5.2 Nereus

After consideration, you decide it may be more advantageous to visit the higher positioned man. Keeping your head low, you make your way towards the temples. When not meeting at their official venue, many of the leaders are known to gather at these holy sites. After arriving you're relieved to find it's relatively easy to maintain a low profile. The sparse group of people that have also decided to visit seem fairly preoccupied. The first temple you enter has a bit more people gathered inside. However, they all seem to be there with the intent to pray and worship. Quietly slipping back out, you continue your search. The next few temples disappointingly end up resulting with similar finds. It appears you may have inadvertently come at the incorrect time. Feeling increasingly discouraged, you resolve to look in one last temple before resigning for the day. Attempting not to completely lose hope, you try to convince yourself your efforts will be fruitful. This hope begins to dissipate when you approach the secluded structure and are greeted by silence. Frowning, you slowly peer through the wide entrance and confirm it is indeed devoid of people. After stepping inside, you exhale dejectedly. The noise reverberates across the small, empty chamber. Moving in further, you stop before the large altar at the far end of the room.

You absentmindedly trace your fingers across the rough stone slab. Lost in thought, you startle visibly when the sudden sound of footsteps fall on the ground behind you. Turning quickly, you tense slightly when you see an unfamiliar man entering the temple. "I did not mean to alarm you." He says curtly after seeing you. Glancing warily under the edge of your hood, you look over the part of him that isn't obscured. Seeing his well-built frame makes you wonder if he may be a military man. The deep tan covering his muscular body implies he has spent considerable time in the sun. Tilting your head slightly, you're able to catch a better glimpse of his face. He appears to be slightly older than you, or has at least lived a harder life. His brown eyes look analytical and you hurriedly avoid their gaze. His dark hair is cropped short, making it hard to tell the exact color. Casting your gaze back down, you shake your head slightly before replying, "I am fine." The man folds his arms over his chest then comments, "It is not often that I see a woman in the temple of Mars." Furrowing your brow, you glance back at the statue behind you and realize he is correct. You suppose primarily men would visit the god of war, especially after services. Tilting your head back down in his direction, you feel compelled to offer an explanation.

"It seemed to be more quiet back here." You state evenly, choosing to use a half-truth. The man doesn't reply and continues standing in front of the entrance. Shifting uneasily, your anxiety increases with each moment that passes. Eventually, unable to take the silence any longer, you speak up again. "I highly doubt I am the first female you have seen here." You assert, slightly exacerbated. There's a small pause before the man uncrosses his arms and begins to step forward. Tensing further, you find yourself without room to retreat as he approaches. "You are quite defensive, considering I did not question your presence here." He muses in a low tone, only stopping again after he is uncomfortably close to your frame. Ducking your head down, you grimace lightly as you realize your mistake. Remaining silent would have likely been a better option. Now you've only served to make yourself appear guilty or at least untrustworthy. "I do not need to defend myself." You retort after a moment, trying to remain leveled. "I will leave if it is that great of a deal to you." When you move to step around him, you're blocked by his large arm. "It would be inadmissible for me to allow the Empress to continue about unescorted." Your eyes widen in surprise at his words and you quickly draw back again.

"You are mistaken." You bluff weakly, losing confidence in your ability to lie to the man. Out of the corner of your eye, you see his body shift slightly as his posture straightens further. When his hand reaches out in your direction, you gasp in protest but are unable to dodge him. His fingers curl around the back of your hood then he roughly pulls it down. Wincing softly after your face is exposed, you hesitantly turn to face the man. "I cannot imagine the council would approve of you traipsing about the city unguarded." His tone is stern as is his expression. The reprimanding comment only serves to evoke a twinge of annoyance. "I fail to see how that is your personal concern." You counter, while sharply drawing away from his large form. You attempt to move past him, but are once more stopped. This time he brusquely places his hand against your shoulder, forcing you to remain in place. "As a member of the Senate, it is my sworn duty to oversee the protection of our nation." He informs you, negating your earlier assumptions about his position. "How would it appear if something were to befall you this close to elections?" Frowning again, you glance briefly at the hand on your shoulder then back at him. "You may have an influential position." You state, trying to sound more authoritative than you feel. "However, I do not answer to you."

An almost amused look passes across his slightly rugged face. "For the time being." He remarks, thoughtfully while regarding you acutely. His words are initially confusing until a moment of realization strikes. "You are Nereus." Your words are more of an observation than a question. Regardless, the man tilts his chin in affirmation. The crease in your brow furrows as you take another look over his figure. While the material of his cloth is undeniably lavish, the cut and style is surprisingly simple. His understated appearance is unlike the extravagant style you would expect to see on a politician. As if sensing your skepticism, he scoffs under his breath. "You sound disappointed, Empress." There's a slight edge to his voice and the fingers on your shoulder dig into your skin. Masking your discomfort, you match his intense stare. "I have little opinion one way or the other." A sardonic smile comes over Nereus' face, looking somewhat out of place with his otherwise serious expression. "I find that hard to believe." He retorts pointedly, taking a step closer to your wary form. "Seeing as I am the purpose for your visit." Your heart plunges to your stomach at his response and you're unable to suppress your surprise. "How do you know that?" You demand softly, as your anxiety steadily increases.