Coventina

by Jamie Antonia

  “No one can say for certain. There are no historical documents that explain its fate. My theory is they were wiped out in a horrible ambush by tribes from the North, and the very men who ordered them North to try and crush the enemy covered it up. Political cover ups were not created in the 20th century.”

  “An entire legion, lost in a day,” Marcus sighed.

  “Rome made many enemies in it’s history, and the Britons would not stop fighting until Rome finally decided they were not going to be conquered or become a willful part of the Empire.”

  The Mustang touched down along the Paseo Ciudad de Plasencia in stealth mode, as Denise searched through the selection of numerous hotels. “Damn this is a big city,” she sighed.

  “I bet the food’s good,” Layla laughed.

  “Mmm, but will it be like Mexican food?”

  “I’m sure we can find a good taco or burrito somewhere,” Layla giggled.

  “Turn right at the next light Supergirl.”

  “Yes Commander,” she said, in a robotic monotone.

  “Make it so.”

  35

  Matrice

  Denise let Lucilla know their room reservations were at the Vincci Capitol Hotel. She and Layla took a room on a different floor. She felt she needed some peace and quiet to try reconnecting with Coventina. Their search thus far for Ines Pena brought up nothing.

  Lucilla and company arrived the following morning. The two women who were rescued by Denise and Layla hailed from Spain and were reunited with their families.

  “We’re going to be out most of the day,” Denise said.

  “That’s understandable,” Lucilla smiled.

  “The size of this city and we have very little to go on,” Layla said.

  “They all are so grateful for all you are doing, especially Quintus and Anna.”

  “Thanks,” Denise smiled.

  “What are you going to do with this day?” Layla asked.

  “It’s too marvelous a city to stay in a hotel room, waiting. I’ll be sure to let you know what we are up to.”

  “As shall we,” Denise said.

  Lucilla returned to her room where Marcus was waiting.

  “Well, how about some coffee first,” Layla said.

  “And a good breakfast. It may be a long day.”

  “Okay. Where to first?”

  “A Starbucks.”

  “Really? There be Starbucks here?”

  “Si.”

  “Beautiful day,” Layla said, pulling out of the parking garage the Mustang had been parked in.

  “This one is the closest, and there is street parking,” Denise said, pointing to the Starbucks on Fuencarral.

  “Yeah, that is important. I never realized that so much of Europe is so old there may not be parking where you are going.”

  “Or a street wide enough to drive down,” Denise laughed.

  They left Starbucks, each with two of the largest lattes in hand.

  “Where to now?” Layla asked.

  “It’s going to be hard to find something that resembles an American style breakfast here, unless you want to head over to McDonalds,” Denise said.

  “How about a hotel?”

  “Let’s try that one,” Denise said, pointing to the Westin Palace.

  “Looks awfully expensive,” Layla grinned.

  Denise looked at her in mid latte sip. “Do they have a lotto here?”

  “Come on, I see a parking spot.”

  While Layla was parking the car, Denise received an image of a woman entering a dimly lit room. She appeared to be looking in on someone. Coventina. Are you there?

  Denise.

  Did a woman just look in on you? Is your room dimly lit?

  Yes.

  Is she the one who purchased you?

  No. She is another. That was one of her goons.

  Do you know where you are?

  No. I was out of it for most of the trip.

  You are in Madrid?

  I don’t think so.

  Can you brighten the room?”

  I will try.

  “Uh oh, are we still on for breakfast?” Layla asked, seeing Denise wearing that look she had when receiving messages.

  “Yes. I’m starving.”

  “Here, give me your hand so you don’t get hit by a car crossing the street.”

  Denise.

  Yes, I am here.

  I overheard them mention Bilbao.

  Bilbao. That is a city here in Spain.

  Yes. I know it well. Many artists there and it is very rich.

  That is quite a distance from Madrid.

  We are not in Madrid. Denise, I can smell the ocean.

  Are you sure?

  Yes. My window is open. It has bars but it is open.

  It’s a huge coastline Coventina.

  Just heard, it is only an hour drive.

  To where?

  Bilbao. I am to be cleaned up, presented.

  Coventina. Keep sending me as much information as you can.

  I will Denise.

  Stay strong. Try to stay alert, and conscious, and don’t give them any reason to believe you are communicating somehow with someone.

  I shall.

  After breakfast they returned to the hotel and met with Lucilla.

  “We’re leaving town. I can’t say why or where for now, but I am certain we won’t be back today,” Denise said.

  “You’ve reached her again?” Lucilla asked.

  “Yes. I have no idea how I made the connection. Anna, perhaps, or the bracelet, but whatever the reason, we must take advantage of it immediately.

  “And Quintus?”

  “Tell him we are searching, following potential leads. If we need him and his men we will let you know any number of ways.

  “Not that they need us to let them know when their friends upstairs are undoubtedly monitoring our every move,” Layla said.

  Denise looked at her and grinned. “Come on, we should be going.”

  “Denise.”

  “Yes Lucilla.”

  “Your room?”

  “Feel free to call it yours. It is nice and private,” Denise smiled.

  “Thank you. Please be careful.”

  “Always are,” Layla grinned as they walked out the door.

  36

  Segovia

  When Anna informed Lucilla that there was an extensive collection of Roman sculpture at the Prado Museum, that settled what she would do with everyone for the day.

  “It’s too nice a day to be cooped up inside, so let’s be tourists,” Anna said.

  “Why not?”

  That was before there was a knock at her door. It was Petilius. “Come in please.”

  “Forgive my intrusion,” he said. Marcus was in the shower.

  “Must be important, what is it?”

  “I was wondering, if it is not too huge an inconvenience, if we may take our outing today outside of this city?”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “There is a town, not far from here called Segovia,” he said, reading the name from a piece of paper given to him by Diana.

  “Why Segovia?”

  “There are ruins there that members of my family helped build.”

  “Really? That is amazing.”

  “Apparently one of them, the aqueduct, is not only still standing but still in use.”

  “That might be a nicer way to spend the day than inside a museum. Let me speak with Anna to confirm.”

  “Thank you Lucilla,” he said, before making his exit.

  “Well, it seems Diana and Venutius want to hang around here, or near here. I think they REALLY like each other,” Anna said.

  “Okay. With Lucius not due back until tomorrow, that makes six of us. I will arrange for a car to be brought around,” Lucilla said.

  “I will make sure everyone is getting ready for a short drive and a day outdoors,” Anna said before leaving the room.

  Within the hour, a Toyota Sienna
was delivered from Avis.

  “No swords,” Marcus said as they walked out to the car.

  “And daggers?” Lucilla whispered.

  “We feel naked without a weapon. It’s in our blood,” he laughed in a whisper.

  “If it is that important to you.”

  With Lucilla at the wheel, the four legionnaires and Anna departed for Segovia.

  “It’s a little longer drive. We must get around some mountains.”

  “Is it true they still use these aqueducts?” Anna asked.

  “Yes, and the amazing thing about their construction is they were assembled using stones only, no mortar,” Lucilla said.

  As they cruised through the countryside Quintus spoke, “I wish we could be more help to Denise and Layla.”

  “Me too. Sometimes I feel like a helpless baby,” Anna said.

  “Anna, has Coventina ever been, in love?” Quintus asked.

  “As beautiful as she is, she never has had a hard time finding a date, but no, I don’t think she ever has been in love. She had a very handsome guy, Thomas, madly in love with her but she did not feel that way towards him. Coventina is like a beautiful dream who is dreaming, waiting, for something or someone.”

  “That was a beautiful description,” Odumnus smiled.

  “So, Petilius, tell me about your relatives who worked on this aqueduct,” Lucilla said, trying to lighten the mood.

  “My father’s brother Petronius was an architect, a builder. His sons Lepidus and Tertulus worked with him as apprentices. I can only assume they followed in his footsteps after we left.”

  “So he actually helped design this marvel?”

  “Yes Lucilla.”

  I will follow by U2 came on the radio and Lucilla and Anna could not help singing along to it. “If you walk away, walk away, I walk away, walk away, I will follow, I will follow.”

  “Beautiful lyrics,” Odumnus smiled.

  “Yeah, they’re one of me favorite bands,” Anna giggled.

  “Lucilla. Since we met I have noticed you or your friends singing along to many songs. I find it amazing that you all know so many songs,” Marcus said.

  “It this era with radio and machines to play music on, it is very easy. My older brothers and sisters for instance used to play music by their favorite musicians all the time. One of them was the Beatles. Now, whenever I hear a Beatles song playing I can sing along to it. Music makes it easy to memorize words.”

  Lucilla was able to find parking easily near the aqueduct. “Imagine being able to live across from this magnificent structure,” she sighed while stretching once out of the vehicle.

  “Yes, some people are sure lucky,” Anna smiled.

  “Anna, you live in one of the most famous Roman places ever,” Lucilla giggled.

  “Yes, but practically none of it is as visible or preserved as this is, I mean look at it, it is magnificent.”

  “I agree.”

  The stroll along the aqueduct took hours, eventually leading them to a delightful plaza surrounded by restaurants and cafes.

  “I could use a meal, anyone else?” Lucilla asked.

  “Yes. Being a tourist makes one hungry,” Marcus said.

  Upon a recommendation from a local resident passing by, they stopped at the La Concepcion Restaurant where they dined on a mix of cod, mixed vegetables, pork cheek with apricots and orange savarin.

  “So, which of you is the best cook?” Anna asked of the legionnaires.

  “That would be Lucius. He cooks a mean lamb,” Marcus said.

  “I make the best eggs,” Odumnus said.

  “Who can’t cook an egg?” Marcus laughed.

  They all pointed to Quintus who simply looked up from his plate and laughed. “It’s true. I have a hard time boiling water.”

  After dinner they strolled back the way they had came to where the van was parked.

  “I’d like to head back before it gets too late. If there’s time I’d like you to experience something we call movies in a movie theater,” Lucilla said.

  “Now there’s an idea,” Anna said. Lucilla noticed that Odumnus was holding her hand as they walked.

  The ride back found them laughing and joking about much. Anna had them all singing along to a Beatles song that came on the radio, “She loves you yeah, yeah yeah, She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah, And with a love like that, You know you should be glad.”

  Somewhere outside of Collado Villalba, a silver Nissan Altima flew by them, followed by a black Mercedes that seemed to be in pursuit. The woman at the wheel of the Nissan flashed a look of terror at them as she passed them by.

  “After all we’ve seen on this search, I wonder why they are chasing her?” Marcus asked.

  “Would you like me to try and keep up with them?” Lucilla said.

  “Yes, please do,” Petilius said.

  Lucilla did her best to keep up with them.

  “Were you able to see anyone in the Mercedes with those tinted windows?” Anna said.

  “There are definitely two men in the front seats,” Petilius said.

  “She is obviously terrified,” Lucilla said.

  They heard a loud pop in the distance when the Mercedes got alongside the Nissan. An instant later the Nissan started to spin out of control, coming to an abrupt stop as it skidded along the guardrail on the right side of the road.

  “We must stop,” Marcus said.

  The woman that had been driving the Nissan exited the car and hopped over the guardrail still trying to escape on foot. She wore a white dress, or what was left of it. It was torn and hung off her right shoulder.

  The Toyota glided just past the disabled Nissan and pulled over, allowing room for the doors to open on the right side.

  “They are obviously in possession of firearms,” Anna said.

  “I have an idea,” Lucilla said. She instructed the men to get out of the van with her and follow her lead. She had them keep the sliding side door open. She brought them around to the front of the van, as if inspecting damage or a problem with the vehicle.

  The men in the front seat of the Mercedes did not see them as a threat.

  “Marcus, bend down and shake that tire,” Lucilla said.

  “Shake it?”

  “Yes.”

  The two men that had exited the Mercedes to pursue the woman on foot caught her in short order, as she was barefoot. They had to literally drag her back to the car kicking and screaming.

  “Lucilla, get back in the car and get ready to leave quickly,” Quintus said.

  The woman nearly got away again when one of the men let go of her to get over the guardrail. He held her while the other man stepped over it, and together they pulled her over it, each dragging her by an arm towards the Mercedes.

  The four legionnaires ran towards the Mercedes and in what seemed like an instant, left the two men outside the car who had been dragging the woman lying in bleeding agony. The driver stepped out of the car and fired three quick shots at Marcus and Petilius who were now leading the woman to their van. Lucilla watched in horror only to see the bullets bouncing off them before Quintus and Odumnus dispatched the two men inside the car.

  They all loaded back into the van and Lucilla calmly put on her left merging signal and drove down the highway towards Madrid.

  “Are they alive?” Anna asked.

  “Yes, I think so, at least for now,” Odumnus said.

  “You should have killed them all the dirty rotten pigs,” the woman moaned.

  “Why were they chasing you?” Anna asked.

  “I escaped in that silver car but not soon enough. They caught me.”

  “Escaped?”

  “Yes. I was kidnapped by the pigs, to have sex with more pigs, as some sort of fuck slave.”

  “There seems to be a lot of that going around these days,” Anna said.

  “We are going to have to leave Madrid,” Lucilla said. “Quintus, can you arrange it?”

  “Yes Lucilla.”

  “How did you, I
saw them shoot right at you?” Lucilla asked.

  “Our friends upstairs thought it best if we had shields we can wear, much like Denise and Layla,” he said, pulling a medallion out from under his shirt.

  “I see. Remind me to thank them when next we meet.”

  “That will be in two hours. Is this enough time for us to be ready to leave?” Quintus asked.

  “Perfect,” Lucilla said. She looked in the mirror to see the woman’s head leaning on Petilius’ shoulder, her eyes closed.

  “I wonder what her name is?” Petilius asked.

  “Maria. My name is Maria,” the soft voice at his shoulder said.

  37

  Ocean

  “Hey, they have a Laredo here too,” Denise said.

  “I’ll bet it’s nicer than Texas.”

  Denise’s phone rang. “Inquilina here.”

  “How has your day gone?”

  “Up and down, like shopping in a thrift store. What did you do today?”

  “We went to see an aqueduct.”

  “Really. That must have been nice. Anything else?”

  “We had a nice meal and returned to Madrid.”

  “Returned. Where was this aqueduct?”

  “Segovia, just north of here.”

  “Well, I wish I had more to offer,” Denise said.

  “We picked up a Maria on the way back.”

  “Picked up a Maria?”

  “It’s a long story. We have to leave. We are going upstairs to take advantage of their offer for living arrangements.”

  “I can only imagine why? Are you taking Maria too?”

  “Yes. Petilius has asked that we do. She’s a real pistol.”

  “Petilius. Got it. Keep us posted please and we shall do the same.”

  “Quintus has asked to join you, please.”

  “Well, I’m sure you won’t have a hard time finding us. Sure. How soon?”

  “Within the hour.”

  “We’ll be watching for you.”

  “Thank you,” Lucilla said before hanging up.

  “He might come in handy,” Layla said.

  “He just might.”

  They had been heading east along the coastline, sending out a random pulse that could be felt within a mile, hoping that Coventina, who Denise had a clear connection with, might be able to feel one and it could narrow down where she was being held.

  “What’s she up to?” Layla asked.

  “Bathing at the moment, being cleaned up for whatever they have in store for her tonight.”

  Two of Coventina’s captors were having an argument and slamming doors, so she did not feel the pulse emitted as the Mustang passed within a mile of where she was bathing.

  “If we only knew where she was going,” Layla sighed.