Hadrian’s Rome: Hadrian and Reisha II

By L. K. Killian

Book Two finds Reisha continuing on to Rome where she will have one obstacle after another thrown in her path. She is determined to study at the medical college where her intense focus will be challenged by god-like General Hadrian, soft-spoken Pailief, and Dante, Rome’s favored gladiator. Reisha does not like routine or rules but desires to grow and evolve her medical skills. Her fierce ambitions open doors, so that she can also study with an advanced Druid Priest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L. K. Killian
• Release date: Sep 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476138596

L. K. Killian

I think a lot of us have a book in our hearts and heads that keeps us company and wants to be written.When I retired, instead of buying a new car I took a trip to Rome. While there, Emperor Hadrian’s name came up at the Pantheon. This temple to the gods had been built around the first century, and burned twice, but he had his architects rebuild it. I had previously visited Hadrian’s Wall in 2002.It was as if Roman Emperor Hadrian took over the English romance novel I had planned and made it his own. But I’m not complaining. This novel has been a joy to write. I hope everyone who reads it enjoys it.I could never have done this without the help of everyone at Writers Village University -WVU.com. I began by completing the F2K class twice, which is free. Another great help to those of us who wish to complete a draft of our novel is NANOWRIMO.COM.I would be happy to give anyone encouragement if you want to write your own novel.

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Hadrian’s Rome: Hadrian and Reisha II

By L. K. Killian

Copyright 2012 by L.K. Killian

Smashwords Edition

Foreword: This is a historical romance novel based on the history of Emperor Hadrian and First Century Rome. It is a work of fiction loosely based on fact.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your personal copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

I would like to especially thank Sherry Holt, my editor. I would also like to give thanks to Josh Thornbrugh for the cover art, Hemingway Hall Group, F2K, and Writer’s Village University.

Connect with me online:

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/L. K. Killian

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/L.K.KillianinAlabama

Prologue: In First Century Rome, Reisha is a beautiful and talented young Germanic village healer. In Book One she used her medical skills to help General Hadrian and his men who had been badly wounded in a brutal ambush. She saved his life and the life of Pailief, his Praetorian Guard. Hadrian, who is next in line to be Emperor of Rome, is used to getting what he wants. So he thinks nothing of stealing Reisha from her village and forcing her to travel alongside him to Rome.

Chapter One

After the fire in the barn that nearly killed General Hadrian’s men and horses was extinguished, Reisha wanted to leave that town on foot if necessary. Everyone was soaked to the bone from the drenching rain she had called down to put out the fire. The one thing she could do was treat the serious burns. The town had a veterinarian and physician who offered to help, but Hadrian wanted Reisha to oversee the hastily set up infirmary. Before dawn, everyone had been patched up and the Romans were ready for the next leg of their journey.

She was given a few minutes to get washed up before Hadrian had everyone mount up and head out. She would have given her first born child, if she ever married, for a hot bath. But she knew there was no arguing with the general. His soldiers simply trusted that his plans were always for the best, so no one argued with him. On occasion Reisha tried, but today, she was just simply too worn out.

They reached the port of Genoa by mid-day where Reisha found it was loud, dusty, and had an aroma of exotic spices. She struggled with Winnie’s reins, as they were both unprepared for the loud noises around the docks. She pressed forward to stay in line behind General Hadrian. Soldiers and sweaty slaves loaded horses and crates. Her breath was taken away by the sight of the towering mast of the imposing Roman ship moored nearby.

For the moment, she felt forgotten as Hadrian dismounted and suddenly became surrounded by soldiers she did not recognize. They had been waiting for a month to meet up with their general. Her height from atop Winnie allowed a view of soldiers who stepped forward and congratulated him on his good health after hearing of his near brush with death.

Reisha noticed Captain Roel point in her direction. Almost as one, the soldiers turned toward her, snapped to attention, nodded, and gave her glorious smiles. No doubt the captain had just told them how she had been the one who saved the life of their general and his praetorian guard. She smiled shyly in return.

To her right, Hadrian hoisted himself upon Paladin, took the reins to her horse, and led them to the gangway. She could see ships of all sizes in the port and out beyond into the sea. Nearby, dark, poorly clothed slaves from foreign countries carried heavy loads. which bent their backs in half.

Reisha fought to remain calm among the port’s industrious activities. General, I am capable of walking, she protested nervously.

Trust me, in this chaos you do not want to be on foot. Once on board, I will see you to your quarters. For now, other than me, your horse may well be your best friend. Hadrian led his horse up the gangway while hers jerked on the reins but finally followed.

She had lost sight of Opane during all of the soldiers greeting one another, but soon he appeared from out of nowhere to help her dismount. It was comforting to know he would continue as her companion while aboard ship.

You should feel special, Reisha. The general has given up his quarters to you. He will bunk with the other officers in quite small spaces. He nodded to her with his golden eyebrows raised.

Before she could speak, Opane took Winnie and Paladin away, leaving her to wait on deck.

When Hadrian returned from his duties he explained, I will introduce you to the admiral of this vessel when we have our evening meal. In the meantime, I want you to rest and have some refreshment. She would rather have watched as the soldiers brought the other horses aboard. He took her arm and led her to the other side of the ship, away from the slaves dressed in rags who continued loading huge crates of cargo.

Reisha’s room was located on the main deck. She assumed the ship she was on had quite heavy cargo as it sat deep in the water. Hadrian hurried her along to a doorway, opened it, and ushered her inside.

I believe a bath has been drawn and a new tunic or two were purchased. I demand you keep this door locked. Hadrian stood in the doorway giving her orders.

I would prefer to watch the loading of the ship. I would be no trouble. Reisha stood on her toes to look over Hadrian’s shoulder, but he was too tall, so she leaned over to his right.

He planted his feet and stood even taller. You will open this door to no one except me, Opane, or Pailief. Do I make myself clear, Reisha? Hadrian stood firm.

Reisha turned to study the cabin with its small bed, a table, and chair. She gave in to his orders once she saw a metal tub filled with steamy water. On the bed were two soft linen tunics.

These clothes you bought for me are beautiful, General, Reisha whispered. He shrugged his shoulder as if to say it was of no great importance.

Understood? he repeated when she ignored his question.

Am I not allowed to walk on the deck for fresh air?

Soldiers sleep on deck when the weather is calm. I will have your word on this, or I will lock the door from the outside and keep the key. Hadrian turned the brass key over in his large hand.

It seems my only choice is to be imprisoned under lock and key. She snatched the key from his palm and saw a smile cross his face.

I will send for you when the bell rings announcing the evening meal. Get some rest. We have reports that a storm is brewing. Hadrian gently pushed her into the room and closed the door.

She turned the key in the lock then waited to hear his footsteps disappear before she stripped off her road weary clothes. She felt the tub of steaming hot water with its swirls of lavender oil was a most luxurious gift. If the bell rang soon, she would miss dinner. She had not had a proper bath in a month-when she had left her village.

***

Later, someone pounded on her door, which caused her to awaken. She had fallen asleep in the tub without lighting a candle, so the room was pitch black. She quickly grabbed the blanket from the bed and wrapped up in it.

The general awaits you for supper and your meeting with the admiral. You must come at once. The voice sounded like one she ought to recognize but did not. She had given her word not to answer unless the person on the other side was Hadrian, Opane, or Pailief. That voice was none of the three. She stood in silence.

You must come at once. The general sent me to retrieve you. The voice was high-pitched and not recognizable. Several moments passed in silence. She stepped to the window and saw the heavy rocking of the ship in the moonlight. Seasickness caused her to swallow hard which made her stomach queasy.

Before she could feel around in the darkness for a candle, she heard the scraping of metal on the door. Someone had a key. She slipped behind the door to hide. Her breathing was labored, and she feared she could be heard.

The door creaked open, which allowed light to enter the room. Reisha closed her eyes and tried to steady her breathing. She worried that she might be the only woman on a ship with a hundred soldiers. What were her chances of survival if any one of them meant her harm?