Forbidden

Chapter 2

Aeliana was awoken early in the morning to be prepared for the outing with her father. Her maids drew a bath with fragrant water, dressed her in one of her best garments and braided her hair into a complicated design. When the time came for Aeliana, Januarius and Caius to depart, a carriage awaited them in the front courtyard of her family's grounds. "Aeliana, you insufferable child, lift your skirts as you are walking." Her mother's voice rang clearly through the halls. Sighing, Aeliana took hold of the thin, white material and lifted it. She knew what would happen if she disobeyed her mother; a cold shoulder for the remainder of the week. As the eldest daughter of the Avitus family she was expected to be the most proper, 'a shining example for her younger sisters'. As they descended the marble stairs leading to the dirt floor Caius turned to smile at her "Stop with your frowning sister, it is too early in the day for such sourness." Aeliana smiled, for like her own laughter, her brother's smile was contagious.

"Come children, we haven't got the full day for such foolishness." Before disappearing into the carriage Januarius pressed a kiss to Caecilia's cheek. Caius was next to follow and her mother adopted a smile as she placed her hand on his cheek. But that smile slowly faded as Aeliana stepped in front of her. "Goodbye, mother." Caecilia nodded and placed a hand under Aeliana's chin, for her head was turned down as if observing the dirt underneath their feet. "You must be on your best behaviour.." Act like the prideful woman I have raised you to be, back straight and reply with most graciousness..You are an Avitus, uphold the family name. Aeliana finished her mother's condescending speech in her mind. She dare not say it aloud for she would earn a stinging slap across her face if she did. She felt a sudden pinch and she realized she had drifted her attention away from her mother, which the elder woman did not appreciate "Do you hear me? Aeliana?" "Yes mother." "Good." Caecilia gave Aeliana a small hug and gently pushed her towards the cabin where her father and brother sat.

"The Greecians will come father, with as much force as they have. We should prepare the men, practice some comba-" Caius was sitting forward with his hands on his knees, back tense. "Son, you worry so. What threat have the Greecians ever brought towards our Empire? Hmm? None. So be at ease boy and cease of such morbid talk, your sister is present." Aeliana's father had his hand risen in the air, beckoning towards Aeliana who was seated next to Caius. "What is the matter?" She said, eyeing her brother who was sat back and staring out of the window "Nothing, daughter." Januarius nodded at Aeliana as if to say 'do not worry'. She let out an annoyed sigh and turned to do the same as her brother. What she saw made her stomach knot and clench with disgust. Men, shackled together by the feet and neck, walking through the streets with nothing but a loin cloth covering their bodies. They had awful looks in their eyes, some fierce, some terrified. Burnt and bloodied were their bodies and the Roman soldiers stood next to them, with their gleaming armour covering their bodies and spears in their hands. Crowds were starting to gather around the men, the citizens spitting and betting on who was going to be the newest 'star' of the Colosseum Battles.

Aeliana turned her head, because she knew that was what she would have to observe in a week's time. It was tradition that the royal family attend the frequent fights, and announce every match to the spectators. The blood-thirsty Romans were always eager for a good fight, especially the one to be held soon. Aeliana's maids had been chattering about it this morning while yanking and pulling her hair about. "Atilius and Dilios! The legendary ones! Some say they were born of the Gods." Blandina whispered, looking at Aeliana as she fixed the laurel crown upon her head "Oh hush Blandina! You are just entranced by the beauty of the two!" The younger of the two, Cassia laughed. Aeliana found herself smiling until the carriage came to an abrupt halt. "We have arrived, Emperor." The horseman announced as he held his hand out for Aeliana to take. Promptly ignoring it, she desceded the steps on her own and looked to her right where Caius glared at her. "Do not disregard the man's kindness, Liana." She rolled her eyes at the use of her childhood nickname. "I wont break to pieces if I take a step on my own Caius, I'm not as delicate as some think I am." She remembered, about a year ago, when Terentius-the name brought a shiver down her spine-and Aeliana had first begun courting. She fell on the last step of the Temple of Apollo and landed flat on her backside. All of Rome must have come to her aid, thinking she was terribly hurt from such a little fall. She quickly got up on her own and dusted her hands off. She also remembered the shocked expressions the people around her adorned and she felt like storming off.