Farther Side of Away

Farther Side of Away

By

Signy Cullen

PUBLISHED BY:

Signy Cullen on Smashwords

Farther Side of Away

Copyright © 2013 by Signy Cullen

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

To my best friend Danielle Thamasa

To my family

To all who encouraged me

But most of all, to all who doubt me in anything

My sincerest thanks to my best friend Danielle Thamasa. If it wasn’t for you, I would probably have never tried to finish writing this and I might never have finished it. And thank you for the cover photo. Thank you to my parents for believing I could do this. Thank you to my online friends who helped with editing. Thank you to my friends from school who have cheered me on during these last few months. Of course, a sincere thank you to anyone who ever reads this, whether you hate the book or like it. Just to know that someone has read this fulfills my dream of being a writer. Whatever comes next, I am proud to have been able to have done this.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1- The Spark of (R)Evolution

Chapter 2- A Mere Mortal

Chapter 3- Our Loved Ones

Chapter 4- The Lying Game

Chapter 5- Waiting Through History

Chapter 6- The Fall of the Queen

Chapter 7- Awake

Chapter 8- The Ultimate Betrayal

Chapter 9- The Beginning

Chapter 10- A Talk in Gethsemane

Chapter 11- Into the West

Chapter 12- A Bloody Revolution

Chapter 13- My Crown

Chapter 14- The Russian Winter

Chapter 15- Body Count Rising

Chapter 16- A Bloody Revolution Revisited

Chapter 17- Empire of the Undead

Chapter 18- A Chance

Chapter 19- The Return

Chapter 20- Flawed Design

Chapter 21- Making a Connection

Chapter 22- Meeting

Chapter 23- Honesty

Chapter 24- The Undead Attack

Chapter 25- Abel

Chapter 26- For the Love of a Queen

Chapter 27- Seven Years

Chapter 28- Betrayal & Desolation

Chapter 29- The Hardest Fall

Chapter 30- Peace

Chapter 31- Higher Than Hope

About the Author

Farther Side of Away

Chapter 1: The Spark of (R)Evolution

Rome- The Ides of March, 44 BC

Rome stood quiet in the early morning. The only people on the streets at this hour were Roman guards. A heavy pressure hung in the air, as if the city could feel what was coming.

One of the Romans tasked with standing guard was a young man by the name of Gabriel. As the guards stood watch, he was quickly making his way through the mostly empty streets, hurrying towards the home of his father and mother-in-law, the great and noble Adam and Eva Augustus.

He heard the whispers in the dark of the morning and he knew that Adam would want to be told of coming events immediately. Gabriel came to the gates of the large villa that housed the couple and a few of their daughters, nervously pushing through the gates. He crossed the courtyard, the sound of his heavy footsteps bounced off the walls around him, announcing his presence to any who might be awake at this ungodly hour.

He made his way into the house as quietly as he could knowing full well that some of the sleeping women in the house would not wish to be woken so early. Gabriel did not wish to face the wrath of his mother-in-law. Eva had a notorious temper.

The man he sought would not be sleeping. Adam slept very little these days. Gabriel wasn’t sure why, but he had a feeling that his father-in-law suffered from nightmares. Gabriel’s wife Sherah often whispered that her father found solace only in the arms of his wife Eva. Without her beside him, he was a restless sleeper.

Adam was a commander in the Roman Army. He had fought alongside Gaius Julius Caesar for many years and now he fought for Caesar. As head of the family and the house, he was strict and he possessed quite a temper.

Gabriel could still remember the day he married Sherah quite vividly. The ceremony went well, but during the dinner afterwards, Adam became angrier with every drink. By the end of the night, he was in Gabriel’s face promising the young man that he would snap his neck in a second if Gabriel betrayed Sherah in any manner. It took many years for Adam to come to terms with the marriage and even still, he was often short and curt with Gabriel. He still found himself often terrified of his father-in-law. One wrong move and he was sure Adam would take his head as he once promised.

Most of Rome and the surrounding area were very aware of the great Adam Augustus. He and his family appeared in Rome almost twenty years previous and they quickly established themselves as a family of note. While Adam was a great warrior and keen businessman, his wife Eva was a quiet, yet formidable woman. Any woman of worth in Rome wanted to be Eva’s friend or even just wished to be seen with her in public.

The family was treated almost like royalty in many aspects.

Gabriel found Adam in his study, reading. He waited in the doorway patiently for the older man to acknowledge him. While he waited, he took several deep breaths and attempted to gather his thoughts.

Gabriel, what brings you at this hour? Adam asked without looking up from his papers. Gabriel had grown accustomed to Adam’s icy exterior, but it still made him nervous. Adam, for his part, enjoyed making his son-in-law uncomfortable.

Forgive the intrusion, Adam. I hear whispers of blood in the senate come morning, the young guard informed his father-in-law. His voice hovered just above a whisper, but it was steady, unlike his growing nerves.

Adam proved to be an imposing figure, even sitting down. Standing, he was just over six feet tall. Although Gabriel was taller by many inches, there was something quite different to how Adam held himself. Adam’s sons were as tall as him or taller, making the men of the Augustus family extremely intimidating in size alone. As if their height wasn’t intimidating enough, they all stood physically fit as well, their shoulders broad and their bodies well muscled. Gabriel stood their equal in height and his build, but they carried an aura with them that made Gabriel nervous and often frightened him. They walked with purpose, no matter what they were doing. Their head was always up, as if they were looking down on those around them.

Even as Adam sat in his chair, reading his papers, his posture was regal and physical. He sat tall, his shoulders pushed back with his muscles flexing beneath the tanned and scarred skin of their owner. His sandy blond hair was thinning and from Gabriel’s vantage point he could see the scalp beneath the hair. Gabriel knew his father-in-law’s face without having to see it. He knew that Adam would be frowning as he read his papers, as that was his resting face. The wrinkles lined his aged face, and yet there was still an air of youth to him. He kept his face clean shaven these days though everyone in the family knew Adam preferred to have a thick beard. However, being in the Roman Army meant he must stay clean shaven.

Whispers long coming. The confirmation does not surprise. How things play out, that is what I am keen to see. Adam glanced up at his son-in-law. Gabriel stood several inches taller than Adam, but he still lacked an authoritative presence. He cowered in the presence of many men in the family. It continually disappointed Adam to see it. He wished for his son-in-law to be strong. Adam narrowed his eyes. I would see you return to your post. When the events occur, return to the house to tell me tales. I wish to be regaled with a wonderful tale of blood.

Gabriel nodded and turned from the room, leaving Adam alone with his thoughts.

Adam had known and fought alongside Caesar for many years. He grew to favor the man, but Adam knew only too well that all rulers met an end, whether it is a kind or violent end. All men died and so Adam saw no reason to intervene.

He finished his reading and headed to his bedroom. There, lying naked in bed, was his sleeping wife Eva.

While old enough to have birthed several children that were now adults, Eva still looked like a young woman. Though her pale body held a few scars from her many years of life, Adam still found her to be as beautiful as the day they met so many years previous. She was lean and fit, and lying in bed she looked as if she was sculpted from marble. To him, her body was perfect.

Adam shed his clothes and joined his wife in their bed, pressing himself flush against her back. She was so much smaller compared to him, but their bodies joined together almost perfectly. Her skin was smooth and without as many blemishes compared to her husband. Even up close she still looked like a masterpiece of art. Sometimes Adam found himself wondering how she could stay so perfect. She did not live an easy life even if she was not out fighting in wars like he was.

Adam gently caressed her exposed arm, lightly drawing his fingers up and down the length of her arm and along the curves of her muscles. Eva stirred slightly, but did not wake from her slumber. This was a usual occurrence between the couple. Adam found it hard to sleep sometimes, so he would simply lie in bed, wrapped around his wife, and he would hold her and think of the more pleasant times. It was true that his nightmares plagued him.

Adam was not a kind man. Years upon years of war had changed him. Now he was often hard and cold with those around him. The one person in his life who was able to bring out a softer side was his Eva. Only when he was in her arms did he feel truly safe and comfortable. Still, he was not always nice to his wife. He could be short and curt with her, as well as their children. Eva suffered in silence mostly, but she would also reply in kind if she reached her breaking point.

He spent too much time at war, he reasoned. It bled into his home life too much. He wished to change it, but he worried that he was too stuck in his ways. He didn’t think it was possible to change anymore. There was the growing part of him that did not wish to change.

A few hours later, Eva woke with Adam’s arms wrapped possessively around her. She slid out from beneath his heavy arms and out of their bed, her bare feet silently padding on the floor as she went to dress. The couple had not made love in many months and she ached for it. However, as they grew older, they grew further apart.

He had once been a kind and gentle man. He once held her tenderly as they were lost in each other’s arms. He once treated her as an equal. These days, Eva found herself busy with her own work around the house and in the city, and so she rarely found time to think about what she was missing out on with her husband.

It was no longer the days of old when they traveled together and spent every night in each other’s arms, their bodies covered in sweat and their breathing heavy. At night, he only sought her comfort to stave away his nightmares. Eva knew he dreamt terrible things at night. Many nights she was awoken by his screams and fits. Her husband had seen and done many terrible things in the name of the Roman Republic. He never talked about it and she never asked. If it was anything like what she envisioned, she’d rather not have her suspicions confirmed.

These days, he saw her as a lower class citizen. Wives were not to hold opinion, merely do as their husbands commanded. Eva did most of what he asked, though her anger boiled in her at being treated in such a manner. Every once in a while, she would lash out at Adam and he would return with fury of his own. Adam was a remarkable fighter and his smaller wife held no hope against his fists. She could put up quite a fight of her own, but he had years of fighting experience that she did not.

Eva longed to get away from him, but she knew a woman on her own in the Republic was no one at all.

But outside of the republic…outside of the constraints of an ancient society, she might stand a chance. However, Eva could not bear the thought of leaving her children and grandchildren behind. If she ran from Adam, she could never look back. She once considered herself strong, these days, she was not so sure.

It wasn’t all bad, Eva supposed. She didn’t like to make excuses for him, but she knew deep down that he loved her. He needed help and she feared he would never get it. Maybe one day they might live in peace again, but as time wore on, the hope grew smaller and smaller.

As with any all of the other mornings that passed since they came to Rome, Eva and her daughters began the day with chores. Breakfast was made, clothes were washed, and the home was tidied. All before the men even rose from their slumber. Adam liked a neat home and Eva obliged him. She had grown fond of keeping busy.

As the sun rose, citizens all around the city woke and began their own routines for the morning. The higher the sun rose, the hotter it became for those in its sight. For the people of Rome, few could anticipate the change that was about to strike in the heart of the senate. Only some could even fathom what was coming.

A tough and terrible thing had been decided among a small group. As the zero hour grew closer, the nerves of those involved grew in harsh anticipation of what had been asked of them. Some began to doubt they could do it. But they were senators and they would do what they had decided, regardless of the consequences.

While the senators came together in the senate, outside the marble walls, everyday Romans went about their business. Gabriel stood outside the senate and waited with baited breath. His heart pounded loudly in his chest as Gaius Julius Caesar ascended the steps to enter the senate chamber. Gabriel knew what was coming and part of him wanted to stop it, but he knew if he did so the consequences would be terrible for him and his family. So he stayed in the bright morning sun and waited for the inevitable. Caesar entered the senate chamber very much alive and left very much as a dead man. He was forced to abruptly meet his end at the hands of people he once trusted, as much as any senator could trust another.

As the news of Caesar’s untimely death spread throughout Rome and throughout the vast Republic, frightened citizens closed themselves off in their homes. Many of the people feared being on the streets while the coup took place. One home, however, chose to remain very open. They continued about their day as if little had changed.

It would take more than the death of Caesar to frighten them.

Once Gabriel received confirmation that Caesar was dead, he hurried back towards the Augustus home. On this particular Ides of March, most of the men of the house were already out fighting for the Republic and so were thus far unaware of the major change in the regime. Only Adam and his oldest son Cain remained in Rome. Adam held the title of Imperator, which was given to him several years previous by Caesar. Under the orders of Caesar, Adam and his legion were to leave Rome in a fortnight to march to war. Now, they would be forced to leave much quicker than previously expected and under a new master.

After attending to their morning business inside the house, Eva and her daughters were now in the courtyard to attend to outside chores. While most other families of note had servants to do the chores, Eva preferred to do them herself. She hated the idea of owning people. It made many of the other families look down on her family, but Eva cared little for their opinions on the matter. The family held a few servants, but they were paid well and treated as close friends. Most things were taken care of by Eva and three of her daughters, Azura, Hosanna, and Sherah. Adam and Eva took the trouble to make sure their children were raised to appreciate all of the fine things they had. Part of that meant making the children do things for themselves.

It set them apart from the other families of note, but as far as Eva was concerned, it made them better for it.

It took only a few minutes after Caesar was murdered for the news to reach Eva and her family. Gabriel rushed into the court yard, panting and out of breath. His wife Sherah rushed towards him with a cup of water, frantic with worry. She had never seen him in such a state.

Azura and Hosanna gathered around Gabriel as well, curious and worried about what he needed to say. He leaned over with his hands on his knees, gasping for breath, and sweat dripped down his pale face. Azura could see his eyes were wide with fright.

Caesar…, Gabriel attempted to speak after drinking some of the water, but he was still out of breath. Caesar mortuus est!

The younger girls were visibly shocked at the news, their gasps filling the silent air. Eva, however, was not so surprised. She remained quiet while she worked, seemingly unbothered.

What of Lehi? Hosanna asked, watching Gabriel’s face for any sign of what had happened to her husband. Lehi was a senator, made so by Caesar several years previous.

Gabriel took a deep breath. He watched, but did not participate, he said. Hosanna let out the breath she had not been aware she was holding. While not thrilled to know her husband had been there, she was glad he was unharmed in the events.

What do we do? This is most unfortunate, Sherah said, placing a comforting hand on her husband’s arm. Gabriel looked at her and shrugged. It was not up to him. The small group looked over at Eva, probing for an answer with their silent stares.

Eva merely shrugged. Such is the way of men. She had seen such things over and over throughout time. This was nothing new. Men had killed for less. Eva busied herself, not outwardly moved by the news at all.

Azura visibly blanched at her mother’s lack of reaction. She was easily the most emotional of the children. She took every death around her to heart, no matter who had perished. The youngest of the girls, she was like her mother in many ways, particularly in looks. Lean and fit, both were of average height and as such their husbands towered over them. To those around her, Azura’s bright brown eyes seemed to glow. There seemed to be hints of gold scattered around the brown, making her eyes stand out even more. Azura’s hair was long and curly, a deep brown reflected of her mother’s own hair. She was not as pale as Eva, and her skin was unmarked by scars, though a spatter of freckles marked her nose and cheeks, giving her a youthful appearance.

Azura took a tentative step towards her mother, slightly afraid by her reaction to the news. But Mother, does it not interest you to hear the death of our friend Caesar? We visited with him often. Father’s status is due to Caesar himself.

Eva brushed off her daughter’s concerns. Men die every day; some more horrible than others. This death does not stand out to me, no less because I know of him. Eva did not bother to even glance up at her daughters and son-in-law who all stared, mouths gaping open in surprise.

Hosanna, who was the opposite of her mother in not just skin tone but in attitude, became angry with her mother’s answer. She often acted as if she was an only child, fighting her parents and siblings on almost every issue. Even her husband Lehi came face to face with her anger. Hosanna stalked angrily towards her mother. She long considered Caesar a friend and often praised him as a leader. Hosanna hoped that Caesar would raise her own husband to a higher position in the senate.

How can you say such words when our friend Caesar has been murdered not far from our home? He is one we aligned ourselves with politically, surely you feel something? she paused and watched her mother’s passive face. What secrets have you? Hosanna pressed, pointing a finger at her mother.

Eva looked up at her daughter from beneath her eyelashes. She grew quite tired of Hosanna’s pestering. Eva sighed and looked away from Hosanna, continuing on with her work. Sometimes she found the best way to deal with Hosanna was to ignore her.

Today, Hosanna would not drop the topic so easily. She persisted in her line of questioning, advancing even closer to her mother angrily. You cannot presume to tell me you have no other reason for acting in such careless manner. I’ve seen your reaction to death over the many years. You have shed more tears for the death of a dog than for our Caesar!

Before Hosanna knew what happened, Eva straightened and grabbed her tightly by her arm, pulling her in close so that their faces were just inches from each other. Hosanna growled angrily, fighting back against her mother.

Hosanna, dear child. Hold tongue when speaking to your elder. You have seen little of life and know not what any of this means. I will react in the way I see fit and will not stand to be questioned by a foolish girl! Hosanna twisted her arm away, but Eva reached up and grabbed her daughter by the chin, pulling her in closer and whispered, The horrors I have seen in life, you could never dream in your worst nightmare. You’d do well to stop questioning me and to continue about the work I have set you upon. A further word and we will find if your skills equal that of your words. Eva pushed back on Hosanna’s face, releasing her chin in the process and she took a step back from her daughter.

Hosanna rubbed her jaw, glaring at her mother, but said no more on the subject. Even she knew when to stop. Apologies, she muttered softly, stepping back further from her mother and inclining her head. Eva’s upper lip twitched in anger, but she returned the curt nod.

Azura, Sherah, and Gabriel remained quiet as they watched the heated exchange. Gabriel had never seen his mother-in-law react in such a way towards her children. He gulped nervously as Eva’s dark eyes passed over him. She eyed him suspiciously before she turned to walk into the house, leaving them to return to their work. Sherah bid her husband goodbye before returning to her chore, preferring to pretend as if the exchange between Hosanna and Eva had not happened. Hosanna wished she could forget, but the bruises on her jaw from her mother’s tight grip would not let her forget easily.

Eva was of a mind to find her husband. As he once fought alongside Caesar in battle, she believed her husband would find the news of Caesar’s murder most interesting. In her heart, Eva now longed for the fight that would come between herself and her husband. They fought over much these days and sometimes, she felt it was the only thing to give her life emotion.

Adam and Eva had once been deeply in love, but these days, Adam spent much of his time away at war with their sons. When he would return, he and his wife would spend the first day romancing each other. Then, the fighting would begin. They had grown tired of each other’s presence, hence why Adam now sought relief in war. Sometimes, Adam couldn’t see much difference between war and fighting with Eva.

The children did their best to leave the old couple alone, particularly when they were in terrible moods. Their anger seemed as if it shook the physical foundation of their large villa. Azura, who was very much in love with her husband Seth, often watched her parents and wondered how they had gotten this way. They once loved each other deeply, but now seemed to only resent one another. She hoped this would not happen with her and Seth. She could not imagine a life where she fought with Seth.

Eva searched the home for Adam and came to find him lounging in the bath. He sat, naked and quiet, enjoying the hot water. Eva watched him from the doorway, quietly taking in his body from far away. His muscles rippled beneath his tanned and aged skin.

There had once been a time when seeing his naked body would set Eva’s thighs to moisten. While her husband could still excite her, Eva feared she would never quite enjoy his body as she once did. But perhaps, she reasoned, that happened to all couples after spending so many years together. It only seemed natural.

She took a deep breath, shook such thoughts from her mind and entered the room, her footsteps quiet on the tile as she approached him from behind.

They say, Eva spoke nonchalantly as she walked up to the bath, that our beloved Gaius Julius Caesar is dead at the hands of the Senate. Eva came to pause at the edge of the bath, her small toes gripping the edge.

Adam lazily looked up at his wife. His hair was wet from the bath and Eva found herself with a slight longing to run her hands through it, but she forced herself to ignore the feeling.

"They say he is your beloved, not mine. But alas, who would have expected the lame Senate to be the ones to bring the end to our beloved Caesar." He leaned back on his elbows, his muscles flexing beneath his skin.

Eva gave into her silent temptation to touch her husband. She crouched down, the edge of her dress dropping over the edge of the bath into the water, and ran her hands lazily up his wet arm. His arm tensed at her soft touch. Adam’s deep blue eyes connected with his wife’s warm brown ones and he found himself lost in them. It was times like these that he was reminded of his love for his wife. However, the longer he looked in her eyes, the more he came to the realization that their relationship was not what it once was.

Not just any lame Senate, but Brutus indeed, she whispered softly. She found herself transfixed by the reflection of the water in Adam’s eyes. It seemed as if the blue of the water made his eyes a more vivid blue. As he moved his arms in the water, the ripples moved in his eyes.

Adam smiled and chuckled in response, gently shaking his head. He looked away from his wife and gazed into the water before him. He moved his hand lazily through the water, watching the ripples that came from it. He knew what Eva was getting at and he knew where this conversation would end up. She was begging for a fight and Adam was not sure he wanted one. He was tired.

I never thought the man had it in him. Perhaps he is more man than I thought.

Perhaps even little Octavian is more man than you think, Eva responded quickly, a little too quickly for Adam’s liking.

He laughed hoarsely at his wife’s not so subtle remark. He moved away from her, further from the edge of the bath, and shook his head once again. She was always scheming. Adam grew tired of her schemes. He looked back at her, glaring, his blue eyes sparkling with the growing anger.

"You push, like ignorant