Play@YSDC

Elizabeth stands quietly while Story makes his introductions, her hopes rising a little as she hears the servant's response.

Story momentarily bows his head to the servant before saying, "I am merely a seer known as Story and have come to seek an audience with him, for it is nearly time for brothers to stand together and usher in what's to be."

"I shall relay your request to him," said the servant. "Please wait here." He stepped inside the house and shut the door.

"Well that's promising," says Elizabeth, raising her eyebrows and looking to Story and the others. "At least he's here. Now if only he'll see us ..."

Brook looks at the others, suddenly feeling a bit nervous. "What are you going to tell him, Story? Remember, these are the people most likely to stab you in the back..."

Story looks thoughtfully into the distance, pondering his answer. After a few seconds he looks at his companions and says, "The truth. That vigilance is required for the coup may be compromised. Remember as horrible as it is in the moment, we have to make sure this assassination happens. While I pray we're not meant to be part of the responsible party, we've got to insure the integrity of the timeline. I understand if this is asking too much, but the slightest change could erase everything you... no, everything we know from this era forward. That said, I fear that this was not merely a simple assassination... there's something far more sinister at work here with this Brotherhood. Perhaps if we can get into the inner circle we can uncover what nefarious motive really lies beneath the plot to kill Caesar, and that my friends is what we must hamper."

The servant returned, opening the door and stepping to one side. "You may enter the house of Servilia as her guests," he said. "Senator Cassius awaits you in the atrium."

Story nods his thanks to the servant and walks into the house.

Brook follows quietly, taking note of where the possible exits are.

Elizabeth follows as well, looking discreetly around her as she goes into the house.

Story and his companions walked through the vestibule into a large open-air courtyard. Various doorways led off from it in different directions, and a corridor led deeper into the house. In the atrium were several people. A tall, gray-haired woman of about sixty years old strode forward to greet her guests. Her beauty had not yet faded despite her age. "Welcome to my home, travelers," she said. "I am Servilia." She introduced four more of the people present in turn, each of them wearing a toga with a purple stripe. "Allow me to introduce my son Brutus, my son-in-law Cassius, whom you have come to see, Servilius Casca, and Publius Servilius Scaevola, more distant relations." She then pointed out an man of about her own age with white hair and deep, thoughtful eyes. Another man of the same age who was obviously a slave stood behind his shoulder, wax tablet and stylus in hand. "And last, but certainly not least, is Marcus Tullius Cicero, the famous orator."

Story smiles and says to Servilia, "Well met madam. The Gods have smiled upon you." He momentarily bows his head. As she begins to call out names his eyes follows her voice around the room, assigning a face to a name. When she mentions Cassius he nods in agreement with her statement. Once she completed the introductions he smiles again before saying, "It is a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Story the Wise, and these are my traveling companions - Lucius, Elizabeth, and Brooke."

"I am delighted to meet you all," said Servilia with a smile. "Other than Lucius, who is clearly Roman, you all look to hail from Britannia. You have indeed traveled far to come here."

"You have knowledge of the future, you said?" asked Cassius, studying Story intently.

Lucius, who was standing behind his friends, bowed when Story call his name, but kept silence, trying to remeber something about people they met here.

Brook History

Story turns his attention to Cassius, "I do indeed. Change is coming."

"Change always comes," said Cicero. "It is the one true constant."

"Are your words for my ears alone, or may others hear them?" asked Cassius.

Story nods and smiles at Cicero before turning his attention to Cassius, "For now I'd say for yours alone... pardon the interruption. I sought you at your home, but was told I would find you here."

Cassius nodded. "Very well, I shall hear your words in private," he said.

"You may use the tablinum," said Servilia, pointing out a room off of the rear of the atrium, directly opposite the way they had come in.

"Thank you. Follow me, Story." Cassius led the way to the indicated room.

Story follows Cassius to the room. He waits to speak until his companions file into the room. Once they enter and Cassius indicates it's okay to speak he says, "Cassius the time is nearly at hand when brothers not of blood, but of oath will stand together. I tell you the truth that even now there are those who would seek to move against what fate has determined shall come to pass."