"They saw you as country boy that they could manipulate. You weren't born into the lavish lifestyle of a nobleman." The Senator explained. "You are not only the heir to one of the richest families but also a close friend of the heiress herself. To them you were the ideal pawn." "I'm surprised you did not accept it father." Aquila said. It was the first time Hector had actually heard his father call his grandfather father. "Why did you refuse?" The emperor asked. "We left the society for a reason. I will not send this empire back a hundred years just to satisfy the needs of a few." Senator Julian said with much c

Hector stood by Trix's side in shock. He had never expected to catch Marcella with another man, let alone the senator Felix."So this is where you have been spending your days while your betrothed lay dying." Trix's voice was laced with anger at the woman."And if I had? He wasn't supposed to survive that anyway, right Felix?" Marcella said looking up to the man in the bed with her.The Senator looked furious at Marcella. Obviously she had said something she wasn't supposed to say."That is not true. Yes I have been laying with her but the part about Lord Hector is not. Please believe me my empress." The Senator begged trying to save whatever was left of his name."Men arrest him." T

Trix paced around her office. Her office. The grand room once belonged to her father and his grandfather before him. Generations of emperors ruled Rome from this circular room. Lands had been conquered, people enslaved, and families torn apart. But for every pain this room had caused it had also brought joy. The once warring people were now one. Trade and travel had been made easier and safer, knowledge flowed freely across the empire and beyond. But today was not about the far reaching power of her office. Today was about the impending execution of a woman who had been like a mother to her. A woman who had raised her. Yet this woman who had brought her up had only cared for her so that she might be used in a ploy to take control of the empire."They do not 

Jacob suck past a merchant as he grabbed his midday meal from the man's merchandise. Everyone was busy watching the Empress and her men march out of the city and towards the rest of the known world.Jacob had been born in the far away Jewish City of Jerusalem. This was before his father had brought them to the Roman countryside to start a new life as a farmer. Unfortunately without even a month of moving into their new home bandits had stolen from their home, raped and murdered his mother and three sisters. Unfortunately at that time he and his father were in the city selling their produce in the market. In the month that followed his father was constantly sick, he blamed himself for the death of his wife and daughters. Within a month his father passed away as well. The young boy who was only twelve at the time was left penniless and orphaned. He quickly learned to beg and steal. Soon en

Trix scanned the halls to make sure no one was around. She didn't want to be dragged back to being Empress Vitatrix too soon."Who were those men?" Trix asked Jacob as the turned a corner."Members of the Draco Gang. They've been trying to get me to join them since I stole from one of their leaders." He explained."I thought gangs never tried to recruit you?" Trix asked beginning to doubt his original story."They don't. They spoke to me several time but nothing like this. Something must be up with the gangs." Jacob pondered as continued on their way."What could have stirred them up?""A plot against the empress? A chance to change