Post by Gratus on Jan 25, 2010 21:28:50 GMT -5
A messenger arrives, sullen-faced and clad in Imperial finery. In his hand, he clutches a parchment - slightly burnt and stained with blood, but with frantic scrawls still readable on it's surface.
"I seek Nectardius, Client of Magistrate Gratus," he says, solemnly. "I come bearing grave news, from the riots in Corstopitum. Early this morn, the Magistrate was trapped in the Basilica by a bloodthirsty mob. After they breached the barricade ..."
He paused a moment, swallowing a lump in his throat.
"The sixth legion eventually dispersed the crowd. This parchment was found amongst the mess inside. The bodies of Atlas, Elleen and Caswyn have been moved to the Jupiter temple. Gratus' body was not found. But the blood on the parchment is most certainly his."
"I seek Nectardius, Client of Magistrate Gratus," he says, solemnly. "I come bearing grave news, from the riots in Corstopitum. Early this morn, the Magistrate was trapped in the Basilica by a bloodthirsty mob. After they breached the barricade ..."
He paused a moment, swallowing a lump in his throat.
"The sixth legion eventually dispersed the crowd. This parchment was found amongst the mess inside. The bodies of Atlas, Elleen and Caswyn have been moved to the Jupiter temple. Gratus' body was not found. But the blood on the parchment is most certainly his."
Governor Pertinax, Corstopitum is in riot.
As I write this, myself and my personal entourage have barricaded ourselves inside the Basilica. Caswyn, Atlas, Elleen and many of my other associates are here with me. Outside, an angry mob calls for our blood.
Discontent has been rife in the streets for almost a year now. Many of your citizens believe that they have been forsaken by the Empire, and the Gods themselves. All their concerns and their pleas for aid have fallen on deaf ears.
This morning, I arranged to hold a public address in the Corstopitum forum, hoping to quell some of the unrest. However, the first syllables had barely left my tongue before the jeering started.
"Ignore the decadent fool, he does nothing for us!"
"Forget his empty promises, we must send a REAL message to the Governor!"
"Lets make an example of him!"
My guards were able to fend them off and get us this far, but alas all now seems lost.
At this moment, I fear for my life. Should anything happen to me, I bequeath all my property into the custody of my closest client, Nectardius. I ask that he allow Prefect Publicola and the other Vardulli officers to distribute and see to the management of my estate as they see fit.
The Corstopitum armoury, the kilns north of the forum, the treatment tent and carts should all be transfered to my successor at the time of his election to the Office of Magistrate.
The rabble is louder now. They are about to break through the barricade.
No, they shall not lay their hands on me. I will deny them that satisfaction, at least. Come close, my friends. Our blades are at the ready, and the time has come for us to sleep the deepest of sleeps ...
As I write this, myself and my personal entourage have barricaded ourselves inside the Basilica. Caswyn, Atlas, Elleen and many of my other associates are here with me. Outside, an angry mob calls for our blood.
Discontent has been rife in the streets for almost a year now. Many of your citizens believe that they have been forsaken by the Empire, and the Gods themselves. All their concerns and their pleas for aid have fallen on deaf ears.
This morning, I arranged to hold a public address in the Corstopitum forum, hoping to quell some of the unrest. However, the first syllables had barely left my tongue before the jeering started.
"Ignore the decadent fool, he does nothing for us!"
"Forget his empty promises, we must send a REAL message to the Governor!"
"Lets make an example of him!"
My guards were able to fend them off and get us this far, but alas all now seems lost.
At this moment, I fear for my life. Should anything happen to me, I bequeath all my property into the custody of my closest client, Nectardius. I ask that he allow Prefect Publicola and the other Vardulli officers to distribute and see to the management of my estate as they see fit.
The Corstopitum armoury, the kilns north of the forum, the treatment tent and carts should all be transfered to my successor at the time of his election to the Office of Magistrate.
The rabble is louder now. They are about to break through the barricade.
No, they shall not lay their hands on me. I will deny them that satisfaction, at least. Come close, my friends. Our blades are at the ready, and the time has come for us to sleep the deepest of sleeps ...