IC-Ep 3-Awakenings(Germanicus/Claudius/Titus/Decius)

[Mr. Handy]

The villa of Germanicus- north of Rome, Italia
Early Morning- March 15, 44 BC

Germanicus awoke in his bed with the sun streaming through the window, exactly where he had gone to sleep the night before. Next to him, his wife still slept. Had it all been a dream? If so, that meant Caesar was still alive - at least for now.

In the slave quarters, Claudius awoke with a start. The cat slept curled up against him, as cats were wont to do. He would have a busy day ahead of him, of that he was sure.

Titus Iunius Philo woke up in the guest room where he had gone to sleep. He had never had such a clear prophecy given to him in a dream before.

Decius Lupus also awakened in another guest chamber. He had a feeling that today he would see action.

[HoneyDog]

Claudius felt the warmth of his feline best friend pressed against him. He decided then and there that whatever else happened, he wasn’t going to let anything happen to his cat. And if anyone got in his way, well….

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Titus decides to seek out the house guests and question them about their dreams. This was no mere phantom of the night, but a true vision. Perhaps one of them had shared it as well.

[Mr. Handy]

As Claudius emerged from his quarters into the atrium, another servant approached from the vestibulum. "There is an Egyptian messenger here with an urgent message for the master," he said.

Titus went into Septimus's room, as it was right next to his, but the old seer was still asleep and did not respond to his questions. When he shook him to try to awaken him, the man felt cold. Titus suddenly realized that he must have died in his sleep.

Spoiler:

Titus, please roll Sanity. Sanity loss is 0/1d3.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Spoiler:

SANITY = 65

Victoria Silverwolf rolled 1d100:
17

Titus is shocked by the death of his esteemed mentor, but is able to maintain his courage. Surely the great Septimus would have wanted him to continue in his quest to fight off the mysterious evil that threatens Rome. He closes the old seer's eyelids and commends him to Elysium. He must find a coin to leave with the body to pay the eternal ferryman.

[HoneyDog]

Claudius set off to see the Egyptian, who no doubt was bearing more bad news.

[Mr. Handy]

An Egyptian servant was at the front door. "I bear a message for Senator Germanicus from Nefertiri, servant to Queen Cleopatra," he said to Claudius. "She requires your master's presence in the palace at once on an urgent matter. There have been new developments."

Titus left one of his own coins with Septimus so he could pay the ferryman.

[DrPeterson]

Germanicus wakes from the light of the sun on his face and he looks around with a start.
"A dream! But so real! This could be nothing else but ominous portent."

He shakes his head and looks at the still sleeping figure of his wife, feeling a pang of sadness as he recalls the pain they've gone through and the misery that'll still come. He leans over and kisses her gently on the back of her head. If only he could let her sleep some more hours in peace.

"Wake up, sweet Aemilia, a dark hour is at hand."

He looks lovingly at his sleep-groggy wife and then continues.

"You must hire more muscle to protect the house today and you must take care of it presently, there is too little time left to explain, but if the Fates are kind, I shall be able to do so tonight and we will laugh and be in great mirth."

Although he tries for some lightness, his face is set in stone.

"You must also send an invitation to Calpurnia in which you insist that she take breakfast with you. You have a very important thing to discuss her. I'm sure you will make up an suitable reason."

He tenderly kisses her brow and gives her another look.

"I am sorry, but time is the most precious commodity now. Pray that I do not return at noon, but that we might tonight."

"Claudius! I shall need to be dressed now and be ready to leave just as soon!"

[Mr. Handy]

"I shall do as you say, dear," said Aemilia, a look of concern on her face. "Whatever you are doing, dear, please be careful."

[HoneyDog]

Claudius appears in the doorway.

“Master! A message arrived from Nefertiti. Cleopatra wishes your presence at the palace!”

He scuttles away to prepare Germanicus’ wardrobe.

[andyw666]

Lupus wakes with a start, looking around and trying to get his bearings. Waking up in strange places is normal. Waking from such a dream is not. His first instinct is to make the warding sign against evil, taught to him by his long gone Gallic grandmother. His second instinct is to touch his hidden necklace, with the charm dedicated to Mars. Can't have too much divine aid.

Lupus quickly checks that his armour and weapons are where he left them, neatly and discreetly wrapped.

Did I convince a serving girl to join me last night or was that a dream too? He looks about but there is no incriminating serving girl to be seen.

Was that a dream? Clearly the old general's wine is very potent indeed. Or the Gods in their humour have cursed me with prophecy.

Feeling in various parts slightly guilty, confused, and worried, Lupus decides to quickly don his armoury. Easier to have it on and take it off than not have it on. And then perhaps some breakfast?

decius lupus.JPG

[DrPeterson]

"Make sure the messenger is fed and bring Decius Lupus and Titus Iunius to me.", Germanicus says to Danae, a Greek slave passing by, and then goes to get dressed.

[Mr. Handy]

"Right away, Dominus," said Danae, running off to do as she was bidden. By the time she returned with Titus and Decius, Germanicus was dressed.

[DrPeterson]

"I was shown ominous portents in my dreams and you men were all part of that dream. I fear it is little coincidence that the Queen calls for us now. Already there is too little time in this day to achieve what I would, and I truly hope she will bring tidings worth the detour. But we shall journey there together and leave at once, for my business is in the Forum and not in Cleopatra's palace."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Titus says nothing but nods in agreement. Germanicus is far wiser in affairs of state than he.

[andyw666]

"Of course General. I too had a terrible dream of Caesar slain and the sun gone out."

"If we are traveling back into the city, I will need to leave my sword, bow and shield, but perhaps I can still wear my armour under my cloak? I wonder if your servant, the disfigured one I mean, could bring my weapons with him? Wrapped up somehow to disguise them. Be nice to have them along." Lupus waves a meaty paw at Claudius.

"And I'm sure no-one would think to, or want to search him or whatever he's carrying."

[Mr. Handy]

The messenger escorted Germanicus, Claudius, Titus, and Decius along the road south to Rome, passing through the Field of Mars to the city's north gate. There were many people streaming into Rome along with them in a joyful, celebratory mood. But how much longer would that mood last, given what was due to happen today? The Egyptian led the group up the Palatine Hill and into Cleopatra's antechamber, where Caelia, Aricus, Artemis, Spurius, and Marcus were already gathered with Nefertiri,

Spoiler:

You can bring weapons and armor into Rome as long as they're packed away with no problem.

Everyone is moving to the thread linked below:

The Ides of March