PAX CONTINUUM

 

Breul stood at the villa construction site as the first grey streaks of predawn broke the blackness of the horizon in the east. He had slept fitfully all night and finally decided to just walk here instead of losing the battle with rest. He admonished himself for telling the lady Selina that he loved her and just walking off before he could know what her reaction was. He had not run from anything since he was a very small boy at home and could not believe he had done so now. Here he could at least be in the open air, feel the breeze and night sounds soothing embrace.

As dawn had passed its pink interlude and the sun was peaking into the now clear blue sky above; Jovian, Bracius, Darius and the other men started coming into the work area and found Breul standing at the table where the plans were, but still gazing into the distance.

“It looks like a fine day starting Breul, you are here unusually early this morning.” He said to his past commander.

“Yes my friend it does. We have much to do today and this is a good omen for our success.” Breul answered.

“You seem distracted Breul, did you not sleep well? Does something trouble you this morning?” Jovian asked concern in his voice.

“Jovian I appreciate your concern, you know this. But I believe I made a mistake yesterday with the lady Selina and cannot get it out of my thoughts. That is the only reason I was here early I did not sleep as well as normal.” Breul told his friend.

“You did what, that concerns you so my friend. It is not like you to mistreat a woman of any standing or age.” He asked

“Oh no nothing like that Jovian, I told her that I love her and then walked away without letting her say anything.” He told his friend.

“Why would you do that, I mean why just walk away. I have known you are in love with her for a while, I shows.” Jovian said with a smile.

“Cowardice.” Was all he said in replying.

“Breul you a coward think of what you are saying. I have never known a man with as much valor as you; it is why we all follow you without fail.” Jovian told him in elevated tones.

“Thank you my friend, but I did not stand and face it this time, I have not run since I was a very small boy.” He said

The other men now were gathering around so the conversation halted. Breul looked around at his men and started issuing the day’s schedule of tasks they needed to complete. The day proceeded well; Breul threw himself into the work with elevated zeal. By the end of the day Breul was exhausted, every muscle in his body ached and he was ready for rest. He walked back in the direction of the baker’s shop slowly today, in part tired and in part apprehensive. He was later than usual and he even thought about just going to his rooms tonight and trying to sleep.

As he neared the baker’s shop he noticed Selina leaning in the doorway and that there were no customers sitting at the counter. When she saw him she walked outside and waited for him to come close to her.

“Did you mean what you said last night?” she asked but blushed as she asked the question. “And if you did why did you just walk away?”

“Yes I meant it, I am sorry about just leaving, I have regretted that ever since. I never run from anything but last night I did.” Breul said in a remorseful tone.

“Were you afraid of my answer? I am so afraid you are just going to use me and then leave like all men do.” She said.

“I cannot predict the future Selina, but I know if you would be with me I would never let you go.” Breul said as he looked into her green eyes with full sincerity.

“Tell me how I can know that, you left last night before I could even tell you I feel the same.” She said but bowed her head after she did.

“You feel the same?” He asked hushed and almost in a stammer.

“Yes Breul I have known it since the first time you played with Julian and Justinian, maybe even before.” Saline admitted to him. “I have not trusted a man except my father for a very long time and you scare me, because I do you.”

“I will prove to you that your trust is well founded, this I promise you Selina.” Breul told her.

“You are late, I have been waiting just for you, walk me home and I will fix you a real meal. Let us see if you like my cooking.” Selina told him linking her arm through his as he turned around to walk with her home.

The dinner was fine Breul remarked several times as baby Jennet sat in his lap at the table pulling at his wavy hair. Selina blushed at the continued compliments and the boys hurrahed at every one. After dinner while they sat outside the boys asked Breul to tell them another story of someplace he had been. Breul agreed and talked of the large blue stones standing upright in Britania arranged in circles where Druid priests once made predictions of coming days or months.

Even Atia sat with them behind Selina and when it came time she took Jennet from Salina as she ushered the boys inside so Selina and Breul could say goodnight alone.

Breul stood as did Selina with him, they took each other’s hands and stood close while Breul kissed Selina’s forehead as he told her he would see her the next evening. She clasped his hand and said a last goodnight as he turned and walked up the street slowly to where he lived.

The next day while building on the villa for Claudius Marilus, Breul saw the nobleman coming toward them with Titus and his brother Domatiain. Jovian who was standing next to Breul uttered only one short statement in a hushed breath before moving away to talk to the other men. “Both of Vespasian’s sons Breul are with him this time.”

Claudius Marilius with his two guests walked over to Breul , introduced him to them again in the formal manner as if they had not met yet, then asked how the progress was going. He then turned starting to look for himself with Titus his close friend at his side commenting on how much more was done than his last visit.

Domatian held back until the other two were around a corner of the villa and could not see him and Breul lagging behind. Then he turned on a heel and faced Breul squarely.

“How is this life of a civilian treating you Centurian?” He asked without a hint of emotion. ”You are not allowing yourselves to become unfit I see, but are you keeping yourselves ready if you are needed?”

“Yes Caesar we but wait for whatever you command, my men are ready now if that is why you have come.” Breul told Vespasian’s younger son.

“No Centurian not yet thanks be to the God’s and maybe never would be a blessing from Mithas and Mars. But yes I see your one time Tribune was right you were the right man for me to bring here.” He told him as he handed him a small bag of gold coins. “Spread this among your very small Cohort, I know Claudius pays you but you and your men are being loyal and patient so a little reward may go a long ways.”

“Thank you Caesar the men will honor your generosity I assure you.” Breul told him.

Then both men picked up their pace and caught up with Claudius and Titus before they were missed walking to far behind. Domatian even made a comment quickly to something Titus said to assure them that they were still there.

Claudius and Vespatian’s sons left the site and once they were gone Bruel passed out Domatian’s reward for loyalty. All the men were very grateful. As the work day finished they all walked a little faster to their quarters, Jovian and Darius to their wives to share in their coins, the others to have some added relaxation. Breul went to the baker’s shop to meet Selina. 

“You are a little early Breul is everything alright? Would you like your meal and wine?” Selina asked him.

“Everything is fine we had visitors at the site today and one of Vespatian’s sons; Domatian and he gave us a small reward for our work on his brother’s friend’s villa” He told her.

“Domatian is in Pompeii Breul and you saw him today?” she asked him sounding a little worried. She turned and placed his meal in front of him then went to wait on another customer.

Breul finished is meal and Selina came out of the doorway ready to go. They walked together in the direction of where Selina lived and Breul asked her what was wrong. At first she hesitated then she told Breul about her husband and her life with him again, but this time she told him that he was known to Titus from his times of orgies and socializing with Rome’s noble families. She was worried that if Claudius Marilus was a friend of Titus Caesar then so might Julius Galbinian too. If this was true then he might find her here and try to take her children away.

“This I will not allow to happen Selina above all else know that.” Breul told her.

“But how can you a builder do anything man of my heart. How can you do anything about such powerful people they can buy and sell us both?” Selina almost pleaded with him as they neared her home.

“Selina once your children are in bed and before I leave tonight we must talk awhile. Would that be alright with you?” Breul asked.

“Of course, I will have Atia put them to sleep a little early and we can have more time.” She told him.

The evening was pleasant Breul played with the twins and carried Jennet in his arms most of the early evening. Then Atia held sway over all three as she put them to bed leaving Selina and Breul outside to talk.

He told her that there was more to him than just being a builder, about him joining the legion in Britian and of his men leaving there with him to come here. About Jovian and Darius getting married and having children. Then he told her about his rising through the ranks to become a Centurian and up to the first cohort under his tribune. Lastly about he and his men being sent here and about their waiting for orders up to and including now.

“You are still in the legion? Then how is it you are here and why?” she asked now somewhat fearful.

“Yes we all are, but no one can know that. I tell you because I want you to know everything about me we are under the orders now of Domatian. He has us here in case he needs us without anyone knowing who we are.” Breul told her.

“For what and why did you tell me now?” Selina asked him a tear starting to form at her eye.

Breul took her face in his hands and said. “Because I love you and want you to be my wife.” As he said it he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her fully for the first time since they had met.

“Oh yes Breul, but I cannot, I want to so but I told you I am still married to Julius Galbinian.” Selina answered and started to weep as Breul held her in his arms tight to his body.

“I will fix that and stop the reason for your fear someway, as long as I know you love me and wish to be my wife.” Breul said.

“In my heart I am already your woman Breul and you are my man as much as we can be” Selina told him as she put her arms around his neck and they kissed again for a long warm loving embrace.

“You two should just come inside and get to bed just like I did the children, they are asleep now.” Atia said from the doorway to them both.

“We cannot do that Atia, you know that. We are not married to one another.” Selina said being embarrassed at the woman’s forward statement.

“Pshaw, the one god knows what is in your hearts.” She said turning around. “If any two people should be together, it is you. Anyone who sees you together knows that.”

Selina’s face was highlighted pink with embarrassment now from this conversation. Breul turned kissed her again on her forehead telling her good bye for the night and walked up the street toward his dwelling.

When Breul got to his house he knocked on the door to the house next door and Darius opened it.

“Breul come in I am surprised to see you at this time of day.” Darius greeted his superior.

“Darius I need a favor if you are willing?” Breul asked him

“You need but ask Centurian I would be honored to serve.” Darius said.

“Then I would like you to frequent those brothels and wine houses that you know better than any, for any information you can get about a man. A man named Julius Galbinian, he is of Rome I think. I wish to know where he is or would be, but no one must suspect you are looking for him.” Breul told him.

“Breul you know me far too well. This man he is important, we have orders then?” He asked.

“No orders this you do for me personally.” Breul replied.

“Well for you Centurian I will be extra vigilant.” Darius said.

Breul gave him some coins from his own reward and told him to spend from that first. Then the two grasped arms before Darius poured them a cup of wine and they drank as the friends they were.  Later Breul left and went to his own house next door, once inside he went to bed.

For most of the next week Darius was not at the work site, nor did he come home at night. Then late one evening after Breul was home and going to rest there was a knock at his door. When he opened it, it was Darius.

“I found him Breul, it took longer than I thought but I know where he is at. He is at a villa he has outside Rome or at least that is what I heard. There is one more thing Breul, he is there with his wife.” Darius said.

“Wife, I thought his wife died?” Breul asked.

“Not one wife Breul, the man has had two wives die over the past few years. He is rich for sure, but he is not of the noble class he is a citizen and that is all.” Darius told him.

“Two wives have died, and he has married again that is very interesting. Anything more?” he asked.

“Only that there is a rumor or you might even say hidden scandal right now. It seems there was a young girl who committed suicide a few months ago and it is whispered that she did because of this Julius Galbinian. There are no charges yet but people talk, seems he has a questionable reputation even in Rome.” Darius told him. “Can I do anything else Breul?”

“I think I know what I have to do now my friend. Yes one more thing Darius, can you find me a herder’s knife, you know the kind they use for castration.” Breul asked him.

“Yes I can find one, what are you thinking Centurian? What is this man to you anyway?” Darius asked.

“Someone who has hurt enough women, that is all. This is a private matter Darius, you need to distance yourself from it. I do thank you for your help though.” He said still very thoughtful.

“I cannot obey that request Breul, you are my friend and my Centurian. You will need help and if you allow it will be me.” Darius told him.

“You are probably right, you already know who and where he can be found. But Darius we must be more cautious than we have ever been before this is a dirty business.” Breul told him.

“Breul we all here are accustomed to dirty business.” He said.

“Yes I suppose we are, Thank you Darius. Now get some rest I will see you at the villa site after you acquire the knife and then we will talk to Jovian.” Breul said and Darius headed for the door closing it behind him.

The next morning the two of them had a talk with Jovian and he was being left in charge of the site while Breul and Darius would be gone for a few days. Jovian was brought into their confidence but was to keep it secret unless there was a need. Darius had the knife Breul requested, an old but serviceable one. They were taking no other weapons Breul had decided. After all was settled Breul headed for the baker and Darius went to gather the horses they had stabled at the edge of Pompeii.

Breul told Selina that he would be gone a few days on a trip to Rome and would be back as soon as he could.

“I will miss you Breul, please be safe. The children will miss you too.” She said.

“Tell them I will be back as soon as I can. I will miss you Selina and would not go if it was not necessary.” Breul told her and then took her in his arms. They kissed as they had not before and when Breul turned to leave she felt extremely lonely for the first time since she and Breul had become close.