Servius had always been a loyal slave to the Lucceius
family, a respected contingent of the equestrian class of Rome. Treated with a fairness that any man of
servitude would cherish in the year 44 BCE. Servius performed his duties with
an ever-present gratitude in his heart.
However, not even the security of fair ownership could draw Servius from
the radiant Adelia. A slave of the
Praetor of Rome, Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger, Adelia’s beauty did anything
but suggest her low societal status.
After sharing prayers at the Temple of Fortuna Virillis in the Forum
Boarium, the draw between the two slaves defied any love that might be forbidden. Servius had been struck by an
unexpected love that engulfed his heart.
With
a fire in their souls that would not be extinguished by policy, Servius and
Adelia swore to meet. After much
thought, Servius secretly slips out of his sleeping quarters in the dead of
night to be with the longing Adelia.
Although his conscience berates him every step of the way for abusing
the trust of his master family, Servius is guided by an attraction he had never
known. As Servius arrives, he is
met by the joyful Adelia, who skillfully guides Servius into the Brutus
property. But as the two slaves
set out to find a place to be alone, they notice an unusual late-night
conference taking place in the Brutus home. Adelia, knowing how unusual this was, could not help but
eavesdrop, pulling the reluctant Servius along with her. To their surprise, a topic of treason
emanated from the meeting room, as Brutus and other politicians of Rome such as
Gaius Trebonius and Servilius Casca discussed the growing concern with Julius
Caesar, the Dictator of Rome who had recently appointed himself as its ruler
for life. In a short time, it was
apparent to the slaves that an assassination was being planned.
Serius’s
family supported the work of Caesar, praising his new police force,
centralization of government, and new Egyptian calendar. With the fair amount of influence held
by the Lucceius family, Caesar could be warned of the murderous plans of his
senators. However, Serius’s love
for Adelia and fear of punishment creates a dilemma.
