Even the Palatine Hill was an unsavoury place at night. Beggars crouched out of sight of the armed guards and mangy-looking dogs patrolled, coolly undermining the reign of humans. With her hood covering her face and a cloak hiding the curves of her body, Trebonia had completely disguised her feminine frailty; nevertheless, her heart pounded in her throat as she tried to keep her feet from running.

She nearly cried out and bolted at the sound of footsteps behind her, but forced herself to breathe and appear calm; the residence of the Junii was within sight now, and if she could make it to the front door she would be safe. As she advanced, however, so did the pair of footsteps; they crept upon her closer and quicker until –

A figure similarly attired glided past her and slipped through the Junii gate. Trebonia sighed with relief and followed, arriving in the middle of a group of four equally faceless figures. They welcomed her with absolute stillness. Taking a cue from their silence, she said nothing.

One of the figures approached her, grasped the edges of her hood, and pressed his face under it. Cassius' sour features were recognizable to her in the moonlight, and wordlessly he nodded and tugged her hood back down. No names, no voices, no faces, she thought.

One more arrived and was identified in the same manner, and then Cassius approached the door and knocked. After a minute, a young, exhausted-looking eunuch answered. "Sirs, I cannot admit you. Come back in the morning, for my master is asleep."

"Your master expects us," whispered Cassius, retreating with the boy inside the house while motioning for the rest to remain.

Long, awkward minutes passed. Trebonia knew not whom she stood with, and felt like the least informed present. Every second increased her feelings of foreboding and her desire to turn and run, but Cassius' threat – remove – kept her still.

The door opened, a hand ushered them in, and suddenly they were moving through taper-lit splendour. Despite her fear, Trebonia couldn't help but be impressed by their location; after all, the Junii were one of the if not the oldest and noblest patrician families, having instituted the republic…

The republic they were now trying to save?

Trebonia shivered and her mind returned to the present.

She recognized the shadowy form of Brutus as soon as they entered the garden. It was strange, akin to seeing one's teacher outside the school, to view him in such casual repose. As though rehearsed, they fanned throughout the garden in a militant semi-circle. Cassius approached her first and indicated for her to remove her hood.

"This is Trebonius."

"She is welcome hither."

His eyes were dark, and so tortured that Trebonia found herself quite unable to breathe until he looked away.


They agreed to meet five hours hence at Caesar's villa and filed out, clasping hands with Brutus as they went. The streets were all the more dark and foreboding as the conspirators went on their way; thus, despite herself, Trebonia was glad when it appeared that Cassius was to follow her home.

Trebonius was waiting for them in the atrium when they returned. Wordlessly, he directed them back towards his study, and once again barricaded the three of them inside. Only then did Trebonia and Cassius remove their hoods. "Well?"

Trebonia glanced at Cassius, who spoke first. "Tomorrow we meet at the eighth hour to bring Caesar to the Capitol. Upon arriving our course will begin immediately."

Trebonius nodded approvingly. "You have given my suit to Decius to present?"

"Yes."

"Good." He paced for a moment, during which Cassius shot a glare in Trebonia's direction. "We have not discussed what is to be done with Antony."

Trebonia blushed as Cassius answered spitefully, "We did so tonight. He lives."

"Lives?" Trebonius rounded on the two. "Young you may be, but surely not so ignorant…"

"Brutus does not think it wise."

"One man cannot make a decision! Someone agreed with him; who?"

Cassius stared at Trebonia, who tensed. "I decided nothing!"

Trebonius held up his hand. "Gaia, did you speak?"

"I..."

"The one time your uselessness is an asset to you, this is when you choose to open your mouth? That is idiocy enough, but to... defend Antony!"

Cassius caught his arm before he slapped her. "Peace, Trebonius. We need a plan."

Trebonius growled and overturned his chair in anger. "Your ignorance may have disastrous consequences! My own daughter…" He grabbed her hair and held her face inches from his own. "You will go now to Brutus' house and…"

"Trebonius, it is done. There is no swaying him now."

"Jupiter's cock!" Trebonia had never heard her father swear so. "How are we to disarm him long enough?"

Cassius' gaze passed from father to daughter. "I've an idea. Your daughter is of a pretty age, and I know Antony has been lonely for quite some time…"

Trebonia's gut clenched.

"My daughter?"

"For the republic," Cassius amended.

Trebonius looked thoughtful.

As dawn approached, Trebonia sat by her mirror, trying to concentrate on fixing her hair to flatter her face. The deed had not yet been done, and already she felt dirty and traitorous.

"I am a senator."

The words meant nothing anymore; she tried again.

"I will restore the republic."

There was only one thought in her that was true and easy, and she latched onto it with all her strength.

Antony.


Made some edits - namely, I slashed and burned the Conspirators scene. I realized that, if Trebonius is a totally boring and superfluous senator in the text, there's not much that can be done to beef "her" up without building a whole new context.

Anyway... like, review?

-Curly