Roxana had been planning to sneak out but thankfully, her cousin allowed her a day trip...with the help of an escort, of course. Her escort was nice enough, she supposed but it called attention to her in the first place. In the second place, she felt self conscious looking at all the pretties with him watching and judging.
She tried not to care, but a teenager's mind was not built to care free and not wonder what others thought of her. Did he hate this task of protecting the bastard child of the family he worked for? Did he hope he could be rid of this annoying task? Were the lowest on to pecking order the ones saddled with the young teenager who wanted to spend her time so fruitlessly? She tried to put these thoughts out of her mind and simply look at jewelry she couldn't possibly afford at the market. It seemed like it. He hardly paid her any mind and she thought she caught a groan and face a few times as they traveled.
In fact, he caught sight of someone he knew and stuck up a conversation, allowing Roxana to wander off a bit. Sighting a jewelry stand, she approached with sparkling eyes. Picking up a piece and putting it against the skin of her throat, she smiled at the shining image it created in the polished surface that acted as a mirror. The setting sun glinted off the jewels and she turned it this way and that to get the effect over and over. Smiling and playing with it, she hardly noticed the pack of men headed their way.
It was early evening so the market was just beginning to close up, so it was likely these men were had started the party early. The street was clearing more and more every moment. Roxana looked up when she felt the presence of three men. Her blue eyes went wide and she gave them a small smile, "Good evening." She stood tall as she scanned for her guard.
"Hello there, little peach." Said one man, "You look ripe for the picking."
"Rotten actually, so please find another tree to pluck." She shot back.
They were seemingly determined, however, and one of them reached for her. She dodged only to back into the other one who pawed at her. He smelled of sweat and wine, "Get off!" She complained, jerking away from him as well.
The shop keeper tried to intervene but even he was a smaller elderly man, "Help!" He called on Roxana's behalf.
Due to spending most of his life training as a soldier, Maximus didn't have many opportunities to explore the city of Midas particularly the marketplace. His father took him twice once when he was six years old where Maximus' father was visiting a Blacksmith who was working on his families' ancestral sword. The other time was when Maximus was fourteen years old. After a long day of training in which Maximus was taught how the Phalanx worked, Maximus' father bought they young boy to the marketplace and told him to look around. Maximus did just that he saw laughing children, citizens carrying their duties and men and women from all corners of the world setting up shop and selling their goods. Wonder and joy filled Maximus' heart as well as curiosity for he wondered what the foreigners from the Lands Afar bought.
Maximus' father explained that he will be fighting for the honor and glory of Colchis. That he'll eventually be called upon to protect and serve. "You may not be able have children in order to carry our family legacy," his father told Maximus. "But you will be the best soldier Colchis will ever see." Maximus shook his head finding himself back at the Midas marketplace observing the people. The young soldier had been cursed by Poseidon since birth his loins will never be able to impregnate a woman because of the deeds his descendants did before leaving their homeland. Maximus asked what they did once, only to be coldly spurned by his mother and father.
Maximus began walking through the marketplace. He was at a soldiers attention stance: Posture straightened, with his hands clasped behind his back. The feet went on a vertical path with the right foot going first. Despite being accepted by Colchis as a citizen and being extremely loyal, Maximus always felt a little alienated. He came from a mysterious land and looked different. Many citizens mistaken Maximus for a foreigner since he remembered only to be recognized for one of two things: He was the son of the great general: Adonis and that he was cursed by Poseidon and was believed to destroy womens wombs.
Maximus was grateful that not many people heard the second one, his father put a quick stop to that. Still it left Maximus with little friends and even among The Fifth Phalanx a couple of his fellow soldiers whisper: "The cursed child" behind his back. Maximus still maintained his focus and discipline but a tiny doubt remained. Night began to hit and Maximus spent all day just wondering aimlessly. He was on leave and didn't have much to look at as he spent the entire morning just gazing at the many items the marketplace had to offer. It was then his concentration was broken when Maximus gave a cry for help.
Like a snake finding its prey Maximus head turned immediately at the sound of the elder and he sprinted towards the direction of it. After a split second, Maximus arrived at the scene of the crime. A young woman whom Maximus guessed was his daughter was being harassed by three drunken men. "I got this," Maximus to the old shop keeper as his fists were clenched. "What are doing?!" The young soldier shouted.
Two of the men stood in front of Maximus trying to look intimidating. "Nothing that concerns you!" One of them spat. "Now piss off before you get hurt!" Maximus' eyes narrowed. "I won't let you hurt this girl," he spat. It was then that the third man holding the girl pushed her to the ground and smiled. "We warned you!" he growled and rushed towards Maximus, his fist cocked back. Maximus effortlessly dodged the attack and grabbed the mans arm and the scruff of his neck. Maximus then used the drunk man's momentum to slam him into a market booth. The drunken landed head first was knocked out cold. Looking at each other in fury, the remaining two men rushed at Maximus at the same time. Maximus sidestep and kicked the one of the men in the back of the knee causing to kneel and jerk his head back allowing Maximus to elbow him in the face bloodying his nose.
The young soldier then tossed, the knocked out victim to the third man putting on the ground. "I surrender!" the final man said almost urinating himself. "Take your friends and leave," Maximus said calmly. "If I catch you harassing this girl again, I'll come after you."
The man retreated dragging the bodies along with him. Maximus sighed, gave thanks to Ares and walked over to the girl and offered a hand. "Are you hurt my lady?" he smiled. "My name is Maximus: Soldier of Colchis."
The elderly shop keeper was about to step in and Roxana thought there was going to be a tragedy in front of her in a moment. These men were certainly going to cause the man a lot more damage than he could do to them. She tried to jerk away from the man who had her by the arm but he was burly enough to keep her in his grasp. Everyone froze when a young man strayed close, looking at the scene with interest, but not fear. It paused the men's assault but didn't stop one of them from pushing her to the ground. She growled as the four of them exchanged harsh talk, one trying to intimidate the other.
The newcomer was attacked but promptly pushed off his assailant who did not get up again. Roxana recognized a soldier when she saw one and thankfully, this one was fit for battle. She pushed herself to her feet to join them, after all, she was hardly useless. The two charged for the soldier and Roxana was blundered into along the way. Back on the ground, she felt the shop keeper's hand on her shoulder, probably urging her to stay out of it after her stunt of trying to help. She gave him a mutinous look and before struggling to her feet for the second time in as many minutes.
"Take your friends and leave."
Roxana looked up at the conclusion of the battle and lifted a brow as the threat came out loud and clear.
"If I catch you harassing this girl again, I'll come after you."
The retreat was slow and loud but the three men departed with Roxana shooting them a fiery look.
"Are you hurt my lady?"
His words brought her out of her anger, "Oh, no, no...nothing more than my pride is sore." She told him with a smile.
"My name is Maximus: Soldier of Colchis."
"Yes, I see that." The problem of introducing herself came up, as usual. She usually could stick with her first name, but for some reason, she wanted him to think she was some highborn lady, "Roxana of Valaoritis." She lied. If she was a bastard, people treated her differently, better to be the sister of the head of their house, a highborn lady, someone to be respected.
As if to prove her point, the guard that had little interest in protecting the bastard child of his house finally arrived, "Lady Roxana, is this man bothering you?"
Roxana cleared her throat, "No, the men bothering me, well, you just missed them." She shot back venomously, crossing her arms, "This--Maximus just intervened on my behalf." She motioned to the soldier.
Maximus smiled when the young girl said that her pride was wounded. From the look of her she was a fighter and Maximus respected that. It always nice to find a person who has a passion for martial arts. But he was getting ahead of himself Maximus had hardly known the girl. The young girl introduced herself as Roxana of Valaoritis. From the way she’s now carrying herself, Maximus observed that Roxana had the mannerisms of one that was nobility.
“Pleased to meet you my lady,” Maximus bowed. “You would think those men would not mess with one of your status,” he replied. “Unfortunately the drink has obviously affected their judgement.”
A huge man came to Roxanas side which Maximus assumed was her bodyguard. Roxana immediately began chastising him for wandering off. Maximus raised an eyebrow Why wasn’t he by her side when she was attacked? Strange. “Maximus of Laconia,” he interjected finishing off Roxanas sentence before turning to the bodyguard. “Pleasure to meet you,” he said. “I am curious as to why you weren’t at lady Roxanas side when she was attacked,” he said calmly. “You’re duty is to protect the highborn. Failing to do so could have meant drastic consequences. What were you doing?”
Maximus wanted to know the guards explanation. If it weren’t for his interference then who knows what would’ve happened to Roxana.
“You would think those men would not mess with one of your status."
Roxana gave him a slightly sheepish grin. He had assumed her a noble and she now wished she hadn't lied, there was no way to keep up this appearance for long. As if she wasn't going to be outted soon enough, her bodyguard almost laughed when Maximus finished his scolding for leaving the noble lady alone to face the elements on her own. Otherwise, she might have gotten away and he wouldn't know who she was. He might just continue thinking forever that she was a Lady.
"Dorian, servant to the Valaoritis household." He said by way of introduction before smirking at the young man, "Not that my duty is any of your business, but The Lady Roxana is no highborn lady. She is a ward to the Valaoritis household, a charity case." He scoffed, "If she doesn't want to be left alone, she should stick with me." He gave her a scolding look for wandering off, even though he had been charged with following her.
Roxana turned several shades of red as the conversation progressed. She suddenly felt demoralized about her status once again and the typial feelings that cmae with it followed. Regret, bitterness, and worthlessness. She knew the lie was up and gave Maximus a helpless look, "Thanks for your help. Let's go home, Dorian." Roxana turned away from the young man, ready to go home and stew.
“Pleasure to meet you Dorian of Valrious Household,” Maximus said bowing out of respect. He was still curious as to why he would abandon a noble lady. Maximus would get his answer but not in the way he expected. Roxana had lied about her status, she was not a lady but rather a ward. Maximus frowned in response it was dishonorable for someone to lie about their status.
Though despite Roxana being a ward, she was hardly a charity case. At least from the few minutes he’s known her. “I think calling one a charity case is a bit much good sir.” Maximus said calmly. “Roxana May have lied about who she was but that doesn’t mean you should leave her side. It is ones duty to protect everyone from the highborn to the commonborn”
The next words Maximus didn’t want to say but he said it anyway. It was a dishonor for Roxana to lie but it was also a dishonor for her to be insulted. “I highly suggest you apologize to lady Roxana,” Maximus said.
Dorian scoffed at the boy, "Do not tell me my business, boy." He said, now getting a bit heated, "My duty is not your concern. Now, shove off."
“I highly suggest you apologize to lady Roxana.”
The words stunned Dorian and he cracked a smile, "I've nothing to apologize for, the Lady Roxana strayed from her instructions to stay by me. Now, Piss. Off."
For her part, Roxana was seeing this spiraling out of control and the last thing she wanted was Dorian to tell this whole story to Tim. But, the bigger it got, the more likely that was.
"Look, no harm done..." Roxana began, "Well, except to those guys you mashed like potatoes," She added to Maximus, "But, before we have more mashed potatoes, I think it best we both be on our way." Her embarrassment was making her turn several shades of red. She wished she had stayed home and simply read a book today. She felt like burying her face in a goblet of wine and a plate of cheese and never leaving home again.
"I've nothing to apologize for, the Lady Roxana strayed from her instructions to stay by me. Now, Piss. Off."
Maximus resisted the temptation to rip the mans head from his shoulders. How rude of him to leave a person he was supposed to protect in danger. "Even if lady Roxana strayed away from you," he said through clenched teeth. "You are still responsible for her safety." What is it about Roxana that Dorian hated so much? If it were any other person who left a guardian's gaze then the guardian would be punished for it. It is his responsibility after all.
Roxana was clearly embarrassed of the situation which transpired. Her pale face was taken over by a light red tint. "Look, no harm done..." Roxana began, "Well, except to those guys you mashed like potatoes," She added to Maximus, "But, before we have more mashed potatoes, I think it best we both be on our way."
Maximus bowed. "I wish you well lady Roxana I hope to meet you again someday you are a very interesting person," he said giving the young woman a charming smile. The solider then shot a dirty look towards Dorian. "You have failed in your duty," he said. "Your House will hear about this." Maximus said as he began to follow them.[/div]
"You are to take me to your House so I can file a formal complaint to the Noble," Maximus demanded though his tone remaining calm. "It is my right to ask of this, you are not to leave lady Roxana out of your sight."
Roxana's face grew redder as the young man argued with Dorian, who was visibly getting angrier and would report this to Tim for sure, no doubt with embellishments to make her look bad. There went softening him up for the conversation about her birth rights.
In any case, she definitely did not deserve this defense. Especially not after she had lied to Maximus. But then, he bowed.
"I wish you well lady Roxana I hope to meet you again someday you are a very interesting person."
A liar, she echoed in her head, but still found herself flattered, "Thank you, you're too kind." He truly was too kind. She thought the humiliation was now over, that she would get an earful from Dorian and then simply move on. Still, the day wasn't completely lost, she thought as she felt the palmed necklace in her hand.
But then, Maximus insisted on going to her home and reporting Dorian. The body guard gave her a dirty look then turned it on the solider, "You are no noble and have no right." He complained.
Roxana took the lead now, "The least we can do for you chasing off those ruffians is to feed you." She said, trying to get them out of the town square at least, "Come." She invited and they began to travel to her home, about a fifteen minute walk away.
"Have you seen much action?" Roxana asked as they walked?
OOC: You can have them arrive at her home and we'll ping Tim.
It seems that Roxanna was not used to receiving praise. Maximus maintained discipline however though part of him empathized with the girl. "Think nothing of it my lady," he grinned putting his hands behind his back as he walked behind Roxanna and Dorian. Maximus glared at Dorian when he complained that he had no right to complain. "I believe I am within my rights no?" Maximus said. "Your neglect has put lady Roxanna in danger to the point where I had to do your job. Can imagine what those thugs would do to her If I didn't interfere?"
Maximus then gave Roxanna a smile. "Well considering how tough lady Roxanna she'll probably do your job just as well but still."
"Have you seen much action?" Roxana asked as they walked. Maximus' smile faded as the screams of his comrades filled his head. The stench of blood and death filled his nostrils as Maximus somehow found himself back at the forest laying on the ground surrounded by his dead brothers and seeing the rest being butchered by the barbarians.....
Maximus snapped out of his trance and he saw the freckled face young woman staring at him with curiosity. "O-Once," Maximus stammered surprised at wavering tone of his voice.
A few hours later, the three of them arrived at what appeared to be Roxanna's home. "So where's head of the house?" Maximus said crisply.
As Maximus grew quiet after her question, it was clear that Roxanna had struck a nerve. It was not a subject she would broach again, she decided. It was unlikely she would have the choice either way because here they were at her home, ready to tell Tim all about what had happened at the market. Her throat dried up at the thought of it. None of this made her look good.
Dorian was a more or less trusted member of the paid family guard. She didn't really want to stir up trouble like this now, not when she had been so close to asking Tim to toss away his father's wishes and make her a legitimate family member.
"So where's head of the house?"
Here we go, she thought.
Dorian didn't hesitate, "I'll go and get him." He sneered at the two young people, "My lady, my prince." He bowed and said sarcastically before leaving the room.
Maximus put his hands behind his back with his feet shoulder with apart. The young man was at the soldiers attention something he often did to put himself at ease to talk to either his superiors or the head of a house. Maximus craned his head to Roxanna who looked pale faced and nervous. She looked uncomfortable all day, Maximus was at a loss on how would he even cheer the young girl up. “So my lady,” Maximus said trying to create conversation. “You’ve mentioned that you aren’t officially part of this family?”
When Roxana had asked Timaeus that morning to go to the capital’s market, the baron believed that he knew just the man to trust with her safety.
He had no idea how greatly he had misjudged Dorian of Eubocris.
Dorian held no esteemed rank to his name and on paper he was no different than any of the other men from the Colchian province who served in the military. Yet, the man was talented with both a sword and a bow, something that Timaeus knew from his years working directly with the unit. That alone almost warranted a change in position in Timaeus’s eyes, but he held back from doing so since he knew none of his soldiers would ever follow the man under any circumstance. He hid it from his superiors and made a habit of showing utmost loyalty whenever in their company, but would never hold back his harsh words and less-than-pleasant attitude with those of his equal rank. This alone kept him from consideration when a new lieutenant was needed and would continue to do so until the man’s temper cooled or at least he would learn to hide it better from the men Dorian hoped to lead. After all, it took far more than just a title and rank to be a leader.
No one knew that better than Timaeus who had been thrust into a position he never expected to have and forced himself to change who he was in order to shoulder the weight of being a leader. In the past two years, he had become steadfast and cold, a force to be reckoned with in the fast of such tumultuous times for his family. He had needed to be a symbol that despite their losses, the Valaoritis family would remain. Dorian needed to grow softer with his men and learn that their respect would need to be earned, not merely given because he demanded it. Timaeus hoped that the lesson would come sooner rather than later.
After all, it would be a shame to waste such talent on account of one man’s horrid demeanor.
That is why Timaeus chose the man to become a part of the outer edge of his inner circle, allowing him to see what he could have if he could imitate the qualities of his most trusted men. He would shadow the baron on his frequent trips between the capital city and Eubocris but never allowed him to take on any of the responsibilities of his other men. The idea he would take note of why he was being passed over for such honors and learn from it, but little did Timaeus know that it would only bring more anger and resentment to the man.
Had Timaeus known this, he never would have trusted the soldier with the safety of his cousin, Roxana, when she expressed interest in visiting the market. To the baron, the simple task would be seen as a sort of honor to the man who craved more formal recognition. After all, Timaeus saw the girl like a sister. His little sister. It didn’t matter to him that the girl had been brought into the world under shameful circumstances. He had been raised alongside her and now as the head of the house, it was his job to protect her and ensure her future just as he would if she had been a trueborn sibling of his.
But she wasn’t and she never would be,
Timaeus didn’t know that Dorian only saw the girl as a pity case. A bastard that was spared from being turned away due to their shared blood. To him, her presence appeared to be a blot on the Valaoritis family tree and the job he was given was little more than that. Not a recognition of where Timaeus wanted the man to be and the talent he possessed. If he had known that the man would just stand idly by as several men harassed her … there would have been no chance of him being allowed near the barracks, let alone solely entrusted with the protection of his sister.
Dorian had seemed to sense this when he returned from the market trip and informed the baron of the visitor now demanding his presence in the foyer. He downplayed the situation to the baron, making it seem as if Maximus was little more than an admirer of Roxana ’s who wanted recognition for chasing a rude boy away when Dorian already had the situation handled.
“I don’t see why you’re bothering me with this information then,” he said plainly, barely looking up from the papers that he and his true inner circle were pouring over, making decisions that the foot soldier only wished he could be privy to, “Turn him away. Ensure he bothers my cousin no more and send her to my mother to make a note of what she had spent.”
“That’s the issue, my lord…” Dorian responded, a bit more quietly as he was forced to admit that his version of what happened was not the entire story. “She is the one asking for your presence.”
This brought Timaeus to a pause as Dorian’s statement sunk in and the Baron noted the… strangeness of it. Roxana wasn’t one to disrupt his work. None of the family were too keen on it as Timaeus was not one to separate who he was with his men with them. Roxana especially would not do this due to her status as a bastard and how keenly aware of how others viewed that before her. She just wouldn’t pull him away to show off a necklace or some other trinket she picked up. Sensing now that this was not merely what Dorian made it out to be, Timaeus glanced up at the man before wordlessly rising from his seat and motioning for the man to lead the way to his cousin and this stranger who sought an audience with the head of the house.
Their footsteps echoed loudly as they made their way from his office space to the household entrance, but they were not loud enough to mask the conversation between the pair left waiting for Timaeus. Although Timaeus did not know the context behind the exchanged words, hearing the man who he would momentarily recognize as a foot soldier like Dorian thanks to his outfit and familiar stance ask his cousin about her status as a bastard brought his blood to a boil. It was a touchy subject in the household, never to be discussed openly. Timaeus had his reasons for taking this stance despite how deeply he cared for the girl, just like his father and brother also had before him. He had taken an oath in regards to the matter and he had every intention of seeing that promise through until he could no longer do so for one reason or another. Roxana didn’t know of this of course, but she knew well enough to not discuss it.
Yet this boy seemed to already have some knowledge of the worst kept secret of the Valaoritis household.
“That,” Timaeus said as he rounded the corner, allowing his stern voice that echoed off of the stone walls announce his presence to the pair, “Is none of your concern soldier.” His expression was cold as he finished which only added to his somewhat intimidating presence in the foyer. In the distance, behind the baron, a few of his officers, including Dorian who pushed his way to the front next to one of the more senior men, an act that may not have been tolerated by the others if the man hadn’t been at the center of the day’s events.
Though, when all was said and done, the man might have wished he held to his station and stayed near the back of the crowd. That way he may have had a chance to hide like the coward he truly was when the truth would come to light.
Tim shot a warning look a Roxana as his words settled over the room, wordlessly conveying that the matter of her legitimacy was not to be discussed now. Especially in such an open setting. However, yet at the same time, his expression softened a bit when he glanced in her direction. Timaeus had never been comfortable with such displays of power in front of his family members. They knew it was all for show and it was little more than an attempt on his part to hide the how ill-prepared he felt to be in such a position. He was never meant to be the one to command a room. Timaeus had thought he would always be one of the men lingering in the background, supporting his father, his brother, and eventually his nephew in due time. The role of baron and head of the house was never supposed to be his. Roxana was one of the few people who knew how great of a lie the image he presented to Maximus was.
Just like how she would know how Dorian’s version of events had been a lie if she heard it.
In recognition of it being her who had summoned him to the foyer --and him already not caring too much for the man who had seemingly crossed far too many boundaries as far as Timaeus was concerned-- Timaeus turned to the girl in order to ask, “Roxana, what is the meaning of this? Why have you brought this man into our manor?” His eyebrow raised slightly as he glanced back at Maximus, wondering what on earth could warrant his arrival in the household. Given his cousin’s age and the lad’s apparent eagerness to learn more about the girl… Timaeus had an inkling, which he would be relieved to learn was false. Until then he was still the fiercely protective older brother and showed this by wordlessly motioning with his head for Maximus to not stand so close to Roxana.
Timaeus could hear the foot soldier behind him begin to speak, but a quickly raised hand signaled for Dorian to wisely shut his mouth as the baron waited for his cousin to speak. “I asked my cousin, Sir Dorian. Not you.” The baron said without turning around, warning the room at large that he would not tolerate any nonsense until he got to the bottom of this.
No more hidden truths and loaded questions.
He knew his cousin and he knew something was off.
Now it was only a matter of finding out what was really going on here.
“You’ve mentioned that you aren’t officially part of this family?”
Roxana nearly cringed. It was a sore spot to say the least and Maximus got right to the point. Normally, she liked outright truth and a refusal to beat around the bush, but right now, with her as the target of the question which brought her shame, she wished he was like other nobles who skirted around embarrassing issues and pretended there was no discomfort to be had at all.
She hadn't mentioned it at all, in fact, Dorian had. She was about to try some other lie that didn't expose her family but was interrupted. It's not that she wanted to lie but the truth couldn't be spread around. Her brother had a household to run and the more problems she caused in that, the worse off she was in ever becoming a recognized member of the household. Her stomach did a flip when Tim's voice echoed throughout the hall. His look toward her made her want to shrink tot he size of a mouse. How had this gotten so out of hand?
“I asked my cousin, Sir Dorian. Not you.”
Roxana knew her cue and also knew that any false witness here was not an option. She would have to be as truth, "There was an incident in the market. I was looking around and three men approached with obvious nefarious intentions."
"Which wouldn't have been a problem if she hadn't wandered away from me." Dorian cut in quickly.
Roxana winced, knowing that was at least partly true, but had he not been distracted he would have noticed something was wrong as well, "I wasn't far but Dorian was also talking to another soldier in market and apparently hadn't noticed their approach." She wasn't about to tell the story without any defense of herself, "The shopkeeper called for help when it became apparent the encounter would be a violent one and this soldier intervened on my behalf. Dorian noticed after the confrontation was over and returned to my side."
"Maximus, the soldier who came to my aide, and Dorian began to speak heatedly. Maximus was scolding Dorian for leaving his highborn ward..." Roxana's voice wavered, "...and Dorian revealed my place in the household, a charity case, he said, implying that as a reason not to watch me so carefully." She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, "Maximus then insisted that we come here so he could make the complaint against Dorian to you, the head of house." When she finished, she knew this was taking way too much time and effort from Tim and her ears grew red with guilt. The last thing she wanted was the sun on her face and Tim to see that she was indeed a liability, the stone in his shoe that his father believed she was as well.
"Apologies, cous-" But Dorian cut her off.
"My Lord I said nothing of her place in the household to this stranger nor was I distracted. She gave me the slip and now wants to get away with it."
Roxana cleared her throat, "The shopkeeper could verify the truth, My Lord."
Maximus waited patiently for Roxanna to finish explaining the situation. The young soldier stood at attention with his hands behind his back and feet spread apart as Dorian and Roxanna continue to bicker at each other. Part of Maximus wanted to help the young woman as she was obviously affected by her guard's barbed remark about Roxana not being part of the Household. However he kept quiet, Maximus shouldn't interfere.... yet."Lady Roxana speaks the truth, my lord," Maximus said stepping up. "She was being accosted by drunken ruffians and I fought them off."
Roxana was clearly embarrassed by the whole ordeal, maybe Maximus could help cheer her up. "May I say that lady Roxana was a capable fighter, my lord?" Maximus said. "She stood her ground and faced her attackers as a soldier of Colchis would. That's more than I can say for the guard who almost abandoned lady Roxana to her fate." Maximus shot a dirty look at Dorian. "It is a guard's duty to watch over their person, even they run to a place where they shouldn't." Maximus then looked at Roxana. "It is appalling that a guard would do this, I question his competency," Maximus said. "Considering I'm taking a break from tour my lord perhaps I should volunteer to be Lady Roxana's bodyguard? I feel I can do a better job and It could help our Houses connect with one another."
Timaeus remained silent as the three witnesses to what happened retold what occurred. His stony expression gave no indication of what he was thinking, but a small tick of his jaw when Roxana mentioned that Dorian had called her a “charity case” was a clue to the simmering anger underneath his calm exterior. In truth, he fuming over what he had heard and fully believed his cousin’s side of the story, with or without Maximus’s affirmations that she was indeed being honest. He was so furious that he couldn’t even crack a grin at the mention of her being a strong fighter. Anyone who knew him would know at this point that the Baron was not pleased with what he was hearing.
Perhaps that’s why all the others in the room quickly scurried out when Timaeus made a motion for them to leave. They were smart enough to know that they wouldn’t want to stick around for whatever was going to come next.
“You told me a few moments ago,” Timaeus said lowly to Dorian once the room had cleared, “That this soldier had merely taken a fancy to my cousin. Now I am learning that you stood idly by as others accosted her.” His eyes flashed dangerously at the man before him who dared to think himself worthy of the rank of lieutenant. The actions of the day have unfortunately made it clear to both of them that this dream of Dorian’s would never become a reality. The terrified expression on his face made it clear to Timaeus that this coward now was trying desperately to find the right words that would save him from the wrath of the overprotective Baron. It was obvious though that such words were never going to come.
Growing quite tired of seeing this man imitate a fish with his foolish attempts to stutter his way out of his mess, Timaeus said shortly as he effectively cut him off, “Tell me Sir Dorian, what am I supposed to make of this?” The question was purely rhetorical, but these curt words now made it dreadfully clear that the Baron would not wait for whatever plausible defense this dead man walking was trying to concoct.
Dorian was smart enough to take the hint. “They’re obviously lying... ” He started to say, his own stutter revealing the truth as he lied through his teeth, but the baron very quickly stopped him.
“Yes, of course, a man who I have never met and my own cousin conspiring to lie to put you out of my favor. Brilliant Sir Dorian, brilliant.” Timaeus’s tone was practically dripping in sarcasm as his inner frustration grew. Sensing he was about to explode at the man who had put Roxana in harm’s way and then had the audacity to lie about it, Timaeus shook his head and turned to walk away from the rest of them.
A few feet away, though, he paused to glance back over his shoulder to say to the source of his anger, “You know Dorian, I saw a glimmer of potential within you when I first met you, all those years ago. I even went to my brother, asking for promotion on your behalf.” He paused for a moment to let his words sink in as he knew it would take Dorian a moment to process the fact that his greatest ambition had almost come true. Once he heard the man begin to speak, obviously to question what had happened, Timaeus continued curtly, “He denied it, of course. Even he couldn’t deny your promise with a sword, but even rumors of your temper and how it could blind you had reached his ears.
“When he died, I decided to include you within my inner circle, in the hope that you could see what you needed to learn in order to earn the leadership you crave so desperately.” It didn’t take a genius to realize what Timaeus was doing. After all, there was no mistaking that small twinge of regret beneath his voice lurking beneath the frustration…
He was going to dismiss Dorian.
The man seemed to realize what was occurring and immediately blurted out in protest, “You can’t do this! It’s not --”
Timaeus turned on his heels and practically spat out at him, “I can and I will. I may no longer be your commanding officer, but I am your Lord and you will not speak to me in such a manner if you wish to keep your tongue!” His last few words were said slowly and forcefully, almost as if he was daring him to say anything else. For a moment there was blissful silence before Timaeus shattered it with one final statement to the now disgraced man. “Pack your things and ready your horse. You will return to Eubocris within the hour,” His next statement caused his face to contort with disgust as Timaeus used the insult that Dorian had dared to use against Roxana earlier, “I’m afraid that my charity has run out.”
Knowing full well that there was no coming back from this, Dorian did not fight the sentence that Timaeus had subjected him to but instead dropped into a low, mocking bow. It also didn’t fail to escape the Baron’s attention how Dorian angrily glanced over at Roxana. As the man’s face contorted in rage, Tim reached for the sword at his side, his hand resting threateningly on the pommel. Luckily though, Dorian slinked out of the room before he could test the last remaining threads of Timaeus’s patience.
With any luck, the Valaoritis family would never see him again.
Taking a deep breath in, Timaeus forced him to calm down momentarily before he turned to face his cousin and the stranger, bracing himself for whatever reaction the two of them would have to what happened. Surely, none of them had ever expected it to escalate to this point, but here they were all the same. Hopefully, they didn’t think poorly of him over the incident.
“My apologies for you needing to witness that,” Timaeus said to the both of them, but his gaze settled on Roxana. His tone softened significantly, being mindful that he was not keen on rearing his frustrations with being lied to on either of them. “If I had known he would act like this, I would have sent someone else with you. I won’t tolerate anyone treating you like he did today.” This was a promise he fully intended to keep as he had been just as insulted at the insinuation that Roxana was just a charity case for the family which was not the case. It couldn’t have been further of the truth.
However, there was one part of the story that couldn’t be ignored and Roxana herself had admitted that it had happened, “With all that being said, you knew better than to wander off Roxana. You’re not a child anymore, what do you have to say for yourself?” He wasn’t too keen on being harsh on her for doing something so minor, but he couldn’t be seen so openly showing favoritism either; no matter how true it might be. Plus it didn’t hurt that if any of Dorian’s friends were embittered by what Timaeus had done, they might be placated to know that his cousin had also been scolded somewhat for her actions.
He also knew though that there were some actions that needed to be rewarded as well. So, while he waited for Roxana to gather her words, Timaeus then turned to Maximus and said with a more pleasant tone than he had held previously, “Thank you for your brave actions today. I can’t dare to imagine what would have happened if you had not stepped in. The Valaoritis household is in your debt, Sir…” There was an awkward pause as it suddenly became apparent that Tim couldn’t recall what his name was. Hoping to hide the embarrassment, as well as counting on Maximus to give the baron his name, Timaeus quickly moved onto his next question, “What unit do you serve in Soldier? I’ll be sure to give your commanding officer a recommendation.” Although this promise did not seem like much at the moment, all three of them knew how monumental it would be for Maximus to receive a personal endorsement from a ranking captain and a Baron at that. A rise to the rank of Lieutenant seemed to be near in his future.
That seemed to be a far more fitting reward than just temporarily holding the position of personal bodyguard to Roxana. After all, a rise in the rank would bring more honor and glory to Maximus’s name than following one girl ever would.
Now to see if the others would be happy with this…
Maximus kept his hands behind his back listening to Timeaus talk town to Roxana's bodyguard. The normally stoic Maximus couldn't resist a slight smile watching the man get talked down for not doing his duty as a bodyguard. In order to keep Colchis into a functioning and stable society: Honor and discipline are needed. When Dorian was dismissed from his service as punishment for not protecting Roxana, Maximus' heart soared. Men of dishonor should be shamed and removed from duty, who knows what would happen if Maximus wasn't there to save Roxana.
“What unit do you serve in Soldier? I’ll be sure to give your commanding officer a recommendation.” Timeaus asked.
Maximus was surprised to that Timeaus would give a recommendation. He shouldn't rewarded for doing his duty It didn't feel right. "No man should be honored for doing what is expected my lord," he responded. "But I serve the Fifth Phalanx."
Roxana hated being the center of attention. On top of it being embarrassing, she was hardly used to it. She was used to being hidden away when company was over, ignored when the family was being introduced, and not acknowledged when family business was going on. She understood the necessity of it and wasn't bitter. Her great desire to be part of the official household did not come with the bitterness of being left out all along. Shaming her family was not something she wanted in the least which made her all too happy to disappear into the shadows. Because of that, and on top of the obvious stress this situation was causing, Roxana wished the earth would soon swallow her up and save her from further attention and mortification.
"Considering I'm taking a break from tour my lord perhaps I should volunteer to be Lady Roxana's bodyguard?"
Roxana's eyes went wide. Please don't ask me, please don't ask me. She wanted no part of that decision and hoped Tim would just make it without consulting her. She shouldn't be consulted on these matters.
Tim went on to give Dorian a very bitter piece of his mind. A part of her felt triumph, at least it was clear she had been telling the truth and wouldn't lose her cousin's trust. He was more like her big brother and the last thing she wanted was to make things more difficult for him. She loved him and he had had a difficult few years. Also, it was in her own self interest to make it clear that she would not shame his family.
Despite her extreme sheepishness right now, she did not flinch away from Dorian's gaze as he was dismissed and left. Letting out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, she felt better that Dorian was out of the room at least.
“If I had known he would act like this, I would have sent someone else with you. I won’t tolerate anyone treating you like he did today."
Roxana wanted to hug him but settled for a warm smile instead. She should have known he would be reasonable, he always was. Her smile disappeared quickly when Tim chided her for wandering, "Apologies, my lord." She bowed her head respectfully, "Dorian wanted to talk to his friends about women he had met with and we were there to see the market. I'll stay with escorts from now on."
When the two men began to converse, it was quite a relief and Roxana relaxed a bit more than even when Dorian had made his exit. She was more used to this, being background while others spoke and she listened. She heard a great many things that way over the years. Her cousins chattering away about who was best at their lessons, her guardians arguing about her future, parties where adults spoke of great fortune, social events, and travel. This was her comfort zone.
After the faintest echo of Dorian’s footsteps faded down the hall, Timaeus breathed a sigh of relief, allowing himself to calm down once again. He truly hadn’t meant to allow himself to become so infuriated within the incompetent soldier, but there was nothing that truly set him off than seeing his family being put into any form of danger. He was so overprotective to the point that it was almost a fault of his as he was reluctant to allow any of them out of his sight for very long. It was just an unfortunate effect of the trauma this family had been through. The loss of his father and brother weighed heavily on Timaeus and the very nature of his job now made the young baron feel as if he barely had control over anything. All this considered; along with all the issues that his mother’s fragile mind, his brother’s wild lifestyle, and his cousin’s stubbornness raised… it was little wonder that Timaeus was trying desperately to keep them all safe.
This family was unraveling at the seams none of them could bear another loss.
That’s why Timaeus lost it with Dorian. He was more upset with himself than with the former soldier. How could he have been so stupid not to see how Dorian saw his cousin? Why on earth had he been so blind to how lazy and manipulative he was? Even though he knew that Roxana would dispute this if he said it aloud, Timaeus blamed himself for what happened. He should have been the one to put a better guard with her.
He nodded softly in acknowledgment at her apology, the closest thing she would get to a true acceptance of it in front of this stranger. The baron had just been incredibly harsh on Dorian and he knew that he couldn’t appear to be completely soft on his cousin, not when other servants could still be paying attention. The Baron needed to maintain an image of power and authority, one that could not be shaken by the loyalties he had to the girl he saw as a sister. If he was harsh on his men, he would be harsh on his family in order to ensure that there was no perspective of favoritism. That would keep any of them from grumbling behind the Baron’s back… or at least he thought it would.
So, that’s why even though he fully believed that his sister was in the right, he still knew that there had to be some sort of punishment as well for her wandering off. He had already said it himself, she was old enough to know better. “As you should.” Timaeus said, visibly cringing at the thought of his sister needing to listen to another man’s conquests. Dorian was lucky that he was dismissed before he learned that. Timaeus may not have hesitated on drawing his sword for Dorian being so disgusting to even think of doing that in front of someone he was supposed to see as a noble lady, even though she didn’t have the status legally, “But I cannot allow you to repeat what happened today. Roxana, for the foreseeable future, you will not be permitted to visit the market alone. Either my mother, Sospatria, Maleos, or myself must accompany you. Do you understand?” Timaeus said sternly as he listed the few people he knew that he could trust with the girl’s safety without question. His own family and his most trusted officer; Maleos of Eubocris who was more brother than comrade at this point.
All things considered, it wasn’t all that bad of a punishment and Timaeus had really thrown his sister a bone by allowing Sospatria to be an option. Their cousin was almost just as bad as Roxana was and even though she was only a few years Tim’s senior, she had yet to lose that childish streak of adventure like the rest of them had as the Valaoritis brood grew older. Bringing her along as a companion would mean that Roxana wouldn’t be as bored as she might be with the duty-driven Maleos nor would she have to deal with the higher expectations expected from his mother. With any luck. Roxana might recognize this and not kick up too much of a fuss, allowing Timaeus to maintain the image of fairness while still not holding his sister at fault for what happened.
Even if she did though, a small glimmer in his eyes told her wordlessly that they would talk about this further once they didn’t have other ears listening in.
Once that was settled, he turned his attention to Maximus. Although the man did not take the hint that Timaeus had made for him to give the Lord his name, it didn’t matter all that much as he gave Timaeus the name of his unit. A small impressed smile crossed the Valaoritis’s face as he regarded the soldier in a different light, “The Fifth Phalanx, you say? What are you doing in the capital then, so far from Laconia?” This question was asked more out of sheer curiosity than anything. Laconia was a part of the Drakos holdings which were on the far northern tip of the kingdom. A part of him wondered if it had something to do with the Drakos family being nearby. It would make sense that those ladies would want members of their best unit nearby, especially the formidable Lady Tythra. Timaeus wouldn’t put it past her at all to have some soldiers here with her, not when she was just as strong-willed as the men were and were not afraid to show off her clout in the Senate when it met.
Without waiting for an answer, Timaeus waved both of them to follow him deeper into the manor. He wanted to very quickly write Maximus his recommendation letter and send the young man on his way, just in case the Valaoritis family was delaying any other commitments the soldier may have. He trusted that the pair were following him as he made his way through the labyrinth of halls, moving quickly past all the formal meeting rooms and dining halls… and right into the family’s personal quarters. Roxana would surely be confused by this, Timaeus was sure of it, but there was a purpose to it as the group stopped just short of his own personal office. After digging in his pocket for a moment, Timaeus pulled out a key to the study.
Quickly, he unlocked the door and ushered the pair inside. Immediately upon entering, they could see that although the space had no windows, it was washed with the bright glow of a half dozen candles scattered throughout the space, giving it an almost cozy feel. This was rather dangerous as the Baron had papers scattered everywhere. Piles of old reports were stacked along the walls and a carefully stacked pile of scrolls sat on the desk. Also littered throughout the room was empty wineskins and goblets clearly tossed about in rage. Roxana may have been surprised to have been allowed into this space, as it was Timaeus’s inner sanctum and where he ran away to whenever his grief became too much to bear. The room had a lock on it not to protect his secrets, but instead to protect everyone else from seeing who he became when he was alone with the ghosts of his lost loved ones.
Ignoring the mess of the place, Timaeus cleared some of the papers off of the desk and sat down. However, before he started writing, he turned to the soldier to ask two necessary questions that were needed to complete this task, “Now soldier, what is your name and who is your commanding officer?”
Hopefully, Maximus would quickly tell him so all of them could put this horrible event behind them.
Maximus still stood at attention his face still appearing stoic but inside still feeling rather awkward at the moment. Maximus wasn't really good at small talk but Timeaus seemed to be a fellow solider so perhaps Maximus can confide himself with him. However it feels as though a Frog stuck in Maximus' throat preventing him to respond to Timeaus' question about him exploring the capital. Why was it so hard to respond? "I'm off-duty my lord," Maximus finally responded. "I'm just exploring more of Colchis, It gives me a deeper appreciation of the state I'm sworn to protect."
It was part of the reason why Maximus liked to explore Colchis. He liked to see the faces of the citizens laughing and having a good time. Maximus liked to remind himself that he is fighting to protect those who cannot protect themselves. It kept him grounded so he wouldn't succumb to the mindless violence he heard many soldiers submit to. "My actions were to defend the innocent," Maximus replied to Timeaus' response to thanking him. "It is my duty to do so and not one to be praised for." Once again Maximus felt rather awkward saying that. It was what his father taught Maximus, no man should be honored for doing what's expected of him but still it was disrespectful to throw away a noble's thanks like that. "But of course," Maximus said changing the subject. "I would save lady Roxana again if necessary."
As for his commander? "Barak of Maliania sir," Maximus replied. "He's my commanding officer and I am Maximus of Laconia."