Under The Egyptian Sun

“Death is but a doorway to new life.

We live today, we shall live again.

In many forms shall we return.”

~ Egyptian Prayer of Resurrection

Cairo, Egypt

44 BC

Chapter One

The summer sun had begun its ascend over the three points of the Great Pyramids of Giza far off among the distant sand dunes. The sky was a perfect cloudless blue, chasing away the last streaks of night with the promise of a new dawn. I woke with a start and shot up in my bed. My heart pounding, chest heaving, my skin speckled with a cold sweat as wisps of my dark hair stuck to the side of my face. I looked wildly about my surroundings until I quickly realized I was in the safety of my own room. I slowly collected myself as I gently rubbed my throat which was sore from my own screams that had woken me from my sleep. The moth eaten rags I used as curtains gently billowed in the warm breeze, the intense heat yet to arrive. Rays of sunlight shone through bathing the room in a warm golden hue. I moved from my stained mattress on the floor, and torn pillows and blankets tangled together on top which were practically soaked through with my sweat and tears, and made my way across the room to a table where a wooden bowl that served as a wash basin along with a pitcher of water sat waiting for me.

The stone floor felt cool beneath my bare feet as I arrived at the bowl and filled it with water from the pitcher. After removing my dirtied clothing I washed myself free of sweat and grime as well as the remaining remnants of my usual night terrors that had plagued me moments ago. After I was cleaned and dressed I proceeded to towel dry my hair and comb it until it was free of tangles, then finally applying my dark eye makeup. Once finished, I took the time to study my reflection in the cracked and dirtied mirror before me. Suddenly, a memory and my mother’s voice entered my mind of a time long ago when I was a mere child. I remembered the warmth and softness of her hands as she held my face in them, and the velvet-like smoothness of her voice as she spoke to me and said, “Oh my darling Sephora, you have such a natural beauty about you. Do not ever forget that. I cannot wait to see the day you grow into a beautiful woman. Even more gorgeous than Cleopatra herself! Mark my words!” As the memory faded from my mind I sighed and muttered aloud, “I wish you were here to see that day mother.”

Although my mother and father had claimed for years of my natural beauty my modesty had prevented me from accepting it. I looked again at my reflection and studied my face for any visible blemishes. There were none. I was slim and tall. My long chocolate hair cascaded in waves down my back and curled around my shoulders. My features were soft and petite with reddish brown gold speckled eyes. My body was decorated with dark tattoos and I was clad in a simple red dress with black wraps around my hands and feet up my arms and legs. Along with high gold gladiator sandals, silver rings, my mother’s Eye of Horus necklace, and piercings. One ear was pierced with small silver rings along my cartilage, and on my other ear a gold dragon along my cartilage with its tail through my earlobe. Once prepared for the day, I made my way to my door and looked once around my old worn down room and left. I made my way down the rickety warped steps and stood in the doorway surveying my surroundings in front of me. The busy marketplace was bustling with a sea of vendor and shop owners, customers, carts, and animals such as horses, camels, and livestock.

Along the marketplace ran a trail of colored sheets hanging zig-zag above bathing everything in a soft hue of orange, red, and yellow. Wafting through the air hung a heavy mixed aroma of expensive perfumes, spices, and seasoned raw meats that filled my nostrils. The marketplace was full of life, laughter, and boisterous conversations mostly from sellers attempting to draw pedestrians into their shops. I took a deep breath and stepped into the smooth motions of chaos I had grown so accustomed to over the years. I glided quickly and effortlessly through the trails of fellow Egyptian citizens. As I weaved through the crowd effortlessly passing each vendor that each aroma had originated from, I came upon one that held an assortment of fresh and dried fruits, vegetables, bread, nuts, and seeds. I kept walking and without stopping I swiftly swiped an apple and a loaf of bread, and tucked each item in my satchel that I wore slung diagonally across my body. Just a quick moment later a large, bald, and bristly bearded man with an equally large gut and beady black eyes glared at me and shook his meaty fist at me as he bellowed with a deep guttural voice, “Hey you! Stop thief!”

I merely smirked and kept walking, knowing he was unable to abandon his stand and chase me. Suddenly, he yelled, “Guards! Guards! I’ve been robbed! Stop that thief!” My smirk immediately dropped and I immediately took off at a run. I shoved past customers, women cried out and men cursed at me. I made a hard right, slid under a horse who neighed and trotted in place nervously at the sudden presence. I quickly got to my feet and ran down an alley and stopped once I had turned and pressed my back against the stone back wall of someone’s home. I gripped my chest and tried to slow my heart rate and breath, as I peaked around the corner to see if anyone had followed me. I watched a group of guards stop at the man who was calming his nervous horse and ask him what I could only assume was which way I had gone. His lips moved quickly as he pointed down the alley. The guards followed his finger with their gaze and I immediately turned away. They ran down the alleyway, passing me and turned and ran around the corner of another building ahead of me.

I stood there for a few moments and when I was sure they were gone, I slowly exhaled a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I slid to the ground, got comfortable in a seated position, and removed the apple and bread from my satchel. I was about to take a bite out of the apple when I suddenly heard whimper a few feet away. I looked towards the sound, and realized it had come from a small child curled into his mother’s chest staring up at me with big round doe eyes. His mother looked over at me as well with the same pleading look before looking down at the food resting in my lap and then back up at me. They were both covered in dirt and grime. Their hair matted and tangled, and they were dressed in old torn rags with different colored patches sewn in where holes had previously been. It took me a moment to realize what they wanted, but after seeing their frail and emaciated bodies I knew. “Are you hungry?” I asked gently. Neither of them replied. The boy looked up at his mother as she kept her eyes fixed on me.

I tore the loaf in half and removed a small knife from the sheath hanging on my belt. Once the mother saw the knife she suddenly hugged her child closer. “It’s all right.” I reassured her and used it to cut the apple in three pieces. I offered her two pieces of the apple and half of the bread and gave her a smile. She paused for a moment, before taking the food tentatively and gave me a small smile in return before splitting the bread in half again and handed half of the loaf and a piece of apple to her son. She looked back at me and nodded gratefully and thanked me. I gave her a nod and all three of us ate in silence. Once I was done eating, we said our goodbyes to each other and I stood and brushed the dirt and sand off of my dress and left. I walked through the marketplace running my fingers through the hanging silk dress and hanging jewelry as I passed one stand. I had stopped to squatted in front of a dog, and was proceeding to scratch him behind the ears when suddenly a large meaty hand grabbed my bicep and roughly yanked me to my feet.

The next thing I knew, I was face to face with a guard standing in front of five other guards who had the same beady black eyes as the vendor owner. “You, thief!” He hissed at me with a gruff voice. I tried to pull myself free but he had an iron grasp on my arm that didn’t budge. He yelled, spit flying from his mouth and landing on my face, “You stole from my brother’s stand!” I wiped the spit from my face with y free hand and frowned and stared back defiantly into his glaring gaze as I exclaimed, “I did no such thing! I refuse to stand for such allegations!” The guard tightened his grip on me and growled back, “Who do you expect me to believe? My brother? Or a no good street rat like you?” “I am no street rat!” I bit back through clenched teeth, and with that I stomped on his food, hard. And with my free hand I punched him in the gut and when he doubled over I grabbed his head and kneed him in the face. I heard a cracking sound and assumed it was the bones in his nose breaking. He instantly let go of my arm and gripped his nose with both hands as he stumbled back and fell to the ground with a loud thump.

“You broke my nose you little bitch!” He spat as blood trickled down from between his fingers. “You will pay for your insolence and crimes! Guards! Seize her!” He yelled in a mixture of pain and anger. The other guards instantly reached for the handle of their swords, and I instantly scooped up a handful of sand and dirt and threw it at them and it sprayed them in the face. They cough and spat as they stumbled back and covered their faces and rubbed their eyes. I didn’t wait for them to collect themselves. I just turned and ran. I ran down alleyways and burst between linens and towels and clothes hanging on wires, and jumped and slid over crates and barrels. I turned corner after corner. I could hear the several feet of heavy footsteps following close behind me and I slid to a stop at a door of a building and burst through. I ran up the steps, my heartbeat pounding in my ears and my breath coming out in pants like a dog on a hot summer day.

I burst through another door and shut and locked it behind me and ran inside and stopped. I realized I was standing in the middle of someone’s home, when a woman in the kitchen screamed and dropped the dish she was drying when she was frightened at the sudden intrusion. The dish shattered into pieces on the floor and before I had time to apologize for my intrusion, I heard the booming steps of the guards coming up the stairs. I looked wildly around the room, when suddenly my gaze fell upon a doorway leading to a balcony. I ran out onto the balcony and looked up at the edge of the rooftop sticking out overhead. I slowly began to climb onto the railing when the guards kicked down the door and the woman screamed again. The guards and I locked eyes for a moment before they started towards me. I reached up and gripped the edge of the rooftop and hauled my body up and over. I got to my feet and looked down.

The guard that caught me earlier had made his way onto the railing and was proceeding to climb onto the roof as well while the other guards followed him out onto the balcony. There was dried blood under his nose and on his chin, and his eyes had begun to blacken and bruise. He glared at me and yelled, “Halt!” But I didn’t listen. Instead, I turned and ran. I slid to a stop when I reached the end of the rooftop nearly toppling over the edge. I looked behind me and saw the last of the guards had climbed up onto the roof. “There is nowhere to run!” The guard yelled as he motioned all around himself. I looked around and my eyes fell upon a long banner hanging on a pole built into the side of the building some feet away from the edge of the roof. The guards ran towards me and with no time to think, I ran in the direction of the banner, and jumped off the rooftop with a yell. I grabbed hold of the banner as best I could as I swung through the air.

I was swinging but for a few moments before the banner began to rip at an alarming rate due to the incapacity to hold the sudden weight of my body, and I found myself quickly descending. I suddenly dropped into the middle of the city’s courtyard and rolled a few feet before slamming into the side of the marble fountain. A lightning bolt of pain shot through my body and I instantly became disoriented and my vision blurred. I quickly shook my head until my mind and vision was clear and I stumbled to my feet. Suddenly, I felt two large hands grab hold of me and steady me. I pushed the hands off me roughly, and looked up at who had grabbed me and that’s when I saw him and I stopped in my tracks. The man was very handsome and tall with a strong build. His black hair was cut to a short shave with a matching stubbled beard and bright blue eyes. He had broad shoulders and a strong chest and arms. I stared at me with surprise and concern. “Are you all right?” He asked in a deep voice. I looked him up and down.

He was clad in a deep purple tunic with a gold chain necklace, gold cuffs, gold gladiator sandals, and gold and silver rings. I quickly realized he was of royal roman blood. Before I could reply, the guards showed up and rushed towards me. A cart rolling past hauling a variety of weapons and shields for guards and soldiers suddenly caught my eye. I pushed the man out of the way and pulled a sword off the cart and held it up at the guards as they surrounded me. I whipped around and around facing each guard and lunging forward to stop them from advancing. “Stay back!” I shouted. The lead guard who I had struck stepped forward and yelled, “Give it up street rat! You’re surrounded!” I glared at him and growled, “I said I am no street rat!”I raised the sword, preparing to strike, and the guards drew their swords when the man pushed through the circle, held up his hands, and yelled, “Stop!” All of us stopped and turned to look at the sudden interruption.

The lead guard looked at him in shock and exclaimed, “Anthony Julius Caesar? What are you doing here?” The man who I now realized was the son of Gaias Julius Caesar, lowered his hands and turned to look at the lead guard and replied, “I’m on official political business. Now I command you all to lower your swords.” The guards hesitated and looked at each other and then at their lead guard. The lead guard merely scoffed and began to say defiantly, “But sir! She must pay for her crimes and insolence we must…” But Anthony cut him off and spoke louder with authority and said, “I say lower your swords! I am the son of Gaias Julius Caesar and if you defy me, you will all have crimes to answer for!” We all lowered our swords slowly and reluctantly and I whispered to him, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He glanced at me and then back at the guards and whispered back, “Saving your bloody life!” Anthony turned to face the lead guard and said, “This woman will pay for her crimes, but not by death or imprisonment. She will work off her debt in my father’s home in Rome.”I gasped and yelled, “No! I am a slave to no one!” I lunged forward and raised my sword when suddenly one of the guards behind me hit me over the head with the hilt of his sword and suddenly everything went black.

Chapter Two

When I finally awoke I woken in a daze with a pounding headache. I slowly opened my eyes and blinked away the blurriness until my vision cleared. I could feel the surface I was laying on was rough and wooden and shifted and swayed beneath me, and something hard was clasped tightly around each of my wrists. I sat up and looked down at my hands and then all around me. I had been put in metal cuffs and chains and was riding locked inside a cart with metal bars. The type that was used to transport prisoners and slaves. Where we were that we traveled through I did not know. All around the horse drawn cart of which I was locked inside of, were roman guards riding on horseback. With them riding on his own horse next to me, was Anthony. I slowly sat up and ground in pain as I gingerly touched my forehead. When Anthony heard the noise that came from inside the cart, he looked over at me and smiled and said, “Oh thank the gods you’re awake. I was beginning to fear you would never wake.”

I frowned and looked out at the vast desert landscape before looking at him and said, “If you were so fearful of me never waking then you should have never let one of those guards knock me unconscious.” Anthony nodded and said, “This is true, but I figured we had no choice considering you most likely would not have had gone willingly.” I sighed and asked sarcastically, “Whatever gave you that notion?” Anthony merely shrugged and replied, “Just a hunch.” “Where are we?” I asked. Anthony looked around and answered, “Just a few hours outside of Cairo.” I leaned back against the metal bars and hugged my knees to my chest. “Have you ever been to Rome?” Anthony asked, suddenly breaking the silence that had fallen between us. I arched my eyebrow and asked, “Why do you ask?” Anthony shrugged and replied, “Just wanted to know.” I let out a long sigh before answering, “Once, when I was small my mother and father took me there. While we were there I told them I wanted to see the gladiators fight in the colosseums. But they said I was too young to witness such violence. They said they might take me when I was old enough but we never got the chance.”

“Why not?” Anthony asked. I swallowed hard, for a lump had formed in my throat and looked down at my feet. After a few moments I finally answered, “They died five years later. My father was killed in battle, and not long after that my mother died of disease. Or so the physician claimed. But I think it was her broken heart that did it in the end. She tried to hang on for me but I could tell the pain was just too much to bear.” I let out a shaky breath and looked out at the sand dunes that seemed to stretch on for miles in all directions. “I am so sorry to hear that.” Anthony said sincerely. I blinked away the tears that had begun to form before looking back at him and asked, “Why are you sorry?” Anthony gave me a sad look and shook his head and said, “I just am.” Silence fell over us again and that was the end of our conversation. We rode until it was nearly dark before we stopped to camp for the night. When it was time to eat one of the guards tossed me a piece of bread and shoved a cup of water through the bars and into my hands.

I merely set the cup down next to where the bread had landed beside me and leaned my shoulder up against the bars. I looked up at the night sky where countless starts and a large full moon shone brightly. Anthony approached me and looked at the forgotten food and drink and asked, “You will not eat or drink?” I kept my gaze fixed on the night sky and muttered, “I’m not hungry nor thirsty.” Anthony looked at me and started to say, “But you must…” I interrupted him as I glared at him and said harshly and louder, “I said I am not hungry nor thirsty!” Anthony held up his hands and said, “All right, all right! But you will have to sooner or later. If you keep this up, eventually you will die of either starvation or thirst whichever comes first.” I frowned and shot back, “I would rather die than be a slave! Being a prisoner in any form is a fate worse than death!” Anthony looked at me and said, “I would rather not have you die.” I arched my eyebrow and asked, “Why do you care what happens to me?”

Anthony merely shrugged and answered, “I just think it would be a shame if you died.” I asked, “So you would rather have me be a slave for the remainders of my days?” Anthony shook his head and replied, “No, but at least you will be alive. Besides, maybe there is a chance you will earn your freedom one day.” I scoffed and shot back, “Oh please, no slave has ever earned their freedom.” Anthony leaned against the cart’s bars and said, “True, but you never know. Look at gladiators, they eventually earn their freedom if they survive long enough.” I sighed in frustration and said, “But I am no gladiator.”Anthony smiled and said, “Yet you are still a warrior.” A smile ever so slightly touched the corners of my lips. Anthony reached through the bars to touch my hand, but my smile dropped and I yanked my hand back and quickly leaned away. Anthony’s smile fell as well and he looked at me sadly and said, “Well, I suppose I shall leave you be. Please, eat or drink for my sake.”

With that he turned and walked away to join the other men sitting around the fire. I watched him for a few moments, before looking down at the piece of bread and wooden cup of water. I hesitantly picked them up and slowly at the bread and drank the water entirely. I set the cup aside and laid down and curled up into a ball. I attempted to make myself as comfortable as I could and I eventually fell into a restless sleep. Sometime during the night, Anthony made his way back to the cart and looked through the bars at my sleeping form. He watched the steady rise and fall of my chest with each breath, but also noticed how I shivered from the cold. He went to retrieve his own blanket off his bedroll and approached the guard on watch who sat nearby. “I need you to unlock the door to the cart.” The guard looked up at him from where he sat in the sand and frowned and asked, “Why?” Anthony nodded towards the cart and answered, “She’s cold. She needs a blanket.” The guard scoffed and said, “Let her freeze.”

Anthony took a step forward and held out his hand and said, “If she freezes she will die.” The guard looked at the cart and then back at Anthony and handed him the keys reluctantly. Anthony made his way back to the cart and unlocked it. He climbed inside and draped the blanket over me and waited until I eventually stopped shivering. He was about to leave when suddenly I started to whimper and began to toss and turn in my sleep. I began to murmur incoherent words and he suddenly realized I was suffering from a nightmare. Anthony hesitated for a moment before reaching forward and gently rubbed my back in small soothing circles. “Shh it’s all right. You are just having a bad dream.” He said softly. I soon relaxed and began to sleep soundly. He suddenly noticed how the moonlight shown down and bathed me in a beautiful silver glow. It took him back for a moment and then he smiled and whispered, “Beautiful.” He gently stroked my hair and cheek and watched me for a few moments before he finally stood up and left.

I awoke in the early morning sunlight. I felt something warm and soft laying over me. When I opened my eyes I realized it was a blanket. I looked back at the campsite and saw guards were awake and busying themselves with packing up their things, making breakfast, and feeding their horses and giving them water. I saw Anthony was still asleep on his bedroll with no blanket. I realized that Anthony must have given me his blanket sometime during the night. I caught myself smiling softly at the thought. I pushed the blanket away and sat up and stretched. I rubbed my sore shoulders, back, and neck. A guard walked over and shoved a cup of water and a piece of bread into my hands and I cheered sarcastically towards him. He merely rolled his eyes and walked away. I ate and drank as I watched the guards go about their business and Anthony slowly wake up and be handed food and water. Once he was finished he packed up his things, hung them on his horse’s saddle, and made his way over to the cart. He smiled at me and said, “I have realized something.”

I sighed and began combing my fingers through my hair to free it of any tangles and asked, “What have you come to realize?”Anthony leaned against the bars and said, “I have no notion on what your name might be. Why is this?”I shrugged and leaned against the bars as well and answered, “I figured you did not care to know my name.” Anthony shook his head and said, “Now that is simply not true I would like very much to know what your name is.” I crossed my arms over my stomach and sighed. After a few moments I finally answered, “My name is Sephora Amari.” He nodded and smiled and stuck his hand through the bars and said, “Well, it is a pleasure to meet you Sephora.” I hesitated before I gave his hand a quick strong shake and then re-crossed my arms and gave him a short nod. Anthony pushed himself off the bars and said, “Well, I expect we should be leaving soon. I should better go tend to my horse.” “Yes, I suppose you should.” I replied.

With that he walked away to where his horse was being bridled by a guard. Soon we were off traveling again through the vast seemingly never-ending desert. The sky was a perfect cloudless blue, and the sun rose higher and higher steadily. The wind had begun to pick up and was soon whipping at our clothes and hair. We traveled for many days and stopped each night to make camp, eat, and sleep. The days slowly began to blur together. We eventually reached the edge of more vegetation where a secluded part of the Nile River ran through. Papyrus reeds and boulders of various sizes ran along the edge of the water and great mountains sat off in the distance. We stopped and made camp near the river and we realized this was the perfect time to properly bathe. Once everyone had gotten settled, the guards and Anthony went off to bathe. The sound of water splashing the their excited whoops. hollers, and voices carried up the banks and through the papyrus reeds. They eventually returned washed and cleaned and dressed. I stood up and knocked my cuffs against the bars and yelled out to them, “Hey!”

Almost all the guards ignored me expect for one guard who I managed to grab his attention as I stopped him and said, “You! Guard!” He turned to look at me and asked coldly, “What the hell do you want?” “I must bathe.” The guard scoffed and said, “So? Why should I care? You have no special privileges here!”Anthony walked over and asked, “What is the matter?” The guard looked at him and said, “She wishes to bathe but I said…” Anthony interrupted him and said, “Then she shall bathe. We cannot risk her getting sick out here in these conditions. If she does she risks dying before we even get to Rome. Give me your keys and I shall take her to the river.” The guard seemed to consider this for a moment before finally handing Anthony the keys. Anthony unlocked the cart and climbed inside and squatted in front of me. “Give me your hands.” He instructed. I hesitated for a moment before slowly doing what he said and reached forward and turned my palms to face upwards.

He unlocked my cuffs and took them off me. I rubbed my sore wrists as the guard exclaimed, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Anthony stood and dropped the cuffs on the wooden floor of the cart and said, “Well, she cannot exactly bathe let alone undress properly to bathe if she is in chains now can she?” The guard sighed and muttered grudgingly, “No she cannot.” Anthony and I climbed out of the cart and he retrieved a bar of soap from the guard and led me to the river. Once we arrived to the banks I took off my sandals, wraps, and jewelry, and placed them on a small boulder. Anthony noticed my necklace and he picked it up and examined it and asked, “Hmm, where did this come from?” I looked at it and said, “My father gave it to my mother on her wedding night. She gave it to me before she died…it’s the only thing I have left of them.” Anthony put it back where I had previously placed it on the rock and smiled at me and said, “It’s quite beautiful.” I nodded and said, “It is.”

I turned my back to him and looked over my shoulder at him and said, “Now turn around I am about to bathe and I certainly don’t need you gawking at me. Anthony nodded and said, “All right, all right.” He turned around and when I was sure he wasn’t looking, I picked up the soap took off my dress and laid it on the boulder. I waded into the river until the water was up to my bellybutton and dipped under the water for a few moments. The water felt cool and refreshing against my skin. I swept my hair over my head, behind my ears, and through my fingers. I then got to work with the soap. I washed my face, hair, and body again and again until all the dirt and grime was washed away and my hair was free of tangles. Anthony couldn’t help but look. He slowly turned around and looked at me. My back was turned towards him. He couldn’t help but let out a small gasp at my beauty. He watched the way my hands ran smoothly and elegantly through my hair and down my neck, shoulders, and arms.

My tan skin glistened and my dark hair shone brightly in the sunlight. He felt his heart skip a beat as he watched the way I moved elegantly in the water. Suddenly I began to turn around and he quickly turned away as to not get caught watching me. I left the river and walked over to the boulder where my things lay. I rung out the water from my hair and put on my dress and said, “All right, you can turn around now.” Anthony did so and asked, “Do you feel better?” I merely nodded and handed him the soap back. When he took it he suddenly noticed the scars on the inside of my arms running horizontally from the inside crease of my elbow down to my wrists. Before I could react, he reached forward and grabbed my wrists and examined my arms and asked, “Sephora what happened?” I tried to pull away but his hold was strong. “It is nothing.” I lied. Anthony shook his head and said, “It is not nothing! Who hurt you?” I glared at him and asked, “Why the hell do you care?”

He ignored my question and demanded, “Who hurt you? Tell me!” I hesitated before I finally answered, “No one…I did this to myself.” Anthony looked shocked and then looked at me sadly and asked, “Why?” I sighed and replied, “I needed to control the way I felt inside.” He looked down at my arms and stroked the scars with his thumbs. I gasped softly and felt my heart skip a beat. It was the first time in a long time that I had been touched with such care. Anthony gently let go of my arms and I finished getting dressed. Once I was done, we walked back to the cart in silence. We climbed into the cart and Anthony picked up the cuffs and stared at them. I looked at him and said, “It is all right.” I gave him my hands. He hesitated for a moment before reluctantly putting the chugs back on my wrists and locking them. He gave me one last sad look before leaving the cart and locking it behind him.

Chapter Three

Finally, we reached Rome. We eventually got through the gates and into the city. The city was filled with people, horses, livestock, horse-drawn carts, markets, and red and white banners. Rome looked exactly the same as it had when I had been here so long ago. We weaved through the bustling courtyard and through the marketplace, picking our way through the sea of people and animals. Every now and then a soldier or guard would pass us and as they did they spotted Anthony and one recognizing him, they would immediately stop and salute him. The salute involved the straightening of their back, two beats of their chest with their fist, and an open palm salute straight out above their head as they called out, “Hail Caesar!” Anthony mirrored the motion and repeated the call in return. Eventually, we reached large stone walls and in the middle an equally large wrought-iron gate where two guards stood Gard on each side of the gate.

Anthony left his place where he had been riding on his horse beside me and went to speak with the two guards. As soon as the guards saw him, they acknowledged him the same way the soldiers and other guards that we had passed earlier had. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it didn’t matter. For just as quickly the conversation started it ended just as quickly. Both of the guards nodded and saluted again and opened the gates and stepped aside to let us pass. Once we all passed through the gates, the guards closed it behind us and returned to their posts.The driver of my cage of a cart steered the cart around and stopped once the cart was turned sideways. I looked up and saw what lay before me.In front of me sat Caesar’s home. Or, what would be more accurately described as, a palace. A female servant walking by carrying a basket of linens stopped and looked over at us to see who had entered. Once she saw Anthony she gasped and dropped her basket in surprise and ran inside calling out, “He has returned! Anthony has returned!”

Soon after she disappeared inside the house, an older woman clad in a royal roman dress and jewels and gold gladiator sandals rushed out. I realized she must be Anthony’s mother considering the similar features they shared and she called out, “Son! You’re home!” Anthony smiled and dismounted his horse and said, “Yes mother I am.” Once he stood before her she threw her arms around him and kissed him on both cheeks and Anthony returned the gesture. Once they separated, his mother planted both fists on her hips and exclaimed, “Where the hell have you been? Your father and I were expecting you home three days ago!” Anthony looked at her sheepishly and said, “I apologize but the journey took longer than expected. But I brought someone home with me.” He turned and gestures towards me. His mother looked over at me and smiled in delight and asked, “Oh! A new slave?” Anthony nodded and she clapped her hands excitedly and said, “One can never have two many slaves!” I merely rolled my eyes in irritation. “Oh here we bloody go.” I muttered under my breath.

One of the guards dismounted his horse and retrieved his keys and approached the cart. He unlocked the cart and climbed inside. He grabbed me by the wrists and roughly pulled me to my feet as he ordered gruffly, “On your feet!” He unlocked my cuffs and let them fall as he shoved me forward and ordered, “Get moving!” I rubbed my sore wrists and reluctantly climbed out of the cart. All the guards dismounted their horses and Anthony fell into step beside me with his mother by his side. We all walked up the marble steps and passed between the large tall columns and through the door. The home was absolutely beautiful and completely impeccable. Long hallways stretched out on either side of us and in front of us and large windows ran along the walls letting the sunlight flow through and light the house in a natural warm glow. The marble floor was adorned with expensive rugs and between each window sat busts of famous roman leaders and beautiful sculptures of roman gods and goddesses along with gorgeous handwoven tapestries.

Slaves and guards went to and fro about their business as usual when suddenly three children, two boys and one girl ran into the hallway. As soon as they saw Anthony they were absolutely beaming and ran to him excitedly as they called out, “Brother! You have returned! We have missed you so much!” I instantly realized theses were the brothers and sister of Anthony. He knelt and gave them each a hug and kiss on their foreheads as he smiled down at them and said, “Augustus, Caesarion, and Julia Caesaris! I have missed you as well. Where is father?” Augustus and Julia Caesaris took each of his hands as Caesarion ran ahead and said, “He is in the grand dining hall meeting with the senators from the Curia.” Anthony nodded and let them lead him there. We entered the grand dining hall and looked over at a large oak table where senators sat around talking amongst themselves as Caesar sat at the head of the table with his hand on his chin pouring over scrolls and maps spread out before him, studying each one intensely in silence and occasionally nodding along to what the senators would say.

Anthony’s mother walked over to Caesar and placed her hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her and gave her a frown for she had clearly disturbed him from the map he was currently studying but he took her hand in his and said, “Ah, my darling Calpurnia. I’m afraid you’ve caught me at a bad time as you can see I’m extremely busy. What is it that you want?” She nodded and said, “Yes, yes I know. But look who has arrived.” Caesar looked up and followed her gaze and his eyes landed on Anthony. Suddenly a small half smile appeared on his face as he stood and stepped away from the table and held out his arms as he exclaimed, “Ah my boy! My prodigal son has returned!” Anthony left my side and went to his father. They embraced and kissed each other on both cheeks. I eyed Caesar suspiciously and suddenly remembered the first time I saw a cobra curled up in my path. Caesar didn’t look like a cobra but I still thought, snake.

Suddenly, his eyes fell on me and he gave me a smile and said, “Ah, now who is this?” It only churned my stomach the way he eyed me and I realized I’d much rather be back chained up in that cart instead of standing here in front of him but I held my ground. I cleared my throat and grumbled, “My name is Sephora Amari.” Suddenly Caesar cocked an eyebrow and asked, “Amari? You are Eli’s daughter?” I frowned and asked, “You knew my father?” Caesar nodded and tilted his head and seemed to examine me more closely. It made me shift uncomfortably. He smirked and said, “Ah yes I see the family resemblance now. But you’re far more beautiful than him I must admit.” I suddenly became so focused with keeping the bile from rising in my throat that I didn’t even notice his wife giving me a jealous glare. He chuckled and said, “But yes I knew him. We both served in that war some years ago. He fought well.

It was a…pity…that he had to fall in battle.” I suddenly noticed how he had to force the word pity out. I glared at him and demanded, “He had to fall in battle? What the hell is that supposed to mean? What did you…” But I was suddenly cut off when Anthony stepped in and cleared his throat and said, “Father, Sephora will be serving our family to work off a debt. I will be in charge of her.” Caesar finally took his eyes off me and looked at Anthony and immediately his mother’s expression softened as she looked at her son and said, “You will? Oh my boy my how you have grown into the man we have always dreamed you would be! Taking on the responsibility of looking after a slave, I’ve never been more proud!” Anthony gave her a small smile and a quick nod. I growled at the word slave and took a step forward but Anthony put his arm in front of me and said to his parents, “Well now! I suppose I should show her to her living quarters and get her cleaned up before she begins her work. If you’ll excuse me.”

He turned and looked at me and said, “Follow me.” With that he went ahead and I gave one last glare to Caesar before I turned and followed Anthony down the hall. I caught up to Anthony and whispered under my breath, “I think your father knows something about my father’s death.” Anthony looked at me puzzled and said, “Well of course he know he died they fought together in the war.” I shook my head and said, “No not that! I mean I think he had something to do with it! Noticed how he said had to die?” Anthony chuckled and said, “Look I know my father isn’t the easiest to get along with but he that is simply not possible! That would of been treason and murder! He would have been crucified for that!” My voice rose as I exclaimed, “War is all about murder! The gladiator fights are all about murder! If you seriously think Caesar is above killing one of his own…” Anthony abruptly stopped and whirled around and looked at me and interrupted me as he answered harshly, “My father is above murdering his own men in cold blood! Now I refuse to talk about this anymore!”

And that was then end of our conversation about that. We walked the rest of the way in silence until we arrived to a large oak door. Anthony nodded towards it and said, “And in here, is where you will be staying.” He opened the door and it showed a long hallway with big open windows. Servants were walking up and down the hallway and in and out of rooms. They seem to be to always be going somewhere, always on the move, always having to busy themselves with something. We walked down the hallway and each room was a private bedroom with a toilet and wash basin and pitcher. At the end of the hall was a large kitchen and around the corner and down another hall on the left was the bathhouse. Anthony brought me back to the hall with all the bedrooms and we walked along until we stopped at the last one on the right. He motioned towards it and said, “This will be your bedroom. My room is the closest to the servants quarters so if you need anything…”

I cut him off by muttering roughly, “I’ll be fine.” Anthony sighed and was about to argue but he stopped himself and instead said, “Fine. Just go get cleaned up and come find me when you’re ready. I’ll set you up with the Saphira she’ll show you what to do.” As he started to walk away I called out, “Who the hell is Saphira?” Without turning around he replied, “The head servant. You’ll be with her until you learn how to serve the household on your own.” With that he left the hallway and closed the door behind him. I washed my hair and bathed my body. After I combed the tangles out of my hair I dressed in the garments and dark brown leather gladiator sandals that were already laid out on my bed neatly. I looked at myself in the full length mirror. The dress was simple and white and my face was free of any makeup. Finally, once I was dressed and ready I figured it was time to go find Anthony and start my work. I wandered the halls and weaved through the palace until I found myself in the doorway that opened up to the most beautiful garden I had ever seen.

White pebbled pathways weaved through a vast garden of flower, rose bushes, fruits and vegetables, and a pond with a handful of lotus flowers floating in the water that must have blown off the branches of the tress they had come from in the breeze. The pond was filled by water that sprouted from a fountain statue of Aphrodite that was carved out of white marble. Sprinkled around the garden were various busts of Roman noblemen that sat on stone pedestals. I scanned the garden for any sign of Anthony but after seeing him nowhere I made my way to the pond and sat on the short wall surrounding it. I had been twirling one of the floating lotus flowers with my finger lost in thought, when suddenly I heard the sound of pebbles crunch underfoot drawing near and I turned around to see Anthony approaching me. Following suit close behind him was another servant. She was older, with wrinkles around her mouth and eyes with a creased forehead, and her black hair was streaked with grey and pulled out of her face.

Anthony smiled at me and held out his hands as he said, “Ah, Sephora! There you are! I have been looking everywhere for you! I would like to introduce Saphira the head servant I had told you about that you shall be working with.” I stood and Saphira stepped out from behind Anthony and approached me. She looked me up and down with such intensity I couldn’t help but shift uncomfortably in my spot. “Let me take a look at you girl.” She said coldly. She felt my biceps, shoulders, and neck. She slowly turned me around and once I was facing her again she bent and ran her hands up my legs. Her touch was quick, rough, and firm and I tried to step away as I exclaimed, “Hey! Hands off!” She firmly held me in place and ordered, “Stop squirming!” She stood and gruffly said, “Show me your hands.” I hesitantly held out my hands to her with my palms facing up. She grabbed them and inspected them closely. She noticed the tiny scars that littered my palms and noticed my knuckles were scarred and ever so slightly misshapen.

She chuckled and said, “Ah, you’re a fighter. Well, in this house you are expected to be on your best behavior! But, judging by your hands it looks like you’re not afraid of hard work.” She let my hands go and stepped back. The intensity of her gaze never faltered. She sighed and said, “Well, you’re a tiny little thing, but you’re strong. It will have to do. All right, come with me, your work starts now.” With that she turned on her heels and briskly began walking away. I arched an eyebrow and looked at Anthony and said, “You’re not serious.” But Anthony just nodded in her direction and said, “Go on.” I merely rolled my eyes and followed her. Over the course of the week, Saphira taught me many things. She taught me what to do that was required of me, how to do it, when to do it, how to serve Caesar and his family, and how to act and how to speak. I learned I had to speak only when spoken to, keep my eyes downcast and may hands together, and to bow and nod my head before leaving the room, and to say things like, “Yes sir.”

And, “Yes ma’m.” In my opinion it was ridiculous and degrading, but I quickly learned that if I acted out or spoke out of turn I immediately received harsh words and the back of a hand or a worse punishment to put me back in my place. Time passed in a blur of days and weeks. By the time my first month had passed I had found myself in a routine, but I was just going through the motions. I saw Anthony here and there but like his father, he was constantly busy and we had only exchanged a mere handful of words. But one day that changed. I was plucking vegetables from the garden and placing them in a whicker basket beside me when suddenly I heard footsteps approaching behind me and Anthony’s voice as he said, “Sephora, there you are. I have been looking for you.” He knelt beside me and I could feel him looking at me but I kept my eyes on my work as I asked gruffly, “Why?” He replied, “Well it is the afternoon and I was wondering if you have eaten yet.”

I sighed and said, “No, I have not.” Anthony nodded and said, “Well then, I was wondering if you would like to have lunch with me.” I glanced at him but continued my work as I said, “I do not think that is allowed, Servants cook and eat their own meals in their own kitchen in the servant’s quarters.” Anthony sighed and said, “Yes, they do. But you will be with me so it will be all right.” I sighed and stopped my work and placed my hands on my knees and hung my head, “This man will not give up will he?” I thought to myself. My hair fell into my face and suddenly Anthony reached forward and gently brushed my hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear. His fingertips ever so slightly brushed against my cheek and goosebumps rose on my skin under his hand where he had touched me and he kept his hand cradled against my cheek. It had been a long time since he had touched me and without thinking, I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch and I couldn’t help but think that all I wanted was for this moment to last forever. 

Suddenly, I remembered my place and I opened my eyes and leaned away and asked accusingly, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Anthony merely smiled at me and chuckled as he replied, “Like I said, it is all right.” He looked at me in such a way that I couldn’t help but want him to always look at me like that, and I think he knew that because he could see it in my eyes. But he saw the look on my face and reluctantly took his hand away from my face. Although he was no longer touching me, my skin felt like it was on fire and I wanted nothing more than for him to touch me again. But I knew that could never happen so I quickly pushed those feelings down. He stood and said, “All right, come with me. You can leave your basket there and come back for it later.” I hesitantly nodded and stood. With that he turned and began walking back to the house and I looked around. Seeing no one looking in our direction I turned and followed him.

We entered the dining hall and he motioned for me to sit at the dining table. I did as he instructed and he sat down next to me. I again looked at him questioningly confused as to why he didn’t sit at the other end of the table but he merely smiled at me. I looked at the table and saw that everything had already been prepared and placed on the table. Cooked meats, toasted bread, sliced cheese, cut fruits, and vegetables sat on platters and a pitcher full of Calda, a winter drink made from wine, water, and exotic spices and been placed next to two beautiful silver cups. In front of us, two plates with silverware had been placed. Anthony nodded towards the food and drink and said, “Go ahead.” But I didn’t dare touch any of it though, for I had never experienced this type of spread and knew it was not meant for someone like me. Anthony must have understood my hesitation and took my plate and served the food for me on my plate and poured the Calda into my cup.

Once he had filled my plate and cup until it was full, he placed it in front of me before filling his own plate and cup. Once he settled he looked at me and noticed I still hadn’t touched anything. He smiled, and said reassuringly, “It is all right, go ahead.” Hesitantly, I reached for my silverware and cut off a piece of meat and put it in my mouth and chewed slowly. The meat was perfectly cooked, salted, and seasoned. I swallowed and cut off a few more pieces and ate them and then moved onto the bread. It was toasted and buttered just right. I couldn’t stop the small groan of pleasure that escaped my lips. Anthony laughed between his own bites of food and sips of Calda and asked, “Good?” I nodded and moved onto the fruits and vegetables, they were fresh and ripe. I swallowed the food and reached for my cup but suddenly hesitated and looked at Anthony as if waiting for permission. He smiled and nodded wordlessly and I took the cup and slowly raised it to my lips.

I took a long sip and held it in my mouth for a moment, tasting all the different flavors, and then swallowed. I couldn’t help but smile, for I had never had Calda before and it was absolutely delicious. “It is good to see you smile. You are even more beautiful when you smile.” Anthony said with such confidence that I was taken aback and set the cup down and looked at him with surprise. “What?” I asked. He began to repeat himself but I stopped him and said, “No, no, I heard you. But…why did you say such things?” Anthony just smiled and again looked at me just like he had when we were in the garden and said, “I say such things because it is true.” I looked away and scoffed and said, “I have seen the women here and they are far more beautiful than me.” Anthony suddenly gently took my face in his hands and turned my head towards him as he suddenly grew serious and said, “Sephora look at me! Please…” I hesitantly lifted my gaze to meet his and he was looking at me so intensely it was almost as if he was studying my face and said, “Sephora, that is simply not true! You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on. And you are even more beautiful with how strong and brave and smart and kind you are!”

I looked at him and asked, “What makes you think such things?” Anthony replied, “I have seen it, when we met and since you have been here how strong and smart you’ve been and I see that you are kind considering how you act towards our animals and my little sister and brother and to the other servants. I saw how brave you were to face those guards on your own and frankly to never stand down from Saphira. Too be honest, that old woman has always frightened me, ever since I was a young boy. So yes you are also brave, maybe a bit foolish, but brave. I think she may have finally met her match.” He said that last part with a smile and a slight chuckle in his voice and I couldn’t help but smile and then before I knew it I was suddenly laughing. I was actually laughing a real genuine laugh and Anthony was laughing alongside me. Eventually I was able to calm myself down and between breathes I wiped the tears from my eyes and said, “By the gods, I do not remember the last time I have laughed like that.”

Anthony had calmed down as well and took my hand from my face and held it in his hand and said, “It was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. Along with when you sing lullabies to my siblings before they go to sleep.” I looked at him confused and asked, “Wait, how did you know I sing to them.” Anthony smiled and said, “The first time it happened I could not sleep that night and was wandering the halls, and suddenly I heard your voice coming from their bedroom so I ventured forth and sat outside their room and listened, and have been doing so every night since. I noticed they’ve been having you tell them stories as well, you’re good with them.” I could feel myself blush and I looked down to hide it and suddenly noticed he was still holding my hand. With his other hand he gently placed it under my chin and lifted my head until I was looking at him again. He smiled and said softly, “Sephora, do not be ashamed of your emotions. You never have to hide yourself with me.”

I couldn’t help the small gasp that escaped from between my lips. Suddenly, Anthony slowly started to lean in towards me and I couldn’t stop myself from slowly, yet hesitantly, leaning in towards him. We were about a hair’s breath away from each other’s lips when suddenly someone cleared their throat behind us and spoke, “Pardon the intrusion, but Anthony your presence is required…elsewhere.” Anthony sighed, clearly annoyed and we leaned back but he still held onto my head as we both looked to see who had spoken. A guard was standing in the doorway, clearly embarrassed and uncomfortable to have had interrupted the scene he had just witnessed. “With who?” Anthony asked. The guard nodded behind him and said, “Your father.” Anthony rolled his eyes and said, “He can wait, just tell him I am busy.” The guard shifted uncomfortably and said, “Er…um…well he said he needs you right away to discuss new maps and battle strategies.”

Anthony shook his head and whispered to me, “Always conquering more and more land. Veni, vidi, vici. I came, I saw, I conquered my father always says ever since he first wrote about it, according to Plutarch and Appian, in a letter to the Roman Senate during the year 47 BC after he had achieved that quick victory in such a short war against Pharnaces II of Pontus at the Battle of Zela. Of course it was short and he won! He advanced against him with three legions, annihilated his army, and drove him out of Pontus. You would think he has enough land, the greedy bastard.” I had to stifle the laughter than threatened to come out. Anthony smiled and gave me a wink and said, “Go ahead and finish your food and drink, afterwards you can return to your work. And if anyone gives you any trouble just tell them what I said, do you remember?” I nodded and asked, “That it is all right?” He smiled and said, “Exactly, that’s my girl.”

I suddenly blushed at being called his girl and couldn’t stop the smile that began to tug at the corner of my lips. With that he placed a reassuring pat on my shoulder, let go of my hand and stood and left the room. I watched him leave and once he was gone, I sat back in my chair and thought about what had just happened. I couldn’t help but smile to myself as I finished eating, wondering how I would’ve felt if we had gotten the chance to close the distance and kiss before we were interrupted. But a moment later, reality set in. “Wait, what am I thinking? That could never happen! I am a commoner, and him? He is royalty!” I thought. I convinced myself that what I felt for Anthony would never be reciprocated. With that I abruptly stood up from the table, stormed out of the room and returned to my work. I decided it was probably best to just avoid Anthony altogether. So I did, for a while, and I had started to think, or at least hope, that he had forgotten all about what had taken place in that dining room.

But a week later Anthony found me outside taking the linens off the clothesline. He stormed up to me and exclaimed, “There you are! I have been looking all over for you! What is going on? Why the hell are you avoiding me?” I must admit his approach took me by surprise, until now he had always seem calm and collected. But I kept my eyes on my work and decided to play dumb and asked, “What on earth do you mean?” Anthony frowned and replied, “Do not act foolish! You know exactly what I mean!” I decided it was best to try and deny everything. I sighed and said, “Anthony, I have not been avoiding you. I have simply just been very busy. A servant’s work is never finished.” I glanced at Anthony and saw that he looked bewildered. Anthony took me by the shoulders and turned me to face him. He stared at me angrily, but I just glared at him defiantly. “Why do you deny this? Is all this because of what happened between us in the dining room that day?” 

I tried to hold out for as long as I could but finally I gave in and exclaimed, “Fine! I was avoiding you, and yes it is because of that! It should have never have happened and if we had kissed it would have been a complete mistake! You are the son of Caesar, and me? I am the daughter of peasants. I may not be ashamed of where I come from but we come from two completely different worlds. I come from sand and dirt and you come from gold and silk!” Anthony shook his head and said, “I do not give a damn about any of that! Why do you keep pushing me away?” I ripped my shoulders from Anthony’s grasp and exclaimed, “Do you not see? I am just no good for you!” With that, I grabbed the basket full of linens and ran off towards the house. Anthony was confused and hurt and started to run after me as he called out, “Sephora, that is simply not true! Sephora, wait!” But suddenly a guard stepped into Anthony’s path as he said, “Sir, your presence is required at the Senate.”

Anthony skidded to a halt as he exclaimed, “Not now!” But the guard stopped him and said, “My apologies sir, but it is your father’s orders. He is already there waiting for you.” Anthony watched me disappear into the house and with an angry sigh, he followed the guard to the stables. It was much later that night, I had begun to douse all the lanterns and candles when suddenly I heard a strange sound, I stopped what I was doing and set down the candle snuffer and slowly walked toward the sound. I heard another sound and realized it was a woman crying. I realized it was coming from the servants quarters. Now I had heard the women crying before, but this time it was different. It wasn’t a sad cry, it sounded like she was scared. And someone was shushing her. I hesitantly ventured forth towards the door when suddenly I heard it. Her scream cut through the air like a knife and a male voice that must’ve belonged to one of the guards yelled, “I said keep your mouth shut!”

And there was a slap and a cry of pain. I ripped open the door and tore down the hallway passing room after room until I finally found the room the sounds were coming from. I turned the knob this way and that, but the door was locked from the inside. I pounded on the door with my fist and yelled, “Open this door this instant!” But only the guard replied, “Mind your own business slave!” I stepped back and shook my head and muttered to myself, “The hell with that!” With that I surged forward and rammed my shoulder into the door with all of my weight. The cracked in half and burst open and fell to the floor with me in it. I grunted in pain but quickly gathered my bearings and pushed myself off the door and got to my feet. What I saw before me sent a chill down my spine. The servant was lying on her bend her expression horrified and her eyes filled with a mixture of tears, pain, and fear. The guard was laying on top of her pinning her wrists to the bed and had hiked up her dress passed her knees and up her thighs and stood between her legs.

He looked at me with anger and roared, “I said mind your own damn business bitch!” The servant looked at me with fear and cried, “Please! I beg you, help me!” The guard turned to her and roared, “I told you to shut up!” With that he raised his hand to strike her again but I lunged forward and grabbed his arm with one hand and the back of his neck with the other and yanked him backwards as I said, “Get the hell off of her!” I whipped him around and threw him from the room. He flew through the doorway and crashed into the wall, crumpling to the floor with a loud thud and a groan of pain. I whipped around and ran to the servant as I demanded, “Are you all right? Look at me, did he rape you?” At first she didn’t respond instead she just stared at me. So I demanded again, “Did he rape you?” This time she shook her head and whimpered, “No.” I let out a sigh off relief and took her in my arms. I helped her up to her feet and as she clung to me and cried into my shoulder I led her out into the hallway.

By now all the other servants had come out of their rooms and were gathered around on both sides gasping and muttering quietly amongst themselves. I spotted Saphira, and handed the servant to her and said, “Get her out of here.” Saphira just stared at me, appalled at the fact that I had just given her an order but I ignored it and exclaimed, “Now! Go!” She flinched and nodded and led the girl away. Suddenly Anthony rushed into the hallway and pushed his way through the crowd of servants. He was about to ask what had happened when suddenly the guard got to his feet and drew his sword. “Behind you!” One of the servants cried out to me. I whipped around just as the guard started toward me. But I rushed forward and wrapped my arms around him and tackled him to the ground. I got on top of him and started punching his face repeatedly and didn’t stop even once I saw blood. But then suddenly Anthony cried out, “Sephora, stop!”

I turned to look at him. Huge mistake. The guard punched me in the face, knocking me off of him and I rushed to get to my feet but the moment I stood he thrust his sword forward. It happened so fast I couldn’t stop it and suddenly he sword stabbed me through the abdomen and out my back. The servants gasped and screamed Anthony screamed, “No!” Suddenly the air was knocked from my lungs and I felt all the strength leave my body. The guard pulled the sword out and I lurched forward and grabbed my abdomen as blood poured out from between my fingers. Suddenly, the world seem to tip sideways and knees buckled and I could feel myself buckling. But instead of hitting the cold marble floor, Anthony had caught me in his arms instead and gently lowered me to the floor so my head was laying in his lap. Suddenly, more guards made their way through the crowd yelling for the servants to move and get out of the way.

They grabbed the guard and pushed past us as they took his sword from him and led him away. I raised my hand that had been clutching my wound and saw my hand and dress was covered in blood. I looked up at Anthony who had tears running down his face and asked weakly, “Do…do you think we can get the blood out of my dress?” Anthony laughed through his tears and nodded and replied, “Yes, yes we can get the blood out of your dress.” Anthony began to cry harder as he yelled out to the servants, “Help! Somebody help!” I touched his face and gently turned his head back toward me as I said, “Shh, shh. It is all right Anthony, I am going somewhere. Who knows? Maybe that place will be Elysium with my mother and father.” Anthony shook his head and exclaimed, “No! You are not going anywhere, I forbid it! You are staying right here with me. Just hold on Sephora help is on its way.” I gave him a weak smile and a small nod but then I turned serious again as I said, “Anthony, there is something I have to tell you.” 

Anthony held me closer and said, “No Sephora, save your strength. You can tell me after the physician gets here and makes you better.” I shook my head and said, “You and I both know that might not happen so I need to tell you now.” Anthony sobbed as he clung me to his chest but finally, in-between sobs he asked, “What is it?” I swallowed the lump that had started to form in my throat as I said, “I….I know there’s no possible way…you could ever feel the same for me as I do for you. I tried so hard to stop it but it kept building up. I thought…I thought I was in danger of falling in love with you. But I-I know now…I already have. I’m sorry, I probably ruined it all if we ever had anything. With you, it’s like the world speeds up and slows down at the same time and flips upside down. I…I wanted you to know though. Because I wanted to do something good. I wanted my life to mean something and to make you proud of me somehow.” Anthony looked at me puzzled and asked, “Sephora, what do you mean?” I began to cough and blood started to trickled out of the corner of my mouth. Anthony gasped and wiped the blood away as I muttered, “No, no, no. Please no!” Once the coughing settled I took his hand in mine. I took a breath and continued as I said, “I know that I might not know much…about love. But I know with you…nothing seems so scary anymore. And unlike me…your heart…is special. I…I love you.” 

I smiled weakly and said, “I loved you the day I met you, I love you today, and I will love you the rest of my life. I am overwhelmingly in love with you.I know that you may never feel the same but I had to let you know before it was too late. I love you, hold onto that.” Anthony looked at me completely shocked and started to say, “Sephora, I…” But suddenly my head lolled to the side and I could feel my eyelids growing heavy. I had suddenly become overwhelmed with a wave of exhaustion, and my vision was growing dark as my body began to feel cold. Anthony’s eyes widened as he exclaimed, “Sephora! Sephora! No, hold on! “ But it was too late, my eyes had slipped closed and everything went black. 

Chapter Four

The physician brought the guards with him and they put me on a cot and he instructed that they take me to the medical wing. Anthony demanded that he go with him. They rushed me into the room and laid me down on the table. The physician quickly washed his hands in a wooden bowl of water and rushed to my side and immediately started to work on my wound. Anthony held onto my hand and refused to leave my side. The physician was desperately trying to stop the bleeding going through, towel after towel, blood pooled onto the table and ran off the edges and dripped to the floor. Anthony stroked my hair and kissed my forehead and rested his forehead against mine as he whispered, “I would give up everything. I would give up my wreath just to see you open your eyes again.” Suddenly, the physician stopped and stood up straight. Silence fell over the room. Anthony shot up and looked down at me. I had stopped breathing.

Anthony gasped and whispered, “No…” He pressed two fingers to my neck and felt no pulse there. “No!” Anthony screamed and collapsed onto my chest in a fit of sobs as a strangled scream wracked through his body. The physician was horrified. But he quickly shook it off and yelled at the guards, “Get him out of here!” Two guards ran forwards and tried to pull Anthony off of me but he pulled out of their grasp and exclaimed, “No! I am staying right here I am not leaving her!” Two more guards ran forward and all four of them ripped Anthony away and pulled him away as he reached his arm out towards me and said, “Sephora, you cannot leave me! Please, come back to me!” The physician tilted my head back and blew air in my mouth lungs and then began to pump my chest with his hands. He stopped and listened for a heart beat, but there was none. Again he went back to pumping my chest and breathing air into my lungs.

He went back and forth from pumping my chest to breathing air in my lungs again and again but still nothing happened. Anthony felt the strength leave his body as he fell to his knees and prayed to the gods as he begged, “Please, do not take her. Please, do not take her.” He looked at my lifeless form lying on the table, blood collecting in pools on the floor as he said, “Sephora, I know you’re stronger than this…damn this! This is just another fight you will have to win. Win for me, so you can be with me. I’ll be damned if I am going to let you die on me now. I just…I am not done loving you.” Suddenly, I took a breath, and then another one. Anthony stood up abruptly and rushed to my side laughing as the tears turned into tears of happiness as he hugged the physician and said, “Thank you! Thank you! By the gods thank you!” The physician gave his back a quick pat but then pulled himself from Anthony’s arms as he went back to treating my wound.

He glanced at Anthony and said, “Now, please leave me to do my work.” Anthony didn’t budge, instead he just stood there staring at me. The physician sighed and said, “Go on, she will be all right.” He nodded at a guard who walked up and took Anthony by the arm and said, “Sir, I think it would be best if you go wait outside and let the physician do his work.” Anthony didn’t look away from my face and continued to stand there but the guard gently tugged on his arm and said quietly, “Please sir.” Anthony sighed and reluctantly let the guard lead him out of the room. He collapsed into the chair next to the door as the guard closed it and stood in front of it, guarding the room from anyone that might try to enter without the physician’s permission while he treated me, including Anthony. I slowly came to consciousness, but my eyes stayed closed still too heavy to open. My body felt sore and tired, and I could feel I was dressed in a clean and soft tunic.

A bandage was wrapped around my stomach, but it was stiff with dried blood. I sensed someone siting next to me, close to my bedside. I heard a voice and it took me a moment to realize who it was as the person gingerly took my free hand. A voice spoke and I suddenly realized it was Anthony as he whispered, “Sephora, Please, you have to wake up. You have to wake up because I am not letting you leave me.” Drops of water dropped on my hand, tears I guessed. I felt him bow his head low as his forehead brushed against my skin. “Please just…open your damn eyes.” He whispered. As if on command I slowly opened my eyes and turned my head to look at him. His shoulders were slumped and his toga was disheveled from sleeping in a chair for long periods of time. His beard had grown out was more than usual. I softly said, “I told you it was going to be all right.” Anthony’s head shot up like he had just been burnt on the back of his neck and his grip on my hand tightened as he pressed it to his chest.

His eyes were red and raw with dark circles under his eyes. He had been crying more and sleeping less it was clear. He cleared his throat and visibly relaxed as he said softly, “Hello, how are you feeling?” I cracked a smile and answered, “I’ve been better.” I began to laugh but it was cut short, it was too much strain on my stomach and too painful. Anthony rubbed my shoulder and said, “Careful. You need to take it easy.” He helped me sit up and after taking a sip of water from a nearby cup he set it down on the bedside table. I blinked the sleep out of my eyes, and with Anthony’s help, I eventually was able to sit upright in bed and looked around. I suddenly realized I was lying in Anthony’s bed in his sleeping chambers. I recognized the soft furs on the bed and the satin pillows that were propped up behind my back. The colorful tapestries that hung on the wall and the gold and red hand-woven carpet on the floor. The white marble busts of his mother and father that sat on marble pedestals in the corner, the mahogany desk and chair with the desk’s surface covered in scrolls, letters, documents, and maps.

The oak bookshelf against the wall across from us was filled with books and scrolls. I had been in here at least a dozen times to clean the room, change the sheets, and put away washed and folded tunics in his wardrobe. I looked at him puzzled and asked, “Why am I in your room?” Anthony looked around the room before looking back at me and replied, “I figured once you were stable enough to move, you should be able to rest in a more comfortable bed.” I nodded and thanked him and then asked, “How long have I been asleep?” Anthony took a breath and answered, “Three days.” My eyes widened and I gasped as I exclaimed, “Three days? I should not have slept for so long! I must get back to work!” I tried to move too quickly in an attempt to get out of bed, but I cried out as pain suddenly shot through my body and it felt like I was being stabbed all over again. Anthony rushed to stop me and to settle me back in bed as he said, “No, no! You must stay in bed and recover! It is all right, the doctor gave us strict orders to keep you in bed so that you can rest and recover. You were wounded very badly and lost a lot of blood. Thank the gods that that guard’s sword mercifully missed your spine.” 

I sighed and reluctantly settled back in bed. I nodded and asked, “What happened to the guard who attacked that servant and I?” Anthony frowned, clearly angered by the guard’s actions and said, “He is in prison, but if it was up to me he would be dead. I wanted to kill him for what he has done, especially to you.” I placed my hand on Anthony’s cheek and said, “If you had, then you would have been the one in prison. It is all right, he did not rape that poor woman and he did not kill me. I am still here.” Suddenly Anthony looked at me and I could see there were tears in his eyes. His voice cracked with emotion as he said, “But you did die! For a few horrible moments your heart stopped beating! I thought I lost you and especially after the words you spoke to me I feared I had lost the chance to tell you…” I interrupted him by asking, “Wait, what did I say to you?” Suddenly panic struck me. I thought I was going to die and I must’ve been in shock.

Had I confessed my feelings for him? “Oh please, by the gods tell me I did no such thing.” I thought to myself. Anthony closed his eyes and leaned into my hand just like how I had once did when he touched my cheek, and after a few moments he opened his eyes and looked at me and said, “You told me you love me.” Suddenly I took my hand away from his face and looked away. All the color drained from my face and Anthony immediately grew concerned and leaned forward and asked, “Sephora? Sephora, are you all right?” I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and I could hear my blood roaring in my ears as it rushed around in my head while my thoughts began to race and dive into chaos as they all came at once in my mind and twisted together. I buried my face in my hands as I exclaimed, “I am such a fool to have confessed my feelings for you! I should have never have told you that! It is not like you could ever love, let alone tolerate some thing like me!”

Anthony shook his head and stared at me in disbelief as he exclaimed, “No, no Sephora! It is all right! Please, look at me! Sephora, look at me!” My hands fell into my lap and I reluctantly looked at him  in distraught. Anthony took a deep breath and spoke gently, “If you would let me finish, I was going to tell you that I feared that I had lost the chance to tell you that I have feelings for you.” I merely scoffed and asked bitterly, “What feelings? Feelings of disgust?” Anthony looked at me with shock and shook his head and said, “No! Feelings of love!” I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and I asked weakly, “What are you saying?” Anthony smiled and said, “I am saying that I love you too! I am so in love with you Sephora! I have been in love with you since the day I met you. I knew I had to save you from those guards in Cairo because they meant to kill you. I had finally found the love of my life and I could not bare it if I had lost you right then and there, and when your heart stopped mine did as well. When you died I wanted to die as well. You are my whole world Sephora! How could I live without my world?”

Anthony took my hand in his and placed it on his chest, right over his heart. I could feel it beating underneath my palm and I realized it was beating just as fast and hard as mine. Anthony never took his eyes away from mine as he said all this and then he continued to say, “Feel my heart, Sephora. It beats for you and only you, no one else…and it shall beat for you until the end of our days.” I looked at him shocked and my voice came out in nothing more than a whisper as I asked, “Do you really mean this?” Anthony smiled and nodded as he replied, “Every word, with all my heart and soul.” I smiled and leaned forward and whispered, “Kiss me.” Anthony’s smile grew until he was grinning from ear to ear and leaned forward. He gently stroked my hair back and tucked it behind my ear and took my face in his hand and our lips met. We kissed until our need for air became too great and we reluctantly parted. I looked at Anthony and moved to the left side of the bed and placed my hand on the empty space beside me and asked, “Will you stay with me? At least for tonight?”

Anthony nodded and said, “Yes, of course. I shall stay with you for however long you need me too.” With that he took off his shoes and climbed into bed next to me. We slid underneath the covers and settled down. Anthony wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. I nestled my head against his chest and he interlaced my fingers with his. With his other hand he began to run his fingers through my hair and soon exhaustion overtook me and I fell asleep. Anthony looked down at my sleeping form. He watched the steady rise and fall of my chest with each breath and looked back up at my face. My long eyelashes rested against my cheeks and each breath escaped through the slight part in my lips. He kissed my forehead and whispered, “I see you.” Soon he fell asleep as well. That was the first time in years that I didn’t have any nightmares. 

Chapter 5

Anthony stayed with me every night since then. When he had a break from his duties he spent it with me. He insisted he help me with everything and kept insisting even when I insisted that I was more than capable of taking care of myself. He helped wash me with a bowl of soapy water and a rag each day and brought me delicious food on a tray in bed. When the doctor gave his approval that it was all right for me to get out of bed and start walking around he was there holding onto me with every step  I took to make sure that I didn’t fall and hurt myself or reopen my stitches. But one morning, that all changed. Anthony and I were sleeping soundly in his bed. My wound had been healing nicely, and I was able to lay on my side. My back was pressed against Anthony’s chest and his arms were wrapped protectively around me. Suddenly the door to his bedroom burst open and his father stormed into the room as he roared, “What in the gods name is this?”

Anthony and I woke with a start and shot up in bed. Anthony put his arm in front of me and held up his hand as he said, “Father, calm down it is all right!” Caesar yelled, “I shall do no such thing, and the hell it is! I demand you explain to me what the hell is going on this instant!” Anthony tried to level his voice as he replied, “She has been recovering from her wound the guard had attacked her and…” Caesar interrupted him as he yelled, “I am perfectly aware of what happened! But why is this servant in your bed with you?” Anthony glared at him and said, “It is because I ordered that she had the best recovery possible, and I have stayed by her side and will continue to do so because she is my love and I am hers.” Caesar glared back and shook his head in disbelief as he exclaimed, “Love? Love? You know nothing of love and she is unworthy of your affection. I forbid this!” Anthony shook his head and exclaimed, “No father!” Caesar took a daring step forward and I could see he was shaking with rage.

His voice was seething with anger but it was dangerously low as he asked, “What did you say to me?” Anthony stared defiantly at him as he replied, “I said no father!” Anthony and Caesar stared at each other in silence and for a few panicked moments I didn’t know what was going to happen. Suddenly, Caesar glanced over his shoulder and called, “Guards! Come to Anthony’s bedchamber at once!” A few moments later four guards ran down the hallway and burst into his room. He pointed at me and ordered, “Remove Sephora from this room at once and lock her in her room at once!” Anthony and I both gasped as Anthony wrapped his arms tightly around me and held me close. I clung to him and took two fistfuls of his tunic and gripped it tightly. The guards nodded and two marched over and grabbed hold of me. One grabbed my arms and the other grabbed my hair and yanked my head back as they attempted to pull me off of Anthony.

“No! Let her go!” Anthony exclaimed. We held onto each other as best we could and for a few moments the guards, Anthony, and I all struggled against each other but eventually the guards were able to rip me from his arms and threw me to the floor as my head smacked against the wall. I cried out in pain and suddenly one of the guards kicked me in the abdomen. I felt all the air rush out of my body and I gasped for air as blood bloomed on my tunic, for my wound had been reopened. “Sephora!” Anthony exclaimed as he jumped out of bed and attempted to get to me but Caesar yelled, “Hold him back!” The other two guards ran forward and grabbed a hold of him right before he reached me as he reached out his arms to me and dragged him back. Anthony struggled and yelled, “Get your damn hands off of me!” I fought against the guards as best I could but my head swam and my breath was still only coming in short gasps of air.

They dragged me out of the room as Anthony called out, “Sephora! Let her go you bastards! Sephora, no!” But the guards had already taken me away and dragged me back to the servants quarters. Caesar turned on his heels and began to storm out of the room as he said to the guards, “Lock him up in his bedchambers as well!” The guards dragged me down the hallway and threw me into my room. I stumbled to my feet as I yelled weakly, “No! Wait!” And ran to the doorway but they shut the door right as I got to it and I threw myself against it. I pounded on the door and exclaimed, “Let me out! Let me out this instant!” But they ignored me as they locked the door and walked away. I continued to yell and pound on the door until I began to feel the strength leave my body. My legs suddenly went weak and I slid to the floor and rested my back against the door. Eventually my breath came back to me but suddenly I gasped as pain shot through my abdomen and I instantly placed my hand over it.

I looked down and took my hand away from my abdomen and saw the blood on my palm and fingers. My hands fell into my lap as I leaned my head against the door and closed my eyes. “I have to get out of here.” I whispered. Back in Anthony’s bedchambers, Anthony was pounding his fists against the door and trying to turn the doorknob this way and that as he yelled, “Let me out of here at once! I demand to be let out of here!” But it was no use, no one was around and certainly no one was willing to defy Caesar and let Anthony out of his room. By now it had felt like an eternity had passed since Anthony had been pounding and screaming at the door. Exhaustion overtook him as he fell silent and his arms fell to his sides. He turned and walked over to his bed and collapsed on top of it. He stared up at the ceiling and muttered to himself, “I have to get Sephora out of here.” It was a few hours later when suddenly I heard a key slide into the lock on my door and turn as the door was being unlocked. 

I was sitting on my bed with my back against the wall and turned to see who it was. The door opened and I saw two guards standing there and an old man standing between them clutching a medical bag in his bony fingers. I realized this must be the physician. He was small and bald with a round belly and clad in a simple tunic and sandals and wore wire rimmed glasses. One guard looked down at him and said, “Be quick about it, and if she tries anything call out. We’ll be right outside the door.” The physician nodded and stepped into the room and the guard closed and locked the door behind him. The physician slowly made his way towards me. He set his bag on the bedside table and opened it as he motioned to me and said in a scratchy voice, “Remove your tunic.” I arched my eyebrow and asked suspiciously, “Why? What are you going to do to me?” The physician sighed and turned to look at me. His eyes were tired and looked as if they had seen all the things the world had ever shown him.

Enough to last a lifetime and the next one after that. They were a deep brown like mine and looked kind. “I am going to re-stitch your wound and change the bandages. Judging by the blood on your tunic it reopened did it not?” I nodded and said, “Yes, one of the guards kicked me in the abdomen.” The physician nodded and turned to start taking out his medical supplies as he said, “I was the one who treated you after you had been attacked. I am Caesar’s royal physician. My name is Ramses.” I looked at him confused and said, “Ramses? That is an Egyptian name.” Ramses nodded and said, “Yes, I am from Egypt. My parents named me after the son of Ra, the sun god.” I gave him a small smile and said, “Yes, I am well aware.” He smiled in return and chuckled as he said, “So you are strong and smart.” His reaction took me by surprise. Besides Anthony, this man was the only other person to have treated me with kindness and like an actual human being in a very long time.

I looked at him curiously and asked, “What do you mean strong?” Ramses continued laying out his instruments and bandages on the table as he replied, “We almost lost you that night you were attacked, but you fought hard and did not give up. That, among other things, is what made you come back to this world. Now, would you please remove your tunic?” I nodded and did as he instructed and stood and undressed until I was clad in only an undershirt and underwear. He pulled up a stool in front of me and sat down as I carefully lifted my shirt until it rose just above my bandages. He gently unwrapped the bandages and inspected the wound. His touch was soft, and his hands were warm and felt like leather when he touched my skin. He didn’t say any words for a few moments. He only hummed an occasional, “Mmhm…” Here and there as he inspected my wound at different angles and close up and farther away. Finally he patted the bed next to me and said, “All right, lie down.”

I nodded and gently laid down on the bed. Ramses cleaned away the blood and applied an antibiotic. It stung and I hissed in pain. Ramses muttered, “My apologies.” He leaned forward and blew light cool air on the wound and the stinging sensation almost immediately ceased. I felt tears gather in my eyes and I blinked them away when suddenly a memory of my father doing that same thing when I had scrapped my knee playing in our yard as a child entered my mind. “My father used to do that.” I whispered. Ramses smiled and patted my shoulder and said, “Oldest trick in the book.” He turned and picked up a needle and thread and sanitized it and turned to me and said, “This may hurt a little.” I laughed and said, “That is what all physicians say, but it always ends up hurting more.” The physician chuckled and said, “I suppose that is true is it not?” With that he threaded the needle and before he started he instructed, “Take a deep breath in and let it out when the needle goes through. The first stitch is always the hardest.”

I nodded and did as he said. I inhaled deeply and when the needle went in I winced in pain and exhaled shakily. But after a few more stitches the pain reduced to a dull ache. I studied his face as he treated me. He had furry eyebrows and laugh lines around his eyes. I liked that. He reminded me of my grandfather who had died a year before my parents did. I had loved my grandfather deeply and I was inconsolable after he died. I had cried for a week. “Why are you treating me?” I asked. Ramses didn’t look up from his work as he answered, “It is my job.” I shook my head and said, “No I mean…” But he stopped me and said, “You mean why is Caesar letting me treat you?” I nodded. He sighed and said bitterly, “He does not wish for you to die just yet, he said you have provided to be a useful servant to him and his family so therefore you must live until he decides otherwise.” I could tell this upset him as much as it did me.

I reached down and gently put my hand on top of his he stopped stitching and looked up at me sadly. “I am so sorry you are in this place.” He said softly. I smiled sadly and said,  “It is all right, I will get through it. Like you said, I am strong and smart.” Ramses smiled sadly back at me and nodded and said, “Yes you are my child.” He patted my hand reassuringly and turned back to his work and soon he was finished with stitching and bandaged the wound in fresh bandages.

Chapter Six

It had been three days since Anthony and I had seen each other. I would spend the day sitting on the floor with my back against the door listening to life go on outside. I found myself actually wanting to be apart of it. To be a servant again doing my duties. I missed the warmth of the sun on my skin and the cool of the breeze. I missed the smell of flowers in the garden and the sound of the water running out of the fountain. But most of all I missed Anthony. I missed his lips on mine and his touch on my skin. I missed the way he would run his fingers through my hair and hold me close as I fell asleep. I worried about him, about what was going on inside his room where he was locked away just like I was. I was worried what his father might do to him for having found us together and after Anthony had defied him. I was constantly reminded of my place in my world and Anthony’s place in his. It was in the middle of the third night, and I was in a fitful sleep when I was suddenly awoken by a rapid knocking on my door.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and sat up in bed. The knocking had stopped and I was about to lay back down, sure than I had dreamed it, when suddenly the knocking happened again. I groaned and called out irritated, “Who is it? What do you want?” Suddenly, Anthony’s hushed voice spoke from the other side of the door as he said, “Sephora it is me!” I gasped and leaped out of bed and rushed to the door. “Anthony? Is that really you?” I asked quietly. “Yes, it is. Sephora I need you to listen to me all right?” Confused, I asked, “Why? What is happening?” There was a long pause and I strained to listen for his answer. Finally Anthony replied, “Get dressed, quickly. I am going to get you out of here and take you away from this place.” I stared at the door for a few moments. I realized as much as I would want nothing more than to leave here with Anthony and never look back, I knew how dangerous that would be. I sighed and replied, “Anthony we cannot leave. Your father would kill us both before we even got out of the city!”

Anthony stared back at the door in disbelief and answered, “Sephora, I was wrong to bring you here. I had no idea of the danger that I had put you in when I brought you to this house. If we stay here my father would never let us be together and he will just force me to marry some stranger that I do not know! We have to leave tonight it is our only chance.” I thought about this for a long time. Anthony listened to my silence and must’ve been afraid that I walked away from the door because he asked, “Sephora, are you still there?” I nodded and replied, “Yes I am still here.” I took a deep breath and finally I said, “All right, let us do it. How are you going to get me out of here though?” Suddenly I heard the jingling of keys and Anthony answered, “I stole the keys out of the guard’s living quarters while they were asleep. But we must hurry!” I listened to the door being unlocked and I stepped back. Anthony opened the door and immediately we rushed into each other’s arms.

He held me tightly against him and leaned down and we kissed passionately for a few moments and when we parted he rested his forehead against mine. He stroked my cheek and whispered, “Oh how I have missed you.” I smiled and whispered back, “I have missed you as well.” We separated and he nodded to my wardrobe and said, “All right, now get dressed and follow me.” I nodded and did as he said as quickly as I could. Once I finished he asked, “Ready?” I nodded and he took my hand and led me out into the hallway. We crept through the hallway and Anthony peeked out the door. He stood there for a few minutes scanning the area. Finally he nodded and whispered, “All right, it is safe to move now. We have to get to the stables, my horse is already saddled and ready.” With that we crept silently through the house and out into the garden. We walked as quietly as we could through the garden. Suddenly a guard appeared out of the shadows as he marched up the walkway facing us.

Anthony pulled me flush against him and we ducked behind a tree. My heart was pounding in my chest and I held my breath as the guard came closer. Finally the guard passed us and we waited to see if he would turn around. I prayed that he didn’t see us. But finally we realized that he hadn’t as he continued marching on and entered the house and disappeared. I let out a sigh of relief and we stepped out from behind the tree and hurried to the stables. Anthony led me to a beautiful Arabian horse. He was a mixture of white and grey with white spots and a silver mane and tale. I stepped up to his stall and ran my hand along his neck. I smiled as I said, “He’s beautiful.” Anthony smiled and nodded as he stroked his nose as and said, “Yes he is. His name is Zeus.” I looked at Anthony and said, “Ah you named him after the god of lightning.” Anthony nodded and said, “Yes I did. My mother gave him to me as a welcome home gift when you and I returned to Rome. I have been working with him every day since and he has learned many things very quickly, he is an extraordinary horse.”

I rolled my eyes and said, “Horses are much smarter than humans give them credit for.” Anthony sighed and said, “Apparently you are right, some days I cannot help but think he is smarter than me.” I eyed Anthony playfully and joked, “You? Oh most definitely!” Anthony chuckled and shook his head. Suddenly, Zeus whinnied loud and long and began to stomp his hooves, and we immediately went to quiet him. “Shush Zeus!” I whispered as I soothed him. Suddenly from outside the stables we heard two guards nearby stop in their tracks and talk amongst themselves. “What was that?” One guard asked, “Sounds like Anthony’s horse. Let us go see what is the matter.” The other guard replied. We could hear them marching towards the stables. “Dammit!” Anthony muttered. We looked around desperately for a place to hide but then I peered into Zeus’s stall. It was large enough for all three of us to fit and dark enough for us to sink into the shadows.

I motioned Anthony to hide with me in Zeus’s stall. Anthony nodded and we hopped over the stall door and landed with a light thud. At that very moment the two guards entered the stables and started walking down the walkway. We sat on the ground and pressed our backs up against the stall door. I spotted a black blanket for the horse hanging on a hook nearby. I ripped it off the hook and threw it over us. I listened as the two guards approached Zeus’s stall and stop right in front of it. I could hear the sound of a lantern swinging as one of the guards swung it over the stall door and shone it into Zeus’s stall as he leaned forward and peered inside just above our heads. I could feel my heart racing as I tightly shut my eyes and prayed that they wouldn’t find us. My breath had increased to a near hyperventilating rate so I slapped my hand over my mouth and nose and tried to muffle my breathing. I knew if they caught us it would all be over. The moments felt like eternity.

The other guard asked, “Did you find anything?” There was a long pause and then finally the guard above us answered, “No, nothing.” With that he leaned out of the stall and the two guards walked away. We sat there in the dark for a few minutes, not daring to move, not daring to breath. Finally, I pulled the blanket off and stood up. I peeked around the stall and looked around. We were completely alone once more. “All right, it is safe.” I whispered to Anthony. Anthony led Zeus out of the stall by his halter and held Zeus in place as I mounted him. Once I was settled, Anthony swung up and settled behind me and gripped the reins. We cautiously walked Zeus out of the stables and looked around. Suddenly, a guard spotted us and yelled, “You, stop!” Anthony used his heels and called to Zeus with a couple clicks of his tongue and Zeus bolted forward as the guard yelled for the others to join him and called that we were escaping.

We galloped down the path that led to the front courtyard. Guards were running after us close behind. I saw up ahead that the gate was still open and thanked the gods that it was. Suddenly Caesar ran out his front door and yelled to the guards guarding the gate, “Close the gate!” They whipped around and rushed to shut the gate. The gate was closing quickly and Anthony kicked his heels into Zeus’s flank and Zeus galloped faster. We shot through the gate just as it closed right behind us. I could hear Caesar order, “Catch them and bring them back here now! Do not let them leave this city!” I could hear the gate re-opening and the many footsteps of a squad of guards and the galloping hooves of guards on horses right behind us. Anthony kept urging Zeus to go faster and it felt like we were flying through the night. Suddenly an old beggar with a long walking staff entered our path. “Anthony look out!” I called. The man saw us and cried out as he held up his arms and looked away.

Anthony pulled back hard on the reins and Zeus squealed as he slid to a halt and reared and whinnied loudly. He lowered back down to all fours and I patted his neck as I spoke soothingly to him. But the guards behind us were fast approaching. Zeus pulled again on the reins and we turned and galloped down an alley way. A few fallen crates were suddenly in our path and Anthony pressed his heels and Zeus soared over them. We turned corner after corner and galloped down streets and alleys in attempt to lose the guards that were in pursuit behind us. Men and women stumbling home drunkenly from parties and the plays that carried late into the night cried out and dove out of our way. “Move! Out of the way!” Anthony called out to them. Finally I could see the gates to the city fast approaching us and two guards stood on either side. Anthony called out to them, “I order you to open the gates!” They whipped around and hurried to do so.

They managed to open the gates just wide enough for us to barrel through in time as we heard the guards yell, “Halt!” But we ignored them as we flew off into the night and the guards came to a stop right at the gate’s entrance. Soon we disappeared into the darkness.

Chapter Seven

We had been riding for what felt like hours. Anthony and I and even Zeus were exhausted. I glanced over my shoulder at Anthony and said, “We should stop, they did not follow us. We all need to rest, especially Zeus.” Anthony stifled a yawn and nodded his head and replied, “I agree. We’ll make stop up ahead amongst those trees and rest for the night.” He pointed to a cluster of trees down the road and when we made our way to them Anthony gently pulled Zeus to a halt and we dismounted. Anthony tied Zeus’s reins around the trunk of a tree and I sat down and rested my back against it. Anthony untied a rolled up blanket from the saddle and spread it out on the ground. I crawled onto it and lay down exhausted. Anthony looked around and said, “I will go collect some wood for a fire.” But I stopped him and said, “No, we cannot have a fire. If they are out looking for us, which I assume they are, they will see the smoke and find us.”

Anthony sighed and nodded in agreement and sat down beside me. He took off his satchel and unclasped it and reached inside. He produced a waterskin full of water and a loaf of bread, a block of cheese, and a few apples and a knife. He cut them each up and handed me a slice of bread and cheese, one of the apples, and the waterskin. I sat up and nibbled on the bread and cheese and once that was gone I took a few gulps of water. I stood up and walked over to Zeus and him my apple to and poured some of the water into his mouth as I stroked his neck and handed the waterskin back to Anthony and joined him back on the blanket. Once Anthony was finished eating and drinking we lay down and Anthony wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close to keep me warm. I rested my head on his shoulder and curled up against him. I stared up at the canopy of trees and looked at the sky. A cluster of stars peeks out from between the branches and said, “When I was little, my father used to take me outside at night and point at the sky and teach me about the stars.”

I pointed up to each constellation and started explaining each one as I said, “Over there you have Hercules, and over there you have Pegasus, and right there is Perseus.” We talked for a while about the stars until eventually exhaustion overtook us and we fell asleep. We woke late the next morning. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and sat up and looked around. Zeus was grazing lazily and I looked down and saw that Anthony was still asleep. I considered letting him sleep a little longer, but I knew that we had to get up. I gently shook him awake and when he opened his eyes I said, “We slept too long, we should get moving.” Anthony yawned and stretched and sat up and said, “I suppose you are right. Knowing my father, he has the soldiers out there somewhere looking for us right now.” We ate quickly and Anthony rolled up the blanket and tied it back onto the saddle as I untied Zeus’s reins from around the tree and stroked his face.

When we were ready to go, we mounted Zeus and moved on. We made our way through the woods, and I couldn’t help but gaze at its beauty. The woods were peaceful and creatures ran through the brush and across our path as birds soared above our heads. The woods were lush green and flowers of various colors spread out before us. Anthony pulled Zeus to a stop and dismounted to pick a beautiful red rose with black tips from a bush. He mounted Zeus again and looked down at me as he handed me the rose. I smiled down at it and gave it a sniff, it smelled lovely. I looked back at him and said, “I have never received a flower before.” Anthony smiled and said, “Well when we get out of this, I promise I will bring you as many flowers as you want.” I smiled and replied, “That sounds lovely.” He leaned down and whispered in my ear, “I shall give you whatever your heart desires. Flowers, love, a beautiful home.” I turned to look at him and said, “But you have already given me those things. You have given me your love and now you have given me a rose, and I already have a home. It is you Anthony, you are my home.”

Anthony smiled and leaned down and kissed me and said, “You are all those things to me my love.” We continued riding and we decided it was best to stay off the main roads. Eventually we reached Ephesus. We decided to stay there for the night and look for lodging and to find a stable that we could put Zeus and give him proper food and water. We found the stables quickly and dismounted. Anthony found the stable boy and paid him a single Aureus and instructed him to look after Zeus and provide him with a proper blanket. The boy’s face lit up when he saw the golden coin, nodded fervently, and led Zeus away. Once Zeus was squared away we went in search for an caupona, an inn. Soon we found one and found the man in charge of the inn. He was a large bald man and a scruffy beard with piercing blue eyes. But as soon as he saw us he immediately recognized Anthony of course but eyed us suspiciously when he saw us together. He looked me up and down and looked back at Anthony and asked, “What are you doing here, and what are you doing here with her?”

Anthony pulled me close to him and ignored his question as he asked, “How much does it cost for room and board here for the night?” The man smirked and replied, “For you, three Aureus.” Anthony looked at him in disbelief and said, “You cannot be serious!” The man folded his arms across his broad chest and leaned forward as he said, “I know who you are and I know who your father is. I am also aware that his personal guards are out there looking for you right now and is offering a much larger reward for anyone who has information about your whereabouts. I am assuming you would prefer it if I keep quiet, so unless you want trouble it will be three Aureus.” I glared at him and exclaimed, “Listen here you big oaf!” But Anthony stopped me and said, “Fine, as you wish.” With that he reached into his bag and pulled out the coins and handed the man the money. The man snatched it out of his hand and shoved it into his pocket and motioned behind him and said, “Right this way.”

We followed the man up the stairs and down a hallway. He showed us to our room and left us alone. Anthony closed the door behind him as I looked about the room. It was a simple room and a bit rundown but compared to where I was living back in Cairo, it was much nicer. Suddenly, my stomach growled. Anthony chuckled and asked, “You must be hungry. How about we wash up and go downstairs and get something to eat?” I smiled and nodded. After we cleaned up we went downstairs and found a table in the corner of the room. A server soon found us and we ordered grapes, bread, cheese, and a pitcher of Calda. We ate and drank in silence as we people watched. Finally I broke the silence and asked Anthony, “What is our plan? We cannot just keep running for the rest of our lives.” Anthony sighed and set down his cup and replied, “I must admit I do not know. I guess we will just have to figure it out. It is all right we will think of something.”

Anthony raised his cup and exclaimed, “But let us not think about that right now all right? Tonight, we celebrate our freedom! Salud!” I laughed and raised my cup and replied, “Salud!” And we cheered and drank. That night was the happiest I had ever been. We drank, ate, and laughed. We told stories of our childhood and I teased him about being born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He laughed and agreed but we both agreed that we had to still work hard to get to where we were in life. Anthony and I fantasized about our life together and discussed what are home would look like. There was no sadness or pain in our voices. Our smiles were not fake and our laughter was not forced. We felt as free as the freedom we had cheered to. Our faces hurt from smiling and our bellies ached from laughing and we fell even more in love with each other than we had ever been. At some point during the night Anthony saw me smiling as I stared off into space.

He asked, “What is it?” I turned to him and said, “I feel infinite.” We celebrated late into the night and finally when exhaustion found its way to us, we made our way back upstairs to our room. We fell into bed in a fit of laughter and soon we fell asleep. It was early the next morning when I woke to the feeling of someone stroking my hair. I assumed it was Anthony and smiled, half asleep. I was about to fall deeper into sleep when suddenly I heard a chuckle and I instantly realized it wasn’t Anthony. A cold chill ran down my spine and my eyes flew open. Caesar was standing above me and our bed was surrounded by guards. I shook Anthony awake and exclaimed, “Anthony! Anthony, wake up!” Anthony was awake in an instant and we shot up in bed. He immediately realized what was happened and pulled me close to him and away from Caesar. Caesar looked at him and said, “Did you seriously think we would not find you?”

Anthony glared at his father and exclaimed, “I am free to do as I wish! Leave us be!” Caesar shook his head and said, “That may be true in certain aspects, but she is not! She is still my slave!” Anthony hissed, “She is no slave!” He suddenly turned to reach for his sword but it was missing from his sheath beside the bed. Caesar held up Anthony’s sword and asked, “Looking for this? Raising a sword to your own father? Tsk, tsk.” I surged forward and punched Caesar as hard as I could in the abdomen and he doubled over and I snatched the sword out of his hand and Anthony and I leaped out of bed. Suddenly, all the guards drew their swords and pointed the tips at our necks. Caesar got to his feet and laughed coldly as he asked me, “What do you think you are going to do with that? Kill me?” I glared at him, pointed the tip of the sword at his chest, and growled, “If I have to.” Anthony tried to get to me but two guards grabbed hold of him and held him back and one of them held a sword to his throat as he exclaimed, “No Sephora! He is not worth it!”

I looked over at Anthony and then back at Caesar as I exclaimed, “Do not hurt him!” Caesar merely glanced at his son before he looked back at me and arched an eyebrow and asked, “What if I do?” I growled, “He is your son!” He growled, “My son betrayed me! He is dead to me!” Anthony stared at Caesar in shock, he was hurt. I glared at him and said, “If you hurt him I swear I will kill you!” Caesar shook his head and asked, “Kill me? Like I killed your father in battle?” I wavered. “You killed my father?” I asked quietly. Caesar took a daring step forward until the tip of the sword was poking his chest. Caesar grinned wickedly and mused, “I did. He begged for his life like a dog!” I growled, “My father would never beg you murderer!” With that I raised my sword and attempted to strike Caesar down but a guard stepped in front of Caesar and blocked my blow. The guard went to strike but I parried and jumped out of the way. I brought my sword down and sliced across his chest.

He cried out in pain, dropped his sword and stumbled back. I kicked him to the ground and hit him with the butt of my sword and knocked him out. Another guard ran forward from behind me. “Sephora, watch out!” Anthony yelled. I whipped around and blocked his blow just as he brought his sword down on my head. I sliced him across the face and disarmed him and knocked him to the ground. Anthony realized the two guards were now distracted by the scene that was being displayed before them. Anthony elbowed one guard in the nose and knocked him back and head-butted the guard behind him that was holding the sword to his neck. The guard stumbled back and dropped his sword. Anthony snatched it off the ground and pressed his back up against mine as we fought the guards together. The fight seemed to go on for eternity. Our breaths were coming out in quick pants and my arms felt heavy from fighting with a sword that was not fit for me.

Anthony was struggling with his sword for it was too light for him and not made for his body. “Switch swords!” I called to Anthony and he instantly knew what my plan was. We passed swords and we instantly felt better, for the guard’s sword was a universal blade and Anthony’s sword was custom designed for him. We now had an advantage. Finally, all the guards were defeated. Caesar dived for one of the fallen guard’s sword but I whipped around and stopped him by holding the blade of my sword at his throat as I said, “Ah, ah. Not so fast. On your knees Caesar.” Caesar just glared at me. I pressed the blade against his throat and exclaimed, “On your knees!” He flinched and did as I said. He glared at me and said bitterly, “Are you going to kill me now?” I glared at him in silence for a few moments. Finally I said, “No, like Anthony said, you are not worth it. Besides, unlike you, I am no murderer.” I stepped back but kept the tip of the blade pointed at Caesar’s throat and said, “Anthony and I are leaving now. You will not follow us, you will let us go and live together in peace. If you follow us, if you intend to do us harm…then next time you will not live to see another day. Do I make myself clear?”

Caesar didn’t say anything. I yelled, “Do I make myself clear?” Caesar fell back and held up his hand and stuttered, “Y-yes! You do!” I stepped forward and said, “Give me your word you will leave us be.” Caesar sighed, defeated he replied, “You have my word.” When I was sure that he meant it, I threw the sword down and grabbed Anthony and we ran out of the room. Time passed and it seemed that Caesar had stuck to his word. Anthony and I had made a home together by a crystal clear lake surrounded by woods. It was a simple home but it was beautiful and it was ours, and we had a large garden filled with fruit, vegetables, and hundreds of flowers. We lived several miles from the nearest city which was Alexandria. Some days we would travel there to get supplies or explore the wonders of the city. Experiencing parties and plays, and praying at the most sacred of temples. One day, in the middle of March a messenger came to us as we were having lunch in one of Alexandria’s beautiful courtyards.

He handed Anthony a scroll and saluted him before turning on his heels and marching off into the crowd. Anthony opened it and read it aloud. Apparently, on March 15, Gais Julius Caesar had died. He was stabbed to death by a mob of conspirators somewhere just next to the Theater of Pompey. At the time he had been declared dictator by the Senate and had only served a year’s term before he was killed. Anthony’s younger brother Augustus was now Caesar since Anthony had denied the wreath in a note he left for his mother and father the night we escaped and Augustus made the makings of a great and fair Caesar. I looked at Anthony and waited for him to scream, cry, do something. But he only crumpled up the scroll in his fists and tossed it away and muttered, “Good riddance.” I held him close and kissed his forehead. In time, Anthony mourned his father’s death in his own way, and soon happiness returned to him. The days of pain, sadness, and anger were now over. We could now live in peace, finally.

The End