EMBERS (Marcus Acacius)

II | A Shattered Empire

Senator Aemillius returned to the medical chambers four more times over the subsequent weeks. Each time he entered the room,  I would sit him down onna cot, check his wound, change the dressings and send him on his way. And each time he left, Acacius would be there, with three gold coins in hand.

The final time the senator entered the room, he was not accompanied by Acacius. I welcomed him in, slightly disappointed that I would miss my routine, silent exchanges with the dark-haired soldier. I checked Aemillius' wound, satisfied to see that it had healed well. "It is still a little bit tender," I explained, my back turned as he dressed. "You should be fully healed within weeks."

"Thank you very much, Miss Valeria," the senator replied, no longer with an essence of privilege in his croaky voice. "You have been very helpful these past weeks and I appreciate it." As I unravelled the bandage on the senator's finger he let out a long-winded sigh. "You are lucky to spend your days down here, Miss Valeria."

I felt along the bone, but Aemillius did not wince. "Why is that, sir?"

The senator inhaled deeply. "You do not want to get involved in politics. I went into it to make a difference, yet nothing I want ever comes to fruition"

"I make a difference here," I replied, re-bandaging the broken finger. "I help people here, heal them..."

The senator's wrinkled face twisted in bitter amusement. "You think healing a few gladiators will change anything?" I blinked dumbly, unsure of how to respond. "The games, the arena—they're just a reflection of what's happening all across Rome. The things that come when power begins to unravel... are far more dangerous than you can imagine. The bloodshed in the sands is nothing compared to what's about to spill in the streets."

My mouth hung open at the senator's grave words, but he didn't seem bothered by them. Once the bandage was tied, he stood up and left, followed by his posse of guards. I didn't get paid that day, for Acacius did not show. But I was more concerned with the senator's words that rang endlessly in my ears.

***

I stood on the arena sideline, watching the brawl take place in front of me. The crowd roared and cheered as the two men attempted to kill each other with their swords.

"Adriana Valeria?" I turned around to see a man I did not know, leaning over the edge of the stands. I turned to face him, brows furrowed in confusion. "Are you Adriana Valeria?"

I nodded.

"A man by the name of Tiberius sent me." My eyes widened in recognition. "He asked me to give you this." He held a piece of paper in his hand, for me to see, then let go of it, sending it floating down towards the arena floor. I caught it and opened it, identifying the familiar handwriting of an old friend.

"Thank you, sir—" I called up to the man, but he was already gone.

With a confused look on my face, I turned back to the fight and began to read the letter.

Dear Miss Adriana Valeria,

I am writing to you to invite you to meet me for dinner tonight at the tavern we always used to go to. Do not tell anyone about our  rendezvous. I have something very important—and private—to discuss with you.

I pray you can make it.

Tiberius.

I folded the letter into quarters and stuffed it inside my dress pocket. When I looked back up, my eyes caught another pair, staring back at me from across the field. I squinted to see, my eyes immediately widening, when I recognised the brown irises of Acacius.