140AD - The Rise to Empress || [GxG] ||

Chapter 17

Translations:

Bovis stercus. = Bullshit.
Stercorem pro cerebro habes. = You have shit for brains.

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It was reaching the end of the annual festives in the Colosseum which meant in the last leg of celebration, it was time for the chariot races. Emperor Jake had decided to expedite the dates of the chariot races in his last desperate attempt to procure aureus for maize and dried goods from an overseas merchant.

He knew there was a lot of coin to be made from the games since he had his own all-time victor. The arena he built for the races was specially built for her; in an attempt to reach her heart when he felt like his only daughter was slipping through his fingers.

Emperor Jake was slowly rubbing his fingertips over his stubble of facial hair as he thought back in the days. Clarke had caused him many problems and placed him in very difficult positions and even almost cost him his throne but yet she was still his daughter.

He was in the discussion hall, upon his own throne with his two Empress' at his sides and the galleries on either side of the room were filled with every single Senator of the congress. Problems were arising over all of the Roman Empire.

From the north-west to the east and all the lands encompassed in the Mediterranean were suffering under protests and strikes. Somehow Jake's scribes had failed to make him aware just how severe the food shortages were across the Empire.

Senator Blake was particularly quiet all throughout this discussion that he himself orchestrated. His advisor was firmly stood behind him with his eyes on the Empress but her eyes were on her one and only guard that walked up and down the open hall in front of them with her sword at her hip.

There very many other Praetorians present along with the Senate but Clarke couldn't have been bothered even less than she already was. Angst filled her because she was keen to strap her horse Liberius into her chariot and set out around the arena. But then there were also those fleeting moments that Lexa would catch her staring and sheepish smiles would cross both of their features.

Emperor Jake was tired and his wife was bored with the many men of the Senate that couldn't agree with one another let alone let one at a time speak.

"Silence!" At once the room fell quiet and all the old men's eyes diverted to the Emperor in his throne with his palm pressed to his forehead. All of the loud chatter had started to give him a headache which made him even more annoyed with his straining situation.

"We have to send a Legionnaire to the lands with the largest unrests. We have to subdue them before the talks of their tactics spread to the other cities like plague."

"But Emperor, the Praetorian does not have close to enough Generals to lead men to the cities. We need another plan or a contingency at least." A younger member of the Senate spoke. He was new, one could tell as much because the moment he rose and spoke there was conviction at first but when he procured the attention his loud voice gathered, he quickly sunk back into his seat.

"Then we make more Generals! It's simple! Training intensifies and we begin immediate scouting for potential Generals, Senator Blake this is your charge. And Marcus, send word to Greece; Athens, and Sparta that we require their finest. Some simple food shortage will not make my Empire fall, I forbid it!"

Jake's voice rang through the entire hall for all to hear. Even the settlers outside could hear the anger in his voice and from outside one could hear their chants as well.

"Ready the fleet, I want our Legionnaires to set out in the coming three fortnights and nothing later, is that clear? I myself will lead a Legionnaire to the city that needs attention most; I will leave my wife, The Empress, in charge of the capital along with the Senate. Further detail will be discussed at a later stage."