Julia, Lucius’ one true friend, was gone. His world seemed much lonelier without
her. Lucius sat in the garden, lost in
his thoughts, watching the sun set behind the hilltops. Then suddenly his master came running to him,
yelling that Julius Caesar had been assassinated, that there was going to be a
rebellion. His master continued to yell
in frustration, sadness, loathing, but Lucius was hit with a thought so
alarming and exciting that it nearly knocked him over: Octavian, who would
inherit leadership of Rome, was going to need soldiers to pursue the
conspirators responsible for Caesar’s death.
Military tactics and weaponry began to flash before his eyes; movements
and personal defenses, everything his master had taught him in his daily
practices with Primus. He was ready to
fight. All he would need was his
freedom…
Carefully
contemplating the touchy subject, Lucius was at a loss as how to best gain his
freedom. Finally accepting his inability
to concoct a safe plan, he decided all he could do was ask. He could feel his heart beating in his
throat. He was terrified of what might
become of him if his master said “no.”
He had never known a slave to attempt what he was about to. When he found his master, it took all of his
strength to say what he needed to say.
All he wanted was to be free, to serve for the better of Rome, to fight
for a cause Primus himself had died fighting for, to fight courageously and
represent his family in battle. This was
all he wanted. He knew he could bring
honor to the family. When he finished
his plea, his master remained silent.
There was ferocity in his eyes, and Lucius feared he meant to harm
him. But his hard glare soon subsided;
he agreed. Stunned, it was all Lucius
could do to contain his appreciation. It
was then that he noticed a hint of sadness in his master. Without his son Primus, Lucius was the last
hope in carrying on the family name. And
with that and his master’s blessing, Lucius asked no questions. He crossed the threshold of the house,
stepping into the world for the first time as a freed man, determined to return
a champion.
-Elizabeth Reed
