Growing Up Livia
Written
by: Caina Q.
Fuller
beloved
warrior in Rome. She now
leads
a campaign against the followers
of
Eli with a vengeance by attacking
the
largest temple known to be in
existence
located in Pella. It is this
missions
success which will determine
whether
or not she will be officially
named
Romes Champion
Krikor, high Priest of the temple of Eli, cut
down man after man, wondering how Rome ever became such a powerful empire with such piss
poor soldiers fighting for her. Even though he hadnt touched a weapon in over three
years he was still five times the opponent of these butchers that were attacking the
order.
He made a conscious decision to give it all he
had and began cutting down man after man as he urged the people to make a run for the
safety of the hills where they could scatter. Some
ran in blind fear while others begged him to lay down his sword and follow them. He
refused, even though he knew he was betraying the way of love.
It didnt take long for the Romans to
notice there was a wolf amongst the sheep they were slaughtering. They began to come after him. Each man expected to cut him down easily enough,
but they were surprised to find he was better with a sword than any Elijan had a right to
be. It was because they underestimated him in this way many of them died before their
commander came to face him down.
The woman he was seeing now had dead blue eyes
that he found disturbing. The way she was looking at him, or rather through him, sent
chills down his spine. If only Krikor could
know this woman was the daughter of the finest champion the cult of Eli had ever called
friend
Instead of clumsily charging him, she approached
him with caution, striking almost tentatively at first to test his skill. She was sizing him up. She was adapting to his own
attacks as if she had the mind of a god.
And I thought all you Elijans did was sit
around and talk about Eli while you played with the kiddies and nibbled on fruit.
Her voice was heavy and slick like oil. Her
movements where sure and her reflexes were feline sharp.
She was dangerous, and he knew that if he fell today he would fall at her hand.
That was fine by Krikor, as long as he could take her and as many of her men with him as
possible.
We do more than talk. We do our best to
help the sick and abused. We try to show people that love is the way to peace for
mankind.
Something happened in her eyes. Was it a flash
of sudden emotion, or was it merely an involuntary twitch in the muscles around her lips?
He didnt know what it was, but the mention of love had had a definite effect on her.
She continued to circle him, but this time there was something different
but what?
Im not here for a sermon. Im here to-
I know. Youre here to wipe us off
the face of the Earth. Spare me the rhetoric. Ive heard it all before from your
kind.
You have an awfully bold tongue for a
peace lover, you know that? Livia said, irritation with the mouthy Priest rising
within her chest, hot like acid.
Why drag this out? I have a better
idea
He allowed his voice to trail off as he waited for her to tell him her
name.
Livia.
Livia. Why dont we fight until
we kill each other?
Correction there. Now it was she who
waited for a name.
Krikor.
Krikor.
Why dont we fight until I kill you?
Maybe Im not that easy to
kill.
They clashed swords again, and for the first
time in a long time Livia found in this Elijan Priest what she hadnt found in years
of raiding and fighting: A worthy opponent. They
fought long and hard, and Livia began to wonder if perhaps shed met her better, when
suddenly he stumbled over the body of one of his fellow Elijans and fell.
She was on him like an eagle on a prairie mouse,
but in her eagerness to run him through she threw caution to the wind and didnt see
his foot coming up until it was too late.
She grunted in pain and surprise when he drove
his foot into her gut hard enough to knock the wind out of her. She fell back, and before her head could hit the
ground he was on her, his blade to her throat.
Livia did her level best to save herself but he
was too strong in close quarters. The edge of his sword began to bite into the soft flesh
of her neck. As she looked into his eyes the
only thing she could see was Brigids face. The only thing she could feel was the
guilt and remorse shed tried to hold at bay since shed killed the only one
whod ever meant anything to her in her life.
I may die today Livia, but I will die with
honor, knowing I saved the lives of my family and my people. Ill die knowing I rid
the world of a sick monster. I hope you come
to suffer for all youve done to us!
He pushed down on her throat even harder, trying to kill her, but Senetus came to her
rescue. The pressure lessoned as Senetus
drove his blade into the side of Krikors head, killing him instantly. She quickly gathered what was left of her strength
and stood, blood pouring from a nasty, but not fatal, wound to her neck.
Senetus
call off the attack. Have
the
have the remaining Elijans rounded up. Were taking them back to Rome.
But I thought we were-
Do it!
Senetus stood to attention and Livia leaned
against the nearest pillar, trying to collect herself.
She watched as Senetus called off the attack and ordered the men to harvest the
people to be taken back to Rome. Her eyes
wandered to the heap that had been Krikor, the sting of his blade stabbing at her throat
with a thousand tiny knives of pain. Her own
blood poured down the front of her chest, and it had been that one man whod
done it.
**********
Ghita took hold of five-year-old Dorans
hand and led him through the streets of Pella toward the tavern she was preparing to open.
Shed resented being saddled with the child at first, even though she had been
responsible for his mothers death, but as hed grown and looked up at her with
the purest love shed seen since her own sons had been infants, the resentment
had been replaced by love.
Now Doran gave her a reason to smile and laugh
each day. He filled the void that had taken up residence in her heart the day she realized
her sons were just as ambitions and avaricious as she ever had been, and were incapable of
truly loving anyone but themselves.
Just like she had been.
Doran had been a blessing in disguise for her.
Yes his mother had died in her plans to kill Livia, and that crime was unforgivable, but
now he was her responsibility now. With each
day that passed by she did all she could to make sure he knew he was loved and wanted and
needed. They were happy, and she prayed
diligently to the gods that nothing would ever happen to put their simple, joyful lives to
an end.
Doran had changed Ghita like nothing else in
this world ever could. Hed made her realize that there were more important things in
this life than her greed and ambitions. It was this epiphany of sorts that had led her to
spend hours crying over the pain she caused so many innocent people as shed ruined
their lives to satisfy her lust for power.
Finally they reached the Inn. Construction had
just been completed, and her employees were still stocking the kitchen and linen closets
for the first day of business tomorrow. Because
the next day was the festival of Dionysus, her business would get off to a good start.
Everyone would be in costume, everyone would be drinking, and even more importantly,
everyone would be spending money.
Gramma! Gramma, lookie!
Gramma was the closest Doran had ever tried to
come to calling her Grandma, but she didnt care. She knew he was talking to her. Her eyes followed Dorans tiny pointing hand
and her heart leaped into her throat.
The Roman flag was cresting the hill, coming
into the village. Romans
what was worse,
was a smaller, black flag with two silver serpents intertwined around a sword dripping
venom and blood flapped in the wind beneath Augustus flag. She knew that emblem well.
Livia.
I see honey. Romans.
She picked Doran up and all but ran the rest of
the way into the Inn, reaching the safety of the indoors just as Livia crested the hill. Had she seen Ghita, the older woman would have
been dead.
Ghita locked the doors and rushed up to the only
other person in the room, her friend and hopefully one day, lover.
Peter, she said, setting Doran on
the counter. He took one look into her eyes
and knew something terrible was wrong.
Whats the matter?
Livia is here.
He pulled Doran over the counter and smiled at
the boy, not wanting to alarm him with what he knew about Ghitas worst enemy. Doran, I want you to go out the back door
and over to Aunt Lysandras house, ok?
Doran frowned and looked back to his Grandmother. He was young, but he could sense
something was wrong. But I want to stay
here with Gramma.
I know you do sweetheart, Ghita
said, moving around the counter to kiss him and assure him everything was going to be ok. But Gramma has a lot to do and I need to
concentrate. Be a good boy and go to Auntie, ok? Shes making your costume for the
party tomorrow. Dont you want to look nice and scary?
I guess so, he said, but he
didnt sound very convinced. He went
through the back door, and Ghita watched him until he disappeared into the back door of
her friend Lysandras house across the alley from the Inn. Once she knew he was
safely inside, Peter took her in his arms and tried to comfort her.
Theres no reason Livia ever has to
know youre here.
You know shes after the Elijans. What if she plans to take up residence for a
siege? She could be here for months. I
cant hide in my room all that time. Doran will ask questions and-
Shhh Peter said, laying a finger across her lips
to silence her. She was panicking, and even though shed told him her entire story
with Livia, she knew he couldnt really comprehend the danger involved with just
being around that girl. She had been bad when Ghita had known her, but shed gotten
worse over the years. Rumor had it she once killed a man for looking at her the wrong way.
Go upstairs and wait in your room.
Ill let them know that the Inn doesnt open for business until tomorrow.
Ghita found herself pitying his lack of
understanding concerning Livia or even Roman soldiers for that matter. They will
force themselves in here Peter. They dont care if were open yet or not. But Ill go to my room and pray she
doesnt discover Im here.
Im sure she wont.
Ghita headed for the stairs. She was half way up
when the door began to open. She rushed to
the top, and then peeked around the corner to see who was coming in, but the door
wasnt visible.
Im looking for a room.
Ghitas blood turned to ice in her veins at
the sound of the familiar voice. It was a little heavier and more mature, but it was
basically the same as it had been the last time shed heard it.
Livia.
Im sorry, Peter said. Ghita
could see the counter, but Livia hadnt come that far into the room yet. But we dont open for business until
tomorrow morning.
There was silence, and Ghitas heart began
to pound in her chest as she imagined Livia drawing a dagger plunging it into Peters
chest. Instead there were only footsteps and
Livia finally came into view.
She was older, but Ghita remembered every detail
of the womans face.
Livia stopped in front of Peter and leaned in on
the counter. I dont think you
heard me. I said Im looking for a room
for my officers.
Uh
Poor Peter, Ghita thought. She was just glad she wasnt
speaking to Livia now.
Uh, how many officers to you have?
Only ten with me. The rest of my men will
camp in the fields outside of town.
Livia began looking around, so Ghita eased back
around the corner, not wanting to be spotted.
How many bedrooms does this place
have?
Twenty.
Well take six rooms. That should
leave you plenty of room for the festival tomorrow. Have some food prepared and sent to my
men out in the field.
Yes
Livia audibly sighed, and when she spoke her
voice dripped with sarcasm. She was sick of telling people her name.
Livia. My name is Livia. I should be easy to recognize. Im the only
female to ever serve in the military in Romes history.
Sorry Livia. Ill prepare your rooms
now. Pandara! Come out and take this young womans order please. Do you mind if I ask
how long youll be staying?
I dont know. Well probably be
pulling out the day after tomorrow. Well see.
A young, blond woman emerged from the kitchen
and smiled at Livia. Her smile quickly faded when Livia only returned her warmth with a
cold, icy stare.
Peter came bounding up the stairs and almost ran
her over trying to get to her room. He pulled
her down the hall and didnt speak until the doors were shut.
We should be able to make it. Tomorrow is
the festival. Everyone will be dressing up and hiding their faces in masks, so even if she
sees you, she wont recognize you.
Dont bet on it. Do me a favor.
Anything Ghita.
Have Pandara take Doran away until Livia
and her men are gone. Please.
Ghita, I really dont think
thatll be nec-
Please Peter! Make sure hes safe.
For me? Please?
Peter sighed and nodded. Alright. As soon
as we close down for the night, Ill have Pandara take Doran to Amphipolis for a few
days.
Ok. Thank you Peter.
Peter left the room to prepare for Livias
men, putting her on the opposite side of the hall from her. She just prayed something
didnt happen and she crossed paths with Livia. If she did, she was a dead woman.
**********
Livia left
her men to do what they would while she settled down for the night. The mood of the village was a festive one, though
she was unable to enjoy her surroundings. This was no surprise to her. She was never able
to feel anything anyway, so why bother pretending to have fun.
She thought
of Rome, and what returning there would mean. This victory over the Elijans would surely
mean she would be named champion. After all, shed just destroyed their largest
temple. This was the kind of news that would raise her popularity a couple of notches
among the Roman citizens. Becoming Romes champion was her second to last goal in
life. It would come right before the throne as Romes empress. Would this finally
make her happy?
She could
feel herself drifting into sleep, and just as she was about to sink into blessed oblivion
she heard a familiar voice. A voice that inspired rage within her. She forced herself to
remain calm beneath the heavy, warm blankets of the bed while she listened to the voices
in the hall.
There was a
small boy yelling with glee Gramma, Gramma!
Silence
Then she
heard the voice again, nearly a whisper but close by. She sat up; certain she knew whom
the voice belonged to.
Ghita,
Livia whispered. She jumped out of bed, still fully clothed. The only time she slept naked
was after romping with Augustus or Ares.
Livia went
to the door and pulled it open a notch. Outside was a middle-aged woman hugging a small
boy. The boy looked familiar, and there was no doubt in her mind he was the son of her
former soldier, Cadmus.
Ghita
kissed the boy good-bye, and then whispered that she loved him. Once the child was gone,
Livia eased from her room and stood behind Ghita, waiting for her to turn around and face
her.
The End of Chapter Ten