Just Short of Nero

351


He was the ultimate destroyer. A megalomaniac who reveled in the quake, left little untouched and applauded the gods of natural disasters.

“I never imagined he was this evil. Overzealous? Yes, but not a dark and deeply disturbed individual.” She paced the hall frantically.

“Come on now. That’s a melodramatic simplification.”

“That’s not what the people say.”

I rolled my eyes. “The people are prone to exaggeration.”

She finally stopped wearing down the imprinted tile. “Then what would you say?”

“I admit he’s a bit out of control but to call him evil would be unfair. You dined with him just the other day. Can you honestly, with all your being, label him a devil?”

She began pacing again. “Well no but something must be done. The Senate would have him killed if they had their way and he wasn’t so feared. I am at a complete loss.”

I crossed my arms nonchalantly. “He just needs to be exposed to an honorable and true heart. Give him that and his thirst for destruction will wane.”

“I do not follow.”

I took a deep breath to release the agitation. “Love my dear woman, love. He needs a happiness that will cause him to cherish life.”

Rushing to stand a few inches in front of me she grabbed my arm and whispered, “You. You are known to make him happy.” The desperation in her face rattled my core.

I slowly shook my head. “I am by no definition honorable. Besides I am not the one seen by the oracle.”

She exasperated a sigh of defeat and released her grip on me. “Then who?”

“That is all I know. Sorry.” We both froze at the deep bellow of the alpenhorn. She looked at me, the tears hot behind her hazel eyes.

Her voice was small and shaky. “Another public execution. I…I don’t know what to do anymore.” She lowered her head.

Placing a hand upon her I tried to convince her that, “We will make it through this. The empire will make it through this.” Lowering my voice I said to myself, “Somehow.”