Mark of Mars Page 5

  “I’m heading that way now. I’ll take you.” He indicated to his centurions waiting nearby to mount up.

  “It’s really not necessary,” Jenna grunted. “I’m more than capable of walking.”

  “Walking, yes. Following directions, unlikely.” He hauled himself effortlessly into the saddle of his huge black horse and extended his arm. “Are you going to be difficult about this?”

  Jenna glanced back to see Amelia seated behind the same cute looking centurion as yesterday. So much for playing hard to get. “Very well,” she snorted and let him lift her up behind.

  “Have you seen much of the city yet?” he asked as he gently nudged his horse into action.

  “What makes you think I’m new to the city?”

  “You had no idea who I was yesterday. Today, you appear better informed.”

  Today, I might still give you a slap, she muttered under her breath.

  “Back to my original question, have you seen much of the city?”

  “Very little so far.”

  “How come?”

  “I am a servant of Apollo first, sight-seer second.”

  “You should not waste too much time on Apollo, he is unappreciative,” Marcus said sourly.

  “On the contrary, it is a pleasure to serve a God,” Jenna responded dutifully.

  “Then perhaps you should serve Mars instead. He could benefit from your soft touch.”

  Jenna smiled, she would very much like to look at that statue every day. She was also unsure if the Marshall was messing with her. “I am sure Mars would disagree. I don’t think Mars does soft.”

  It did not take them long to reach the temple. As before, Marcus leapt out the saddle but this time did not ask permission to lift her down. As he reached up for her, his horse took an unexpected step forward, causing Jenna to lose her balance and practically fall onto him.

  “Easy,” he grinned. “People might get the wrong impression.”

  Jenna snorted in disgust. “I think you have an over inflated view of yourself.”

  She could hear his amusement ringing in her ears as she stalked up the temple steps. What she would give to be alone with him for a short while with a sword!

  Good news did not meet them back at the temple. Amelia’s mother needed to get hold of her urgently so she had to head straight over there.

  CHAPTER 6

  With some free time on her hands, Jenna decided to venture out to the Forum Romanum. She sat on a stone bench under the shade of a pine tree and marvelled at the activity around her. The Senate House had obviously just emptied out and the Forum was littered with an array of gentlemen in purple trimmed white robes. It looked a bit like rush hour in London. She had some wild hope of catching sight of Emperor Trajan.

  “I do hope you are waiting to see me, young one,” a familiar voice boomed across the Forum.

  “Senator Aurelius,” Jenna’s face lit up on seeing him. “I had some spare time so thought I’d do a bit of sight-seeing. I take it you’ve just had a meeting at the Senate House?”

  “Yes”, he sighed wearily, dropping down on the bench beside her. “It went on far too long and still no decision has been made.”

  Jenna chuckled. “Politics is the same the world over, Senator. In fact the only time our ruling house ever got any firm decisions made was when women were in charge.”

  The Senator’s jaw dropped open in surprise. “Women can rule in your country?”

  “Oh yes, they make quite formidable opponents!” Queen Elizabeth I and Margaret Thatcher sprang to mind.

  “Are not women generally led by their emotions?”

  “Sometimes, yes. But then are not men led by their….” Jenna paused trying to think of the polite word “…by their libido?”

  Aurelius laughed. “Good point. But politics is about ruling wisely, not about who a senator dallies with.”

  “I would disagree. A rising senator found in the wrong bed could find his career at an end. Besides, you Romans have crowned a woman as the wisest of them all.”

  “We have?”

  “Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom. Female not a male.” Jenna flashed a victorious smile.

  Aurelius shook his head, Jenna was quite the opponent. “I concede,” he bowed in defeat.

  “Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about the Senate?” She could not pass up this opportunity.

  “Of course not. Ask away.”

  “Do you meet regularly and how many of you are there?”

  “The Senate meets regularly in the Curia Julia, the Senate House. There are around six hundred senators in total. Where a senator sits in the Curia, depends on his influence and importance. The more influential a senator is, the closer to the front he sits. The Senate meets to discuss all sorts of issues, however when really important decisions need to be made, the meetings are overseen by the Emperor.”

  “Let me guess,” Jenna grinned “you sit in the front row?”

  He chuckled. “You are quite right, young one.”

  “Is the position of Senator hereditary?”

  “Largely yes. However the Emperor can appoint a new senator.”

  “Do you influence the Emperor at all?”

  “Me personally or the Senate?” he queried.

  “The Senate,” Jenna responded, although she had a feeling this senator had a direct line to the Emperor.

  “On occasion when we feel he is taking the wrong course, we will offer our advice to steer him right.” Forever the diplomat.

  “Was Emperor Trajan at the meeting you just had?”

  “No. Emperor Trajan prefers the battlefield more than the Senate House. He’s very much one for action rather than debate.”

  “Now he would make the perfect politician.”

  “How come?”

  “You said it yourself. He’s not into lengthy debate. He would have engineered a decision quickly so he could act upon it.”

  Jenna noticed the Forum had cleared, she did not want to detain Senator Aurelius too long. “I’m sure I have kept you from your business long enough, Senator.” She stood up. “Thank you for your time and insight into the Curia Julia.”

  “You don’t escape that easily, Jenna. I will walk you safely back to your temple. And before you object, my home is not far.”

  “You live close to the Senate House?”

  “Actually it’s closer to the Domus Augustana.”

  “Have you been inside the Imperial Palace?” Jenna asked eagerly.

  “A few times,” the Senator responded kindly.

  In other words you spend a great deal of time there, Jenna thought to herself. “Is it really as impressive as I have heard?”

  “It is quite opulent, but then is not Rome?”

  “It most certainly is.”

  “Now I insist you tell me more about Arula. How is your country governed?” Aurelius was keen to learn more.

  “We have a leader who is elected to serve our country for a certain length of time. He heads up a house similar to the Senate where decisions are suggested and approved.”

  “Who elects him?”

  “The people do. Anyone, male or female, over the age of eighteen can vote.”

  “Free men and women, not slaves?”

  “Slavery has been abolished where I come from.”

  Aurelius looked perplexed. “So who does your manual labour?”

  “We either do it ourselves or employ paid servants.”

  “Your leader, does he have unlimited power, like our Emperor?”

  “No. He cannot just make or break the law. Any new edict firstly has to be approved by a governing house which is made up of commoners, and then a second house which is made up of nobility. If a new edict is passed through both houses, then it becomes law.”

  “So your leader has no real power?”

  “On the contrary, he has great power. He can make vast improvements to those less well off. For example, we do not have the poverty you do here in Rome. A law was passed a long
time ago to help children in need and the old and infirm.”

  Aurelius thought about her responses for a moment. “Your leader does not have a line of succession?”

  “No. We do have a royal family. A queen. But she and her family relinquished their power a long time ago.”

  “Your queen renounced her power?” Aurelius was shocked.

  “She didn’t, it happened further back in her line. It would be similar to Emperor Trajan passing his power to the Senate, and remaining just a figurehead for the people to honour.”

  “But what is the reason for that?”

  “It was deemed imprudent to put the fate of an entire nation in the hands of one person.” Jenna could see the Senator looking bemused. “For example, Emperor Trajan could wake up tomorrow morning and decide that anyone who did not worship Jupiter should be made to fight at the Colosseum. Or that the nobility must give him a certain percentage of their wealth or face death. Our laws prevent rash and unjust ones from happening.”

  Aurelius was hooked. Although he did like the idea of the Jupiter law! He would dearly like to know how far in the future she came from. “Your world sounds fascinating. I would very much like to visit it one day.”

  As they neared Apollo’s temple, a wonderful thought crossed Aurelius’ mind. “The next time we meet, I’m going to challenge you to a game of Latrunculi. As such a wise young woman, I presume you know how to play?”

  Jenna took the bait. “Of course. And what are the stakes?”

  “If you win, I’ll give you a tour of the Curia Julia.”

  Jenna almost drooled at the thought. Very few women would ever get to see inside the Senate House, the offer was almost too good to be true. “And what if you win?” she asked suspiciously.

  “How are you with a sword?” Aurelius’ eyes twinkled.

  “Very good, but surely you’re not suggesting throwing me into the arena at the Colosseum?”

  Aurelius laughed. “Tempting, but women are not yet allowed to fight in the arena. I think my prize would be to arrange an outing for you with an eligible suitor of my choice.”

  Jenna’s face screwed up in horror. “I think the Colosseum might be more fun.”

  “Do we have an accord?”

  She was in a real dilemma. The Senate house on one hand, an outing with a respectable Roman suitor on the other. She’d just have to make sure she won. “Challenge accepted,” she smiled. She needed to meet up with Luke for some serious practice of the Roman precursor to chess.

  After a quiet end to the afternoon, Jenna gathered together the offerings that she was going to take out to the children. Amelia was not back yet, she would go alone.

  “There is no need to go on your own if you’re worried at all, Jenna.” Cassandra gave her a sympathetic smile.

  “I’m fine. One thing I am quite capable of is defending myself if need be,” Jenna responded. Besides, she could not bear the thought of the children going hungry.

  Walking through the narrow streets, Jenna never felt threatened, in fact everyone treated a temple handmaiden with respect. She was in her own little world, quite content, until she ran into her worst nightmare.

  CHAPTER 7

  “Why is your temple sister not with you?” Marcus barked. He was blocking the street and looked anything but happy to see her.

  “I don’t believe it is any of your business as to whether I am accompanied or not.” She slipped past him. Someone had definitely spat in his drink, she thought.

  “Do you have any idea whatsoever how dangerous it is to be out in this neighbourhood alone?”

  “I don’t see how feeding the children of the poor is dangerous. According to you, any trouble is dealt with swiftly so what dangers should I be on the lookout for?”

  “How about your own personal safety,” he growled. “You are a very beautiful woman.”

  “Careful, Marshall, that almost sounds like a compliment.”

  “I’m being serious, you headstrong fool. You are asking for trouble.” He did not share her amusement.

  “I am more than capable of looking after myself should I attract any unwelcome attention. And as I have not appointed you to take charge of my safety, please go do whatever it is you’re supposedly so good at.” She hurried along the street and out of sight before letting a wide grin cross her face. Arrogant ass definitely needed bringing down a level or two. She knew it was probably not wise to antagonise him, but she truly detested overbearing, domineering men.

  She was only a few streets away from her intended destination when a firm hand clamped down on her shoulder. She didn’t think, she just reacted with incredible speed. She turned a fraction, moved into his body, took hold of his arm and flipped him over her shoulder. A split second later, he was lying flat on the hard, cobbled street.

  Oh crap, Jenna muttered to herself, as she looked down at the Marshall. His face was a picture and Jenna had to clench every single muscle in her body not to laugh. She was probably skating pretty close to a night or two in jail. But how was she to know it was him? In fact he was lucky she didn’t break his nose.

  “My apologies, Marshall. Had I known it was you, I might have been a touch gentler.” She extended her arm to help him up. To her surprise he took it and got to his feet.

  “What in the name of Mars was that manoeuvre? I have never seen anything like it.” He sounded almost impressed. He was. Very. She had not just taken down a God, but the God of War himself. Only his brothers in their younger years had managed that. And perhaps his sister Minerva. Actually she was a menace when she was young.

  “I studied various fighting skills from the Orient.”

  “But you threw me? I am at least twice your weight.”

  “The weight of the man is not an issue. I have thrown opponents much bigger and heavier than you an awful lot further.”

  “That is impressive. But how would you react to a sword?”

  “Disarming a man is not difficult.”

  “Luckily for me then that my sword is too heavy for a woman to wield.” It was made from celestial bronze, so only a deity could lift it.

  “That sounds like a challenge, Marshall.” Jenna raised an eyebrow.

  “On the contrary, I’m just stating a fact.”

  Jenna found the children in the same square as she had previously. They ran towards her but the minute they saw the Marshall, they stopped in their tracks.

  “Is that a special gift you have,” she glanced at him sideways, “scaring small children?”

  “I cannot help my reputation,” he shrugged his shoulders.

  “Well, try and look a little less intimidating,” she tutted. She approached the children and knelt down with her basket of bread. They soon forgot the Marshall’s presence and flocked around her.

  Jenna lost all track of time talking to the children. They were teaching her their names and telling her about their families. Most lived in some sort of dwelling, but a few of the orphans slept rough. They were so open and in need of care, it really pulled on her heart strings. But she was getting to see a side of Rome that no-one knew much about; ancient Rome from a child’s perspective.

  One of the children looked just beyond Jenna, his eyes wide as saucers. “That expression can only mean Marshall Vilnus is standing right behind me?” she said gently to the child.

  He nodded, clearly terrified.

  “The sun will soon be setting, Jenna. We should get going.” Marcus’ voice was incredibly soft.

  She got to her feet and spun around. It was her turn to be surprised. Marcus had removed his helmet and for the first time, she got a good look at his face. He wasn’t just handsome, he was gorgeous. His black hair had a slight wave to it and hung down to just above his shoulders, his features looked like they had been carved from marble, his tanned skin was unblemished, with just a hint of stubble on his chin. She felt her stomach do a little dance. If only he were mute, he would be perfect!

  “You should lose the helmet more often, it’s definitely an im
provement,” she remarked.

  “Careful, that almost sounds like a compliment,” he reiterated her words back to her.

  “On the contrary, I just meant you look a little less intimidating without your helmet.” The last thing she wanted was for him to think she found him attractive.

  “I’m supposed to look scary, Jenna. It stops people from getting themselves killed.”