Thread: The Concubine     (Fanatic/Nika)

General Atticus Lupis Scippo , the overall leader of three Roman Legions and countless auxiliary units based in Germania enters his command tent. It is almost a palace as far as tents go because it has multiple rooms since it doubles as his quarters in the field.. There are scrolls and maps strewn across tables. Many flags and standards adorn the place as well as a few small statues, carvings, and busts. The General is in his mid twenties. At about 6 feet tall he is a large man by Roman standards but hardly so by the local tribes standards as they have many large mountainous men. His hair is dark and closely cropped as is his mustaches and beard. He has piercing eyes that many of the local tribes find unnerving saying that he can stare through your soul like a wolf. This is fitting of his nickname The Wolf of the Legions. Atticus is dressed in his battle armor. His helmet has a wolfs head emblazoned on its front and a large red hair plume down its center. Upon his breastplate there is also a silver wolf centered. He is covered in blood, soot, and grime. Accompanying him is his personal bodyguard Anthony Casca a burly olive skinned man who is also dressed in armor and likewise covered in gore. Following them into the tent is Atticus second in command Cassius Valleri. Dressed in Roman battle armor Cassius is a short stout man in his late thirties with graying hair. He is accompanied by his personal bodyguard Fuscus Cornelli a tall black man with rippling muscles who is dressed in exotic armor of his homeland. They are likewise covered in the grime of battle. As they all enter six Praetorian guards stationed inside to guard all of the maps and secrets held within the tent snap to attention. Although the Praetorians do not take orders from Atticus or Cassius they do so out of respect. The Praetorians answer only to their commander and Caesar, but it is common practice for them to have an attachment in frontier camps to act as a not so secret police that guard the important officers of the legions. Atticus puts them at ease with a motion of his hand and then asks them to leave which they do, taking up post outside the large tents two entrances. Taking off his helmet it is obvious that Atticus is aggravated as he speaks to Cassius I dont care who they are Cassius! To Hades with them! They preformed like frightened children! They were on the verge of breaking and running. If we hadnt taken matters into our own hands those rebels could have won the day he said. But they didnt, Wolf Cassius said earning a stern look from his superior for calling him the nickname that friends called him and even those that arent behind his back call him throughout the empire. No they didnt the Wolf scowled in agreement annoyed at the fact of the disgraceful way one of the legions under both of their command had performed while battling rebels. But they get no rest. They stay on the line! In two days when we return to their last holdout they will either lead us to victory or will pay the consequence. Do you understand? he added. Yes general Cassuis replies fully understanding what Atticus had just said. Atticus then motions to a female servant standing quietly in the corner. She bows then brings a pitcher of wine and four goblets for the generals and their bodyguards. She is about 18. Tall and red headed she is dressed only in a loincloth. Her well kept hair curls down her shoulders stopping just shy of her young firm breasts. Before handing each goblet she pours some wine then takes a drink of each to prove they arent poisoned. Still each bodyguard drinks from their generals goblet just the same. Satisfied that there is no poison all four the men down the wine. Just as they down the wine and pour another a messenger enters the tent and hands his satchel to Atticus. Along with the standard dispatches from Rome is a sealed letter from his father Senator Claudius Decimus Scippio. Breaking the seal he quickly reads the letter then tosses it into the fire as was his custom with personal correspondence. He then tells the messenger Have them put everything in my bedchambers. Then turning to the others he says It seems the gods and my father have smiled upon me with gifts from home. If you dont mind Ill excuse myself to my chambers to clean up. Ive been on the frontier for too long and am anxious to see what my dear father sends. I promise to share the wealth with you my friends once I see what delicacies hes sent. Scippio shakes each mans hands happily and then has the female slave accompany him to his bed chambers to assist in cleaning him up as Cassius, Fuscus, and Anthony retire to their quarters. Once in the chamber Scippio removes his grimy armor, his Gladius Roman sword, and his Pugio Roman dagger and give them to a young boy who acts as his squire, to be cleaned. Then stripping out of his clothing he reveals a muscular, athletic body that is sprinkled with the scars of an active warrior. He climbs into a recently prepared bath along with the slave who has now stripped naked and starts cleaning the grime of the battlefield from her master. Halfway through the bath, porters carry in two trunks full of goods from Rome. They quietly set them in the doorway just inside the chamber behind the general and his slave out of their view and leave. Then a young blond haired woman enters and stands by the trunks. She is well dressed, in a tunic fit for a citizen of Rome. She waits patiently if somewhat nervously as Atticus and his slave finish his bath.