(A/N): I know it's been a while but I'm comitted to continuing the story, I'll try my best to release daily or atleast 5 times a week. Thanks for reading :). A long chapter to welcome you back.
Tempest trot carefully along the unpaved ground. Not all of Rome was yet paved, definitely not so in the new area's where Albus lived. Albus lived on a hill not too far off the capital but not too close. He lived in the middle of a small square where a market was situated. He used to go there a lot when he was young but now not so much. Probably because Olivia always insists on doing everything.
The scenery here was beautiful. Flowers were spread into evenly big fields but with offset colors. They're much like the tulip fields we're familiar with now but now the fields were mostly filled with Hyacinths and all the likes. He enjoyed being here, his soul felt at peace in areas like these. No fighting, no nothing. Just yourself and an animal with no such thing as a conscience or a moral compass.
You could of course see the colosseum in the distance. The grandest structure of all. Albus did not like looking at it, it gave him a tingling feeling down his spine, as if he was in battle. Albus was of course not completely alone. At the sides there were parks and houses but not too close to overload his senses. The park and the people there were much like the park and the people at his home. They were probably the same everywhere in the world but alas, for Rome's glory we fight.
A carriage past him on the left full of supplies and goods for the market. The man on the carriage nodded to him politely as he should, Albus was in his toga after all. Albus wasn't fond of wearing his toga. It reminded him of the vast differences between the classes here in Rome. Even though we stand for democracy we aren't all equal. Slaves are a thing after all.
When they got a little further they finally got to the paved road. Tempest neighed in approval ''Haha, there there girl.'' Albus responded. Tempest was clearly a city horse, she didn't like dirt roads too much. Probably because it got between her hooves or some other petty reason.
Albus wasn't too far off the grand square when a rough raspy voice called to him ''Oi, Albus, over here you git!'' Albus was shocked! Who dares to call him a git and why were they still alive? When Albus turned around to the sound of the voice when he recognised the man standing there. It was Brutus, the brothel owner. He probably was trying to get Albus laid or something like that.
Albus was still a virgin, and he wasn't concerned with the fact. After all he should do it with someone he loves shouldn't he? Brutus, the brothel keeper, didn't share his opinion.
Albus simply nodded to Brutus and was planning to get on his way again when Brutus continued ''Aww, still in love with your right hand aren't ya? No worries, I'll give you a coupon, 2 of my best maidens for the price of 1 how about that?!'' Everyone on the square turned to Brutus' direction. Brutus was infamous for being scummy and charging ridiculous prices. Especially his maidens were expensive. And now that he was offering one for free everyone started to protest.
Albus spurred Tempest on to trot to Brutus. Albus looked at Brutus in contempt and said the following: ''How about you keep those maidens to yourself, you look like you haven't had anything fresh in a while anyways. How about a nice shower in the process?''
The crowd around Albus laughed and someone added ''His toga does look a little like a dead raccoon!'' This made the square bellow in laughter. Brutus looked at Albus in disdain. Brutus may have the best brothel in the city, but he certainly didn't care about his looks.
He was a burly man around his late-thirties, He was unshaven and was already losing some hairs. Personal hygiene clearly wasn't his thing either, must be correlated to STD's you receive at a brothel because the stink he omitted was like if you take a pile of shit and add another pile of shit and add a little spice in the form of some weird perfume scent.
Brutus snapped out of his thoughts and retaliated ''Oi, back off all of you or my fine ladies won't serve for the coming weeks!'' This clearly pissed off men and women alike and most people departed from the square. They had their fun.
''You're the head of the pack I'll give you that, everybody follows you. But it doesn't seem like you'll get any other head'' Brutus said matter-of-factly. ''Ah yes yes, make fun of the virgin why won't you'' a woman's voice came from behind him. Albus recognised her as Priscilla the owner of the local bath house.
''You mentioned coupons not too long ago Brutus, mind if I offer you one, it looks like you need it'' Priscilla added with a sly grin. Priscilla was a beautiful lady in her late-thirties. You could definitely see she took care of herself by the look of her silky smooth hair that hung loosely around her shoulders. She had next to no wrinkles probably because all the skin products she used and her eyes sparkled as bright as ever. They were bright blue, like the sky on a sunny day. Able to pierce any surface of anyone's mind. She was wearing a stola, it's a longer tunic but with no sleeves. Her sides were open though which was very revealing. Especially given the fact she had a well-rounded figure.
Priscilla noticed Albus' gaze and gave a small endearing smile. Like Albus was a little kid, which he sort of still is. Given his height. He was taller than Priscilla but not by lots. Even though height didn't matter in this society some women still were picky in that regard.
''Albus I know you're still a virgin but you must consider the mixed baths, it'll be the time of your life!'' Priscilla said while looking promiscuously. Albus looked away like he wasn't listening and acted like he was whispering some words to Tempest. Tempest apparently got the memo and neighed softly and wagged her tail much like a dog.
''Awhh come one Albus, it'll be my treat you've got to get those big arms to use after all.'' Priscilla was now next to Albus reaching up to touch his well-toned arms. Albus set off, he had enough of her antics. ''It was good seeing you again Priscilla, but I have an Emperor to humor'' With these words Albus spurred Tempest on and they were off.
''I told you he doesn't like that stuff, I think he doesn't even like to touch himself. I bet he's waiting for some kind of deity to descend from the heavens and steal his virginity'' Brutus told Priscilla grumpily, totally convinced of his accusations. ''Even if that were true he wouldn't have to wait long. the Gods are horny beings driven by their desires, much like us.'' With that said Priscilla turned around and left the premise, but before she did she added one last thing ''You must really consider my offer Brutus, you stink.''
'What a mess' Albus thought, he liked Priscilla and Brutus in moderation. But five minutes of their antics is enough to be done with them for another 5 years. Albus was nearing the palace and it looked as beautiful as he could remember. Large columns supported this big frame in which a sort of story was depicted. You could see Jupiter sitting on his throne whilst the other Gods surrounded him. The building itself depicted power, it was radiant. Like all the Gods blessed the building. It had no spots. It was all clean and shining white in some sort of marble-stone variant.
When Albus got closer the beautiful mosaic that was in front of the steps came in sight. All sorts of colors made a beautiful circle. You could see the sun and the sea with a boat, it wasn't any boat that was depicted but the great Roman flagship where you could see the Roman Aquilo.
Albus bid Tempest farewell but made sure to bind her carefully in the stable nearby and made sure she had enough room to eat and do anything she pleases. He paid the stable-keeper a lot of coin out of 'generosity' and to make sure he doesn't steal his horse.
Some of them did that. They would steal a horse they would think to be magnificent and sell it to breeders who were happy to pay as much as they could to get their hands on a Roman legionary horse.
When Albus got the stairs he could see a man in gold shining armour feigning him closer. Albus looked at him in adoration, it was his teacher. The man who taught him how to fight.