7 Lord Emperor Aurelius

7 LORD EMPEROR AURELIUS "March!" the centurion ordered. He pointed toward the back gate. With the centurion leading them and horsemen on either side, Jack and Annie started down the road. The midday sun still shone brightly, but the wind had picked up. Jack shivered from the cold—and from fear. He'd read about Roman emperors. Some were ruthless and cruel. Some were truly insane. All of them got rid of their enemies, one way or another. "I wish we could find our guy on the black horse," Jack said in a low voice to Annie. "Before they find him." "I'm sure he wasn't a spy," said Annie.

"Me too," said Jack. "But who was he? And where did he go?" "Quiet!" yelled a horseman. The centurion led them through the back gate. They stepped out onto the training field. "Oh, man," whispered Jack. On the field, the whole legion stood in parade formation. Six thousand armored warriors were lined up in perfect rows. The warriors were as still as statues. Each held a red-and-gold shield with his left hand and a spear with his right. Trumpeters stood near the head of the parade. In front of them was a warrior carrying the legion's red flag. In front of him was a man carrying a pole with a statue of a gold eagle on top. "To the imperial tent!" the centurion ordered Jack and Annie. He pointed to a large red tent on the far side of the field. A cluster of guards stood around the entrance.

"Double time!" the centurion said. As Jack and Annie hurried toward the tent, Jack grew even more scared. Annie seemed scared, too. "Have you read much about Roman emperors?" she asked Jack. "A little," said Jack. "What did you learn?" said Annie. "They're…okay," said Jack. "Don't worry." "I'm not worried," said Annie. "I know we'll be fine!" "Right!" said Jack. Annie never gives up hope, he thought. He liked that. When they reached the entrance of the tent, the centurion dismounted. "We have come to see the emperor!" he said to the guards. "We have captured two spies." "Yes. Your messenger told us," said a guard. "He is with the emperor now. You may enter."

The guard pulled back the flap of the red tent. The centurion led Jack and Annie inside. It was warm inside the tent. A fire was burning in a small iron stove. Tall candles cast shadows on silk curtains and woven carpets. Statues and maps were everywhere. The messenger Zeno stood at attention. Near him, a man sat on a heavy wooden chair set on a platform. He wore a long purple cloak with a gold clasp at the shoulder. His light brown hair and beard were curly.

The centurion bowed before the man.

"My Lord Emperor Aurelius," he said. "Hail, Junius," said the emperor. "Our camp has been invaded by spies, my lord," said the centurion. "I have captured these two, and I believe there is a third hiding among us." "Yes. The messenger you sent has warned me," the emperor said. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Jack and Annie. His piercing gaze reminded Jack of something…. Was it the golden eagle on the lamppost at dawn? "I'm—I'm sorry, my Lord Aurelius," stammered Jack. "We'd like to explain—" Before Jack could go on, Annie burst out laughing. "Oh, wow!" she said. "What?" said Jack. "I can't believe it!" said Annie. She gave the emperor a big grin. "Hail, friend!" Has Annie lost her mind? Jack wondered. "Stop! What's wrong with you?" he whispered.