Othello the Legatus Act 2 Part 1.6

Act Two Scene 1 Part 2

Cassio knocked on the door of the room on the tavern upper level. The tavern offered four rooms to be let off for travelers. It was the room allocated for Othello, but the later was not there as he was still at the valley. However Desdemona had taken her refuge there after they met the legion from the battle.

"My lady, I am just checking if you need any from the tavern?" Cassio asked. Desdemona looked tired and red eyed. She could had been crying.

"Are you well?" Cassio asked. Desdemona shook her head. She motioned to her head but before Cassio could asked more, Emilia appeared at his side.

"Desdemona, are you well?" Emilia asked the lady of the Legatus. She did not wait for a reply and pulled the lady back into the room. She closed the door on the Pilus. Cassio was to walked back to his Legion, but he saw Iago at the stairs. He had just joined him there.

"I can't make out what to do with the ladies." Cassio walked towards the Centurion. Iago laughed at that remark. He followed the Pilus down the stairs. They convened to the bar to take a drink. Iago had brough the main legion towards the harbour upon their victory, as ordered by Othello. He was greeted by Cassio outside the harbour who had marched the legionnaires that was with him.

"Iago, take your men to rest. I would assist the Legatus in the final stages." Cassio told the other, but Iago stopped him.

"I told you before. Othello had said we are to guard the harbour against any reinforcements from the sea. He did not said it, but as the Prime Pilus, you should be here." Iago replied. "As the leader."

The last words tinged in the mind of the Pilus. He would like to assist his Legatus but he feared that his command was here too. He then asked another Centurion to take one cohort to rejoined the Legatus for strength. He reluctantly followed the others back to the harbour. They were met by the relieved Lusitania aides who was joined by the harbour finest including some finer ladies in their best..

"I am Montana. I saw the fires in the valley. Were they there? Are they defeated?" Montana asked.

"Yes, they are. We had routed them and now we are hunting the escaped ones." Iago told the Lusitania aide with glee.

"You are not the Legatus? The one I was told coming was the Dark One. His name I know not forth, but his reputation precedes him." Montana pressed on. "Is he hurt or perhaps..."

"Legatus Othello is well, but he had pressing matters to discussed with the defeated leader. He sent us ahead to rest and recuperate." Iago stepped in. "I am Praefectus Castorum Iago. Third in command."

Iago felt the shamed in him to declared his rank to his aide. He had a side glance to Cassio but his shame was soon shed by the offer of the aide.

"And with that, the people of the harbour opened their homes to all of you." Montana declared to the Praefectus. "And you, Praefectus may joined the other guests in the tavern."

"Ah, yes." Cassio remembered the ladies. He looked to Iago.

"Emilia is there." Cassio smiled. Iago laughed as he removed his helmet.

"One that I am in need along with the soft bedding." It was their first time, the Centurions were allowed to bring their loved ones.

One that Desdemona had openly suggested for them. She had told Othello, that she was in need of friends; unlike men in armor but ladies in gown. He had reluctantly agreed much to his foolishness to agreed in the Senate Hall there that day. He do love her but his idea of her joining him was near the Castra or at times, in a villa after the battles. But she had insisted that she go where he may be, like his legionnaire.

"Or you would not have me in your bed forever." A threat he could ill afford to incurred upon himself. He resigned to that of her wish but the condition that she would live as he would.

She showed him her gratitude with a night of love and he was won over on all excuses. It was then but the truth would surfaced once the love tides subsides.