by Andromeda -
“Kaiser, she is in grave danger being in the Imperial city,” Ayanna said. “We need to figure out a way to get her out. She has done so much for us, and now it is our turn to do something for her.”
Kaiser nodded. “I understand your worry. I promise you, when the chance comes, we will go and rescue your friend.”
“She’s not just my friend,” Ayanna said. “She is Artemus’ lover and Eyrx’s mother. The babe needs his mother, the same way ours will.”
Kaiser smiled and bent down to kiss her stomach and nuzzled it gently. Inside her, he felt a light tap, which he knew was their child inside. The midwife had said the child was strong and was growing quickly. The day of birth was only a month away, and Kaiser wanted everything to be perfect.
Never did he think he would have a child, but he had sworn a binding oath that nothing would take this one from him. He had lost his first one but would fight to his dying breath to protect this one.
“Nothing is ever going to happen to you,” he whispered to her belly and the unborn that was curled up inside. “I swear to you that.”
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
The following morning, he pulled himself away from Ayanna’s bed to go and oversee how Barack and Artemus were training the newest recruits. The motto of Barack rang loud in his ears, as he heard the recruits chanting it as they practiced their forms.
“No blood! No sweat! No honor!” they chanted. “No blood! No sweat! No honor!”
“Brings me back to my days in the arena,” Kaiser said as he stood next to Artemus as Barack walked up and down the lines.
“You mean when you got laid on your ass by Ayanna?” Artemus chuckled. “I remember that.”
Kaiser smiled. “You might say that. But, I wanted to talk to you about something, and you have to promise to not over excite yourself.”
Artemus looked to him. “I am all ears.”
“Ayanna believes that it might be time…to try and get Aurora from Rome,” Kaiser said, looking to his friend.
Artemus’ eyebrows shot up. “Then we must do it. She could be found out in any minute and…”
“I know, I know,” Kaiser said. “Believe me when I say I do. But we can’t just up and kidnap her. She would be missed. Besides, Rome is so heavily guarded…”
“I don’t care,” Artemus said firmly. “We will get her. Eryx…needs his mother.”
“I know, my friend,” Kaiser said soothingly. “I know. Ayanna said the same thing, but we must be reasonable. We cannot just invade Rome. We are not ready. We need a plan, a well thought out plan.”
Artemus looked at him critically. “Since when have you become the voice of reason? Not long ago, you wanted to attack Rome without a second thought on planning.”
“Let’s just say that Ayanna has rubbed off on me,” Kaiser chuckled. “Now, are we going to plan this or not?”
“Of course,” Artemus said with a nod. “However, what is our basis? Do we have a ground of sorts to work upon?”
“I do not know…,” Kaiser said with a frown. “We might have to ask Ayanna. Do you even know what time of the year it is?”
“It is spring,” Artemus answered. “I know that. What does the imperial family normally do in the spring?”
“We are going to have to ask Ayanna,” Kaiser chuckled. “And we are going to need a lot more help if we are going to pull off this rescue mission, and it be successful.”
Both men walked to the dining hall after they had checked the sleeping chamber and found she was not there. She was in the dining hall, and they approached her.
“Ayanna?” Kaiser said as they sat down at her table. “Might we have a word?”
“Of course,” Ayanna said with a nod. “How might I help?”
“You know the imperial family better than anyone,” Artemus said. “What do they normally do in the time of spring?”
“Normally, they stay in the capital,” Ayanna began.
Both men’s faces fell, then rose as she continued.
“However,” she said, “if something might be in the air, either it be sickness or civil unrest, the emperor will send his children to a villa in the country, for their safety.”
“Do you think he might do that now?” Kaiser asked.
“Most likely,” Ayanna said with a nod. “However, to locate said villa, I would have to have a map of all the surrounding area, plus the capital.”
Artemus rushed to get them at once, and as he laid them out, Ayanna looked over the papers and then pointed to a location that was seemingly hidden in the mountains.
“Right there,” she said with a nod. “We only went there twice, but I remember them as clear as day. Wasn’t hard to forget. There were rivers that fed into a large pond, and mountains, like the map shows, gave it some cover. It will not be easy to infiltrate. You men are going to have a tough time.”
“What if…we didn’t use men?” Kaiser asked as he stroked his beard. “What if…we sent in women?”
Ayanna looked at him with a curious eye. “Go on…”
“Ayanna,” Artemus said as he figured where Kaiser was going with this. “Do you remember that group of women you trained not long ago?”
Ayanna nodded, as she knew what he was talking about. Not long ago, when she could move around without waddling, she had begun to train a group of handpicked women. They were to be the female form of gladiators, as sometimes, in Rome, women were trained in the gladiatorial arts, though it was rare. In her mind, she was teaching them that women, too, could fight, as in Kush women could fight better than their male counterparts.
“What do you want with them?” Ayanna asked.
“I believe,” Kaiser said with a slow smile, “they can do so much more for us. Can you get a letter to Aurora, and get it to her quickly?”
“I have to wait for her to send the falcon back,” Ayanna answered, “but the moment I do, I will send one back.”
“Wonderful,” Artemus said with a smile forming on his own lips.
“Here is what I have in mind…,” Kaiser said as he leaned forward.
Chapter Eighteen
Damali, with her veil wrapped around her head, led the small group of women up the mountains. Their plan was to be a simple one: get into the imperial base, rescue Aurora and get out as fast as they could. Ayanna had trusted her, and her alone to lead this mission, and though she was nervous, she was ready to do it.
Damali knew Aurora was the only person who was keeping the gladiators from fully leaving the Roman territories. Once the woman was brought back to their group, then they would be able to move forward with their plans.
This plan, however, was going to be the most dangerous thing they had ever done in their lives. According to Ayanna, they were going to pretend to blend in with the newest shipment of slaves who only lived at the base. It was the perfect cover, but they had to be careful to not be recognized by any of the Roman guards.
She hadn’t been here much, but the base was easy to find with Ayanna’s instructions, and Damali and the other women quickly blended in with the slaves who were being led into the base for their instructions. The slaves glanced at them, but said nothing, as most slaves did not talk to each other unless it was absolutely necessary. Besides, they were not there to talk; they were there to complete this mission and then leave as fast as they could.
Once their assignments were given, Damali herself was placed as a new body slave for Aurora when she arrived. They set out in scouting out ways of escape. It was going to be tough, as the walls were thick and it was heavily guarded, but given some time, they would be able to figure out a plan.
It wasn’t long, however, when Aurora and her brother arrived at the base, under a heavy escort. Aurelia rode in the carriage with her sister-in-law, though it was more than clear the two women did not like each other. All the slaves stood outside, lined up, and when the imperial siblings stepped out, they all bowed low to the ground.
Aurora, as she passed the slaves, glanced at a woman who she though
t looked a bit familiar. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was something about her, which made her stare long and hard at the woman and then leave, else her brother begin to wonder what took her so long.
As she was shown to her room, Aurora found her new body slaves waiting for her, and once again saw the woman. Dismissing all the other slaves, but keeping the Arab, as that is what she figured she was, she ordered the woman to begin to brush her hair while she looked at her in the mirror.
“Who are you?” Aurora asked after several moments. “You seem very familiar.”
Damali looked at her through her veil and continued to brush, but kept her voice low. “Anya sends her regards.”
Aurora’s eyes widened. That was the code word Ayanna had told her to expect from the women who would infiltrate the base. She quickly turned around. “What…did you just say?”
Damali looked around, then walked to the door and closed it before she walked back to Aurora and knelt before her, taking her hands in her own. “Ayanna has sent us to rescue you,” she said softly.
“It’s about time,” Aurora said with a rueful smile. “I did not think you would ever get here.”
Damali smiled back. “Forgive us, we had to make sure we were not followed. But yes, we are all here to help you escape from this place.”
“How do you expect to do that?” Aurora asked. “My brother…will no doubt have me heavily guarded.”
“Leave that to us, my lady,” Damali said. “Ayanna has trained us to the best of her ability. If she believes in us, then we will succeed. Or die trying.”
“How…comforting,” Aurora said. “Let us all hope it does not come to that.”
Chapter Nineteen
Hours turned to days and then days into weeks as Damali and the other women worked to plan their perfect escape. Time was not on their side, as Damali wished to see not only the birth of Ayanna’s child, but Aurora’s upcoming marriage pressed ever closer. One day, Damali came to Aurora in the gardens and walked alongside her, as if to tend to her needs, but in reality, it was to talk.
“I believe we have found a way to escape, my lady,” she whispered as they moved. “However, the plan is bold and daring.”
“What is it?” Aurora asked.
“It is becoming quite hot,” Damali began. “And with hot, comes dry, and with dry, comes fire.”
Aurora nodded, waiting for her to continue.
“We have to steal at least four horses,” Damali continued. “As well as a carriage for you. On my signal, the women will start a fire in the stables. In the confusion, it will allow us to take the horses and carriage we need. We have already hidden food and water to take on the trip. It will be long and hard, my lady. The road is dangerous and we can only offer you so much protection. We have, however, reached the checkpoint. Once there, we are in the arms of the others.”
Aurora swallowed, though she knew she had to be brave. “When will this happen?” she asked.
“When are you ready to leave?” Damali asked.
“We cannot leave too soon,” Aurora said. “But say…a couple of days. Maybe we can have that I get kidnapped by bandits or something…”
“We will figure it out,” Damali said.
However, before she could say more, in the distance, they saw Cornelius appear on the path and begin to walk towards them. Instantly, Damali closed her mouth and stepped behind Aurora to give the appearance of her being a slave, while Cornelius approached his sister.
“Dearest sister,” Cornelius said as he took her hands in his and kissed them. “I hope you are feeling well.”
“The sun gives me strength,” Aurora said with a false smile. “Come, Brother, walk with me.”
She knew she had to keep his suspicion off her, so that meant she had to keep in his favor. “So, Brother,” she said as they walked, “I have something to ask of you. How have things been with your wife?”
Cornelius frowned slightly at the mention of Aurelia. “It has been going well,” he said, “but I believe she is not fertile.”
“What makes you say that?” Aurora asked with mock concern. “Surely she has regular courses.”
“She does,” Cornelius said with a nod. “But still, no child. I take her to bed at least every night.”
Aurora nodded. “I am so sorry to hear that, Brother, but I am sure it will all turn out for the best. You both will get exactly what you deserve in this life.”
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Damali watched as the women laid out a rope on the sides of the stables that had been dipped in tar. Then, they covered the ropes with straw to hide them. Tonight was a quiet night, and they planned to make the escape when everyone would be at their most groggy.
“Wait for my signal,” Damali instructed them. “Are the horses ready?”
“Yes,” one of the women said with a nod. “We have them and the carriage is stocked with food and water. All we await is your command.”
“Good,” Damali said. “I will go and attend to Aurora and make sure she is ready to leave.”
They nodded and Damali walked back into the palace. Aurora was in her rooms; a cloak was draped over a chair. Under her bed was a carefully wrapped bundle that was to be her traveling clothes. They had one shot at this. One shot or else they would never get out of there alive.
“Are you ready?” Damali asked her softly. “Because when the time comes…”
“I know,” Aurora said with a nod. “No hesitation. I hope you all know what you are doing.”
Damali smirked. “All of Rome fears us. I think we’d be in big trouble if we did not. Now go and pretend to be asleep. We will attend to everything else.”
Aurora nodded and went to her bed, while Damali blew out the candle. Taking a deep breath, she pulled her veil up to cover everything but her eyes. She had to clear her mind, as killing wasn’t exactly easy. At her side, she took out the curved daggers she had snuck in with her items, and then she went to work.
She and the other women snuck into the guards’ chambers and went to work in slitting throats. One by one, man by man, they cut the throat of every man they saw asleep. This still left the guards on the walls who stood watch, but it dramatically reduced their numbers.
As they went, it wasn’t long before they were stained with blood, but they did not flinch. Their red clothing—the color was picked by Ayanna herself—made it blend in, and when they were finished, they fanned out. It wasn’t going to be long until people noticed the guards had been killed, and they needed to light the fire as quickly as possible.
Damali ran back to Aurora’s room and found the young woman was ready. Carefully, she draped the cloak over her body, and then they hurried down the halls. Looking out the windows, she could see the fire beginning to spread in the stables and she knew their time had come.
“Hurry,” Damali whispered as the panicked servants began to appear to go and try and put out the fire.
As they rounded the corner, they found the other women waiting, who surrounded them. The fire began to grow higher until it licked the sides of the mountains that surrounded the fortress. Running as fast as they could, they found the hidden carriage and horses, both of which were carefully camouflaged.
“Get in,” Damali said as she helped Aurora inside. “And try to be quiet.”
“Thank you,” Aurora said with a smile. “I owe you my life.”
“You are fine,” Damali said with a smile. “And see, we got you out, unhar…”
The words died on her lips as a sharp pain made her side burn. Coughing deeply, blood sprayed from her lips onto Aurora’s dress as the young woman screamed. Looking down, they saw the bloodied tip of an arrow protruding from her body.
“No,” Aurora gasped as she caught the fainting woman. “No!”
Looking behind them, they saw guards, who seemed to have noticed them, closing in, their weapons drawn. Damali coughed, blood bubbling on her lips.
“A…attack…,” she said weakly.
✯✯✯
✯✯✯✯
Ayanna waited anxiously.
Every day since Damali and the others had left, she watched the horizon for them. Every day, though her feet were swollen and the child within her moved constantly, she watched for them. She wanted them to come back from their mission successful, and one day, as she watched, she saw something in the distance.
At first, it was hard to tell what it was, but as it got closer, she could see that it was several scouts, surrounding a carriage. Breathless with excitement, Ayanna rushed out of the room as fast as she could, being heavy with child, and waited at the gates for them to open.
What she saw made all her joy sink to her toes.
All of them were covered with blood and looked worn out and tired. Ayanna didn’t see Damali and she looked over the women.
“Where is she?” she asked. “Where is Damali?”
“Ayanna…,” a familiar voice said as the door of the carriage was opened and Aurora stepped out.
Both women were as still as statues at first, then they rushed into each other’s arms, tears streaming down their cheeks. Never in her life did they think they would see each other again, and as they sobbed in each other’s arms, they felt a relief unlike any other wash over them. Finally, they were together. After all the danger and the threats, they finally were together again.
“Aurora!” a deep voice said behind them, and suddenly, she was snapped from Ayanna’s arms.
Artemus had her now and was spinning her around and around in the air, kissing her cheeks repeatedly as his own eyes welled with tears. How long had it been, he wondered, since he held her in his arms, since he smelt her scent? For a moment, he wasn’t sure this was real, but as he heard her sob, felt her hands tighten around his shoulders, he knew this wasn’t a dream.
Ayanna, however, looked to the carriage and carefully, she approached it. Opening the door, seeing Damali’s body made her drop to her knees and scream.
“No!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. “No! No! No! How could it be?!”
“Ayanna!” Kaiser yelled as he rushed to her and held her close. “Please, calm yourself.”
