Stop the block: writing contest

Challenge #7 (part 2)

"Leave us." Aufidius ordered the other men out.

Caius shot him a grateful look as they left, leaving only Caius, Olivia, Victoria, William and Aufidius in the room. Aufidius moved to the back of the room, allowing the family to greet each other.

Caius couldn't believe that they were all there. He had missed them all dearly. He sat back down, as Olivia advanced on him, her face somber and movements slow.

Olivia sat down on her husband's lap, as they looking into each other's eyes: neither wanting to look away. Her emerald eyes searching his azure ones.

"Like a dull actor, I fear I have forgotten my part." Caius said with a low chuckle.

Olivia delicately placed her hand on his cheek, feeling his stubble rubbing against her palm and he leaned into the touch, as he placed his hand over hers. She gave him a small smile, which he quickly returned, before leaning in and pressing her lips against his in a slow, tender kiss. They took a moment to bask in the others love and affection before pulling away.

"Oh, a kiss" Caius breathed, as he tucked a strand of Olivia's raven hair behind her ear, "as long as my exile, and as sweet as my revenge."

Olivia gave a sad smile before standing to bow before him. Caius stared at her in shock,

"What is that curtsy worth?" Caius asked quietly, as he stood from his chair.

Olivia did not answer, keeping her eyes on the floor as she continued to bow. Caius placed his hand under her chin, tilting her head up to face him.

"Or those doves' eyes, that could make even the most stubborn man obey your every whim." Caius's voice broke and his bottem lip trembled as he continued to stare at her, "I melt, and I am no stronger than any other man." Olivia stayed in her bow, never moving.

Victoria then stepped forward, as William stood by the door, and addressed her son.

"Oh my dearest boy, my only son." Victoria called as she too kneeled before him, "I kneel before you."

"You kneel to me?" Caius asked voice devoid of any emotion, "To your corrected son?"

Victoria stood, as did Olivia, and beckoned William forward,

"This child, your child, looks up to you for guidance and support. You are supposed to teach him the rights and wrongs of this world," Caius flinched slightly at his mother's words, "He hopes to grow up and become like you. In his azure eyes you are a hero." Victoria finished in a small voice, as William sank down on his knees before his father.

"That's my brave boy." Caius said, a small smile on his face, as he rubbed his son's golden blonde hair.

"Why are you here?" Caius asked them. "What do you want? If it is to dismiss my soldiers, and go back with you then you might as well leave now."

"We ask for nothing, because you have already denied our wishes before we have even spoken them." Victoria told her son. "But if you shall not listen, the blame for all your wrong doings will hang on your shoulders, and yours alone, so hear us." Victoria voice and resolve grew stronger with every word, so that by the end of her speech, her voice reverberated around the room.

"Very well." Caius said, knowing better that to anger his mother further, as he once again took his seat, "Your request?"

"Even if we remain silent, and do not speak." Victoria started cautiously, "Our physical appearance would show you how we have dealt with your absence." it was true, both Victoria and Olivia, though it was more noticeable with Olivia, were much slimmer and paler than before. Caius felt his mothers words pierce his heart like a dagger, "And how your presence, that should make our eyes flow with joy and hearts dance with comfort, makes us weep and shake with fear, and sorrow." Caius tried to to flinch as his mother continued, "Making the mother, wife, and child see the son, husband, and father tearing his country's bowels out!" Victoria cried with a sob. "But you will not listen to us, will you? Not even to me, the woman who brought you into this world."

"Or me." Olivia cried, voice filled with anger, "who bore your son. The child you so desperately wanted."

Caius wiped away a stray tear, before he stood and said,

"I have stayed too long." He turned to leave the room but Victoria grabbed a hold of his arm, forcing him to stay.

"We are not asking you to betray these people," Victoria cried, gesturing towards Aufidius, "we ask you to make peace! To show both sides a better way. Show them that this conflict can be solved without the use of violence." Caius turns from her, unable to bare the look of frantic horror in her eyes, "He turns away!" Victoria shouted to Olivia, "Down, child down! We will shame him with our knees!"

Victoria hurried to Olivia's side, and all three fell to their knees. Caius watched them with tears in his eyes as his mother cried from her place on the floor, like a wounded animal, "End this!"

Caius said nothing. Eventually Victoria stood and looked at him, as her tears stained her cheeks. She stared at him and nodded.

"Well then we shall go back home." Victoria's voice was quiet as she helped Olivia and William to their feet, "and die with our neighbours, and our country." Caius's tears fell freely down his face.

"Come," Victoria said, holding out her hand for her grandson's, "let's go home."

As they they turned to leave Caius stepped forward and took his mother's hand in his,

"Oh mother." His voice was horse and weak as he spoke, "mother, what have you done?" They looked at each other, and saw their own eyes staring back at them, "Mother, you have won a happy victory today." Victoria let out a relieved laugh as she hugged her son.

As they pulled away Olivia ran and embraced her husband, their son by her side.

"I love you." Caius whispered into her ear, "never forget that."

Then he leaned down and picked up his son, holding him in his arms and kissed his forehead. After a moment he handed his son back to his wife and bid them all farewell.

"What peace would you have Aufidius? Advise me." Caius asked after his mother, wife and child had left.

"I do not advise traitors!" Aufidius shouted in anger, making Caius turn in surprise.

"Traitor?" Caius asked in complete and utter shock.

"Yes traitor Martius!" Aufidius cried out, "I took you in, made you my partner, gave you my best men to use as you wished and now you talk of peace? Is that how you repay me? By throwing away our victory? At their tears?" Aufidius points to the door were his wife and mother had left, "At their tears, that are as cheap as lies, you whined and roared away your victory!" The men that had been dismissed earlier came barreling in, wondering what was going on.

"I am giving you a chance at peace!" Caius roared back at him, taking the gun from his belt and pointing it at him.

There was a beat of silence as they stared at each other, then Caius threw his gun to the floor.

"Kill me if you must, but I will not fight you. I can't. I've grown tired of anger and blood shed."

"My rage is gone and I am struck with sorrow." Aufidius said, face genuinely contorted with pain and anguish, "let him die for it!"

The others kicked and punched Caius to the ground as Aufidius watched. Once he was down they chained his ankle up and hoisted him into the air.

"This is my fault." Aufidius cried, "for ever thinking that we could trust you."

Caius struggled to free himself from the bindings around his foot but it was no use. Aufidius walked up to him, taking a dagger from his belt. He waisted no time in driving the knife into Caius's gut. Caius let out a guttural cry as the blood ran from the wound and down onto the floor. After a few moment Aufidius pulled the knife down his stomach, followed by another agonising scream, not stopping until the blade hit off Caius's breast bone.

"You have widowed many women in this city, and have snatched away so many fathers, and sons. Think of this as us repaying the favour." Aufidius called out, his hands stained crimson, as he watched Caius Martius bleed out onto the wooden floor.