Coventina

by Jamie Antonia

  “Thank you,” Lucilla and Marcus smiled.

  “Thank you Inquilina,” Layla sighed.

  What’s wrong, Denise asked.

  Oh nothing, just wondering what lies ahead, how to proceed, and I am always wondering about THEIR friends waiting upstairs.

  Don’t stress. I’m going to need you at your best in a little bit.

  Yes Commander, Layla giggled.

  Love it when you’re being a brat.

  Denise returned to her MacBook to find another email, this one again from Judith Raphael.

  Denise. The image of the woman you sent back to us belongs to a native of the United Kingdom. Her family reported her missing along with a cousin that was with her when they disappeared while on a trip to Rome five days ago. Her name is Coventina; her cousin’s name is Anna. The family resides just outside of York in the U.K. They welcome hearing from you or anyone else who may be able to help them find their loved ones. Their contact information is listed below. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance to you. Good luck. – Judith

  Her name is Coventina.

  Okay, Layla said.

  “I’ve just received information on the missing girl in the video,” Denise said. “She disappeared five days ago, as did her cousin Anna while on a visit to Rome. I have contact information on her family. They live outside York in the U.K. Her name is Coventina.”

  Everyone’s face took on a serious expression. Marcus’ eyes seemed to wander for a moment before he spoke. “They are here, and ready to receive us when you are ready.”

  “We’ll be ready in a few minutes,” Denise said.

  “Yes, we must go pack before we meet your friends,” Layla said.

  “And Marcus. Let them know we must take our chariot with us now,” Denise shouted from the bedroom.

  13

  Friends

  They appeared to be standing on air next to the black Mustang until the floor materialized under them in some part of the ‘Ship of Friends’ as Denise labeled it. Layla, perhaps due to her more suspicious nature, did not sign on to the label just yet. There was a low pitched hum, very subtle, which seemed to be emanating from everything around them.

  “Would you say we were just beamed up?” Denise grinned.

  “Well, it was a beam, and we did go up, so yeah, I guess we were,” Layla said, looking very serious.

  “Follow me, please,” Marcus said, offering his hand to Lucilla. They followed him through a series of doors that emitted a short higher pitched hum when they opened to allow them to pass through, and closed behind them. Each room they passed through was brightly lit with a subtle orange hue. The last room Marcus led them to was circular and large, with an array of white seating that ran along most of it recessed a few feet from the walls. Marcus appeared to be receiving instructions by his look and demeanor.

  I would feel much better if we could see what’s happening outside, Layla said.

  Agreed, Denise thought.

  “Please, have a seat,” Marcus said. As soon as they were all seated, a section of the wall opposite from where they were sitting seemed to vanish affording a view outside the ship. They appeared to be traveling over water.

  “Well, if it’s not Lake Michigan we made it to the ocean quickly,” Layla said.

  “Would you care for some refreshments? Our hosts will be with us shortly,” Marcus said.

  “No, thank you,” Denise said. Layla declined as well, but Lucilla accepted the offer with a smile.

  Marcus walked through the door they all came through, returning after a few minutes with two tall glasses filled with a green beverage. “I have to confess,” he said, “I’ve never been able to pronounce what our hosts call this beverage. Quintus called it Dulcis and it stuck.”

  “It is delicious,” Lucilla smiled.

  The same door Marcus came through opened and three beings entered the space. They seemed to float when they moved, appearing fluid and graceful. They were slightly taller than the height of the average human, with thin long faces that wore expressions one could only read as friendly and compassionate, small mouths that stayed closed, larger than but very human looking eyes, with a hint of a nose sporting long thin nostrils. Since they were covered in a type of cloak with hoods one could not tell if they had hair on their heads. Their pale skin color seemed to glow when they moved. They finally came to rest on a section of the seating across from where everyone else was seated.

  Welcome, the three said.

  Denise, Layla and Lucilla took turns greeting them in return.

  I am certain you have many questions.

  Denise could tell who was communicating even though they did not speak. Just a few.

  As do I, Layla said.

  Marcus, would you be so kind as to take Lucilla on a tour of the ship?

  “Of course. Come,” Marcus said, taking Lucilla by the hand. “You are not going to believe some of what you are about to see on this tour.”

  “Really?” Lucilla said cautiously before glancing over Denise and Layla.

  “It’s ok, do not be afraid.”

  She stood up and followed Marcus through the door.

  If you need us just think it, Layla said.

  Wow. That was different indeed. Thank you Layla.

  We were uncertain if you wanted to expose your past dealings with beings from other than your world in their presence.

  Thank you, Denise said.

  Why? Why did you take these men with you so long ago? Layla asked.

  Play nice sweetie, Denise said.

  Always, Layla said.

  Countless beings have been visiting your world since the dawn of your species, the being sitting on the right said.

  You have us at a disadvantage. Do you have names? Denise said.

  Of course. I am Aya, this is Mys and An, the being sitting in the middle said.

  Thank you, Layla said.

  Why? At the time we were disturbed at the ease with which your species destroys life, even it’s own, and not only destroys it but does so in seemingly unimaginable gruesome fashion. These six warriors were taken simply to study. Had we not, they would never have survived the horrors that awaited them.

  It was in part a compassionate decision? Denise asked.

  Yes.

  So, you have brought them back for a short period of time in hopes of finding mates to take back to your world if they so decide? Layla asked.

  The choice is theirs. They may remain here if they choose. The world they would be returning to if they so decide, is not our world but a neighboring planet. The timing of it all is because of Quintus. He was the only one of the six that was in love with someone when they were saved. The woman he was in love with is back, here, now.

  And in the hands of some of the lowest forms of our species no doubt. Layla said. Can you help us locate Coventina?

  With your help I believe we can and will, Mys said.

  You are aware of how we are different from other members of our species? Denise asked.

  Yes. You have nothing to fear from us, Aya said, looking directly at Layla when she did.

  Thank you for that, Layla said.

  How were you able to find us at all, in hopes of helping you? Denise said.

  Let me guess on this one, our friends on the Tyrine? Layla asked.

  Very good Layla. Yes, but only by accident. We were lead to each of you in our search. In a way, your reputation for much good preceded our contacting you, Aya said.

  Theirs was a magnificent presence and one that is greatly missed by both of us, Denise said.

  We have arrived at your destination, An said.

  How can we contact you if we need to? Layla said.

  As you are now. As you contacted your friends on the Tyrine. We will be at your disposal if needed but I must forewarn you. We shall harm no form of life if our aid is needed. Aya said.

  That is understandable, and welcome actually, Denise smiled.

  The door opened and Marcus walked in with La
yla. “Here, you simply MUST try this,” she said, handing Denise and Layla each a glass of Dulcis.

  “It’s quite delicious,” Denise said.

  “Yummy,” Layla grinned. “What do you call this beverage?”

  Kanai, but we have come to like Dulcis, Mys said, his face appearing to brighten when he answered.

  They all prepared to leave and headed to where the Mustang was. Where are you from? Denise asked.

  I shall show you the next time you visit. If you were to travel far past the home of your friends on the Tyrine, that is where our home is, Aya said.

  Thank you.

  Thank you, and good luck.

  Good luck, yes, I have a feeling we are going to need much of that, Denise smiled.

  14

  Eboracum

  Flying slowly over Bishopthorpe Road, the Mustang, in stealth mode, was gently deposited with its four occupants.

  “Think you can handle driving on the wrong side of the road?” Denise grinned.

  “Piece of cake. Did you know that the first long distance automobile driver in the world was a woman?” Layla said.

  “I did not know that.”

  “Yep. Bertha Benz. You can guess where it led with that last name.”

  “I like my Mustang,” Denise laughed.

  “Me too.”

  Layla took the Mustang out of stealth and headed up Bishopgate Road to a rendezvous with Quintus and the others by the wall their legion started so long ago. Marcus stared out the window marveling at how much everything had changed since he was last there. At times the road would bring them right next to the incredibly impressive wall.

  “Marcus.”

  “Yes Denise.”

  “How did you do it? How did you build such incredible things in between fighting battles?”

  “That wall was not built by Rome, it is not Roman construction,” Marcus said.

  “Most of these walls were built after Roman rule,” Lucilla said. “There are small sections, and base construction of several towers that are Roman construction. The towers were built nearly one hundred years after Marcus and his companions disappeared.”

  “Thank you Lucilla,” Denise smiled. “Are you comfortable back there?”

  “Quite.”

  “We were always kept busy when not fighting battles. We worked with pride and the knowledge that what we built would help us survive, help improve our lives and the lives of those who allied themselves with us,” Marcus said.

  “Is that a parking spot?” Layla asked.

  “Yes, I think it is,” Denise said. You know we can park just about anywhere and hide her.

  “Come on, I see them up there,” Layla said.

  She parked the car and they walked up to where Quintus and the others were waiting.

  Darkness was falling on the city when Denise spoke. “Quintus,” she said, handing copies of the images of Coventina to him.

  “Inquilina, you have found her?” Quintus said.

  “Well, no actually, Marcus did.”

  “Marcus, how?” he said, smiling as he spoke.

  Denise motioned to Marcus to allow her to explain. “Marcus saw her on a television, in a news report. Quintus, she has been kidnapped, abducted, along with her cousin Anna while on or en route to a vacation in Rome.”

  “Ki, kidnapped? By whom? For a what reason?”

  “Quintus, in this day and age, very low forms of human life, perhaps the lowest criminals of all, kidnap or trick women into sexual slavery. It is believed that Coventina and Anna were abducted in Rome by this type of criminal.”

  Quintus fell back against the wall they were standing by. “Inquilina, I.”

  “There is a ray of hope Quintus. We know where her family lives. Layla and I will visit them tomorrow morning to gather as much information that we can to help us find her. The other ray of hope you have is Layla and myself, for we are not your average human beings.”

  “May I accompany you in the morning, to meet with her family?”

  What do you think? Denise asked.

  He is crushed; I sense it, so of course, Layla said.

  “Of course,” Denise said.

  “Well, we can’t very well stay out here all night can we?” Layla said.

  “No, that is why I have already taken the liberty to rent us rooms at the Hilton just across the river,” Denise said. “Before we head over there I have something for all of you.” She handed each of the six legionnaires an envelope full of one hundred dollar bills. The envelope she handed Lucilla was larger and held much more cash. “When we get to Italy, you are going to need a ride, so make arrangements for one large enough for yourself and the others. If our vehicle were large enough it would not be necessary. In addition, Layla and I are going to be very busy.”

  “Thank you Denise,” Layla smiled.

  “Well, I hope it is as easy to hail a taxi here as it is in Chicago,” Denise said.

  They headed down the hill where they only had to wait a few minutes before a taxi stopped to pick them up. Lucilla accompanied the legionnaires, Layla and Denise following in the Mustang.

  “So, what sort of sleeping arrangement do we have tonight?” Layla asked.

  “A family room for the legionnaires, a single room for us, and a single room for Lucilla and Marcus.”

  “Really? You are sure she will approve?”

  “She already has,” Denise smiled.

  “What is this that Inquilina gave to each of us?” Venutius asked.

  “It is the current form of currency that you will use to buy things, as you did with coins,” Lucilla said. She noticed the driver glancing at her in the rear view mirror and wondered if he spoke Latin.

  “Will we be able to tour the city tomorrow?” Petilius asked.

  “That is my plan, to return to the site of the original fortress built by Roman legions so long ago,” she said, putting her finger over her mouth and moved her head from side to side signaling for them to not speak about who they actually were.”

  “I anxiously await a new day then,” Petilius smiled.

  The taxi pulled up in front of the hotel with the Mustang behind them. Layla waited in the car until Denise found out about parking. The others followed her inside.

  The hotel was a magnificent modern space inside a building whose exterior had a medieval flair. Lucilla accompanied Quintus and the others to their room and helped them settle in before heading to her room with Marcus.

  “Well honey, this is going to be one hell of a strange trip,” Layla said, walking back to the hotel after parking the Mustang.

  “Yeah. I don’t know where to begin,” Denise said.

  “Tomorrow may change all of that.”

  “We shall see.”

  15

  Heworth

  Denise gazed out the hotel restaurant window at Cliffords Tower, the remnants of a fortress complex from the Middle Ages that had been repeatedly sacked by invaders and sighed before speaking. “I often imagine where humanity would be as a species had it chosen a different path eons ago?”

  “A path other than?” Layla asked before taking another sip of her coffee.

  “Greed. I think greed has been the cause of most of humanity’s crimes and atrocities over the ages. Oh sure, humans have found other reasons to hate and kill each other, but greed I believe is the root cause of most of it. Imagine how different things would be had we not evolved placing such great value on something like a metal, gold for instance? Imagine if, from the beginning, we worked for each other rather than trying to conquer or destroy one another?”

  “Quintus, did members of your legion ever question why you were sent off to war, to conquer and occupy other countries?” Layla asked.

  “Often. After years of war, I simply could not hate those who fought us any more. After meeting and falling in love with Coventina I planned on retiring from the legion.”

  “And what would you say was the root cause of Rome’s constant expansion and seemingly endless wars to acquir
e more?” Denise asked.

  “I believe it is the reason you have put forth. When we were at the height of our glory, the world was a monstrous place of constant danger. Rome brought order to many places it needed to forcibly conquer. Had we not expanded our empire, we would have come under constant attack from many different peoples.”

  “Better to fight them on their turf hey?” Layla said.

  “Yes, that is one way of looking at it.”

  “But did warring and conquering so many different people actually make them hate you more?” Denise asked.

  “Undoubtedly some did, but many welcomed the order of Rome, the way their lives improved when we arrived, that is when we were not killing each other a least.”

  Their breakfast was delivered, French toast for Denise and Layla and a full English breakfast for Quintus.

  “So, what do you think of coffee?” Denise smiled.

  “It seems a perfect beverage with which to start the day,” Quintus said.

  Throughout breakfast, they answered questions asked of each other. By the time they were ready to leave, Layla had quite a different opinion of Quintus, one that she welcomed. He was a man who experienced the absolute worst humanity was capable of sinking to, yet he was a loving being who divorced himself from it all in exchange for love and hopefully peace.

  “Well, we should get started,” Denise said, summoning the waitress for the bill.

  “Yes, I have a funny feeling that after today we are not going to be in the U.K. very long,” Layla said.

  They paid the bill, left a hefty tip, made it out to the Mustang and headed for Heworth where Coventina’s family lived. It was a gorgeous morning that promised to remain sunny throughout the day.

  Layla piloted the Mustang around and through much of York heading to their destination.

  “Inquilina.”

  “Please Quintus, call me Denise.”

  “Denise.”

  “Yes?”

  “When you mentioned the two of you as a ray of hope, as being other than average human beings, what did you mean? Are you from another world as well?”

  “No, but it was beings from another world who brought out that which we had in us.”

  “What were they like?”

  “They were very human, and obviously not human. They were what I wished humans had evolved into actually.”

  “How did you come to meet them? Were you taken?”

  “They approached us for help because they knew what powers we had within that would manifest themselves and they could help us to control.”