at night.

Corruption must be stopped or the Empire will be gnawed from the inside, like a log by wood-worm.

For quite some time I have become aware that my son Commodus could not be the one to change this state of affairs, for he is corrupted too, and in the worst possible way, in his soul. It is my fault. I have not been a good father: I served Rome, sacrificing my family on the altar of duty and now I am paying the price for it. Lucilla has become strong and just even without my help, but unfortunately she is a woman. Her son Lucius is only a child, and I cannot load them with the weight of power and the inevitable fight against Commodus.

No, Maximus, there is only one person who might be able to defeat the corruption - and it is you. You are strong, just, noble in the heart and in the spirit. I am not asking you to become emperor. I know that for you it would not be an honour, but a sentence. No, I am asking you to become the Protector of Rome after my death and to superintend her transformation from empire back to republic, so that the power might return to the people. Once the power is back in the Senate’s hands, you will be able to return to your family.

I beg you, Maximus, listen to this prayer; you are the only one I trust. I beg you to serve Rome one more time, as you have done for all your life. I know I am asking much, perhaps too much, but I implore you on my knees ,to accept this last duty. Only in this way my soul will have the peace it is looking for.

May the Gods always look after you.

Ad in perpetuum ave atque vale, my son,

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

Maximus folded the papyrus, hastily brushed away a tear that had escaped and was now sliding along his cheek, then opened the second sheet that, contrary to the first, was not a letter, but a public act written with of the chrism of officialdom.

I, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, Caesar and Emperor of Rome, Pater patriae, hereby order with this document that upon my death my place as the guide of the empire will be taken by Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Army of the North and General of the Felix Legions.

To him I confer with this act the title of Protector of Rome, which he may hold for as long as he wishes. It will be for him to transform Rome from the empire back to a republic. The times and the ways of that transformation will be at his exclusive discretion and the Senate will have to follow his orders.

He will have the complete control of all the army and anybody who should dare rebel at his authority will be considered a traitor to the State.

As to my family members, they will maintain their titles and all my personal estates and belongings but they may not claim any kind of right to the throne.

These are my last wishes for the good of Rome, which has always been my concern and reason to live.

I trust this act to the care of my loyal freedwoman Antonina Athenais, with order to make it known to the Senate and to General Maximus Decimus Meridius in case of my sudden death.

May the Gods always protect Rome!

Rome, anno 932 ab Urbe condita, third day before the Kalends of October.

Maximus put folded the document too and put it with care inside an inner pocket of his tunic, before closing his eyes and losing himself in thought.

After two years of pain, shame, rage and feeling defeated, finally the gods had given him a chance for redemption.

And he would not let it escape.

He would not fail his emperor and his family another time.

He would make Commodus pay.

"Father, the dream that was Rome did not die with you," he promised with solemnity. Then he opened his eyes and began to plan his next move. He needed to find a way to transform Marcus Aurelius’ last wishes into reality, which was not easy, even with the Emperor’s signed and sealed act in his hands.

He had no army to back him.

He had no supporters, except Lucilla, if she was not too terrified of her brother.

Maximus had been happy – although very worried - to hear that Lucilla was not her brother’s accomplice, but just another of his victims. He had been happy to discover she was still the idealist she had been in her youth, even if, in those far away days, her idealism, her love for Rome had caused the end of their relationship.

Maximus had been young, less mature than her in those days, and had not understood how she could have chosen to marry Lucius Verus, a man old enough to be her father, instead of him, when her father, despite everything one might think, had left her the freedom to follow her heart’s desire, if she so wished. That experience had made him grow up, and with time he had come to realize why Lucilla had acted in that way; he had even come to approve how she had sacrificed her own happiness to make her father’s position stronger, but nevertheless, the wound had been a very deep one.

Maximus returned to the present and to the problem at hand. So, he supposed he could count on Lucilla. What next? The Senate, he needed to contact the assembly of the Conscript Fathers. It was a known fact, even in the provinces and even to a man like Maximus, who had tried to live estranged from the world for the past two years, that Commodus and the Senate were on opposite sides, and that the Emperor wanted to disband it. Maximus was certain the senators did not like the idea. He had to search help among them… but to do so, he needed to go to Rome, not an easy thing without money.

Maximus looked at Athenais through half-closed eyes. She was sitting on her couch, elegant and composed, quietly waiting for him to speak. Despite having been born a slave she looked like a true lady, and she could be his safe-conduct to reach Lucilla and the politicians in Rome. In truth, she was the only ‘ally’ he had at the moment. The fact she had given him the document clearly said she was not an admirer of Commodus, but it did not mean she was ready to risk her life to help him with his plan.

"I need to go to Rome," Maximus said point-blank, breaking the silence that had stretched for several minutes.

Athenais simply nodded.

"I do not have enough money to do it. Could you help me?"

"Yes. You can travel with me; I will leave for the Capital as soon as the roads are dry."

Maximus nodded. "Thank you. Will you also help me to contact Lucilla or some senator when we are there? I know nobody in Rome, I have never been there." He did not mention the fact he had no place to go, nor enough money to pay for a room in a tavern for the gods-know-how much time, for he felt humiliated by his situation, and also knew Athenais had already surmised it by herself.

The woman bit her lower lip and hesitated.

"What is it?" he asked gently, sensing somehow it was not mere fear that stopped her. Her name had been written in Marcus Aurelius’ document, thus if something went wrong, it would be easy for Commodus to understand who had given it to Maximus. But still Athenais had shown no hesitation to speak about it, nor to hand it to him, nor to offer him to travel with her to Rome, where she certainly knew he was going to use it. So why she was so uncertain now?

Athenais twisted nervously the fabric of her tunic with her fingers, then took a deep breath and answered his question. "I am afraid something might happen to my son."

"Your son?"

"Yes, Publius. He is just four years old. I - I have not seen him since the day I weaned him… his father took him away and has not allowed me to see him since then." She paused, and swallowed hard.

Maximus nodded, finally understanding the reason behind the lines of worries marring her otherwise beautiful, delicate face, but could not see the connection between her son and Commodus. Or..? His head snapped up, afraid to discover that Commodus was her child’s father.

She seemed to read in his mind, for she explained. "His father is a senator very close to Commodus. I am afraid Caesar might harm Publius if he discovers I am helping you. Or he could be victim of revenges and reprisals against his father if you bring Commodus down and Falco falls with him."

"Falco? Is he the father of your child?"

"Yes. Publius Helvius Falco. Do you know him?"

"Not really; I just remember meeting a senator named Falco… It was two years ago, in Germania. The night before Marcus Aurelius died."

"Then it was he. He was there and returned home bragging around about being appointed as the emperor’s right hand. He is a snake… but unfortunately he is also my baby’s father."

There was such desolation in her tone that Maximus refrained to ask her how was possible that a lady like her, who was so honest and honourable, could have conceived a son with a man such Falco. Instead he stood up and, crossing the brief distance separating them, he knelt near her couch and took her hands in his. "I know what you are feeling," he murmured gently, "Oh, how I know! I lost my wife and son because of my actions and I remember the terror that gripped my heart as I was galloping here from Germania. And just because I know what it means, I promise you that no harm will come to your child because of me. We will go to Rome together and find a way to take Publius away from Falco before beginning to plot against Commodus… What do you think?" Maximus raised his eyes to look at Athenais’ and they shared a moment of silent communication. He saw her hesitation go away as resolution took its place and he knew what her reply would be even before she spoke.

"So be it. I will help you in every way I can, Maximus. It is what Marcus Aurelius would wish. It is what my conscience compels me to do."

Maximus nodded and murmured, "You are a great woman, Antonina Athenais." There was admiration in his voice, even awe and it brought a smile, the first one in a very long time, on her lips. Although he did not know the reason behind her sudden change of mood, Maximus replied to her smile with one of his own. And for he, too, it was the first in a long, long time.

Athenais then stood up and he quickly imitated her. "It is time we leave this room and go to eat, before my servants began to worry," she said, directing him to the door.

Maximus approved and followed her, their planning and plotting left behind, at least for a little while.

Summary: Maximus and Athenais return to Rome to put their daring plan into action and both meet lovers from their past…

Athenais’ litter stopped in front of Hadrian’s Mausoleum and she stepped down from it, walking up to the marble steps to enter the huge, silent building. It was cold inside, and only few torches and lamps enlightened the large hall. But despite the scarce light, she had no problem finding the carved, marbled sarcophagus that contained Marcus Aurelius’ remains.

Athenais touched with reverence the bas-relief that represented the late emperor on horseback, then bowed her head and began to pray. Since her return in Rome two days before, she had felt the desire to come to the place where her patron rested, to tell him she had been finally able to give the act he had written to its legitimate addressee. To tell him that she and General Maximus were now working together to make his last wishes reality, and to stop Commodus from destroying everything and everyone the late Caesar had held dear.

Maximus… Athenais could understand very well why Marcus Aurelius had loved the man so much. He had all the virtues the emperor appreciated and more: he was intelligent, decisive and confident, but also humble, modest and hard-working. During their journey from Hispania he had never hesitated to help her servants every time and in every way he could. He had groomed the horses and mules, collected water from the rivers, searched wood for the fire, raised and disbanded their camp, mounted guard during the nights, spending also a lot of time training with his sword to regain his past efficiency as warrior. All of this had caused great admiration in Athenais and her servants, but she had sensed there was something wrong in his behaviour. Marcus Aurelius had always described him as a very warm, friendly man; a silent type for sure, but ready to share companionship and a very good listener. Instead the man who had travelled with her, and was now living hidden in her villa, was cold and distant. He was always polite, but did not let anyone come too near him. Athenais did not like it very much and was even a bit worried by the situation. She had seen, by the way he had treated his dying servant and herself the night they had first talked, what Maximus was a very caring man, but now it seemed he has suppressed his most human side to become a cold being, a soldier intent only on planning his enemy’s downfall.

"But perhaps he is right to do so," she said to herself, "and I am wrong to have such thoughts. Perhaps he had always been so before battles. After all, what do I really know about him?"

Athenais raised her head and after a bow to Marcus Aurelius’ marble portrait, she turned to go away and return home. She had just made few steps in the direction of the exit, when four Praetorians entered the mausoleum, and one of them ordered her to move to the side. Athenais obeyed and a few seconds later Commodus appeared on the threshold. She immediately bowed in salute and submission. Steps echoed on the marbled pavement and stopped in front of her.

"Caesar," she said.

"Athenais." Commodus played the part of the gracious sovereign, reached out a hand and invited her to rise.

Athenais obeyed, kissed the ring on the hand offered to her, but remained with her head bowed, not out of respect, but only because she wanted to be in perfect control of her emotion before meeting Commodus’ eyes.

"My dear Athenais, please, raise your gaze," Caesar began, and she complied. "I trust you had a good journey from Hispania."

"I had, Caesar. Thank you."

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to bring homage to your great father, Caesar. I usually do it on the anniversary of his death, but this year I could not because I was out of Rome."

"I see." Someone else entered the mausoleum in that moment and Commodus and Athenais turned their heads to see who it was. "Sister!" Caesar exclaimed, "Look who I found here near the tomb of our father!"

Lucilla smiled and approached the other woman, exchanging a salute with her.

"How are you, my lady?" asked Athenais, taking note of her friend’s tired face. "And Lucius?"

"Oh, Lucius is fine," interjected Commodus, "He is very happy to be back here in Rome near me, instead of living in that forsaken place. By the way how did you find the property where I sent you? Did you like it? I heard its previous owner did not care a lot about it… or the people that lived there." It was a blatant lie and an innuendo directed to Lucilla and Athenais did not know how to answer. Luckily Commodus was not truly interested in a reply and added, "You and Lucius could go to visit Athenais one of the afternoons when there are no games."

Games? Athenais wondered. Had Commodus staged another set of gladiatorial games after the 150 days he had organized to honour his father’s memory? She looked questioningly at Lucilla and she nodded, before adding, "Could we come next week, the day of the Ides?"

"It is perfect, my lady. I will have my cook prepare those honey biscuits Lucius likes so much."

Lucilla smiled, loving to hear about her son, but once again Commodus intruded in the conversation and effectively stopped it.

"Good. Then it is settled. Now we must go, we are already late for today’s games." And without ceremony he wrapped a possessive arm around his sister’s waist and led her outside, as Athenais watched the scene with impassive eyes, even if, inside her, she was smiling. Without knowing it, Commodus had just offered her and Maximus a chance to talk with Lucilla in private.

Everything was going as planned.

§§§§§

Maximus mimicked the umpteenth attack against an imaginary opponent, then put the gladius on a stone bench, wiping the sweat from his brow with the sleeve of his tunic. The Roman spring was hot and humid, yet it was not the climate that bothered him, but the inactivity. Since he had arrived in Rome ten days before, he had done nothing else but sleep (badly), eat (a little) and train with the sword (a lot) to regain his past accuracy and speed.

But it was no longer enough. The encounter Athenais had organized with Lucilla was still four days away, and Maximus was already prey to anxiety and impatience. Athenais had told him about her meeting with Commodus and Lucilla, and had said her friend seemed tired and tense. The freedwoman was sure she would side with them, but Maximus would not relax until he heard her say so with his own ears. And more, Athenais had yet to met Falco and get her son back, thus their plan was still up in the air. It was wearing his nerves.

Maximus gripped the gladius again, but instead of lifting it in a combat position, he sheathed it in the scabbard tied to his belt and covered it with his toga.

"I can no longer stay closed up inside this house," he thought, as he left the garden and entered the domus. "Probably touring Rome alone is not the wisest thing to do, but the chance to be recognized by someone is very small." He crossed the atrium, left a message for Athenais to one of her slaves, and in few moments was outside, walking down the Esquiline hill.

Maximus’ steps took him to the most beautiful area of Rome and, although his sense of aesthetics was not very refined, he was fascinated by the temples, the basilicas, and the statues of gods and emperors that he saw around him.

When he arrived at the foot of the Flavian Amphitheatre, Maximus remained breathless: never in his entire life had he seen something so imposing and majestic. He could not help but raise his gaze to the top of the giant building as he walked around it.

A few moments of distraction and Maximus was surrounded by a screaming crowd that pushed and elbowed its way to enter the Colosseum and attend the free games offered by the emperor. He cursed himself for inattention, and tried to free himself from the river of people that had channelled him, but it was a losing battle. Thus, in the end, he stopped struggling against that human tide and took his place inside the arena with the rest of the crowd.

Maximus sat in the marble stands and looked around him with a mixture of curiosity and revulsion.

The Colosseum was full of people – men, women and even children – that invoked aloud the start of the games.

"Games," Maximus thought disgusted, "how can they call these useless massacres ‘games’? How can they consider it entertaining, watching men kill other men?" He shook his head; he knew that Marcus Aurelius had stopped the gladiatorial combats in Rome about five years before his death, but they had continued in the provinces. Commodus had then organized 150 days of free spectacles to honour his father’s memory, thus bringing back the ‘sport’ in the Urbs for good. Athenais had told Maximus, adding that the new Caesar had sold part of the grain reserves of the city to cope with the expenses for his games. Then she had wondered how he planned to pay for this new round of combats he was offering to the mob to keep it quiet and distract it from the many things that no longer worked in the city.

Maximus’ gaze caught a movement in the sand and looked down: a group of gladiators had just made their entry from one of the big gates that opened on the great oval, and the crowd greeted them with a roar. They were about twenty men, all dressed with rough cuirasses and various kinds of helmets; each man had a long spear and a rectangular shield much alike those used by the infantry.

"Oooh!" exclaimed the man sitting beside Maximus excitedly, "They are going to stage a battle! I wonder what it will be? My favourite is the Carthage one. And yours?" He elbowed Maximus to get an answer, but he received only a chilling glance.

"I am used to other kind of battles," Maximus replied in a growl, before his attention was drawn elsewhere.

Commodus had just appeared in the imperial box and was now saluting the crowd that was calling for him.

"The bastard seems to be radiant," Maximus thought with hatred, a cruel smile on his lips, "Enjoy yourself while you can, Highness, for the time of honouring yourself will soon be at an end."

Looking more closely Maximus then saw Commodus was accompanied by other people among whom he recognized Quintus, Lucilla and her son, Lucius.

Then he returned to concentrate on the gladiators standing in the centre of the arena that the editor had just called "Hannibal’s barbarian horde." Maximus could not help but snort. What barbarian horde? He had seen many of them in his many years spent fighting on the Northern frontier and that pathetic group of poor slaves had nothing to do with them. A few minutes later another gate opened and several chariots came through it, beginning to circle the group of gladiator standing in the middle of the ring. The combat began and from the start it turned bad for the men on foot, because they were too easy a target for the arrows of the gladiators who were ‘playing’ Scipio’s legionaries.

Despite himself Maximus was moved by the fight, and began to shout as the people surrounding him. But while the rest of the crowd spurred the ‘legionaries’ to kill, Maximus’ cries were all for the ‘barbarians’.

"Stay close, stay close! Lock the shields! You must work together!"

But his scream was lost in the noise that surrounded him and the men down in the arena did not hear him; he could only watch as they were killed one by one. Maximus bowed his head, saddened, when the last one collapsed into the now red sand: they had fought with honour, but against an enemy too strong for them. The crowd around him roared in approval and when the sweetish smell of blood reached his seat, Maximus understood he had had enough, and stood up, walking to the exit.

Once outside, Maximus breathed deeply in the fresh and clear air, and decided to go back to the villa. As he walked he became aware he was deeply shocked, but not by what he had just seen. He was used to the spectacle of death, even if it was the first time he had watched it as a simple spectator. No, that was not the reason behind his inner turmoil; it was his reaction to what he had just seen. For the first time in more than a month he had been moved by something that had nothing to do with his plans against Commodus or his desire for revenge. The wall he had erected between his heart and the rest of the world had crumbled and he did not know if such a change, in the situation he was in, was to be considered positive or negative.

Once at the villa, Maximus ran into the little room where Athenais kept her altar and fell on his knees in front of it. He joined his hands and looked at the figurines in front of his eyes, lit by the tremulous flames of the candles. He had a desperate need to clear his mind and that altar was exactly what he needed. He began to pray.

"Ancestors, I ask you for your guidance. Blessed mother, help me to find the right balance between feeling and duty, and give me the lucidity to finish my task. Blessed father, show me the gods’ desire for my future and guide my steps in such delicate moment. Help me to dispel the confusion inside my mind and heart. Beloved wife, cherished son, walk with me in this difficult moment. Ancestors, I honour you, and I will try – as I always done – to live with the dignity you have taught me. Help me to realize my emperor’s dream…"

Maximus did not know how much time he spent kneeling, but when he stood up, his muscles screamed in protest, but he did not mind it: for the first time since the day he had found his family killed he felt in peace with himself. In his prayers, he had found the answers he was looking for and he felt like a new man. Or perhaps, more simply, he had returned to be what he had always been.

§§§§§

That evening at dinner, Athenais watched the man sitting in front of her and smiled. She had not commented on his sudden exit nor his hasty return, but she felt there was something different in him. She had heard it in his voice, seen it in his eyes, sensed it in the way he acted with her slaves and herself. That night he had not been only polite… he had been caring. Her smile became even wider.

"What is it?" Maximus asked.

Athenais noticed his curious stare and decided to tell him the truth - after all, she reasoned, even if they were not exactly friends, they not strangers either. "Nothing important, I was just thinking about how nice it is to finally meet the real Maximus Decimus Meridius, the man Marcus Aurelius described to me. I was tired of dealing only with an animated statue."

Maximus’ eyes widened at her last words and he said, "I am sorry to have been so cold and distant in the past months. I know it must not have been easy to live with me and I apologize for it. It’s just I had thought it would have been better to block out all my more…positive emotions, the ones that had been my weak point in the past, to concentrate only on my revenge. But fortunately today I understood that I cannot live like that. I need my emotions. I need my conscience. I need… companionship. The soldier that had awakened again inside me cannot live without the man."

Athenais nodded, but did not comment. It was not necessary, and then she did not want to cause him any embarrassment by telling him how his speech had touched her.

An amicable silence fell on the triclinium and both Maximus and Athenais relaxed, letting the serene atmosphere lull them, forgetting the problems that plagued them. Maximus thought that, in certain aspects, with her quiet but strong personality, Athenais resembled Marcus Aurelius and he could not help but feel admiration and care for her. She truly was a great lady.

The day before Lucilla’s scheduled visit, Athenais took courage in her hands and went to visit Falco in his villa on the Viminal Hill. She had tried to arrange a public meeting since she had returned home, but the Senator had always been too busy, not attending any of the parties Athenais, as an imperial freedwoman, could have access to. So she opted for a change of tactics and decided to confront him in his own house. It was the first time she had been there, for he had never taken her, even when they had been lovers - they had always met at her home. She hoped that the unexpected visit would take him by surprise, just as the new strategy she wanted to use against him to get Publius back. Athenais would not beg, as she had done in the past, but she would try to be strong and determined. Perhaps, by doing so, Falco would respect her more and grant her wish. Taking Publius away from him – and Commodus – was now imperative. She could not allow herself to fail. Lucilla would come to visit her the next afternoon and only by knowing her boy was safe could she and Maximus proceed with their plan without hesitation. Athenais had already arranged to send her child out of town as soon as he was back to her, to the country villa of one of her best and trusted friends.

Once in front the door of Falco’s villa, Athenais took a deep breath and knocked. A servant opened it and looked at her, "Who is?"

"Antonia Athenais; I wish to see Senator Falco. Is he home?" she said with a haughty tone that she hoped would mask her nervousness and made her look very authoritative. It worked. The door-man gave another good look at her dress, to her litter waiting on the street and, surmising she was one of his master’s lovers, stepped back from the door, and invited her to come in with a deep bow. "Follow me," the slave told her, as he preceded her along a series of corridors. The Senator did not like to be kept waiting when women were involved, especially if they were so full of character like this one. They finally reached a closed door and he knocked, "Domine, there is a lady wishing to see you."

The door opened immediately and, after a polite bow, the servant left Athenais and Falco alone. As she had hoped, he was surprised by seeing her there, so much so that he did not react when she pushed him aside and marched into his study. Then he shook himself, and followed her, closing the door.

"Athenais," he began with a grin, "It is a pleasure to see you. I knew you had returned from Hispania, but did not expect your visit. What can I do for you?"

As if he does not really know, she thought, before saying aloud, "I want to see my son, and I am tired of hearing a ‘no’ as an answer."

Falco’s false grin left his lips, as his face hardened and he stepped closer to her, trying to impress her with his superior size, "How do you dare to talk to me in that way?" he hissed.

Athenais held her ground, refusing to be cowed. "It is my right. A friend that works in the Censor’s office told me you never formally adopted Publius and that I still am his legal mother." Outwardly she sounded firm and in control, but inwardly she was as scared as a little bird.

Falco grimaced, and an ironic smile appeared on his face. "I see. And what would you do? Accuse me of kidnapping him?"

"If I must, yes."

"Oh my, I think it would be rather interesting to see a mere freedwoman drag a senator into court, but it will not be necessary to arrive at that point." Falco smirked and walked around his desk, sitting down in his chair, without even bothering to offer a seat to Athenais. She did not care.

"What do you mean? Will you let me see Publius?"

"Yes - if you first do something for me." He gave her a long, calculating look.

"What?" She asked, already dreading the answer.

"I want you to… get close to Senator Gaius. Caesar and I suspect he might be plotting against the throne, but we cannot execute him without sure proof of his treason, for his two younger brothers are both legion commanders, and they could revolt if his guilt is not certain. So, my dear, I want you to get close to him, enter in his good graces, spy on him and report to me about all the people he meets, the places where he goes and the things he does."

"But how can I do it?"

"I told you, get close to him. Gaius is said to have the most beautiful women of Rome as lovers and you, my dear, rank among the best. In truth I am surprised he never made a pass at you." Falco stood up, circled the desk and moved near her, tracing a line on her cheek with his index finger. Athenais fought hard to not whip her head away. "You are a beauty, my dear. I am sure Gaius will not resist you if you are nice with him. You will end up in his bed in no time…and I have heard he talks in his sleep." Then he turned away and when he spoke again his tone, from sweet and persuasive, became hard and cold. "Now leave me, and don’t come back until you have some information for me."

"Then you will let me see Publius?" Athenais asked, desperately needing a confirmation as she tried to cope with what she had been ordered to do.

"Yes - if I like what you have to say to me. Now get out, I have no more time to lose."

Athenais nodded, and almost ran to the door, wanting to be away from that place and its owner as soon as she could, feeling nauseous at the mere idea of she would have to do to get her son.

§§§§§

Maximus was home when Athenais returned. As soon as he heard her servants salute her, he left his room and went to the atrium to greet her. His face fell when he saw she was alone, that there was no little boy with her. His eyes searched hers, with a mute question.

"Let’s go to my study," she said, and Maximus felt his anxiety increase at her tired, defeated tone.

Once they were closed in the tablinium, he asked, "What happened? Was Falco not at home?"

"No, he was."

"Did he refuse to let you see your son then?"

Athenais looked at him with liquid eyes. "Yes… no… He said he will let me see Publius, but only after I do something for him…" she turned her head away and stared at the wall.

"And what would that be?" Maximus enquired, a shiver of premonition running down his back; he knew he was not going to like it.

"He wants me… He wants me to spy on a senator suspected of a plot against Commodus." Athenais still refused to meet Maximus’ eyes. "The man is known to be a great womanizer and Falco wants me to become his lover."

"Gods!" Maximus was stunned. He could not imagine a man, a Senator of Rome, to be so low, so without scruples… He could not even find an appropriate definition for him. Truth to tell, he should have not been so surprised by such behaviour – was not he Commodus’ scheming companion? – but it was still unconceivable for him that a man could ask the mother of his son to prostitute herself... "What do you plan to do?" he asked softly.

Athenais took a deep breath and turned to look straight at him, "I will do what I have to do for my son’s sake."

Maximus swallowed hard, awed by her sense of abnegation. "I am sorry," he whispered, "I did not think my plan would lead to this. I made you force Falco’s hand and this is the result."

Athenais shook her head and, coming closer to him, touched his bare forearm. "It is not your fault. I have the feeling Falco would have asked this anyway. You must not feel guilty. I am the only one responsible for this situation, for I allowed him to get under my skin."

"How did it happen?" Maximus was curious despite himself. It seemed so strange that such an honourable, honest and good woman as Athenais could have fallen for a snake like Falco. True, love was known to blind people, but still…

She sighed. "It is a long story; it is better to sit down." They did, settling as the opposite ends of the same couch, slightly twisting their waists to face each other. Athenais started to talk. "I met Falco by chance, about six years ago, at the exit of the Circus Maximus. I had lost one of my bracelets; he had seen it fall and given it back to me before a thief might steal it. At that time he was only a newly-elected senator, attractive and very charming, while I was a lonely freedwoman. Marcus Aurelius had freed me two years before, giving me this villa, my servants and a large amount of money too, but despite the joy of my new condition, I felt alone without those I had come to consider as my family: my fellow slaves, Lucilla, Commodus, the emperor himself… I fell in love with Falco almost from the beginning and for the next several months I thought I had found Elysium on Earth. I knew he could never marry me and that sooner or later he would have to find a wife, but I did not care. I loved him and I believed he loved me back, so I was sure we would find a way to remain together. But I was wrong."

Athenais stopped, took a long, defeated breath, and Maximus had to force himself not to slide closer to her and wrap her in a supportive embrace. Then she went on. "Falco never cared for me. I was just a warm body for him, and, as freedwoman so well connected with the imperial family, I was his entry ticket to all the receptions attended by Marcus Aurelius and his heir. Indeed, it was I who introduced him to Commodus. Then, about a year after our first meeting, Falco suddenly stopped writing or visiting me. I was frantic with worry, I thought he might be sick, but instead I got word he had married and had left Rome for a brief trip with his new wife. I was saddened by his behaviour, but I still retained the hope he loved me and that we could go on seeing each other when he returned for, in the meantime, I had discovered I was pregnant. As soon as I got word Falco had returned, I arranged to meet him. He was very cruel with me. He told me our relationship had been good while it had lasted, but now it was over and it was better I accepted it quickly. I should not seek him anymore. I told him about the pregnancy, but he simply laughed and wished me well for the labour. I was devastated by all of this, but the prospect of having my baby, creating my own family, helped me to go on. My son was then born and, despite everything, I named him after his father for, in the bottom of my heart I still retained the hope that Falco would one day return to me. And he did, but not in the way I wished."

Another pause, then, "Six months after Publius’ birth, Falco came to visit me. He was very gentle and apologetic and asked to see the child. He was very tender with him, and it warmed my heart to see them together. Then Falco told me his wife had just borne him a daughter. The labour had been very complex and the doctors were not sure she would ever conceive again., but he could not divorce her for political reasons. So… so he asked me to give him Publius. He told me he would adopt him and make him his legitimate heir, giving him the best possible care and education. He also told me that his wife agreed with him. I hesitated - how could I renounce my baby? But Falco managed to make me feel guilty: how could I claim to love my son if I preferred to see him grow up like a bastard, with no position at all, while he offered him to be a member of the senatorial class, with all of its privileges? And so…and so I agreed to let him take Publius away as soon as he was weaned, for he also promised me he would allow me to visit him whenever I wished. But it was not to be. As soon as he got him, Falco had Publius transferred out of Rome into the country and I have not seen him again…" Athenais’ voice broke, and she began to cry softly.

The sight broke Maximus’ heart and this time he did not resist his instinct. He moved closer to her and wrapped her body in his arms, offering his support. She did not resist him and lost to time in accepting his offer. Her arms slipped around his broad back, and pressing her face into his chest, she cried out all the grief, the fear and the loneliness she had had to live with in the past several years. Maximus did not speak, but simply caressed her back in slow, circular motions, hoping to be able to help her in some way as she had done with him till that moment. But as Athenais continued to cry, Maximus also became aware with surprise of how good it felt to have a woman in his arms again. To have someone so trusting so near. To have silky, perfumed hair tickle his nose and soft breasts pressed against his chest. And, as soon as he became conscious of his feelings, Maximus suppressed them, ashamed. Athenais was his friend and she was suffering, how could he have those kinds of thoughts?

But, as much as he tried, Maximus could not forget what he had felt and that night, when he went to bed, Athenais came to visit him in his dreams, making him ache in a way he had thought he would never feel again after he had discovered Selene’s broken body.

That afternoon Lucilla and Lucius arrived at the villa on the Esquiline accompanied by two of her female slaves and eight Praetorians, who took places outside the house, and near the entrance of the open triclinium. Athenais had decided to receive her guests there for the day was hot, but a light breeze was blowing, carrying with it the perfume of flowers from her garden.

As soon as greetings were exchanged, including a very sloppy kiss from Lucius to Athenais’s cheek, the freedwoman invited her patroness to stretch out the plush couch and clapped her hands to command her slaves to serve the drinks and the sweets the cooks had prepared. Lucius was ecstatic when he saw the bowlful of biscuits, and began to eat them almost two at a time.

"Lucius," Lucilla reproached him with a hard glance, causing the boy to put down the sweets with a guilty expression, but Athenais reached out his hand and touched his arm.

"Don’t worry, everything is fine. Continue to eat as much as you like. My cook will be very happy to see his work has been appreciated so much." The boy’s face brightened and after a quick glance to his mother returned to eat the biscuits, albeit at a much slower pace.

Lucilla and Athenais exchanged a look and the freedwoman shook her shoulders, "Let him behave as a child for a while, my lady. He needs it."

Lucilla nodded in understanding and soon the little group began to talk, alternating mundane topics with discussions about Lucius’ studies. Every reference to the political situation and the emperor was avoided, for everyone knew that the Praetorians were not only guarding Lucilla and Lucius, but also controlling them.

After a while Lucilla, who had arrived looking very tense, seemed to relax and her laughs stopped being nervous to become real and heartfelt; she was truly enjoying this brief respite from Palace life. Athenais noticed it and guilt assaulted her at the awareness she should put an end to those carefree moments. But she had no choice: Lucilla could not spend all the afternoon with her and she needed to talk to her in private. Thus she went on with her plan and started to touch her own brow and shift on her seat with increasingly frequency.

Lucius noticed her first and putting down the biscuit he was eating, looked at her with attention and asked, "Are you feeling unwell, Athenais?"

At his question all the heads present in the room, Praetorians included, turned to look at her, and she made the gesture of loosening her dress.

"It’s nothing… it’s just my head is spinning… the hot climate, I think. Perhaps I should lie down for a while…Could you please help me, Lucilla?"

"Of course, my friend."

"Can I help too?" Lucius asked concerned.

"It is better if you wait here," replied his mother, sliding an arm around Athenais’ back and helping her to rise on her feet.

Moving very slowly, for the freedwoman seemed to stumble a couple of times, Lucilla and her friend made it to the latter’s bedroom but, as soon as they were inside, the door closed behind their backs and Athenais seemed to suddenly regain her health. She straightened and said to a surprised

Lucilla, "Quick, drag that chair near the bed and sit down! If the Praetorians come to check from the window they must see you sitting near the bed, tending your very sick friend…"

"Who, however, is not sick at all..." Lucilla commented, but did not lose time to comply with what she had been told to do. She watched as Athenais stretched out on the bed and put a wet rag over her own brow, then asked softly, bending over the other’s body, "What’s going on, Athenais?"

"I need to talk you in private, away from all those prying ears."

"All right."

"First of all, how are you? For real?"

Lucilla lowered her head, as is all entire strength had just left her, "I am tired, my friend, so very tired. Tired of fighting and resisting my brother, tired of being strong for my son… and with no one to help me. I am alone in this, Athenais."

"That is not true, Lucilla - not anymore. You have two allies now, two powerful allies."

Lucilla looked at her, very sceptic. "Who?"

"Your father, for one. He was a very prudent man and three years ago, before he left for Germania, he left something to my care - an official act stating his will regarding his successor, which I should have taken to the Senate in case of his sudden death."

"I see." Lucilla’s brow frowned in thought as she pondered what had just heard. "Why did you not talk about this before? Why are you doing it now?"

"I did not talk sooner for I believed that the man your father designated as his successor was dead, the first of your brother’s victims as Caesar."

"But-?" Lucilla’s eyes were now bright and she seemed to hold her breath as she waited for her answer.

"Be he did not die, after all."

Lucilla’s head whipped around at the sound of that low, rumbling male voice. A voice that could belong to only one man. "Maximus?" she asked tentatively.

Maximus had remained all the afternoon closed in Athenais’ bedchamber, hidden behind the thick drape that separated her private bathroom from the rest on the sleeping quarters, waiting for her to put their plan in motion. It had worked and now Marcus Aurelius’ daughter was near him, making his heart beat faster: the moment of truth had come, soon he would know if she would agree to help him.

"It is me, Lucilla," he replied, not leaving his hiding place, but pushing the drape a bit on the side to look at her.

"Where..? How?"

"Shh…! Face Athenais. Good. I am in the bathroom. Now stand up and take that bowl on the bedside table…yes, that one. Now come here to fill it with fresh water."

Maximus watched Lucilla do as he had commanded, and moved away from the drape, so that she could push it aside and enter the bathroom.

The former lovers stared at each other for a long while, both of them taking note of the small changes the time caused since their last meeting. Lucilla reached out a hand, seemingly wanting to touch his cheek, but stopped in midair, unsure about how he would react.

Conscious they had no time to lose, Maximus silently handed her the letter and the act her father had written to him, when watched as she read them. A look of understanding appeared on her face as she proceeded and when she finished, Lucilla raised her eyes on him. "This is what you talked about the day we met in Germania, is not it?" she asked indicating the document, "That’s why you were so shocked…. The reason my father summoned senators Gaius and Falco there. He did not want to announce Commodus’ ascension-but yours."

Maximus nodded. "That’s true. Your father spoke with me the day he died…"

"Killed by my brother before he could make it public. Yes, everything has a meaning now… even too much." Lucilla sighed and handed the papyruses back to Maximus. He looked at her with concerned eyes, "How do you feel?"

"I don’t know. I am shocked but in a positive way… I am…elated and- and so very happy you are still alive, even if I cannot understand how it is possible." She lowered her head, suddenly shy, and Maximus quickly told her what had happened to him. Lucilla listened with attention, and by the time he ended his story, she had regained her composure. "What do you plan to do now?"

"I want to obey to your father’s last wishes, but I cannot do it alone… Will you help me?"

"Yes."

"Even if it means your brother’s death? For I will kill Commodus, for what he did to my family." Maximus made clear at once, his eyes never leaving her face, looking for a hint of hesitation. He saw none.

"My brother, the boy I loved and cared for, died a long time ago. Now there is only a monster bearing his same look and name. He must die- not only for what he did, but for what he could do. My son will never be safe as long as he lives." Lucilla spoke with a sure tone, her eyes betraying a hint of pain- the same pain you feel when you have to put down an animal to spare it further suffering.

Maximus nodded in understanding. "What do you suggest we do?"

"We need to inform the Senate. As you perhaps know, my brother wants to disband it, but till now I have managed to stop him. However I don’t know for how much longer I will be able to keep him calm. I will try to arrange a meeting between you and the decanus of the Senate, Gracchus. He had dedicated all his life to Rome, and has opposed Commodus from the beginning. In truth, it is very surprising he is still alive, but that is also a proof of his ability. He will help us, I have no doubt."

"Then this is settled. But there is another problem. How do we deal with the Praetorians? They are the emperor’s bodyguards- I doubt they will obey to me or the Senate."

Lucilla nodded, "You are right. However I know there is much malcontent between them- for Commodus has managed to cause resentment even between the people who should protect. But, even more important, I know your army, the Felix Legion, is stationed in Ostia." Lucilla smiled.

"What?" Maximus was stunned.

"They have just returned from a campaign in Thracia. I must tell you, they were beaten there because the general appointed by Commodus is – was – an incompetent. I got word from my informer that the legion is restless and angered with Caesar. They consider him the cause of the loss of their invincibility- I am sure they will more than happy to follow you."

Maximus grimaced, "If they remember me."

Lucilla looked straight at him, "You are not an easy man to forget, Maximus Decimus Meridius, trust me."

"I do." He truly did, the resentment of the past totally forgotten.

Silence fell between them, as they thought about they had said, then Lucilla spoke again, "We must act soon; it very difficult to maintain secrets in Rome. I will try to contact Gracchus tomorrow morning and I will send you word as soon as I get his answer and arranged an encounter."

"All right. Thank you." Maximus murmured.

"There is no need. Now it is better I go, I don’t want the Praetorian to become suspicious." And speaking thus, she saluted him with a slight bow of her head, before leaving the bathroom without adding another words. Maximus remained hidden in his place, even after he heard Athenais and Lucilla exit the bedroom. Everything was proceeding as hoped.

Commodus’ end had already begun.

"Stop!" Athenais’ tense command echoed in the air and her litter-bearers came to an abrupt halt at the beginning of the up-hill road that led to the top of the Viminal Hill. "Wait for me there," she added stepping down from the little conveyance, "I will continue on foot."

The four Nubian slaves glanced at each other in surprise, but she did not notice them, so lost was she in her thoughts. She had the sudden need to walk for she needed time to collect her ideas before she faced Falco to tell him she had no intention of complying with his request and it was better he found someone else to spy on Senator Gaius.

Athenais took a deep breath and began her up-hill trek, her steps very slow as her mind wandered once again to what had happened earlier that day. The day when, following her best laid plans, she should have seduced the politician.

The encounter Lucilla had arranged with Senator Gracchus was going to happen on the Kalends of July and time was becoming scarce. Athenais needed to get Publius back - and soon. Thus, for the past week or so she had worked to arrange a meeting with Senator Gaius, finally finding the best occasion when one of her closest friends, Clara Dalmatia, the woman to whom she planned to entrust Publius as soon as she got him, had informed her Gaius would be her guest that very day. Clara was the wife of a rich merchant and loved to spend the money her very generous husband gave her, to sponsor young writers, supporting them and periodically organizing well-attended public readings of their works.

Athenais, who had met Clara while at the baths, had often participated at those gatherings, thus her presence would seem normal, adding to the chance to make her encounter with Gaius look very casual. But of course it had been everything but casual for Athenais and she had gone to the reading determined to succeed in her task. She had dressed with meticulous care; coiled her chestnut hair in the most fashionable way; perfumed her body with her most expensive fragrance and painted her face to exalt her natural beauty. She had left nothing to chance and felt a bout of pride at the way Maximus’ eyes had widened in admiration when he had seen her before she left. They had not talked as he had escorted her to the door, but simply nodded to each other as two soldiers before a battle.

Once in arrived at Clara’s villa, Athenais had been introduced to Gaius and since the beginning it had been clear that her attire had the right effect on him, for he could not keep his eyes off her. He was a man in his early fifties, soft spoken and polite, and Athenais had found no problem in starting a conversation with him. She had mixed intelligent comments about one of Clara’s protégés with seductive remarks and glances and soon she had him eating from the palm of her hand, ready to fall in her net.

But everything had changed at the moment he had wrapped his arm around her waist and asked her to come with him to visit the garden, away from the other guests. At the sensation of his hand kneading her hip and at the knowledge of what the proposed walk really meant, Athenais had suddenly tensed, assaulted by a bout of nausea at the mere idea to have to kiss him, to let him touch her. It was not the man’s fault: Gaius was charming and witty, and he was handsome in his own way- but he was not Maximus. In the precise moment she had felt the senator’s arm around her and compared it with Maximus’, she had become aware that the feelings of esteem, caring and admiration she had always had for the former general had become something much deeper. She was in love with him, and could not betray that feeling, not even for her son.

Thus Athenais had excused herself, claiming to feel unwell – which was not difficult to be believed, considering how pale she was – and practically escaped from Clara’s villa. She had sought refuge in her litter, telling her servants to carry her around the city as she thought about what to do. But no matter how she pondered the facts, she could not escape the reality: she had fallen in love with Maximus and she did not know how react to it. She did not know if she had to be happy her heart had healed so much from the wounds inflicted by Falco, or if she had to be worried by being in love with a man who probably did not want to have anything to do with her as a woman.

Maximus had been so gentle with her, so wonderful in consoling and supporting her, but she knew he considered her just his friend and ally. How would he react upon knowing her feelings had changed so much? Would he welcome her? For all she knew, he had been alone since his wife died three years before, so he should desire a woman’s touch. But what if he was still emotionally bound to his wife? What if she assumed too much, if she made the wrong move and it caused a strain between them? Given the situation they were in, it was not the time to risk it. So Athenais decided not to act on her newly discovered feelings, and to dedicate herself to a more pressing problem: Falco.

And now she was there, in front of the Senator’s house, where her steps had taken her even if she had tried to delay the moment of truth, staring at an unfamiliar litter parked near the door. Someone was visiting Falco. Athenais cursed under her breath, something she rarely did. She did not want to confront Falco while someone else was in the house, but she also did not want to go home without telling him what she had to say. So she decided to circle the villa: if Falco and his guest were in the garden or in the portico, she might overhear them talk and try to guess how long the visit would be. So she walked around the wall that surrounded the garden until she heard two male voices. It took her some minutes to realize Falco’s visitor was Commodus himself. Athenais was on the verge of going away, for she knew the Emperor went nowhere without his Praetorians, and she did not want to be caught spying, when a sudden thought crossed her mind. Why was Commodus away from the Palace? Was he plotting something so hideous he could not risk being heard by Lucilla? Was he concerned or suspicious about the visit Lucilla had made to her own home? Thus Athenais decided to take a risk and stay where she was for a while longer, hoping to hear something that might be useful for Maximus.

An old proverb said that he who eavesdrops risks listening to something he or she would prefer not to hear, and that is what happened to Athenais. As she was there, pressing against the wall, she heard Commodus ask, "So, any news about Gaius?"

"Not yet, but I know my little dove as been very busy arranging a way to meet him. I expect to have a report very soon."

"Good. But I am surprised, Falco, to see how Athenais obeys your commands, even the one to play the whore. She had always stuck me as the honourable, unbending type. That’s why my father liked her so much." Commodus said with sarcasm.

"Oh, she is honourable all the way. She is so straight it seems she has swallowed a broomstick. But I know how to bend her."

"How?"

"As you do with your sister: I control her through her son."

"She has a son?"

"Yes, we had a bastard together that I took away from her."

"Had?" asked Commodus.

Had? Wondered Athenais and a chilling shiver ran along her spine.

"Yes, he died last year. A fever. But she does not know and believes I will let her have him back after she has done me some favours," Falco said in a cold, unemotional tone. It was impossible to believe he could be so unfeeling about his son’s death.

"You are a cunning bastard! She will get quite a surprise, huh?" Commodus exclaimed, before they

laughed out loud together. But Athenais did not hear them, as her knees crumbled under her. Publius, her little Publius had died. Her baby was dead. A sob rose in her throat and she bit her lower lip to stifle it. She could not be heard crying. Drawing strength from some unknown source, she rose on trembling legs and, her vision blurred by tears, she somehow managed to walk all the way back to her litter, finally collapsing in it, giving free rein to her all-consuming pain.

§§§§§

Maximus was completing a quick bath when he heard the servants greet Athenais and, almost unconsciously, he let out a sigh of relief. He was happy she had returned home so soon, thus stopping his mind from conjuring up images of her in Senator Gaius’ arms, the man he had met with Falco back in Germania. He had spent the whole afternoon training with the gladius, pushing himself almost to exhaustion, to avoid thinking about Athenais and what she had had to do. But despite the hard workout, he had not been able to forget how beautiful she had looked when he had seen her earlier that day, and how painful it had been to know she had dressed and made herself up in that way for another man. At the sight, Maximus had been assaulted by a bout of envy and jealousy and, ashamed of himself, had retreated to the garden to vent his negative emotions. He had gone on for hours, stopping only few minutes before, deciding to take a bath and make himself presentable if Athenais, as he hoped, would be back for dinner. The gods had listened to his prayers, thus he rushed to dry and dress thinking that, however it had gone, Athenais would probably need his support.

Maximus left his room and went looking for her, searching first in her favourite places of the house: the garden, the library, the open triclinium. He did not find her in any of those spots, so he walked to her room and knocked softly on the door. "Are you there, Athenais?" He received no answer, but heard a strange, muffled sound coming from behind the closed door. It sounded like… like someone crying. Athenais! Had Gaius hurt her? Full of worry and rage, Maximus opened the door and stepped inside the bedroom. It was dark, for the shutters were closed, and it took him several seconds to understand the weeping sound came from behind a great chest used to store dresses. He crossed the room in two steps and soon was kneeling near a corner where Athenais was sitting on the floor, hugging her knees and hiding her face in her folded arms.

"Athenais!" Maximus called softly, kneeling down in front of her, "What happened?"

She did not reply, but letting go her knees, she moved closer to him, threw her arms around his neck and buried her face against him, as she went on weeping. As on the previous occasion, Maximus did his best to soothe her, but it seemed than neither his whispered words nor his caresses worked. Athenais’ hands clenched and unclenched the fabric of his tunic and her crying, far from lessening, seemed to grow in intensity.

Frantic with worry, he sensed something terrible had happened, and needed to know what it was, in order to hopefully help her.

"Athenais, sweetheart, you are killing me," he whispered, cupping her cheek with one hand and trying to raise her face. "Please tell me what happened…" He repeated the words several times and they finally seemed to reach her. She pulled back her head and fixed her reddened eyes on his.

"Publius is dead… my child is dead…"

Maximus became suddenly cold. "How?" he asked, tightening his embrace.

Before replying Athenais buried her nose in his neck again, "A fever… a year ago…"

"Oh sweetheart, I am so sorry," he exclaimed. The words sounded so inadequate, but he hoped she could sense how sincere he was. He knew only too well what she was feeling, and his heart ached for her.

Athenais did not seem to have heard him as she continued to say between tears and sobs, "My baby is gone… I am alone now… there is no one for me…"

"That’s not true, Athenais. I am here. I am your friend… I will not leave you alone." Maximus whispered with conviction, hoping she would really listen to him.

"Oh Maximus… he is gone… I am so alone… it hurts so much…" She was now looking at him, shaking her head.

"I know, sweetheart, I know." Maximus said, staring into her eyes, "But you are not alone, I am here."

"Hold me tight Maximus… please."

"Everything you wish…"

"Tighter Maximus, tighter…don’t let me go…" Athenais wrapped her own arms around his waist with such unexpected strength it almost made him grunt. "Don’t let me go…I am so alone.."

"You are not… I told you. And I won’t let you go. I care for you sweetheart, I care very much…"

"Then show me, Maximus… Love me…Love me, please… make me forget…" Athenais was now staring at him with a fevered gaze, her eyes wide and too bright.

"What?" Maximus did not understand what she really meant and was startled when he felt her hand slide beneath his tunic to brush his bare thigh. "Athenais!" he exclaimed, his eyes now wide as hers.

She looked at him pleadingly, as she insisted with her caress, "Love me, Maximus… I need you… I am so alone…"

Maximus did not know what to do. It was wrong. She was distraught and possibly she did not even know what she was saying, what she was asking, what she was doing…but her hand, with her slow, teasing touch up and down his thigh was driving him crazy with desire. He was now hard as a rock and he heard Athenais moan in approval at the feel of him.

"Love me, Maximus, I need you…" she said again with such certainty he could no longer resist her. He too needed her; so much time had passed since he last had a woman, and he had been so utterly and achingly alone…

Maximus cupped Athenais’ face with his hands and raised her lips to his. Their kiss began tenderly, but soon need and desperation transformed it in something wildly passionate, for they were too charged up to take it slowly. The emotions were too wild, too close to the surface to allow them something that was not pure, basic lust. Maximus rained her jaw and neck with kisses as he tried to loosen her elaborate dress, as she clawed at his chest, searching for his bare skin. She was rubbing against him and Maximus thought he would go mad if he was not able to have her soon. In a quick move, he rose to his feet, helped her do the same, then began to pull at her dress insistently.

Athenais did not care about his less than delicate touch for she was as frantic as he to feel their bare skins come in contact, and she helped him. Together they tore and ripped at the fabric, until she stood naked in front of him. Sanity returned for a while and Maximus sucked in his breath at the sight of her. She was beautiful: proud, firm breasts; large, tapered hips, graceful, long legs and a nest of chestnut curls that begged to be petted and caressed. But the examination ended quickly, for she reached out for his tunic and with unexpected strength tore at its neck. Athenais was not in the mood for waiting, and soon Maximus’ clothes and undergarments joined hers on the floor. When he was as naked as she, there was a moment of hesitation, as they stared panting at each other, then, they moved in unison and embraced, kissing hungrily and almost violently. They cried aloud at the feel of their skin touching, and their hands skimmed over valleys and peaks, caressing soft female curves and stroking hard, male muscles.

Then Athenais pulled back and murmured again, "I need you…", before she stretched down on her bed, her legs spread wide in the age old invitation from a woman to a man. At the sight of her, open and willing, Maximus groaned aloud and in the blink of an eye was on her, inside her. Athenais cried out and tensed at his sudden invasion and he bit his lower lip till it bled to restrain himself from moving until she was ready. Sweat bathed his powerful body and he moaned in relief as he felt her relax and the hands that had grabbed his upper arms in a death grip, loosened and moved down his back, cupping his backside, caressing it and spurring him to move.

"Love me, Maximus," she repeated again, her face a mask of passion, and he began to do just that.

He thrust hard and deep, raising and falling over her as she arched her back and pressed more against him with each stroke, their moves perfectly attuned by need and lust and hunger. Together they climbed higher and higher, forgetting their pain, their grief, their loneliness in the pleasure their bodies shared and when the end came, it was achingly beautiful, sweet and strong.

Maximus collapsed over Athenais and tried to roll away so as not to crush her, but she locked her legs around his waist, forbidding him to go. He was too tired to protest, and relaxed against her, as her hands caressed his back with the same, soothing strokes he had used earlier with her. Maximus remained on top of her until his member softened and slipped out of her, and Athenais’ grip loosened as her eyes closed in slumber. He rolled on his side, pulled her unresisting body closer to his own, then joined her in sleep.

Summary:

Summary: The time has come for Maximus to carry out a dying man’s last request – but will he have to sacrifice his personal happiness again for the sake of his duty?

When Athenais woke up, she found herself alone and victim of a terrible headache. She looked around her, at the quiet of the room and for a moment she thought she just had a long dream, a nightmare turned into beautiful fantasy. But then she lightened the lamp and noticed the head imprint on the pillow next to hers, the clothes scattered on the floor. It had not been a dream. Publius had really died and Maximus had really made love to her, as the slight soreness between her legs confirmed.

But where was he? Athenais wondered, stretching her neck to see if he was in the bathroom. He was not. Why was he not here with her? Was he regretting what they had done? She did not remember everything had happened the evening before, but she knew how she had pleaded and begged Maximus to make love to her. She had arrived to the point of caressing him intimately, arousing him- a man who, she suspected, had not had a woman since his wife had died and perhaps long before that. Probably he had not been able to resist her advances, his body too needy for his mind to control it, and it made her feel as if she had somehow abused him. Most men would probably be happy to be ‘abused’ in such a way, but Maximus was not most men. Athenais had always known he was different and she could not bear the thought of having forced him to betray his wife’s memory. Tears of shame and grief welled up in her eyes, transforming that brief, beautiful moment of pleasure and relief she had experienced in his arms, into something ugly and sordid, which had to be forgotten as soon as possible. But first she had to apologize to Maximus and hope he would forgive her.

Tired and unwilling to face again a world where her son was dead and where she might have just offended beyond repair the man she loved, Athenais stood up and went to her bathroom. She washed, dressed and combed her hair without the help of her maid, losing herself in those familiar, methodical movements, trying not to think about the pain that threatened to break her heart. In the end, when she was ready, Athenais took a deep breath, left the safe harbour of her room and went to search for Maximus.

She found him in the garden, and she sighed in relief, for a part of her had been fearing he was gone away. He was kneeling near a flower bed, pulling away weeds and dried leaves. He was working with meticulousness and great care and she suspected he too was losing himself in familiar gestures, just as she had done earlier, perhaps to think better, perhaps to keep certain thoughts at bay.

Suddenly Maximus became aware someone was looking at him and turned his head, quickly rising to his feet as he saw it was her.

"Athenais," he greeted her with that deep voice of his, brushing his hands against his tunic to clean them from the dirt. He did not walk closer to her, but remained where he was, staring at her, his fists now clenching and unclenching at his sides.

"He is nervous," she thought, as she stared back at him, musing, despite herself, that he looked even more handsome now that she knew how soft and warm was his skin, how passionate were his kisses.

Finally Maximus broke the silence and asked gently, "Are you well?"

"Yes, I am- as much as I can be." He nodded. "And you?" He seemed surprised by the question. "I am- I am referring to what happening last night." She found the courage to say, "I hope- I hope I did not offend you with my behaviour."

Maximus’ eyes widened in understanding, then he shook his head. "No, you did not… offend me… I-" his voice broke and he lowered his head to look at his sandals.

Athenais took some tentative steps in his direction, her hands twisting the fabric of her dress. "Then - then you think we can forget what happened?"

Maximus’ head whipped up. "Is it what you wish?"

She nodded. "Yes. I don’t want this… mistake to cause a strain between us. You- you are my friend and I don’t want to lose you."

Maximus covered the few feet still between them, and stopped in front of her, looking deeply into her tear-filled eyes. "Don’t cry, Sweetheart, you will never lose me. I will be here for you for as long as you need me." Maximus forced a smile that gradually grew in warmth as he saw her reply to it. Then he opened his arms in invitation.

Athenais lost no time in accepting it, and pressed her body against his, hugging him.

"I love you," she thought, as she breathed in his manly scent and felt his arms wrap around her. "I love you, and I will need you for the rest of my life."

§§§§§

Later that day, Maximus left the villa for another walk in town. He wanted to familiarize himself with Rome’s layout in case the moment arrived for him to lead his army down its streets. But, as he moved along roads and squares, he knew that was not the only reason that had pushed him to go out. He had needed to leave the villa and Athenais’ nearness for a while, to ponder what had happened the night before and earlier that morning.

Maximus was feeling ashamed by his actions. By how he had taken advantage of a pain-stricken woman and by how he had let her take all the blame for what had happened. He should have told her it was not her fault, but his, for it was clear that she had not been in her right mind, while he... he had liked every minute of their joining and woken up in the morning with a mighty arousal, burning with the desire to claim her again. It had been fortunate Athenais had continued to sleep while he slipped away from her bed and her room, sparing him even more embarrassment and shame than he was already feeling. Maximus could not forgive himself for having been weak and letting his lust overcome him, but he knew it was not too late to apologize to Athenais and thus hope to assuage his guilt. She had made clear she wanted to forget their ‘mistake’ and he would respect her desire, for he cared for her and did not want to risk ruining their friendship. But even after all his reasoning and his decision to comply with her wishes, Maximus could not help but remember how good it had been to be inside Athenais. How good it had been to share pleasure with her and listen to her cry out his name in fulfilment.

And how painful it had been to hear her call that beautiful experience ‘a mistake’.

Maximus was still mulling over the matter when he saw a familiar figure proceeding alone amongst the throng that crowded the roads near the Colosseum.

"Quintus!" He thought surprised, "What is he doing here without an escort?"

A sudden idea crossed his mind: what if he was able to show Marcus Aurelius’ act to his former second in command? Perhaps Quintus would side with him if he knew why he had refused Commodus’ hand that night in Germania, and that would be useful to avoid future bloodshed? It was a daring, even crazy, plan but worth a try. In truth he had toyed with the idea since the moment he had heard Lucilla speak about the malcontent between the Praetorians, and this was the right occasion to put in practice.

"But what if Quintus refuses?" an inner voice said, as Maximus pulled forward the hood of his cape to better cover his face and he proceeded in pursuit. There was no hint of hesitation to give an answer to that question. Maximus knew what would happen if Quintus refused: he would do what he needed to do. The destiny of Rome was too important.

It was not easy to keep up with the Praetorian, although his black uniform and plumed helmet were very recognizable, for he had an advantage over Maximus. The people moved away from his path, out of fear and respect, while his pursuer had to push and elbow his way. However Maximus did not let him escape and few minutes later both men entered the Trajan’s Thermae, the big public baths built over the ruins of the infamous Golden House of Nero.

§§§§§

Quintus Aemilius Laetus, the Prefect of the Praetorium, made his entry into the thermae with the idea of taking a long bath and spending some time away from the imperial palace and its dark lord. The more time passed, the more Quintus wondered how Marcus Aurelius could have generated such an immoral offspring, and how was possible a man so wise could have allowed that being to succeed him on the throne. Why had he ended the long honoured tradition of adopting his heir, choosing him from the most worthy men of the empire?

"But perhaps he wanted to do it, but his son killed him before he could do it…" said a voice inside him, and he silenced it at once. Quintus was a follower of the Stoic philosophy, which predicated the acceptance of events that could not be changed and absolute obedience to the emperor’s orders. Those precepts had been easy to follow when Marcus Aurelius was on the throne, but now Commodus had the power, Quintus found it more and more difficult to do his job without rebelling. Since the day he had proclaimed himself Caesar, Commodus had done nothing but kill, waste money and destroy everything his father had done, and the Prefect did not know when and if he would stop.

Sighing, Quintus entered in a cubicle and began to disrobe. As he was doing so a thought crossed his mind, "Thanks the gods, I have no family…at least I will be only one to suffer when I lose Commodus’ favour." The Praetorian frowned as he folded his clothes. From where had that idea come? Then he understood. "Maximus," he thought with pain. Not for the first time his former general and friend’s image returned to torture him. Quintus tried to push away the memory of that last night in Germania and for the umpteenth time he wondered if he had done the right thing obeying Commodus and condemning Maximus to death, or if he had committed a terrible mistake. He had sworn to serve Rome, but Rome was not the emperor, as recited the tattoo on his arm, the tattoo that till a short time before he had always showed with pride. But now…Quintus cursed under his breath and pushed away those thoughts with anger: it was useless to cry over spilt milk, and he had gone to the baths to relax, not to torture himself with ‘ifs’, ‘buts’ and ‘maybes’.

He took a linen towel, put it on his left arm and moved to leave the cubicle, but as soon as he put out his head, a large hand imposed on his chest and roughly pushed him back.

Quintus saw red with rage. "Hey! What are you doing?" he shouted, "Who are you?" The hooded man in front of him stood silent, his face barely visible in the half-darkness of the little room.

"Do you know who I am?" the Praetorian thundered, but again he got no answer.

‘So be it,’ Quintus thought, ‘you asked for it.’ With a rapid move the reached out to grab the gladius he had left on a stool, but he was not able to complete the gesture: a shifting in the air, an iron grip on his wrist, a violent push and Quintus found himself pressed against the wall, a dagger grazing the skin of his throat.

"I would not do it, Quintus," hissed the stranger.

The Prefect’s eyes widened. He knew that voice well, it still echoed in his memories and nightmares. But the man it belonged to had died – hadn’t he? He had never seen his body and the men sent to execute him had never returned, officially killed in a barbarian raid. Was it possible-?

Quintus swallowed hard and whispered hesitantly, "Maximus?"

The hand gripping the dagger did not move, while his aggressor used the other to push down his hood and Quintus found himself face to face with his general.

Maximus’ gaze was hard, cold as that of an avenging spirit and Quintus believed his moment had arrived. He did not even think about asking for mercy or begging for pardon, not after he had learned what had been done to the general’s family. Thus he pronounced a brief prayer to the gods, threw his head back, baring his throat, then waited for the slice that would end his life… but when the blade finally moved, he felt no pain.

"Look at me, Quintus," ordered Maximus.

Quintus obeyed and fixed his eyes on his general. Maximus had loosened the grip on his neck and the arm with the dagger was now stretched along his side.

The two men stared at each other for a while, each studying the other, then Quintus asked, "What are you doing here, Maximus?" ‘You are not here to kill me, so what do you want?’ his tone seemed to say.

Never leaving the Praetorian’s gaze, Maximus searched under his tunic and took out two pieces of papyrus. "Read them," he commanded.

Quintus looked at him surprised, but did not argue. The light was scarce inside the cubicle, but enough for his eyes to run quickly over the letter and the document Maximus has given him. There was no doubt for him they were authentic; he knew Marcus Aurelius’ calligraphy and seals very well. And he knew Maximus was too honest ever to fake something like that.

"My gods," he murmured desperate, feeling the blood leave his face, "what have I done?"

"What you thought was your duty," replied Maximus, taking the pieces of papyrus and putting them away with great care.

Quintus looked at him utterly shocked. Was it possible that Maximus could put away all the pain he had caused him by simply attributing his actions to duty?

"What will you do now that you know?" The Praetorian stared at his former commander, confused. "I am going to carry out Marcus Aurelius’ wishes and avenge my family. What will you do? Will you help me or try to stop me?"

Quintus snapped to attention. "I will help you."

"And your oath to the emperor?"

"I promised to serve Rome," said the prefect with pride, touching the SPQR on his shoulder. "I have already made one mistake; I won’t commit another."

Maximus stared at him in silence for a long while, then his lips widened in a smile. "Thank you my friend," he murmured, grabbing his hand.

Quintus smiled back, but a part of him was not yet able to believe his general could forgive him so easily. Thus he again tried to apologize, "Maximus, I am sorry… I did not know…"

"Quintus, stop it, please. I know you were obeying your orders… and I was carrying out mine."

"You knew, then? You already knew Marcus Aurelius had chosen you."

"Yes, he told me the morning of the day he died. Commodus killed him before he could make the news public."

"Yes…" commented Quintus, now completely convinced of the youth’s guilt. "What do you plan to do?"

"I am going to make this act known to the Senate, then I will seize power," replied Maximus with the decision.

"The Felix Legion is camped in Ostia… If you like I can help you to sneak out of the city without anyone knowing it."

Maximus nodded. "Thank you. On the Kalends of July I will meet one of the senators. If everything goes as predicted, the plan will be put in motion within a few days."

"All right. I will try to meet you that night. Where can I find you?"

"I am living in Antonia Athenais’ villa on the Esquiline Hill."

Quintus nodded. "I know where it is. The Augusta Lucilla visited her few days ago and should return- Hey, one moment! Does she also know about Marcus Aurelius’ wishes?"

"She does."

Quintus laughed briefly and seeing Maximus look at him with confusion, he explained. "Commodus wants me to escort Lucilla when she returns to visit her friend on the Kalends on July. This morning I told the Augusta and she was not pleased at all by my presence. Now I understand why."

Maximus smiled too, then turned serious once more. "Now it’s better I go. I don’t want to be recognized."

"Right." Quintus watched his general cover his head with the hood then, before the other turned to leave, he tapped his chest with his right fist and exclaimed, "Strength and honour."

"Strength and honour," was the prompt reply before Maximus disappeared from the cubicle.

Once he was gone, Quintus practically fell onto the stool, staring into empty space for several minutes. Then he let out a long sigh. "Immortal gods, thank you for listening to my prayers," he thought, before going to the pools with a satisfied smile: for the first time in years the future no longer looked so dark.

The day dawned sunny and very hot causing Maximus and Athenais to spend it cloistered inside the relatively cool house, as time seemed to move more slowly than usual.

In the past few days, things had returned to normal between the pair, the ‘incident’ apparently forgotten. After the emotional breakdown of that first day, Athenais’ grief had been deep but composed. Maximus had tried to be near her when she needed to talk, and to let her be by herself when she needed to stay alone. She asked him to participate with her in the brief, but poignant ceremony during which she had moved Publius’ figurine from the central area of her shrine, to the background, transforming him from a person needing protection, to another ancestor or god to pray to get protection and advice. Then they had prayed together, asking together their beloved’s blessing. Athenais had found comfort in the awareness Maximus really understood what she was going through and his words of support came straight from his heart, but it pained her to not be able to tell him what she truly felt for him. He continued to call her ‘friend’ or ‘sweetheart’, but she longed to hear him call her ‘love’…

Finally, as sun began its slow descent beyond the hills, Lucilla entered the villa, officially to spend some time with her father’s freedwoman and reassure herself about her friend’s health. The Augusta entered the library followed only by Quintus, who had told the rest of her escort to spend the time at a nearby tavern.

Maximus and Athenais went to receive their guests, offering them something to drink and exchanging small talk as they waited for Gracchus’ arrival.

They did not have to wait long for less than half an hour later, the Senator joined the little group. He was a white-haired, white-bearded man with a distinguished look. He frowned when he entered the triclinium and his eyes paused on Quintus.

"Everything is fine," Lucilla hurried to reassure him, then took him by the elbow and led him in front of Maximus. "Let me introduce to you General Maximus Decimus Meridius."

The man’s eyes widened in surprise: he had never met the General, but had heard many tales about his victorious campaigns against the barbarians in the North.

"General."

"Senator Gracchus." The two men bowed their heads in salute.

"Forgive me, General, but I thought you were dead."

"I should have been."

There was a moment of uneasy silence, as the various occupants of the room seemed to appraise the others, finally broken by Maximus’ decisive tone.

"Senator, we need your help to summon an extraordinary Senate meeting."

Gracchus’ eyebrows arched. "May I know why?"

Maximus replied by handing him the act with which Marcus Aurelius had nominated him Protector of Rome.

The senator read the document, first quickly, then with more attention, then raised his eyes to meet the general’s. "Are you going to keep faith with this act?"

"Yes." Was the curt response.

Gracchus turned to look at Lucilla and Quintus and read a similar determination on their faces. "What’s your plan?"

"The Senate must know about this document… Do you think the other senators will side with us?"

Gracchus nodded. "Most of them will do." He smiled bitterly, "Many of us are already dead-men if Commodus continues to reign. As for the others," and he looked pointedly to Athenais, whom he knew had been Falco’s lover, "I know their names and will avoid telling them too much about the meeting I will summon for… What do you think about the day of the Nones? Is it agreeable for you?"

Lucilla, Maximus and Quintus exchanged a glance, before the general turned to face Gracchus. "Yes, it is better to act soon, before Commodus might suspect something."

"All right. I will do so. And you, General, what will you do in the meantime?"

"I will go to Ostia to try to fetch my army."

"What?!" snapped the old politician, "Why do you need the army?"

"To keep order in the city, and to keep Commodus from fleeing." Maximus answered calmly.

"That’s true," interjected Quintus, "we need the Felix Legion for I don’t know how many of my men will obey my orders and how many will instead remain faithful to Caesar."

Gracchus stared hard into Maximus’ blue eyes, wondering uselessly if the man in front of him was but another potential tyrant, but then pushed the thought away. Marcus Aurelius had trusted him; his daughter trusted him- he had no other choice but trust him too. "So be it. Everything is settled."

The tension lowered in the library now that everything had been decided and the time of acting approached. Athenais then broke the amicable silence, "How will the mob react? They love Commodus."

"But they love to have their bellies full more," replied Lucilla, "We have already begun to spread the news that Commodus is selling what remains of Rome’s grain reserves to pay for this second round of games. Today, at the Colosseum, he was greeted by some cries of protest. When Maximus is in power, we will make some donation of grain to the populace and everything will be quiet."

Gracchus nodded, lost in thought. "Yes, certainly. However everything will be easier if some kind of tie existed between the General and Marcus Aurelius."

"Is that document not enough?" asked Quintus.

The senator smiled, "Most of the mob cannot read, Prefect, nor they are able to recognize the imperial seals. I am sure that, had he lived long enough, Marcus Aurelius would adopt the General, thus making him his son and legitimate heir."

Maximus looked at him surprised, "Do you really think so?"

"Yes; any smart politician would do so, and the late Caesar was very smart."

"But Commodus killed him before he had a chance to do it…" Lucilla commented coldly.

"Well," began Gracchus, "Truth to tell, there is a way…"

All the others turned to look at him, and one of them, Athenais, shivered in dread, for she understood where the senator was going. Moreover, she was surprised Lucilla, who was such clever politician had not surmised it by herself.

"If the Augusta Lucilla and the General marry, that would legalize his rise to power in the mob’s eyes."

"What?" Maximus whispered in shock.

"A marriage between the two of you will show unequivocally that she approves your actions."

Maximus shook his head. Gracchus’ reasoning was clear even for a novice like him. It was practical and easy to accomplish. But despite everything he could not accept it: he had sworn to realize Marcus Aurelius’ last wishes, but this was too much! How could he betray his wife by marrying another woman? He knew it would be only a political manoeuvre, but nevertheless… "Definitely not!" a voice shouted inside him. "Don’t lie to yourself, General! You would marry Lucilla without much problem if it was a mere political thing. You would not like it, but you would do it for Rome…But the truth is another. You are in love and you cannot bear to be married to another woman, whatever the nature of your joining is." Maximus sucked in his breath, shocked by that sudden, incredible revelation. He loved Athenais. It was more than lust, more than simple friendship. It was the same kind of overwhelming feeling he had experienced only with Selene. The kind of feeling he had thought he would never feel again and instead… His eyes moved to stare at Athenais. She was standing in a corner of the room and looked very sad. Why? Was she afraid he would marry Lucilla and leave her alone with her pain? "You must not be afraid, my love, I will never leave you," he thought, fighting the desire to cross the room, sweep her into his arms and somehow push her sorrow away.

"General?"

"Maximus?"

"Are you all right?"

Three voices intruded on his reverie and Maximus realized with a start that he had been lost in thought for quite a while. He blinked his eyes and found the others were all looking at him, some with worry, some with expectation. Maximus cleared his throat, "Forgive me, I was thinking about the marriage suggestion."

"And?" asked Senator Gracchus, as both Lucilla and Athenais held their breath, although hoping for different responses.

"And my answer is no. I would not do it. Marcus Aurelius’ act and the Senate’s support will have to be enough."

"I see." Gracchus’ did not look very pleased, but accepted his decision without discussing. He had seen how determined the general looked, and he knew nothing he could say would make him change his mind. He sighed, before adding, "I think it is time we call an end to this meeting. Night has already fallen and it is better the Augusta returns to the Palace before her paranoid brother suspects something."

"Yes," said Lucilla, gesturing to Quintus, "It is time to go."

The Prefect nodded and without much more words, the guests left the library, accompanied by Athenais, while Maximus remained behind, still trying to cope with what he had just learnt about himself.

§§§§§

Athenais returned to the library after seeing her guests out. She looked for Maximus, but he was no longer there.

Where is he gone? she wondered. She wanted to talk with him and try to convince him about the wisdom of marrying Lucilla, as much as the idea of seeing him wed with another woman pained her. A part of Athenais had rejoiced when Maximus had refused Gracchus’ suggestion so emphatically, but she knew as well as the others that he was throwing away a great chance for support and for his own good, and the good of Rome, she felt compelled to try again.

Led by impulse, Athenais walked straight to the garden – his favourite part of her villa – and found him walking back and forth, obviously lost in thought. She watched him for a while, then called softly, "Maximus?"

He stopped his pacing and turned his head to look at her, "Yes?"

She walked to him and asked, "Do you think it was wise to refuse to marry Lucilla? It is the wisest political move you could make at this point. You- you threw away a great advantage." Athenais fell silent, afraid to have been too bold, telling such great man he had been wrong.

But Maximus was not angry. He rubbed his beard, from his jaw to his neck and said, "I know." He sighed, "I know you are right. But still I can’t do it."

"Why?" she enquired, before she could stop herself, curious about the tone he had used.

"Because I believe love has to be the reason that pushes a man and a woman to marry. I know that here in Rome and in the empire in general love often counts for nothing in the choice of a partner, but is not so for me. I have grown up with the example of my parents always in front of me. They married out of love, so much that my grandfather disinherited my father and they had to start their married life in a little rented room, living only with my mother’s small dowry until he was able to find a way to make money. They led a hard life for many years, but never regretted their decision."

Maximus smiled at the memory, "I know many would laugh at me and call me naïve, but I could never marry a woman without loving her." His smile was so sweet it made him look like a little boy and Athenais’ heart beat a faster at the sight of it. But, for a reason she could not understand, she felt compelled to insist. "You loved Lucilla once… perhaps, with time, that feeling could return…"

Maximus shook his head. "No, our affair ended a long time ago. A lifetime ago, you might even say, and it cannot be rekindled… for my heart belongs to another woman."

Athenais looked at her feet, once again feeling guilty for having forced her attention and needs on him. "I understand," she finally said raising her head, but the love she felt for him, her desire to see him happy for she thought he had already suffered enough, made her add, "Don’t you think your wife would wish to see you find happiness again?"

Maximus stared straight at her eyes, "I am sure Selene would wish so. And in fact I was not referring to her when I said I am in love with another woman."

"Oh." Athenais swallowed hard, mortified to have intruded his private affairs, for having dared to presume too much. "Forgive me. I should have thought twice before speaking." She took a deep breath. "Now I wish you good night; it has been a long day and I am tired." It was a lie, but Athenais wanted to leave as soon as she could. She turned to go, but his voice stopped her.

"Athenais, wait!"

She heard him walk till he was right behind her, and she could almost sense the warmth emanating from his body.

"Don’t you want to know the name of the woman who healed and then stole my heart?" Maximus’ tone was husky and she shivered upon hearing it. "You are shaking," he added, "Are you cold?" And his breath tickled her neck. He was so close…

"No…"

"Then why are you trembling?"

"I-I…"

Maximus’ hands rested on her shoulders and she almost jumped at the feel of his broad palms. He gently turned her around. "What are you afraid of? Me?"

She shook her head.

"You must not fear me. I would never hurt you. I love you, you know?" Maximus was staring intently at her, thus he saw how her eyes widened in disbelief and hope.

"What- what did you say?"

"That I love you. I realized it this evening, when Gracchus told me to marry Lucilla and I understood that I could not…"

"Just like it was for me with Senator Gaius…" Maximus tilted his head, curious. "He asked me to go into the garden with him. I knew he did not want to talk with me- and I could not bear to think about a man that was not you touching and kissing me...," Athenais blushed, "It was then I became aware I loved you."

It was Maximus’ turn to be stunned, before his face widened in the most beautiful, joyous smile she had ever seen. The smile she had always longed to see- and it was all for her.

"Oh Maximus!" Athenais exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck, letting go of all her control and restraint, crying and laughing with joy. Maximus hugged her back and swirled her around, his booming laugh echoing in the still night, both of them forgetting the dangers lying ahead and basking in their new found happiness.

When he finally put her down, Maximus did it slowly, making her slide along his body. Athenais felt his hardness poke at her belly and it made her shiver with desire. It had never been like this with Falco, and it was completely different from what she had felt a few days before with Maximus. That evening Athenais had acted on pure instinct, driven by the basic unconscious need to couple, to produce another child and somehow fill the void Publius’ death had left in her. Now instead she was in full control of her emotions and she wanted Maximus to satisfy an equally powerful but totally different need. Athenais shivered again.

"Are you cold?" he asked.

"Yes… warm me, Maximus… Make love to me," she whispered into his ear, before kissing the spot on his neck just behind the jaw.

"Yes…" Maximus groaned in response, bending down and scooping her into his arms. They negotiated the trip to her room with some difficulty for, all caught in kissing and caressing, Maximus almost stumbled into a low pot he had not seen. That caused them to look at each other, burst into laughter, and continue to her bedroom, paying more attention to where they were going.

Once inside the chamber, they returned to their previous activities without wasting a single instant. But as desirous as they were, they both decided to take it slowly, to calmly savour the moment. Their hands were gentle as they undressed each other, caressing and exploring the flesh they had just exposed, loving it with their hands and lips.

Athenais was amazed by how soft the skin of Maximus’ chest was. It seemed almost odd it could be so delicate, stretched as it was over hard, well-developed muscles that spoke of his strength and the warrior Maximus was. Then she stopped her caresses and raised her head to look at Maximus, expecting him to take the lead. He did and, starting from her forehead, he kissed and licked every inch of her skin, reserving more attention to all those spots that made her sigh in pleasure or hold her breath in expectation. What would he do next? For several, sublime minutes Maximus’ hot tongue trailed a path of fire down her body, to her toes and back, as his hands caressed the spots where his mouth was not, causing a trembling to begin deep in her body. She needed him inside her. Now.

"Maximus," she moaned, and he raised his head to look at her from his kneeling position, his eyes shining in the scarce light.

"Yes?"

"Let’s lie down…" She looked longingly at the bed.

Maximus smiled softly and shook his head, "Not yet, my love…" He stood up, took her by the hand and, to her utter confusion, led her to the wall, making her lean her back against it. He then knelt down, beginning again his slow, delicious torture. But this time, after kissing her belly, he did not move down her legs as before, but pointed straight to the nest of curls at the apex of her thighs. At the feel of his breath on her moist, most private parts, Athenais startled and her hands flew to cover herself. "What- what are you doing?" she stammered, her eyes wide.

"I am going to love you." Maximus answered, trying to pry her hands away.

"With- with your mouth?"

"Yes… don’t you like it?"

She blushed furiously. "Men do not put their mouths there… It is not right…It is not good…"

Maximus’ eyebrow arched in surprise, then understanding dawned in his eyes. "Who told you so? Falco?" he asked, his hands softly caressing her buttocks then running down and doing the same to the back of her knees, trying to relax her.

Athenais nodded quickly, still flaming red. "Once I- I asked him to use his mouth…as he wanted me to do on him…but he refused. He said it is not right for men to put their mouths there."

"Well, I am not Falco," Maximus winked at her and Athenais suddenly smiled.

"No, you certainly are not him." She relaxed and he used that moment to remove her hands.

She tensed again and he asked, "Do you trust me?"

Athenais looked deeply into his eye, saw the sincerity in them. "Of course I trust you."

"Then let me love you as you deserve to be loved." A quick nod and his lips were again on her, first kissing her belly, then lower and lower, while purposeful hands caressed the inside of her thighs

He stopped for a moment to softly blow over her curls, damp with the increasing proof of her desire. And when Athenais softly moaned and arched her back against the wall, he grabbed one of her calves, lifted her leg and hooked it over his shoulder and used a callused fingertip to delineate the length of the slick, sensitive folds of her flesh making her moan louder. With a secretive smile of pure male satisfaction, Maximus replaced the touch of his finger with that of his tongue...

Soon the room was filled only by her moans and little whimpers as Maximus’ tongue slid across her centre and teased slow circles around her bud. Her hips rocked against his face, her pleasure quickly increasing as his lips joined his tongue, gently sucking at her. Athenais’ eyes had remained tightly shut all during the sweet torture but at the startling sensation of being taken into his mouth, they snapped open- only to find herself directly looking into the full length polished mirror set on the opposite wall. And the sight that greeted her brought extra heat to her already aroused being: Maximus’ naked, powerful body kneeling between her spread thighs, his tanned skin a vivid contrast against the pale, female leg draped over his shoulder.

Athenais grabbed Maximus’ head and pressed it to her needy core. "Please," she begged, and he obliged her, his hot, wide tongue sliding a last time against her swollen bud, sending her over the edge. She cried out aloud, delicious waves of pleasure coursing along her body. Her legs shook and her knees gave out, but Maximus was quick to take her in his arms and gently sit her on the low bed, hugging her and whispering sweet nonsense in her ears until she regained her breath and calmed down. Then he tilted her head and kissed her with urgency, his tongue thrusting deeply into her mouth, and she got a taste of herself.

"Athenais," Maximus groaned against her neck, his engorged manhood throbbing with desire and need.

"I am here, my love," she replied, and slid over the mattress, to come to sit on the very edge of the bed, spreading her legs, and stretching her hands behind her back for leverage. "Come, Maximus… fill me."

Enflamed by her hoarse voice, Maximus rose to his knees, grabbed her waist, and then, rolling his hips up, he took her. They moaned together, heads thrown back, backs arched, at the feel of each other. Athenais’ muscles clamped around his hard length as he began to move, first slowly, then faster and harder into her, as her hips rocked to meet his every thrust. On and on they went, his erection caressing every pleasure point inside her as his rhythm increased, her inner muscles tightening around him with insistence. In the end they could resist the pull of their bodies no longer, and they came. First Athenais, crying out aloud, as her orgasm crashed in overwhelming waves, then Maximus, roaring with passion as his entire body shuddered and his seed erupted into her welcoming sheath.

Athenais’ arms gave out, and she fell back on the bed, exhausted, as Maximus’ upper body collapsed over her, his arms around her torso, their bodies still intimately joined. They remained in that position until their heartbeats slowed down, then Maximus crawled on the bed to lie beside her.

"Are you all right?" he murmured, raising on his elbow, pushing a lock of her sweaty hair behind her ear.

"Yes…" Athenais whispered, turning to look at his face, raising a still trembling hand to caress his bearded cheek. "I never thought it could be so beautiful…"

Maximus smiled, and capturing her hand, he took it to his mouth, where he kissed each of her fingers. Then he wrapped an arm around her back and helped her to slide up the bed, until they could rest their heads on the soft pillows.

The night was very warm, the air still, and Maximus and Athenais fell asleep atop the bedcovers, happy and sated in each other’s arms.

The horse ran swiftly on the paved road enlightened by the moonlight, his rider’s cloak waving in the stilly air.

Maximus had no problems leaving Rome, helped as promised by Quintus, who had made sure the Porta Ostiensis would remain without guards for ten minutes. The two men had met earlier what morning at the baths, where the Praetorian had assured his former commander that Gracchus had been able to organize the Senate meeting for the Nones. Now it was time for Maximus to collect his army.

As he ran toward Ostia, the Spaniard tried to think only of what he had to do, but more than once Athenais’ image intruded into his mind. The past few days had been Elysium on Earth. He and Athenais had loved, talked with each other and made many plans for a future together. Maximus had felt a sense of belonging he had thought lost forever but, as happy as he was, he knew he had first to kill Commodus to make possible for those plans to become reality. As long as the murderer of his family lived, he would not be able to leave his past completely behind and really start the new life that stretched in front of him like the road he was covering. He was determined to not fail, the stakes was too high.

Lost as he was in his musings, Maximus was almost surprised when he saw the first buildings of Ostia appear along the road. He reined in the horse and began to look around for the landmarks Quintus had mentioned in his directions to find the Felix Legion camp.

§§§§§

The young man stopped under the tree and let himself fall on the grass, resting his back against the trunk and crossing his arms over his chest. He let out a long sigh: he was dog tired, and yet he was not able to sleep. His gaze rested on the orderly rows of tents and barracks that surrounded him: the camp seemed asleep, but Cicero knew it was only apparent calm. All he would have to do was enter one of the barracks to feel the tension existing between the soldiers, a tension that, he feared, would soon explode in some kind revolt.

Cicero whistled aloud and soon Ares arrived to lick his scarred face. The young man caressed the wolf and sighed again: since General Maximus had been dragged away and executed, his life, and those of the other soldiers had changed, and not for good. The commander succeeding Maximus had been an incompetent, the son of a senator who had never put a foot outside Italy, who had not be able to deal with legionaries hardened by many battles and that had led the legion to its first ever defeat. It had been a good thing the fool had died on the battle field – while he was trying to escape – for the troops would have killed him if he survived. The next commander had been as bad as his predecessor. He had not even tried to win the love and the esteem of the army, or at least their respect, but he limited himself to maintain discipline thanks to the fear of terrible punishments. But Cicero knew it would not last long. Suddenly Ares pricked his ears and sniffed the air, before barking with excitement and running away. Cicero frowned but did not move. "He probably sniffed a fox," he thought and returned to his musings. However, when he decided to return to his quarters and make another attempt to sleep, he was surprised that Ares did not answer to his whistle.

Where is he? Cicero cursed under his breath and went to search for the dog. Since they were not in a war zone but in safe Italy, the camp was not surrounded by the usual high fence, and a small forest bordered it. The soldier had taken just few steps when he saw something that made him stop at once: Ares, all intent, licking a crouching man’s face, and whimpering as if he were a little puppy. It was an extraordinary sight: Ares had been trained to fight and he did not trust easily; the only people he had ever licked with such transport were himself and his master, General Maximus.

In that precise moment the wolf sniffed his presence and turned to look in his direction, an action imitated by the stranger. As the man’s face became visible, Cicero barely suffocated the shout of amazement and joy that threatened to escape him. "General" he exclaimed, running to his former master.

"Cicero, my friend!" They embraced with warmth.

"I thought you were dead!"

"Close." Maximus then told his manservant what had happened to him.

Cicero listened in horrified silence, then asked, "Are you come to summon us?"

"Yes- if you want to come. I cannot force anyone to follow me."

"There will be no need, General. You just have to give the order and we will follow you to Hades and back."

Maximus smiled, touched by that show of loyalty. "Is Valerius still here?"

"Luckily, yes. He had decided to retire when the news spread that Commodus had you executed, but then changed his mind and stayed behind to keep the troops calm, and he is still here. Among other things, he has also saved my life, taking me as his manservant and protecting me."

Maximus nodded: he had always known the sense of duty that animated the infantry commander.

"Can you take me to him?"

"Of course."

§§§§§

Crossing the camp without being noticed proved impossible for Maximus for, despite the fact three years had elapsed since the soldiers had seen their general, his shape was so familiar, he soon found himself surrounded by his men. They all wanted to touch him, to ascertain he was not a vision, and after they did, their enthusiasm rose to the point it was difficult to keep them quiet.

When Maximus finally reached Valerius’ tent, he found the burly officer already up and dressed. The two men exchanged a bear hug, then the infantry commander asked, "We are at your command, General. Just tell us what you want us to do."

Maximus nodded and asked him to summon the other centurions, for he needed to talk with all of them. Valerius did so, and soon his tent was full of hardened soldiers, all of them happy to see their general, all of them ready to follow him anywhere. Maximus explained the circumstances of is disappearance, then read them Marcus Aurelius’ letter, for the official document had been trusted to Senator’s Gracchus’ hands. "I intend to make his last wishes become reality," he concluded, "But I need your help to do so. Will you follow me?"

There was no hesitation among the officers; they knew about the reciprocal esteem and love that had tied Maximus to the late Caesar, and they also wanted to avenge the defeat their legion had suffered because of Commodus and his inept generals.

In few minutes squads were organized to find and isolate the legion’s actual commander and the few men loyal to him. Once they were safely locked into one of the barracks, Maximus summoned his officers again and told them his plan. "Senator Gracchus has called an extraordinary Senate meeting for the day of the Nones, which Commodus will attend. With the exception of Gracchus himself and the Augusta Lucilla, nobody knows the reason of the summons is to give a public reading of Marcus Aurelius’ will. It will be our duty to make sure Commodus does not escape. We also might be forced to keep order in the city."

"And fight against the Praetorians," added Valerius who, as many legionaries, had no sympathy for the imperial body-guards.

"I hope it will not be so," replied Maximus, "Quintus is on our side and assured me most of his men will follow him. Commodus is not loved even by the people that should protect him." He grimaced meaningfully. "Now let’s get our rest, the next few days will be very hard."

The officers nodded, saluted and left the tent. Maximus stayed there with Valerius and Cicero, who told him, "General, please follow me: I will show you where I arranged your bed."

Maximus smiled, saluted Valerius and followed his former manservant to another tent. "My friend," he said, admiring the place, "you are priceless."

Cicero smiled, then took Maximus’ hand, pressed something into his palm, and walked away quickly, feeling that his General would need to stay alone in the moment that would follow.

Maximus watched him walk away, then lowered his eyes to look at his hand. The room started to spin when he saw the small leather pouch, and he hastened to reach the nearest chair before dropping to sit on it. Then, almost with reverence, he opened the pouch and took out Selene and Marcus’ figurines. His eyes filled with tears as he examined and caressed those little faces with his fingertips. "Your deaths will be avenged soon, my loves, and the two of you will be able to live in peace in Elysium."

Maximus kissed both the figurines, then walked to the bed and stretched on it, falling asleep with the little wood pieces pressed against his heart, and his dreams were filled by images of his loves: Marcus, Selene and Athenais - his past and his future.

Rome, 183AD, the Nones of July.

"By the gods!" Commodus’ furious voice echoed in the imperial palace. "I swear this is the last time that haughty old man dares to give orders to me!"

"Calm down, brother," Lucilla tried to soothe him, even if she was more nervous than he.

"Ah no, sister. This time Gracchus surpassed any limit: to summon a Senate meeting so suddenly and then pretend I approve it!"

"It is his right as decanus, Commodus."

"For not much longer. I have decided, Lucilla, it is time to disband the Senate. Falco agrees too. The mob loves me, they will follow me." Commodus smiled cruelly, "It will be interesting to see how those mouldy old men will react to losing all their privileges… No more reserved places at the theatres and the circus, higher taxes- I am sure that for many of them this will be more shocking that losing their office!" The Emperor laughed, and put an arm around his sister’s shoulder, whispering in her ear. "You will see how well we will do, you and I, alone, leading the empire."

Lucilla forced a smile and, as nonchalantly as possible, she freed herself from his arm. "I am sure it will be so, Commodus."

Her brother nodded and changed the subject, "Where is Lucius?"

"He is with Athenais. She took him to Tibur. He wanted to see Hadrian’s villa, while she needs to be cheered up. She just discovered her son is dead." In reality, Athenais and Lucius were hiding on the Albans Hill, in Quintus’ villa, ready to flee in case something was wrong.

"I see." Commodus did not seem to be too pleased by the news, but the Praetorian commander’s arrival attracted his attention.

"Caesar," Quintus saluted him with a bow, "the Senate is ready and waiting for you."

Commodus nodded and marched out the room, anxious to be done with it, never noticing the meaningful glance Lucilla and Quintus exchanged.

§§§§§

Commodus stormed inside the Senate hall, silencing at once the clamour that reigned in there. The senators bowed to him, and Caesar advanced to the centre of the room, where his chair was. Quintus and Lucilla followed him closely.

"So Gracchus," Commodus began, "What is so important to summon an unscheduled meeting?"

No one answered.

"Where are you, Gracchus? Are you hiding?" The Emperor asked with disdain.

Senator Gaius stepped forward. "Caesar, Senator Gracchus has yet to arrive."

"He is late? How does he dare to be late?! Does he think I have time to waste?" Commodus was furious but his outburst was interrupted by a Praetorian’s sudden arrival.

"Caesar!" he exclaimed panting, "an army has broken into the city and is marching this way!"

"WHAT!?" exploded Commodus as chaos erupted into the room.

"Are they barbarians?" asked Gaius. Only three years before such a question would be a complete idiocy, for the Northern frontier was too well guarded to even imagine a barbarian army could arrive as far as Rome, but things had since Commodus’ rise to the power, and nothing was as certain as it used to be.

"No sir, it is one of our legions. The Felix, to be precise."

Cold sweat bathed Commodus’ forehead upon hearing the legion’s name. It was Maximus’ army and he knew those men had never forgiven him for ordering their commander’s execution.

"Quintus!" he squeaked, his voice betraying his fear, while from outside the wind carried the sound on several horses trotting on the paved roads of Rome.

"Caesar?"

"Tell your men to prepare for a possible attack, then ask those soldiers what they want."

The Prefect nodded and ran out of the Senate hall.

"Sister," Commodus said, his hand reaching out, "stay near me."

Lucilla came to his side and took his hand, as her body remained tense, ready to free herself, in case it should be necessary.

Soon the rhythmic clip-clop of the hooves became louder and nearer, until it suddenly ceased. The occupants of the Senate hall looked at each other, exchanging questioning, concerned glances.

It that precise moment Senator Gracchus made his entry. "Caesar, Augusta Lucilla, my illustrious colleagues, please forgive my delay."

"Gracchus!" roared Commodus, "Have you something to do with that army’s presence in town?"

"Indeed I have, Caesar," the old politician replied calmly.

Commodus let go of Lucilla’s hand – and she used that moment to put distance between her and her brother – and approached the other man.

"I hope for your neck you have a good explanation for all of this."

Gracchus nodded, "You have been very clear, Caesar. Now, if I can have some silence, I have something to read."

Commodus made an ironic gesture with his hand, then sat in his chair. Gracchus walked to the centre of the room and said, " Conscript Fathers, I pray you to listen with attention, for what I am going to read are the last wishes of our Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, which just arrived in my hands."

Commodus paled upon hearing his father’s name, but before he could do or say anything, Gracchus began to read. Silence had fallen on the room and his voice sounded loud and clear:

I, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, Caesar and Emperor of Rome, Patres patriae, hereby order with this document that upon my death my place as the guide of the empire will be taken by Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Army of the North and General of the Felix legions.

To him I confer with this act the title of Protector of Rome, which he may hold for as long as he wishes. It will be for him to transform Rome from the empire back to a republic…..

When he finished, Commodus, who had barely kept himself under control till that moment, burst out, "That document is false!"

"No, Caesar," commented Gracchus dryly, "It is authentic. Antonia Athenais, your father’s trusted freedwoman saw him write it with her own eyes and I examined and verified his seals and signature."

"And so? It is authentic, yes, but what do you plan to do with it? General Maximus is dead and you will soon follow his fate." Commodus was seething with rage, "You and everyone who dare to oppose me."

"I would not be so sure, Highness," a deep, rumbling voice called from behind his back.

Commodus whirled on his heels and found himself face to face with General Maximus Decimus Meridius. He tried to speak but shock and fear took away his voice. His lips moved without making any sound as his wide eyes took note of his hated enemy standing in front of him, three years after he had believed him written off for good.

Maximus stared at Commodus without any fear, his eyes filled with all the hate he felt for the man in front of him. But there was no rage inside him, only determination to do what he must. The familiar weight of his armour on his back was reassuring, and all he felt was calm and focused as his hand caressed the hilt of his sword.

After a while, Commodus seemed to regain his control and he shouted, "Guards! Arrest him! He is a traitor!"

No one moved.

"Quintus!" screamed Caesar.

The Prefect walked to Maximus’ side. "Highness?"

Commodus understood what that word really meant and hissed, "Once a traitor, always a traitor, huh? I am amazed the General still trusts you." Quintus did not react.

The young man moved away from Maximus and started to pace back and forth in the room, gesturing with his arms, while the General never let him out of his sight.

"You won’t truly try to take the power, uh? You know nothing about politics. These snakes will turn against you and more, the mob will never accept you. You will see, brother, soon you will have a nice revolt on your hands!" His eyes shone with madness.

"I don’t believe, Caesar, that the populace lovse you so much," interjected Gracchus, "not after being informed about how you are selling what remains of Rome’s grain reserves to pay for your games. Moreover, when the mob hears the Augusta Lucilla supports the general and considers marrying him, they will accept his rise to power without problems."

Commodus paled and turned to face Lucilla. "Sister…please…tell me is not true."

She stared into his eyes, "I am sorry, Commodus, but you forced me to this."

Caesar threw himself on Maximus, but Quintus caught him, "You! If was not enough you replaced me in my father’s heart, you had take my sister away from me too!" Commodus crumbled onto his chair, apparently without any more strength, burdened by a weight too hard to bear. Quintus ordered two of his men to guard him.

Several senators, thinking everything was ended, broke the silence fallen in the room and began to talk among themselves. Others, bolder than the rest, moved closer to Maximus, trying to win the favour of Rome’s new master. Helvius Falco was among the first to move, a greasy smile on his face.

Maximus did not like that confusion: he was not sure Commodus was really subdued and what happened next proved him right.

Quick as lighting he grabbed one of the Praetorians and cut his throat with a stiletto he had kept hidden in one sleeve. Then he jumped on Lucilla, pressing the blade against her neck.

"Let me out of here, or I kill her, I swear it!" he shouted, his eyes wild.

Lucilla looked in terror at Maximus and he stepped forward. "Let her go, she is not the one you want. It’s me. You want to fight with me, don’t you? You want to make me pay for what I did to you. Well, do it: I am here."

With a howl of rage Commodus pushed Lucilla violently away, making her fall at Maximus’ feet. The Spaniard waited till she stood up and walked away, then commanded, "Quintus, give him your sword."

The Prefect was shocked, "Are you sure?"

Maximus nodded: it was how it had to end. As long as Commodus lived there would never be peace for Rome, for Lucilla and Lucius and for himself.

Commodus took the sword and started to circle his opponent; Maximus unsheathed his sword and waited till the younger man attacked and the fight began.

The swords clashed time and time again, emitting spark as the two men moved back and forth up and down the length of the room. The emperor knew that if he wanted to win, he had to push Maximus to commit some kind of mistake. Thus he tried to provoke him to make a hurried move.

"They told me your son squealed like a girl when they nailed him to the cross....And your wife moaned like a whore when they ravaged her again, and again, and again."

Maximus’ eyes filled with tears at the thought of what his family must have suffered, but his military training was stronger than his rage. Commodus grimaced in disappointment and returned to attack with Maximus parrying each blow with ease, until, suddenly he slid on the large blood stain left by the praetorian Commodus had killed earlier. It was just a misstep but Caesar was quicker than him and his sword slashed him at the calf.

Maximus gritted his teeth at the sudden pain and Commodus smiled cruelly, "What is it, Maximus? Are you getting old?"

Maximus did not reply, but returned to attack, doubling his efforts. His leg ached, but the pain only increased his determination. A tempest of blows fell over Commodus and in the end his arms did not react fast enough: the gladius practically cut him in two, killing him at once.

Maximus stared at length at the body lying at his feet, then lowered his sword arm and his head, panting.

It was ended.

An unnatural silence fell on the room, finally broken by Senator Gracchus’ clear voice, "Hail Maximus, Protector of Rome."

Maximus raised his head while all the other senators repeated the salute and bowed in respect.

A cool hand brushed his cheek and his eyes met those of Lucilla, full of tears. But they were tears of joy and relief. Maximus pulled her into his arms and embraced her; probably it was not the most appropriate behaviour for his new position, but he did not care. He had avenged his family. He had avenged Marcus Aurelius. Athenais, Lucilla and Lucius were safe.

All the rest was dust and air.

Maximus Decimus Meridius was in the mausoleum of the Antonini, standing in front of Marcus Aurelius’ tomb. He often went there when he needed to think or resolve some difficult question, but that day was there to communicate with his friend.

"Father," he murmured with emotion, "your dream is about to become reality. If everything goes as predicted, Rome will be again a republic starting from next year." Maximus smiled, imagining Marcus Aurelius’ pleased smile.

As for himself, the Protector of Rome looked forward the end of his office, when he would be finally free to return to look after his estate in Hispania, returned to him along with other land in Italia that the Senate had decided to give him as reward. He would be a very busy man, and he was already making plans.

He heard steps coming from behind his back and his smile widened even more. He knew who it was even before a delicate arm wrapped around his waist.

"So, did you tell him everything is going fine?" Athenais asked, kissing his cheek.

"Yes," he simply said, putting an arm on her shoulders and pulling her closer to him. "What are you doing here?"

"I went to visit Lucius and while returning home I saw your horse and some Praetorians waiting outside here, thus I decided to come and salute you." She smiled.

"Good idea. I love to receive visits… especially from you, my wife." They kissed for several minutes, then Athenais pulled away. "I must go now, little Maximus will be very hungry by the time I arrive at the villa."

Maximus smiled at the thought of his infant son screaming for food, then added, "Yes, it is better you go, or he will cry his lungs out."

Maximus took Athenais by the hand and led her outside the building, but not before they both turned around to stare at Marcus Aurelius’ bust, thanking him for somehow bringing them together. And in the semi-darkness of the place, with the torch flames dancing over the marble features, it seemed like the late emperor smiled back at them.