ONC 2023 Shortlister & Nano Watt 2023 Shortlist Novella
Inspired by the prompt: 28: Stumped on a history assignment, you stumble across a time machine that will bring you back to the time period you're studying.
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It all began with...
The only battlefield I had ever experienced was when everyone would rush to be first in line at the cafeteria back in high school.
However, Cleopatra's battlefield was worse.
She practically dug her toes into her sandals trying to ground me from running away as the eyes of sixty-six men bore into my soul. I almost feared they would know I wasn't the Cleopatra they knew.
Julius allowed himself to relax after seeing me or at least I think it was me because his gaze was on Brutus as well.
Cleopatra began to move me forward and as I stalked through the hall, I felt the senator's eyes like daggers in my back.
Julius's features were neutral as I stepped beside him and sat on a seat just below him. Brutus sat on the one opposite mine.
"We need you to take action instead of cowering away from the colonies," a man called out and my mind started calculating responses provided by Cleopatra.
So, she would partake in the senator's meetings. I gazed around and noticed the only other women present were those in servitude.
That was pathetic. I felt my anger stir but I managed to keep cool. Cleopatra was handling the situation. She seemed worried that I'd mess up so I decided she should take over for a little while.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. A little while wouldn't hurt as long as I remembered Marcus.
"The only reason you hesitate is because of..." The man that spoke let his thoughts linger in the air.
My eyes snapped open, landing on him, calm and collected as usual. Finally, I could breathe again, in a way that felt comfortingly familiar.
"Because of what, Longinus?" I asked.
He scoffed, his face twisted into a sneer as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Because of your people. They have been interfering with the colonies, causing revolts!"
"My people are merely merchants who travel to colonies seeking work or are forced into slavery by your people. Your colonies' economy would be nothing without my people."
Longinus's cheeks streaked with red as his gaze shifted to Brutus.
"The slaves we have acquired from Egypt and placed in the colonies work well to keep the economy running. I am sceptical of the merchants but as selfish as most of them are, they have been generously financing us with whatever we endeavour to do with Rome. Furthermore, soldiers trained from those captured worked well against the Gaulish. The Egyptians are nimble and make good spies," Brutus explained. Longinus rolled his eyes, sitting back down as the rest of the senators agreed with Brutus.
I looked up and prayed for Thoth to help me.
"Though, I do agree with you." Brutus's eyes briefly drifted to me through his scowl. "Some Egyptians do pose a threat that needs to be dealt with."
Even though I tried to keep my face blank I couldn't stop the smirk tugging at my lips. "Is that statement directed at any particular Egyptians in the room?" I turned to Brutus flashing him a smile, baring my metaphorical fangs.
His left eyebrow twitched slightly as he glanced back at Julius, watching the both of us, and then back at me.
"Make of it what you will," he grumbled as the next senator stood up mentioning some sort of farming difficulties.
Brutus sighed heavily, having heard the same request several times before. "I hear you Demetrios, but we simply–"
"Julius, I propose we have a look at the fields," I interrupted. "From the sound of it, it seems the locust that infests Egypt's soil has moved onto Rome's. Even the pests aim to build an empire as you Romans have."
I enjoyed the amount of glares that earned from the senators at the thought of being compared to little bugs.
Except Demetrios, who smiled at me and nodded appreciatively. He had approached me on the topic beforehand since none of the other senators would give him a chance because he was one of the youngest editions.
Julius nodded, making a note of this on the papyrus in front of him on the desk. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Brutus glance over at me with distaste.
His eyes landed back on Demetrios. "See me later and we shall discuss a plan of action."
"If I may," I held up my hand to cut Brutus off. "My people happen to be well-versed in dealing with the locust and I would be more than happy to offer their skills and remedies to get this done as soon as possible."
Julius narrowed his eyes in deep contemplation. "I will hand this over to you, Cleopatra."
Brutus's shoulder sank ever so slightly. "How do we know it isn't the Egyptian's fault in the first place?"
Julius shot him a look that caused Brutus to straighten his back, his mask slipping back on.
"Even if they did, they are more than willing to rectify the situation."
My jaw clenched. Julius defended us but he didn't say we weren't to blame either.
Sensing my sudden withdrawal, he glanced over and his gaze softened. I felt myself ease up. Julius didn't have much choice, especially since most of his court had begun to turn against him.
As the meeting continued, I felt a stare on me that I couldn't quite shake. It sent a shiver down my spine as I tried to concentrate on Julius whilst he read back his minutes from the meeting and concluded with a speech.
I felt the eyes bore deeper into me and I turned to find Longinus watching me with an amused look on his annoying face. He raised his eyebrows as he smirked and gave me a small wave.
I narrowed my eyes. That little wave. Octavian does the exact same wave.
