In the immortal words of Aubrey "Review or die."

Thank you

It had only taken him a day's walk to reach the docks. A small ship was due to cross the Sea in 2 days. In the meantime he stayed in an inn. Partying with the Natives, every woman wanted a piece of him and he didn't mind sharing. He met up with a young lad named Edward who was also traveling to Rome to see his sick mother before she died. He was a vibrant boy with tons of energy and just as big a need for liquor. Aubrey enjoyed talking to him and come time to board the ship they bunked together.

"Why are you going to Rome?" Edward asked as they ended their game of cards and where ready to start another.

Aubrey shrugged. "Haven't really thought about it just needed to go," he replied.

"I know how that is. Been traveling most my life this isn't the first time across the Mediterranean."

"I would guess not," replied Aubrey. "Seeing as you'd have needed to cross it once already to get into Africa."

Edward laughed. "You're a quick witted guy. You know that?" Aubrey smirked in return.

"I've been told it once or twice before."

"I'm sure you have." Edward rolled over on his cot. "I'm out. Too much booze and rocking for my stomachs liking." He got up and crossed the small room. It took a day and a half to cross the Mediterranean. Due to the fact the ship was powered by manual labor. 32 sets of large oars on either side of the ship was its engine, powered by 64 men. They docked in early morning before the sun had even risen.

Italy was a lively city full of olive colored people and vibrant gestures. Even at this time of day the stores where open and people wandered about the streets, admiring lovely items that where lined along the streets in hopes to lure customers over to the venders stands.

He and Edward walked a long the stoned road Edwards eyes where as round as buttons as he took in the surroundings. Aubrey had to admit he was just as marveled at the surroundings as Edward was but he concealed it much better. In fact if he where to tell someone this was his first time in Italy he doubted they would believe him; his eyes remained unreadable it was a trait he'd been good at in life, masking his emotions, the powers were greatly enhanced with his death. Jager had told him that each person, when alive had different gifts some could read people well, others were good at calming people. When the vampiric blood enters a persons system it takes the things one had a knack with in life and enhances them. Thus determining what powers you would have as a vampire. Aubrey was lucky he'd had a lot of gifts as a human. Which made him all the more powerful vampire which had been why Ather had set sites on him she knew he would be powerful. Far more powerful then she'd ever be she changed people she knew would be more powerful than her in order to make herself appear as if she had more power then she really did.

Aubrey shook his head trying to take the thoughts of Ather from his mind he clenched and unclenched his fists. Just the thought of her made his blood boil.

"You alright there, pal?" Edwards's child like voice pulled him from his hate fest.

"I'm fine just thinking."

"That's got to be a pain; you sure do that a lot you know?"

"It's a quality I wish I could rid myself of."

"Its better then not thinking at all; Mom always said that was my problem I never thought any thing threw." Aubrey smiled at his companion's innocent voice. Edward scratched his head as if recalling his mother voice in his mind.

A scream interrupted there chat, it sounded as if it came from only a few blocks down. Edward and Aubrey glanced at one another. By the time they had reached the corner a crowd had already formed around the scene. From the bits and pieces the two could pick up a young boy had tried to steal a piece of fruit for him and his starving sister but had been caught. And the price for thievery was high; two fingers. Edward turned to walk away obviously having seen many of these public displays many times in his travels. Aubrey turned to follow but the whimpering and pleading of the boy caused him to freeze. It was on thing to down one to powerful to admit defeat but to cause harm to some one who would stoop so low as to beg for forgiveness was another case. He heard the jeers from the crowd.

"Suck it up boy and take your punishment."

"Coward!"

"Thief!"

Their taunting was endless. "Come on Aubrey I want to check out a few stores before the morning rush arrives."

Would he walk away from someone who needed his help? The boy was innocent only trying to feed his family. But he had committed a crime. His humanity argued with his other self. His sympathy with what he knew was right and wrong. The boy had stolen had he not? It was too late for any more argument he heard the knife swing down and the boy scream. The scent of blood filled the air. He turned to gaze upon the scene the boy sat tear streaked face holding his bloodied hand whimpering.

More jeering from the crowd, "Get out of here, coward."

"Disgrace!" The boy stood to run but stumbled and fell the crowd laughed they threw stones at him. His little sister grabbed his good hand and pulled him along the street into an alley. The crowd followed for a bit still jeering but dispensed after they ran down the alley way.

Aubrey stood watching the whole scene play before his eyes a sickening feeling in his gut. He could have done something. But why should he of the boy got what he deserved argued another less humane sounding voice. Aubrey shook his head. He did not think like that what was happening to him. A year ago he wouldn't have hesitated to help that boy. He would of thrown people out of the and fought the man of single handedly if he had, had too. But he wasn't that boy anymore the thought sent a chill down his spin as his eyes rested of the fresh pool of blood which no one had bothered to clean up. Who knew how much a one year could change a person. He was so indecisive now. He either impulsively did what he wanted or he thought about it until it was too late.

"Aubrey. Are you coming?" He spun around to face Edward whom had introduced himself to a couple of ladies obviously of upper class by the judge of their clothes. He was pointing towards Aubrey and the girls were giggling.

Aubrey had been right the women had been of upper class. There house was situated on a small hill in which over looked Venice the city whose streets where paved in water. They had ported just outside of Venice in the dry land. Rome was only a few days a way in northern Italy. Edward seemed in no hurry to get to his mother he was laughing and flirting shamelessly with the woman who had been gracious enough to invite them for dinner. Of course they would want payment later on that night.

"Kaisha" was her name she was tall and lean but by far the most beautiful of them all. She screamed like a school girl Aubrey getting little enjoyment out of it. All he could see was the distorted face of the young boy crying out in pain. If only he had helped him. . .