Warning: Mentions death, blood and war.

***

Ana decided to go speak with the emperor herself. Acacius was obviously opposed to it, especially when she'd brought it up. She didn't care how much he argued against it, she was going to stand her ground.

After Acacius had left to go train for the upcoming games, Ana immediately went off in search of the emperor. She didn't know much of him, but from what Acacius had often shared and her brief interactions with the young man, she didn't think he appeared unreasonable.

Ana located the young emperor in his throne room, where his mother was hovering close by. Ana stood in the back, studying this woman. There was something unsettling about her mannerisms. Ana couldn't quite put her finger on it, though.

She cleared her throat and immediately the emperor looked up, locking eyes with her. She hadn't realized how blue and beautiful they were until this moment.

"Enter," Lucius said, gesturing towards Ana, who although had always considered herself somewhat fearless, was becoming anxious. She stepped into the room, tentatively approaching the emperor.

"What brings you here?" Lucius asked. Ana's trembling fingers clutched at the front of her dress, trying not to allow her gaze to drift to Lucilla.

"Speak!" Lucius said, his tone more commanding.

"If..if you please, your highness, I beg of you, release General Acacius from the games," Ana said quietly. Before the emperor could utter a word, Lucilla spoke up.

"That won't be possible." Ana's fear slipped off of her like a blanket as she boldly faced the royal lady.

"Why ever not?" She demanded. "Has the general some late debt to collect from you?"

"As a matter of fact, yes." Ana saw the defiance in Lucilla's eyes. She recognized it from her own face.

"If he's killed, I'll have nothing," Ana spat out, her temper rising. "I'll most likely end up the next victim in that arena."

Lucilla shrugged. "I'm certain the general has shared his personal thoughts about an impending war. Should that happen, you'd most likely end up dead, regardless of his victory or loss in the arena."

Ana stared at her. Was this woman mad? It appeared so.

"Mother, if you'd leave us alone for a moment?" Lucius spoke up. Lucilla's face hardened.

"Absolutely out of the question! She's a whore, who would automatically seduce you." Ana glared at Lucilla. But before she could release multiple curses upon the woman, Lucius intervened.

"Mother, please." Lucilla relented, slowly turning and heading for the exit, casting a suspicious look over her shoulder at Ana. Ana stared defiantly back, unwilling to allow this woman to intimidate her. Once Lucilla was gone, Lucius moved to Ana. She stepped back.

"Why can't General Acacius be released from his responsibility to your mother?" Ana asked. Lucius sighed, turning his back on her momentarily.

"The answer is complex," Lucius replied, turning once again to look at Ana. She frowned. She didn't really expect the emperor to be forthright with her. But it still made her angry.

"Did the general save your mother's life?" Ana enquired. "Or did he harm someone she cared for?"

"Neither," the emperor said. Ana's frown deepened.

"Then why?"

"My mother has lost much."

"Who hasn't?" Ana snapped. "So have I. Do you have any idea what I've been through in the last few years?" She paused before answering her own question.

"You don't. And I suspect you wouldn't care." Lucius moved closer again. He was beginning to realize what Acacius saw in this woman. She was as fiery as the sun itself, unwilling to back down from a challenge. Regardless of how impossible it seemed.

"You seem awfully loyal a man who took you against your will," Lucius remarked, studying Ana's face. He saw how she immediately stiffened, yet the defiance did not wane.

"The general has been nothing but kind to me since he took me," Ana stated. "He's not a cruel man."

Lucius chuckled, as though this statement amused him. Ana didn't understand why.

"You find my words amusing?" Ana demanded. Lucius grinned for a moment before the amusement slipped from his face.

"A little," he admitted.

"Why?"

"General Acacius is a war hero," Lucius said, as if that explained the amusement. Ana remained silent, seeing if the emperor cared to explain himself further.

"I suppose you're aware of his...deeds on the battlefield?" Ana nodded. Except she didn't need tales from Acacius. She'd seen first hand what the man was capable of. He'd..slaughtered several men that had lived in her village.

"Yet you seem to hold him to a higher standard," Lucius continued.

"I've seen what Acacius is capable of," Ana murmured. "He raided my village." Lucius stared blankly at her, but made no comment. An awkward silence settled in the room. It was so quiet, Ana could hear her own heartbeat.

"You know he's a killer," Lucius said at last. "And you still come to make a plea on his behalf." Ana stared defiantly at the emperor.

"I have." Lucius stepped closer.

"While I value your bravery, madam, I'm afraid that your pleas have fallen on deaf ears."

***

Acacius returned to his main quarters, sore and heavy-hearted. He was considering taking Ana to the bathhouse so they could relax and have some privacy. Unfortunately when he arrived back at his room, Ana was nowhere to be found.

Acacius inwardly panicked, bolting out of the room and down the corridor, despite the fact that he was exhausted. His gaze darted around, searching for Ana. The longer it went without him finding her, he worried that Lucilla had lured her away, locking her up until he performed his duties to her.

He turned the corner, nearly crashing into Ana. For a moment, his relief overcame his concern. Until his rage took over. Acacius grabbed Ana's arm, roughly, practically dragging her back to his quarters.

They stepped inside and Ana twisted loose, scowling as Acacius slammed the door shut, turning to face her, his rage evident.

"Where the hell were you?" Acacius roared, the strain of everything overtaking his every sense. Ana did not reply. She just stared at him.

"Well?" Acacius snapped.

"If you must know, I went to make a plea on your behalf," Ana retorted. Acacius frowned fiercely.

"That was foolish," he growled.

"Foolish?" Ana echoed. "I refused to simply stand by while you're led off to be slaughtered before my very eyes!"

Acacius' temper cooled as his shoulders slumped, turning away, all the tension coming full circle. He staggered over to the bed, sitting down heavily, burying his face in his hands. Ana sighed, her own temper cooling as she walked over, settling herself down beside Acacius, delicately leaning against him.

He raised his head, eyes damp and red rimmed as he tenderly took Ana's hand and kissed it. She smiled, sliding closer to Acacius' warm body.

"I'm sorry I lost my temper," Acacius murmured.

"You're under a great amount of tension," Ana said quietly. Acacius nodded, sighing, releasing her hand.

"Why?" Ana asked immediately. "Why are you agreeing to this madness?"

"Lady Lucilla is mad with grief," Acacius replied. "She's wrestling with old demons that haunt her day and night."

"What does that have to do with you?" Ana questioned.

"She wants blood for blood." Ana scowled. Must everyone evade her questions?

"Acacius, I'm not dense. Just speak plainly!"

"She lost her...lover, twenty years ago. He also happens to be Lucius' true father."

"I'm sorry," Ana murmured. "But that still doesn't explain why she insists you throw yourself to the wolves."

"I'm not responsible for that man's death," Acacius responded. "However I trained and served under him." Ana was slowly beginning to understand. Although Acacius wasn't personally responsible for Lady Lucilla's lover's death, since Acacius had served under him, it was the closest thing she could get to having her revenge.

"I see," Ana murmured. Acacius nodded. "But who was responsible for that man's death?"

"Her brother, Commodus." Ana's eyes widened.

"So if Lucilla truly wanted revenge, she'd have to throw her own son to the wolves," Acacius explained. Ana just stared, in disbelief at him.

"Because he's of royal blood and the next in line for the throne," Acacius finished. Ana shook herself.

"I see the dilemma that she faces," Ana said quietly. "But I still wish she could find another way to relieve her grief."

"She would," Acacius said. "By having me slaughtered."