With the weather being still a bit chilly, especially with it being morning, he wore his old service sagum that Aelia had mended at the edges. It hung down to his knees and brough a comfort that years of wearing such a cloak provided him. At his waist, he wore one of his most prized possessions, a finely crafted pugio in its embossed and silver gilted sheath. The SPQR clearly visible above the spread wing eagle stamped into the dark leather. He also had about his neck the leather covered, wood lined holder for his diploma, proof of both his citizenship and his service to the Republic. He knew each letter inscribed in the thin metal plaque and could recite the inscription by memory with its statement of his final position as an ala signifier in the service of the Auxilliary of Rome. He was proud of his service, his horsemanship abilities that he had used since a mere child in the Triveri region. He still used those skills now as a citizen, but more so in the raising of horses and caring for others at his small inn at that market at the Mont.
He flattened his dress and made sure that the coins he had were still in their concealed location behind his belt. The final payment owed to both him and Marcus would have to not only get him back home, but also be sufficient to pay what was owed to Marcus as his share. Hopefully, the six yearlings he had brought with him, at significant cost and effort, would be sold at the auction tomorrow to next year's chariot hopefuls after they had counted their winnings from the Equira celebrations. Well, time would tell, and if the auction only produced a few more coin, he would leave next year's sale to Marcus, assuming that Marcus had recovered from the illness that had taken his breath away during the heart of winter. Hopefully, he would also be able to speak with someone, be it at the Senate meeting or in the civil offices, about his community's want to have a some type of official recognition and a representative of the Republic in its midsts. The hope was such a designation would restore to the Mont the former prestige it had lost during the Roman conquest of the Triveri nearly a decade early.
Artemis was jostled out of his thoughts as he was pushed aside by a brawny Syrian man. "Make way, make way, you country oaf, make way for Senator Tiberius Germanicus, make way." Artemis moved quickly and turned to catch a glimpse of the Senator, a military figure that Artemis recognized from his service in the German territory although he had never met the former officer. He heard the Senator call out to someone, and then other faces and aspects of the Forum quickly captured his gaze as a cloaked figure followed in the wake of the Senator and his guards.
"Do you want to see what the gods hold in store for you, soldier?" The voice coming from a man younger than himself, but having the face of someone who knew more than his years should have allowed. Artemis waived the auger off with a simple nod indicating his lack of interest, and a smile, as he twisted the small fascinus between his left thumb and forefinger then let it drop back against his tunic. He hoped that his response would not result in the evil eye being applied against him by the auger and began to wander off into the crowd of people enjoying the start of the public holiday.
Artemis turned about and focused on the noise of the crowd as all gasped seeing Julius Caesar. Artemis' position did not allow for a close up inspection of his former commander, but from a distance Artemis smiled as he recognized the strengh that was exhibited by Caesar's gait and presence. He noticed that the Senator had caught Caesar's attention and the two exchanged words then walked through the opening being created by Caesar's numerous guards. As he scanned the crowed, he tried to find any familiar face or some other senator that he might raise this community's needs. His eyes moved about the Forum as he leaned against a pillar.Mr. Handy wrote:"Make way!" shouted a man's deep booming voice from the edge of the Forum. "Make way for Gaius Julius Caesar, twice imperator, dictator in perpetua!" When people turned to look, they saw the entourage of Julius Caesar approach. Caesar himself was borne atop a litter carried by several slaves, wearing a white toga with a wide purple stripe. Though he was in his mid-fifties, he still retained a powerful demeanor and features that looked like they were sculpted. Surrounding him were heralds, servants, various hangers-on, and his lictors. While Germanicus had but two of them, Caesar had an even dozen.
[Spoiler-Button]Artemis Spot Hidden:25, [dice]1d100[/dice][/Spoiler-Button]