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Post by Felicita on Jan 27, 2008 9:08:57 GMT -5
As soon as Felicita saw the slender, young woman stepping out of the white tent in front of her and Lucius, she knew it had to be Daphne, the Queen of Athens, her cousin. Before she even could react in any way, so stunned was she, had Lucius already embraced her and welcome her to Rome. At last, she stepped closer as well and participated in hugging Daphne. Felicita had not many memories about her, for she was very young when they had to flee from Athens, but still, the way Daphne moved, her facial structure, even her hair, all of it seemed familiar.
"Indeed, welcome to Rome, Daphne. I hope your journey has not been too tireing? Probably we should sit down somewhere quiet, to chat?" She offered to both, her brother and Daphne, for she thought it a good idea to avoid the sun at midday, in the middle of the heat, as well as that Lucius and Felicita also would be very grateful for a refreshment with water and maybe food after their travel in the carriages,
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Post by Daphne on Jan 27, 2008 15:38:41 GMT -5
Daphne gladly hugged back her two cousins back. She had no idea how she had imagined their meeting, but somehow differently. And yet, it could not have been better. She felt so relieved, being around loved ones, truly related ones, for the first time in almost 20 years. She had to smile all the time, beaming. "What an overwhealming feeling that is, to have you with me again." She stated smiling, before moving a little backwords again and loosening their hug to look at them.
"Well, I am sorry, Lucius. My advisor, Stratos, rather preferred the ship to build the camp outside of Rome's city walls. Simply because Athens barely had contact with Rome yet, to not be too rash." Daphne explained then her decision, and turned back to Felicita next to answer her. "If you wish, we can go inside, into my tent? I have a couple of chairs and beds to sit on, as well as fruits and drinks."
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Post by Lucius Valerius Silvio on Jan 27, 2008 15:56:01 GMT -5
"Ah so thats why you camped so far outside our city, however indeed it is great see you again and talking to you somewhere more private would be good for all parts I believe."Lucius said in return to what Daphne his cousin had spoken, it was great to see her again and beautiful she surely had grown. It amazed him as long time had it been since they last met, however great she looked and wise she had become. With a smile he looked upon her, but sonly turned to watch his sister for a short moment as they were all to walk inside Daphne's tent.
What Lucius thought funny, were that Daphne who younger then him she were had got high ranked a lot faster then himself. She were already a queen, while he was just a normal pro consul of Rome, not even a king he was. His cousin were incredible he believed, cause a lot had she gained from the gods she worshiped. Gentle he moved closer to were he stood, and with a gentle nod he took her arm in his but waited on his sister to come and link her hand in his other. Together they all would walk to a quiet place to talk, were past, present and future could be spoken.
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 28, 2008 7:31:06 GMT -5
Told by his sister Felicita, even though they were not blood-bound they still felt as kin; Marcus had rode swiftly on his black stallion to meet the cousin of Felicita and Lucius. He was eager to meet her since she was the Queen of Athens and had a reputation of a wise and cunning woman.
Perhaps she did not know Marcus, but Felicita had invited him into welcoming Queen Daphne to Rome and therefore this opportunity of meeting her he could not let go. Even though Greece and Rome were not close together they had a common ground and such could be well exploited by cultural and philosophical exchange, for Marcus had always admired Greek thinkers, like Socrates himself.
As he arrived to the tents he stopped his horse and looked around in search for Lucius, Felicita or Queen Daphne herself. Once he spotted them he smiled. He jumped off his horse, he could leave him there since he was a tame-less horse and only admitted Marcus to ride him. He was wearing a scarlet cloak and his uniform form meeting some Officials and Senators concerning the last news he received from Rhea. He bowed his head and greeted them as he approached. He then turned to Queen Daphne and said cordially, "I have had word from the most reliable source, that the wisest Queen alive was to grace us in Rome. It is a pleasure for us to have you here, your highness. My name is Marcus Flavius Aquila, at your service."
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Post by Daphne on Jan 30, 2008 6:46:06 GMT -5
"Good, then I will show you to my tent." Daphne spoke in answer to Lucius, and she just was about to turn to lead them back to where she had come from, to her tent, when she heard hooves clappering towards the camp. Another horse with rider must be approaching, and she spinned around once more to see who it was. She had not brought any horses with her from Athens, and so she already could guess it was someone from Rome, following Felicita and Lucius most certainly, or from the areas around Rome.
And indeed, a young man jumped off his horse and came towards them. The soldiers who stood widely spread all over the camp area were kept out a careful eye on everyone who approached to make sure no harm would come to their queen, but Marcus did not seem to want any harm, so they let him pass without saying anything.
"Thank you very much, what adulating words for me to be called the wisest!" Daphne replied smiling. She thought a moment or two and remembered her cousin's letter, where the name Marcus often was mentioned, and she wondered if Marcus probably could be Felicita's and Lucius' brother, son of the family who has adopted them many years ago.
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Post by Leonius Gaia on Jan 31, 2008 13:57:45 GMT -5
As the princess of Etruscan had been kidnapped by Romans, Leonius had made a decision. He had ordered 10 of his best men to come with him, so they could help his sister escape the claws who had captured her. On horse they had traveled but as they approached the city, they had gone on foot. However as they went, they soon spotted the camp that was set ashore close to the city. It made Leonius curious and with silent steps he wanted a better view to see what it all were about, maybe the Romans were preparing for a fight, he did not know. With a sign by his hand he ordered two of his soldiers to sneak into the camp on the left side while two others went on the right. Close the sea the camp were made, but still possible it were for them to hide behind rocks and bushes.
The four soldiers that were set out to move, the rest of the 6 men and Leonius himself waited on top of the hill close by. From there he saw known people coming go the camp, it were Lucius, his sister and their step brother Marcus. However curious it made him as he as well saw the sign of Athens on the ships close by, it looked as if they were planning out plans between them for further need in future. The woman who greeted the Romans seemed wonderful as the sight of her was catching his eyes like a spell, never before had he seen such a beauty since no one around were like her. Not even the wife he had married called Julia were like the woman who had come from Greece, it interested him and an idea it gave. Since it seemed the Romans were planning things with Athenians it would be good to take two in one catch, with a single order he told the men to move inside as he himself went along. One after one they took down by slaying them in secret, no one spotted them as careful they all were.
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 31, 2008 14:36:10 GMT -5
Marcus laughed silently, it sure was nice the way she laughed and how humble she was, even when she was a Queen. Many people with power failed in humbleness and reached levels of arrogance that did not delight a god. Then they were destroyed.
He bowed as they met and then he said, "I hope that your journey has been a pleasant one and that Neptune keeps it still for you to return." For a moment Marcus seemed to feel tense, as if something was happening but he tried to ignore it and then asked Felicita and Lucius, "what plans do you have for the honourable guest? Will you take her to see the Forum and the seven hills of Rome?"
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Post by Daphne on Feb 1, 2008 6:56:47 GMT -5
The Athenian soldiers and guards still had much work to do in the camp, arriving to a new place triggered chaos in the military lines in the first few hours. Much had to be built up, water and food recources had to be found or bought in the nearest city because those on the ship had gone rare after the unexpected long sea voyage, it was complete disorder at first in the camp. And so, when Leonius sent four of his men out to attack in secrecy, they could progress swiftly for in this confusion it was difficult to sent out the message of attack to warn yet unknowing people.
"Indeed, the journey was long, but not as unpleasent as I thought it could become, with all these Sea Pirates pillaging any passing ships." Daphne answered Marcus, smiling lightly, although she noticed a strange suspense in the air around. She let her gaze move from Marcus and her cousins to the tents behind, the shores, the rocks and bushes. She was not sure what caused this sudden unease, but she decided to speak before any of her cousins could answer Marcus' question. "Shall we move into the tent, I have enough refreshments for all of us to offer if you wish." She offered them, for she felt uneasy out here at the moment, although she could not put the finger on what was the cause.
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Post by Felicita on Feb 1, 2008 12:25:04 GMT -5
Felicita had sensed that something was out of order around in the camp, so she appreciated Daphne's offer to enter the tent now, it felt more secure in it's way. She followed Daphne inside, the tent was even larger inside than it seemed, enough space but still enough places for all of them to sit at a table, fruits lay in bowls, offering to be eaten, and enough liquids to eat there were as well.
"Yes, Marcus, actually we have planned to show her the most impressive views and sights in Rome, which she surely must have seen before she leaves again." Felicita answered at last to Marcus, before she sat down on a bench.
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Post by Lucius Valerius Silvio on Feb 1, 2008 12:42:03 GMT -5
Lucius who had just followed as his step brother Marcus had arrived, were silent as he listened to them all speaking. Daphne surely was an important person, as busy she seemed in a foreign country then her own. However as he entered her tent he with respect agreed to the offer she asked, he took a seat next to his sister and waited for their cousin and step brother to come over so they all could eat. It was a great sight to see their family rejoined again, after so many years they had been splitted apart by countries and sea or business that stood in the way.
As he sat there in peace and quiet he still listened, but when he did sounds outside could be heard approaching. It made him worried as unusual it seemed, there was noises as if people fell to the ground trying to breath. Suddenly it all stopped and nothing could be heard from the outside, everything inside was the only thing that were heard. Daphne and the others were busy speaking with each other, thought Lucius stood on guard for what could happen as silent it all had got.
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Post by Daphne on Feb 1, 2008 12:56:12 GMT -5
Daphne had led her guests into her tent. She was not sure what it was that made her feel so utterly threatened, almost haunted, but she saw that both her cousins at least felt the same. Silently, she picked up one of the fuit bowls and held it towards Marcus, Lucius and Felicita, but she did not really await them to take some. Too much tension was in the air.
"What is the cause of all this?" she asked, when she heard sounds from the outside as if bags of potatoes fell down to the ground, just that from time to time a painfilled groan was to be heared. To be honest, Daphne was afraid, she was not sure how to react. Her servants still were on the ship, all other soldiers were in the camp. None of them reported what was going on, but she could sense that it was something really bad.
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Post by Leonius Gaia on Feb 1, 2008 13:07:10 GMT -5
In quick moves the four soldiers that were sent on the sides moved fast into the middle of the camp, while Leonius himself and the 6 others moved down the hill and killed all they saw in secret. When they all finally reached the tent they headed too, almost everyone around were slain. The only ones who hadn't been taken down were on the ship, but those who had been on land were slain. A smile appeared on Leonius face, cause victory were close. If he could capture or kill the romans inside, it would help a lot if war were to come and specially to free the sister he wanted back.
With all of them gathered, he ordered them to surround the tent as they were soon to enter. It was good that people from afar had come to Rome for them to gather outside the city, it gave others a chance to attack and kill. Leonius watched around to be safe that no one watched, however soon after he whispered for only his soldiers to hear. In quick moves they ran into the tent, one grabbed Marcus from behind as he pointed his knife against his throat, four pointed their spears against Daphne, two grabbed Felicita and the three others grabbed Lucius as one of them pointed his sword toward his neck. With them all taken in captivity, Leonius entered to see but unknown he were if the Romans was able to fight back.
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Post by Felicita on Feb 4, 2008 11:54:47 GMT -5
Felicita had shaken her head when Daphne had offered them fruits. Instead, she answered to Daphne "I don't know. This silence... as if we are under attack..." She spoke, and continued, now turned towards her brothers. "What enemies does Rome have to attack our allies?" She asked. Although it not yet was any talk about alliance between Athens and Rome, it was clear that nothing stood against them being allies. At least not until now.
Felicita jumped up when suddenly men entered the tent. Shortly their shadows had been seen on the white linens of the tent before they stormed the tent, taking them off guard and now threatening them with knives and swords. Two have grabbed Felicita, holding back her arms so that she would not be able to move while she had to see her cousin and her two brothers being taken as well.
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Post by Lucius Valerius Silvio on Feb 5, 2008 5:20:49 GMT -5
Lucius who curiously had followed the conversation going on around, had as well tried to listen on what happened outside. However before he got the time to figure it out, they were ambushed inside the tent. Quickly he rose from the seat he sat upon, ready to strike the enemy down with his sword. Thought as he were to attack those who entered, he sonly got grabbed by three as they pointed a sword close to his neck. It eagered him a lot that unable he were to do anything against those who threatened those he loved the most, close his sister were grabbed by brutal men as well the other he knew was taken captive.
When Leonius appeared in front of his eyes, he quickly understood why they had come. Since Rome had captured the princess of Etruscan, it had made them want to rescue her. Though since Minerva the princess were not there, it had to be some other reason why they had attacked them instead."You! Why!"He shouted out in anger as he saw who leaded the group of soldiers, long had he hated Leonius cause often had the Etruscan been in the way for good trade with Rome and northern countries. For many years had Lucius wished to crush Etruscan land, to make it become Roman. As soon he spoke, one of soldiers punched his face before ever he got to speak finish. Unconscious he almost got, but still awake he were.
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Feb 5, 2008 5:48:09 GMT -5
Marcus was listening to their conversation, but his mind was somewhere else. He knew that, one way or another, something was not right. He closed his eyes for a moment and as soon as an enemy soldier approached him to put a knife on his neck he quickly dragged his sword and on a clean movement he stabbed the man, not to kill him but to make him unable to capture him. There was a slight cut on his throat, but soon he started fighting the ones that were holding Lucius.
Marcus was a man of deep reflection, but whenever those he loved were threatened, he acted on the impulse of the moment, and so, without thinking they were outnumbered he just fought until six more of Leonius' men jumped at him. One threw him against the wall while others tried to take his mortal sword away from him while he still wounded some. But after a moment of useless combat, Marcus was pressed against the wall and guarded by five men as his eyes met Luicius while he tried to tell him he did all he could. It could be said that at present, Lucius was to blame for this since he had offended the Etruscans by what he did to the Princess and Marcus was sure Leonius knew already, still he had to support his brother no matter what. He then saw Leonius and quickly said, "this is madness...release us at once!" He did not fear him nor anyone there, he would even die with honour if he had to to protect those he loved.
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