--------------STUFF--------------
Yamato – 22, Emperor of Rome
Taichi – 22, General of the Roman Army
Joe – 23, Doctor of Rome
Izzy – 18, Roman Foreign Liason
Takeru – 17, Brother of Rome
Davis – 17, Lieutenant General
Ken – 17, Roman Emperor Advisor
Cody – 8, Slave from Egypt
Mimi – 17, Princess of Egypt
Yolei – 14, Mimi's Lady-in-Waiting
Sora – 20, dancer (aka "Phoenix")
Kari – 16, dancer
Other dancers: Kairi and Elena – 14; Miana, Naomi, Opal, Jade, and Ruby – 15; Amber, Lily, Catherine – 16; Anya, Isis, and Raven – 17
Roman Gods: Jupiter (King), Juno (Queen), Neptune (Sea), Pluto (Death), Apollo (Sun), Diana (Moon), Mars (War), Venus (Love), Mercury (Messenger of the Gods), Minerva (Wisdom), Ceres (Earth), Proserpine (Death), Bacchus (Wine), Saturn (Time), Flora (Flowers), Plutus (Wealth)
Greek Gods: Aphrodite (Love), Apollo (Music and Medicine), Ares (War), Artemis (Moon), Athena (Wisdom), Dionysus (Wine), Hades (Underworld and Wealth), Hera (Queen), Hermes (Messenger), Poseidon (Sea), Zeus (King), Chronos (Keeper of Time), Gaia (Earth), Hermera (Sun), Antheia (Flowers)
Egyptian Gods: Ra (Sun, King), Isis (Queen), Hathor (Love), Geb (Earth), Anubis (Death), Osiris (Underworld), Thoth (Wisdom and Time and Moon), Seth (Violence), Sekhmet (War)
Somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea
"Father, why is it necessary for us to go? Why couldn't we send Ramose?"
"Because, I need to meet the new Roman Emperor. He has invited all of the sovereign rulers and their families to Rome. He is trying to maintain the peace his father started."
"I still don't see why I couldn't stay home," pouted the Egyptian Princess.
Mimi stomped out of her father's chambers and back to her own. She reached her room and let out a big sigh. As she opened the door, she saw her lady-in-waiting repairing one of her cloaks. She smiled as she closed the door.
"Does he believe you hate going to Rome?"
"Of course, Yolei. This will be perfect. Joe will be so surprised."
"So will your father," reminded Yolei.
Somewhere above them, they heard a crewman shout something about seeing Rome off the starboard side. They would be in Rome shortly.
In Rome
"Brother, it's been three months since my inception. It's been three months since you've seen her. Don't you think you should throw away what she gave you?"
"Matt, I can't. It doesn't feel right. It still smells like her."
"She gave you a pouch that smelled like her, but you didn't open it to see what was in it? You make no sense sometimes T.K."
The younger blonde laughed, but shook his head. The two brothers were sitting in Yamato's courtyard, soaking in the sun. Three months had passed since the night of Yamato's party, but no sign had been seen or heard of the dancers. Enderost ran off the next morning, infuriated that they left without him. However, things had been far from calm. Crime in Yamato's empire had increased drastically and foreign relations were strained. Izzy and the other diplomats had been gone for two months trying to keep peace. The elders and senators, otherwise the counsel, had been less than helpful and were trying to pass fiercer punishments for those breaking the law, and those not Roman. Yamato was starting to look tired all the time.
"Just open it!"
Yamato reached for the pouch, which T.K. carried with him everywhere in the palace. He grabbed the ribbon as T.K. pulled the pouch away and the ribbon fell away. The fabric unfurled slightly in his hands.
"Matt!" T.K. shouted, furious.
"Seriously? You can't tie it back up? You're mad at me for helping you discover what is in the pouch?"
"Lily."
"What?"
"Lily," repeated T.K.
"Wasn't that the name of one of the dancers?"
"Yeah, but the pouch. It's filled with lilies."
"You know, each dancer smelled different."
"Hello Tai. Do you know what they all smelled like?"
"What do I look like? A botanist? No!"
Yamato and T.K. laughed. Tai shook his head.
"No, If I remember correctly, the dancers in blue smelled like carnations, tulips, and violets. The two in purple smelled like some kind of lilies, and I've never smelled anything like what the lead dancer had. I assume they wore scents from their native lands, since the majority was exotic scents."
Yamato and T.K. stared at Tai. They looked at each other, mouths half open, and back to Tai.
"What? Izzy told me."
The two blondes laughed, relieved, and Tai just shrugged. T.K. looked into the pouch and saw a bunch of shriveled lily flowers.
"Hey, they aren't just normal white lilies. It looks like there were many colors."
"Yeah, Izzy identified three or four lily scents that night, one native, the rest exotic."
"Strange," T.K. muttered.
Yamato laid back and smiled at the sky. It was a beautiful, clear day. A light wind whispered secrets to the plants and played with their hair as it ran through the courtyard. A sigh escaped Yamato's lips as he closed his eyes and thought about tonight. Every dignitary from every main country was coming to Rome tonight. With things getting so out of hand, he needed to make sure no one was itching for a war to start. He was still nervous that something terrible would happen while they were all gathered. There were many disappearances and even deaths sprouting up all over his empire and none of them were explained. Fear was growing among his people, and he needed to do something to regain their confidence. He sighed again and opened his eyes.
"Hey Matt, it might be time to get going. Word has reached us that Egypt and Greece have just docked."
Davis, Ken, Izzy, and Joe had joined them sometime during his thoughts. Izzy had returned to Rome the day before yesterday.
"Yeah alright. Is everything set up for the twelve other nations?"
"Each house gets their own private chambers decorated in their native styles. The menus have been altered to please each country and everything seems to be in order."
"Thanks Izzy. Let's just hope everything goes smoothly over the next two weeks."
Yamato sat up, slipped his sandals on, stood up, dusted off his cape and reattached it around his neck. Once he was properly dressed, the seven men set off for the Great Chamber.
The Dining Chamber, Later That Night
The royal families from twelve nations sat near the top of the Dining Chamber, with their guards and diplomats. Roman senators and nobles sat between them and the main doors. Yamato and his cabinet (Izzy, Ken, Joe, T.K., Davis, and Tai) sat at the head of the room. Yamato was standing with his arms extended in a gesture of friendship.
"Ladies and gentlemen, royal families from many nations, welcome! I do hope you enjoy your stay in Rome! I must warn you, you will be accompanied by my guards as well as your own, for your own safety. Things are more dangerous in Rome since my father's passing. I do not want anything happening to you while you stay in my house, so I would appreciate the cooperation. Thank you, and enjoy the feast!"
Many people smiled and bowed their heads in gratitude. Servants filed through the room, serving food to the men and women around the table.
After everyone was sated, they moved to the Great Chamber to sit on cushions around the room. Once everyone had filed in and was comfortable, Yamato stood again.
"As each of you is aware, I asked you to bring some form of entertainment from your native lands. I ask you now to please, sit back and enjoy a taste of the world."
The lights dimmed as servants placed shades over the candles and a small group of people emerged in the center of the room.
After hours of singers, dancers, poets, and other entertainers, Tai started to get a feeling something was about to happen. He leaned into Yamato to tell him of his suspicion. No sooner had the words left Tai's mouth that a loud bang outside the door made the whole congregation freeze. Yamato looked to the doors, which flew open seconds later. A couple of grungy looking men slithered into the room, looking incredibly pleased.
"Your Majes'y," the man in front had a slimy voice.
"Who are you, and what makes you think you can bust in here unannounced?"
"Pleas' listen. We's gots a mos' interestin' proposition."
Yamato looked at Tai, then back to the men. There were about twenty men, most of whom were dragged large, covered crates. No two crates were the same size, but there were five of them. Four were boxy while the fifth looked like an oversized bird cage.
"I 'ave some wonderful specimens fer ya, sire." As he hissed, he walked over to the largest crate. He reached up and snatched the cloth covering the crate off, swirling it around him and making it disappear! Many people gasped as the cloth vanished, and again once they realized what was in the crate.
"Beautiful tigers sire. Two orange and two white." He pointed at the crate when he spoke. The crate was a cage divided into four smaller sections. Each smaller cage held a beautiful tiger, a few years old. Each looked restless and cramped.
He walked to the second largest crate and again, grabbed the canvas and made it disappear as he turned on the spot. In this crate, were two black panthers. Again, the crate was a barred cage with two sections. Once again, each wild cat looked cramped and agitated.
"Wild cats from the dark corners of the world, sire! Black panthers! All cats gathered in the depths of the forests! Gif's to you and yours!"
Yamato sat in silence, his face unreadable. Everyone sat in awe. Some of the other rulers looked envious.
"How did you capture them?" asked Tai.
"Easy mister. But I wouldn't go tellin' my secrets!"
A couple people laughed. Most were sitting on the edge of their seats, but stayed back from the cages. The tigers and panthers were looking angrier and angrier as the men taunted them through the bars.
There were much smaller crates left now. He walked over to the third largest and, once again, vanished the canvas covering it. In it were ten strong Moors.
"Slaves your honor. Ten of the finest men from the Arab countries. Great fighters they's are."
The ten men sat, crouched, with hands tied to their feet. They were all gagged. Their dark skin accentuated the whiteness in their eyes as they glared around the room. On the top of their cage, sat a long bundle. The lead man pointed to the bundle and explained the Moors' weapons were wrapped up above their cage.
"I'll take 20 gold pieces for each of them if you're interested. That offer extends to anyone 'ere if the Emperor passes it up!"
Yamato remained impassive. Tai and the rest looked interested. The man walked over to the second to smallest cage. With the same flourish and routine, another cage was revealed. T.K. started, and moved forward in his chair, eyes wide. Davis looked alarmed as well. Many of the Romans around the room looked surprised at the familiar faces.
"Beautiful women from around the globe. 100 gold pieces a piece!"
Five women sat in a cage, ankles and wrists bound. They were gagged too and dressed in rags. Some girls had skin like honey, whereas others were pale like moonlight. Each of them had hair flowing down their back. All of them were blonde or brunette. All of them had wide eyes, in fear or surprise, no one knew. The only thing anyone knew, was they were all from Enderost's dance crew. Elena, Miana, Naomi, Amber, and Kari were captured and caged, being sold by these traders.
"Yes, beautiful aren't they," the leader spit through his teeth. Many people around the room had edged forwards, closer to the girls and forgetting about the murderous wild cats.
"Any interes' your majesty?"
Yamato remained emotionless, even though he could feel the tension in the room. 'How did this man obtain these animals? These people? Mostly, how did he get these dancers? What's in the last cage? T.K., stay calm and detached. I know you want her, but you can't do this.'
FLASHBACK
While Yamato was searching the palace with Tai and the guards, T.K. was left in charge. T.K. stepped out for some air. There was a surprise waiting for him in the courtyard.
"Kari was it?"
The brunette looked at the blonde with wide chocolate eyes. The stars reflected in them catching T.K. off guard.
"Hmm?"
"Your name. Kari, right?"
"Yes, Takeru. My name is Kari."
"I can't be surprised you know my name. I am the Brother of Rome."
She looked at him, unblinking.
"Well, er, at least, that's what everyone calls me. Heh heh…"
She kept looking at him until finally, she smiled. T.K. relaxed a little and approached her. She didn't move but followed him with her eyes. He caught the smell of something exotic as he sat next to her. He leaned back and looked at the stars. She noticed the stars weren't reflected normally in his eyes. 'It's almost as if the sky extends through his eyes,' she thought.
"So…"
T.K. didn't really know what to say. He could be quite shy sometimes. She looked at him as he sat back up.
"Heh, heh…uh…so do you like your profession?"
She laughed a light melodic laugh. It was soft and reminded T.K. of song.
"Well, we didn't really have a choice did we?"
"What do you mean?" he asked, suddenly concerned.
"We were kidnapped, captured, enslaved, forced to do Enderost's bidding. We perform all over the world, but are kept shackled at all times outside of performance."
He looked at her wrists and noticed the bangles covered cuts and bruises. She clearly wasn't lying.
"We put a powder on the wrists and ankles to reduce the redness. That way no one notices."
Her voice carried a hint of sadness, but she smiled.
"That's awful. You are prisoners?"
"Of course, but the girls and I are a family. We were all taken before the age of eight. Half of us were taken from our families, while others were picked off the streets. I have been with them as long as I remember. Phoenix is the only one who knows our stories. Enderost tried to keep knowledge from us, but he has files. All of us can read and write. Phoenix taught us."
"That's so sad. Is there anything I can do?"
"No."
"Can I save you?"
She looked surprised.
"T.K.!"
T.K. turned his head to see Davis running after him. He looked back to Kari, but she was gone.
"What are you thinking? Get back inside! More murders are being reported around the palace and you're out here, alone! I can't believe you escaped my notice! I'd be dead you know!"
"Sorry Davis. I just needed a moment. Parthosis was my mom's uncle, remember?"
"Yeah I know man, but get back inside before we both get killed."
END FLASHBACK
"Still not inter'sted majesty? Well, I understand you 'ave a great taste fer music. I haf caught the most rarest and beautiful songbird in the world."
T.K. shifted in his seat, eyes still on Kari. Davis was watching her too. Many of the men were staring hungrily at the young women. A few of the royal families present were also staring, eager or envious. No one seemed to think this was out of the ordinary or disgusting. This seemed a normal occurrence in every country represented. Yamato was thankful no one seemed offended.
The man headed for the birdcage. As he reached for the canvas, he started on a seemingly well rehearsed speech.
"This is a most incredible find sire. The fire of Mars, spirit of Neptune, beauty of Venus, and envy of Minerva rests in her bones. She must have been born of the gods, for what human could be this perfect?"
He grabbed the canvas and, with the same trick, twirled and vanished the cloth. Chained, shackled, and gagged, sat a fiery red head. Even with her prison, she stared defiantly at her captor. Her every feature uncovered oozed fury and hatred towards this man.
'If she was a prisoner before, why is this man any different? Has he treated her worse? What has he done?'
"I think 1000 gold pieces for her is reasonable. So that's 200 for the Moors, 500 for the girls, and another 1000 for this beauty. What say you?"
Tai, T.K., Davis, Ken, Izzy, and Joe all looked at Yamato. So did everyone else in the room. He now finally showed emotion in the form of a slight frown.
"I am honorable. I will not, however, pay more than 800 gold pieces for the lot."
"Sire, that's absurd."
"You've done nothing to prove how she is any different than they are, therefore, why should I pay ten times the price?"
"Fair enough majesty. You!" he snapped at the redhead, "sing now!"
Men came behind her to remove her gag. When they reached in, however, she grabbed the wrists of the first man and pulled as hard as her chains would allow. The man was thrown forward into the cage and his head hit the metal bars. He crumpled to the floor. The next man tried to untie the gag from her, and the result was the same. As the third man reached through the bars, she wrapped her chains around his arm.
"Stop or they'll pay your price!"
Red hot metal was passing through the bars of the cage with the five dancers, who huddled in the center the best they could. Sora immediately stopped fighting, though held the man's arm tightly.
"Release him!"
She did. The man removed his hand from the cage and a fourth man tried to untie her gag. He was successful.
"Unfortunately, she needs a bit o' motivation. Easily controlled though, just threaten to 'arm one of those five and she'll do whatever you want." He smiled a nasty, evil smile.
Yamato was staring at Sora. She had bruises all over her body and her back had deep gashes from what he guessed was a whip. Some of the blood still looked fresh. They had clearly tried suppressing her by extreme pain. T.K. looked mutinous. Both Tai and Davis had reached for their swords, causing each of the Roman guards to reach for theirs. Ken and Joe looked shocked, but Izzy looked close to tears. It was one thing to treat slaves like that, but never a woman. Women were to remain respected, and clearly these men treated them no differently than the slaves, panthers, and tigers. Upon closer inspection, each of the gifts had deep gashes across their bodies.
"You come to my house and display such disrespect as this, and expect to get paid? If you wish to be paid in money, rather than a lesson in manners, I suggest you leave now. You will receive no more than 200 gold pieces, ten for each of your men. You're lucky to get that. Leave now of your own free will and in one piece, or be thrown out in many pieces."
The traders looked furious. The leader fumed as he charged towards the Emperor with a hand raised. This was the wrong move. Tai stood up and swung his sword. The man's hand fell to the floor.
"Now, how many more pieces do you need to be in before you leave?" Tai whispered.
The man looked stunned.
"Pick it up, and leave."
The man bent down, grabbed his hand, and turned around. Every Roman guard had their swords drawn and were prepared to attack should he change his mind.
When all twenty men had left, Yamato turned to the guards. "I need men to cart the animals to the pens. Antony will hopefully be able to take care of them. You men, take the Moors to their new quarters. You eight will take the six dancers to one of the unoccupied guest rooms. Now."
Once the guards were obeying his orders and the new arrivals were wheeled out of the chamber, Yamato addressed the congregation.
"I apologize for the interruption ladies and gentlemen. I hope no one has been offended by those foul, low life, poor excuse for men. If you would please, continue with the entertainment."
The next country's ensemble came to the center of the chamber and began to play native music into the night.
