Thread: Desire to Live  Strmas and LingeringDesire

As soon as the evening sun set, Atticus slipped out of the back gate accompanied by three household servants. They were all dressed in similar, common hooded cloaks. They walked in silence until they reached the first crossroads in the Aventine where they split heading in separate directions. Atticus sent a special plea to the gods that those watching the house would be confused. Atticus hurried down the steep path heading down to the Temple of Saturn but turned abruptly before reaching the temple heading away from the Forum. He tried with all his will to not look back as he headed further away from the forum but in the end he could not resist and made a furtive glance behind him. He swore under his breath as he saw two shadowlike figures following at the far range of his vision. Skirting the affluent Palatine district whose residents were living in just as much fear as the Aventine Atticus entered the shadows of the Subura itself. The roads quickly became narrower, the buildings seeming to crowd in against the roadway and the path itself becoming more and more twisted. The sounds and smells of the city changed as well, voices gradually changed from Latin with a smattering of Greek to an eclectic mixture of strange tongues, the air saturated by the aroma of exotic spices and food. It had been a long time since Atticus had been in these dangerous neighborhoods and he worried he would become lost in its twisting maze. Even worse, no matter which way he turned when he looked back the figures which had followed him from the Aventine were always there, not even making an effort to conceal themselves. Just as he was about to despair of ever finding his destination, or his way out of this maze he stumbled onto a crossroad he recognized from years ago. At the intersection a dark and dank entryway lead into a seedy building. fearing the pursuers he knew more than the unknown denizens of the tavern, Atticus plunged into the doorway. As his eyes slowly adjusted to the dim, light Atticus found himself in a large table filled room dominated by a large bar in its center. The noisy crowd of patrons seemed to take little notice of Atticus as he wandered slowly over to the bar. Suddenly the atmosphere of the tavern seemed to change and the loud murmur that had surrounded Atticus when he entered died abruptly. What do you think you are doing here, Sulleni?, challenged a voice from the dark corner of the bar. Atticus's heart pounded in his chest as he thought the man was addressing him but turning he saw the two men who had been following him for the last hour standing just inside the door. None of your business citizen, replied the bigger man with a sneer. A small wrinkled man stepped from the shadows, Looking for someone in particular, Sulleni, he asked balancing a club in his hands, or just trolling? The big man appeared on the verge of moving forward when a wall suddenly seemed to move in front of Atticus to stand next to the little man. Atticus stood, mouth gaping open as he looked at what was the biggest man he had ever seen. The biggest that is before the building next to him, he made the first giant look like a dwarf. With their long hair and wild looks they could only be Gauls. Take your stinking lists and crawl back to Sulla, snarled the small man. The two thugs turned tail and hurried from the bar. The small man nodded at the two Gauls and they and another half dozen of their mates followed the pair from the bar. The small man turned and headed back toward the corner when he stopped and peered at Atticus. Atticus Icilius?, he exclaimed, What's it been, 5 years? What brings an upstanding man like yourself into the Subura? You are looking well, Sextus Decuminus, I wonder if I might have a moment of your time to discuss a problem?, Atticus said in a low voice. Anything I can do to help, Atticus, he said leading the way back to a table. Lucius, bring us some wine, and not the usual swill you serve, he called to the barman, we wouldn't have the crossroads if it wasn't for Atticus. Atticus smiled sheepishly, I didn't do that much Sextus. Bah, no one else would even talk to us, if it hadn't been for you that sanctimonious ass of an urban praetor would have closed every crossroad tavern in the city., beamed Sextus. he poured Atticus a flagon of wine when the barman set down the jug, Something to eat Atticus? The cook makes the best roast mouse in the city! No, thankyou Sextus, I don't have long. Very well, what is the problem and how can I help? Atticus took a deep breath and launched into his tale. Once started he found he could not stop and unloaded all his worries and fears onto Sextus. The little man sat quietly, sipping his wine as he digested Atticus's story and then shook his head sadly. I thought it must be those infernal lists that would bring you out here. Right after Sulla was declared dictator I started seeing shady looking fellows, like those two thugs following you, walking all around Rome. First all they seemed to do was stand around outside people's homes and the markets and watching. And then the lists came out and you can bet houses these men were watching showed up on the lists. Here in Subura Sulla's proscriptions don't bother as many folk but they reach even here., he leaned in and lowered his voice to a conspirator whisper, I'm still afraid for my landlady's son, the Jullia are tied tight to old Marrius. You mean young Gaius? He's Jupiter's own priest, surely even Sulla would not risk the curse of the gods by killing Jupiter's personal priest?, Atticus asked surprized. Aye, then you hadn't heard? Sulla stripped the boy of his priesthood, said the ritual appointing him was flawed., Sextus moved closer and said in a voice just above a whisper, Heard Sulla demanded the lad divorce his wife. Married to Cinna's daughter you know, cutest little thing, still a moon shy of her 12th birthday, but you think young Caesar would kowtow to the old monster? Ha, spit in his eye he did! Turned in his sacred robes, seat in the senate and all, and told Sulla he would never divorce his wife even if he killed him., the little man sat back smiling obviously proud of his young master's courage. But then a grim look came on his face, Still Sulla not a man you defy like that. Sulla let him live but ..., he looked down in his cup. Caesar's sister disappeared a few days later. Me and my brethren finally found her a week later, wandering by the Colleen gate. She never spoke of it, but you know Sulla's monsters. I am sorry Sextus Decuminus, I came hoping you could find away to smuggle my master and his family from the city but I see you have your own problems. I could probably get you out of the city Atticus, still possible to get a single person but a group, he shook his head, draw too much attention. That's why I could never convince Caesar to leave, he won't leave his family behind. Sulla's gold makes too many tongues wag, even here. Is there no one we can turn too, Sextus? It would take someone with enormous influence who could defy Sulla. Not anyone in my or your circle, Atticus. i only know one person who might know of such a man. Caesar, he may be young but he knows everything and everyone in Rome. He keeps a small set of rooms above the tavern as offices. He has been ill but is starting to see clients again. Have your master come see him tomorrow. Even if Caesar can't extract himself, he may know who can help your family. Atticus rose to leave, Thank you Sextus One last thing Atticus, my master may be young but he doesn't abide fools. Your family will only have one chance, make sure whoever comes has a head on their shoulders. Atticus thanked Sextus again and hurried off into the night wondering if the last warning meant Sextus knew of Dracius. He was a good boy but a dullard. If only Nefeli were the son! Atticus hurried home, he took a small pleasure in the knowledge that those two particular thugs would not harm his family. reaching the house he found most of the house dark but light still burning in Nefeli rooms. He thought of waiting until morning but then decided to break what news he had with her. maybe they could think of some way to coach Dracius so he could pretend to be intelligent for an hour.