Cleopatra's Palace- Rome, Italia After Midnight- March 15, 44 BC
Story, Brook, and Marcus entered the antechamber of Cleopatra's palace. In addition to the guards and servants, they also found Adelphus, as well as Elizabeth, Lucius, Caelia Alba, and the two cavalrymen Artemis and Spurius. They recognized Story and Brook, but not the young man in the brown hooded cloak with them.
Marcus looks around with great fascination, although he feels a lot of eyes on him, which in fact, amuses him, generating that signature crooked smile on his face.
It's been a while since I've seen Cleopatra, this is going to be interesting.
Caelia can not help yawning; it's so late. She smiles an apology and looks at the newcomer; but she doesn't really know Brook and Story either, maybe he is a friend of theirs. "You've met the Queen before then?" She says to him, slightly archly; she's just too tired for pleasantries.
Marcus,Caelia is young, beautiful and obviously from Roman high society
Artemis turned about when the others arrived. Sleep would have to wait despite the longing in his mind for slumber. He looked over the new comer and noticed the smile when the gentlemen looked about and commented as he did.
"Good evening, good sir," Artemis said as he brought his right fisted hand to his left shoulder and bowed slightly. "Artemis Gaius Sylvius, sir."
Marcus bows in response to Artemis. "Good evening, sir. My name is Marcus Sabinus, nice to meet you, and you too, Miss." He says before getting up and addressing Caelia.
Marcus was surprised to see such a beautiful woman near him, the women from his lowlife residence weren't exactly beautiful. Still, he managed to keep his cool and maintained his slight crooked smile when looking at her. "Indeed, she and I crossed paths before, and she helped me like she did with everyone, our kind queen. I was just returning the favor with my companions here." He said before stepping aside and making a gesture with his hand in direction to Brook and Story-
"Thank you for joining us, Marcus Sabinus. A friend of the queen is a friend of ours. I am Caelia Alba, daughter of Caelius Albus Graecus, the great physician. Please forgive my bluntness; it's been a long day and night and we haven't found much to help us I'm afraid." Caelia says looking at Adelphus.
"Yes, it seems we are at a loss," Adelphus said, regarding Story, Brook, and Marcus. "I hope you have managed to come up with something. We are otherwise no closer than we were in the morning."
Brook smiles at Elizabeth. "We're fine. How did it go with you and Lucius?" Looking to Adelphus, she waits for Story to answer his question, not sure how much they can tell.
Elizabeth shakes her head sadly at Brook, hoping that her friend understands enough for now, without the need for more words, that can come later. She, too, waits for Story to speak, though in her case more in a state of curiosity than concern. She does not know how her friends got on in their adventures, and is eager to find out more.
Turning his attention to Adelphus, Story says, "I'm afraid it is no longer merely an assassination attempt, but rather a sacrifice." He glances around the room before continuing, "A sacrifice, that with Thoth's blessings, will insure the primary assassin will become more powerful than anyone could imagine. It would seem that in order for us to insure this assassination doesn't become a sacrifice we must track down and procure the Dagger of Ra. Which according to the scroll from Master Kemnebi to Senator Scaveola we located, it would seem the dagger is in the Senator's possession." Looking directly at Adelphus he says, "The assassination must happen, you know it to be true. However, the Senator doesn't need to play a role in it. We must stop him for it would seem he is part of the Brotherhood."
Hearing the Senator's name, and the fact that the assassination couldn't be stopped, Artemis turned quickly towards Story. "Wait that Senator, the one we just left in his villa, is going to assassinate the General and we are going to just let him be murdered? No, no, not agreeing to letting someone kill my General! Can't we go to the army and get some help? Use this special dagger to protect him?
Arty realized that he was speaking in a tense tone that deepened his voice like he was speaking to new recruits on the training ground. He gulped and relaxed, but only slightly.
"You are right," said Adelphus with determination. "We might not succeed, but we must try. Senator Scaevola is a powerful and influential man. If he is part of the plot, you may need the army to stop him. I would suggest you go to Marcus Antonius at once, with this scroll as evidence of his role in the conspiracy. It Scaevola can be arrested and compelled to talk quickly, the other conspirators can be identified and stopped before it is too late."
Artemis felt the wind taken out of him by the realization that this was a very real plot. In some parts of his mind, this was just talk, terrible and inappropriate talk, but talk all the same. Now, there was an offering of proof and the need for intervention, by Marcus Antonius no less. Artemis knew the name, not a soldier in the Republic didn't know the name. He sighed audibly
"So we need to take that to Marcus Antonius in the middle of the night and try to explain that a Senator of Rome is plotting to assassinate Julius Caesar." He sighed again, swallowed, and reached out for the scroll if no one else was going to take on the burden. "Any idea where he could be found? We are going to need to be prepared for the wait as it may be a bit hard to explain our sudden arrival at the guards station at this hour."
"He will most likely be at home, asleep," said Adelphus. "I think it will be worth waking him. Time is of the essence! He doesn't live too far away." Adelphus gave them directions.
"Understood. Spurius, you will need to join me, and I think we might be able to come up with the an approach of the guards. Who else will be coming with us?" Artemis took the proffered scroll and turned about asking the others.
"Story, what do you think?" asks Elizabeth, turning and looking to her friend. "You've found out a lot about this conspiracy tonight. Will you be going to see Marcus Antonius, and if so would you want us to come too? I'm happy to come, but concerned that if too large a group turned up it might cause problems."
Caelia has been quietly listening to the the others, it is all starting to make sense; Scaevola and the brotherhood; their devotion to Thoth and the belief that Thoth can and will bestow great powers to the believers... "Wait! it is all true!" She cries, "Scaevola is an important member of the brotherhood; they are all fanatical in their belief that Thoth walks amongst us now and that one day, 'when the stars are right' he will rule the world. Maybe not now, but one day. He has an alter under his villa, a dark one; I can believe he'd sacrifice Caesar if he thought Thoth willed it so."
She takes a deep breath. "I too am a member of the brotherhood now, I lay on the alter and took the initiation. The members are from all walks of life and I am one too. But I just can't believe as they do, whatever Scaevola says. With all my medical knowledge, I find it hard to understand some ideas of theology.I can understand how someone would want Caesar removed from power for political reasons but not as a sacrifice!"
Caelia thinks for a moment. "Perhaps I can go back to Scaevola tomorrow and stay by his side, if he'll let me. I'm our best chance of discovering how the brotherhood plan to initiate the murder. Although how I'll get a message out, I don't know."
"Lady Caelia," Artemis' eyes went wide as she briefly recounted her evening with the Senator, "I am frightened for what you learned and what you are now associated with. But, accept your position that you could not partake of such a terrible plan. What I wonder if your presence could be a beacon for any help that we might be able to convince the Consul to come to the General's aide. Meaning, if you are with that vile man wearing something that is festive and easily identifiable, it could be a means of quickly finding the leader of this plot.
As Story prepared to answer Elizabeth, Caelia's abrupt confession catches him by surprise causing him to say, "What do you mean you're now a member? How did you gain admittance into the brotherhood?"
Caelia colours; her face flushing. "He offered to initiate me. I, I thought it would be a good way to gain Scaevola's trust. Nothing happened really. He took me down to rooms below the villa, the walls were painted in strange murals which I couldn't really see because it was so shadowy. There was a statue of Anubis and Thoth, and an alter. I had to lie on the alter, which was worrying but all he did was ask me what the worst thing I'd ever done was. And there wasn't anything but that didn't seem to matter.
Then he told me a bit about the brotherhood, how they are waiting for the Sphinx, who is also Thoth I think, to rise and rule the world; the brotherhood do all they can to make this happen but the stars have to be in the right place. Oh, and he showed me a secret sign the brotherhood use to identify one another. He would have told me more but Artemis and Elizabeth arrived so he stopped and we went upstairs. And that was that. Surely it doesn't mean anything does it?"
Caelia falters to a stop.
"It means a great deal," said Adelphus. "This is the Brotherhood of the Beast you describe, and you now know more about them than I do. Knowing this secret sign will be useful to identify them, and you have successfully infiltrated them, which will be doubly useful."
"Did Scaevola give you any idea of the scale of the Brotherhood?" asks Elizabeth, looking to Caelia. "Or even more pertinently, did he identify any other members here in Rome? Or did you see any others at his villa who you think may have been members? Any extra information at all about the members could help us."
Marcus stays still while all the ruckus unleashes in front of him, he feels the desperation in the air and realizes this was way more than a fetching job from the start.
"If you would have me, I'll be happy to be a part of this, I think this correlates to the task we previously did and I don't like a work half complete." he said while hiding the fact that this just plainly excited him, a job important like this could bring him a lot of wealth and recognition, and he did like a good life.
"Spurius and I need to be moving if we are going to lay out the issue to Marcus Antonius, who else will be going with us? Who else can be of assistace to Lady Caelia in her efforts?" Artemis looked about himself, the toga was still fitting, he straightened himself and checked to make sure he had with him both his pugio and the small bronze diploma indicating his retirement from the military. He felt that on its leather tie and tucked the document from Adelphus. "we need to move quickly, morning will be upon us soon, and with it the plot against the General will be well underway."
To Elizabeth Caelia says, "I think there are a great many of the brotherhood, from all walks of life; poor, rich, young and old. Some of his servants are for sure. I can show you all the secret sign but I beg you only to look for it as a sign of the brotherhood; if you start doing it yourself, it will surely lead the brotherhood to realise I'm a traitor to their cause. It is thus," Caelia slips her hand into her toga a short way, so that the fingers are hidden but the back of the hand is still showing. She takes her hand out again.
"I think I should go home now and get some sleep. First thing, I'll send a message to Scaevola and hope he'll invite me to be with him at the games tomorrow. I'll try to send messages to keep in touch and vice versa; we can use our injured friend Lucius here as an excuse for messages, including 'He is critical - come at once!'" Caelia smiles. "If anyone sees Germanicus, appraise him of the situation. Goodluck with Marcus Antonius, Artemis. Is there anything else before I go?"
Elizabeth nods as Caelia talks and shows them the sign. She is horrified by the scale of the Brotherhood, but also scared about tomorrow, knowing what must come to pass, but that they are supposed to somehow stop.
Artemis turned and left with the message for Marcus Antonius. As he got to the doorway, he looked over his shoulder and said, "Let's meet back here at first light if possible. Lady Caelia, I hope you will be noticeable amongst the crowd. Spurius, let's hope the Consul will see a few veterans when we show up.
He waited to see who else would join them before heading back out into the darkness of the Roman night.
"I'll come with you some of the way, my villa is in the same direction. Good night everyone and good luck tomorrow." Caelia runs after Artemis and Spurius and they leave through the doors together. As they pass through the darkened streets she murmurs, "How is Adelphus going to persuade Marcus Antonius? I saw you glance at the scroll."
"Lady Caelia, I have no idea what it says. Never seen the type of writing across it, maybe you can understand it?" He pulled the parchment from the inner folds of the toga and handed it to her.
OOC,It's not that kind of scroll. ;) [b]Elizabeth[/b] and [b]Lucius[/b] may also read the scroll if they come with this group by opening the below spoiler button. [b]Story[/b] and [b]Brook[/b] have already read it; it was [b]Story[/b] who gave the scroll to [b]Artemis[/b]. [b]Adelphus[/b] never had it and is remaining in the palace. Anyone else wishing to read the scroll will need to succeed at an Other Language: Egyptian roll. [b]Marcus[/b] already tried and failed.
Before I split the threads, I'll need to know who is going where (or staying put in the palace). So far, [b]Artemis[/b], and [b]Spurius[/b] are going to seek out [b]Marc Antony[/b]. [b]Caelia[/b] is going with them at least partway before heading home, unless she decides to go with them all the way. I just need to know what [b]Story[/b], the three companions, and [b]Marcus[/b] are doing.
Caelia Alba,[b]Caelia[/b] was able to read the stylized Egyptian writing on the papyrus scroll:
"Hail Adept [b]Scaevola[/b],
I, Master [b]Kemnebi[/b], send you greetings from the Temple of Thoth in Khmun. Accompanying this missive you will find the Dagger of Ra. It is an ancient artifact of great power that we have only recently unearthed. Most of its powers remain mysteries to the Brotherhood for now, but it will certainly suffice for the purpose you have envisioned. In order to empower it for that purpose, you will need to slay an extremely powerful individual, and you must sacrifice a large portion of your essence in order to do so. However, there may be a way to lessen the cost to your ka. If you conduct this sacrifice in conjunction with as many others as possible, the cost will be shared with them, though you will still pay the highest price. It matters not which of you actually strikes the death blow, but it is essential that every one among you sheds the victim's blood. Once that is done, further sacrifices can made of any individual as long as it is done in the presence of Thoth, and you shall reap the benefits. Of course, the more powerful the victim's spirit, the greater the benefits to you. Those benefits will far outweigh the cost of the initial sacrifice. If Thoth wills it, you will become the greatest magician the world has ever seen, able to live through the centuries and witness the eventual awakening of the Beast. If you go down this path, you will surely succumb to madness, but as we both know, madness is merely seeing the world for what it truly is. The blessings of Thoth go with you."
Marcus nods at Artemis's gesture and moves to his side, excited as can be. This was a perfect opportunity to finally get some recognition and embark on the adventure he always wanted, full of thrill and danger.
He stops and just looks around, throwing a smile at his recent companions Story and Brook, and then turning to Caelia as she finished reading, still mesmerized by her beauty.
"Whenever you're ready" he said before resting his back on a nearby wall, looking at the whole party.
As she reads, the blood drains from Caelia's face and she puts out a hand to steady herself. "Oh dear gods. This is nothing to do with what we thought; it is far, far worse!" She looks around worriedly,
"We can't talk here, it's not safe. And how does Adelphus know that Mark Antonius is trustworthy? Will you stop briefly at my villa on the way and I'll translate the scroll to you; it might help you with Mark Antonius and it gives us a clearer picture of what will occur tomorrow. Quickly now, we must hurry; and keep a look out for followers!"
Turning urgently to her friends Elizabeth says "Story, what should we do? You and Brook know more about this conspiracy than Lucius and I. What do you think we should do for the best?"
Brook looks at Elizabeth. "We have to keep either the dagger or Scaevola from joining the assasination... Which means we have to find them, I guess..."
"Lady Caelia, men, we need to make quick, for the night is passing, and we need to save our General." Artemis looked back at the party and made his way into the night.
Caelia hands the scroll back to Artemis. "You are right; and at least we know where Scaevola is- at least I hope so!" She says to Thorn and then waits with Artemis, Marcus and Spurius ready to lead them to her villa on the way to Marcus Antonius.
ooc edit,I edited this last bit just to make it clearer what Caelia is doing!
"Yes, of course Lady Caelia, we can stop at your Villa, but we need to leave quickly then. Marcus, Spurius, and I are ready, Lady Caelia, is anyone else joining us?" Artemis looked about as he stood near where Marcus and Spurius were also waiting. " But, we need to get leaving now. The more that night passes, the stronger the plotters grow."
"So presumably that is where we should go?" says Elizabeth, hesitantly, looking from Story to Brook, and to Lucius as well. "If we have to stop him, or get the dagger, then do we realistically have any other options?"
While they wait for the oddly dressed group to decide, Caelia pulls Artemis, Marcus and Spurius to one side, "Look, to save time I'll translate the gist of the message to you now and then you can go straight to Marcus Antonius. But come in close as I only want to whisper; who knows who could be watching us right now."
Artemis Marcus and Spurius,She takes the parchment from Artemis and whispers, [color=#0000BF]"This is addressed to Scaevola from someone called Kemnebi at the temple of Thoth in Egypt.[/color] [color=#0000FF] 'Here is the Dagger of Ra, an ancient artifact of great and mysterious powers. You will need to slay an extremely powerful individual', something about sacrificing a large portion of your essence,'[/color] [color=#0000BF]that's Scaevola's essence."[/color] She frowns,[color=#0000BF] "I'm not sure what that is or means exactly.[/color][color=#0000FF] 'However, there may be a way to lessen the cost to your ka.'"[/color]
She shakes her head again and tries to light the vellum better but it doesn't help her understanding.[color=#0000FF] "'If you conduct this sacrifice in conjunction with as many others as possible, the cost will be shared with them, though you will pay the highest price. It matters not which of you actually strikes the death blow, but it is essential that every one among you sheds the victim's blood.'"[/color] She looks up, [color=#0000BF]"So does that mean there are to be many assassins?[/color][color=#0000FF]
'Once that is done, further sacrifices can made of any individual as long as it is done in the presence of Thoth, and you shall reap the benefits. Of course, the more powerful the victim's spirit, the greater the benefits to you. Those benefits will far outweigh the cost of the initial sacrifice. If Thoth wills it, you will become the greatest magician the world has ever seen, able to live through the centuries and witness the eventual awakening of the Beast. If you go down this path, you will surely succumb to madness, but as we both know, madness is merely seeing the world for what it truly is.[/color]'
[color=#0000BF]
It simply ends with[/color] [color=#0000FF]'The blessings of Thoth go with you.'[/color]"
Caelia rolls the parchment up and hands it back, not wanting to touch it any longer. "So Scaevola thinks by murdering Caesar with this magic dagger he'll gain magical powers himself. He's crazier than I thought. And more dangerous than any of us dreamed.
I'll still play my part however and it was a good idea for me to be obvious to spot. I have a bright yellow stola and palla and a headdress of yellow feathers. It'll look ridiculous but you'll spot me in a crowd."
Marcus hears Caelia's reading and remains calm at the contents, as he already suspected something like this from his visit to Scaveola's place.
"I think it's of utmost importance that we head out as soon as possible if we're meant to do something about this, from the writing, I can perceive that these ceremonies would take a great deal of planning, and there's the chance the absence of this document might be noted anytime, if it hasn't been already." He said with a calm face, almost opposite to the serious tone in which he spoke.
OOC,Is there anyone who is [i]not[/i] going to see [b]Marcus Antonius[/b]? I'd like to get this moving in a few days, so please let me know if anyone has different plans by then. If I don't hear from anyone, I'll assume they're coming with the others.
OOC,Caelia is not going to Marcus Antonius. She will stop at her villa for the rest of the night, write and send a message to Scaevola, sleep and prepare for the morning.
"Alright, then, I think our group needs to head off quickly to find the Consul," Artemis spoke back towards the group as he swept his hand towards his fellow soldiers.
After falling asleep for a few seconds Lucious woke up for what seems for him an eternity, he stand up and say"For my part I'll be going with Story, I think that's where I'll be the more usefull. Let's try to get Scaevola or the dagger Story! ".
And Lucious turn in direction of Caelia and ask:"Can you give us any indication on how to acess that initiation chamber in Scaveola house? "
OOC,New player in here! I hope to do well in this and not too many mistakes! ;)
Caelia looks uncertain. "I don't know that I can. It's a difficult one. Scaevola warned that should I reveal the secrets of the Brotherhood, my eyes will be ripped out, my tongue severed and all sorts of horrible things will happen to me. If I tell you where in the garden the secret entrance to his underground lair is then he will know I told you. I swore to Thoth you see." She smiles briefly. "I did drop my bangle just before descending so to mark my passage in case I never came back. You need to be very wary of his guards too; they are fierce and carry khopesh."
Lucius lower slightly his head smiling, "I understand your fear, the powers of the gods are not to be taken lightly. Don't say nothing more, I dont want to put you at higher risk for those informations, I'll try to be discreet as a shadow when I'll search for the lair. "
He could not hold back a light smile again thinking of how clever Caelia is.
Marcus nods at Artemis's gesture and then looks at Lucius and Caelia talking, as he proceeds to let his weight fall on a wall, calmly waiting for Artemis and the others to lead the way.
"Ready when you are, my friends." He said while letting out a soft laugh.
Adelphus gave directions to all who needed them. After Artemis, Spurius, and Marcus dropped off Caelia at her home, where she went to sleep, they continued to the house of Marcus Antonius. Story and his companions went to the Ostia gate, heading for Scaevola's villa in the countryside.
OOC,[b]Story[/b], [b]Elizabeth[/b], [b]Lucius[/b], and [b]Brook[/b] are moving to the thread linked below:
