VIRELIA

775DY

Werdas, 35th of Anovo, Spring

“Uh…” Aquila trailed off, still blushing as Virelia smiled at him. The tavern was lively as the night drew on, a bard had entered to strum his instrument, and the men from Virelia's table had finally stopped calling for her to come back. Smoke whisped through the air from the crackling fire, and she noticed a strange smell coming from Aquila. She couldn't recall where she knew it from. Searching her memories for it, she slipped into moments of her past life. She remembered when he was about eleven, and she was sixteen. They had finished his history lesson, and he decided to kiss her on the lips. She chased him around with a wooden spoon, and they had both fallen over, laughing. She’d wanted her proper first kiss with someone she loved, but she had yet to find anyone like that. Virelia worried she had made Aquila sad in her rejections, but made sure to be gentle, that he understood he could talk to her. She remembered how when he was younger, his mother had died, and they’d visited her master’s house. She sat with him and held him as he cried. Now he was a man grown, and a little handsome, she thought.

“Well, I still remember. You told me you wanted to marry me when you were about 7, and you cried when your father said that couldn’t happen.” She said, laughing. Aquila buried his head in his hands. The lizardman was silent at the table, observing, rasping a chuckle on occasion. Virelia didn’t know his name, and found his eyes disquieting.

“I was very young and very foolish. I apologize for all the embarrassment I caused you.” He said, rubbing his face and looking back at her.

“Ah, don’t worry. It was cute. You were so sweet to me, built up my confidence. Besides, are you saying you were mistaken and I’m an ugly cow?” She asked, still smiling, and Aquila shook his head fiercely as the Lizard laughed. The beer was going to Virelia’s head, and running into Severus and Aquila in one day had filled her with joy.

“Of course not. You’ve kept your looks… You’re very… pretty.” Aquila managed. Virelia laughed again and squeezed his hand.

“So, what are you up to these days ‘Quila? Certainly didn’t expect to see you here.” She said, sipping her dark beer, her third today.

“Well, I’m hoping to study at the Epokral College and become a lecturer. I don’t want to live off my father’s generosity forever.” He told her. Epokros was the god of Time, and the College was where men and women went to study history. That was one of the few intellectual pursuits open to women, not counting the Spire.

“So you are still keeping up with your history.”

“Yes, El, I am indeed.” He said happily. Her eyes narrowed, and she put down her beer.

“Don’t ever call me that. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ll not be called by my slave nickname again.” She said, her lips becoming tight. The lizardman flicked his gaze back on her. She got the feeling he had some hidden motive.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Virelia. I had no idea it upset you. I won’t do it again.” He replied with sincerity, seeming sad to have angered her.

“It’s all right. Thank you for taking me seriously. Anyway… That’s great. You’d make an excellent lecturer. By the time you were what, fifteen, you started teaching me more often than I taught you.”

“Ha, sorry, I could really drone on. But you knew your stuff. I owe my life’s biggest interest to you.” He said, allowing himself to smile.

“I’d say we’re in a pretty interesting period right now. You’ve heard about that law, I assume. Or is that why you’re here?” She asked, ready to start pitching.

“To some extent, yes, I thought the Ironfoots would be an interesting bunch to meet and debate with.” He expressed. Virelia shook her head and steadied her tankard with both hands.

“Don’t debate anyone here. Trust me, you’ll end up in a ditch without my protection.” She said, becoming serious again. Aquila frowned in protest.

“But… if we don’t have the freedom of discussion, what else do we have?”

“Listen to me Aquila. Don’t debate. Please.” She said, shaking her head, and taking another sip of her beer.

“I suppose I’m not surprised, you were always spirited. I remember when you argued with me about the annexing of North-East Mastilia for about an hour. Whether it was prudent, who benefitted, who didn’t, I was speechless by the end.” She said, trying to lift the heavy atmosphere that had fallen. Aquila gave a weak smile and fidgeted with his hands.

“I still debate with my father and my friends. They always say that’s why I haven’t been with a woman.” He said, before reddening as he realized what he'd admitted to. Virelia smiled sweetly, trying not to chuckle.

"I’m sure you’ll find someone who likes you. You’re a handsome lad. I had started to think you had an interest in boys too at one point. You remember how much you talked about the depictions of Romulus Veranius.” She said, embarrassing him further. Veranius was a legendary general, one of Aquila's heroes. He led Doros to peace during a civil war a hundred years ago, and his descendants are still praised to this day. Aquila was bright red, and she felt bad for saying what she had. The lizardman eyed him with genuine suspicion.

“I just thought he looked regal, someone to emulate.” He said sheepishly.

“Well, Doros has no Kings. And we hope, no slaves, if we are successful.” She suggested, readying the pitch but noting he hadn’t denied anything. “You know, you’d be welcome to join our cause, Aquila. We need intelligent people like you. You know your history. You know the city." She said, leaning forward and tapping the table with two fingers. "If you fight with us, I know we’d have a better chance of saving this city and giving everyone what I’ve tasted.” She declared, her shoulders broadening with renewed vigour. Aquila seemed suddenly uncomfortable, shifting in his seat as he prepared a response.

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“Thing is, Virelia, I’m not sure I quite agree. For certain, there are far too many slaves and those who mistreat them. This new law is ridiculous, but some people are simply of a lower order." He responded, sitting up a little straighter, making eye contact as best he could. "What about vile criminals? Debtors? And some freedmen get a better start in their adult life than most, with their master's help.” He sounded timid as ever, but he managed to finish without a stutter. Virelia’s smile disappeared.

“You seriously think that people saddled with debt are a lower order? I don't believe it. I taught you that people were equal.” She said, saddened that the sweet boy she had known felt this way as a man. “And I didn't get a 'good start'. Your Uncle put me out without even a goodbye, let alone any coin. I slept on the streets till the Ironfoots found me.” She retorted, eyes narrowing. Aquila looked upset.

“W-Well, I’m glad they did, but you knew you were welcome at our home. You didn’t want our help... I thought you hated us.” He said, blinking slowly.

“I didn’t hate you or your father. I hated living as a lesser among rich men. I decided to make my own way and don’t regret it.” She said, bristling but trying to calm herself. Aquila looked down at the table, and the lizardman grunted. He got up and walked over to a woman across the room, leaving them to their debate. Aquila summoned the courage to continue.

“I don't agree that everyone should be free, it would harm Doros as a whole. But I know what will do damage right now, and it's that law. I want to join the Ironfoots in your fight against it, and all mistreatment of the innocent.” He said finally. She had begun to regard him with uncertainty, but that returned some confidence in him.

“Well, that’s a start. You’ll come around in time. I know it” She finished.

They drank in silence for some time. The lizardman waved goodbye to Aquila as he left with an unattractive woman. Virelia didn't know her, but knew she was likely one of many working girls in the tavern tonight. She didn't trust them one bit. It wouldn't take much coin for them to feed information to the Custodia. Virelia stewed for a while, but decided to make Aquila an offer.

“As it happens, we’re making some moves tonight. Your- Sorry, a representative of the Senate, came to us today. He asked us to threaten prominent senators in favour of the law. One of them on the list caught my eye. We'd already been eyeing him as a target before." She told him, and Aquila's eyes flashed with intrigue.

"I'm listening."

"He's a cruel old bastard. He raped a woman slave, and nearly whipped her to death after she chose not to visit an apothecary. We're going to pay him a visit, ensure he never hurts a slave again, and rescue that woman.” She said, smiling again. Aquila shook his head in anger.

“Black pits, what a hateful man. I wouldn’t mind seeing him get a few bruises. Did you say ‘your’? My what?” He asked. Virelia sighed and placed her empty cup down on the table with a dull clink.

“I didn’t want to tell you, in case you might think less of him. But he has no choice in the matter. Your father gave me the list." Aquila's eyes widened in shock and he craned his neck closer as she continued. "He's the contact. He met with me today. But his career is at stake if he doesn't obey his superior.” She admitted. Aquila put a hand on his forehead, mouth agape in disbelief.

“By all the gods, my father’s involved in this? I’d have never thought so, not in a thousand years.” He said, running a hand through his hair. “I suppose he must have been just as surprised to see you.”

“Yes, he was quite concerned for me. Bless his heart. I was very glad to see him."

"Did you talk about anything else?” He asked, and she nodded.

“We ate together and discussed the past. Your childhood and mine. I called him Uncle, and he called me Niece.” She said, smiling. Aquila blushed again. If it were true I suppose he’d have a crush on his cousin, she thought, and had to stifle a a laugh.

“Well, that’s nice. Still, what a bizarre day you've had. About this Senator then, what do you plan to do?” He asked. “Rough him up good and proper, I imagine. Some lads are coming, but we are missing a lookout.” She said, looking to the table behind her before turning back to him with a smile. “Say, why don’t you come along and fill in for us? You get paid, and you see an evil bastard get his just desserts.” She said, grin widening at the prospect. Aquila’s expression was uncertain.

“I don’t know… Won’t it be dangerous?” He asked. “Definitely, and it’ll be a bloody adventure, Aquila. Would Romulus Veranius say no? All you have to do is watch for guards.” She said, seeing his eyes perk up.

“That… doesn't sound so bad, actually. I think I’ll come, but I’m getting us both out of there if anything goes wrong.” He replied. She chuckled.

“Ohoho, look who wants to protect the fair maiden. I’ll get you out of there, not the other way around.” She said, beaming. Aquila grinned and slammed his elbow on the table. “Brave words for someone who’s about to lose an arm wrestle.” He said, finally brimming with confidence. She gasped with delight.

“Oh yes. I’ve been waiting for this day to come again. Do you have any idea how much exercise I get these days?” She said, rolling her sleeve up and clasping his hand. Aquila’s face went red for a final time, as he struggled against her powerful right arm. She didn’t know if it was from holding hands or the strain, but she was filled with laughter all the same.