Aurelia Rising

"Surely the yellow river won't flood again this year"

- Chinese Farmer

They left the castrum shortly after breakfast, their bags heavy with supplies for the first time in many days. The added weight brought comfort, though it was doubtful they would need it. They reunited with their friend the river as they left, and followed a lonely dirt road along it's banks downstream following the directions of the innkeeper. This road was broader and smoother than the woodcutting path they had used the day before, fresh cart tracks showed this path to be more traveled.

They continued until the river merged and joined with it's fellows and became the Aniene, the city of TIbur itself was slightly upstream, though that wasn't actually their goal. The barge was docked along the banks Aniene river, where it had been being loaded full of heavy slabs of stone and marble from a quarry nearby. They were actually able to see the quarry from the barge, a bald hill which had had it's top chopped off so that it looked like a chopped tree stump. Slabs of quarried stone had then been hoisted onto sleds with round wooden logs rolling underneath by sweat slicked workers, and pulled downhill to the waiting barge.

The captain of the vessel, a grizzled man with missing front teeth, had grumbled a bit at the sight of Gregorios when he had approached to gain passage, and then had grumbled some more at the sight of the rest of them and the animals, but had conceded quickly after Gregorios passed him a small pouch of coin. The roads and rivers had been getting more dangerous lately, and the sight of eight armed adventurers would no doubt cow all but the most desperate of brigands. And so they had boarded with no trouble, and had begun to watch as the land passed beside them as they navigated the river downstream.

It would be a couple days before they arrived in Rome, and the confined space of the deck of the barge provided no privacy. But Aurelia had seen plenty orks to be satisfied for a good long while. The barge, while not being the most comfortable, they literally had to sit on stone, was by far the fastest and safest way to return to Rome. And so they settled in for the ride, and Aurelia tried to ignore the stares of the crew.

Felix's feet were sore, his shoulders ached, his stomach growled. They said they'd pass through Capua soon and be reinforced with more men. Andros didn't even know where Capua was. He knew the five fields he worked alongside his family, he knew the two roads he took to get to town when it was market day, and the five roads he took to get to Rome when dad told him to get more medicine for mom. He most certainly did not know about soldiering.

He wasn't alone, which was something. There were other boys that he recognized from home in Antemnae, they looked as lost as him. Each of them had a spear, a pack, and a helmet. Not like those fancy Hastati with armor and swords and the like. He was a Velites, they told him, and from what he had gathered that meant it was his job to annoy and bother the enemy while the Hastati did the real killing.

Clip-clop clip-clop clip-clop

The hooves of a trotting horse passed alongside him as he marched in column, a man with a long cloak sat astride the animal as he made his way to the front of the army. A scout, Felix thought. They always seemed to be coming and going, though Felix didn't know why. They always just followed the road south. Didn't matter if they marched through farmfields, towns, forests or hills, they always marched south.

He remembered his younger brother and sister presenting him with a new pair of sandals the day before he left, the leather was soft and tough. He was lucky, the man in front of him winced every time he stepped with his left foot.

His mother had woven his shirt, and his father had placed his helmet atop his head. They had all cried when he had left, even his father, though he had tried to hide it. To serve the glory of Rome was an honour, or so they said. Felix didn't know. Some of the men beside him sang songs of victory, smiles on their faces like they had already won and were returning home. He didn't.

Apparently some Greek king had grown too big for his boots, and was encroaching on Roman land. That was the reason for all this marching. Felix didn't know, he just hoped he would be able to sing those songs of victory and hug his mother again.

Antonia closed her eyes, scrunched her face, and pushed. A small, screaming wail joined it's voice to the chorus which came before. For it was not the first, and certainly not the last of it's kind. Her eyelids fluttered as the latest of her progeny slid forth from her loins. Much like being used by the orks, birthing their children was at first intensely painful. Then, gradually the pain would lessen as each squirming greenskin emerged from between her legs until she felt only the mildest of discomfort. Then the pleasure came.

She had not been a terribly ambitious woman before. She had been married to some awful sop at the behest of her father, and look where that had gotten her. Her bastard of a husband had abandoned her and run the instant the ambush had gotten difficult. She had cursed his name many times in the early days, blaming him for her capture, her defilement. The inborn son-of-a-whore had shown his true colours that day. But now she was grateful. She knew not by what magics the orks had begun to change her, altering her body to better suit their needs and lusts, to better bear their spawn. But she loved their alterations now, every one of them. Some small part of her acknowledged that it wasn't normal. Girls didn't grow up wanting to be taken by the monsters, did they? Perhaps the stew and the orks and the shaman had been changing her mind alongside her body, but she could no longer bring herself to care.

Her body was a twisted parody of the human form, taken further than the most perverted Roman icons of fertility of her home. Now she was more. Now she was better. She had swelled and grown, hips and belly and breasts leading the charge, though she was sure she now stood taller than her brothers. At least, when she bothered to stand anymore. Most of her time was spent on her back, being fed and fucked in equal, blissful measure. Though, when she did stand, her fecund belly hung down to her knees, her belly rested on her thighs and her breasts rested on her belly. And still she was growing. Not as quickly as before, for which she was sad, but each day the ceiling of the cave was a little lower.

Afterbirth was cleaned from between her legs by a pair of goblins, who wiped the ground and insides of her thighs. Once the aftermath of her most recent birth was gone, a huge green form punted them aside with stout kicks and mounted her once more. She released her moans freely now, reveling in the pleasures the massive orks could give her. Wet slaps began to fill the cave, and her body sloshed back and forth with the movements. She knew this should not be possible. That giving birth should be dangerous at the best of times for women. But the orks didn't care, and the member inside her beat any worries out of her head with each thrust.

They let her leave the cave now, they knew she was snared. When she bothered, she often visited the caves of the other women. The lesser women. The ones who resisted, who clung on to humanity and the names of distant people and places. Of the women who had been captured alongside her that fateful day, none still lived. Whether from being torn by ork cocks or by ork babies, she didn't care. They had been weak and she was strong. None of the other women liked talking to her, all they said was "Help me!" or "By the Gods what happened to you?!". Inevitably, when they saw her willingly spread her legs for the greenskins, it broke them. Most of the time. But she was fine with that, her womb was strong, her womb would grow. And every woman that failed only meant less competition for delicious ork cock for her.

Antonia licked her lips and let out a long, lurid moan as the ork mounting her finished. She could feel the contractions of the next infant coming, but not for a few more minutes. The spent ork rose to his feet, looking satisfied with himself.

"Very good, Grathung." She said, remembering this ones name. The ork looked down at her and a wide smile spread across his face, showing yellow teeth and tusks decorated with specks of his last meal. She beckoned him to step aside and let the next ork through, who lined his impressive endowment up with her sopping tunnel. A stream of thick, putrid coloured liquid was draining from her. The ork paid it no mind, and began to thrust anew.

How had she ever thought her previous life could ever be enough? As moans and grunts began to fill the chamber, she thanked the gods.

The new ones the greenskins had begun to teach her. She found she liked them much more than that useless pathetic pantheon back home.

"There! All Done!" Livia stood in front of a large mirror, large enough to show her entire form from the ground to the ceiling. The mousey attendant fitting the final pins of her Palla pulled back to admire her work. Livia could barely recognize herself. Gone were the days of the plain robes of the Temple of Ceres. She now wore a white tunica, with a rich green palla draped over her shoulders and head, almost like a veil. Her hair was parted and drawn back, and she had a necklace and earrings of silver and amber. She had never looked so fine. Part of her new look was her attire, certainly, but it was also the mirror. It was massive, resting on a stand in the corner of the fitting room. Back in the temple, she had had to share a small handheld mirror of bronze with all the rest of the sisters. Now, she stood in front of a mirror which displayed the world in as much splendor as she had ever seen. It reflected colours and shades exactly, unlike the burnished bronze or the surface of pools she could remember.

Spoiler

A Palla was an outer garment worn by Roman women, typically matrons, overtop of their normal robes (Tunica or Stola). This unsewn, typically woolen rectangle could be styled in many ways to display ones status or wealth. Many were simple cloth, but the wealthier or more influential among the populace sometimes had them dyed rich colours or made of fine linen, or even silk! The palla was typically worn over the shoulders similar to a shawl, and could serve as a hood or head covering depending on the weather or the modesty of the wearer.

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If she couldn't recognize herself, she would say that she was looking at a respectable woman belonging to a fine patrician household, and not a petty commoner uplifted by the grace of the gods to new heights.

"I look..." She had no words. Yes, she had fantasized about moments like these all her life, but to see herself now rendered her speechless.

"You look wonderful, Darling." Said the attendant. Livia felt awful for not asking her name, but one moment she had been bean counting in a ledger, and the next she had been whisked off across the compound into this fitting room. The attendant had descended on her like a wolf the instant the door had closed. She had been bathed, primped, brushed, and dressed in a flurry of action. She didn't even know what the occasion was, but it had to be something formal.

"I don't know if a green this dark is my colour." Said Livia hesitantly. "Well, it's theirs." Said the attendant. "If you're going to be seen in good in good company among the Claudii, you're going to be seen in green."

"But I don't even know what this is for!" Exclaimed Livia. "One moment I'm going about my business like usual, the next you're dressing me up all pretty and I don't even know why!"

"It's not my place to know, Miss." Said the attendant. "But I'd hazard a guess that you'll find out soon enough."

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Three times the door to the dressing room was struck, while the volume was proper for the indoors of a villa, it still sounded rushed to Livia somehow.

"Speaking of..." Said the attendant as she hurried to open the door. A tall man wearing fine clothes, a cape over his back, and an ornate sword on his hip stormed into the room. His face was slightly flushed, like he had walked quickly to get here or was angry at the shut door. Behind him, Livia saw two more armed men waiting out in the hall. Household guard, she thought.

"If you would leave us..." Augustus said to the attendant. It was phrased like a question, but his tone and company declared it was anything but. With a small bow and a curtsy, the mousey women who Livia had forgotten to ask her name left the room. Her footfalls picked up speed once she was out of sight of the patrician man. Once it was clear there was no one else within earshot of the two, Augustus snapped his fingers and one of the two guards shut the door. Leaving Livia and Augustus alone in the room, away from any prying eyes or ears.

"I apologize, my dear, if this has seemed a bit sudden to you." He began. His words soft, said with the bearing of a man used to people listening to him. "How have you found yourself these last days? I have not had the time to speak with you as much as I'd like, has the company of this fair house been satisfactory to your needs?"

Livia blinked once at the unexpected question, the buildup with the guards and the dismissal of her attendant had primed her to a conversation of an entirely different nature, though, being alone unchaperoned with a man like this was sure to spark discussion among the lesser servants.

"Yes, Dominus, I have found the walls of your house warm and accepting, and the fulfillment of my duties fills my heart." The words were unnecessarily flowery, but something in the man's smile left her on edge. The way his grin broadened when she called him "Dominus" did nothing to assuage her unease.

"Good. That is good, my dear." He said. "We of the Claudii are always eager to take on more skilled hands, no matter their source. No doubt you are wondering about the... sudden change of your attire." As they spoke, his eyes seemed to bore into her. Like he could see through her face and deep into her soul. "We have been impressed with your acumen with numbers and ledgers, and have seen fit to deign to bring you along for a short excursion. Where you will be expected to exercise these gifts." His voice seemed to lose vigor as he spoke the last part, as though he was reading from a page rather than actually speaking with her. "As such, you must be made presentable to be seen among the illustrious and well respected Claudii. Do you understand?"

No, Livia didn't. She thought, but there was something under the surface she didn't understand. This was a perfectly fine conversation to have among the other servants of the compound, so why did Augustus insist on being alone with her?

"Of course, Dominus. I would be honoured to stand by the side of the great Claudii."

He seemed to regain interest in the conversation, his eyes continued to stare into hers.

"You had friends, didn't you? Back in that temple we plucked you from. What was it? The Temple of Ceres? How are those friends of yours?"

"Um... I believe most are doing well, Dominus. Many have found occupations, or households to take them in. There is always need for women skilled in the arts of homemaking."

"Yes, Yes." He waived her response away. "How fares that pretty friend of yours, the giant with wings, Aurelia? Have you spoken to her recently?"

Again, Livia thought she should be realizing something. It swam under the surface like a fish causing ripples in murky water. Why should she be suspicious? Augustus was a great man, a kind man. It was because of him that she was now a part of a broad patrician house. She had nothing to worry about.

"I, uhh... I haven't spoken to Aurelia in a few weeks now. I think she's out on some long adventuring thing. She should be back soon, or so I thought." Livia said. Everything was muddy. 'She's so brave, we used to talk about seeing what was beyond the horizon. Looking forever onward. But I don't think I could ever go adventuring. Sometimes I feel sad about that."

Augustus nodded slowly, though he frowned slightly. Livia didn't like that, seeing him frown. She should make her Dominus happy, but she didn't know how. "I can talk to her as soon as she gets back though! If the Claudii are always looking for hands, hers are big and strong!"

He smiled at her then, and it was like the sun rose from the clouds on a rainy day. She felt good then.

"Yes, my dear. I would be delighted."

Livia felt a little weird in that moment, but she didn't know why. The ripples over the cloudy water were bigger. But she did know she wanted to make Augustus happy.

Their triumphant return wasn't like in some story told around the tables of the Sword and Scroll. It was rainy, cold, and rather a dreary day. None of that could diminish the elation which filled the hearts of Gregorios's company as they drew alongside the moors where the barge began to dock along the Tibur river, just outside the city walls.

The last few days confined to the same small area on the fore-deck of the quarry barge were the longest Aurelia could remember. With the stone, the crew, the adventurers, and the pack animals, space had been at a premium. Boredom had set in quickly after the novelty of watching the scenery drift by wore off. Though, the sailors had offered a saving grace in their moments of despair.

Dice.

Many of the crew had bone dice, which they used to play a truly inordinate amount of games. Games for fun, games to gamble on, and games to pass the time. The next time Aurelia went out on a long trip like this, she would be sure to find a set to bring along.

Their journey along the river had only been a little faster than they had been on foot, sailing slightly faster than the current of the broad, lazy rivers. Though they had been able to continue sailing through the nights, trusting in the captain and crew of the vessel to guide them away from the rocky banks.

When they had disembarked, she saw Gregorios and the grizzled captain shaking hands, and the passage of coin from one man to another. With a curt nod, he turned from the captain and returned to the company. They walked together through the city. Aurelia took in the sights like it was her first time beholding the city. Tall, sturdy walls which encompassed it's broad bulk. Nestled among green pastoral hills and fields of wheat and barley, which were dotted with occasional vineyards. A sea of red terra-cotta rooves was impressed upon her as they passed through the gates, the seven hills of the city giving it a layered appearance which added to the sense of scale. Among the sprawl wove smooth, wide avenues and cobble streets. People wearing robes of bright colours walked upon these roads, with wealthier citizens sporting brigher shades of dye, or more elaborate cuts of cloth.

They made their way through the crowds, navigating their way deeper into the city centre. As they walked, the roads slowly became cleaner, sightings of the city watch became more frequent, and the buildings grew taller and finer. They eventually arrived at the entrance to an enclosed villa with two guards standing at the gates. Gregorios presented them with a scroll, and after a quick look, they waived him in along with the packmule, which had been liberated of all it's cargo aside from the metal feathers they had gone through so much trouble to acquire.

He led the mule through the gates with a lead, and the guards shut them behind him. Leaving the rest of the company to wait outside. The Aurelia and the girls got plenty of stares, though not as much as they had expected. It seemed that the local residents had a higher tolerance for the unusual oddities of adventurers than most.

After a short wait, Gregorios emerged once more, leading the mule who now carried empty sacks. The man himself hefted a heavy cloth sack in his other hand which clinked with the movements of his steps. "Come in now, you lot." He gestured for them to follow him in. Gaius grinned up at Aurelia "This is the best part!". One by one, they filtered through the gates. With a soft clang, the guards shut the gates once more.

The gates led to a small garden courtyard, it smelled of flowers and honey. Two citrus trees stood in the centre, behind them stood the villa itself. Underneath the trees was a round table, which Gregorios led them to. When they had all sat, Gregorios lifted the bag full of coins in a triumphant gesture, which prompted broad smiles all around from the company. Monin laughed and slapped Comak on his back, who was trying to look all grumpy, though Aurelia could tell he was pleased like the rest of them.

"To another successful contract! And for some of you, to a first, successful contract!"

He plopped the coin down in the centre of the table with a loud clinking sound.

"Now comes the all important part. Time to get payed!"

More cheers and smiles all around.

He began to pour out the coins in the middle, heaping it all up in a big pile. To Aurelia's surprise, there were silver coins among the pay, not just bronze As. He began to slide coins to each of them, going in a circle one at a time. The earnings were divided thusly: Gregorios himself got two shares. Gaius got one and a quarter. Tullis, Comak, and Monin got one share each. And the women got a four-fifths share each. Though, that had been part of the original agreement. Gregorios and company would take on three, new, women adventurers, in exchange for a slightly larger share of the spoils. Though, as the coin continued to be divvied up, all of the women ended up with a respectable pile in front of them.

When finally the last coin had been allotted, they sat in silence for a while, staring at the assembled wealth. It was more money that Aurelia had ever physically seen in one place, though there was an itch in the back of her mind. She looked to Gregorios, who met her questioning gaze.

"Not to be greedy, Gregorios, and I don't mean to sound suspicious, but is this all?"

Chuckles spread across the table, though none of the women shared in it. Confused expressions spread across the faces of Thessa and Junia, as they looked from her to Gregorios.

He just smiled at her, and withdrew seven small scrolls from somewhere he'd had them hidden. He set them down in front of each of the other members, atop their pile of coins.

"No no, you're right, girl." Gregorios said. "In future, you should always make sure you get paid fairly. The coins in front of you are only part of the reward, the rest you'll have to collect directly from the bank."

"Uhh, why?" Asked Junia with a raised eyebrow. "Is this something normal?"

"Yes, and yes." Said Gregorios. "What you see in front of you is the most I deemed it safe to carry at once. It's still too much for that, really, but the point stands. A few too many adventurers got paid out all at once, drank until the wee hours of the morning, and stumbled drunkenly home."

"Plenty of 'em had accidents on the way though." Said Gaius, with a small smile. "Carrying plenty of money around while drunk, and while everyone knows it is a recipe for mishaps. Now most good bosses have most of the reward held in reserve at a bank or similar institution until it's collected. Helps keep unfortunate accidents at bay."

"Oh." Said Junia, with a frown on her face.

"I guess that makes sense." Said Aurelia. Though it would make collecting the rest a bit of a pain.

"Don' ye worry, Lass." Said Monin. "I've got a cousin at the Bank good Gregorios there has chosen, he'll treat you right."

"Of course you do." Muttered Comak under his breath. Monin pretended not to hear it.

"Now!" Bellowed Monin. "Which of ye soft-beards is gonna join me in emptying out the nearest inn. I'll not rest until every barrel is empty!"