Coventina (25 page)

The morning came too fast to suit all of them. Soon the smell of coffee brewing in both buildings filled the fragrant country morning air. In Las Vegas, they had turned in the van rental, and decided to spend the entire time taking in the sites and gambling until sunrise. Marcus was the big winner at $3,000.00, followed by Anna at $498.00. It seemed that she and Diana had already made up. Actually, Lucilla marveled at the ease with which this group of misfits in our time adapted to all the changes they were being put through. She was certain they would all be happy when this madness was all behind them.

If we all survive,
Denise thought, being able to somehow pick up Lucilla’s thoughts from so far away.

Denise’s phone rang again. It was Aja. “Breakfast is on. Fifteen minutes okay?”

“Yes.”

They got dressed and walked over to the main building. It was a beautiful morning, and promised to remain so throughout the day.

“Lucius suggested a classic American breakfast,” Layla said.

“Great. Need help with anything?”

“You can pour the coffee if you like.”

“Smells delish,” Layla said.

“Thanks. I’m not the cook Denise is, but I can make a decent breakfast.”

“I’m starving,” Denise smiled.

“Lucius, do you like breakfast now, in this time period?” Layla asked.

“I love all the food I have tasted since arriving.”

“These eggs have a delish different touch.”

“I discovered it making French toast. I add some milk and cinnamon to them.”

“Nice contrast to the sausages,” Layla said.

Lucius just listened to the three beautiful women speaking about breakfast and smiled through his meal.
Men need to be near women, all the time,
he thought.
Something our lives as legionnaires gravely missed out on.

The futons arrived minutes before noon. Everyone spent time setting them up in a way that afforded couples the most privacy. Aja did not know that Denise had told them to include room dividers on the order.
A nice touch don’t you think?
Denise asked.

Very nice touch indeed.
Layla said.

They are a nice touch,
Aja said.
That was very sweet of you.

Well, I am the nicest person I know,
Denise giggled in thought, knowing that the days ahead might be devoid of much humor.

A Plan

It was nearly five in the afternoon when ten humans walked out of the woods towards the farmhouse. Layla was the first to notice them. Denise of course knew they were there the moment they arrived. It was like her ability to read the minds of others had reached a new level.

“They all look happy,” Layla said.

“Vegas has a way of doing that I hear.”

Aja and Lucius greeted them in the yard and directed them to the building that had been set up for their stay.

“Vineyards,” Marcus smiled.

“Yes. I’m afraid they are in horrible shape though,” Aja said.

“Hello everyone,” Denise said, entering the guesthouse.

They all shared greetings before she pulled Quintus aside. “I need to meet with you tonight. It is not necessary that all of you be at this meeting, but it would be a good idea to have another legionnaire present.”

“Of course. Have you decided on a time and place?”

“Here, of course, and since it promises to be a clear night, how about under the stars?”

“Of course. I will bring Marcus with.”

“Good choice, since Lucilla must be present as well. Now let me get out of your way so you can get situated.”

“Have you eaten today?” Aja asked.

“I’d bet some of us could use a snack,” Anna smiled.

“Great. I’ve a refrigerator and pantry full of food so please, feel free to stop over and prepare whatever you choose from the available selection of goodies.”

“Thank you.”

“Where are you going?” Aja asked.

“For some wine,” Denise laughed.

“I thought we forgot something. Arles is closest.”

“That was the plan. We will be back shortly.”

“I think their version of a supermarket might be best,” Layla said.

“Leclerc.”

“Oui.”

Layla zipped down the two-lane highways back to Arles where they went directly to Leclerc.

“What’s for dinner?” a female salesperson asked in reply to Denise’s question about what wine to choose.

“No dinner. It’s just a gathering of friends, you know, like a yard party under the stars.”

“They are Italian and probably used to traditional old world Italian wine,” Layla smiled.

“Well then how about an Italian wine?”

“Sounds good. I am happy to see you sell Italian wine here in the heart of France’s wine country,” Denise said.

“You cannot go wrong with Sangiovese. I’m sure they’ll love it.”

“Great. How many bottles in a case?”

“Most have six bottles,” the young woman said.

“Do you have six cases?”

“Yes, but I will have to mix brands, four of one and two of another. They are both very good, very comparable.”

“Fine. We’ll be right back with a cart.”

They purchased the wine, loaded up the car, and headed back.

“Do you really think this plan is going to work?” Layla said.

“It can. I am concerned about how much violence will be required though?”

“Don’t think it can be accomplished without it?”

“We’re not dealing with compassionate, understanding people here, so no, I don’t think that is a possibility.”

“Well, we are definitely going to piss them off, and these people do not seem to show mercy when angered or crossed.”

“Then neither shall we,” Denise said in a whisper, gazing out the window at night falling on the landscape.

By the time they returned, Aja had chairs and a table set up in the yard, along with a torch on the tip of wooden pole, “To keep the bugs away,” Lucius put it. It looked as though it had been fashioned just in the time they were gone.

“I hope you like the wine we purchased,” Denise said.

“Well, nothing is going to compare exactly to the wine of Ancient Rome,” Lucilla smiled.

“It will undoubtedly be better, like everything else we have experienced,” Marcus said upon returning from carrying two cases of wine into the house.

“So what is everyone else doing?” Denise asked.

“Somehow I don’t think they will be playing Backgammon on such a gorgeous night,” Lucilla laughed. “I saw a few of them disappear into the night with blankets and a bottles of wine.”

“Sounds nice,” Layla giggled.

In short order everyone was seated, glass of wine in hand.

Denise had Aja begin by giving a brief description of what she would do to initiate the plan. Surprisingly, Quintus, Marcus and Lucius easily grasped it all.

“That is going to get their attention,” Lucilla said.

“Precisely what we want it to do. It is one sure way of commanding their utter attention,” Denise said.

“Where do we come in?” Quintus asked.

“It would be foolish to think they are all going to listen and adhere to our demands. When the dust settles, those left standing may need to be dealt with personally. That is where you will come in,” Layla said.

“And you believe this can be accomplished before the time comes for those of us who have chosen to do so must leave?” Marcus said.

“It has already begun,” Aja said. “We have spent this day putting the wheels in motion. There are some people in Rome who are going to be very, very angry when they wake up in the morning.”

“Spend this day training,” Denise said directly to Quintus and the others.

“We will plan according to Layla’s information,” Quintus said.

“I will need to meet in private with Coventina and Anna tonight.” Denise said.

“They are in the house waiting for you,” Aja said.

“Now, who would like another glass of wine,” Lucius laughed.

British Ladies

Denise went into the house alone, where Anna and Coventina sat in the living room watching a movie.

“What are you watching, the music is fabulous?” Denise asked.

“It’s called Room in Rome,” Coventina smiled.

“Interesting,” Denise said, noticing two women on a bed together nude.

“It’s a beautiful movie,” Anna smiled.

“Yes, they are,” Denise giggled.

“Would you care for some wine?” Anna asked.

“I believe I will have another glass. That salesperson was right, it is good.”

Anna returned from the kitchen with her glass of wine.

“I understand things are about to, heat up if you will,” Coventina said.

“It’s already begun. Tomorrow it will be necessary for us to be in Paris for most of the day.”

“Paris. I’ve never been to Paris,” Anna sighed.

“Have either of you decided on what you will do, you know, when the time comes to stay or go?”

“If we survive this, I am leaving with Quintus,” Coventina said.

Anna shook her head and began to cry. “I cannot leave without knowing my family is safe.”

“And if I assured you they would be?” Denise asked.

“I would not hesitate to go. I don’t know how I could stay all things considered,” she said, reaching for Coventina’s hand.

“Well then ladies, I suggest you start making your preparations to depart.”

Denise explained what she was already doing to have Anna’s family secretly relocated like those in a witness protection program, only better. This would completely set them up anew in total secrecy ala AC, in America.

“I hope they will go for relocating,” Anna said.

“They already have,” Denise said. “Tomorrow they will be on their way to the United States where they will have a friend take them under wing to get them situated.”

“I must be able to see them before,” Anna’s voice trailed off.

“You shall.”

“Denise, will Quintus be in danger throughout this?” Coventina asked.

“There is some degree of danger for each of us in every waking moment,” Denise said.

“That is true.”

“That said, it is an imperfect world, and these are extremely imperfect individuals. We shall prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.”

“When I was a little girl, I believe I saw this all coming. I cannot explain it exactly, because I did not know what it actually was,” Coventina said. “Somehow, I have known that my life would change dramatically. So you see, I think it might be easier for me to be adjusting to all this, because I’ve been expecting it.”

“When I was young, I knew something amazing was out there, headed straight for me,” Denise said. She went on to explain all she and Layla had been through finding the kidnapped crewmembers of the Tyrine.

“You’re like angels,” Anna said.

“Oh, we’re no angels,” Denise laughed.

“What can we do to help?” Coventina asked.

“We have something very important for the two of you, and Diana and Maria to do.”

“But of course Denise.”

“Now, let’s enjoy the rest of this glorious night. Come on, there is a gorgeous star filled sky tonight,” Denise smiled.

Her eyes were attracted to the television screen, where the two women in the movie had moved to the balcony, as the sun came up over the view of Rome from their room.

The morning is going to bring us a very busy day,
she thought,
very busy indeed.

Roman Morning

The sky was awash with magnificent shades of yellow, orange, blue and grey, the few puffy clouds east of the city framing the rising sun on the blazing horizon. It promised to be a beautiful summer day in Rome.

Rosina Stucco, who had a hard time sleeping at all, was the first to notice that she was no longer a rich woman. She stared in disbelief at the computer screen that showed a $100.47 balance in her offshore account. That disbelief turned into an onslaught of ideas about how this could be possible, which quickly gave way to rage.

“Rosina knows,” Aja said before taking another sip of her coffee.

“Let the games begin,” Layla smiled.

“Action!” Denise said.

It wasn’t long before she was banging on the door of Aaron Surdul, one of her partners in crime.

“What is it, what’s wrong?” he shouted through the intercom.

“Let me the fuck in goddammit, we have to talk.”

“Stop beating on the door, I’ll be right down. Fuck.”

Aaron walked towards the front door slowly, pistol in hand. He always felt uneasy around Rosina. “What could this psycho want?” he whispered to himself. He moved a drape slightly and peeked out to the window to make sure she was alone, before unlocking and opening the door.

“Rosina, what is it, why are you so upset?”

“A gun. You greet me with a gun? Perhaps I should be pointing a gun at you,” she said between clenched teeth, walking right in without an invitation. After locking the door Aaron turned to see a pistol in her hands pointing at him.

“Fuck Rosina, put that fucking thing away and tell me why you are so fucking upset would you?”

“I want you to get online NOW and check your offshore account,” she demanded.

“Okay. I don’t have a problem with that, but can you tell me why and will you PLEASE put that fucking gun away?”

She lowered the Baretta 92 and it disappeared unto the folds of her jacket.

“Now. Please get online and check your account.”

He walked over to a table his laptop was on. “Have a seat, over there.”

She did as he asked, staring at him impatiently.

“You better have a good explanation for this Rosina, I just got in a few hours ago and I am beat.”

Aaron logged in to his account. When he looked at his balance his stomach felt like he had been kicked in it, his heart beating so fast it felt like it would pop out of his chest. “Cosa succeed se il cazzo é questo?”

“Tell me Aaron, TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE,” Rosina shouted.

“What the fuck is this Rosina?”