Claudius' ban

11

After Jared left, a big fight broke out among the conquered tribes. A small portion of militia revolted against Rome. Jared was already in the district of the Paris people when it happened. So he didn't receive the report to join the battle. So he and his 20 men were still stationed at the coastal village (which is near the village of Tamila). When he passed by Tamila's village he decided to stop by. He arrived on his horse on the artificial pond. It was on that same moment that Pianna came forward to see him. 

[She spoke Latin] ''Salut soldier! I'm surpriced to see you hir, Sir! What's going on?''

''Ma'am! I'm Jared Serenius, a legionary, stationed with 20 cavalry men at the coastal village, just 20 minutes away from here. I'm ordered to maintain civil order in this district''

''There's no civil unrest here Sir..''

''I'm glad with that. That makes my job easier. May I request thee to bring your husband forward...''

''My husband is not present Sir. He never was..''

''Then who owns this villa?''

''This is an inheritance I received from him. Like a gift... he left me years ago..''

''You will need to register your town as soon as the government is established and in function in Parisia. I can warn you that if your husband is not around to register himself and his household, this villa might be confiscated and you'll end up as slaves..''

''Come inside.. for a moment..''

Jared, against his orders, enters into the house. The others greet him. Pianna signs them to leave. 

''Look, soldier. I know full well why you're here. I'm not stupid. You are an agent send to find out if I'm wealthy... in order to tax me. Look.. we'll not be here for long. We will leave soon. And that's why you are stationed at the harbor .. to prevent us from leaving''

Jared was surprised about how alert she was.

''Look. You are a legionary soldier. You earn around 1 Denari every two days or every three days. You are not from here. You are probably somewhere from an Eastern Roman province. You are weeks away from home.. from your family... and you are here defending your country - which is the Empire. If it was you.. you would probably just want to be at home with your relatives.. enjoying life.. instead of being here risking your life for some bastard called Claudius and some filthy rich senators who don't even know who you are.. and worse.. even if they did know who you are.. they don't give a damn about you!'' she continued after drinking some wine ''Are you that stupid? Jared? Why are you permitting yourself in this situation? All right.. I understand. It's easy to join the Roman military. The Imperial military complex is big business. Also, you can easily get into politics or business afterward... so tell me.. what's your plan?''

''My plan?''

''Yes.. your plan! You were not send by your commanders to visit me.. yet here you are..''

''Pianna... I'm not planning to do this job for long. I enjoy being a soldier and defending the Empire.. nevertheless.. I noticed how this system works. My life is not of much value to them. They expect me to die quickly to advance the agenda of Rome. That's what I'm for. So.. I wanted to be stationed in Britain, so to be able to get some land quickly before the Roman rule is effectively established here. I wanted to do it as a soldier, to gain protection from the state against the locals. I have nothing against the locals. I just want to have a better life. My relatives were abusive to me.. and I'm not loved in my hometown. I have shaken the dust of my feet and moved on with my life. Britain to me, is like the promised land for the Israelites that Moses, God's servant, led out of the bondage of Egypt. I am not like many of those Israelites that persisted in unbelief against the Most High! No! I have Faith... and because of my Faith I'm willingly to take risks for the good! Look, Pianna, I could have lied towards my superiors and loot this whole place. I'm not into that. So.. help me out here..''