(open) Calming the nerves

[Hector Tertius]

Hector Tertius was in the middle of watching his men train. A few of them were simply getting on the usually calm commanders nerves. Some were not heeding warnings and he was sure that Mitus and the other senior officers were noticing this. Mitus walked over to his commander. "Hector what's wrong?" The older soldier looked at his commander with concern in his eyes. He was the one who had trained the young commander on top of watching him grow up as a small boy in the first place. He knew the other was upset and Hector knew full well he could not pull the wool over his eyes. Hector had a sinking feeling in his stomach and he wanted word that everything was okay in Briton. Of course letters he had gotten from some of those stationed there did not speak of anything good at the moment.

He sat perched on his stand watching them practice. He turned his head to Mitus as his elder spoke to him. "They make me angry. Both those training and the damn Saxons." "We will get the Saxons but remember Hector the others are training. I'm sure your sister and Aurelia are doing fine." Hector nodded his head and looked out at his trainees. "Mitus come with me." They walked down from their perch and onto the training field. He gave a nod to Mitus a few minutes later to go back to training with his trainee. Hector moved through the ranks of trainees noting posture and sword play. Most knew how to defend with shields very well but their swordsmanship needed a bit of work.

After taking his initial walk through the ranks he started to correct everyone's posture. After that was done he smiled to himself. They looked much better and much more uniformed when they were all practicing in the right posture in the first place. He took to watch from the side lines correcting some here and there but now happier that they were in the right form in the first place. He was still on edge and most of the older soldiers knew why. He was also itching to get some practice in but of course he had to watch before he could get some time to himself.

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[Princess Aurelia Augustus]

Aurelia gave the reins a gentle flick, before leaning forward, giving the dapple gray mare a gentle pat. Calaini had been a great companion, especially on the long, hard trip from Hadrian's Wall, to Rome. The Roman Princess had been asked to visit Hadrian's Wall, on Arthur's behalf. The Saxon attacks were growing worse, and there was a possibility that he would need soldiers stationed there, Roman soldiers, if they were available. Any other time, Aurelia would have given Arthur her answer then, but Hector had remained in Rome, and she had been unable to talk to him. A few minutes passed before Aurelia glanced over at her guard, Drako, before turning in the saddle, to look back at her convoy. They were all happy to be back in their native land, and away from the snow and cold in Britain.

She pulled both ends up of her lips up into a smile, giving a sigh of content as a warm breeze passed by. It only took a few more minutes before Aurelia had arrived at the royal stables, and pulled the horse to a stop, before dismounting. Reaching up, she gave the horse a loving pat, before handing the reins to a young servant boy, telling him to make sure that she was taken care of. Lifting one hand to her neck, she gently massaged it, before walking out of the stables, through the royal gardens, and into the palace. Everyone had heard that the Princess had arrived, and the corridors were bustling with people scurrying around, going on with their daily lives. Aurelia gave a curt nod to the officials before heading to her quarters.

As soon as she had pushed the silk fabric hanging in the doorway (acting as a door) aside, Aurelia gave a sigh of relief, noting that the room was empty. It was nice to be home, with her family, and Hector. Walking into one of the corner rooms, Aurelia grabbed an royal blue stola, and an gold pala, laying them across her bed. Slipping out of her current stola and pala, Aurelia washed her hair, face, and body, before changing into the clothing that had been laid across her bed. Turning around, Aurelia added some fibulae onto the stola, before pushing the golden bangle up to her left bicep. A few minutes passed, before she slipped some golden ear rings into each ear, and allowed the golden necklace to rest upon her neck.

Aurelia gave her long dark hair a quick brushing, before pinning a few strands back, and placing the golden crown, decorated with golden leaves, on top of her head. She finally felt as if she was presentable. Stopping by a stone table, Aurelia grabbed a few letters, shuffling through them. Turning on her heel, she stepped out of her quarters, and headed to a stone balcony that overlooked the balcony. "It's nice to be home." Aurelia murmured softly to herself, leaning against the balcony, reading through the first letter.

Notes: her outfit. her horse.

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[Hector Tertius]

Hector was back on his stand and sitting in his chair watching the mornings practice continue. He was in a far better mood once he had adjusted everyone. He would however not be a happy man until he got work that Aurelia was back home and that his sister and brother were fine. As a matter of fact he'd been worried sick about everyone. If truth be told there were weaknesses to the Roman Army Commander but there were people that knew how to approach him when those weaknesses were becoming apparent. This go around however Hector had not heard a thing from his sister. Max was well he was being him and they had just not spoken to each other in a few weeks.

His Princess would send him word when she was in Britain usually but this go around he had not gotten anything. It might have been for the fact that it was turning winter in Britain. However Arthur had sent him no word either. The only word he had gotten was the word that she was supposed to be back soon. That he had gotten from a letter that Drako had sent him as soon as he had gotten word on their return date. He had not heard anything about her arrival yet however. So there he sat half happy and half annoyed looking down at those that were practicing on the field. They had been at it since sunrise and he was sure that it was about time to let them break for a little while. However he was in no mood for one. Lunch could be taken after another hour or so. It wasn't that he was being cruel or anything but when battle was going on there was no time to stop for food or anything like that. You fought until the bitter end or until someone surrendered.

He stood up walking back down towards the field having caught a few men out of posture. He corrected it and then took a swing at Mitus who was almost caught off guard but attacked him straight back. Hector had no shield like Mitus had but he dodged his elders blow with ease and the recruit looked at him in amazement. He put his sword up and bowed letting Mitus know he could stand at ease. "Now I know that holding, blocking, and striking are not easy." He was looked at the recruit now. "Your enemy does not care about that. However so that we may so you what it looks like when someone is truly going to attack you with intent to kill. How easy it will be for you to switch your thinking. That is what it is. Its a mind set. It's not hard when you are in the face of losing you life. You must remember that you must practice thinking that or you may not live long in your first battle outside the training field. Your shield please." The recruit handed over his shield with a bow.

He took at deep breath and shouted. "Men something you will want to watch closely. Put down your things and take look at how it may really look on the field with those of us that have been on the field of battle. My senior officers join me." Those that had seen battle came to his side with their things ready. The recruits found their places outside a rather large ring that they had formed. He tossed the shield. It was a little to light for him and a recruit ran and grabbed the one that was seated by his chair and handed it too him. He smiled and handed back the shield to the recruit that had relinquished it earlier. He tossed it and caught with a satisfied smile.

He gave a silent command. A movement that started the group at the center of the circle to attack each other. No one was caught off guard. After about two minutes two men stepped out of the ring knowing full well that had it not been a practice run they would have been dead. They shook their heads but smiles were plastered on their faces as the partners turned in on the others. This lasted until at last they all went for Hector at the same time. It was true that one would not be just fighting one enemy off of the field but more than one when the battle was full in bloom.

It was relatively easy for Hector to dispatch the first set that has come out of him as he and Mitus has started off on the skill only they knew how to employ on the battle field. It was how they always got home and with just minor wounds. They protected each other something that many men were surprised that they could do from whatever end of the battle they were on. One way or another they other always had the other's back. Mitus went out as one last person came at Hector. He side stepped that person and knocked their shield away a sword coming dangerously close to the other's vital spot but stopping way before it made any contact of being near as all wounds that had been dealt in this trial run.

They all bowed to one another and Hector helped his last attacker off the ground. The trainers all had smiles on their faces as they looked out towards the recruits that were wide eyed. "Now that is what it looks like. Only your enemy will not stop before they wound you like we did. We had the intent to kill but stopped ourselves at the last second for we knew what we were playing at. That is how you must become and that is how we will train you. Work hard and you will understand just why this was done when you face that battle field."

His eyes landed on Drako coming onto the field. He gave a look to Mitus indicating that he wanted his shield placed back in his room should he not be back by the time that Drako or he called it quits for the afternoon's lunch before the night training that was scheduled for today. No words were said but all knew their positions and what was to be done while he was away. They also all knew where he was going. It didn't take him long to reach the palace. His sword was still on his waist and it made the officals stare at him and bar his entrance for only a moment because they knew better then to anger him with the Princess there. On top of that they knew he meant her no harm anyways.

He walked to Aurelia's bedroom chambers and tapped his boot on the door hoping that he did not look disheveled in any way from being out on the field. His chest which was exposed at the moment was glistening from the sweat that he'd worked up with his little demonstration. He waited for her to invite him in. It would be rude to barge in on a lady.

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[Princess Aurelia Augustus]

After the long and perilous journey, it was nice to be back in Roman territory. Although Aurelia did enjoy some of her trips to Hadrian's Wall, Rome would always be her ultimate home. She had been born and raised in Rome, not to mention the fact that her mother and Hector were there. Then there were the winters in Britain. They were cold, harsh, and there was almost always a good, thick layer of snow on the ground. Aurelia just wasn't made for that type of weather. She was used to the sun, and warmth from the Mediterranean Sea. Either way, after a few weeks of staying at Hadrian's Wall, she was home now, and couldn't have been happier. Sure, she had enjoyed seeing Marina, who just so happened to be Hector's sister, and Guinevere. But in the end, it was always Hector and her family that she wanted to see.

Aurelia had a duty to her people though, and trips to Britain were required. As an ally to Arthur, she wanted to make sure that she was doing whatever it took to protect the people from the increasing Saxon attacks. This time, she came back with a request from Arthur: he needed more soldiers stationed at the borders. The attacks were getting worse, and he needed him soldiers to train. After Aurelia had read the first letter, from one of the Roman officials, she allowed her gaze to wonder. Blinking, Aurelia gazed at the white sand, and the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. She could hear the metallic sound as swords clashed, no doubt coming from the Roman soldiers training. Peering across the stone wall, Aurelia watched as Drako headed towards the training ground – most likely to tell Hector she was finally home.

If she had, had her choice – Hector would have gone with her. But it wasn't like he could turn on a whim, and Drako wasn't that bad. He protected her and Livia, and that was what she wanted from him. Giving a soft sigh, the Roman Princess lifted her hand, running it through her hair, before sliding the first letter to the back of the pile. Lifting a brow, Aurelia tilted her head to the side as she recognized the dark red wax seal – it was from Marina, or somebody underneath the famed lady knight. Propping her elbows ontop of the wall, Aurelia leaned forward, as she read the letter quietly to herself. Lady Marina had been in a brawl with the Saxons, but her arm was pretty bandaged up. Marina also wrote of the dire need for soldiers, how Livia was doing. She also wrote of plans to travel up to Rome, and how she hoped to see her soon.

Pulling her lips up into a slight smile, Aurelia shook her head to the side. Marina was a tough lady – of course she was going to be okay. But the worsening attacks bothered her tremendously. A few seconds later, she slid the letter to the back, before opening the other letter – one from her mother. Half way through the letter though, Aurelia heard the light tap of a boot outside of her door. Jerking her head up, she turned around, peering inside of quarters. ”Come in, I'm out on the balcony.” Glancing down at the letter, she finished it in a few seconds before looking up, watching as Hector entered her quarters, a smile playing along her facial features. She had missed him, after all, it had been a few weeks since they had seen each other. Hector was in more ways than one, like a best friend to her. He took care of her and protected her, and he was one of the very few that she trusted. Aurelia had also found herself falling in love with him, but was somewhat reluctant to act on it. What if he didn't feel the same?

Notes: her outfit. her horse.

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[Hector Tertius]

Hector waited patiently to be invited in. He gave a head bow to a few of the guards that walked passed him but the let him be knowing that the Roman commander would not do anything to harm the Princess in the first place. There was an unspoken knowledge in the ranks of the army and in the guards that the Princess was spoken for. A few of the noblemen knew that unspoken almost law as well. However Hector being the man that he was would not ruin a pairing of political convenience such as a treaty with another nation. That treaty of course being achieved by the marrying of the Princess to one of their Princes or Nobelmen. However he would not like that one bit though he would stand by her side should it happen. He shook his head to bring himself out of his musing. His love for the Princess went unspoken even to her and at some point that was going to have to change. He just wasn't sure how to say it without making things awkward if she did not feel the same for him. He didn't want to ruin the relationship that they did have. He was a rather complex man when it came to the Aurelia. Otherwise he could be considered a rather simple man with knowledge to command and run an army which in itself was probably complex as well but it didn't matter.

He finally heard her voice. It was soft as a breath of wind but there was concern in it. He entered her room with a looked that spelled out concern. However he held himself with pride and dignity because even in the midst of crisis he would not show weakness. It was just not like him to do so. He'd not heard a thing about Marina's brawl with the Saxons. He'd gone a bit insane the other day and it led to Mitus taking him out for a bit of sword play and drinks. It had calmed the Roman commander enough to have him at training today, though he was still itching to hear news of anything.

Drako and Mitus were his two best men and Hector would do anything for them as they would for him really. His brother Maximus of course would do the same for his brother and was of course a trusted comrade. He however let his brother lead his own little group of soldiers but they all reported back to him. They were his generals and they had proved themselves time and time again. Mitus was actually the oldest of the group and he took pride in taking orders from someone younger them himself. It made Hector in a sense feel good. He shook his head as he moved over to stand across for Aurelia.

"I am glad you are home my Princess." There was a bit of an emphasis on the my but nothing that would give away more then his feelings of being her best friend. They had been best friends for a long time now and needless to say he loved her with every fiber of his being but previous stated concerns plagued his thoughts and actions. "What are your concerns my Lady." He knew full well that she was worried. There was no hiding that from him. He took an almost protective stance as he glanced at her. The sun lighted her features so magnificently. It truly did take the Roman Army Commanders breath away but even that he tried not to show. There was some serious business to attend too. He was going to make her feel right at home. He almost wanted to move in to hug her but that would be something that would give things away as he never too the imitative to hug anyone and that included his own sister whom when he saw her again would probably throw his arms around and she'd probably get very upset with him and scold him for being an over protective brother. He couldn't help it after all. He was the man of their house.

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