The Centurion (closed for Henry47)

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana smiled at Marcus' bow and then did her best to clear it from her face as he released her hand and she moved from him to inspect the room. She moved about the room, occasionally trialing her fingers over the edge of the desk, or over one of the tablets or insignia, her brow furrowed as if in deep consideration as she gazed over at the bed. When he trailed his fingers down her spine she shivered, the small smile returning to her lips as she turned to look up at him.

"I suppose it will do," she remarked as she stepped towards him, a playful gleam in her eyes as she smiled.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Their private moment interrupted by the commotion at the front door and then the sound of men entering Marcus' home, Briana was more than a little shocked to say the least, her instincts as a warrior putting her on edge and making her tense as he'd moved to shield her. As Maria had opened the door and explained it was men from the garrison she'd relaxed a little bit, but remained worried. Why were they here so late in the evening? What was so important that it could not have waited until morning?

She stayed where she was as Marcus moved to the door, but recognized Felix' voice when he spoke, and listened in on the conversation between the two men that followed. Despite Marcus' calm demeanor, there was a frown upon her face as he closed the door and reentered the room, package in hand. Something seemed amis.

"Why would he make us come tonight? Why not wait until tomorrow?" she asked as she moved forward, taking the package from him and moving to set it on the edge of the bed so that she could open it, revealing a white dress of semi-sheer clothe in the Roman style.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

As she'd listened to Marcus' reply and explanation Briana had begun to shed her warrior's garb and change into the dress that bad been provided by the legate. There was no way that Aurelius could have known of Briana's size of course, and as such the dress was a little big her for her due to her smaller height and size. There were cords within the waist of the dress that she used to tighten it, but the hem drug on the ground a bit, making her have to use her hand to lift it up a bit as she walked, though the longer hem also helped to conceal her battle worn and dirty sandals.

She was a little surprised by the lowness of the neckline and back of the dress, both dipping into a low V that reached down to the waistband. After Marcus' warning though she did not think it wise to refuse it however, and so she gave him a nod, indicating that she understood and was ready.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

One hand upon Marcus' arm and the other lifting the hem of the front of her dress slightly so that she would not trip over it, Briana walked with him as they made their way to the legate, surrounded by their escort. Her long fiery curls were now pined upon her head in the style that Maria had created, a few loose tendrils left loose to frame her face moving in the night breeze. Despite her discomfort at the situation and foreign dress, she held herself regally.

"You have not yet won completely," she teased him quietly, also trying to keep her tone light, "There are still others that might try to pick up the cause, others that I could prove useful in parlaying with. Hopefully the legate will see this."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

As much as Briana had enjoyed Marcus' appreciative glances at her new hairstyle and dress, the way that the legate and his two friend's gazes roamed over her now made her skin crawl. She did her best not to let it show however, remembering Marcus' warnings from before and forcing a small complacent smile to remain upon her lips as she looked upon the men.

"Thank you very much for your provision of this dress," she offered, not wanting to offend by not thanking him for the gift, "It was very thoughtful of you to consider that I would not have one with me."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana would have much rather sat closer to Marcus, but she knew that being invited to sit beside Aurelius and share a toast was an honor that she dare not refuse.

"You have heard correctly," she commented a she glanced over at Marcus and made her way over to the legate.

She took the offered chair that he had patted upon and sat down beside him, then took the goblet of wine that was quickly brought to her by a servant, raising it to Aurelius with a toast.

"To peace and friendship between Britain and Rome."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana took a small drink of her wine as Aurelius moved closer and took her hand, trying to bide herself some time in answering his question and to hide the grimace that threatened to break forth on her face in response to his lewd looks and the way his touch made her skin crawl. She managed to leave her hand in his however, despite how much she wanted to jerk it away, and offered a smile in return.

"I hope that you will, that we can both earn one another's trust in time," she replied, "I believe a friendship between us would be very beneficial to both our peoples."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana tensed at Aurelius' not so subtle hint that the cost of replacing the legionaries her troops had wounded and killed would have to be atoned for, her grip upon her goblet of wine tightening with anger. What about the lives of her own wounded and killed men? Was not one man's life equal to the other? If so, then it was Rome and not her that needed to atone, for she had no doubt that more of her men had been killed and injured than Marcus'. And what of his remark of her and Marcus being a beautiful couple?

She was growing more worried now but was careful to keep her expression blank and pleasant, her eyes only flitting to Marcus' for the briefest of moments as she rose from her seat, setting down her goblet and doing a slow turn for the legate so that he could inspect the 'dress'.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana could feel her skin crawl again as Aurelius reached out and touched her. She wanted to jerk her shoulder away from his plump fingers, still slightly greasy from his meal, as they trailed over her shoulder. As he leaned in and whispered a muscle within her long and graceful neck tensed and twitched as she clenched her jaw and forced herself to remain in place. She could tell by the man's tone and the look in his eyes what kind of arrangement he might have in mind, and she wanted no part in it. Her eyes flicked over to Marcus again, remembering his warnings and knowing though that she had to be delicate in her refusal, that she must not seem as if she was trying to question his control over the two of them.

"Perhaps it would be wise to wait and decide upon such important matters when all of our minds are more rested and clear of the wine," she suggested, "I am sure your Centurion would be more than willing to bring me back to parlay with you in the morning."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana's eyes went to Marcus as he stood before her, remembering the weapon he had concealed within his toga before they had come. So far he was remaining calm, but how long would that last? If Aurelius called his guard and tried to take her would Marcus try to attack and defend her, and what would happen to Marcus then?

Her hand moved to cover the Legate's, resting over it and keeping it in place against her stomach so that it would not travel any lower. She tried her best to think of what she might say to convince him to allow her to leave with Marcus without incident.

"If you please Legate, the hour is indeed very late and it has been a long journey. With your permission I would like to take my leave with the Centurion for now and return tomorrow... I would hate to place our new friendship at risk with any hasty decisions tonight."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Anger and a bit of panic began to rise up within Briana as Aurelius refused her request and ignored her attempt to still his hand upon her body. As he threatened to call the guard and dismiss Marcus for the night and his hand wandered even lower still, she visibly flinched this time. Instinctively her free hand shot up to stop his again, this time exerting a little more force and revealing some of her warrior's strength as her hand bore down upon his wrist to stop him.

"No!" she told him quickly.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana had called out a cry of warning to Marcus when she'd spotted the man stepping out from the shadows behind him, but it had been too late. She felt burning hot anger begin to rise up in her at Aurelius' final comment and grin. He had just been toying with her the whole time, intentionally trying to force a response! Her eyes shot over to Darius as he stepped forward to grab her, trying to dodge away but unable to escape his reach before he forced her arms behind her back and tied them. She glared at him with fire in her emerald eyes as he gave his orders.

"He's your commanding officer, your friend! How could you betray him like this?!" she accused angrily, "You can drag me the whole way kicking and screaming. I'll be damned if I make one second of this any easier for you, you bastard!"

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

To her credit Briana was true to her word and continued to make the short trip as hard as she could for Darius as soon as she had recovered from the slap, which had been hard enough to make the side of her face throb and black dots flash before her eyes. She struggled against him as he brought her into the lock up, her eyes going to Marcus' still unconscious form with worry as the men bound his arms behind him with the chains.

"You know this is wrong, please let him go!" she pleaded to the other legionaries, trying to reason with them, hoping that their loyalties were truer than Darius', "Marcus did nothing wrong, neither of us has. We did not try to harm Aurelius, the Legate is just angry that I refused him."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana glared in response to Darius' mocking. She could hear Marcus begin to stir behind her, but with her back turned she could no longer see him. She indeed had noticed the furniture before her, thinking it looked out of place in the dark and dreary hold. She wasn't sure what Darius meant by her getting to inspect it more closely, but she certainly did not like the implications of his tone as he had said it, and certainly not the way his hand roamed over her backside and groped her now. She struggled and tried to shake away his hand. When he persisted she raised her foot up and quickly stomped it down upon his toes as hard as she was able, then cocked back her head and spat in his face.

"A taste of Britain," she retorted back with a smirk of satisfaction.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

As the legate had tipped up her chin to examine her, Briana had met his gaze defiantly, even as she'd struggled to regain her breath after the blow that Darius had given her. She kept her chin high as he ran his fingers over her, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of shrinking away in fear. When he mentioned wanting to play a game and sent Darius over to Marcus however, her eyes moved over to him with worry as Darius pulled him harshly up to his feet with the rope.

She'd tried to keep her expression calm and stern as the legate had made his announcement about Marcus, but then winced as he was struck by Darius, stepping forward as if to go to him but being stopped by her own bonds. She straightened herself and tried to hide her mounting fear, knowing that this would only feed in to what Aurelius wanted. She turned back to the legate.

"We both know Marcus is no traitor," she told him through clenched teeth, "Surely you have your own superiors to answer to. Do you not fear what they will do to you if they get word that you wrongfully tortured a Centurion fresh after his victory for you, and a princess who had come to you to try and negotiate for peace as well? If you were wise you would release us now, you have proven your point Legate. We know that it is you who we answer to here."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana frowned at Aurelius' smirking reply, tensing as she felt his hand move lower and push between her legs. When his finger began to move against her she flinched and tried to move away from his pressing hand but kept her chin proudly lifted and her eyes fixed defiantly upon his own, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of cowering before him or letting her fear show.

"To hell with your friendship then," she told him through gritted teeth as she steeled herself against his touches, "This will not end and it will not end with me. Britain will never submit to you now without my help."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana inwardly breathed a sigh of relief as Aurelius stopped his unwelcomed touches and moved away from her, but it was short lives as she turned to see him approaching Marcus now. She had caught on to the game he was feeling, knew that he meant to use her feelings for the Centurion against her. She tried not to let her worry show, for both their sakes, but once more as Marcus was struck she flinched slightly. Hoping the legate had not noticed, she stepped forward, her chains being pulled taught.

"Stop this madness, it makes no difference," she insisted, "The Centurion has no sway on me. Why would I give myself to you to help a man I barely know?"

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana could hear Marcus sucking in air after Darius' blow, the sound making her wince. It sounded as if Darius had struck him harder this time. She felt badly for her play of indifference towards him, but she hoped he understood. From his response to Aurelius it seemed as if he did, though she felt her stomach drop when the legate automatically dismissed the need for a peace treaty, threatening to attack her tribe now if she did not comply.

Her body tensed and she was grateful that her back was turned so that he could not see the flash of fear in her eyes. Based on what she had witnessed of the Roman troops these last few days she knew he was right. It would not take much for them to defeat her tribe, especially with her captured and men still likely wounded from the recent battles. She swallowed, attempting to clear her throat and keep her voice calm as she replied.

"Our tribe is small, but we have allies that would come to our aid," she pointed out, "And none of the other tribes would trust you enough to submit to Rome in the future if you attack my tribe after I've surrendered to you now."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana felt her hope drop as Aurelius quickly dismissed her warning. It was becoming clear to her that the only bargaining chip she had that this man was interested in was herself. She tried to jerk away from Darius' touch as his hand ran down her face and chest, but her bindings kept her firmly in place. As his fingers circled her nipple she grimaced, furious with him and with her own body for how the sensitive area responded against her own wishes, the nipple hardening and pushing forward against the cloth of her dress. Trying to ignore him, she fixed her gaze upon the legate with a glare.

"What guarantee do I have that you would keep your word?" she asked him, "How do I know that if I do as you ask you won't just attack them anyway?"

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Brianna stepped forward, trying to free herself from Darius' hand upon her ass. She could hear Marcus shifting behind her, the chains above his head that he was tied to rattling, and though she could not see him with her back facing him, she knew that he must be able to see everything that was going on. She tried to keep her expression proud and her chin high despite the fear and shame that she felt as she knew what was likely to come next. She knew that she must give in to Aurelius' demands. He was a despicable manipulative snake, but he was right about one thing, she could not put herself above Marcus and her tribe. She took a deep, steadying breath, her gaze meeting the Legate's.

"If you release him and promise me his safety and the safety of my tribe, then I will give myself to you to do with as you wish."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana had glared at Darius in response to his words, but otherwise had restrained herself as he'd released her, rubbing her wrists to get the circulation back in her hands as she moved towards the lounge area that had been constructed within the cell, making her way to the tray with the glasses and pitcher of wine.

She felt her skin crawl at the smile the Legate gave her, but did as he asked and poured two glasses for the both of them. She paused for a moment in consideration, then quickly downed the glass intended for herself before pouring herself a second and moving towards him, thinking the extra wine might help her to endure what lay ahead. Joining him on the lounge, she handed him his glass.

"Before we begin I would like for the Centurion to be released," she told him, not sure if she could stand the idea of Marcus watching while this bastard did whatever it was that he had planned for her.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

“I need a guarantee that you will behave.”

Briana's careful mask of indifference dropped as she watched Darius move over to Marcus and draw a knife on him, fear for her lover flashing over her features as Aurelius threatened to let Darius 'play' with him unless she behaved as he wished. Turning back to the Legate in shock, she winced when he expressed he wanted Marcus to watch and 'learn something', completely denying her request.

She felt Aurelius' fingers moving over her thigh and she glanced down to them hesitantly, her eyes moving from them back to Marcus, meeting his gaze for a moment but then dropping hers in shame to the glass of wine in her hand. It was then that she realized her hand was shaking slightly. Was it with fear for Marcus or rage for Aurelius? She was not certain, for both surged through her. Steeling herself for what she must do, she tossed back the wine within the glass and set it down on the serving table beside the lounge. Straightening herself and turning back towards Aurelius, she let the tips of her fingers brush lightly over his as he touched his leg.

"What would you like of me then, dear Legate?" she asked him, forcing a sultry tone despite her anger and disgust at the man before her.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana felt her stomach clench at the feel of the back Aurelius' hand pressing against her mound through the fabric of the dress, wanting to pull away from it but afraid of what he would have Darius do to Marcus if she did. She kept her face on his as he looked into her eyes, trying to not let her emotions show, but her body tensing a bit as he guided her hand to his cock and she felt it pulse as she wrapped her fingers around it. She wanted to grip as tight as she could and wrench it within her hand, make him pay for all that he had done already, but instead she began to slowly move her hand up and down, softly stroking his cock beneath his toga, her eyes never leaving his.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana had to fight hard to keep herself from showing her true feelings as Aurelius' fat fingers had begun to probe her, wanting to pull away but holding herself still, her hand continuing to stroke up and down upon his cock. She'd wanted to protest as he'd called Darius over to 'help', but his reminder of what Darius could do to her tribe should she seem unenthusiastic made her bite her tongue. Besides, she decided, at least this way he was no longer threatening to harm Marcus with the knife.

She tensed however when she felt him press the knife to her instead, her breath catching at the feel of the cold blade scraping her skin as he slowly cut the dress from her. She cut her eyes to the side to watch as he set the knife aside away from them, taking note of where it lay. It was out of reach, which was wise on his part for if it hadn't been she would have used it against him right then for the comment he made to Marcus.

"Why do you keep focusing on Marcus and not me Darius?" she asked with a feigned purr as her nipples once more hardened against her will in response to his touch, her hand that was not stroking upon the Legate's cock moving to Darius' thigh and caressing it even as she cut her eyes back to his with a mocking look.

"Is it true then what I've heard about some Roman men coming to prefer the company of their own sex in bed over a woman?" she asked with a smirk.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Briana had given a little jolt as Darius had pinched her nipples, the rosy buds pressing firmly into this palms as he'd continued to caress them. When he'd guided her hand to his bulge and leaned into her from behind for a kiss she knew she dare not refuse him as badly as she wished she could.

Leaning back against him, she tilted her head further and let him bring his lips to hers, allowing him to kiss her as she slid her hand over the bulge in his trousers and caressed his hardened cock through the fabric. She groaned in repulsion at the feel of Aurelius' chubby fingers moving more deliberately over her sex, though quickly tried to disguise it as a sound of pleasure instead, her hand quickening its pace upon his cock.