Except for Grace and Mercy

Chapter 8

The fortress' physician had a lot on his hands; he prepared an olive poultice and mixed some figs for the wounds sustained by the priests. Emperor Vespasian hurriedly matches into the room along with his chief servant -Marcus Anticilles, some guards and his wife -Empress Domitilla.
"What happened?" He asks no one in particular. The doctor, one of the Roman Tesserarius of the ninth legion from Masada, answers: "they were attacked in the temple early this morning your most excellent Vespasian".
"Tesserarius Actorius, do you have any information on how bandits got into the temple?"
"No your honour. I came rushing into my office when I saw the priests bringing them in". Actorius had induced them to sleep, that gave him some pride knowing this interrogation won't be upsetting to them on their way to recovery.
"The little information I got, came from one of the priests -Bukki. He said the men came fully clothed in black animal skin of goat hair. They carted away the temple's money "
"And where is this priest?"
Aristocus calls out to one of his attendants, asking him to call the priest.
"Darling husband, am afraid my dreams are beginning to come to light "
"Sweet Domitilla, a few miscreants cannot topple Rome nor Jerusalem. Mars, our god of war has been my shield and protector "
"Sire, priest Bukki at your service ". The doctor's attendant responds
"Go on, tell us what happened!". Emperor Vespasian commands

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Am so hot, thirsty and frustrated. I do not feel pleased that this tour did not achieve the much needed orientation and military might to pressure the resistance fighters to step back. Instead, it feels like they were intimidated to strike: am still in awe of the welcome attack that my military training is questioning whether there is a hidden agenda to this campaign in the first place. I will need to settle down with the emperor and re-strategize. Nearing the fortress, I begin to unhook my helmet and as I hold it in one hand, my mind suddenly drifts back to her -those lovely doe eyes, her shy demeanor. Her neck should wear an ornament as lovely as her name...
"Tribune, we are here!"
Trust Miles Albus to always ruin the mood. I get down from my horse and just as my men retrieve the horse and are moving into the barracks, a screeching sound draws my attention; am having a short supply of oxygen and a clingy baby -'what's her name again?', is pressing into me and I can feel her nails digging into my spine.
"Oh Opimius! Help me!! Those barbarians will kill me!!! Am so happy you've returned!!!!"
She's squishing me too tight despite my rage at her dramatics getting to me.
A barely breathe a sigh of relief when a servant comes out of the fortress to meet us at the foot of the entrance, panting heavily.
"Tribune, the emperor wishes to see you immediately by the colonnade gardens".
At his courtesy, I find my escape and quickly untangle her hands around me, ignoring her fake tears, half galloping and half running all the while wondering what could be so urgent.