(1875-03-27) At What Cost?
At What Cost?
Summary: Alia and Maximus meet at Candeo. What should be a celebration…ends in ruins.
Date: 2019-03-27
Related: None Yet
NPCs: None
Players:
Alia  Maximus  

Keep Candeo - Upper Floor - Princep's Study and Map Room

A large map table takes up the center of this space, a few chairs line the walls that can be pulled up to the table for meetings of the military sort. A couch sits off to the side, velvet and red as this room is also doubled as a receiving room for the Princeps, a fireplace sits to the outward facing wall to keep the space warm and inviting.

There is a window in this room and one door leading out to the balcony above the Great Hall.

1875-03-27

The keep at Candeo was nearly quiet now, not quite still or silent, but much of the activity of the day had ended, as soldiers and household alike turned to the breaking of their fast and the pleasures of the evening meal. A meal which, rather sadly, Maximus had not been allowed to enjoy at Paras, where he had been held in meetings and other such commanderly things, but had been commanded to return to Candeo for a meeting. Once he arrived, he would be lead up to the study, where the map tables had been pushed aside, and a table fit for a meal had been laid out, along with enough food to feed at least a dozen, though there were only two settings at the table. Alia was not sitting at the table, but was, instead, looking out across the courtyard awaiting the rival of her…guest.

As Maximus arrived, indeed, as he was lead up to the study, he would not be able to miss the fact that nearly all of the garrison which had been under Alia's command had bee replaced with those of the 8th Cohort.

-

Invited to the keep at Candeo, Maximus swiftly returned a letter to Alia that bore his agreement, and after finishing his duties? He quickly mounted onto a horse fit for the journey, and made his own way to the keep. She would certainly see the now Tribune Maximus as he arrived, smiling to her as he caught sight. "Tribune Alia. Beautiful as the night sky, as always." he compliments her, before he dismounts his horse, making his way to her.

Though…what was the reason of this meeting?

He missed her horribly, and wonders if dinner is the only thing on the agenda tonight.

-

Alia waited for Maximus to come to meet her, her smile genuine, but also tinged with sadness, as she ushered him into the hall and up along the stairs towards the study. "You always have a way with compliments, Tribune Maximus." As she walked, she worked the ring on her finger, though it was much too heavy for her to spin it as she might have done a child's toy. Once the arrives at the study, she swept a hand in the direction of the table, "You have not eaten, I am sure." She'd wait until he seated himself, before she did the same, "Some of the happiest and most rewarding days I have spent in many years have been in this small keep, Maximus."

-

Maximus seems to tilt his head as he notices the subtle sadness to her features. He doesn't speak on it, not quite yet. She had something important to say, and it was something she may or may not have been happy to do. What did she do? "I have not, but I imagine that might change." he takes his seat.

"I can only imagine. Are you well, Alia?"

-

"I am well enough, thank you. But you should not delay your meal." Alia rose, to serve the wine which had been set out for their use, "I understand that you have done well for yourself, leading the 8th. But I am afraid I have yet another duty to lay at your feet. Perhaps it will be to your liking, but of that I cannot say." Once Alia had set aside the wine bottle, she moves from the table to retrieve a small box from where she had laid it n a sideboard.

-

Maximus tilts his head at Alia. "I am glad that you are well." Maximus does begin eating his meal, but keeps his eyes on Alia. "I certainly try my best…but, I am uncertain that there is anything you could lay before me that I would not have the courage to undertake. He looks upon the small box that she retrieves, and he looks upon it curiously. "What is this?"

-

Alia moves to stand beside Maximus, waiting until he had paused in his meal to open the box and retrieve a new badge for his shoulder. When she had first met him, his rank had been Centurion, later, as he was given command of the 8th, he had been promoted to Tribune and served well at Cotswold. Now, Alia removed the Tribune's badge and moved to replace it with a badge that was that of Tribune, but worked with the words and the starburst icon that marked him the commander of a Candeo. "I hope you will forgive me, Maximus, as I fear your duties will no longer be simply on the field of battle. As you can see, I have already ordered the 8th to secure the keep and all of its lands and citizenry." As she set the badge on his shoulder, the signet ring caught the light, the imperial eagle there sparking as if with some inner fire. "You are now the commander of Candeo and all it's lands and people."

-

Maximus watched as his badge was removed from him. "Hey, what are you doing?" Then, she seems to replace it with a brand new badge that seemed to hold the starburst icon, his eyes widened as he looked upon it. He was a general, not a steward, but because he is rewarded with his own land and territory, he looks upon Alia, and he holds her hands in his. "Thank you, Tribune I….have no words that prove justice to the gratitude I have in my heart. You have my thanks, Alia. I will do my best to keep it all in sorts." he looks her in the eyes. "Is this what troubles your heart?" He asks her. "This is cause for joy, and celebration."

-

"You will not always find yourself chained to the fortress. The stewards know what they are doing. And so do those who have been garrisoned here. I have no doubt that the 8th along with whomever is appointed to work with you. Already the staff is transitioning from those who serve me to those who serve you, or will serve you. There will still be many battle for you to fight. Darius is not foolish enough to allow one of his best commanders to languish worrying about harvests and headcounts of cattle." Alia shook her head, as she looked down at her hands, "The world has changed, Maximus. Cotswold is returned to me, and Darius has given me his signet. That, is a much greater responsibility than any I have faced before."

-

Maximus looks upon Alia, keeping his hands in hers as she spoke. "I am honored. Even if I am not chained down to this fortress at all times, I can still go forth and serve my nation. My empire. I am pleased that Darius has found favor with me enough that he has blessed me with this keep. I have a home I can come back to now, thanks to you."

But - she - was, is, and always will be his home. "You have been given your home? Congratulations, Alia. I'm happy for you."

-

Alia laughed, though the sound was slight, "I believe my men did most of the work in the rebuilding. And I had much help in bringing it to what it is today. I have been an able steward, when it was given to me to do so. Now you will have the greater burden I think, as the citizens begin the task of bringing the village around the keep to life. For it was only a fortress when I was given command of it. As well, the school of sorcery, which is now fully operational, will continue to reside here in Candeo. And the secrets we teach them there will be dangerous, if they are allowed to get out, and I have no doubt that there are those who might well try to take them. And they will need to be dealt with. But I am have full faith in your abilities, as does Darius." Alia looked down at her hands, small and slight, still, in his, "I have. I offered the city seal to Darius, but he bade me keep it, and hold the lands which had been mine and my families before the fall of my House. I do not know yet, if I will be stationed there, for I too have arranged for such stewards and such men as would be needed to defend and keep the lands. For they are far from the West and I am needed there."

-

Maximus takes a deep breath and nods slightly to Alia, but the sound of her laughter was like the sound of angels singing. His eyes maintain contact with her own. "I appreciate all that you have done. Truly….I thank you for it. I will welcome all mages who seek to escape their slaughter as well. They are not animals to be butchered in the name of a vengeful god." Maximus shakes his head softly. "Thank you for your confidence in me….it means more than you realize." he falls into silence, before he smiles and chuckles. "I do believe that you will do well. Even if you are far away, I should send messenger hawks to relay you messages, to ensure to you that everything has not yet burned down under my command." he teases.

-

Alia smiled then, at the thanks, "I have done ever and always what I can to uplift the Empire, to see it grow, and flourish and become again what it was before the enemy came, even if I came to it only after that great fall." For she was not Imperial then, though Maximus had been, of course, "I am grateful that one of those people I was able to uplift was you, Maximus." Alia took a breath, looking down from where he was sitting and she was sitting, though, slight as she was, there was still not a big difference, before she slipped her hands free, "You have no need to thank me. You have earned every ounce of confidence, and it is what you rightfully deserve." Alia returned to her side of the table, settling there, "I would welcome your messages. It will be good to hear your news and the news of the lands. I look forward to seeing what Candeo will become under your command."

-

Maximus just seems to smile then, before Alia manages to escape his grasp to return to her side of the table. Maximus looks upon Alia as she speaks about how she was able to uplift him. "An honor I am glad to have received, Alia. I do not deserve anything. I merely wish to serve." He gives a bow of his head. "and…likewise, Alia. If you are sent away to a land far from here, I want you to know that I'm always thinking of you. Always." Maximus takes a deep breath.

"My only hope is that I can make this place prosper. That when you and Darius return here, you will find it worthy of the both of you." He smiles then, before he finally resumes eating his meal, tasting in all of it's delicious delicacy.

"But other than all of this…you are well?"

-

Alia waited until Maximus had returned to his meal to begin her own, taking a small portion of what was on offer for herself. It was unlikely to be her only course. For such a small woman, Alia was no stranger to a large meal. Especially when she had been at the alchemist's table, or working on her sorcery, "All good soldiers wish to serve, Maximus. But good service should always be well rewarded." As to the mention of the Princeps, that brought her laughter, "I do not believe you will have long to wait to see him. Did you not know? He often comes here to work in his study." She tipped her chin, to indicate the room. "For this room as well as the quarters are his, as they have always been. He comes here to escape the noise of the city, and to make use of our maps, which, I am told, are far superior to what they have in Paras. And I believe thee will be much travel in my future, but I do not believe I will ever be so far that I cannot return to our lands after a time. Though is it good to know that I will be well thought of here, if nowhere else." She nodded, as she claimed a glass of the juice she preferred to wine, "I am well. I promise you. There is simply so much to be done."

-

Maximus looks to Alia as she also begins to eat, though he speaks with a soft voice. "Well, I am happy to be acknowledged for my service then." he chuckles softly. "I did not know that, actually. Too long fighting battle after battle and keeping the soldiers trained kept most of my attention."

He smiled warmly to her, before he gives a respectful nod. "I see. Then when he comes here, I will be sure to attempt to give him a warm welcome." Maximus smiles kindly to his love. But eventually, he sips his wine, and he nods to Alia.

"Very well. I apologize….I worry about you when we are away from each other for so long. I am aware you can take care of yourself, but…"

-

Alia's face fell, as she looked down at her meal, as though she heard the words, but did not wish to hear them. And that expression took long to fade from her face, and longer still, before she looked up again, "There is no need to apologize, Maximus. You should never apologize for caring for someone." She shook her head, setting down the bit of bread she had been toying with, and actually moving to pour herself some wine, "Maximus. I must ask you." She waited until she had finished pouring and brought the wine to sit beside her plate, "You understand the significance of the signet, don't you?"

-

Maximus simply sets his fork down gently, sitting ups straight in his chair, looking her in the eyes that she lowers away from him. Maximus seems to be silent. "He has asked for your hand." Maximus looks upon Alia. "I only wonder if you'd look me in the eyes when you'd tell me, or are you ashamed of me enough that you cannot say?" Maximus is hurt about it, yes, but he no longer touches the wine, nor no longer touches his food. He looks her in the eyes. The truth.

-

Alia's eyes flashed with something very much like anger, as she looked up, her eyes settling on Maximus' face, "I have never been ashamed of you, Maximus. I will not hear anything of the sort." Alia shook her head, clearing needing a moment to control her temper. But her expression was clear, as she looked back to him, "We said to each other once, that we knew the day would come when our hearts would be broken. I am not sorry for the choice that I have made, Maximus, and so, it seems that I am the one who has brought us to this end. Darius and I, though we are friends and allies…neither of us came to this choice out of love. But yes, he asked for my hand and I gave it." If she had not, she would not be wearing the ring at all. "And I cannot and will not be proven faithless to him."

-

Alia says, "Though you would be right to accuse me of being faithless to you."

-

As soon as Alia's eyes flashed with anger, Maximus did not back down from her, never one to cower away from anything. "Ashamed enough to toss me aside as if I were an ill dog, waiting to be put down." Maximus looks her in the eyes, pain in his eyes. "And yet…" he pulls a ring from his pocket, looking upon it. "It seems the cursed fate you foresaw has arrived." he wants to make a comment about how women toy with the hearts of men, but he keeps it to himself.

"So you did it for politics. Adorable." He looks her in the eyes. "You were unfaithful. There is no question about it. You saw an opportunity to gain more than what I could give you and you accepted it without hesitation." Anger flashed in his eyes, but then he simply rises to his feet. "If you will excuse me, I am honored by Darius's gift, but I have men to train." it was his way of guarding his heart….walls have risen again.

-

Whatever had brought them to this impasse, there was two things that Alia and Maximus still had in common. One, was unlikely to ever be spoken of again, but the other? Neither were the sort to back down from a challenge or a fight. As Maximus rose to his feet, Alia followed, though she did not move to depart the table, only setting the fingertips of each hand on the tabletop, "That was not shame." She did not continue past that, "I did it for my own reasons, yes." And that, she would have to leave where it lay. It was too sharp a wound now, for both of them, and by her own hand, "Of course, Tribune."

-

Maximus looks upon Alia. "I care not anymore." Maximus then bows his head to the Voice, before he turns to leave, slamming the door behind him and tossing the ring he intended to give Alia to wherever the wind would take it. He lifts the hood of his cloak over his head after he wears it, and he descends to the soldiers below. "Training. Now. Else whoever fails to do so will be putting the most effort into cleaning the shit of your brothers." Lo and behold, the soldiers of the 8th Cohort are pretty much sprinting into proper training attire and weaponry.

Maximus was angry, and needed to blow of steam.

-

Alia waited until Maximus had left the study, eyes remaining on the closed door, before she finally returned to her seat, staring at her hands, and the ring that had, perhaps damned them both. The meal she did not touch again, only calling in the staff to share it between themselves as she left. Candeo was still hers, nominally, in so far as the staff had not yet completed their transition, and perhaps the ring, discarded in anger would be found and perhaps returned to her, to be tucked away, a memory of a past that was now gone, but not forgotten. Never that.

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