Leon opened his eyes and immediately the flood of events that had transpired the day before took hold of his consciousness. The fact that he had taken his best friend Atticus’s post made his heart thump loudly in his chest. They were both named principles in Julius Caesar's 13th legion and since Atticus looked so alike to Leon, they were mistaken constantly by their fellow soldiers and even by their centurion. In this way, Leon had been able to pose as Atticus and assume his place amongst Atticus’s rich and successful family. As he rose and regained his senses, he took in the decorations of the gorgeous villa and the beautiful scene around him. As he dressed in a white toga with golden trimmings, he saw slaves running about, no doubt commencing in their daily chores, chores he had to perform when he was a child. He quickly pushed that thought out of his head and stepped out of his room into the hallways in the villa. As he rounded a corner, absorbed in thought about these circumstances, he ran right into Aelianna, who was Atticus’s sister.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” she stammered as she reached down to collect the parchments she had in her arms before Leon knocked into her.
“Ah, no it was my fault, here,” Leon said as he handed her a piece of parchment that had fallen out of her reach. He couldn’t help but notice the title reading, “Pompey’s Defeat” written in a lovely hand for such a gruesome subject. He glanced at Aelianna and saw her smile at his inquisitive expression.
“I like to write about current events, and be well-informed. It’s just an interest of mine. It’d be nice if sometime you’d like to tell me your opinions on such matters? I’d love to hear about Julius Caesar and the enemies whom were born and bred Romans you faced serving him?”
Leon tensed at the thoughts of losing Atticus and the ordeals of war he had to endure. Yet here stood this young women wanting him to give details as if they we just sitting down for some wine and light conversation. He contained the turbulent emotions within him and answered, “Aelianna, I would be glad to give you insights on the events in politics and war if you are prepared to here things that may turn your stomach...” Surprisingly, Aelianna grinned and her blue-green eyes lit up with amusement.
“Of course brother, I would actually just love to talk to you about anything...I don’t know you at all, but I’d like to.”
“As do I. The news of Pompey’s murder may have come as a shock to you since he was murdered by King Ptolemy of Egypt. Have you already finished that account since I saw the title on your writings?” Leon asked with care, trying to sound unbiased.
“Most of it,” Aelianna answered, “I think it was most barbaric to cut off his head...and well, surely Caesar had some reaction to this?”
“He did and he was greatly disturbed, I imagine his disapproval isn’t going well with the Egyptians...” Leon thought. Aelianna’s face grew curious as she pondered on Caesar's reaction, and Leon was pleased that his loyalties for Caesar were justified by the man’s commendable actions. As Leon turned to leave, Aelianna’s voice reached him once more, “Oh, you dropped this...” It was the Atticus’s letter containing his last words to his family. Leon suddenly felt quite sick. He reached out and took the letter, trying to conceal the nervousness on his now reddened face.
“Are you feeling ill?” she asked, studying him.
“No, I’m fine, thank you,” he managed to stammer, and hurried away. That had been close, luckily Aelianna had not seemed to notice anything unusual about the letter he was carrying... Or so he thought.
