Warning: Mentions being unclothed, although nothing explicit. And death.

***

Two years ago:

Ana slowly trailed along behind the general as he led her into his villa. She was dreadfully weary. The journey across the sea had been frightfully rough, and Ana had not adjusted well to the endless rocking of the massive Roman ship upon the rough waves, spending the majority of her time, lying flat on her back, in the general's personal quarters when she wasn't vomiting into the wooden bucket set beside the bed.

Now that they'd arrived, all Ana longed for was, a hot bath, a warm bed and to scream until her voice had been snatched from her. Unfortunately the general had other ideas. He led her into a large room, where he told her that someone would assist her shortly to clean her up and after she was presentable, she was to join him, downstairs so they could get her...position duties sorted out.

The general cast Ana a brief look before taking his leave, allowing Ana a few moments of silence. She vaguely heard him barking orders at some staff, informing them of Ana's presence. Ana noted that none of them seemed to find it odd that the general had arrived, with her in tow. She wondered if perhaps she wasn't the first one the general had brought home.

A moment later, a young woman, perhaps not much older than herself, slipped into the room, carrying a wooden bucket, a cloth and a clean tunic. Ana stared.

"Are you planning on..bathing me?" The woman smiled and nodded, setting down her supplies and gesturing for Ana to disrobe. She didn't. She firmly wrapped her arms around herself, scowling.

"You'll do nothing of the kind!" Ana growled. "I'm perfectly capable of washing myself!"

"The general would be angry, if he discovered that I'd disobeyed his orders," the woman said firmly, advancing on Ana. She scowled harder. She may have to be obedient to that bloodthirsty asshole downstairs, but by no means, did that include this woman.

"Absolutely not!" Ana snapped, stepping backwards. "Leave! I'll attend to myself!"

The woman sighed, muttering in her native language, as she turned, slipped from the room. She paused at the threshold, holding Ana's defiant glance. "I'll be back in a few minutes." She softly closed the door, thankfully leaving Ana alone.

Despite her weariness, Ana quickly stripped off her filthy tunic, tossing it aside and hurried to wash herself before the woman returned. She was shaking, more so with rage than fear, silently cursing General Acacius. She was appalled that he thought she needed to be attended to, like she was a cripple or a small child. It only fueled her hate towards him.

As Ana was just slipping on the clean tunic, the door creaked open and the woman stepped back inside. She studied Ana. "All finished, I see. Very good. The general is awaiting your presence in the drawing room, downstairs. I shall escort you."

Ana nodded, not uttering another word. She made a decision that she wouldn't speak, unless it was absolutely necessary. She silently followed the woman down the stairs and was shown into a beautiful room, which was furnished simply, despite the obvious lavishness of the rest of the house.

"Ah, good. You've finished." The general motioned for Ana be seated as he moved to pour her some water, offering it to her. Ana wordlessly accepted the cup, sipping. She was dreadfully thirsty. The general poured himself some wine and settled himself down, across from her.

"I won't keep you long. I know how weary you must be." Ana just stared at a spot on the wall, just past General Acacius' head, hoping he couldn't notice the difference. He didn't appear to. He sipped his wine, shifting uneasily.

"I suppose you're wondering precisely what your duties will include," General Acacius continued. "Mostly it's as I suggested before, to be my companion."

"And to fulfill your..manly desires," Ana couldn't keep the disgust out of her voice. General Acacius nodded, swirling the wine in his goblet.

"Yes." He lifted his head, his gaze connecting with Ana's. He knew she was angry and frightened. She had every right to be. He sighed heavily. Ana saw how weary he appeared. When he lifted his head, she saw the deep sadness in his dark eyes. It startled her.

"However, I shall not force myself upon you." His tone was soft, nearly inaudible, laced with defeat. "It shall be your choice."

"And what of your...needs?" Ana asked, nervously twisting her fingers together.

"They'll wait," the general replied. He gulped down the last of his wine, abruptly standing, holding out a hand to Ana. She stared at it, wondering how he'd react if she bit him.

Slowly, almost painstakingly, she rose, setting aside her cup and steadying herself before begrudgingly accepting the general's hand. A small smile tugged at his mouth and he gave her a hand a gentle squeeze before leading her out of the room.

"As this is to be your home, you're granted access to the entire villa and grounds. You're free to come and go on the property as you please." The general paused.

"However, you're not to leave the property without my consent and not alone. While we're in the countryside and not the city, there's still plenty of danger lurking. Thieves, robbers and other unsavory characters have been known to frequent this part of the country."

Ana nodded. She understood perfectly what the general was implying. She had to stay within the confines of his villa or else, she could be harmed. As if it were so..safe here. She still didn't trust this man, regardless of his many proclamations that he'd treat her with respect.

Ana wasn't completely oblivious to military men. There were plenty who resided in her old village. Most were decent men. Those who had a woman and family. They mostly kept to themselves and Ana wasn't afraid of them.

But for all the decent ones, there were also the unruly ones. The ones who were unwed and had no children, who enjoyed spending time in those establishments that served wine, who would stay there half the night, stumbling out into the daylight, stark drunk and looked more dead than actual dead people, they're skin pale, eyes bloodshot and cursing loudly enough to be heard clear to the sea.

Those were the ones who also enjoyed starting riots and causing trouble, picking fights with anyone, rather the other individuals were interested or not. Then they're military friends would be forced to intervene, dragging them off to be imprisoned for a few days, while they slept off their drunken stupor.

Since Ana has only been around General Acacius for about two weeks, she still wasn't sure what to make of him and which category he fell in when his true nature was exposed. Yes, she'd witnessed part of that, when he led his military forces into her village. But that wasn't saying much.

Acacius glanced over at Ana, who had remained silent since he'd led her away from the house and was showing her the property and expressing the dangers she could face, should she consider running away.

"Have you any questions for me?" Acacius asked. He stopped walking, gently turning Ana so she was facing him. Her expression was blank, as though she had wiped every emotion from her body and was unable to show anything.

Including her contempt for him.

Ana shook her head and Acacius felt a stab of guilt, straight in his chest. He wrestled with it, struggling not to gather Ana in his arms and try to reassure her that she was indeed safe here. Safer than if she'd been toted off, along with the remaining people who'd survived the village raid.

"Very well. Let us return to the house. I'll have a room set up for you. It can become your sanctuary, a place only for you."

Ana started. She was shocked. She'd been expecting to share the general's private quarters. She couldn't have guessed that he'd make a specific place, just for her.

"Why?" Ana heard herself say.

"I figured you'd be more comfortable, having your own private quarters. Besides, you're only required to be my companion when I'm in the mood for some company. The rest of the time, it's up to you how you choose to spend it."

Ana nodded, her mind spinning. She dared to glance up into the general's face. He was staring straight ahead, as though he, too, had more important matters on his mind than Ana's presence.

***

Ana found her room to be far more exquisite than she expected. There was a big, comfortable bed, a table, two chairs, a quill, parchment and ink, some paintings on the wall and a rug on the floor. Also a porcelain basin and matching pitcher, so she could wash her hands and face.

The person who has set up the room had also had a vase filled with beautiful wildflowers and set several candles in her room, along with a lantern, as well as some extra oil. She noticed some clean clothes folded on top of the bed as well. She sat down, unfolding each garment, noting that the fabric looked expensive. As Ana set the garments aside, she realized something.

Yes, General Acacius was a killer. That was part of who he was. He was a soldier and soldiers were trained for battles and war and...killing. That was who they were.

But, Ana was also beginning to see that there was so much more to this hardened general. Perhaps he wasn't necessarily a good man, but he wasn't necessarily a bad one, either. She stood up, moving to the window.

There was a deep ache slowly growing inside her. She suddenly realized that she hadn't even had proper time to grieve. She needed to grieve. Not only for herself, for the loss and heartache she'd been dealt, but for those who lost their lives in the village and for those who were now considered slaves and barbarians among these Romans.

The tears fell, fast and hard. They hurt. Ana sunk to the ground, her entire body shaking with grief and loneliness and despair. She cried for a long time. And when she finished crying, she decided that she would never cry again.