Initium novum [Completed - being edited/rewritten]

Chapter 48

As I took of the dress, I was unsure whether I should go completelly naked, but seening the Imperatrix naked, already entering one of the bath made it pretty clear. The rest of the women were going into the baths as well

I joined the other in the bath. I walked slowly because I knew the water will be hot, but I didn't except it to be hot as much as it was. The others gave me amused look as I almost jumped out of the water at first. I sat next to Valeria and looked at the other. For a minute we were just looking at each other and around us. Meanwhile, servants were bringing us food and drinks, as if he hadn't eaten enough already, and also were adding some liquid into the water in the bath. Imperatrix explained, it was some kind of skin healing milk or something like that.

When we were in the bath for already some time, we began to talk about politics. Actually it was Imperatrix who started it, She spoke about my idea and how she personally supports it, she said that she herself feels terrible for the people in Unorian camps. She spoke about senator Cato, who was so eager to destroy Unora and its people for good.

When I asked what Imperator meant by Cato's affairs, I was explained that Cato was an abusive person, both of the power and people, and he also loved a company of people, no matter if they were women or men. His behavior made many people concerned but it was always taken care of by Strategos himself, this way he had ensured Cato's loyalty. The worst thing was that everyone knew this, but no one wanted to do something about it because they were all afraid of Strategos and his power. Imperatrix told us that Cato and his family are known for opinions which are disagreed my many in the Senate.

First thing which came to my mind while Imperatrix spoke was the question how is possible that a power hunger, power amusing maniac is able to hold a powerful political position. I made a note that this was another terrible thing the Imperium made possible.

Yri, wife of Ivar, Lord of Unora, told us that on Unora senator Cato would have at least lost his tongue if he had tried to speak about or to anyone from the Imperial family, or if he would dare to express his opinions there in such manner. I was honestly surprised for openly they were talking, they talked about anyone and anything without any problem. Valeria was fascinated by it too. Yri, though she might seem as a fragile woman, was a woman of fierce honour to her nation and her husband, and she had no problem in proving it. I figured that that was sort of a trait of the unorian people. Yri also didn't show a desire in performing a punishment of senator Cato, if she ever had a chance, that was immediately forbidden by Imperatrix, justified by the fact that Erira was not Unora and things were solved differently. The fast denial made Yri laugh, as well as Imperatrix.

Our conversation ranched in various topics and I was very tempted to ask about Strategos and his 'lost child and his affair with my mother' but I did not do so, because I didn't want to raise unnecessary questions and suspicion of my intentions. Instead I chanced a topic and we spoke about children and motherhood. That was very interesting because it showed completely different faces of all present women, including Valeria, to my surprise.

Queen Nylah spoke about her newborn son. About how the Royal Druid made a foretelling of his future and destined him for long and happy life. It was very nice to see with what a pride Nylah spoke of her son. Again she proved herself to be a vise, caring and loving person. Which I admired.

Hera, wife of Lord Cronn, with her short curly dark brown hair and dark brown eyes she looked as if innocent woman, but I was pretty sure she could punch someone without any problem. She told us about her, now adult daughter Iris, who is her and Cronn's only child. She spoke how her daughter was rebellious in her young age but now she is getting much better. What made a big impression on me was when Hera told us that both she and Iris take place in fighting contests which are sometimes held in the amphitheater in the capitol city of Oros, Balatosia. Hera told us how the fighting in gladiatorial contests have been popular since the end of Unification, and how her husband and she love this sport. For me it was unimaginable to see someone kill others just for sport and joy of it, even more for the fact that I and Valeria were from Oros itself and we had no idea that this was a thing. Apparently, it was.