him.
Rubria stared after him in horror, struggling to make sense of the last few minutes. It was not the fact that she was to be killed that worried her but the fact that the Temple was at risk. Her imagination worked overtime as she imagined her fellow Priestesses, unaware of the danger they were about to face. She had to warn them and started to struggle against her bonds.
For half an hour she pulled and strained against the bindings on her wrists, even chewing on them to try to bite through. Finally, realising that she was fighting a losing battle, she realised she had no other option, and, though Nero had said it would be futile, she started to scream for help.
For an age no one came and finally her cries became weaker as her strength failed, until she fell silent once more. The sounds of the panic in the streets filtered into her room, and Rubria realised her life had come crashing down around her. Her chastity had been torn from her in a brutal assault by the Emperor, the Priestesses of Vesta were in danger, and more than that, the holy relics of the Temple were at risk. She sobbed quietly as she contemplated the tragedy that was befalling Rome.
A noise from the door made her look up, and she gasped, as she realised that it was being unlocked. She stared as it eased inward, expecting to see the looming figure of the executioner, come to deal Nero’s judgement. It had only opened a few inches when a tiny hand gripped the edge, pushing it further in and a tiny feminine face peered nervously into the room.
‘Hello,’ she said, ‘Miss, are you in here?’
Rubria caught her breath as she recognised the slave girl she had blessed a few days earlier.
‘Rose?’ she asked, ‘Is that you?’
‘Oh, Miss,’ said the girl as she noticed her in the gloom, ‘What has he done to you?’
‘Rose, quick, come here. You have to get me out of here, there is little time.’
The slave ran to Rubria’s side and struggled with her bonds.
‘Quickly,’ insisted Rubria
‘They are too tight, Miss,’ she said, ‘I will get a knife.’ She ran from the room and Rubria waited in fear.
Eventually she heard footsteps approaching once more but her initial relief was cut short as she realised the footsteps were slower, heavier, and more considered. The door flung open and Rubria looked into the face of a giant black man dressed in a white toga.
‘Who are you?’ she asked nervously.
‘You know who I am,’ sneered the man.
‘The executioner,’ she said simply.
He nodded and walked slowly towards her, drawing a blade from a sheath beneath his robes.
‘Wait,’ she said, ‘You don’t have to do this.’
‘Oh but I do,’ he said, ‘My Master has decreed it.’
‘But, you don’t understand,’ she said desperately, ‘I can make it worth your while. If you release me I can get you money.’
‘I have no need of money lady, ‘My Master ensures I want for nothing.’
‘Please, you have to listen,’ she said, as he drew near, ‘There is more at stake here than just my life. The Temple of Vesta is at risk.’
He stared at her, unmoved.
‘Your Gods hold no sway over my life lady, and my Gods forsook me a long time ago. Nothing you say will change your fate. The only question is, do I enjoy your body before my blade cuts your undoubtedly beautiful neck?’
Rubria’s eyes welled with tears.
‘Please,' she begged, 'I care not for myself. Have your way if you must, but please, you must release me. I have to get to the temple.’
The executioner grinned an evil smile.
‘Enough talk,’ he said, ‘This is what is going to happen. First, of all I will cut those robes from your back, the better to see this beautiful body I have heard so much about. Then I will show you what you have been missing all these years as a Virgin. Your death is inevitable, lady, but the manner of dying is in your hands. Respond warmly and I promise your death will be painless and quick. If you are cold, then you will die in a way you cannot even imagine. Trust me, lady; I know a thousand ways to kill you.’
‘No,’ she gasped, ‘Please, don’t do this.’
‘Too late, lady,’ he said, ‘Your fate is sealed.’ He took a step towards her but stopped suddenly in confusion, looking down at the point of the blade protruding from his chest. A large red stain spread rapidly on his white tunic and he turned slowly to stare at Rose who was backing away from him in fear.
‘You,’ he gasped and took a step towards her, the hilt of a Gladius sticking out of his back.
Rose backed up against a wall and cringed in fear as the executioner staggered towards her. Halfway across the room he dropped the knife and fell to his knees.
‘You bitch,’ he said, ‘I will kill you for this,’ and crawled across the floor, his strength failing. Less than a metre away he fell onto his face coughing up blood onto the shining marble floor. Rose edged past him, and, placing her foot on his back, withdrew the Gladius. She placed the point of the sword on the back of his neck.
‘This is for every girl that’s ever suffered beneath your stinking body, Lembus,’ she said and thrust the blade down to sever his spine.
Rubria closed her eyes in disgust as the man died beneath the blade.
Rose stood above him, breathing hard. Eventually she regained her senses and turned towards Rubria, sword in hand. She ran forward and using the blade, started to saw the binds around her wrists.
‘Don’t worry, Miss,’ she said, ‘I’ll get you out of here.’
‘Who was he?’ asked Rubria.
‘His name was Lembus,’ said Rose, ‘He used to be a slave but won freedom and the trust of the emperor many years ago.’
‘How?’
‘He and some other slaves were paid to assassinate the emperor by one of his enemies, but he betrayed his comrades and told Nero of the plan. The plotters were crucified and Lembus was given a role within the palace as slave overseer. He also became Nero’s chief executioner, and held sway over many of the household staff. He raped freely, and, if any resisted, they conveniently disappeared.’
The corded rope fell apart from the attentions of the blade and Rubria stood up, rubbing her wrists to improve the circulation.
‘Are you okay, Miss?’ asked Rose.
‘Worry not for me, Rose, there are those who are in greater danger. Come on, there is little time.’
‘Wait,' said Rose, ‘We can’t go through the palace.’
‘Why not?’
‘Nero surrounds himself with loyal guards and they would stop you leaving. It is no secret that you are here and he has been boasting amongst his bodyguards about, well, you know, what he has been doing to you. If they see you attempting to leave you would be held until his return.’
‘Is there another way?’ asked Rubria.
‘Yes,’ said Rose after a moment’s thought, ‘Though it is beneath someone as holy as you.’
‘My holiness has long gone, Rose, I just need to get out of here before it is too late.’
‘Then come with me,’ said Rose, ‘I will get you back to your Temple. She led Rubria out of the cell and down a side passage. At each doorway or junction in a passage she signalled Rubria to wait until the coast was clear before hurrying on into the lower levels where the servants and slaves were quartered. Finally they ended up in an empty room, lined on each side with a wooden topped stone bench. Along each wooden seat were several round holes.
‘This is it, Miss,’ said Rose.
‘I don’t understand,’ said Rubria, ‘This is a latrine, there is no way out.’
‘There are many ways out of the palace, Miss, but all will be guarded by Nero’s personal guard. There is only one exit that is not manned, and that is here.’
‘Where?’
