"...and then he fell flat on his arse!" Avlvs Aemilivs finished, and the occupants of the dining table roared with laughter once more, slamming their cups or their fists down on the table, wine sloshing across the room.
Avlvs Aemilivs Mamercvs, Qvintvs Aemilivs Avlrelivs Regillis, Caivs Avrelivs Cotta, Titvs Avrelivs Cotta, Antonivs Ovidius Martinvs (the Prefect of the Second) and other officers of the Legio II sat in various states of decency, while jugs of wine, platters of food and the general mess of a raucous meal lay strewn across the table. Qvintvs Aemilivs was by far the furthest gone, while Caivs Avrelivs had insisted that the young Titvs' wine was well watered each time. Antonivs Ovidivs had had by far the most jugs, yet he sat as tall and solid as an Ox; the man had the stomach to match at least! Several slaves stood silent around the edge of the room, ready for instructions; but generally they were ignored.
The men were celebrating the retreat of the Epirite forces that had been preparing to attack Ambrakia once the Winter had lifted. However, what with the arrival of the Legio II back on the shores of Greece and the mutiny of many of the dissatisfied mercenaries from the army, the remaining Epirites had turned back to warmer and safer surroundings within Makedonia. However, the party was about to be interrupted.
As Caivs Avrelivs called for another round of wine from one of the slaves, a distant challange could be heard from the entrance to the Propraetor's residence, and presently running footsteps rushing up the staircase to the room of which the men of the Second were seated. Avlvs Aemilivs was about to continue his tale, when three sharp knocks resounded loudly through the room. Avlvs Aemilivs stopped, and looked to the host uncertainly. Caivs Avrelivs frowned.
"A man cannot have one night to drink, can he?" he sighed. Pursing his lips, he nodded to the slave nearest the door. "Admit the man, Admes."
The young Greek complied, opening the heavy wooden and poking his head round to seek the source of the interruption. The men caught a glimpse of the shield of one of the guards from downstairs, and heard one other voice talking to Admes, but could see nothing more than the man's legs. Presently, the man shouldered his way past the Greek, and strode into the room. The guard attempted to hustle after him, but ended up stumbing over the prostrated body of Admes, and sent himself sprawling as well. In any other situation, both men would have been severly punished, but the room's occupants found it so funny that a new round of raucous laughter shook the table.
The unnamed visitor took one look at the rowdy group, and cleared his throat loudly. When receiving no response, he simply shouted over the din.
"I have an urgent message from Roma, for the Praetor Caivs Avrelivs Cotta, Legatvs Avlvs Aemilivs Mamercvs and Plebian Tribune Qvintvs Aemilivs Avlrelivs Regillis." The laughter quietened down slightly. Caivs Avrelivs spoke.
"Please tell me the old fools in the Senate have not lost one of their lovely rings again, and that I have stolen it, that I may melt it down to create hordes of undead soldiers from which I shall attain the Throne of the Gods, and rule over all the world from Heaven," Caivs Avrelivs said in a mock horror voice, which his companions sniggered with drunken laughter. The messenger looked not in the least bit amused, as he looked on.
"Legatvs Tiberivs Clavdivs Marcellvs is dead," he said bluntly. The humour quickly left the table, and the laughter hollowed. Caivs Avrelivs stared at the messenger, frowning.
"You speak the truth, indeed," he said. The messenger nodded. Caivs Avrelivs fell silent, lost in thought. Avlvs Aemilivs spoke up.
"When was this? How did this happen? Has the Third been defeated in Sicilia?"
"The Legate died of severe head injuries after being thrown from his horse a couple of weeks ago," the messenger replied. "The Third is still in Sicilia, and remains undefeated." Qvintvs Aemilivs and Avlvs Aemilivs looked at each other.
"This is good news, surely, Caivs," Avlvs Aemilivs said to his friend. "The man was nothing but a constant thorn in our side since the Second was created. It will do the Republic no harm to see the demise of this certain Legate." Qvintvs Aemilivs shifted uncomfortably in the silence that followed, while all looked to the Praetor. But Caivs Avrelivs simply sat, staring into space. Finally, the young Titvs spoke.
"It is never good to see Romans killed, no matter what side of the political fence they stand. I have not had the experience of you men concerning Tiberivs Clavdivs Marcellvs, but I have never been led to believe he is a friend of this family. I have heard him speak in the Curia and the Forum, and he did indeed pocess an uncanny skill of rhetoric and charisma." He turned to Avlvs Aemilivs. "Avlvs Aemilivs, I must regret to express my direct disagreement at you, but I must attempt to persuade you against condemningthe shadow of this man. His soul has passed out of this world; only his memory remains. Let us not dishonour it with such harsh words. Let his actions and speeches speak for themselves."
Avlvs Aemilivs looked on at Titvs Avrelivs.
"Though young you are, Titvs, you already pocess the mind and charity of your father, I see. You are wise and strong-willed, with a good sense of justice and self belief. It is with regret that I remind myself I spoke such words, and for that I do apologise. Caivs, what say you of Tiberivs Marcellvs' departure? You cannot deny it will be good for your political career, what with the supposed head of our rival family deceased."
Caivs Avrelivs continued to sit in silence. Presently, however, he seemed to make up his mind. He turned to the messenger.
"Thank you. You may stay for the night, before returning my answer back to the Senate: Message received and understood." He looked as if he was going to say more, but seemed to decide against it, simply nodding to the messenger, who took his leave.
Caivs Avrelivs stoof up from the table, and walked slowly away to the balcony outside the room. The remaining guests sat uncomfortably in various states of mood. Soon, however, the Prefect Antonivs Ovidius Martinvs stood, bid his fellows goodnight, and left, followed by most of his officers. Titvs left the room soon after, bidding his step-brother and Avlvs Aemilivs good night. Qvintvs Aemilivs sat brooding over some wine, while Avlvs sat frowning at nothing in particular. After about a minute, he stood quietly, and joined his friend outside.
Caivs Avrelivs heard him coming, but decided against moving. His friend joined him, and together they looked out over the city spread below them, torches casting shadows below, while the expanse of the heavans shone above them. Caivs Avrelivs searched out the spots of twinkling light in the night sky, until he found one of the brightest.
"There!" he said, pointing. "There shines our friend Tiberivs Clavdivs Marcellvs." Avlvs looked where he was pointing, and then at his friend.
"I would hardly describe him as a friend, Caivs. Nor would I expect such a match of words coming from your lips during his existance on this world."
Caivs smiled, nodding.
"True enough, my friend. I will not deny I hated his time on this earth every second of my life since he entered the Curia that day so many years ago. But don't you see, Avlvs? That's just it." His companion looked blank. Caivs Avrelivs laughed. "Perhaps one day, Avlvs, you too will experience how I feel now. But for now, we must think of what his demise means for us. A bit of a break for me, I should hope, though no doubt his minions will attempt to recreate his pesistant meddling. It is not yet time for us to return to Roma. But when we do, it will be a different city from the one we left, that I am sure of."
Avlvs Aemilivs simply nodded, staring out over the city. Soon, Caivs Avrelivs bid his friend goodnight, and left Avlvs stood on the balcony alone. It would certainly be different, thought Avlvs. Perhaps his friend would change too; it was apparant that he already was changing anyway. Avlvs Aemilivs looked once more at the bright star Caivs Avrelivs had pointed out, thoughtful.
"I for one do hope you are, and stay, dead, Tiberivs Clavdivs Marcellvs." But Avlvs could bring himself to smile or feel bitter or happiness at his rival's death. Shaking his head slowly, and shivering slightly in the cool night air, he too returned to the warmth of the residence.
OOC:
The Death of a Senator
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