Princeps Iohannes Nerva

Born a bastard, son of Aurelian Tullius Nerva, and a long-dead unknown woman of the Helvetii whose name he does not remember or care to. His father brought him home as an infant rather than leave him amongst his mother's people. He would grow up in a traditional Roman household, after his father formally announced him as a legitimate child, where he quickly learn under his pedagogue and nurse the arts of war. Though his heart did belong to the arts more truly, for he grew to be a gifted weaver and poet. Which, in such a society as one of the eternal city of the time, was almost seen as a waste of a man. His elder half-brother and stepmother did not take kindly to him, not only did they see his birth as a betrayal of the family, but his effeminate way of life was an insult to a family that had built their reputation off military victories. And in such a world, Iohannes would grow cold, the first punic war would take his father from him early on, and his stepmother would die of illness soon after. He grieved for only one of them, despite the protest of his brother.

In the later half of the war, Iohannes was still grieving, and loss was hard for the emotionally stunted young man to bare. And when his brother purchased new slaves for the household he had at first refused any for himself, preferring his own company. Then came Marcus, a slave with no known family. A stubborn one that insistantly drug him from his bed every morning to eat, bathe, and complete his duties despite his protests. And while at first, they had arguments, ultimately Marcus revealed a gentle kindness and a sharp wit. For Iohanness, it was hard to not fall. And, under the pale moonlight, they made love one night when the war had finally concluded. And yet, this tale must end sadly. His brother, feeling yet another bit of humiliation out of this newfound love, purposed a trip out of the city. Naive as he was, Iohannes was simply happy to feel that maybe his brother might finally be warming up to him. finding Marcus accosted by soldiers of his brother's regiment, he did his best to fight back. Made to watch, not allowed to scream, as his own brother brutalized and killed the man he loved...and suddenly, he was cold again.

To be continued...