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Chapter Fifteen: Escape

You found yourself standing nervously in the room, watching Germania stare at you with fear for the first time in his life. You had never seen such a strange emotion upon his face and yet you were just as afraid and unwilling to separate from him. But if he remained waiting for you then he would be caught and there was so much to think about. If you left Rome then who knew what could happen to the child, could you get enough food let alone warmth and safety? What about if there was some danger during the birth and by the gods… what if you died and Germania was left alone with the child?

“Go… Run…” You stated, only to feel dread falling upon you at the thought of being separated from him forever. He also seemed hesitant at your words but when you looked to your swollen belly he gave a blink of his brilliant eyes. In a flash he turned to leap away to safety when Marcellus appeared. Instead of racing after Germania he grasped you instead and pulled you away. Automatically you lashed out at him with your fists and yet his grip around your chest tightened. You even dared to bite him arm, causing him to roar and Germania to rush back to help you. But more guards rushed to Marcellus and you howled for him to run.

“Stay alive _____.” They were the last words you heard from him as you continued to struggle against Marcellus and watched Germania leave. Your heart felt like it was splitting down the middle and that any minute you could just collapse into tears, but you would be in serious trouble now. Instead you decided to fight against Marcellus and make screeches as if you want to lunge out and attack Germania for what he had done. It did not matter as his escape was easy and the guards were instead fussing over Rome, all except Marcellus who growled in your ear.

“Shouldn’t you be more concerned with your husband’s health then revenge?” The tone was surprising and his manner even more so as he released you. Whether it had worked to trick him, which in truth you doubted greatly, Marcellus gave you the opportunity to fling yourself toward Rome’s prone body and practically throw his helpers away from him as you pulled him up against your swollen belly and whispered soothingly for him to wake up and be safe.

The other guards milled around foolishly, unsure what to do and instead looking to each other for instructions. You looked down at Rome with pain visible in your face and your interest in him completely fake. You could not love Rome, there was no way you could care for him now when he was so obviously eager to hurt your friend. You started wishing in your head that there was no chance at all that this child could be Rome’s and your frustration began to show as you hit at Rome with your closed fists in what the guards could only assume to be grief.

Then there was a sudden gasp of air from Rome and for a moment you could only imagine wringing his neck! At the sound of the breath you kissed Rome’s cheek and the other men rushed to his side to pull him up and help him to the healers. You watched them drag him off, listening to the wheeze of agony as he was led away but you knew Marcellus was nearby and this time no one would save you from his wrath! The moment he grasped your shoulder and pulled you right up to face him, you wanted to bleat about the safety of the baby but could not. Instead he forced you to face him and you felt your body tremble at the aggression on his face.

“Rome expected that Germania would attack him… though I have to admit I was surprised that what I’d come to learn about your bodyguard was true. Now you’re to come with me, we’re going to go to one of the islands where Rome has a villa set aside for you in case of dangers here. No questions asked and no disobedience… it’s the safest place for you to be.” You lifted your hand toward him, ready to give him a lecture but there was a fierceness in his eyes that was similar to Germania’s and yet not so primal. Instead he encouraged you to follow him and ignored any complaint about needing certain objects for the baby or how dangerous a time it was for you to travel.

As much as you wanted to complain and disobey his orders, you had the feeling that the fear you were starting to gain over the baby would become threat. Marcellus may have been hired as an additional bodyguard, but in hindsight you realised that his words were right and that Rome must have suspected something or expected this kind of action. By you remaining with Rome you were putting yourself and the child at just as much risk, Rome had thought of this and obviously decided you had to go and hide somewhere that Germania had never been no would he be able to go. In some ways you were almost surprised that Rome could dare to be so thoughtful of the future and actually give a damn about your safety, but in hindsight the conversations about the future of your child rang clear in your mind.

In the event that Germania had tried to kidnap you, Rome’s only thoughts had been regarding the ability to keep the child.

Before you knew it, Marcellus had guided you out of the place you called home and about the stable yards in search of whatever had been prepared. Without asking questions you were soon sitting in an old cart with a mule to pull it and a thick itchy cloth wrapped around your form to cover you. Marcellus insisted that it was the only way to ensure Germania did not see you, yet he had all the necessary paperwork to stop the city legion from asking questions or getting in the way. You sat perched on the edge of the rickety seat beside Marcellus with a visible grimace; every so often the vehicle would bump and you would grasp at him for reassurance.

Once out of the city limits the busy roads and bustling crowds disappeared to reveal beautiful winding tracks though the gorgeous countryside. You found yourself oddly calm as the wild birds sang and the mule plodded on its lazy course; for a while you wondered if you’d ever known this free atmosphere before, almost forgetting your childhood home and that freedom you were starting to miss severely. But every now and again on the road you spotted the wooden stockades of a camped garrison and were reminded of the dangerous outside the city limits.

After three hours being jolted about on the cart with a now numb seat, Marcellus slowed up to look for water. Once he found a suitable shimmering creek he let the mule snort and bray in frustration over its food before he came to your side. Automatically you grasped his shoulders as he hoisted you out of the seat and let you splash your feet in the refreshing fluid. As always you had to be careful not to shock yourself into an early birth, but in the warm sunshine the chaos of before seemed to have gone and your heart was at ease. The light was fading though and you were startled by Marcellus’ eagerness to have this rest.

“You’ve got your thoughts over what happened Marcellus, might as well share them with now – I’ll be honest with you.” A sensation of confidence resurfaced as you stared down the square figure for an answer. In your heart you knew he’d suspected something and at least if you knew how he saw it, there could be a way to twist his assumptions and counter any attack he might lash out at you. However, you did not expect the answer or the sullen expression upon Marcellus’ face as he spoke.

“I knew he loved you.” The words from this man’s mouth hit you straight in the heart and you lowered your head in shame. It was a safe reaction and although you knew Germania did love you, having another person confirm it just made it all so much more real. But as he continued your surprise only grew as you realised just how much danger Germania could have put yourself and the baby in. “Rome hired me because he knew I would be able to talk to Germania and find out his plans. His loyalty towards you was evident and as time went by I thought Rome’s suspicions were caused only by the ferocious tenacity of the barbarian’s loyalty, especially shown by his people. I grew to admire it myself but as I befriended him I could see the subtle way he looked at you as if you were his. The way he would watch you like a predator but leap swiftly to your defence was unusual and inspired jealousy even in me. I could see he loved you but I had to test it. I had to know if he could love someone else as eagerly… but the answer was that you alone owned him. I do not know if you even love him as much, only that you do care about him.”

The love of one man for another was not uncommon or really as frowned upon as Marcellus seemed to feel, but you pitied him because you knew how awkward it would have been for him. Had he fallen for any other slave then no one would have cared, but a German that was so defiant against Rome and practically a convict… he would he been in disgrace for loving the enemy! You sighed gently as he pulled the mule out of the creek and back to the cart before turning to you with a gentle expression on his face as h offered a hand to you. But quite by surprise you found yourself blurting out a secret of your own to him although you hated yourself straightaway afterwards.

“I wish this was his baby!”

Marcellus’ eyes widened and his jaw dropped in surprise. Your own face practically mimicked his as you clapped your hands about your mouth. You looked at his shocked in horror, fearing a verbal assault that could lead to something worse when Rome caught up with you! Yet in truth you were very unsure who your child’s father was and would not know until it was born, even then it would only be subtle features that would tell you the truth.

“So he was telling the truth about duty before love… and here the whole Republic thought you were the doting wife when you’ve been little more then a slave to his needs yourself. I though Germania was just speaking out of jealousy.” Marcellus stated slowly with a voice that was practically a whisper and very gentile. For some reason it was an unsettling way for him to speak and you were almost afraid that there was malice in it, or perhaps some jealous delight that you could not have Germania so easily either. “It’s a good thing I told him the island we were going to. He knows you’ll be safe there to have the baby at least.”

You paled at the idea of Marcellus being such a traitor to Rome but hastily checked yourself on that matter. If anyone here was the traitor then it was you for never loving Rome the way he had tried to love you. But you did not respond to his words and instead followed him back to the cart and onward. Somehow all your security had crumbled away and more then ever you felt unsafe and frightened that Marcellus might be the one tempted to kill you.

Description
Chapter Fifteen: Escape

You found yourself standing nervously in the room, watching Germania stare at you with fear for the first time in his life. You had never seen such a strange emotion upon his face and yet you were just as afraid and unwilling to separate from him. But if he remained waiting for you then he would be caught and there was so much to think about. If you left Rome then who knew what could happen to the child, could you get enough food let alone warmth and safety? What about if there was some danger during the birth and by the gods… what if you died and Germania was left alone with the child?

“Go… Run…” You stated, only to feel dread falling upon you at the thought of being separated from him forever. He also seemed hesitant at your words but when you looked to your swollen belly he gave a blink of his brilliant eyes. In a flash he turned to leap away to safety when Marcellus appeared. Instead of racing after Germania he grasped you instead and pulled you away. Automatically you lashed out at him with your fists and yet his grip around your chest tightened. You even dared to bite him arm, causing him to roar and Germania to rush back to help you. But more guards rushed to Marcellus and you howled for him to run.

“Stay alive _____.” They were the last words you heard from him as you continued to struggle against Marcellus and watched Germania leave. Your heart felt like it was splitting down the middle and that any minute you could just collapse into tears, but you would be in serious trouble now. Instead you decided to fight against Marcellus and make screeches as if you want to lunge out and attack Germania for what he had done. It did not matter as his escape was easy and the guards were instead fussing over Rome, all except Marcellus who growled in your ear.

“Shouldn’t you be more concerned with your husband’s health then revenge?” The tone was surprising and his manner even more so as he released you. Whether it had worked to trick him, which in truth you doubted greatly, Marcellus gave you the opportunity to fling yourself toward Rome’s prone body and practically throw his helpers away from him as you pulled him up against your swollen belly and whispered soothingly for him to wake up and be safe.

The other guards milled around foolishly, unsure what to do and instead looking to each other for instructions. You looked down at Rome with pain visible in your face and your interest in him completely fake. You could not love Rome, there was no way you could care for him now when he was so obviously eager to hurt your friend. You started wishing in your head that there was no chance at all that this child could be Rome’s and your frustration began to show as you hit at Rome with your closed fists in what the guards could only assume to be grief.

Then there was a sudden gasp of air from Rome and for a moment you could only imagine wringing his neck! At the sound of the breath you kissed Rome’s cheek and the other men rushed to his side to pull him up and help him to the healers. You watched them drag him off, listening to the wheeze of agony as he was led away but you knew Marcellus was nearby and this time no one would save you from his wrath! The moment he grasped your shoulder and pulled you right up to face him, you wanted to bleat about the safety of the baby but could not. Instead he forced you to face him and you felt your body tremble at the aggression on his face.

“Rome expected that Germania would attack him… though I have to admit I was surprised that what I’d come to learn about your bodyguard was true. Now you’re to come with me, we’re going to go to one of the islands where Rome has a villa set aside for you in case of dangers here. No questions asked and no disobedience… it’s the safest place for you to be.” You lifted your hand toward him, ready to give him a lecture but there was a fierceness in his eyes that was similar to Germania’s and yet not so primal. Instead he encouraged you to follow him and ignored any complaint about needing certain objects for the baby or how dangerous a time it was for you to travel.

As much as you wanted to complain and disobey his orders, you had the feeling that the fear you were starting to gain over the baby would become threat. Marcellus may have been hired as an additional bodyguard, but in hindsight you realised that his words were right and that Rome must have suspected something or expected this kind of action. By you remaining with Rome you were putting yourself and the child at just as much risk, Rome had thought of this and obviously decided you had to go and hide somewhere that Germania had never been no would he be able to go. In some ways you were almost surprised that Rome could dare to be so thoughtful of the future and actually give a damn about your safety, but in hindsight the conversations about the future of your child rang clear in your mind.

In the event that Germania had tried to kidnap you, Rome’s only thoughts had been regarding the ability to keep the child.

Before you knew it, Marcellus had guided you out of the place you called home and about the stable yards in search of whatever had been prepared. Without asking questions you were soon sitting in an old cart with a mule to pull it and a thick itchy cloth wrapped around your form to cover you. Marcellus insisted that it was the only way to ensure Germania did not see you, yet he had all the necessary paperwork to stop the city legion from asking questions or getting in the way. You sat perched on the edge of the rickety seat beside Marcellus with a visible grimace; every so often the vehicle would bump and you would grasp at him for reassurance.

Once out of the city limits the busy roads and bustling crowds disappeared to reveal beautiful winding tracks though the gorgeous countryside. You found yourself oddly calm as the wild birds sang and the mule plodded on its lazy course; for a while you wondered if you’d ever known this free atmosphere before, almost forgetting your childhood home and that freedom you were starting to miss severely. But every now and again on the road you spotted the wooden stockades of a camped garrison and were reminded of the dangerous outside the city limits.

After three hours being jolted about on the cart with a now numb seat, Marcellus slowed up to look for water. Once he found a suitable shimmering creek he let the mule snort and bray in frustration over its food before he came to your side. Automatically you grasped his shoulders as he hoisted you out of the seat and let you splash your feet in the refreshing fluid. As always you had to be careful not to shock yourself into an early birth, but in the warm sunshine the chaos of before seemed to have gone and your heart was at ease. The light was fading though and you were startled by Marcellus’ eagerness to have this rest.

“You’ve got your thoughts over what happened Marcellus, might as well share them with now – I’ll be honest with you.” A sensation of confidence resurfaced as you stared down the square figure for an answer. In your heart you knew he’d suspected something and at least if you knew how he saw it, there could be a way to twist his assumptions and counter any attack he might lash out at you. However, you did not expect the answer or the sullen expression upon Marcellus’ face as he spoke.

“I knew he loved you.” The words from this man’s mouth hit you straight in the heart and you lowered your head in shame. It was a safe reaction and although you knew Germania did love you, having another person confirm it just made it all so much more real. But as he continued your surprise only grew as you realised just how much danger Germania could have put yourself and the baby in. “Rome hired me because he knew I would be able to talk to Germania and find out his plans. His loyalty towards you was evident and as time went by I thought Rome’s suspicions were caused only by the ferocious tenacity of the barbarian’s loyalty, especially shown by his people. I grew to admire it myself but as I befriended him I could see the subtle way he looked at you as if you were his. The way he would watch you like a predator but leap swiftly to your defence was unusual and inspired jealousy even in me. I could see he loved you but I had to test it. I had to know if he could love someone else as eagerly… but the answer was that you alone owned him. I do not know if you even love him as much, only that you do care about him.”

The love of one man for another was not uncommon or really as frowned upon as Marcellus seemed to feel, but you pitied him because you knew how awkward it would have been for him. Had he fallen for any other slave then no one would have cared, but a German that was so defiant against Rome and practically a convict… he would he been in disgrace for loving the enemy! You sighed gently as he pulled the mule out of the creek and back to the cart before turning to you with a gentle expression on his face as h offered a hand to you. But quite by surprise you found yourself blurting out a secret of your own to him although you hated yourself straightaway afterwards.

“I wish this was his baby!”

Marcellus’ eyes widened and his jaw dropped in surprise. Your own face practically mimicked his as you clapped your hands about your mouth. You looked at his shocked in horror, fearing a verbal assault that could lead to something worse when Rome caught up with you! Yet in truth you were very unsure who your child’s father was and would not know until it was born, even then it would only be subtle features that would tell you the truth.

“So he was telling the truth about duty before love… and here the whole Republic thought you were the doting wife when you’ve been little more then a slave to his needs yourself. I though Germania was just speaking out of jealousy.” Marcellus stated slowly with a voice that was practically a whisper and very gentile. For some reason it was an unsettling way for him to speak and you were almost afraid that there was malice in it, or perhaps some jealous delight that you could not have Germania so easily either. “It’s a good thing I told him the island we were going to. He knows you’ll be safe there to have the baby at least.”

You paled at the idea of Marcellus being such a traitor to Rome but hastily checked yourself on that matter. If anyone here was the traitor then it was you for never loving Rome the way he had tried to love you. But you did not respond to his words and instead followed him back to the cart and onward. Somehow all your security had crumbled away and more then ever you felt unsafe and frightened that Marcellus might be the one tempted to kill you.