Destined for a Deity (Mark of Mars)

by Juliet Anderson

  “That was Jenna’s doing. Apparently water when it has been heated to boiling point is completely pure. Any contaminants lurking in it are killed off with the heat.”

  “And you should listen to her. Arulian physicians are highly advanced.”

  “How did your investigations go this morning?”

  “Very fruitful. We found a partially full bottle of Belladonna and Livius even thought you were dead. He basically convicted himself by talking too much.”

  “Good. One down, several more to go,” Laurentius sighed. “Let us hope not all of them try to kill me off.”

  CHAPTER 6

  The atmosphere around the city was positively electric before the procession. Jenna and Amelia had only just made it to the Baths and back. The area was already crammed and there was still a couple of hours to go. The main streets were all decorated with flags and flowers; rose petals were beings strewn along the procession route.

  “I guess it’s no different to a royal event back home,” Amelia slipped through the crowds as best she could.

  “I suppose the legions are gone so long, when one returns, it is a reason to celebrate.”

  “I thought it was the Fifth who were in Britannia?”

  “They relieved the Fourth. I’m surprised Augustus hasn’t given you a brief history lesson. Don’t you talk much anymore when you meet up?” Jenna teased.

  Amelia poked out her tongue. “At least we’re not hissing at each other like you and the Marshall.”

  “We don’t hiss,” Jenna responded haughtily. “He irritates me and I put him back in his place.”

  “I’d almost feel sorry for the guy if he wasn’t quite so arrogant.”

  “Are you still up for watching the procession with Luke, Hector and Arianna?”

  “Sure. Sadly Augustus will be stuck to Trajan’s side today.”

  “I’ll make sure I give him some grief if I see him at the banquet tonight. Talking of which, can I book you to do my hair?”

  “Yes,” Amelia sighed. She wished she could go, but then she didn’t move in the same circles as Jenna. “I guess it’s just me and the cat again tonight.”

  “I’ll look after Julius the next time you and Captain Courageous want to be together.”

  “You must be up to at least five Julius-sitting sessions by now.” Not that Amelia was counting.

  “Hey, it’s not my fault Augustus can’t get away regularly.”

  “Has Cassandra picked up your dress for tonight?”

  “Yeah, she went back to the Institute this morning. I’ve not yet seen what Sarah has created.”

  “She must love making all these costumes, which are actually being worn in their correct era.”

  “It’s a designer’s dream, being able to pass their creations off as originals.”

  “Is Luke meeting us here?”

  “Yes. He was naturally overjoyed at the thought of escorting us,” Jenna grinned.

  “It’s only you he objects to. I am a model citizen and don’t cause the mayhem you do.”

  “It must be tiresome to be so perfect,” Jenna teased.

  “I manage it with amazing ease.”

  Ares was not liking all the noise out on the streets and was hiding in the back room under a sheet. Jenna eventually managed to coax him out without too much blood being drawn.

  “You are definitely spooked, aren’t you little one,” she stroked the black bundle of fur. He cuddled right into her in response.

  “He’s missing Julius,” Amelia remarked, changing out of her temple robes.

  “Yes, your playmate has been rather busy of late.” Jenna kissed his head before making a comfortable nest for him on her bed.

  “You best get a move on and change, otherwise Luke will only have another reason to complain.”

  “Oh, he’ll find something, don’t you worry.”

  Luke appeared in the temple a short while later. “You girls ready for this mayhem?”

  “You look remarkably calm considering you’re escorting Jenna?” Amelia eyed him suspiciously.

  “I am. I have discovered that the Marshall finds Hector a greater threat than me, so I’m basically in the clear now,” Luke grinned.

  “How did you work that out?” Amelia quizzed.

  “His outburst in the temple the other day when Hector was with us. What was it you called him, Jenna?”

  “I can’t recall,” Jenna turned red. How she got away with it, she’d never know.

  “I’m sure it was something like a dick with an over-inflated ego,” Luke reminded her. “His face was priceless.”

  “Sadly I didn’t stop to look,” Jenna retorted sourly.

  “No, you were stomping out there like a bolshie teen.”

  “I am a bolshie teen still,” Jenna reminded him.

  “Whatever,” Luke beamed. “Now let’s go find my security blanket.”

  Jenna swatted Luke as she headed out the temple. She loved it when all three of them got together, but with their busy schedules, that was happening less and less nowadays.

  “Where are we actually headed?” Amelia asked.

  “Senator Aurelius and his family have their own dais in the Forum Romanum.”

  “Of course,” Amelia raised an eyebrow. “Rome’s leading senator would have their own vantage point built.”

  “It’s not just the Senator,” Luke laughed. “Several others also have a spot, including Senator Laurentius.”

  “I’m not sure he would be fit enough to attend,” Jenna murmured. The guy had only just recovered from a hefty dose of poisoning. Jenna felt awful, she hadn’t considered what Julius would be doing if the Senator could not go. She did not have long to worry over that issue. Laurentius’ dais was next to Aurelius’, and both families were there.

  Portia darted over to see her, she really was becoming a big sister to the young girl. “Where’s Marcus?” her big eyes looked around for him.

  “He is working today, Portia.” Jenna stroked her hair. “We might see him later on his horse.” She glanced over to the two boys. “Have Dextus and Julius been behaving?”

  “Yes. I told them if they stole my doll again, I would show them some of the moves I saw you do in the Trajan market.”

  Jenna laughed. “Boys respond well to threats to their manhood.”

  A few moments later Jenna was swamped by Senator Aurelius and his family. Luckily for Jenna, Brutus was off chasing another woman, so she could relax. Hector was as warm as ever, not the least bit put off by his elder brother’s outburst the other day. For the first time in a very long time, she felt part of a family. Actually she was virtually belonged to two.

  “You got here just in time,” Aurelius kissed her cheek. “The soldiers are about to close all routes around the procession.”

  They did not have to wait too long for the spectacle to commence. Leading the procession was a young soldier, proudly carrying the Eagle standard. Behind him was a bank of centurions on horseback and their legionnaires on foot. The crowd were cheering and throwing flowers into their path. After ten, possibly fifteen, years away, it must be an amazing way to be welcomed back to Rome. Two more columns of centurions and their soldiers followed. Then came General Tiberius. He looked magnificent, riding in a golden chariot, waving to the crowd. He was dressed in black, similar to Marcus, and seemed to ooze the authority of a leading general. When his chariot drew level to their dais, the General’s right hand crossed his chest in salute to Senator Aurelius, who in turn responded with a bow.

  “Something tells me you know the General?” Jenna glanced at Aurelius.

  “Yes, we go way back,” he grinned.

  Jenna could not imagine a young version of Aurelius. Claudia threw a rose which the General caught and raised to his lips. Claudia giggled like a schoolgirl with her first crush. Aurelius just rolled his eyes.

  “Now Tiberius is back, I will have to keep a close eye on my wife before he steals her away,” Aurelius sighed.

  Claudia tapped her husband’
s arm playfully in response.

  The General also seemed to know Laurentius as he saluted him also. A wave of officers followed behind Tiberius and a column of soldiers. Then followed several groups of prisoners. Jenna stared at the first group in surprise before turning to Amelia and Luke. All descended into fits of laughter. It seemed Tiberius and his men were using a little artistic licence in portraying the Britons as savages. As far as she could remember, early Britons did not wear loin cloths made from animal fur or have necklaces made from bones. In fact the only thing missing was a tribal shield and a bone through their nose.

  “What is it that amuses you?” Arianna asked.

  “Between you and me, the Britons do not dress like that. We have spent much time in the country and they dress very similar to your everyday citizens here.”

  “Then why has the General dressed the prisoners in such a way?”

  “It would not be that visually pleasing if the savages of Britannia were dressed like the rest of the crowd. They would look far too tame.”

  Arianna chuckled. “I see your point. General Tiberius is ingenious.”

  Next to pass was General Tiberius’ family and the families of other top military officials. The General’s wife waved at Aurelius and Claudia as she went by, her daughter smiled at Luke. She was beautiful, with glossy light brown hair and a healthy tan to her skin. Jenna leant over and shut Luke’s jaw before he caught any flies.

  “A smile or wave works a lot better than showing her you have no cavities in your teeth,” Jenna teased.

  “Did she actually smile at me?”

  “Sorry, it was the man standing behind you.”

  Luke spun around, there was no-one there. “I hate you,” he scowled at Jenna.

  “You love me really.” She pointed to a grand chariot. “Who is that?” she asked Aurelius.

  “That is the Governor of Britannia, Marcellus; his family are in the chariot behind.”

  Jenna studied the Governor’s children, the daughter was about her age, the son a year or two older. She’d love to get their perspective of what it meant to them to back in Rome. And also about life in Britannia.

  “Will they be at the banquet tonight?”

  “Yes, my dear. You will have some company your own age.”

  Up next were some cages transporting wild animals they had caught in the wastelands of Britannia. Wild boars, wolves and the odd bear.

  “I’m surprised they haven’t added a couple of tigers or hippos too, just for added effect,” Jenna murmured to Luke making him laugh.

  “They’re in a cage further back.”

  Finally, a few more columns of centurions and legionnaires brought up the rear. It astounded Jenna just how large an entire legion was. What they saw was only the soldiers who lived; the Fourth had lost a good third of their numbers in Britannia. The thought actually made her shiver; the ground she regularly walked on back home was littered with the bodies of dead legionnaires several feet beneath.

  “Where does the procession finishes?” Luke asked.

  “By the Imperial Palace,” Hector responded. “Which means we’re going to have fun trying to get home.”

  “The perils of living at such an exclusive address,” Jenna threw him a look.

  “She can be quite obnoxious at times,” Hector looked at Luke for sympathy.

  “Tell me about it,” Luke agreed.

  Jenna headed over to Dextus and Julius. “How did you enjoy it?”

  “Awesome,” Julius beamed. “One day I want to head up a procession like General Tiberius.”

  “But you’ll only be the second greatest swordsman,” Dextus announced. “I will be the greatest.”

  Portia looked at the boys in disdain. “Why do boys always want to fight, Jenna?”

  “Because in the last millennia, boys have not evolved at all. Girls on the other hand have got wiser and know they are the superior being.”

  Portia giggled as both boys snorted in horror.

  Jenna said her goodbyes and headed off with Amelia and Luke back to the temple. In a few hours’ time, she would be at the banquet of the decade.

  Marcus was surveying the group that has assembled outside the Imperial Palace. On the whole, the streets had been fairly trouble free, everyone really was watching the spectacle of the Fourth returning to Rome.

  Most of the legion had disbanded and were going home to their families; the prisoners were being escorted to their makeshift jail. Marcus wondered if it had been painful at all for Jenna watching; the prisoners were after all from her homeland, albeit two millennia apart.

  Heading into the courtyard of the Palace, he was pounced on by Governor Marcellus.

  “Marshall,” he oozed charm. “I am delighted you are still keeping the streets trouble free.”

  “I wish every day was as trouble free as today,” he nodded, trying to slip away to the Emperor. Marcellus was not going to let him go so easily.

  “Do you remember my wife, Flavia, and my daughter, Antonia?”

  “Ladies,” Marcus bowed in their direction. “I hope you enjoy being back in Rome.”

  “Are you going to be at the banquet tonight, Marshall?” Flavia was just as determined as her husband.

  “Of course.”

  “Then you must sit with Antonia.”

  “Etiquette demands that I sit with my betrothed,” he feigned a smile before slipping off.

  Maybe he should just stand on the Palace steps and announced to all the returning nobility that he was not in the market for a wife, he already had someone to fill that space. She just needed persuading to take the job.

  General Tiberius’ wife was on a par with Flavia, and her daughter, Florentina, was thrust under his nose. Once again, he made his excuses. He’d forgotten what it was like to be considered fresh meat.

  “Marcus,” Trajan cornered him. “You are looking particularly flustered.”

  “I forgot what noble wives were like finding husbands for their daughters,” he grunted.

  “Ah, yes. The newcomers do not know of your attachment.”

  “I was thinking about announcing it from the Palace steps.”

  “That would not stop them. Until you actually have the ceremony, they will still fancy their chances. And perhaps even after you are wed.” Trajan slapped him on the back jovially. “I think you will need to make some big gesture tonight with Jenna if you want the wolves to take a step back.”

  “I can’t propose as I’ve already told them we are betrothed.”

  Trajan winced. “You might want to confess that to Jenna. If she tells everyone there is no betrothal in place, they will hound you mercilessly.”

  Marcus hoped Jenna would be in an understanding mood.

  The crowd was starting to dissipate, it was a good time to head home and change for the banquet. Even Augustus was looking a little more relaxed as he shadowed Trajan. This afternoon must have been a complete horror for him, so many people within striking distance.

  CHAPTER 7

  Jenna surveyed the finished result and was quite impressed. The dress was black, made from the finest silk and fitted her like a glove. An elaborate gold chain acted as a belt. Amelia had surpassed herself with the hair. She had not gone for the typical Roman style, instead had stuck to a classic British design, her mass of curls held up with crystal encrusted pins. The result was her hair sparkled every time the candlelight hit it. Her skin had been brushed with a little twenty-first century iridescent powder and she was ready.

  “Why do I feel so nervous,” she clutched Ares to her chest. “I’ve been to the Palace a few times.”

  “Probably something to do with the few hundred other visitors.”

  “I guess so.”

  “And every mother there will be wanting to stick a dagger in your back for snagging the most eligible bachelor in Rome.”

  “I’ve not snagged him,” Jenna retorted.

  “As good as. You know he’d like something more formal.”

  “More physical
, I think you mean. I’m not sure I’m quite ready to join the hussy ranks like you,” she grinned. But she was almost.

  “Ares, bite her,” Amelia instructed.

  “You wouldn’t bite me, would you,” Jenna rubbed her nose against the cat.