Play@YSDC

Cleopatra's Palace- Rome, Italia
Late Afternoon- March 14, 44 BC

Caelia Alba, Artemis Gaius Sylvius, and Spurius Papirius Valens returned to the city and made their way back to Cleopatra's palace, where the guards at the gate recognized and admitted them. Adelphus and Nefertiri met them in the antechamber. "Welcome back," said the handmaiden. "What have you to report?"

Caelia takes a deep breath, "Well, not as much as I'd hoped so far. But we have found friends. Senator Germanicus is forewarned and he is to dine with Caesar tonight; he will try to warn Caesar. Unfortunately the seer, Septimus, had a heart attack and nearly died." Caelia looks a little uncomfortable as she remembers,

"He is resting at Germanicus' villa. And we are heading to the residence of Scaevola, whom I expect you know. I have a feeling he may know something about this business so we hope to find out something from him - without letting on what we know. With his powerful connections, his political stance and his connections with Egypt he could be involved with the plot or know somebody who is. It's just going to be difficult to get him to talk.

"I know Septimus well," said Adelphus. "We have conferred on several occasions. He did tell me about a vision he had of what is to come. I am glad he is still alive."

"It is good that Germanicus is taking action," said Nefertiri. "Scaevola has visited this palace before to pay his respects to Her Majesty. His fondness for Egypt is well known, and he also is loyal to Rome. He may yet be part of the plot, and of the Brotherhood, however. Perhaps in his mind he thinks slaying Caesar would benefit Rome. Be careful when you go to his villa. If he is indeed one of the plotters, it would be very bad if he were to become suspicious."

"We are all too aware of that. I think we'll play it on the safe side so not to jeopardise the little we already know. If there is nothing else, we'd better be on our way." Caelia bows and if no one has anything else to add, she leaves the antechamber with Artemis and Spurius.

"May the blessings of the gods go with you," said Nefertiri. "If you learn anything of interest, you can pass word to us."

OOC,I'll wait a little to see if [b]Artemis[/b] has anything to say or do.

Artemis listened and as Caelia took her leave, he cleared his throat.

"Lady Nefertiri," He started with a significant amount of hesitancy in his voice. "I do not know much about this Senator Scaevola, but is there anyone in his household that may be called upon if we do find trouble?"

OOC:   Sorry was a bit out of pocket these past few days.

"Many of his servants are Egyptian," said Nefertiri, "but they are fiercely loyal to him. I do not know anything about them. None of his family members live there with him. His wife died in childbirth a long time ago, and he has not remarried. His children are all grown and no longer live in his house. He has three daughters who have all married into other families to form political alliances, and he has two sons. The elder is a provincial governor, and the younger is an officer in the legions. As far as I know they would be loyal to their father, but I have never met them."

"Thank you, I find that information is always valuable, or at least it kept me alive during my earlier days." Artemis smiled and then nodded at Lady Caelia and Spurius. "I think good lady, we need to be off then and along the way we can acquire our kits and such to put on once we are out of Rome proper."

"You are most welcome," said Nefertiri to Artemis. "Indeed, information is the most valuable commodity of all. Keep our friend safe."

Caelia bowed to Nefertiri and led the way out of the palace. Once out in the street she says, "We should stop by your barracks to collect anything you might need, and then go to my residence; from there it is not far to Scaevola's."

ooc,Caelia needs to change into something less dusty and spittle-fied. Also she'd like to pick up her travel bag which contains some first aid - herbs, bandages, small medical tools.

The three made their way through the city, collecting what they needed in their various residences and then passing out of the Ostia gate as the sun sank low in the sky. The red orb was barely above the horizon by the time they arrived at Scaevola's lavish estate. Much like Cleopatra's palace, it was guarded by bare-chested Egyptian men with sickle-headed swords that Caelia knew were called khopesh. They stood on either side of the gate, arms crossed over their chests, their blades strapped to their backs. While it was obvious that Scaevola was a wealthy man - he would have to be to afford the requirements to be a Senator - the luxury here paled in comparison to what they had just seen during their visit to the Queen of Egypt.

OOC,Yes, that's fine. You can all pick up whatever you need on the way.

As they approached the residence, they could see the moonlight reflecting off the guards' polished chests. "Those are khopesh warriors," Caelia whispered. "They are very fierce and determined in battle. They are loyal to their master and even more so to Egypt. Be wary of their khopesh blades; they can lop a lion's head off with one sweep.
Artemis, would you rather be my guest or retinue? As retinue you can speak with the servants, as my guest you can dine with us and try to fathom Scaevola for yourself."

ooc,Shall I assume Spurius will act as my guard or similar?

Artemis quickly ran up the stairs into the sleeping area and opened the chest that stored his other possessions. He looked over the armor and then down at his toga. He wasn't sure what made the most sense to wear. Armor could be seen as being hostile, the tunic more of a friendly social visit. He rushed down the stairs and as he approached Caelia she asked,

"Artemis, would you rather be my guest or retinue? As retinue you can speak with the servants, as my guest you can dine with us and try to fathom Scaevola for yourself."

He smiled. "Kind lady, I think if I appear in a tunic I would be seen as you said as a guest, maybe a "distant cousin" now retired from the Camps." But, if I were to appear in armor it would mean a time with the servants and they may be the ones we need information. I suspect no one at the Senator's villa would be surprised, if suddenly the country cousin wanders into the culina offering to help."

He smiled at Caelia and turned to Spurius, "It seems that you good friend get to go about the servants and such, hopefully they will treat you well but not too well." He winked and grinned at his fellow soldier.

Spurius smiled back. "From what I have seen of Egyptian women so far, I would not mind," he said, "though none of them can match our lady for beauty, of course."

OOC,Yes, [b]Spurius[/b] can act as your guard. He will generally do as you wish until he has a player. [b]Artemis[/b] borrowed a toga, not a tunic.

Caelia smiles, "You are very chivalrous, Spurius. It's agreed then, Spurius can loiter in the servant's quarters and Artemis can join me at the table but might wander off as he's from out of town and has rather suburban manners." She grins, and leads the way to the gate.

"Caelia Alba to see Senator Scaevola, and this is..." She allows Artemis to give his full name as she doesn't actually know it.

"Artemis Gaius Sylvius, from Treveri, " the veteran smiled and awaited their being invited inside.

"Spurius Papirius Valens," said Spurius. "The two of us are auxiliary cavalrymen."

"You are expected, my lady," said one of the guards. A runner was sent back to the house as the guards opened the gate. "Please, enter and be welcome, you and your escorts."

The three of them proceeded into the villa's grounds. Standing before the main house were two rows of Egyptian-style statues of men with the heads of various animals: crocodiles, jackals, lions, hyenas, and more, all of them standing some seven feet tall. At the end of the colonnade stood a twenty foot tall replica of the Sphinx. It differed from the original not only in size, but also in the fact that it had a nose. Beyond it stood the house itself, a pair of open double doors leading into the vestibulum.

"After you, good lady," Artemis moved to the side of the vestibule to let Celia enter first them followed in her wake.