Page 45 of Enslaved
“The general asks that you leave your goods so he may select what appeals to him in particular. We will need one of the stolae and a fine wool mantle in about two hours,” Nola told the cloth merchant.
As they walked through the villa, Diana asked Nola, “As a slave of this household, what are my duties?”
“Your sole duty is to obey and please Magnus. Your day should be spent at leisure doing pleasurable things so that you are in a receptive mood to spend your evening entertaining the general. He has a heavy workload and crushing responsibilities and needs diversion from constant duty. I myself am going to have a relaxing body massage before lunch. I’ll send Sylla to your chamber so she can do your face and hair.”
When Diana stepped into Kell’s chariot, she drew the scarlet wool mantle about her closely. She was glad that it had been fashioned with a hood, for today a chill wind was blowing in from the coast. Up on these heights she could tell that autumn approached. Perhaps the storm last night had signaled the end of summer. For Diana it also signaled the end of innocence. She did not regret it. She felt more alive than she ever had. Life was filled with challenge and excitement, all centered on that driving force known as Marcus Magnus.
“Am I ordered to the fortress?” she asked Kell.
“Nay, we go straight to the river.”
Diana shivered. “The weather has turned cold. Surely they won’t go into the water today?”
“Inclement weather never stopped the general.”
She glanced at Kell from beneath her lashes. “What would stop him?” she asked lightly.
“Naught in this world, lady.”
Diana shivered just thinking of him.
“He’s been waiting for a storm to swell the river. He’ll be in his glory, never fear!”
Kell stopped the chariot in a meadow that looked down upon the River Avon. The banks of the river, about forty feet below them, were lined with more than a thousand legionary soldiers, each wearing full armor, bearing a full complement of weapons, and carrying a backpack of supplies. Across every soldier’s back was slung his shield and a pack of provisions for making camp.
Diana’s eyes easily picked out the powerful form of Marcus. He was about to give the men a demonstration of how to cross the river. She watched him secure his weapons, hang his shield across his back, then hold up his two javelins together in one hand.
Diana caught her breath as she watched him wade into the water, using the javelins as a staff, then when the water was deep enough to close about his breastplate, he used the javelins to push himself away from the bank, out into the river’s swift current. He began to swim using only one arm to stroke. His other arm held the javelins parallel with his body so they would aid, rather than impede, his sidestroke.
Diana was terrified that the heavy armor and the bronze and iron helmet would drag him beneath the raging waters. “Why is he risking his life?” Diana cried out to Kell.
“He must set the example,” Kell told her.
“He is attempting the impossible!” She pulled the wool mantle close about her, to try to keep from shivering.
Kell shook his head. “To Marcus Magnus nothing is impossible.”
Diana did not dare take her eyes from the helmeted head that bobbed up and down in the raging torrent. All her thoughts and concentration were focused upon him as he battled the current, and she realized by the shouts of the men that they, too, were eager for him to win against the odds.
He was more than halfway now, and she realized he would beat the river. How much strength and determination such a feat must require! When he reached the far bank, her heart was pounding with joy for his victory. A great cheer arose from the throats of the legionaries and their centurion officers. Then, incredibly, Marcus Magnus waded back into the water to recross the river.
He was all brute strength. Watching him made Diana weak at the knees. Her mouth went dry remembering his powerful hands on her body. He must have taken her in his arms last night and lifted her into his bed, then stretched his magnificent body alongside hers as he watched her sleep. Watching him was like an aphrodisiac. Now she wished with all her heart that he had awakened her last night.
Marcus was once more successful in crossing the river. He waded out and handed his javelins to an officer.Does he know I watch him?The moment she asked herself the question, Marcus Magnus turned and looked up at her. Her heart overflowed with pride. She threw back the hood of her scarlet mantle and let the wind blow through her gilt tresses until it was in wild disarray. He was laughing and he lifted his arm to hail her. She waved back, then threw him a kiss.
Now it was the turn of the ten centurion officers and the two cohort centurions to duplicate the feat of the Primus Pilus. It took them twice as long, with many false starts, but with encouragements and dogged determination, half the leaders made it across. Six of them had to be dragged out and would have to attempt it again once they had rested.
Now it was the soldiers’ turn to attempt the crossing and not all of them could swim. Fortunately Marcus had his own permanent legionaries to aid the newcomers. They had passed their leader’s swimming tests before he had accepted them at the permanent base of Aquae Sulis.
Diana watched Petrius drag himself from the water and stalk toward his brother. He looked just as dangerous as he had last night.
“Freezing my nuts off in cold water is not my idea of training soldiers.” He spat a mouthful of river water at his brother’s feet.
Marcus looked him directly in the eye. “Your nuts will be the size of peas when you ford the icy rivers awaiting you in the western wilds. If you want your men to survive, you had better make sure they learn their lesson well today.”
Petrius followed his brother’s gaze to where Diana stood above them, her long golden hair blowing in the breeze. His loins clenched painfully. “How much do you want for her?” he asked.
“She isn’t for sale,” Marcus said evenly.
