Warning: Mentions murder and poison.

***

Two years ago:

Ana slipped into the general's private quarters, careful to make certain that no one had followed her. She softly closed the door, stepping inside. She stood by the entrance, gazing around. The bareness surprised her. It was so..impersonal.

There was the bed, of course, and a table, a chair and a stand, in the corner. No pictures or anything overly personal. Ana frowned. Surely a well decorated war general would have all his medals on display for all to see. She had wandered all through the rooms downstairs and hadn't seen any of the medals there, either.

Ana stepped over to the stand, peering into it, searching for anything personal. How odd, she thought. Ana's hand hovered by the latch, wrestling with the idea of snooping through the general's personal things. Not that he was there to oppose it. He'd left yesterday morning, announcing he wouldn't return for a few days.

Ana had been relieved. When Acacius wasn't here, she pretty much had free rein within the villa, going about as she pleased, none of the servants caring what she did. Ana slowly unlatched the outer door of the stand, leaning in and peering inside.

Like the rest of the room, there was nothing of importance inside. Just some old dusty pieces of parchment and a broken quills. She sighed, about to close the smadoor when a flash of gold caught her eye. She leaned in further, her hand reaching inside, her fingers brushing against something cool and hard. She grasped the object, drawing it out.

Ana gasped. It was a gold bracelet. By the weight of it, it had to be made out of almost solid gold. She carried it over to the window to get a better look, holding it up, studying it as she turned it in her hands.

Who did bracelet belong to? Certainly not the general. There was a fine coat of dusty upon it, dulling the exterior a bit. Ana wondered if perhaps this bracelet belonged to another one of the general's..companions and had either left it here when they passed or perhaps it has been confiscated by Acacius and he'd never remembered to return it.

Or...perhaps it belonged to some long lost lover of the general's and he kept it for sentimental reasons. Ana knew she should return the item, but the thought of rebellion was indeed tempting. Would the general miss it should she hide it in her own room? From the appearance, the general hadn't touched this bracelet in some time.

Ana knew how much this bracelet was worth. If she took it, and ever managed to escape, she could sell it and get some money, perhaps buying passage back to her homeland. She fought against the temptation to slip the bracelet into her dress pocket and leave the room. She faltered a moment before doing so and exiting the general's private quarters.

***

Ana sat on the edge of her bed, waiting for complete darkness to fall. She'd made a decision: she wasn't going to stay here any longer. She'd wrestled with the dilemma over the last few days and finally made up her mind. She had packed a small bag, along with some provisions, to hopefully last her she was safely away from Rome. Also the gold bracelet laid nestled amongst the provisions and a few articles of clothing.

Ana glanced up. Darkness had at last fallen. Now was the time for her to make her escape.

***

Ana made it halfway down the dusty road before she heard the pounding of hooves bearing down upon her. She quickly extinguished the lantern she was carrying, scurrying towards the nearest hiding spot. She peered around, just barely making out the form of a hooded figure, sitting upon a horse.

"I know you're out there," the voice said. Ana froze. It was..Acacius. He must have returned earlier than expected. She inwardly groaned. He dismounted, grasping the horse's reins tightly in his fist, stalking straight towards her. She stood perfectly motionless, hoping he wouldn't see her.

Acacius walked past her hiding place and for a moment, Ana breathed a sigh of relief. Until he spun around, his gaze finding hers, even in the dark of night. He marched forward, reaching for Ana's arm, roughly yanking her to him. She screeched and struggled, but it was all in vain.

The general managed to drag her over, hoisting her up on his horse, swinging up and holding Ana tightly so she couldn't escape.

"Let me go!" Ana growled. The general paid no mind to her pleas, clicking to his horse and galloping towards the house. He didn't utter a word until he had Ana inside.

"What in the name of the gods do you think you were doing?" Ana scowled, but held her tongue.

"Answer me!" The general's face was a storm. His eyes were narrowed and his mouth pinched tightly. Ana remained silent. He released her, turning his back on her. His head was down and she could see him...trembling. Was it from rage or....worry? Perhaps both. When Acacius faced Ana again, she saw the pain in his eyes.

"What were you thinking, running off? I told you how dangerous it was!"

"You don't own me!" Ana snapped, her temper boiling over. "I shouldn't have to be obedient to such an...unfeeling and uncaring killer!"

Acacius' face went red with fury as he seized Ana by the forearms, gripping tightly. She was so stunned, she couldn't think to fight back.

"You deliberately disobeyed my orders!" His voice was rough, but there was an underlying of worry. He sighed, releasing her once more, rubbing a hand over his face, which looked more weary than Ana had ever seen it.

"I wouldn't be able to forgive myself should tragedy befall you." Ana just stood, frozen to the spot, unable to come up with any kind of reply. Acacius looked at her. "You should get some rest." He abruptly strode off and Ana finally roused herself from her stupor, returning to her room, upstairs.

***

It was a week before Acacius discovered that Ana had stolen the gold bracelet. He went to her room and began tearing it apart, searching for the item until he unearthed it in the bag that she had the night she tried to run. He stared at it for several minutes. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts, he didn't realize Ana was standing in the doorway until he turned.

Acacius studied her facial expression. She didn't appear remorseful. She just stared right back at him, the usual defiance in her eyes. He stepped closer, holding out the bracelet.

"Why did you steal from me?" His tone was sharp, but low. Ana didn't bother making any excuses.

"I didn't think you miss it. I planned on selling it, using the money to buy passage back to my homeland." Acacius' eyes narrowed, as he gripped the bracelet so tightly in his fist, it dug into his skin.

"What offenses have you against me that you thought stealing my personal property for your own gain?" Acacius demanded.

"What offenses?" Ana stared at him as though he had gone mad. "You're holding me, here, against my will! You stole me away from my homeland! You killed my friends! How dare you ask such a ridiculous question!"

Acacius scowled, but did not bother continuing this argument. He simply shoved past Ana, heading straight to his private quarters, slamming the door behind him. His whole body shook, with rage, with longing, with grief. He quickly unlatched the small door, tossing the bracelet inside and slamming that as well.

He paced furiously for a while, his mind a tangle of emotions. Did Ana despise him so much that she wasn't beyond thievery? If that were so, what else was she capable of? Would she not think twice about murdering him in his own bed, while he slept? Or perhaps dousing his wine or food with poison? He hadn't thought he'd treated her so poorly that she would continue to despise him, despite the fact that he had tried everything within his power to show her he wasn't as unfeeling and dangerous as first perceived him to be.

Acacius sighed again. He tried to look at this situation through her eyes. Ana wasn't entirely wrong about his offenses towards her. But he had hoped, in time, she might change. He realized now, that his hopes are in vain.

****

Ana had wandered to the lake for the afternoon, packing herself a lunch, not intending to return to the villa until nearly nightfall. She'd been avoiding the general since he had confronted her about stealing that bracelet.

While Ana didn't care to admit it, she knew she was in the wrong, stealing it. She wasn't the sort who just stole for the sake of it. She prided herself on being trustworthy and honest. She had been raised to stand up for truth and always take the right path. However the rules of life have changed considerably since that fateful day, many weeks ago, when Acacius came storming in from the sea, with his men and weapons and destroyed everything Ana loved.

She sat on the bank, taking off her sandals and dipping a toe into the cold, clear water. She shivered. She drew her leg back, tucking it beneath her body and leaning forward, submerging her fingers into the icy water, smiling, for the first time in weeks.

As Ana was considering taking a quick dip in the cold water, she held someone approaching. She immediately scrambled to her feet, clutching her dagger. Shockingly, the general had bothered to take it from her.

Coming towards her was Acacius and instantly, Ana's brief moment of happiness and solitude was burst. She scowled, wondering what nonsense Acacius intended on spouting to her this time. He stopped a few feet away, making no attempt to get closer.

"I was beginning to wonder where you'd run off to," Acacius said amicably. Ana lowered her dagger, turning away and settling herself back down on the bank.

"Was that all?" Ana asked as she dipped her fingers in the cold water again.

"No. I wanted to apologize if I frightened you the other night."

"You didn't frighten me," Ana said. Acacius moved forward, settling himself down on the bank.

"You surprised me." Ana glanced at him.

"How?"

"By being bold enough to not only go through my personal effects, but dare to steal from me has well."

"I figured you wouldn't care," Ana said. "That bracelet obviously hadn't been touched in months." Acacius scowled.

"That's not the point. You had no business rifling through my personal belongings." He stared straight ahead. "The penalty for thievery is losing a hand."

Ana's body jolted, as though struck physically by Acacius. She wasn't quite sure if he was threatening her or simply trying to make a point.

"You..you wouldn't, would you?" Ana couldn't keep the tremble out of her voice. Acacius turned, looking at her.

"I could do that," he replied. "I should do that. It's the least you deserve." He paused, seeing the fear in Ana's eyes. "However I'm feeling merciful." He stood up, pausing again.

"Next time, you decide to defy me, I might forget to show you any mercy." He strode away, leaving Ana shaken, yet relieved.