Pax Peracto
After reading the scroll from Pliny the Elder in Misenum; Breul, Selina, Atia and Darius sat at the table and discussed its contents while the legionnaire waited outside. They had given him a cup of Mulsum, hunk of cheese and small loaf of Emmer, which he was gratefully partaking of. He was a Milite of some service apparently by the look of his uniform and Calceous clad feet, the Fabila showed him to be of Pliny the Elders Legion.
The scroll was from Pliny himself and simply stated requested that Breul come to Misenum for a meeting and possible commission for he and his men to take on some construction of improvements to buildings and structures at the port of the Roman Fleet garrisoned there in Misenum under Pliny’s leadership.
After some discussion it was decided that Breul would leave in two days with Jovian to meet with the Admiral and survey the extent of this possible commission. Both Selina and now Atia were well aware of Breul and his men’s service to Domatian seceretly, all the wives were in Breul’s cohort. The men had decided long ago that this would be better since it made any possible entanglements and situations easier to discuss without subterfuge toward their wives.
Selina and Atia both told them that such a move might be a blessing in some ways since living along the coast would have some new advantages for the families. Selina’s only concern now was would any move be soon enough to not be hard on Atia as her pregnancy progressed. Selina and little Basilius were fine now to make such a journey.
Breul wrote a message back to The Roman Naval commander telling him that he and his foreman would leave Pompeii in two days time to come and discuss the commission and arrangements necessary for the tasks outlined in his communication. They would stay in Misenum for two more days and then return to Pompeii. It was expected that Breul and Jovian would be gone approximately a week or slightly less considering travel in both directions. Thus the Messenger placed their reply on his person, thanked them for their generous hospitality and started his journey back to the coast.
The following night after all were in bed asleep, Breul and Selina lay in thiers with Breul’s arms around his wife and her head on his shoulder. After lying their silent for a while Selina move her leg that was between his somewhat higher up his thighs as she turned to raise her head so the two of them could kiss long and warmly.
“Breul this will be the first time we have been apart since we got married. You have not even left, I am here in your arms and I miss you already. Does this make any sense to you?” Selina said after their lips parted.
“Yes my beautiful wife, I was laying here thinking the same thing. Jovian and I will return as soon as we can. I hope we will only be gone four days at most five, but it is all dependent on how much discussion and site reviewing Pliny the Elder wishes to do.” Breul replied lowering his head so he could kiss his wife again.
As he did Selina moved his hand from her shoulder down to cup her so he would know she wanted more than just to kiss this night before he would be gone that long away from her and his family.
The next morning Breul and Jovian mounted two horses and left Pompeii headed west with the sun at their backs in this early morning. Riding through the rolling hills and higher elevations being on horseback over the fairly well maintained roads afforded them quicker passage than many of the people they passed going from one place to the other along their way. Around midday they stopped for Prandium eating small loaves of Emmer and chunks of cheese and quenching their thirsts with Mulsum its honeyed flavor being quite refreshing.
After their meal they remounted and began to ride rather than take a short nap. Both men had decided that the more distance they could make that day the earlier they would be there the next and if fate was kind could at least meet the Roman Commander that day and start part of what he would require. As the sun sat later that day they were both pleased at their progress. With an early start in the morning they could be there before Prandium tomorrow, it would mean finding Pliny at the home of his sister or near the port to gain an audience and get their discussions started as soon that day as possible.
When they arrived the next day they were quite fortunate in that the villa of the Pliny’s sister was very well known and that both Pliny the Elder and his sixteen year old nephew Pliny the younger were both there about to enjoy their Prandium meal. The servant who answered their arrival returned from announcing the two them with an invitation to join the family for the noon meal.
****
On the second day Breul and Jovian were gone Julius and Justinian asked of their mother and were allowed to go with Darius as he went to where all the men gathered for their daily work outs and training exercises while they were all idle from working obligations. The twins had grown to feel as if they should spend their days with their adoptive Pater at work or with he and his men even if they were practicing when work was not scheduled. Selina took much pride in her twin sons actively wanting to learn and become vital as young men without any prodding by herself or Breul, whom the boys accepted now more as their Pater rather than him just being their adoptive father. Breul’s own open love for them all as his true family sometimes amazed her in its depth and open adoration for each one of them, including Jennet whom he would carry or let sit in his lap as long as she would which the little girl sometimes could do for hours at a time.
After the three of them were gone Selina, Atia and little Jennet sat about their daily tasks as if it were a girl’s day without men around in gleeful camaraderie. As the three sat down at midday to enjoy a small Prandium of their own, Jennet looked at her mother and aunt and asked if Pater would be there tonight, When Selina told her not for at least two more days she pouted until Selina told her she could sleep with her mother that night again which made all things right in her world. Jennet had always been and still was Selina’s own shadow most of every day copying her mother’s every move and jesture.
****
“Welcome citizens come and sit, please partake of our meager meal. You arrived earlier than I thought.” Pliny the Elder said and then introduced his sister and nephew.
“Thank you kindly sir, we appreciate your generous invitation we have just come into Misenum and haven’t looked for somewhere eat.” Breul told Pliny appreciatively.
“Then you have not obtained lodgings either I presume. So you both must spend the night here as our guests.” Pliny the Younger added.
“That is most gracious and we thank you most reverently but we both are well accustomed to sleeping beneath the night sky.” Breul replied.
“Nonsense I will not hear of it, you are here at my behest and I would prefer you stay here tonight, we have plenty of room. That way we can come here this evening and leave from here in the morning as we conduct our business. Now that is settled.” Pliny the Elder concluded and gestured them to sit and dine.
They toured all the areas where Pliny was considering making repairs or adding on to structures around the port where the Roman Fleet anchored. Breul and Jovian made considerable notes and sketches so they could discuss costs before leaving late the next day they still hoped.
Later that evening after Cena and Comissato were over. Breul and Jovian retired to rooms they were provided in the servant’s area of the villa. There they sat and discussed all they had seen that day on the tour.
The next day they toured more sites and then settled into an area where Pliny kept his head quarters. After much discussion between them and now both Pliny’s an agreement was reached between them all and a date set for Breul and his whole crew to move to Misenum. This would all take place for them to start the first of some of the repairs in one month.
At about mid afternoon, with considerable good daylight left Breul and Jovian mounted their horse, which were now well rested and started their journey back to Pompeii. As they rested just before dusk and at a time they would normally make camp for the night both men agreed that if they just ate some Emmer with cheese and drank a little Mulsum, they could possibly make home just after middle of the night in time to get a fair amount of sleep in their own homes with their families.
Travel at night was dangerous except that few people would be on the roads. Every hour or so they could walk their mounts and stretch their legs so that both they and the horses could endure the long ride better. The moon was full and there were no clouds blocking the light from the millions of stars in the heavens. To these two men that made the journey quite possible, it was not the first time they had done so during various campaigns in Britannia.
As the moon was far into the western sky and still four to five hours before dawn Breul and Jovian separated after stabling their horses and parted for the walk to their homes.
Breul slipped into his house and to his bedroom to find Selina sleeping peacefully in their bed. He slipped off his tunic, sagum and calceous letting them drop to the floor. Silently and gently Breul tried to slide into bed close to his wife quietly.
“You had better keep sliding closer my husband; I did not think you would get here for a few more hours.” Selina whispered.
“You know me well already my lady. Neither I nor Jovian wanted to spend another night away from home. But how did you know it would be tonight?” He asked.
“As you said my darling I know you well. I had to carry Jennet back to her room a couple of hours ago she fell asleep here with me. Now slide closer take me in your arms and get yourself to sleep.”She whispered with a sly smile to her voice.
Over the next two weeks preparations were started for the move to Misenum. The entire group was going to move at one time and they would be traveling slow with wagons and carts many would walk most of the way only women and children would ride most of the time, men would take turns driving the wagons and some would herd the horses pulling carts. At least half of the trip would be on uphill grades along the best of roads. This kind of trip was though, even downhill grades were difficult on horses and men as well.
By the end of the third week all were camped outside Misenum while they began the task of searching for new quarters. Selina had made it quite clear to Atia and Darius that they would continue to live with her and Breul until Atia had given birth at the very least. Breul was in full agreement with this, so during the search for a house these four looked as one family.
After a couple of days they found one that was rather at the edge of the town and there were empty houses close by. This seemed to be due to migration in the recent past away from this particular area, maybe because it was more at the edge of town and farther away from the beach and port. Although the houses needed some repair the costs of them were very reasonable. Selina had never been very interested in wealth or stature and she knew now that her husband and the men could make all very comfortable in a short time. That evening back at their camp there was a group discussion about the possibility of all of them taking others of those nearby and making it like a community of them all. It was decided that they would all return there the next morning and Breul would find who they needed to discuss such a possibility with.
The next day as the entire group was making individual selections Breul and Darius returned with a couple of men who held the rights to most of these houses. Accommodations and conditions were discussed at length until an agreement was fully reached. It became apparent that the two men were aware that this was the crew of men moving to Misenum to work for the Pliny household on the fortifications and buildings around the port for the Roman Fleet. A couple of the houses were of substantial size and even had stables associated with them. The largest of all was taken by Breul and Jovian which were on opposite sides of the road they were on but very close. In fact the entire crew took ones within site and or sharing property walls to one another. There were a couple with other people still living in close proximity but Breul and his men would now make the majority of residents nearby.
By the time that Breul and the men were to start on their first assignment, all had moved into their new quarters and had jointly made the ones with families quite comfortable and as if they had never been abandoned. The existing neighbors had been met and seemed likeable, happy to have the area seem to be alive again. Around this time Pliny the Elder even stopped by expressing his pleasure and approval of the workmanship he was seeing the men complete. It was however apparent to Breul and Selina that Pliny was not a man who was very comfortable around children.
On the evening before the men’s first day on the new projects Breul and Selina hosted a small feast for everyone, even including the new neighbors here. Jovian had gone to the home of Pliny’s sister and made polite invitation, but was told that regrettably they already had commitments that evening but appreciated being invited.
The two families living in and amongst Breul and his men did attend the feast most gladly. Tarquin, his wife Mila and their daughter Aphra (who was a year younger than the twins) lived next door to Jovian and his family. Galus with his wife Paccia and their daughter Galla and son Cato (who was a year older than the twins) lived two houses away from Breul and Selina. Galus was a Tonsor whose shop was near the center of town in Misenum were as Traquin was a Fuller by trade and practiced his craft in buildings to the back of his property. Aphra toiled with her husband in the cleaning of clothing during the day. Paccia was a more typical Roman wife taking care of hearth and home while attending their children. Both families were of close friendship having lived close to one another for many years.
Julius and Justinian were involved at games with Philo and Cato during most of the afternoon and evening where as Galla and Aphra were spending time closer to the older women and helping out with little Jennet.
Basilius spent much of the day being carried in Breul’s arms or on his Peter’s shoulder while the men talked or sipped at cervesa and relaxed. Every so often Selina would come and take Basilius away so that he could nurse at his mother’s breast. He was the happiest of infants hardly ever fussing and would nap easily after being fed. When he would start to awaken Jennet with the two girls Aphra and Galla were more than eager to attend to him like little mothers. Hovering over him and carrying him about in their arms on their hips.
Cena that day consisted of Lucina and Porcus Trojanus , there were fava beans, lupins, salted snails and vegetables in vinegar. Cakes had been made and dates were on platters. With Muslum in pitchers for everyone’s consumption there were also flasks of cervesa for those whom muslum was not their favorite drink. After Comissato later in the evening each of the different families egged their leave and walked the short distance between homes to prepare for that night’s sleep.
Once the children were all asleep, Atia and Darius went to their room leaving Breul and Selina alone for the first time that day. They sat outside on the patio for a while holding hands and watched the millions of bright stars in the ebony sky over head. Every few moments one or the other would lean over and kiss the other as they sighed and smiled staring into each other’s eyes.
“There is no better time than these my wife when we can be alone here with just each other.” Breul said to Selina finally.
“Yes husband of my heart I cherish each one, but I see our littlest is riding a lot in his father’s arms or on his shoulder whenever you are home.” She said smiling broadly at her husband.
“I do have to admit to that Selina, I cannot help it the boys now have more friends here at home to play at games with and Jennet wishes to be so much like her mother that I only get to hold her when she is getting tired. Basilius is so small and so good a child he just loves being held by anyone.” Breul confessed.
“Especially by you my love, his father. Just as I do.” Selina said. As Breul came even closer and wrapped his arms around her.
This time they kissed one another long and arduously. Then finally stood up and like everyone else had headed for their bed and rest that night.
That next morning Breul, his men with the twins and Philo made their first walk to the new site to start this particular project. Tools and some materials were loaded in one of their carts and pulled by one of the draft horses. Once at the site all was being unloaded by some while Breul, Jovian and Darius made decisions on the sequence of how this project would be started and accomplished. As this was going on Both the Plinys came by and made greetings of welcome as the commission was now underway.
For Prandium that day all took repose eating Emmer and cheese sitting on rocks bordering the port across for their work site. All three of the boys expressed happiness at the sea air and water so close by.
Men, horses, carts and wagons could be heard all day long traversing up and down the stone laid road bordering the work site and paralleling the port area. Civilians of the trades and those transporting goods in and out of the port town, legionaries and seamen bustled about continuously. Many would stop and watch Breul’s crew going about their work while others passed by not giving it a second thought.
The first days passed by into the normalcy of daily rhythm and before it seemed possible two weeks had gone by and it was the day of rest once again. Darius and Breul had risen early so that they could go off into the hills and try to bring home some fresh game for that night’s Cena, also Darius wanted to talk to his friend and Centurian leader.
During their trek into a more remote area and just after they had taken a stag and were dressing it out for transporting on a sling between them Darius had asked about the oddities of how a woman changed while with child.
“Darius my friend I think Atia is now about one third through her pregnancy right?” Breul asked.
“Yes she is and although her belly is just now starting to show the slight bulge of our child, she sits sometimes and just weeps and then at other times she want to eat the strangest things.” Darius said.
“These are all normal my Principale friend, Selina was very sick at the beginning but that went away fairly soon..then she had a real craving for cheese all the time. The weeping I am told is not sorrow just heightened emotions running wild inside a woman at that time. Do not worry about it.” Breul consoled his friend.
“But she also is very…….craving at times of……and I am afraid to ..you know..” Darius confided
“My friend she is a woman and with heightened emotions comes many things, sometimes it may only be her desire to know you still desire and love her , then at others……she will not break or your child be hurt do not worry so. Couples have been having babies for centuries, our parents did.” Breul told him and then said. “Come now let’s get this deer on our shoulders and start for home. We can be there before Prandium.” Breul told him.
It was a good day men and families visiting one another some dining together at times. Breul, Jovian and Darius were able to spend some time playing with the children, even Tarquin and Galus were out and joined in for a while. Some of the other men were about and some were now in the town finding relaxation in one way or another. Life here was progressing quite well for them all. At times Breul hoped that there would not come a requirement for any of this to change.
Weeks did roll effortlessly into months and as the first of the smaller projects had been completed now and the next one started another season had gone by and they midway through the next. Julian and Justinian were becoming fine apprentices as was Philo. Jennet was a beautiful little girl happy and the image of a much younger Selina and little Basilius was crawling everywhere he could or was allowed. Atia was full with child and nearing her time soon she and Selina thought. Darius had become a doting husband not wanting to leave her side when the crew was not at work. There were a few time Atia and Selina had to run him off and would say it was time for their men to hunt for fresh meat on one of their days off.
Darius had become even closer now to Breul, Jovian and Bracius all now his brothers more deeply since they had all already been through their own wives giving birth before. One of the other men in the crew had now become ready to start the marriage customs with a local woman here in Misenum, they were already holding hands in public and she was seen often here in the neighborhood with him at festivals and dinners. It was Lucius one of the crews best masons and his lady choice was named Alypin. All knew that a marriage was soon to be coming, some of the men were already helping him remodel another house close by at the edge of the neighborhood.
A month later Atia gave birth to large new son for her and Darius, they named him Quintus. Now Breul will not hear of their moving out of the household yet, until little Quintus is bigger and Atia well and healthy from having just given birth.
Breul and his men however in their spare time, once the house for Lucius and Alypin was ready started on repairing and remodeling one as close as possible to Breul and Selina’s for Darius and Atia as well. Here Atia and Selina became quite involved in the remodeling being planned; Selina was more selective for her close friend of many years than she had ever been for herself. She was not demanding in any way but was making sure that everything would be as comfortable for Atia and Darius as possible. Atia, Claudia and Padilla even joked with her once that their entire neighborhood should be called Sellinium, because of her dedication to the other women, children and families living in it, she had become selfless in her friendship to all that she knew and they felt loved. Selina “pish poshed” them off saying she was not doing anything more than the rest of them did. The name did stick unofficially though even with the families of Tarquin and Galus. Whenever Selina would hear it in hushed tones or the twins making small jokes about their mother the Queen, she would flush with embarrassment and hush them down lovingly.
Selina asked Breul only once if this embarrassed him in any way and he but did a bow, smile and said to hear is to obey my Queen. He then ducked quickly as she playfully took a swing at his head. Breul stood up, took her in his arms kissed her very tenderly and told her no they all meant as a compliment to her and he took it the same way. She then buried her face in her husband’s chest and told him how lucky she felt.
Three weeks later as Pliny the Elder was touring the current project the men were involved in he turned as they finished his unscheduled inspection and spoke to both Breul and Jovian who were walking with him.
“I have had a messenger from Rome last evening Breul and feel I should let you in on a visit we will be having soon.” He said rather matter -of -factly.
“Yes Admiral, is there some way we can be of assistance, during this visit?” Breul asked.
“Oh not anything like that Breul, I just think you will be interested. Titus and Domatian will be visiting Misenum next week and Domatian expressed an interest in the renovation work you are doing. I believe you know both of my friend and the Emperors sons already do you not?” Pliny replied.
“Yes we do sir, they both visited the site of Claudius Marilus villa where my men and I worked previously. That was where you heard of us I believe and about our work.” Breul answered respectfully
“That is quite true Vespasian’s youngest, Domatian seems quite interested that I am pleased with your progress and the quality of your work. I have told him I have seen none better before and we would come here while they are in Misenum then.” Pliny said and then continued. “I tell you this just so you will know of their coming. I have no reason to think you and your men could not stand up to any inspection.”
“Your trust is most complimentary Admiral, we appreciate your confidence.” Breul replied.
After Pliny had left the site Jovian and Breul turned to each other and Jovian asked.”Centurian do you think there is more to this visit than just visiting with Pliny the Elder and seeing how our work here progresses?”
“I am not sure, and will not worry overmuch Jovian until he has been here and gone. However we have never known Domatian to do anything without multiple purposes yet.” Breul answered his Optio.
