Civil War Stories, The Will of the Senate

"I can understand Sextus's plan up until the part where we march my family all the way to Ariminum." Thoma complained. Flavius ignored him, kneeling down to fill a jug with water at the side of a small stream. Thoma's family rested at the side of the wagon, the other man with them standing beside them, keeping an eye on the whimpering casket-like box.

Thoma took the hint, and looked back to the wagon. "Think we should tell him that we're not actually going to bury him alive?"

Flavius snickered. "And have him start spouting off all the way there rather than begging for his life?" He went quiet for a moment again. "As far as your family goes, there is no question in my mind that you'd rather them not be there when the day comes. You know what I'm talking about. Don't forget why we're on this journey to begin with. They'll be safer in Ariminum."

Thoma nodded then let out a sigh of begrudging acceptance. He knew full well what he meant. The Republic was tearing itself apart from within, and it was foolish to think that Roma itself would be spared when in all reality it seemed more likely that the city would suffer the worst horrors of the war.

Flavius looked up at the sky, trying to judge how much farther they could go before night would hit them. "Come on, it'd be best not to waste any more time."

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Drudging around in the ruins of Manius's estate would be a worthless endeavor, they'd found everything they could have there. Instead, Sextus wanted to question the neighbors. They woke early that morning, when people were getting ready to go out and take care of their daily business, and hastily made their way to the upper class neighborhood where Manius's estate once stood. There was a great deal of people milling about the street, many off in the direction of the forum, the baths, some to the scriptorium.

"Where to even start?" Sextus wondered aloud, it wouldn't be an easy task. People were on edge these days, particularly with factional loyalties sparking almost immediate altercations when mentioned in public. It was the cause of all the rioting the past few days, but with the approach of Marcellus's fleet, and Luca Mamillus outside the walls, the majority of the unrest had quieted down.

Sextus looked up and down the street, and decided they really didn't have much of a choice. "Let's go, house by house, but keep an eye out for the garrison, if you see them, run, and hide out wherever you can until nightfall, then meet up back at the house with anything you know. Go." He almost couldn't believe they'd been forced to resort to such a tactic, but they had nothing else to go by.