“Aia?” Cassianus asked. “She belongs to me.”

“Yes, a Roman citizen sold into slavery to cover the debts of her father,” I sneered. “You apparently support the breaking of our laws. Perhaps I should make that known to your friends in the Senate.”

He blanched as his eyes widened. As soon as I saw his reaction, I knew he had already been aware of her circumstances. I felt my muscles tighten and considered destroying the man in front of me. Had I been uninjured, I would have done so.

“What is her worth?” I said as I turned to stare him in the eye. There would be no backing down from this, and I wanted to be sure he knew I was quite serious in my intentions. I intended to make Aia mine, and it would be so. He would either agree without argument, or he would discover just how much wrath I could bring upon him and his household.

She will be mine.

“She’s a hard-working slave,” he said as he rubbed at his chin. “She’s learned much during her time-”

“So train another,” I interrupted. Again, I waved my hand at him. “I’ll buy this one from you for five coins—easily three times her price.”

“It is not in my plan to sell her,” he said. He set his jaw as he stared into my eyes.

Forcing myself to my full height, I stepped closer to the man and looked down upon him.

“I suggest a change of plans is in your interest,” I informed him. “You undoubtedly know my reputation for getting what I want. I suggest you consider your next words very carefully, or you’ll discover just how determined a man you face.”

He darted his tongue across his dry lips, considered for a moment, and then nodded.

“Five denarii,” he capitulated, and I smiled as I handed him his coin.

She is mine.

Sergius and Aia returned from the far room, and the doctor walked to his employer’s side. Before he could speak, Cassianus turned to him.

“Faustus shall be leaving us,” Cassianus stated to the medicus. He glanced sideways at me before looking to the slave. “Aia, prepare yourself. You will be leaving with the Tribunus.”

“Dominus?” she questioned as she looked to him.

“No more,” he said with a shake of his head. “You belong to Faustus now and will address him accordingly.”

She looked quickly from Cassianus to me and nodded her head.

“Of course,” she replied. A hint of a smile graced her lips as she bowed slightly in my direction. “Dominus.”

Within the hour, we were on the same rickety cart and headed north.

“Your plans to return to battle concern me,” Antonius stated as the driver of the cart shook the reins and the horses leapt forward. “Both the medicus and Cassianus expressed worry over your condition. They say you are not yet fit.”

“My worth as Tribunus cannot be measured from a hospital bed,” I said. “I must be with the men.”

“And how shall your worth be measured if you go into battle already hindered?”

Antonius and I exchanged glances, and I took a long breath.

“I return to my tent only,” I reassured him. “I can lead for now without fighting.”

Antonius looked to the slave woman wrapped in a blanket as the cart pulled us north. Her eyes did not leave the ground, but I was sure he saw her slight smile. He looked back to me with raised brow.

“As you desire, Faustus,” he said.

“I do desire,” I replied softly. I reached over and placed my hand on Aia’s thigh, gripping it gently as she looked into my eyes and held me there.

I pushed aside the entrance to the tent and made my way inside with Antonius right behind me. My side ached slightly though months had passed since I was first injured. I no longer walked with a limp, which was more important to me than any pain I still felt. Showing weakness to the men under my command would not serve me well.

A large table near the tent’s entrance displayed an exemplar of the battlefield beyond the camp. I reached for a handful of carved wooden horses and soldiers decorated with the colors of the Gaul’s flag and removed them from the map. Only a few still remained on the display, and they would fall soon.

“How many hauled back to camp?” I asked.

“Some three hundred,” Antonius said. “Many are decidedly unruly. They will not be easily contained for long.”

I considered for half a moment.

“Kill the prisoners,” I said, and Antonius nodded his agreement. “I have neither the time nor the desire to break them. What of those not captured?”

“The few remaining are in hasty retreat,” Antonius informed me.

Movement toward the back of my tent caught my eye as Aia rose from the place where she sat slicing fresh bread for our dinner. I watched her closely, her presence ever calming me as she began to light candles to combat the fading daylight.

“Aia—bring wine,” I ordered.

“Yes, Dominus.” Aia quickly retrieved a jug of wine and two cups from the far side of the tent and brought them to me. She laid them on the table and poured carefully, never spilling a drop. I watched her as she completed her task and retreated into the shadows, my eyes drawn to her belly for a moment before I looked back to the wine in front of me and brought the cup to my lips.

“Your slave appears…well rounded,” Antonius remarked with a low chuckle.

His words drew my eyes back to her form, and I surveyed her voluptuous ass and breasts before my eyes moved back to the slight swell of her stomach. Though still subtle, her condition would soon be well known to all who cared to observe.

“She does,” I agreed with a smile. Though it was not my intent, news of my child growing inside of Aia had been most welcome. She had been frightened to tell me at first, fearing my displeasure and possible command to rid herself of the bastard, but I would not give voice to such an order. I desired a child from her belly, and once she knew my position, she seemed quite pleased.

“An interesting conundrum,” he said.

“How so?”

Antonius looked at me.

“A child of a slave is still a slave,” he said, “unless you intend to give validity to their position?”

His tone was a question, but he knew as well as I that I could never do so. It was not a new thought to me but one I had been considering for some time now.

“Her station will not change,” I said quietly. “If the child is a son…”

I paused and sighed. I had no answer for my prefect, for my eyes could not see what the future held. I would be more inclined to acknowledge a son to continue my family line, but there were those in the Senate that would be displeased.

“I cannot predict where the gods will take us,” I finally said. “I shall endure what comes when the time is right. Dwelling will not change outcome.”

Antonius nodded, completed his report of the battle, and started to take his leave.

“Antonius, pause a moment,” I said.

“Tribunus?”

“I beg a favor,” I stated as I looked at him pointedly.

He returned my gaze and nodded his head.

“Your will, Faustus.”

I glanced at Aia and swallowed a lump in my throat.

“Despite healed wound, I was nearly cut again,” I told him.

“I observed,” he said with a nod. “I was close at your side; I would not have allowed you to fall.”

I inclined my head in silent gratitude.

“Still, there is always risk, is there not?”

“There is.”

I looked back to Aia where she busied herself with the fresh bread, oblivious to my words. The smell made my mouth water.

“I have concern for my slave,” I admitted as I looked back to him, “and the child she carries if I were to fall. I want your word that you would ensure her safety and care.”

“Clarify your meaning,” Antonius said.

“I cannot will either her or the child my legacy,” I said. “If I die in battle, they will have no protection or funds to provide for them. She would become my father’s property.”