Fineae stood at the reling of the little ship. The battles against the cilicians were a success and now it was possible for the Romans to bargain with them.

Along the way it had been possible to get to know the Teutones and forge close links to them. Friedly relations between the Head of States will assure a long Friendships of the states she hopes.

Fineae was pleased about these results of the battles. She didn't like wars and battles but sometimes they were nessessary.

On the way home she thought about making games with all of the friends of the Etruscians. With a little bit of sorrow she thought about the battles between the Teutones and the Belgians. Both friends of Etruria. Would they both come to games together without fighting?

Fineae sighed. It stayed just the same: she disliked wars.
One friend against the other.

She stared out to the sea until she heard some steps on the bord and turned around...

Lars Porsenna, King of the federated Etruscan city-states, careens over his flagship, reflecting the last events. He hates the dark green sea. and he is pleased about the circumstance, moving home to the fertile plains left and right the Padus, where the wheat is growing at this time and the heights are full of vine.

The Cilician war was over, Shazirs warriors had been smashed either by Romans and Teutons on Cyprus, the rich island known for it's copper, and Etruscans at the coast of Asia Minor. The King was proud of his warriors, disciplined and well trained as they are.

Reflecting this, he find his wife, Lady Fineae, standing at the railing of the galley, sighing. Porsenna moved the few meters and takes place left to her at the railing. And he whispers after a long look into her lovely face:

Queen of my heart, you are looking so gravely. What is depressing you? We are on the way home, the war finished successful and our daughters will await us in Verona. So it seems, there are no sorrows or am I wrong?

Fineae turned around and looked into her husbands eyes. She smiled.

"I'm not depressed my beloved king. I'm just thinking of this, thinking of that."

She looked into his eyes and giggled.

"Do you think our daughters will miss us? I don't think so. They will enjoy their time free from their parents. Free from all maintenance of order and decent education."

Fineae gave Lars a wink, hugged him and gave him a kiss.

Afterwards she stepped back and got a little bit more seriously.

"I thought about our games. I've been waiting for these games for so long. Do you think there will be a problem between our participents? I don't want anyone to break down my beloved plans of this wonderful games."

Lars takes place beside her and lays an arm around her hip. "Oh I'm sure that our friend Gaius Julius and some of his Ligurian nobles and warriors will visit Verona. It will be a great event. I'm sure about." he said and gave her a kiss onto her neck.

Less stimulant discussions with Germanicus, the Etruscan Locum about open questions of the administration followed. At last he hand over a message to his King. Lars read the report of one of his Locums spies. He told that some warriors and nobles of former Cilician nation under a leader, named Tiglatpilesar I., left their people and march with families and all their belongings northwards. But their destination is fameless. What are they search for? A new home or a new army to lead it against Italy?

The days of sea are one and the same. Warriors become bored.

The short fight was over. Sabina lay onto the deck of the etruscan galley and was ashamed about her fast defeat. Pontius, Protector of the Aquileia province has had chosen Sabina for a trainings duel. The Protector fought hard and within seconds the duel was over and she can't look into his face as he gave his fierce criticism to her. The laughter of the bystanders sounds in her ears. With utmost courage she did suppress the impulse to run away under deck.

At last! Back in Verona! It must have been ages! My garden must be badly neglected. That Lars...what is he thinking??? Protecting Rome is a good thing, but has he ever considered the consequences for my beet? He hasn't of course. He's not the thinking type of guy, I guess. It makes me a little sad, that it wasn't me, who paid it back. Hehe...it was satisfying anyway, seeing that joke of a king resting on the railing struggling against his seasickness. Next time you better think twice before hunting corsairs, my ashen-faced majesty!

Kralle watched narrowly as he rode in a good distance to the royal couple.

She's so different than his other concubines and he gets more angry than you try to rob her instead of robbing the others. He also acts completely different than she's around. I wonder what she has done to him...
Maybe that's what they call love...

Kralle became sad while he thought about it. He looked around and saw Pontius and Sabina chatting and obviously having a good time with each other.

Everybody has someone to talk to. What about me? I just got my abominable tasting beet in Verona. I feel lonely...

Opa Kralle started: "Man, I need one of Lars'concubines tonight!". And he yelling this he claps spurs to his horse setting course to the part of the impedimenta, where the concubines used to stay. All the warriors he passed by laughed lustily.

The only warriors who doesn't seem to be amused were the vilely swearing king and Opa Kralle himself, who knew he wanted something else.

Sabina laid onto the deck of the galley, being part of the Etruscan fleet. His critique was harsh but accurate. Pontius know about the circumstance not being one of the crack warriors like Lars Porsenna, Lady Fineae, Germanicus or Opa Kralle. But he had to learn good fighting after his escape from Samnium. And he want to hand this profession to young warriors like Sabina. He stops the laughter of the bystanders immediately. Not to humble her was his intention, but to train this young female warrior.He followed her then and says to her.

Sabina, are you willing to train hard? This is a dangerous world and if we have to go into battle again you should be able to fight your enemy successful. I will train with you every day until the day you defeat me in duel. Take this long spear instead your quarterstaff.

And he handed over the weapon to her.

She wiped some tears off her face covertly and cogotates about his words. She knows him as a silent man, unable to make bad jokes with others. And after all she heard about him, unable to smile. It was a good offer of him, cause Sabina knows exactly about her weak skills. But she do'nt know to be strong enough for daily torture.

After a minute or more of time Sabina turns around and looks into his face. Pontius brown eyes are watching her warmly. Anything has changed, but she did'nt know what. But the imagination to be near to him every day puts a warm spark into her heart.

So she answered with a look onto the spear:

Well protector, I accept your generous offer and will train hardly with you.

The entering of Verona was a very festive event. Pontius walk side by side with Sabina through the mainstreet to the Kings castle. The citizens gave a warm salute to the victorious warriors.

Pontius looks consistently to Sabina beside him. Her slight figure, the long black hair and the beautiful nose were outshined by her wide brown eyes, watching the world so gracious as if there was no evil. Like a cute little mouse not knowing about cats. The impulse to protect her creeped over him. So Pontius walked very contemplative through the town until they arrived the castle.

Some hours later Pontius meets Sabina to train. It was disastrous again. She poked him two times with her spear, but within a minute she was defeated.

We have a long way to go, Sabina.

What a reception in Verona! All the citizens, not only from Verona. People from all etruscan towns are watching the entering army of their King. Lars Porsenna and his Queen, Lady Fineae, are leading the entrance. Sabina had only eyes for the festive decorations, the children, jubilating and laughing. What an event. She barely noticed Pontius beside her. There were so many things to see.

After entering the castle, Sabina meets Pontius for to train. In short time she was defeated again and her body paines all around.

She answered him disheartend:

Mylord protector, I am unsure to be strong enough to be a worthy warrior. It seems I should go back to my parents goats. May be I am able to herd them.