Kanuro5: All I can say is that if you are continuing to read this, then thank you for your patience. You already know how long it takes me now, so thank you. Hope you enjoy.
XIX
An Admiral in Athens
Yesterday
Suba climaxed on top of him. Her voice echoed across the bedchamber.
She kissed him greedily, he grasped her toned ass and brought her in closer. Their tongues danced together. Even though she reached her climax, he did not reach his. Suba slowly lifted herself off his member, moaning through her lips as she did so. She moved up on his body, allowing Gaius's slave boy lover, Auctus to slink up on the bed and present himself in front of his master's genitals.
Gaius Scipio Lupus was breathing hard, but smirked with a wink, "Go on, pup, enjoy your bone."
"Oh, that was terrible," Suba impishly giggled.
"Indeed?" he grinned, before pulling her into a tongue-frenzied kiss.
Auctus licked his lips and dove in. Gaius's head arched back as he inhaled sharply. As Auctus was working the lower half, Suba playfully twisted Gaius's nipple.
The boy was exceptionally talented with his mouth, tongue, and hand. It was a certain skill that only a male who was familiar with the masculine genitalia could truly excel in. His slave boy slurped loudly and went as far as he could. Gaius's toes curled and waves of pleasure washed over him. As he descended from the clouds, he could hear Auctus slurping up any remains.
Suba was giggling at the sight. She looked behind herself at the boy below her, "Well done, Auctus, you made your dominus' eyes roll back."
The Greekling looked up with a proud smile, "It was my absolute pleasure."
Gaius was gasping hard, still recovering from that orgasmic experience, "Gods bless the both of you," he exhaled.
Suba fell to his right side, her smooth black legs entwined with his hairy legs. Auctus fell to his master's left side and began stroking Gaius's black beard. Gaius closed his eyes; this was the life.
The amorous trio heard a pounding on the outside of their door.
"Who is it?" Lupus shouted.
A deep, but muffled voice came from behind the door, "It's Plinius, Admiral. I'm coming in."
The door opened and a strong looking man wearing the Scipii blue armor walked in, carrying two buckets of water. He had a serious expression on his face with eyes that have grown accustomed to misfortune, only emphasized by eyebrows that were thicker than most.
"Good midday, Admiral, are you ready to arise?" the man asked his commander.
"Ha! Nice try, Pliny. It is still morning, not midday. I do not oversleep."
"Yet you do over-pleasure yourself. And since you know what time it is, I believe that is just as bad. You are still in bed. Come now, get up, Admiral."
Placus Plinius was Gaius Lupus's second-in-command of the Howling Sails. Lupus always called his righthand man by the nickname, "Pliny". Plinius couldn't really stand the nickname. But since Lupus was Plinius' patron and commander, Plinius could tolerate when Lupus and only Lupus would call him that.
He was a man who had seen all of Lupus's depravities, but it never really bothered him that much. He knew who this man was when he requested patronage. Indeed, Lupus was a scoundrel, but he was a scoundrel who destroys the enemy fleets of Rome and takes loads of booty from the vanquished. A scoundrel that was climbing the ranks of society, in which he could boost his own dignitas if he attached himself to Gaius Scipio Lupus.
"Come now, up and out of the bed," Plinius repeated.
Lupus snuggled with Suba and Auctus deeper in response, "How did you know when to enter, Pliny?"
"I knew it was a good opportunity to enter as soon as Suba stopped screaming," Plinius remarked.
A smile crept on the face of the Scipio, "You know us so well."
Plinius turned to the teenager, "Auctus… uh, you got some of your dominus'… seed on the corner of your mouth."
"Oh, I got it," Suba said, slinking from the covers and licking the corner of Auctus's mouth clean.
Auctus recoiled backwards with a chuckle, "Ugh, cease with that, Suba!" He pushed her playfully as a brother pushes a fond elder sister.
"Oh, but I enjoy seeing you squirm at the sensual touch of a woman," she sniggered.
Plinius sighed, approaching the side of the bed, "You three, please look presentable. The Lady Brutus is outside the doors with a glare stronger than the sun."
Lupus sighed, "You are right, Pliny. Come now, Suba, Auctus, let's get cleaned up."
Plinius raised the buckets of water he carried, "Here, got you fresh water to clean yourselves. Admiral, you have one bucket. Lady Suba, Auctus, you share the other."
Auctus jumped out of bed naked, taking the bucket, "Gratitude, Captain Plinius."
Suba rolled out of the bed naked as well. She swayed her hips as she walked to Plinius, "Gratitude, Captain. Do you desire a kiss on the cheek as a reward?" she winked.
He turned his head to her, her nudity on full display, his glum expression unchanging, "You know me better by now, Lady Suba."
She snickered softly before turning to Lupus, "Why must you be the only married man who is fun, Gaius?"
Lupus shrugged, exposing himself as he got out of bed. He walked to Plinius and retrieved his own bucket. He cupped the water in his hands and splashed it on his face. By Jove, that was refreshing.
"Lady Brutus still is furious, eh?" he asked his righthand man.
"Supremely. And not just her, most of Athens is furious with us."
That got Gaius's attention, "You said, 'us'? What of the Twenty-Eighth and that tribune, uh, Rupilius?"
"They possess anger towards them, but you are in command and the Legion supposedly follow you, not the tribune. And you are a Scipio as well."
He turned around with an exhale, "So they blame me?"
"That they do. Having our marines place terror into the hearts of the locals also does not endear them to us. Along with your name being kin to Sulla…"
After cleaning his face and hair, Gaius Scipio dunked a washcloth into the bucket, then proceeded to scrub his genitals, "Yes, that ought to do it."
Pliny didn't turn away from the sight, "I fear we are running short on time, Admiral."
"I know."
"Not just with the mission, but with our presence here."
"I know."
"Admiral, I had to convince Lady Brutus to not come in here, and she allowed me five minutes before she arrives with guards. I again suggest you all look presentable as soon as possible."
Suba scoffed as she lazily began to put her blue tunic on, "She is beginning to irk me. I am very presentable to my hosts."
Plinius blinked at her, "Your tits are still out, Lady Suba."
"Oh, gratitude." She adjusted herself before she moved to put on her legwear.
"And I thought she found me beautiful and charming?" Auctus added on, placing a leg through his undergarments.
"She does," Plinius affirmed. "But when you lie with your master and several other boys in unison, she is less endeared."
Gaius Scipio sighed, "Those were fun nights." He placed on his tunic and legwear and brushed his beard and hair as neatly as he could. "Okay, Plinius, send her—"
Servilia Brutus stormed in with three of her palace guards, along with the Urban Prefect of Athens, Trebellius. Gaius Scipio's mouth tightened, "—in…"
She recoiled, "It smells horrible in here! For a Scipio, is the notion of bathing foreign to you?"
Scipio stretched his arms behind his back, "I bathe every day, Lady Brutus. Yet every night is a… sweltering affair. And, I offer you good morning."
The Urban Prefect growled, "We have furious Athenian leaders of the city who are calling for your head for your brutality!"
"Does no one offer a 'good morning' in this city?"
"You little whelp!" he growled. "You have your marines acting as if they are criminals, they are arresting Athenians and Romans with impunity! The unrest is growing with each passing day! The city is near bursting to riots because of your actions, Scipio! Do you a hold fucking brain inside that decadent skull of yours?!"
"Continue to speak to me in that manner and I shall guarantee that your skull shall not hold yours."
Prefect Trebellius approached with the guards behind him. The man's blood vessel on his skull threatened to burst. But Plinius stepped in front of him with raised hands of calm, "Let us all not fall to heated argument."
Scipio's eyes were sharp, "Do you scream and shout at Tribune Rupilius of the Twenty-Eighth?"
"He is actively in the city and does not desecrate my home with his fornications!" Lady Brutus responded harshly.
Scipio didn't bother trying to respond, it would have sounded like an excuse.
The Lady Brutus continued, "Honestly! My husband should have had you accompany him and leave Julius Germanicus here. I know he would have done a better job at governance than you!"
"Oh, on that, we are both of the same accord. Germanicus would most like be a better governor. But he isn't here now."
Trebellius spoke up now, "And we hear that you are staging a celebration of Neptune to the Greeks? As if a festival shall raise spirits?"
"It is Neptune's fortune that we entered Athens so quickly, for what purpose should I not exalt him?"
"Do you care about managing Athens?"
"Of course, I do. Everything I have done has served a purpose."
"Ha!" Servilia scoffed.
Gaius Scipio Lupus stared at the woman with a gaze of stone. Suba, Auctus, and Pliny were equally emotionless.
"By the Gods, you are serious…" she gasped. "What is your plan?"
Gaius Scipio Lupus looked to Suba, Auctus, and Pliny. He then turned to Servilia, "Lady Brutus, do you trust me?"
She thought before speaking, "Honestly, after what I have seen of you for the past few days, I do not, Scipio Lupus. You have done and shown nothing that demands me of your trust."
There it is… that look of disappointment… He downed a cup full of wine that wasn't watered down. He scoffed to himself, "You do not trust me… that is fair, I suppose."
"Do you expect me to trust you, Lupus?"
He stared at her, "Lady Brutus, if I may impose… may you please speak with me somewhere, alone?"
"What? For what purpose—"
"Alone, just you and me, no slaves, no guards, just the two of us."
"I shall not—"
"Please," he cleared his throat, he needed to sound as genuine as possible. "I ask you, humbly, I was a rude guest to you and your husband, but I ask you now, allow me the chance of privacy with you. Please, I ask this of you. Please?"
Servilia looked to the Prefect who shook his head in disapproval. She turned back and studied Lupus's face; he could tell she was indeed contemplating this. Finally, she said, "You have five minutes."
"Gratitude, Lady Brutus, that is all I need to speak with you."
"Follow me."
The two aristocratic Romans met within the tablinum, the office room of a Roman household, and where the Governor conducted his business. Lupus entered first, as Servilia brought Marcus in as well.
"Why did you bring your son in this room?" Lupus asked.
"So as no one may gossip that you and I are doing anything indecent." She turned to her young son and smiled, "Marcus, go play with your toys by the corner of the room."
The boy did as he was told and played with toy legionaries and horses.
Servilia turned to him, "We are alone. To what do you need to speak to me about?"
He reclined against the office desk, his eyes were staring at his own feet, "My father despises me. Well, I do not believe such is the right word. More like, he is disappointed in me. In my attitude, and my apparent, 'lack of ambition'. All true Romans should have a goal to strive for, if you do not have ambition, then you are nothing. My father claims I am an idler, that I do not seize chances when they occur. Part of that is true, I am like the water, I take shape and move in whatever form is pressed upon me. I don't act, I react. Such attitude makes many believe I am a fool; people like you and your husband."
She crossed her arms, "And this is where you tell me that we are wrong?"
He looked up at her, "Men act and react upon another's nature. This is my nature; this is who I am. Yet I do not see such as a weakness. If you know yourself, then you can weaponize your nature against others."
"Scipio Lupus, what is your plan?"
"I did order my men to shakedown and arrest Greeks and Romans alike. But it was not without purpose. In a city of hundreds of thousands, finding a certain group of people with no known identity is next to impossible. So how can we find them? We use their nature. They are dissidents, they seek to destroy all that is Roman. So, what better place to hide than a city that is rank with anti-Roman sentiment? I believe that if the assassins are still here, they would be poised to strike when the city is in a frenzy. If the city is so up in arms, then perhaps they may come out and try to kill the one in charge."
Servilia's jaw was dangling from her mouth, "That is your plan?! To fill the pot with boiling water before it overflows?!"
He nodded simply, "Yes. But it cleans out the entire pot."
"And you would have my son and me as bait?" she asked horrified.
"No, not you, me. I am a Scipio, and the city knows I am temporarily in power. They shall come for me. I am the culprit."
"You may believe such, but what banners are draped on this building? Are they blue?! What family has lived in this city for decades?! Does it begin with an "S"?! You are responsible for this mess, but it is my family that shall pay for your folly."
"Hopefully, it shall not come to that, Servilia Brutus."
"How do you know they shall strike soon? They could strike weeks from now."
"Indeed. Such is why I am fanning the flames to speed up the fire. The more aggressive I am, the more likely they shall sprout to either attack me or my men."
"By the Gods!" she threw her hands up and paced around. "When you asked if I 'trusted you', this is what you meant?" She moved closer to him, leaning close to his face for emphasis, "To send a city that previously revolted… to revolt once more on the slim chance of catching these assassins? And you do not even tell me, Prefect Trebellius, or our guardsmen? Wait, did you even inform Tribune Rupilius of the Twenty-Eighth?"
"No."
"Then how can I trust you?! You keep all these schemes from me and those loyal to us and you expect me to give you trust?!"
"M-Mother…?" The young boy muttered with quivering eyes.
Servilia placed her hands on her mouth, before rushing to her son, "I apologize, Marcus. Mother didn't mean to shout; I didn't mean to scare you."
Lupus watched silently as she tended to her son. After a moment, Servilia calmed down and Marcus returned to playing. Now that she was calm, perhaps he better tell her.
"You wonder for what purpose I didn't tell your men? Have I told you of what happened in Capua? During the Bloody Ides?"
She spoke slowly, "No, you did not."
He exhaled before speaking, "The Black Masks came for the head of our Patriarch, Quintus Scipio. Do you wonder how they reached him? Bribery. The assassins paid the Urban Prefect of Capua coin to enter the premises of the Palace to fornicate with a slave girl that they saw accompany Quintus's wife. The Prefect failed to rationalize the oddity of this request, or to simply smuggle the girl outside the Palace. So, he allowed the assassins to enter. As soon as he was inside, they both incapacitated the Prefect. They infiltrated the Palace and slain Patriarch Quintus and gravely wounded his son. One assassin died, the other assassin escaped, and the Prefect is currently awaiting execution."
Servilia's mouth trembled in disbelief.
"That is why I don't trust a single guard in your employ, especially those who are recruited in this city. I do not even trust your Prefect. The only ones that live in this city that I trust have nothing to do with the assassins is your family."
"B-But…"
"Lady Brutus, I ask you, how do believe the assassin entered your Palace? How did he get access in here to murder your father-in-law?"
Servilia was surprised by that.
"Lady Brutus, that is why I didn't inform you of my plan, what if you would tell the Prefect and what if he was conspiring with the assassins, or those beneath him, or even if he suffered a lapse in judgement? Then the assassins would never come. I wanted to ensure that your emotion was genuine, that they would believe it is just me acting like 'a tyrant'."
Her eyes fell to the floor, her mind lost in thought until she finally spoke, "What benefits can arise from such an action?"
He shrugged, "Well, crime has fallen sharply within Athens."
"How?"
"I ordered my marines to go through town and apprehend the known thieves and smugglers."
"And that is another matter. Who gave you authority to arrest them? Certainly not I, nor Prefect Trebellius!"
"Oh, well, ah, we did not arrest them."
"So… what did you do with—"
Scipio Lupus tilted his head with a knowing look.
She jumped back, "You monster!"
"They were thieves and criminals, Lady Brutus, and the city is better off without them!"
"The Prefect told me that some of them were one-time offenders!"
"And they shall nevermore offend."
"You just can't go through town murdering people!" she screamed.
"Some of these criminals that you defend are most likely hiding the assassins!"
"Do you even know if these assassins are still in Athens?!"
Lupus sighed, "No. Such is a gamble, yet I hold the will to see it through. If they are here, then they shall show themselves soon, and if they are not… well… at least we shall purge the most dissident."
"This plan is too extreme, Scipio!"
"I know, it is. I can admit such."
"Then for what purpose do you continue this?!"
"Because it's the only plan I possess!" he shouted back. "I do not know other measures in how to lure out the rats other than smoking them out with fire. I do not even know if they are still here! I need to try something."
"And all I've seen you done is stir the nest in hopes of attaining honey."
Both of them fell silent.
Marcus approached his mother and looked up at her with his cute eyes. She picked up her son and hugged him tight.
Lupus asked her, "Speak truth, how well have you been able to rest, knowing that these assassins still skulk through the night?"
She turned to him.
He continued, "All I've done is to save Roman lives. They are still out here. I know it."
"My rest shall recover once you leave."
She took her son and left the tablinum.
He was outside the Palace within the heart of Athens's bustling marketplace with his beloved woman by his side. He disregarded his armor and colors of the Scipii for a plain brown tunic, with the tension as high as it is. He observed the ongoing Athenians move throughout their day, trying their damn best to ignore the Julii legionaries patrolling the area. He could see the sideways glares that they were giving them, those stares from the Greeks reminded Gaius Scipio of Servilia's evisceration of him an hour ago.
Auctus had left to explore any possible leads within the city. As a natural Greek, he was the best spy that Gaius could ask for. Plinius went on his own to patrol around the city and check in on safehouses. But here was Gaius Scipio Lupus, stuck in a city that had lost all its former glory. In the city-state once renowned for its strategy and navy, now the rim of the toilet for the Roman Republic.
To be left in charge of an army with no leader present, government officials who are wary of him, and the action miles away with the deliverance of Roman vengeance being dealt to brigands? When Julius and Brutus returned, Scipio Lupus was going to wring their damn necks.
This was torture, each day he grew more miserable. The only comfort was Suba and Auctus. He was a beached whale, stuck on land with the water so close to him. The water called him, he needed to be out in the ocean to sail. To be at war. To be in Neptune's dominion with his wife, slave, and loyal marines by his side.
After several minutes of people watching, Scipio Lupus spotted the most senior centurion of the Twenty-Eighth, Gaius Aelianus, sitting by a table alone, eating bread on his break. The Scipii Admiral told Suba to wait in the marketplace, as he waltzed over to the centurion nonchalantly, and brazenly sat beside him in disguise.
Scipio waved to him, "Good day, Primus Pilus."
Aelianus's eyes grew at Lupus's sudden appearance. He looked around wearily before addressing the Scipio in a low voice, "Should I stand at attention, Admiral?"
Scipio Lupus took a piece of bread from the veteran centurion's plate, "No, I rather you not. Just act normal."
"I do not believe it normal for a citizen to sit with a centurion."
"As if these are normal times."
Aelianus chuckled, "Gods be true on that account. What do you need, Admiral?"
"Have your men located our friends?"
"We come upon trails absent hope, Admiral. We interrogate the men your marines bring in, and we patrol around the entire city, mostly stopping drunken disturbances and petty thefts."
"What? No breaking up black-cladded assassins?"
"No Athenians wear black, they know who we are looking for."
"Do you believe they harbor them?"
Aelianus finished the last piece of bread, "Such gives me doubt, Admiral. Few Athenians speak to us; they are more vocal with the Town Watch. And you should hear the venom they curse behind your marines' back. This city hates anything blue."
"Yes, I know the feeling… How are your men?"
"Irritated and bored. They design to be fighting tangible enemies, instead of looking for phantoms."
"You do not believe in our mission, Primus Pilus."
"I did not say that. The threat is real, Legatus Germanicus had informed me of his brother, and I know of the Julii Patriarch and Heir. These assassins need to be stopped. Yet, I admit that I would rather fight them on the field than search for them in the alleys."
"As would I. I have not seen Tribune Rupilius, where is he?"
"He stays at different locations, and breaks words only with the legionaries of the Senate."
"How goes that integration with them?"
"Challenging, and this search for shadows does not make it easy."
The rustic jingling of chain, armor, and equipment echoed past a corner of homes. The two men and many of the citizens turned their attention to the noise. A century of purple-cladded legionaries rounded the homes in a speeded trot. Lupus could hear the low growl of Aelianus at the sight of the Senatorial legionaries Sulla placed on them. The century stopped at attention, and one of the soldiers pointed in Aelianus' direction. The formation of purple soldiers parted open, and Tribune Rupilius walked out, his destination was Aelianus.
"Primus Pilus!" Rupilius said with authority.
Aelianus stood at attention, "Sir!" Lupus was cursing the tribune for approaching them so blatantly.
"I see that you are on break, centurion, but do you not believe you should have done your duty first?"
"Sir, to what do you refer?"
"The First, Second, and Third Cohort, are in eastern Athens. For what purposes exists that three cohorts should be in the same sector with the Fifth and Seventh? They should be investigating the temples and shrines! Get to it, you fool!"
"Yes, sir, I shall, sir."
Rupilius leered at the man sitting beside the veteran, "Who sits beside you in which you deem so import— wait… Scipio Lupus? Is that you?"
"Shh! Say my name louder and the entire city shall hear."
"Oh, so you finally left your palace, eh?"
"I've never stayed cooped inside. I frequent the city. Unlike you would know, you never respond to my inquiries."
"Because I do my own investigation, while by the looks of your cloak, you seek to hide from thy own folly of turbulence you have created."
"And you are no stranger to the covert arts, Rupilius, with that heavy escort of yours. The enemy could spot you leagues away."
"Again, it is for my own safety, from the shit that you poured onto this city."
Aelianus stood between them, "Tribune, Admiral, let us not be overheated. Not here, not in public."
Lupus would not break the gaze from this haughty Senatorial puppet. He sneered at him, "Take a seat, Tribune."
"I sit on my own volition," he sat across Lupus and Aelianus.
"How goes your search?" the Scipio asked.
"About as fruitless as yours, I imagine. My legion has been searching relentlessly throughout this fucking city. And we have uncovered nothing."
A quick glance at Aelianus and Scipio Lupus could notice the grizzled veteran's mouth tightening.
" 'Your' legion?" Lupus asked.
"When the Legatus is absent, the authority falls to the Tribune, so yes, it is my legion."
Aelianus' hand formed into a subtle fist.
Lupus sighed, "Where could these bastards reside? We've examined the temples, the markets, the ports, and the homes. And we have come up with nothing."
Aelianus spoke up, "It could be possible that they abandoned Athens."
Rupilius waved his hand in agitation, "Could be. Here we are, stroking our cocks in this city, and they have fled to the wilderness."
Lupus chuckled bitterly, "Such would infuriate me to no end, and yet, I believe that not to be true."
"How?"
"An inkling of hope."
"Save that to the augurs, Lupus. Yet such sentiment warms the heart, the young must stay hopeful. And it is my hope that these monsters are dead."
"We share common ground on that, Rupilius. But if Fortuna favors us, then it should not fall to that."
"To what do you mean?"
"We shall capture them alive, if possible."
Rupilius's mouth draped low, showing his teeth. His eyes were cross with confusion as he spoke, "You desire them to live? Do you not care about vengeance, Lupus?"
"Of course. Vengeance is on our minds. Me, Julius, and Brutus. Julius and I wouldn't be here if we didn't desire it. Yet I desire to know more of these assassins, the secrets that they hold. It is near impossible to get valued secrets from dead men."
"That is astute of you, Lupus, yet I hold ground that these men who have so vilely violated the Republic must be killed."
"I agree; however, we must capture them alive. I believe Sulla should be quite satisfied if they return to him still drawing breath."
"I believe Sulla shall be even more satisfied if they breathe no more."
Lupus's gaze hardened, "Do you have words to break on this subject, Rupilius? You seem so… adamant about this."
"You may not know of this on your quests on the seas as a glorified and sanctioned pirate, but we as the arms of the Senate, follow orders."
"And Sulla ordered me to do my duty and stop them in whatever way I see fit."
"I speak for Sulla, Scipio, and his words state that these assassins are to be killed on the spot. See your men to task, or I shall."
The Scipio's laugh was more of a high-pitched wheeze, "You believe that you shall take command of my men? What gives you such belief?"
"The word of the Dictator himself. When he speaks, laws form. And I am his law, and you shall obey when I command. As I command you to follow my every word."
His wheezing laughter devolved into a chuckle, "I rather jump from the Tarpeian Rock."
A twisted grin formed on Rupilius' mouth, "That could be arranged, boy. I could always write back to Sulla, and he can add a few more names to his lists. Yours, your African whore, your Greek catamite, or that sister of yours in Sicilia. Her name was Arria, correct?"
Gaius Scipio's laughter ceased. His face began to contort as he slurred, "You sycophantic eunuch… you wouldn't… you fucking wouldn't…"
"It is my word against yours, and I have the ear of the Dictator. You believe you are in command here? Well, so does Brutus Equestris, and so does Julius Germanicus. You three are young and naïve, Sulla is your dominus, and I speak for him, which makes me, your dominus. Remember that."
Gaius Scipio Lupus couldn't tell that his clenched fists were shaking, so great was his fury. He envisioned many ways to kill this man with his bare hands before the legionaries could stop him. A punch to the throat to disorient, then to bash his head in against the table. Maybe even leap over and snap his neck before he could react. Throw a right hook to break his jaw, and then to stomp his head in. All of these thoughts flowed through his head in a matter of seconds.
Rupilius stood to his feet and adjusted his clothing. His grin of superiority flashed brightly, "Too much time at sea has indeed made you wild as a wolf, Scipio. Some discipline can curtail that. You need to follow orders." He turned to Aelianus, "I am your tribune, Aelianus. I know you follow orders, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"And is our Legatus present?"
"No, sir."
"So, who do you follow?"
"You, sir. The tribune."
He smiled widely, "Exactly. Now do as I command, get the First through Third Cohort patrolling around the temples, question every priest they can find."
"And of the senatorial legionaries, sir?"
"Those are my men, for what do you care about them?"
"As the Primus Pilus, it is my priority to care about all the men in the legion. From the veterans to the recruits, and to the auxilia to the attached detachments."
"Your duty is to instill discipline, not care, remember that, soldier."
"Sir."
Rupilius spun back to Scipio, "Do you bear witness to a soldier of respect? I forget. You are but a wild youth who has not even broken the age of 25. What do you know of respect? I am in command here, how about you remember that, boy."
"How about you go fuck yourself with a Greek cock?"
He chuckled once, "And you prove my truths. What a sin for a Scipio of all people to be so crude? I shall continue my search down by the docks, if you shall need me."
Rupilius walked back to his contingent of senatorial legionaries and waded through their ranks until he couldn't be seen. The soldiers started their cadence, then marched through the Athenian mass, leaving Lupus and Aelianus to watch them as the century departed.
"Such confidence he shows," Lupus spoke to Aelianus, but both men were still staring at the departing senatorial legionaries, "Imagine the Black Masks' terror as the sight of Tribune Rupilius."
"I am trying," Aelianus replied.
"Where the fuck is your Legatus, anyhow?"
"I stand certain that he shall return soon, Admiral."
"If he does not, he should not hold me responsible for murdering that damn Rupilius!"
"Make way! Make way!" came a voice in Latin.
A sailor that wore his colors came rushing through the crowd and making a beeline towards him. Gaius Scipio sighed, what else could be happening now?
The sailor was winded, and had to catch his breath before speaking, "Admiral! I bring word from Captain Plinius! He asks you to don a disguise before venturing to him."
"For what purpose?"
The sailor sucked his teeth before speaking, "Captain Plinius brings word that your body slave, Auctus, was attacked. He lives, but he is wounded. The perpetrators may be the Black Masks."
Mercury himself would have been jealous at how quickly Gaius Scipio sprinted through the streets.
He wore a hooded cloak that obscured his face and his armor that Aelianus quickly gave him. As did Suba who followed him, along with Primus Pilus Aelianus who was dressed in a similar manner. They followed the sailor through the winding streets, occasionally knocking over Athenians in their path. The sailor told him the extent of the boy's injuries, but Gaius Scipio still feared the worst.
They came upon a home that had its windows obscured, in which the sailor explained they rented out. The sailor knocked secretively in a short rhythm, Pliny opened the door from inside and encouraged them to enter quickly. Inside the shaded room stood three of his marines, Gaius's personal physician who was called "Simeon the Jew", and lying on a table with several candles beside his face was Auctus.
Gaius gasped, "Auctus!"
Tears were welling the fifteen-year-old's eyes, "Gaius…"
Gaius Scipio hugged his slave tightly, until asked to stop by the physician, "Careful, Lupus, the stitching."
Beside the boy were bloodied bandages. Gaius noted how deep the wound looked.
Suba approached the Greekling, she fondled his hair compassionately, "We were so worried when we heard the news. Does it hurt?"
He nodded with a wince, "It does, Suba, it stings and burns like a raging tempest, it hurts to even speak."
She shushed him gently, "Then save your effort, Auctus."
Gaius pulled his physician aside, "How bad is it?"
Simeon exhaled, "The blade had cut deep, Lupus. Through the cheek and into the gums of his mouth. I have him chewing willow bark on the right side of his mouth to ease the pain. Once the stitching is done, I will provide him poppy. But, I must tell you; he will have trouble eating for a while, and such a wound shall leave a very noticeable scar that he shall carry for life."
Gaius's flesh turned cold at that, then replaced by the burning fuel of rage.
"Gratitude, Simeon," he whispered, fighting back anger. "Now please get back to work."
"I am almost finished with the last two stitches, Lupus. It should not take long."
Simeon the Jew returned to Auctus to finish the procedure. The boy held on to Suba's hand as he tried to fight through the pain with winces. Gaius silently motioned for Pliny to speak to him by the corner with a flick of the head.
"What happened?" his voice was gruff and curt.
Pliny snapped his fingers for the three marines to join them. "These three were on patrol near the market. Auctus found them first, blood pouring down his face and hands that covered his wound. He confirmed his identity and he requested to be taken to one of our safehouses we rented. They got here, they saw a sailor and told him to fetch me and you as the three men stood guard over Auctus. The sailor found me first and told me of what occurred. Simeon was not too far, and I brought him here, and I sent the sailor after you."
Gaius nodded slowly, he turned to the marines, "You men have my gratitude. Did any of you spot the Black Masks?"
"No," one of them said, "We asked the boy, but he told us it was too dangerous to speak of it on the street. So, we took him here and he urged us to find you, Admiral."
Auctus, you clever boy…
"Lupus, I have finished the stitching," Simeon announced.
Gaius moved to Auctus, who sat up groggily. By the Gods, those stitches were thick and noticeable. "How do you feel, Auctus?"
"T-Terrible, my mouth feels alight with fire… It hurts to talk…"
"Then keep it short, I beg of you. Are you sure it was the Black Masks?"
He nodded.
"How are you certain?"
"They switched languages."
"What?"
"Yes, they initially spoke Greek, but after they attacked me, they spoke to each other in the Roman tongue. Then when they faced me, they spoke in Greek once more."
"Start from the beginning."
He sighed, bracing for the impending pain, "I… left the Palace and I was spotted by Amphion, a guardsman of the Watch. He only w… witnessed me whenever I left the Palace or your bedchambers, Gaius. He believed you violate me unjustly for your base pleasures… and he roped me and two other boys into his speech about how you were a tyrant abusing the Brutii and Athens and you should be deposed. I w… went along with it in order not to raise suspicion. Minutes later, two men approach him amongst the crowd, said they needed to speak to him alone, and tossed him a coin. They went out and spoke for several minutes, they brought me and the boys out, and spoke about ending your life and liberating Athens."
"Are you sure?"
The Greekling nodded, "They told me they planned to strike tomorrow at your festivities for Neptune, and they shall slay Lady Brutus and her son… They shall also move to burn the barracks holding the Julii Legion. Since Amphion believes I am your favorite boy for sexual pleasures, he requested that I open the Palace door for men to enter. I knew they were the assassins, but they spoke fluent Greek and I held doubt. Once th… they left, I followed them, it looked like they were heading to the cisterns. One of them disappeared, and before I knew it, I saw a blade come out of nowhere, and my face was in agony. They stood over top of me, speaking Latin to one another, not believing I knew their language. They then released me."
Gaius Scipio Lupus was speechless. He faced Suba and Pliny; their reactions mirrored his. By the Gods, it seemed too good to be true. They actually found them. Gaius Scipio Lupus's ludicrous plan had borne fruit.
A tender smile grew on the face of the Scipio. He gently cupped the back of Auctus's head, planting a gentle kiss on his forehead, saying, "I am so proud of you, Auctus."
The boy's voice strained, "Truly?"
"Yes," it was Suba who placed a hand on his other cheek, "You have done a most courageous act."
Pliny stepped up, "Auctus, you showed the valor of a Roman. Can you speak upon any more detail about the assassins?"
"Yes. The one who looked to be the leader is meeting with Amphion tomorrow at the tavern."
"What did he look like?"
"He was short of hair that was brown, and he had a beard, so did his companion. I know, such is not much help, but he had no noticeable details of his face."
Pliny leaned in closer, "Would you recognize their faces again?"
"Categorically."
That grew the smile on Gaius's face. Pliny nodded respectfully. He turned to Gaius, "So how do we spread word to our men without causing alarm?"
"Through word of mouth." He turned to the man he could trust, "Plinius, I leave this to you. Primus Pilus, I recommend you inform your centurions, and have them inform their optios, and so on and so forth. We must keep this small and contained."
Primus Pilus Aelianus was reclining against the dark corner, listening to the boy's story. He smirked, "I understand, Admiral. I view it best if we do not involve Rupilius in this matter."
"We are of one accord, wholeheartedly."
Suba looked to them, "You cannot trust him?"
"Not for a fucking moment," Lupus reaffirmed.
"He stands my tribune, but he does not hold the heart of the Julii soldiers, nor I," Aelianus said.
"Primus Pilus, you will inform your men, but do not inform the Tribune. The man is up to something, I know it."
"I understand."
Suba rubbed her jaw, "Auctus, did the Arcani speak about the Urban Prefect being complicit in this plot?"
"From how they spoke with Amphion, I do not believe Prefect Trebellius is a part of their plot."
"He may be a part of it, we still don't know," Lupus offered.
Suba touched his arm, "My dear, Amphion is a corrupt Watchmen who has friends that are loyal to him. Prefect Trebellius may know who he associates with and who to look out for. If we do not speak with him, then we endanger the lives of Lady Brutus and her son."
"I agree."
Lupus fell silent.
Pliny spoke up, "That may be true. But if he is connected to the assassins, as was the Prefect in Capua, we may lose this precious discovery by tomorrow, undoing everything. It may be best if we keep this amongst ourselves and leave the Brutii out of this. We've done enough to them."
Lupus inhaled through his nose.
Supa leaned in closer, "Gaius, what are you to do?"
Gaius Scipio Lupus was back in the Palace and in the tablinum. As he stood over a table, Lupus drank from a cup of watered-down wine. Present with Lupus was Suba, Primus Pilus Aelianus, Captain Plinius, and those standing across from them were Lady Servilia Brutus and Prefect Trebellius. He told them that this meeting was of imminent emergency, and when they arrived, he told them everything of what happened, and Aelianus verified every word. Servilia did not speak; Trebellius listened on with angered patience."
Lupus exhaled, placing his cup down, "I spoke with Primus Pilus Aelianus. Our goal is to spring the trap and catch the Black Masks. The festivity of Neptune shall continue, drawing the assassins forth. I shall go to the tavern and kill the leader and apprehend Amphion. Captain Plinius shall go in my stead on the sea vessel where they shall strike. Aelianus and the men of the Twenty-Eighth Legion will be near the barracks and guard them from attack. Lady Brutus, you must stay here in the palace, the remnant shall seek to attack you, but you shall be under guard."
Prefect Trebellius asked the admiral, "Where is your slave boy? We need to have this verified."
"He is at a safe house. He has already been discovered by Amphion and two men of the Arcani. In case they are having the Palace watched, he should not enter. What do you know of this Amphion?"
"I do not know him personally, but my officers speak of him often as being anti-Roman. I know there are others who harbor such views, but to go as far as to collaborate with assassins… if I send my men to collect information, I believe we can tally the number of his supporters, but I am sure that they cannot number more than thirty."
"That is still considerable," Plinius spoke up.
Prefect Trebellius nodded, "I am aware. Yet I also want to believe that among that number, not all of them shall commit to the action, that being said, caution is the utmost importance."
"Agreed," Lupus said, "Have your men's movement be as silent as the night."
Prefect Trebellius scanned the room, "Rupilius is not present?"
"With respect to you, Prefect," Aelianus spoke up, "I believe it is for the best. His words and actions do not seem trustworthy."
"Elaborate."
"What would you say the value of these assassins be, Prefect?"
"Obviously, alive. We need more information, and perhaps a public execution to boost morale."
Aelianus nodded, "Yes. However, Rupilius is going around countermanding orders from Scipio in taking these men alive, if possible, to killing them on sight. He wants them dead without us probing for information. Such a request is… odd."
"Do you believe the Tribune is complicit?"
Aelianus and Lupus exchanged stares before the Scipio decided to answer, "I do not, and I hold desire that I could. I do not believe he is aligned with the assassins, but he definitely knows more than he is letting on."
Prefect Trebellius looked to the silent Servilia Brutus, who's eyes were large and filled with fear as she stared at the wood on the table, "Who shall be guarding the Lady Brutus?"
"Suba, she is very proficient in arms. And I trust her with my life."
The Prefect turned to the woman, "No, I shall not have one person guard the Lady Brutus!"
"It is for baiting purposes. You may keep your men in the shadows, but Suba must be in the open with the Lady Brutus."
"You claim her as 'bait'? This is her life, not a game!"
"I am aware, Prefect, poor choice of words. But you understand, to spring this trap, we must have them commit. Would you deliberately attack your target that was surrounded by twenty bodyguards?"
He rolled his eyes, "This is madness… I shall not allow that! Find some other measure in which—"
"I shall do it."
All eyes turned to Lady Servilia who spoke, "I shall do it."
"But my Lady…"
"I understand you seek to protect me, and you hold all rights for such. But as I look into Scipio Lupus's eyes—" She turned her head and met the admiral's gaze. "—I can see pain and fear in those eyes of his. Lupus, your slave, that boy, he's not just a pleasure slave to you, is he?"
"He is not."
"You love him?"
"I do."
"I know, I can see the fury beneath those eyes of yours. This threat you just discovered is real."
"It is." He took a step back and walked around the table, moving closer to her. "And I believe we may end this threat tomorrow. This is dangerous, but I do need your help, Servilia Brutus. I beg of you, you may not have faith in me, but have faith in my people. In Suba, Plinius, and even Julius's lead centurion, Aelianus."
"If we go down this path… I… desire for this to end…"
"If we go down this path, I shall see that it shall."
She lowered her head. Her mouth was tight, and her hands trembled. She brought her eyes up to the Prefect, "I shall go with his plan. Wholeheartedly, do as he says."
"Y-Yes, Lady Brutus. So, Scipio, what is your plan for tomorrow?"
He inhaled before speaking, "There are three targets for the assassins, but five target for us. The assassins seek to kill me at the Piraeus Harbor, to burn the legionary barracks, and to kill Lady Servilia in this Palace. That is not going to happen.
"I hold a plan, and that involves our five targets: the traitorous Amphion, the leader of the Black Mask assassins, the assassins at the Harbor, the assassins by the barracks, and the assassins at the palace. We are going to get them all. Tomorrow is my festival for Neptune, all I plan is for us to dedicate my quinquereme , I was to be on the ship, and I assume that is where they'll kill me. Plinius shall take my place along with marines below deck and ambush them. Primus Pilus Aelianus will have a cohort of his soldiers lying in wait for the assassins to attempt to burn the barracks.
"Now this is the most dangerous part, but we must let the assassins and the corrupt Watchmen enter the Palace to make an attempt on Lady Servilia. Prefect, you can station your men that you know are—without a doubt—loyal to you. When the assassins get close, you spring the trap. That leaves Amphion and the assassin leader who are to meet at a tavern. I shall personally go there myself. Auctus shall lead me there. If possible, I want at least ten Julii soldiers with me, I desire them to be wrapped in cloaks to hide their armor and weapons as they wait outside a safe distance away.
"I see the looks on all of your faces, this plan is risky, I know. But it's the only one I have. And like it or not, they are going to strike tomorrow. We do not have much time; we must hasten and inform all of those that we need. May the Gods watch over us all tomorrow."
Suba walked over to him, her gaze was tender, "May they watch over us," she echoed to him, "but there is one more thing we need to do. We need to shave that beard of yours."
Gaius's hands flung to his thick facial hair, "What? For what purpose? I love this beard!"
"As do I. But that is your most defining feature of your face, if you walk alone to the tavern with the beard on you and as the most hated man in the city, you will draw attention."
"I shall wear a hood."
"Good, but shaving the beard increases your chances of not being discovered. Besides, you can grow it back quickly."
"I suppose, Suba."
She placed her hands on his shoulders, "Tomorrow shall be a victory for us. I know it. This Arcani threat ends tomorrow, and you shall be the architect."
Another chapter bites the dust!
I am ecstatic that this chap has been posted, you can't imagine how long I've been meaning to finish this...
Thank you for reading.
-Kanuro5
