<div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: comic sans ms;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>~Aelia at En Route to Ludos Scopulus~</strong></span></span></div><div class="floatright">(http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxl8lfdU8G1r7wrq1o1_250.jpg)</div><br/>She awoke to the scent of fruit, fresh and ripe, for her consumption. Aeila slept fitfully during the night since her body was used to a certain level of comfort. The room was adequately furnished with luxury, but she craved the comfort of her own bed and husband. The presence of his muscled chest underneath along with his possessive hand at her hip. His snores were not missed since it often became quite difficult to sleep if he shut his eyes first to the world of dreams and nightmares. The press of his cock inside of her even though their lovemaking ended in disappointed often times since he refused to do his duty to continue their line.<em>What’s wrong with me?</em>A question she often asked herself as the months passed by without creating an heir and grandchild for her family. It did not matter that the fault was not her own, but she refused to give the real answer to those who questioned the lack of a child at her side. She sighed softly and remained on the bed before reaching for a grape on an adjacent platter. The sweet juices erupted in her mouth as she chewed on the small fruit in her mouth. It was not long after she finished the rest of the grapes along with a slice of melon before she rose from her bed with a look of calm over her face. Latona and Valoria already picked out suitable stola and other garments to complement her red wig.<br/><br/>The rings were pushed on her fingers along with a necklace given by her husband. The dangling of earrings from her ear rubbed against the side of her face every so often as if to remind her of its presence. She wasn’t exactly sure where the necklace was from originally, but the design of the stones along with their luster caused her to treasure it like water in a cave of desert men.  “What time is it?” She asked softly while strumming her fingers through her natural blonde hair. “The sun has not reached the center of the sky, Mistress,” Latona answered while brushing out the wig intended for Aelia’s head. First, the white tunic with elaborate stitching went over her head as her arms stretched out to the sky, completely used to being dressed by the two women in front of her. The sounds of the two pens being fastened at her shoulders to keep it in place caused her to yawn a little. Next, they fixed the light blue stola on her body to perfection. She refused to put on a palla since she did not intend to sweat for the rest of the ride. Her feet were completely covered to keep them from becoming dusty though she intended to take them off as soon as they were back in the carriage for more suitable thong styled sandals. A gold hair pen was attached to the red strands of hair on her head to keep it from falling in her face.<br/><br/>Once completely dressed, she moved quietly outside her quarters, looking for the presence of her escort. There was no doubt in her mind that he possibly spent the night in the arms of local wenches and harlots, but that didn't bother her as long as he didn't touch her personal slaves. Even animals needed to release their physical desires on something. Her nose wrinkled in disgust at the thought. She did not wish to venture into the wilds of the street where the barbarians were going about their daily affairs so she choose remain in what she considered safe. "Valoria, I wish for you to go find the presence of Gaius for me. Do hurry along." She made a shooing motion with her hands as she glanced about the room for some form of entertainment whilst they waited for the serving girls return. Instead, Aelia made her way discreetly towards the door, watching the conversation between Valoria and Gauis from afar.<br/><hr/><div class="floatright">(http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzyh74SNkD1r7wrq1o1_250.png)</div><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: comic sans ms;"><strong>Valoria on a mission</strong></span></span></div><br/>Valoria nodded her head at her Mistress before scurrying out towards the busy roads of the streets. She knew Aelia was frightened of being in a strange area without the usual protective measures of her husband’s guard. It didn’t make sense to her why it was urgent for them to visit this ludus, but it was not in her place to ask questions to her mistress. Her eyes found the blonde hair of the young man in charge of seeing them safely Aelia’s old friend. Her face blushed a little since she wasn’t sure how exactly to act around the man deemed unsafe since her sister was punished yesterday for merely mentioning his name in a certain tone. She closed the distance between them as her eyes lowered to the ground. “Pardon me, sir, the mistress is awoke and ready for travel.” She lowered her voice so that no one would overhear her. “I do believe she is a bit frightened of the people in this town so she refuses to come outdoors without protection.” A fear passed over her face since it occurred to her that she wouldn't want Gaius aware of that fact. "Please don't mention that to her. It would get me in trouble."