"The Conspiracy"

Prologue: Whispers in the Night

It was a quiet summer's night in Rome as Annia Lucilla and her small entourage of bodyguards walked quickly through the dark streets to the home of Senator Gracchus. After weeks of secret meetings and planning, the time had drawn near for her and the other conspirators to put their plan into motion. However, there were a few minor details to clear up before the assassination was to take place. The guards kept careful watch for the emperor's Praetorians as they escorted their mistress to the senator's home. Once the manor came into view, Lucilla's heart pounded furiously in her chest for they had to cross the street and they would endanger of being seen by passing Praetorians. "Is all well?" she quietly asked Marius, head of her private guard, as he looked up and down the deserted street.

"Yes, my lady," he whispered back. The company quickly made their way across the street and behind the tall iron gates of the manor. At that moment, a group of five Praetorians made their way past Senator Gracchus' home. Lucilla breathed a slight sigh of relief at the close encounter with her brother's guards. He was suspicious of the senators; however, she was sure that he was not suspicious of her. Marius escorted her to the front door as the rest of the guard hid in the shadows. After knocking on the door, Lucilla then said:

"Be sure you all stay in the shadows. The last thing we all need is for a Praetorian to see us and send word back to the emperor." Marius bowed to her and returned to the shadows to wait with the others. A moment later, she was let inside by a maidservant.

"Commodus is becoming increasingly suspicious of everyone," said Lucilla before taking a sip of sweet wine. "He has the Praetorians on patrol around the city day and night. He must have been alerted by someone."

"No one other than our small group knows about the plan," Gracchus replied. "Unless someone in our company has had a sudden attack of conscious and has told him of our plans."

"I doubt that, however, I do not like it. I've hear reports of an uprising against Rome coming out of the East. Could it be that he is worried about a siege upon Rome by invaders?"

"No army has dared to invade the city in nearly hundred years. There is no need to worry, my lady; the legions would have destroyed an invading army long before it ever has a chance to draw close to Rome."

"However, there are more pressing problems that do need to be addressed," Gaius then said. "A matter that we failed to contemplate long ago."

"Oh?" Lucilla asked. "Do tell, Gaius."

"It was brought to our attention by Senator Aelius a few moments before you arrived. It appears that we may have to involve Roxane of Persia in our plans."

Lucilla shot up from her seat and exclaimed a bit too loudly, "Have you all taken leave of your senses! We might as well hand ourselves over for execution for treason! Getting Roxane involved is far too dangerous, I won't allow it."

"Please sit and listen," Aelius gently said to her. "We would not endanger our lives by including her if we did not feel that she would not assist us. She maybe his wife and the mother of his son and heir, however, I doubt that she cares enough for him to want him alive. If I remember correctly, he did try to have her killed a few times." Reluctantly, Lucilla sat back down and listened to what her co-conspirators were saying. They all knew that Roxane was a woman of strong will and moral character, the question now was would she go along with this plan to do away with Commodus?

"How do you propose we go convincing her to join us?" she sighed as she massaged her temples. "You know that it will not be easy to convince her to go against him, after all, she does live in fear of his temperament."

"The fine art of persuasion," Gracchus answered. "And you, my lady, are very persuasive. Your lightest touch commands obedience. I am sure that you will find a way to convince her that her help is needed." At first, Lucilla was about to protest against the idea but she decided not to speak of her doubts at the moment. Gracchus was right; they did need Roxane's help whether she liked it or not.

"The question of her loyalties worries me for she has never claimed to be loyal to the Senate or to the emperor. I do know that she does remain ever loyal to the people of Persia; however, I do not trust that she will not go to Commodus with word of us planning his death. She may fear him, I'm sure that she would not hesitate to tell him of this plot in order to preserve herself and her son alive."

"My lady, have you ever tried talking to her alone?" Gaius finally asked.

"Of course I have spoken to her alone many times, after all, she is my sister through marriage," replied Lucilla. "We have managed to become close; however, we are not close enough that we tell each other of our private thoughts of Commodus."

"Talk to her, see if you can draw out her innermost thoughts about her husband. With a bit of persuasion, I am confident that you will be surprised to learn of what she really thinks of the emperor," Gracchus said to her. "Only then will all your doubts about her loyalties will be laid to rest."

"I agree," said Aelius. "The empress holds more sway over his Highness more than we will ever know. Perhaps she would be willing to use her influence over him to our advantage. The downfall of a man is a woman who is scheming, charming, and deceitful."

A slight smile played upon her lips as she thought over the senators' suggestions. After a moment of deep thought, she finally spoke: "I will take this matter under advisement. The hour is late and I must take my leave before my brother realizes that I am missing."

"Very well," Gracchus said, "however, I do hope that you will take our advice and talk to her Majesty. Her influence is a vital key to this plan's success." Annia Lucilla nodded in acknowledgement as she stood up and pulled the hood of her light cloak over her head. She then turned on her heel and left the room. As she stepped outside, she was immediately greeted by her guards before disappearing into the night. There was much to be done and very little time to do it, a woman's work was never done.