The Exchange (closed)

[jascent88]

Lucius looked out the window from his study, his dark eyes scanning the cold, wild land that extended out before him. He frowned and let out a low sigh, his military career had suited him very well for this post. He had been sent here to restore order to this province and to help to quell some of the rebel incursions that had been happening. He knew that he was the best choice for the post, but he hated being away from from, being this far away from the center of power it would be easy for him to be forgotten about. He didn't like that, but he did like the autonomy that he had this far outside of Rome's circle of influence.

He pressed his hand to the stone wall, he could feel the cold radiating through it, a small dusting of snow covered much of the landscape. This was his first winter here, it seemed like everything seemed to have slowed down now. He had led his men on several patrols into the rebel territory and had put on a very strong display of force. He had even captured some of them on his last patrol, he smiled to himself, they had put up a good fight.

He turned from the wall and pulled his jacket closer on his shoulders, he looked over his spacious office. He scribe sitting near his desk looking up at him “Right” Lucius said as he walked back to the desk and sat down in his chair.

“The rebels are to be executed in three days time” he said with a smile “they will be beheaded and I want them to line the walls of the city” he said with a waive of his hand. “Everyone is to attend the ceremony” he said, hopefully that will show the rest of them that I am not a man to be trifled with.

He stood up again “That is all, I want that posted on all of the public meeting houses” he said as he clasped his hands behind his back “by night fall” he said as he turned to look at the scribe. The other man nodded and rolled up his parchment and started to retreat from the room.

“Send in Octavius” Lucius said over his shoulder as he stared out of the window again. Octavius was his best commander, and the man that he trusted the most out here. He took in a deep breath and let out a low sigh, he wasn't a young man any more and he could feel the cold in his bones. He grinned, he knew he could still put up a good fight, and he had proved that out on their first patrol, but he had been sent here to command.

He turned around as the door opened and Octavius walked in, he nodded to Lucius and went to stand by the fire. He extended his hands towards the flames and rubbed them to warm them up “Lovely weather in this country” he said sarcastically.

Lucius nodded “Almost as inviting as the women” he said with a laugh.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Remus had been taken.

It was a horrible night, filled with screams and bloodshed at the order of the new Commander. Remus was her only brother, the only heir that could carry their family name and secure their land for the next generation. How could the Roman Commander be so cruel?

Calista stared in horror at the notice pegged to the stone wall, tears glistening in her eyes at Remus’ name scrawled across the papyrus. Her parents were too old and fragile to do anything about it and she would rather die a thousand deaths than to see them turned out on the street. There was only one option left … Calista paled at the thought of it.

She had gone back to the village the Roman soldiers had ravaged and helped to clear as much of the mess as she could. Calista was a pagan healer with a wealth of knowledge about herbs and their use in medicinal formulas, and she was inundated with desperate villagers seeking her help. All the pain and suffering around her, kindled a rage inside her for this man she has never even met. He destroyed their lives, took what was precious and left the rest to die in the harsh winter conditions with no roof over their heads.

The villagers were hastily making provisions for the night, trying to restore a house or two to shelter the survivors. Calista however, had a different plan in mind. Remus was more valuable to her people than she was, he was a means for her parents to survive ... which she could not give to them.

Fear flickered in her eyes as she dressed in a sky blue Peplos that accentuated her violet blue eyes. Calista was brushing her raven hair with shaky hands, until it shimmered and spiralled down her back. The plan was milling around and around in her mind, carefully working through every possible scenario before she set out on her journey...

“Mamma, I am going to visit Amelia,” she said to her mother, before disappearing out the door with enough food to last her two days. “Be careful,” her mother said softly before giving her daughter a hug. Calista and Amelia had been bosom friends since childhood and her mother wrongly assumed that Calista was seeking the comfort of a friend. If Calista’s mother knew what her daughter was planning, she never would have let her go.

Calista's clothes, hairstyle, even the jewellery that adorned her wrists and ankles spoke of her heritage, the fact that she was a Pagan healer … it was a dead give-away to the Roman city she was approaching. She was a ‘rebel’, an enemy to the Empire of Rome and she was walking straight into the lion's den.

When she finally reached the city gates, she took a deep breath and stepped onto the path, bravely walking towards the gates. She was doing this for Remus, for her family ... for her people.

Before she could even speak a word, four guards besieged her and took her captive, absolutely stunned at the audacity of this single rebel girl. The guards towered over her. Calista looked small and fragile against them. They roughly bound her hands behind her back and threw her in a cage, shipping her off to the Commander’s office for him to deal with her.

It was the day before the executions and fear shimmered in her eyes. She hoped she was not too late. She vehemently hoped the Commander would listen to her proposition … consider it … otherwise her sacrifice would have been in vain.

 

[jascent88]

Lucius woke early that morning as the sun just started to crest the tops of the trees outside his window. He looked over at the orange orb as its light was dulled by the fog that had settled in for the morning. He slowly got up and stretched out his tired muscles, a full days worth of riding took much more of a toll on him now than it did when he was in his prime. He pushed the heavy pelts that lined his bed to the side as he scooted to the edge of it, he pushed back the silken curtain that surrounded it and looked out his large window. He gently rubbed the silk, it was nice to have a few comforts here among this rugged outpost.

He dressed into some warmer clothes and made his way out of his room and started to head through the complex. He nodded as he greeted his soldiers, most of them heading to morning meals or drills. He had put them to work rebuilding the complex, his predecessor had left it in a very bad state of disrepair. The exterior walls were beginning to crumble and collapse, that was the first thing he had worked on. They needed protection from the rebel raiding parties, once they had shored that up he had gone to work on the interior of their complex making it a suitable place for him and for his men.

He walked into the administrative office and was greeted by two soldiers standing guard at the entrance, he snapped them a salute and received one in return, neither man turning to meet his gaze. He smiled to himself, they were beginning to take to the training and discipline he had been forced to instill here. He walked up the stone steps, his sandals echoing in the small passage way as he walked to his office. He pushed open the large wooden door and was greeted by the popping sound of a fire, good, he thought to himself as he set his coat on a hook and walked to his desk.

He sat down behind the large wooden desk and began to go over his paperwork for the day, it seemed the running an empire required more paperwork to be done than anything else. He sighed as he started into it, this was not something that he enjoyed, he was a soldier at heart. He had risen through the ranks on those merits, not on his administrative ones.

He looked up as there was a knock at his door “Come” he called in a loud voice.

He watched as the door opened an one of his younger soldiers walked into the room “Sir” he said.

“Yes” he said as he set his quill down and looked at him.

“We have captured another rebel” he said.

“Very good, and” he said absently.

“She is requesting to speak with you, Sir” he said.

Lucius nodded, he normally wasn't interested in speaking with rebel captives, unless there was something he could gain from them. But this offered him an opportunity to put his paper work on hold for a while, a welcomed distraction.

“Very good, prepare interrogation room three and have her brought there” he ordered as he looked back down to finish up something. He listened as the soldier strode out of the room and shut the door behind him, he smiled to himself, well perhaps this day wouldn't be all drudgery.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Her heart was hammering in her chest as she was drawn through the streets of the Roman city. The way the people cheered and cajoled, you would swear she was the devil reincarnated. It felt like an eternity before they reached the city centre and Calista was left guarded while one of the guards went to report her request.

She wrapped her hands around the metal bars, waiting anxiously to hear if the Commander would speak with her.

Another eternity later, two guards appeared from the door and they unlocked the cage, hauling Calista out and half suspending her between them as they took her into the stronghold. It was frightening to watch the sun being engulfed by stone walls, as they took her deeper into the basement. She didn’t know if she would see the light of day ever again … what her fate held for her. It all depended on this one man who was a tyrant.

From the little the guards spoke, she gathered that they were taking her to an interrogation room, which made her heart skip a beat. She had heard horrible stories of torture and cruelty, fear flickering in her eyes as they opened a massive wooden door.

The guards unceremoniously pushed her up against the opposite wall and Calista helplessly watched as heavy metal chains were encircled around her wrists and ankles and bolted in place. They were obviously intended for people a little taller than she was, her toes barely touching the floor. The cold from the stone wall was slicing through her clothes, chilling her to the bone.

The guards left her, and as the heavy door slammed shut behind them … an overwhelming tidal wave of fear and helplessness washed over her. What has she done?

Calista desperately tried to remind herself why she was here, why it was so important that Remus was released. She would have been a fool if she thought that sacrificing herself for the life of another would be easy. It was terrifying. For all she knew, the Commander could be a deceitful man who would keep them both and execute them both at dawn.

She vehemently hoped that was not the case. Her parents would not survive the death of both their children.

Her heart was hammering in her chest when the door opened, an imposing man dressed in official Roman attire standing in the doorway. She steeled herself, trying to look as calm as she possibly could, fear and anger swirling in her eyes.

 

[jascent88]

Lucius walked through the fort and headed down to the lower levels, the light was sparse here as the higher peaks of the fort shaded the sun. The climate was already cool but the lack of sun made these dark corners even colder, he shivered slight as he rounded an open stair case and entered into the lower levels, he pulled open a door and descended down in to the dungeon of the fortress. The walls were made of thick stone, the stout walls supporting the many upper levels, dispersing the weight of the towers into the earth below them.

He walked along the hallway, the darkness was eliminated by burning torches that hung on the walls. He rounded a corner to a large stairwell and headed down, his sandals scuffing off of the stone steps as he descended. He smiled as he heard the clanking of chains echoing up the stairwell, that was the sound of progress. They were slowly ridding themselves of those that sought to bring chaos to the empire. He had dedicated his youth to the empire, enlisting as a way to get away form the farm, it had fed him and kept him warm, most of the time. He had learned hard lessons and learned some things the hard way. He straightened up, standing tall as he came into view of their prisoners. He smiled as he the first curses were hurled at him, it was better to be feared than loved in this part of the world. He ignored the angry words and the pleas for clemency, his face held the smile no matter which cell that he crossed. He walked slowly so that they could see him, they had the opportunity to get a good glimpse of the man who was in control of this province.

He walked to the darkest part of the dungeon, the interrogation rooms, each of them held a special technique that could be used to encourage their prisoner to talk to them. He pulled open the door to the room and walked in, his shoulders straight and wide as he entered the room. He had been told it was a woman so he was prepared for what he saw, she was stretched out along the wall, her feet having a hard time keeping planted on the floor.

There was a chair along one wall, he walked over to it and picked it up, he reseated it in the center of the room facing her. He sat down in the chair, his posture very straight as he looked at her for a long moment. His dark brown eyes taking in her young figure, he was surprised that she had been allowed to stray into their territory. Young women of child bearing age were a prized commodity out here, something that they kept close to home and well guarded.

He watched her eyes as she studied him, the violet flecks sparkled in the dim light of the room. He could see the fear in them as she kept her face calm, her face was dirty, not doubt from where she had been captured to being brought here.

“So why was I pulled away from my duties” he asked his voice holing an irritated tone as he looked at her. “This had better be worth my time” he said as he leaned back a little in the chair.

 

[DarkEmpress]

He was imposing, confident … ice cold. Just the way he carried himself spoke of an air of authority, a will of steel.

It made Calista’s heart sink to her feet.

She watched as he strode across the room as if this was an every day occurrence for him. He took the chair and placed it in the middle of room before taking a seat, all his attention firmly on her.

Calista blanched as his eyes roamed across her, staring into her eyes for a nerve-wrecking eternity. She was pretty sure that it would be nearly impossible to hide anything from him. He seemed to cut through to the very core of her being, splaying her soul wide open for him to peer into.

“So why was I pulled away from my duties.”

He sounded irritated, almost annoyed, which doubled Calista’s anxiety.

“I … uhm,” she stammered, struggling to find the words.

“This had better be worth my time”

Calista nodded, trying to bring her failing determination under control. Taking a deep breath, she tried to match his almost indifferent stance. Somehow, she didn’t think pleading would be the best way of appealing to this tyrant’s senses.

“Sire,” she said respectfully. “I come to bargain for the life of my brother, Remus,” Calista said, trying desperately to keep the emotion from her voice. “He is to be executed tomorrow morning, Sire.”

Calista took another deep breath, trembling at what she was about to say. This time she could not hide the naked fear in her eyes.

“I would like to offer my life in exchange, Sire,” Calista said shakily. There were no disguises in her words, only the truth.

 

[jascent88]

Lucius sat in his chair and looked at the girl that hung on the wall like a painting, his eyes taking in the curves of her figure and the fear in her eyes. He watched her lips move as she spoke, he was impressed with her sense of propriety, she understood that he did enjoy having his rank acknowledged. He kept his face blank as he looked at her and listened.

He had to stifle a laugh at the mention of a bargain, what could this woman from the woods bring that could entice him he wondered. He was intrigued by her boldness so he continued to sit and let her unfold her plan to him.

The mention on his name struck something in him and he nodded his head “Ahh yes Remus” he said thoughtfully as he looked up at her, he pointed to her eyes “that is where I have seen them before”. He smiled “I see the same fear there that I saw in his” he said as he leaned forward. He placed his hands on his knees as he sat back and grinned at her “When we rounded him up on one of our patrols I was the one to seize him” he said proudly. “I would have killed him on the spot but it is so hard to run someone through who is begging for their lives while pissing themselves” he said dismissively with a waive of his hand. “So he was brought back here along with the others to be made an example of” he said as his eyes returned to hers.

“So you would give your life for his” He asked “That doesn't seem like a very good trade” he said not waiting for her to answer. He waived his hand “Your people could use another child bearing woman more than they could a whining coward” he said and then stood up.

He let his eyes trace out her figure again, she looked like she could be a very pretty girl if she was cleaned up a little. He could tell he would enjoy finding that out, it had been a while since had enjoyed the warmth of a woman.

“Having you executed for his crimes would not have the same effect on your people” he said with a waive of his hand. He took a few steps towards her, he put his hands on his hips as he examined her face for a long moment.

He pressed his lips together and shook his head “No” he said coldly “that exchange does not sound equitable to me” he said as he turned and started to head towards the door.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Fury kindled in Calista’s eyes at his description of her brother. He was not a coward ... much, she had to correct herself truthfully. Her father had always gently chastised Remus, saying that he must be brave like his sister ... and he tried. Calista knew he did.

The Roman commander was clearly not familiar with their customs. “Having you executed for his crimes would not have the same effect on your people,” he said as he took a step closer, his eyes roaming across Calista’s form, which made her blush slightly. She tried to steel herself against it, trying to stifle the feeling that he was inspecting her as he would a herd of livestock.

“It would, Sire,” Calista said quickly, trying to persuade him.

“No” he said coldly “that exchange does not sound equitable to me.”

Calista helplessly watched as he turned, walking towards the door. She had fumbled her only chance at saving her brother and this time her voice was filled with desperation as she called “Wait!” A little louder than she had intended.

“Please wait, Sire, I am sure we can come to an agreement,” Calista added, trying to think of anything she could possibly offer him that would be worth her brother’s life. She was trembling, her eyes pleading as she looked at him, her heart hammering in her chest.

“If I offer myself, Sire?” She asked as she paled. The thought alone was unthinkable, but she had no choice. “I will offer myself to you, Sire,” she affirmed, as she mentally steeled herself at the prospect.

“Please, Sire,” Calista begged his consideration.

 

[jascent88]

Lucius stopped as he heard her shrill request, he was surprised that she had been that bold to speak to him that way. He raised en eyebrow as he turned to hear her finish her plea, he was intrigued by her offering. He could see in her face that she knew what she was offering, he paused for a moment while he pondered her request. It had been some time since he had enjoyed the touch a woman, not something that he had allowed himself much time to think about. The duties that he had were enough to keep him busy during the day and exhaust him enough to be to tired to do anything about it on his off time.

He slowly walked across the room to where she was chained to the wall, he stopped in front of her and placed his hands on his hips as he looked at her. He towered over the shorter, younger woman, he reached out a hand and took her face in it as he turned her head away from his as he looked at her examining her, he moved her head the other way as he examined what she was offering him.

He stepped back and let his eyes roam over her figure once more, she had an adequate amount of curves, he didn't care for the local style of clothing that she wore, but that could easily be changed. “You understand what your offering” he said as he saw the acknowledgment in her eyes.

“Hmmm” he said as he looked at her chest “I can see that you would provide a decent amount of entertainment” he said as he tapped a finger against his chin. From the look that he saw in her eyes he could tell that she was serious in her offering.

He smiled “Well I will consider it” he said as he stepped back from her “until then I will have you moved to a more comfortable room” he said with a sarcastic smile. He walked to the door and gave the order for her to be moved to a new cell, where she would be isolated from the rest of the population.

As he walked back to his office he thought about her offering, he had slaves, most of them had their specific functions and duties. He knew some of the officials in Rome kept slaves just for the purpose of providing their masters pleasure. He would have to give up having one of the rebels publicly executed, he wasn't sure if he wanted to be viewed as weak. He grinned, or perhaps he would be seen as benevolent for sparing one of them. That sounded like something that could be good for his image, he knew how he was viewed in the surrounding areas. He was willing to see if a little good will would change anything, if not he had plans for brining the fear back quickly.

He went the the executioner to advise a change in the plans for tomorrows hanging.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Calista’s heart stopped beating for a split second … he stopped.

Turned.

With a raised eyebrow, he surveyed her … considering her offer. It felt like an eternity before he moved, the tension hanging thick in the air. He walked up to Calista and she could almost feel him evaluating the worth of her offer. She gasped as his hand touched her cheek and turned her face from side to side, his eyes gliding across her almost lasciviously.

When he finally let go, Calista raised her chin, courageously holding his gaze, watching as his dark eyes meandered down her body. He was evaluating her offer purely on the strength of her physique ... not her skill as a healer nor the inquisitive personality that lay beneath. It made her feel cheap, as if her entire existence depended on one thing...

“You understand what you’re offering,” he asked.

“Yes, Sire,” Calista answered, in a flat voice.

“I can see that you would provide a decent amount of entertainment” he said thoughtfully. “Well I will consider it, until then I will have you moved to a more comfortable room.”

Calista was overjoyed at the knowledge that he was considering her offer. The ominous expression on his face however, did not bode well. If it meant that there was an inkling of a chance that she could save Remus, she would be willing to do anything, endure anything.

“Thank you, Sire,” Calista said as she watched him stride from the room.

Moments later two guards entered and unchained Calista. Despite the glimmer of hope at the chance of succeeding, she could not help but be petrified. She was trembling as the guards escorted her to another holding cell, much deeper into the maze. It was deathly quiet. She was isolated. There was no human being within hearing distance … absolute darkness. There were no windows to let even a little light in nor was there anything in the room but cold stone surfaces.

They left her there alone, the door slamming shut … the torchlight retreating down the corridor, leaving her in a world of darkness. Calista huddled in a corner, wrapping her arms around her legs trying to fight the crippling fear that was wrapping its clutches around her heart.

She gently rubbed her wrists and tried to focus … she could not let Remus down.

No matter what.

 

[jascent88]

The morning dawned misty and cool, Lucius bounced out of bed with an unusual spring in his step. An execution always had a way of doing that to him, he felt energized for the first time in a few days. He knew that this was going to be a big statement to the surrounding countryside, they were in control now. He pulled out one of his nice dressed uniforms and smoothed it out to inspect it for anything that might need mending. A quick once over showed that the uniform was in good condition, he changed into it and started to head out of his quarters.

He walked through the courtyard of the garrison, there were groups of soldiers getting ready for the parade route. He was planning on making a rather large spectacle out of this, he was going to have the captives paraded through the town square and then back to the garrison. He had commissioned a new set of gallows built out in front. He had also built a set of boxes for his officers and any of their guests to view the proceedings from.

He had assigned Captain Lira to make sure that everything went according to schedule. He made his way down to the bottom of the detention area where they had moved the prisoners last night in case of any escape attempts. There hadn't been any, in fact it had been quite a peaceful evening, one that he had been able to spend debating some of their efforts in more remote areas and differing tactics that they might try to maintain order.

As it came time for the parade he made his way to his box, he sat down in a large cushioned chair and looked up at the overcast sky. The gray clouds seemed to have thickened since the morning, he watched as the parade started. A group of drummers led the column, then a group of soldier, then the captives were pulled by horses. They were all enclosed in cages that were to small for them to stand up properly in.

He smiled to himself, that had been one of his little touches for this part of the ceremony. He motioned for one of his attendants. “Bring the girl to me” he said with a smile. He propped up his elbow on the chair and smiled, he had seen an inner spirit in her that he was going to enjoy.

He watched the procession go out from the garrison and loop through the city, he looked up as she had been brought to him. He motioned for her to come and sit next to him in a free seat he had kept for her. He watched as she cautiously walked over to him and took the chair “I hope that your accommodations were to your liking” he said with a grin.

“I have thought much about your offer” he smiled at her “and it intrigues me” he motioned towards her “why is your brother so important that you would give up your life for his” he asked.