The House of Cassius- Rome, Italia Mid afternoon- March 14, 44 BC
Lucius led Story, Elizabeth, and Brook through the streets of Rome. While things had changed somewhat in the intervening years since he had last been in Rome, the layout was still the same, and he was easily able to find Cassius's family home. It was a luxurious home, as befitting a Senator. A servant, a tall young man with dark hair and olive skin, stood within the gate watching the street.
As they near the house, but still far enough away for them to talk quietly unheard, Elizabeth asks the others "So, what strategy shall we adopt here? Similar to in Cleopatra's? Who should we say we are?"
Brook slows down a little, and ponders Elisabeth's question. "Yeah, we can't just walk up and ask if the Brotherhood hangs out here...But perhaps we could say we have a message?"
Story looks at his companions realizing that he never thought their course of action through and says, "Quite right. We don't want to bumble out way through this. That said, if all else fails we can simply play the seer card."
"What about combining both those ideas?" muses Elizabeth quietly, looking to the others. "Perhaps you could pretend to be a seer Story, and have a mysterious message for Cassius, cryptically including some mention of the Brotherhood?"
"Splendid idea Elizabeth!" says Story. Taking a moment to look around and collect his thoughts he then says, "It's a shame we really don't know more about this Brotherhood. Hopefully the fact that we know of the plot will smooth over any stumbles made."
Brook tries to look as Roman as possible, walking a few steps behind Story. She glances at the young man at the gate, smiling a little. Romans were cute...
The servant at the gate smiled back at Elizabeth and Brook, clearly appreciating them. Lucius strode forward and addressed the young man. "Hail and well met," he said. "My friends have traveled a great distance to bring an important message to Cassius. Story here is a most wise seer."
"Good day to you all," he replied. "Unfortunately, Cassius is not at home, but if you leave me the message, I shall see that he receives it as soon as he returns. Are these young ladies his daughters?"
Story looks at his female companions and then to the servant before saying, "They are indeed. You may tell Cassius that Story the Wise simply says the time is nearly at hand when brothers not of blood, but of oath will stand together." Taking a moment he then continues, "Tell me when will Cassius return? It would be a shame if I miss a chance to see him."
"I shall relay the message, sir," said the servant. "Cassius is due to return this evening. He is currently at the house of Servilia, meeting with friends."
Brook Davies,[b]Brook[/b] recalled that [b]Servilia[/b] was the mother of [b]Brutus[/b], and that the she sheltered the conspirators in her house after the assassination.
Story steps away from the servant to confer with his companions saying, "Well, he's not here. Perhaps we should proceed over to the house of Servilia. We can't wait forever to find the Brotherhood connection."
Away from the servant, Brook says:"Servilia is the mother of Brutus. The assassins took shelter in her house after the murder. Perhaps they hid there before as well."
Story nods at Brook as he says, "Yes, yes... that would make sense." Looking over at Lucius he asks, "The house of Servilia, are you familiar with it?"
"I believe so," said Lucius. "I know of a Quintus Servilius Caepio the Younger, a praetor and legate who had two daughters named Servilia. They were young back then, so it is possible that one of them could be the mother of Brutus."
Brook was able to confirm that she was indeed his daughter, and with her information about Servilia's family, they were easily able to find the house. Brook also knew that Servilia was the mother-in-law of Cassius, which was a potential reason he might visit unrelated to the conspiracy against Caesar. It did not take them long to reach the house, which was in the same wealthy neighborhood. There too a servant waited at the door, this one older and bald.