Clapping

The sound I heard echoing from the balcony above us was the sound of many people clapping. Then I heard a voice echo out from above that I instantly recognized as the governors, "Bravo General, Bravo. Excellent performance, I think you finally satisfied even the insatiable Lusia."

People had been watching my liaison with Lusia? I did not know whether to be mad, proud, and just plain embarrassed. I decided to be mad, "What in the name of Mars are you people doing? Has the world become so perverse that even a man's sexual privacy is invaded by the cheap voyeurism of the mob? You all disgust me!"

Lusia stood rearranging her dress to cover that perfect body and tried to comfort me. "General it is all in sport, people are just enjoying being alive. You did not embarrass me or yourself. Quite the contrary you performed quite above my expectations."

I turned and glared at her, my rage growing as she spoke. "You did not care that your husband was watching? That does not seem odd to you?"

She answered me with haughty bitchiness. "My husband would rather he know where I am than wonder who I am with. The arrangement works for us."

I looked at her and realized that I was very glad not to be married to such a woman. Then I looked at the rest of the dumbstruck crowd who lined the balcony. My rage fled and was replaced by depression. I could not fight the will of the people, the will of the mob who needed entertainment to remain passive.

I turned to take my leave of the party. I had had enough of people for one night and I needed to get out in the clear, clean air to clear my mind. I strode from the hall, I could hear the governor behind me, "Wait general, please do not go. Let me explain."

I was in no mood to talk and I quickly separated myself from the govenor's pleas for me to stop. I walked past all of the happy people. Some of my men saw my striding past and knew from the look on my face that something was not right. One of them stood and called out to me, "General is there anything you need us to do?"

"No Trastius, I answered him. It is something personal. Nothing you need be concerned with. Then addressing them I said, "You men enjoy yourselves, I will see you tomorrow." Then after a slight pause for dramatic effect I added, "Very late in the day."

With that they all laughed and gave a little cheer.

My mood slightly lifted I continued heading towards the front of the door to head back to Olivia's house. Hopefully I could find it; I had not paid real good attention as Olivia had walked me over. I was too busy enjoying the sight of her beauty.

I hit the road and headed off in what I thought was the correct direction. I was walking fast, like a legionnaire on the march, and my mind roiled with thoughts. 'Why were people such perverse idiots? Were these the people I risked my life defending? Lusia seemed like a nice person, yet she did not mind fucking in public, even in front of her husband! How did any of this make sense?"

Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by the realization that I was no longer alone. About 150 yards behind me I heard footsteps. My idle thoughts were forgotten and I slipped into to combat mode. I gripped the dagger at my belt and prepared to defend myself.