Recollections of Rome
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When Lucius Malus had heard the news, he immediately left his estate outside Rome, and entered the Imperial Palace's gates. They were barred for the night, but when the emperor's guards noticed his insignia, detailing his ranking with the First Order: The Shepherd's, they let him pass without a problem. His cloak swaying in the wind, Malus entered the Imperial Quarters among a multitude of people.
At the emperor's bedside stood his erstwhile son Constantine, a smug smirk on his face like always. The old knight, Gaius Montpelius of Antium had been tutoring the boy in the ways of the martial arts. Malus knew for a fact that Montpelius had not seen a single day of action in his entire life, save for one incident at the Legius Farm, outside his city. Malus had been a child when news was relayed to his father, the provincial governor of Cumae about the barbarian assault. Albus Malus had been beside himself with worry. Cumae was little over a day's journey from Antium, and the mere thought of the barbarians assaulting his domain frightened him to death. That week, it was not the man the emperor had appointed who ran Cumae, rather it was his steward, Blasius Asellio who ran the province. As the latest governor of Cumae, the job fell to Lucius Malus to hold the state in the name of Augustus VIII Caesar, the descendent of Julius I Caesar and the man who sat propped up in bed, as gaunt as a snow-white sky.
The crowd gathering around Caesar's sickly form included the many provincial governors, Lords, Brutus Axellio of Neapolis, far away to the west, Claudius Capo of Antium, and Gnaeus Casca of the newly formed settlement of Ravenna. All were agreeable men, except for Axellio, who ruled Neapolis with an iron fist. Axellio clashed with Capo as well, as the two men shared a border, but strangely got along with Casca. Other members of the family surrounded the decaying emperor's form. His wife had long since died, but her family, the Valerii had sway in the Imperial Senate. The patriarch, Cornelius Valerus was pacing around the room when Malus arrived.
The entire room looked up when the wooden door opened and promptly shut. Around the table, the members of the Imperial Family seemed dejected to see him, while Axellio seemed angry, about something. Is he alright? Lucius asked, his brow furrowed in a state of worry. He had known the Emperor since his father died in 168, and had served personally with him during the Securing of Ravenna. It, understandably, troubled the governor of Cumae to see his friend's weak form on the bed.
No. Valerus answered, his lips pursed and his face ashen. His death comes soon. Valerus grimaced, and continued pacing.
The emperor opened an eye, and awoke into consciousness. Good evening friends, and family. I'm sure you know me as Augustus Caesar, the Seventh of his name, Emperor of Rome King of Romus and Mondus, and Governor of Rome. I have gathered all of you here to deliver my final testament upon this earth. The man cleared his throat. Obviously, no infighting would be preferable, but, sadly that is beyond my reach. My only son, Constantine, is to be crowned Constantine II Caesar, upon my death. My time is short, so I shall be brief. Lucius, you are to be the next Emperor's regent, here in Rome. I would like all of you to exit the room, so I may have a talk with Governor Malus. The emperor's last wish was obeyed, and one by one the denizens of the room left, each feeling more dejected then the next. Finally, it was just Lucius, Augustus and the cold wind blowing from a window. A lone candle lit the room, placed at Augustus' bedside.
Lucius. How is Cumae? The emperor asked, a faint smile on his lips.
Quiet, my lord. And in Rome? Malus asked, furrowing his brow.
Lethal. And not in the natural way. The emperor said, shutting his eyes. I am dying naturally, that is to be sure. The Head of the Senate however, was poisoned last week by an unknown person or persons. With the Senatorial Head dead, the new leader of the Senate is one Decimus Cinna, a cousin of Lord Axellio.
Is he making a play at power? Lucius asked, pacing around the room, in the manner of Valerus, minutes prior. The emperor rolled over.
No. At least, I don't think so. Reports from Neapolis indicate business as always, no buildup of troops or anything out of the ordinary. If Axellio is waiting for my death to move, then he certainly isn't ready for it.
What of mercenaries, he must be able to hire one of the bands. Lucius asked, pausing to think.
There are two major groups of mercenaries operating throughout the Empire. The first is called the White Banner, and they are more focused in Mondus then here. They are more loyal to Casca, then anyone else, and Casca, while not on the levels of Capo, is no friend of Axellio. Their numbers could not possibly match the Imperial Army's. The second operates on Romus, and is called the Legion of the Fifth Son. Their head is an ornery fellow named Dullius Gallus, but they are in the northwest, in the Capitoline Mountains. Gallus probably doesn't even know Axellio exists, much less ally with him. However, the manner of Iuncus' death by poision troubles me. It should trouble you as well. As regent, you are the Emperor. You are Constantine. I am entrusting you, my oldest friend, with the protection of the Empire Julius I Caesar built with his bare hands. I only wish you luck. The emperor's eyes shut tight, and Lucius released a breath he had been holding in since he walked into the room. Exhaling, he blew out the candle and stepped outside, where the entire party was awaiting him with baited breath. He nodded, and opened the door.
As the people flooded in, he turned to a messenger standing beside the door leading out to the plains of Romus. Boy, I need you to fetch Decimus Cinna. Rouse him out of bed if you have to. Invite him to the Imperial Palace, the Lord Regent has a few words to say to him. The boy nodded and stepped out. Malus listened as the youth barked for a horse, and rode off into the dim black of morning. The provincial governor of Cumae sat down and massaged his temples. It had been a hell of a long night.
At the emperor's bedside stood his erstwhile son Constantine, a smug smirk on his face like always. The old knight, Gaius Montpelius of Antium had been tutoring the boy in the ways of the martial arts. Malus knew for a fact that Montpelius had not seen a single day of action in his entire life, save for one incident at the Legius Farm, outside his city. Malus had been a child when news was relayed to his father, the provincial governor of Cumae about the barbarian assault. Albus Malus had been beside himself with worry. Cumae was little over a day's journey from Antium, and the mere thought of the barbarians assaulting his domain frightened him to death. That week, it was not the man the emperor had appointed who ran Cumae, rather it was his steward, Blasius Asellio who ran the province. As the latest governor of Cumae, the job fell to Lucius Malus to hold the state in the name of Augustus VIII Caesar, the descendent of Julius I Caesar and the man who sat propped up in bed, as gaunt as a snow-white sky.
The crowd gathering around Caesar's sickly form included the many provincial governors, Lords, Brutus Axellio of Neapolis, far away to the west, Claudius Capo of Antium, and Gnaeus Casca of the newly formed settlement of Ravenna. All were agreeable men, except for Axellio, who ruled Neapolis with an iron fist. Axellio clashed with Capo as well, as the two men shared a border, but strangely got along with Casca. Other members of the family surrounded the decaying emperor's form. His wife had long since died, but her family, the Valerii had sway in the Imperial Senate. The patriarch, Cornelius Valerus was pacing around the room when Malus arrived.
The entire room looked up when the wooden door opened and promptly shut. Around the table, the members of the Imperial Family seemed dejected to see him, while Axellio seemed angry, about something. Is he alright? Lucius asked, his brow furrowed in a state of worry. He had known the Emperor since his father died in 168, and had served personally with him during the Securing of Ravenna. It, understandably, troubled the governor of Cumae to see his friend's weak form on the bed.
No. Valerus answered, his lips pursed and his face ashen. His death comes soon. Valerus grimaced, and continued pacing.
The emperor opened an eye, and awoke into consciousness. Good evening friends, and family. I'm sure you know me as Augustus Caesar, the Seventh of his name, Emperor of Rome King of Romus and Mondus, and Governor of Rome. I have gathered all of you here to deliver my final testament upon this earth. The man cleared his throat. Obviously, no infighting would be preferable, but, sadly that is beyond my reach. My only son, Constantine, is to be crowned Constantine II Caesar, upon my death. My time is short, so I shall be brief. Lucius, you are to be the next Emperor's regent, here in Rome. I would like all of you to exit the room, so I may have a talk with Governor Malus. The emperor's last wish was obeyed, and one by one the denizens of the room left, each feeling more dejected then the next. Finally, it was just Lucius, Augustus and the cold wind blowing from a window. A lone candle lit the room, placed at Augustus' bedside.
Lucius. How is Cumae? The emperor asked, a faint smile on his lips.
Quiet, my lord. And in Rome? Malus asked, furrowing his brow.
Lethal. And not in the natural way. The emperor said, shutting his eyes. I am dying naturally, that is to be sure. The Head of the Senate however, was poisoned last week by an unknown person or persons. With the Senatorial Head dead, the new leader of the Senate is one Decimus Cinna, a cousin of Lord Axellio.
Is he making a play at power? Lucius asked, pacing around the room, in the manner of Valerus, minutes prior. The emperor rolled over.
No. At least, I don't think so. Reports from Neapolis indicate business as always, no buildup of troops or anything out of the ordinary. If Axellio is waiting for my death to move, then he certainly isn't ready for it.
What of mercenaries, he must be able to hire one of the bands. Lucius asked, pausing to think.
There are two major groups of mercenaries operating throughout the Empire. The first is called the White Banner, and they are more focused in Mondus then here. They are more loyal to Casca, then anyone else, and Casca, while not on the levels of Capo, is no friend of Axellio. Their numbers could not possibly match the Imperial Army's. The second operates on Romus, and is called the Legion of the Fifth Son. Their head is an ornery fellow named Dullius Gallus, but they are in the northwest, in the Capitoline Mountains. Gallus probably doesn't even know Axellio exists, much less ally with him. However, the manner of Iuncus' death by poision troubles me. It should trouble you as well. As regent, you are the Emperor. You are Constantine. I am entrusting you, my oldest friend, with the protection of the Empire Julius I Caesar built with his bare hands. I only wish you luck. The emperor's eyes shut tight, and Lucius released a breath he had been holding in since he walked into the room. Exhaling, he blew out the candle and stepped outside, where the entire party was awaiting him with baited breath. He nodded, and opened the door.
As the people flooded in, he turned to a messenger standing beside the door leading out to the plains of Romus. Boy, I need you to fetch Decimus Cinna. Rouse him out of bed if you have to. Invite him to the Imperial Palace, the Lord Regent has a few words to say to him. The boy nodded and stepped out. Malus listened as the youth barked for a horse, and rode off into the dim black of morning. The provincial governor of Cumae sat down and massaged his temples. It had been a hell of a long night.
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