“We?”
“Yes. You and me.”
“Octavia dislikes me, why would she want me there?”
“Because you and I have formed an attachment.”
“I didn’t think you usually attended such functions,” she eyed him a little suspiciously.
“I don’t. But Laurentius is one of my oldest friends so it would be rude to decline.”
“Considering how offensive Octavia was to me, I should decline.”
“Please do not, for me.”
“Is it really important for you that I go?” Jenna sighed.
“Yes. It will also raise your profile amongst the nobles. So they actually get to know you rather than having an image that is gossiped about.”
“Oh very well. But if I hear one snide comment come out of that harpy’s mouth, I’m gone.”
CHAPTER 20
“I’m going to the Circus,” Jenna bounced around the temple. “A real Circus.”
“I hate circuses,” Amelia grunted. “Clowns always used to freak me out.”
“I don’t think they have Bobo the clown here,” Jenna laughed. “Although we could always ask Luke to dress up.”
“I can’t believe Luke is going on another outing with you. He must be mad.”
“He is also friends with Hector. He probably thinks that Hector can take the blame should any disaster befall us.”
“Talking of Hector,” Amelia glanced towards the columns at the front of the temple. “I think your date is here.”
“This is not a date, just an outing with friends.”
“A rather cute friend,” Amelia ran her eyes over him appreciatively. “Perhaps I should join you.”
“You need to Ares sit,” Jenna responded heading out to meet Hector. Amelia was right thought, he did look rather cute. “Hey Hector,” she smiled. “What have you done with Luke?”
“Sadly, Gaius informed me he was needed elsewhere. So it is just the two of us. Will that cause you any trouble?”
“No, that’s fine. I’m looking forward to the spectacle. How far is it to the Circus Grantium?”
“It should not take us long to walk. It is in the Avantinus district.”
“One area of the city I have not yet visited.”
“How has Rome been since your return?”
“Good. I got to sit in the Emperor’s box at the Circus Maximus recently.”
“I’m impressed. Other than the Colosseum, there is no greater honour.”
“Actually the Colosseum is one place I do not want to see,” Jenna shivered.
“How come? I thought you enjoyed fighting.”
“I do not enjoy killing purely for entertainment. To me that is barbaric.”
“Ouch, the fair lady calls our advanced society barbaric.”
Jenna laughed. “Sorry, I hope I did not offend.”
“Do I look like the type that offends easily?”
“Perhaps not,” she smiled. “Have you been travelling much recently?”
“Sadly, yes.”
“It must be quite a lonely occupation, travelling almost every day.” She guessed it must be similar to long distance lorry drivers.
“I enjoy it,” he shrugged. “It keeps me away from my family.”
“Ah yes, the one you don’t get along with.”
“It’s not so much that we don’t get along, it’s just the noise and constant battle to come out on top. I prefer to step away from it all.”
“Being an only child, I longed for a large family.”
“You were lucky,” Hector sighed. “Being a single child, you did not have to fight for your parents’ attention.”
“I think we always want what we don’t have.”
“A quiet family,” Hector smiled.
Before she knew it, they were at the Circus Grantium. It was a circular construction with four rows of tiered seating. She was impressed when Hector showed her to their front row seats. It was true that Roman nobles really did get the best of everything.
“Good seats,” she acknowledged. “Unless a lion is going to be jumping out the arena.”
“I’m armed,” he shrugged, leaving Jenna wondering if indeed wild animals were going to be prowling around.
“What sort of things are we expecting to see?”
“I think they have acrobats and entertainers from all over our Empire.”
They did not have to wait long before the spectacle started. The master of ceremonies introduced each act. The first was acrobats from Egypt, followed by jugglers and fire eaters from Arabia, then dancers from Egypt. Then came the lions and elephants, all quite amazing to watch.
“You do not seem as awestruck as I had hoped. In fact something tells me this sort of act is not unfamiliar.”
“We have something similar in my homeland,” Jenna apologised. “Although not with quite so many wild animals.”
“And there was I hoping to impress you,” Hector sighed.
“You have. Just because it is not totally new to me, does not mean I am unimpressed. This is a very good spectacle.”
“Then I am appeased.”
“Good. I forget how fragile the male ego is.”
He snorted loudly. “The last person to make a slur like that on my character had a personal introduction to my sword.”
“Did I tell you I’m rather fond of swords?” Jenna’s eyes twinkled.
“Did you father have white hair before he died?” Hector grunted.
“No, before you suggest I aged him prematurely.”
They watched some more acrobats from Arabia, who were very good indeed.
“I can tell you liked them,” Hector smiled.
“What makes you think that?”
“When something truly holds your interest, you lean forward on the edge of your seat and stay very still.”
“Do I?”
“Yes. It is quite charming.”
She’d be crap at poker then, Jenna thought. “So where are you headed next?”
“Wherever my father sends me. I don’t often know until I’m called. What about you and your friends? I understand from Luke this visit is only temporary.”
“I’m not sure how long each of us will stay. We’re here to learn about Rome but each of us has different areas which interest us. Luke, as you might have gathered, is interested in business. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if he returned to Laumus or the vineyard.”
“And what is your area?”
“A good question. I thought it was military strategy, especially as I am a huge fan of Trajan’s. But since I’ve been here, I think I would like to concentrate more on the social changes for poor.”
“A very noble choice.”
“Back in our homeland, the state takes care of the poor, providing them with free or affordable housing, payments for food and clothing.”
“You must come from a very generous society.”
“Not really. It has become a very greedy society. People who do not really need it are claiming poor benefit and a lot more besides, just to fund their lifestyle. And often those that genuinely need the support are left by the wayside to go hungry.”
“That is the way of the world, I am afraid. What religion do you support?”
Jenna smiled. “That is one question I will not answer.”
“How come? I care not who you worship.”
“More people have died in the name of religion and will continue to do so for millennia to come than all of the wars put together.”
“But it is only natural for a superior religion to try and instil the correct faith on those of another.”
“Faith is personal, you cannot force people to truly worship a deity they do not believe in. And who is to say which is the superior religion?”
“The Roman deities of course.”
“The more one tries to suppress a religion, the stronger it gets. A bit like a hydra; cut one head off and two more will grow back in its place.”
Hector fell silent for a few momen
ts, digesting her words. He was shocked at how true they rang. This new Christian movement was a perfect example. Pontius Pilate had crucified the man who claimed to be the son of the one true God and instead of that movement fading to nothing, it had amassed an even stronger following.
“I’ve done it again,” Jenna sighed. “I spoke too freely and have upset you.”
“On the contrary, I find your view fascinating.” He really did and wanted to dig deeper. “Do you think Gods should be visible to be worshiped?”
“It depends on one’s faith. There are those that have unwavering faith in their deities, be they single or multiple, and are committed followers. At the other end of the spectrum, there are those who do not believe in a deity in any shape or form; they only believe in what they can logically explain.”
“And which category do you fall in to?”
Jenna smiled. “I’m the one in the middle. I believe in the concept of a deity, although I would like to see actual proof. But I find each time my faith starts to wander towards the non-believer, something will happen to shift my belief back to the good.”
“Proving deities do exist?”
“Not entirely,” she smiled. “Therein lies the problem. Did a deity intervene to adjust my faith or was it just luck and I interpreted it to be the work of a deity?”
“So what proof would you need?”
“How about a large flash of golden light, and Mars is standing in the arena. Perhaps in full battle gear.”
“Why Mars, not Jupiter?”
“Rome is Mars’ city. But then being the sceptic I am, I could put that sighting down to a hallucination.”
“I see where this is going,” Hector laughed. “And why proving a faith is so difficult.”
“Yep, we could go around and around in circles all evening.”
“Well, I’m certainly in no rush to be elsewhere,” he flashed her a mischievous smile.
The last act up had some ferocious tigers which had Jenna perched once again on the edge of her seat. Actually, with the height of the barrier, she was perched to run. It was enthralling and exhilarating at the same time. The two tigers got so close to her, she could almost reach out and touch them. She resisted the temptation.
Evening was starting to fall as they exited the Circus.
“That was amazing, Hector,” she gushed.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Is there anything else you want to do?”
“I should get back to the temple as night will soon be upon us.”
“If that is what you wish, then I will take you back.” He wanted to continue long into the night, but did not want to do anything to make her feel uncomfortable. He had never met such an interesting and open young woman before. She was truly alive. “Do they have ferocious lions and tigers in Arula?”
“Sort of. We have places where you can go and see many different animals in captivity. Although I have been to the jungle and seen them in their natural habitat.”
“You have been to the wild lands of Africa?”
“Yes. Knowing a lion could jump out the bush at you keeps you very alert.”
“I thought I was well travelled, but it appears I have only kept to the confines of the Empire.”
“For true adventure, you need to go further. You’re young, you should experience different cultures, ones that have not been enforced by Rome. The excitement is in not truly knowing what to expect.”
“But these lands are savage.” Hector seemed positively horrified.
“And always be armed,” Jenna added. Her father had insisted on it. “It is so strange how the city changes as night falls,” she commented as they crossed a deserted forum. “It has almost has an air of menace about it.”
“Probably because the number of drunkards goes up.”
“Why is it people think it acceptable to do all manner of drunken deeds under cover of darkness?”
“Perhaps because they think the night hides their identity.”
“Maybe,” she shrugged, jumping up onto the edge of a water trough and balancing on it.
“You should watch your ankle,” he warned lifting her down from the trough. “Unless you want me to carry you back.”
She fixed him with a stern look.
“I’ll take that as a no,” he grimaced. “Have you ridden much since returning to Rome?”
“Sadly no. Women generally do not ride in the city here.”
“Then I have found an excuse for another outing with you. There is a very pretty little town call Matsillis just north of the city. It would make for a delightful morning or afternoon ride, should you wish.”
“Afternoon is generally better for me as most of the temple chores are done by then. Just give a little notice when you want to go.”
They reached Apollo’s temple just before dark. Jenna turned to face him.
“Thank you again for a lovely afternoon, Hector. It was a shame Luke could not be with us, he would have been thoroughly entertained too.”
“It was a pleasure, Jenna.” He looked a little stiff.
Time to take the lead before things get awkward, Jenna thought. She stepped towards him and kissed his cheek. “That is how we say goodbye to friends in Arula.”
She hurried up the stairs and into the temple, leaving Hector staring after her. He touched his cheek, a silly grin on his face. He took a deep breath, inhaling the intoxicating scent of rose she had left behind.
Mercury was in his villa in Olympus when Minerva descended.
“Sister, what can I do for you?”
“I need to speak with you, brother,” she looked a little uncomfortable.
“About what?” he poured two goblets of wine.
“Jenna.”
“What about her?” he tried to conceal his smile as he thought about their outing earlier.
“You need to stay away from her. For your own protection.”
“Why? She does not seem that dangerous for a foreigner.”
“It is Mars you should be concerned about.”
“What has Mars…?” Then it dawned on him. “She is the one he has fallen for?”
“Yes. Hence why you should stay away from her.”
“If he cannot win the maiden, then it is his loss,” Mercury shrugged.
“Brave but foolish words. I had to stop him from killing Apollo recently. I don’t want to have to watch your back too.”
The sound of thunder approaching made them both turn. “Seems like the news has already reached my brother,” Mercury smirked. It served him right too, Mars was way too full of his own self-importance.
A loud roar announced Mars arrival.
“Most visitors usually knock. Transporting in uninvited is the height of rudeness. I could have been entertaining a young lady,” Mercury refused to be intimidated by his elder brother.
“You’ve been seeing Jenna,” Mars barked.
“Yes. I met this delightful girl down near Pompeii. We spent a couple of days in each other’s company before riding back to Laumus together. I said I’d look her up when I was next in Rome, and that’s exactly what I did.”
“Jenna is mine. Stay away.”
“She didn’t strike me as a woman who was attached. In fact I got the distinct feeling down in Pompeii she was trying to escape someone. She all but said that.”
“She is my match, so you will leave her alone.”
“I don’t give a care. If she wants to see me, I am more than happy to oblige.” Mercury squared up to his brother.
“Jenna is destined to be with me, so back off.”
“In that case, why are you so afraid of a little competition? Does the maiden not welcome your attentions or have you lost the ability to seduce a woman?”
The next moment Mercury flew across the living quarters of his villa, crashing against the rear wall.
“Mars,” Minerva barked. “It is not done to strike you brother whilst in his house.”
“I don’t give a shit,” Mars retorted.
A few
seconds later, Mars found himself staggering out the front door. Mercury had punched him with a force he did not think his brother possessed. He was actually quite impressed. “Your bullying tactics don’t’ work on me, Mars,” Mercury spat blood out of his mouth.
Blood Never Lies (Mark of Mars) Page 14
