The House of Livya

[Livya]

The house of her old master; who she now called father for connivances sake, was situated in one of the respectable parts of Rome. It was an area filled with merchants and tradesman and as old Aulus had often told her. "And so we live here with them, for we sell death." Livya sighed as she looked at his death mask, and bowed her head in respect as a good daughter should. She looked up as a crash arose from the kitchen.

The small house still bore the same layout that Aulus had left it in. Livya let the two front rooms to merchants; one a cloth merchant and the other a cobbler. They were a convenient ruse; for they paid rent and provide a means for an unmarried and fatherless woman to sustain herself; or so it seemed.
A heavy door led between the two shops and into the atrium. Here was Aulus's death mask along with the mask of his master and his master before him; next to the shrine to Isis and the household gods surrounded by plants for the house had no garden.

Around the atrium was arranged a kitchen, triclinium (dinning room) store room and latrine. Other houses would have contained bedrooms down stairs; but no more than three ever lived in this house. All these rooms were comfortably and simply furnished; with only a slight touch of gold here and there to speak of better times.
Upstairs however it was a different story. The space that could have been two large rooms had become one; the master's room. It was hung with fine silk and beautiful furnishings, statues and golden jars littered the room. Anything that one of the successive 'masters' of the house had taken a fancy to was in this room. After all; they had enough money. At one end of the room was a mahogany bed; much larger and softer than normal beds.

There were three other rooms that overlooked the atrium. One was heavily padlocked; and contained all of her poisons, the weapons of successive assassins and anything that any of them might or had needed during their profession. Next to it was the slave’s room. There was only ever one; and loyal slave in the Assassin household. The current one was a nubibian man named Caius who towered over most men. He was Livya's seemed protector as a single woman; however he was in fact the protector of the house and its cook, cleaner and messenger.

Opposite these rooms was the Apprentices. It had once been Livya's room but now bore no resemblance to her. Instead it bore all the hall marks of its newest occupant. Marcus; ‘her little cousin from Latina’ was a violent young man loving bloodshed. Thus his name; which like all of the apprentices he had chosen himself. Marcus was fifteen and had a mop of brown curls and ‘had lost his parents to sickness and so had come to live with his cousin.’ Though in actual fact as an urchin he had attempted to break into her house and had summarily been adopted. Right now he was being taught by Caius the difference between roasting a door mouse and burning the thing. Marcus had little patience or skill for such things. But Livya was determined that he should receive the same training she had; even if that meant she had to treat him like a slave sometimes. ‘One day he will thank me for this’; she thought as she beat him to the ground for knocking the brazier of coals over. ‘This teaches respect, increases his pain boundary and shows him the consequences of getting even the slightest thing wrong in this business.’

[Senator Marius]

Marius who was a senator of Rome, had spoken with the council and decided to hire assassins to kill their biggest threat. It was needed, cause their friend who once was pro-consul and general of Rome had now gone against them. Ever since Etrusca was taken and the marriage between Lucius Valerius Silvio and Julia took place, the people had started to favor him more. It was dangerous, specially for the senate who kept losing power over the population. Marius, who was the head consul of Rome took the mission to speak with one of the best assassins in the Roman Empire. Rumors all over had told she was the best, no one else could outmatch her in her skills and wisdom. Hopefully it would not damage his rumor by visiting a woman like her, as important he was to everyone.

In secret he traveled through the streets of Rome, along guards but within a wagon whom no one could look inside. As the wagon carried by horses stopped in front of the house where assassins lived, the guards quickly took stand and made it impossible for any other citizen to watch what happened. With a nod, Marius gave order to his one centurion to knock on the door. Still not showing himself, before he was allowed to enter the house. The people who tried to pass the street were not allowed and had to turn, as important what happened was. Curious people became, but forgot it fast as other things they had to do.

[Livya]

Caius came into the kitchen. "Senetor Marius to speak to you Domina." Livya let go of Marcus and pulled him upright.
"Thankyou Caius; Marcus, try and be more careful. You may bring our guest and I the usaual refeshments."
"Yes Magistra" He relpied in a submissive voice befor brushing down his deep blue tunic.

Livya cheaked that she looked respecatble in her white palla and saffron stola and entered the atrium. "Senator Marius; welcome to my fathers house. I am most hounered by your visit to my humble home. Is there anything I can help you with?" As she spoke she led the way into the triclinum and sat down; regarding him with peiceing eyes. "No one can hear us in here Senator; everything you say to me is completly confidential as is all my work." She smiled at him with a slightly expectant look in her black eyes.

[Senator Marius]

As Marius was allowed to enter, he entered elegantly while the guards watched over him. It was good to finally have the moment to speak with the assassin he so much had heard about, hopefully she would be able to handle the mission he was to give her. Lucius who the senate had to get rid of, had become a dangerous man. Not only did he have an army, but also the loyalty of the people around. Earlier Marius and Lucius had been friends, although time had changed them both and risky it was to keep the enemy alive.

When Lyvia greeted Marius welcome, he kindly nodded in return but followed her to take a seat as he listened to what she said. He was glad no one else could hear what they now would speak about, as secret it was needed to be."Thank you, I am glad we finaly get the chance to speak. And I do have a mission for you, but before I begin...I would like to know if the rumors are true. Are you that skilled as people tell?"He asked curiously, hoping she would give an example of some sort. As they sat close, he thought she was beautiful and attractive, although not along had he and his wife divorced. It was a hard time for him, mostly cause of it and also that his friend had turned against him. No one else then the senate Marius had left, but alone he wasn't, even he missed his love.

[Livya]

"I do not listen to rumours Senetor; you should know that the People are more prone to speak and belive lies than truth." She replied brushing his question aside. Secretly she was curseing; useful as a reputation was it was dangerouse for people to be speaking of her this way.
"The greatest assasin Rome was my 'Father'; Aulus. I can only say that I follow what he taught me, and what his 'Father' taught him and so on. The most important thing he taught me was secrecy; therefore you will understand that I cannot trust a Senator of the people with knowledge of any of my previouse work. I must also ask that in future if you wish to speak to me you will come without the wagon, escort and other attention attracting esigner. This is a good neighbourhood Senator and you have prevented customers from comeing to my neighbours shops." She gave him a polite but steely smile

There was a slight tap on the door and Marcus entered; his blue tunic slightly torn from the beating he'd recived. He set down a flagon of wine and a selection of light foods. Livya glanced at his tunic disapproveingly; but carried on none the less. "This is Marcus; my apprentice. If you wish to get hold of me at any time then you should send word through him.
Marcus nodded; his face devoid of emotion before leaveing the room where his expression changed to a scowl as he rubbed his buises.

"Now then; tell me why you are here."

[Senator Marius]

"Very well..."Marius answered in return to what she said about seeking her presence, the way she spoke and acted showed that she truly was an assassin. Her presence was delight, but her personality seemed mysterious. Curious he watched her, but continued speaking as more he had to say."The reason to why I am here is simply cause I have an enemy which I need you to kill, Lucius Valerius Silvio is his name. A dangerous man who grows stronger by the minute, everywhere the people shout his name like a hero who makes us senators look bad. At the moment he lives in Etrusca, together with his wife Julia, previous queen of that land. With him out of the way, the people will remember the true hero`s of the Roman Republic. Would you do this? I of course would reward you richly."He said seriously and proud, wishing Lyvia to kill his old friend as enemy he had become.

As wine had been given them by Marcus, he took the opportunity to taste some. Although he hoped it was not poison, even he doubted it. Hopefully she would not kill her costumer right away, as long Lucius had not given her orders to do something else. It was risky to drink, but Marius trusted Lyvia.

[Livya]

Livya laughed quietly as he said that. She could tell he was wary of drinking but touched that he trusted her. Most clients waited for her to drink first. When he put his glass down she reached over and raised his glass. “I am not in the habit of killing customers Senator” She drank from his glass and handed it back to him; her hand slightly brushing against his as she did so. She did not flinch as she did so but her heart jolted “If I wanted you dead I would not have waited for you to come to me.”

She settled back and regarded his thoughtfully. “So you want the opposition dead; jealousy of his power yes?” She saw the beginning of protestations on his lips and interrupted “Oh don’t lie to me Senator; nothing is ever done purely for the good of the People in the Senate. Now then; how do you wish him to die and by what means?” she asked bluntly. “And do you want Julia dead also?” Livya had no qualms about killing another woman; death was her profession.
She gave a warm and unguarded smile for the first time. “I expect to be reward richly Senator; it is not worth under paying me.”

[Senator Marius]

Marius smiled of what she said, but gentle took the glass she handed to him as their skin careful touched one another. The feeling of her presence made him act strange, but calm he kept himself as business had to be discussed. Before he was able to speak on, she had more to say. When she was finished, he nodded and answered as he understood more details was needed."Yes, I know. You will get worth payed for this, I promise you. Anyway you may keep Julia alive, but kill Lucius and his son. Do whatever you wish to do, but be sure he is dead when you return. Also, make the people believe it was not us senators who gave the orders but his wife. That is what i want you to do, but its needed for the good of the republic."

With that said, Marius took another sip of wine. However kept his gaze upon her as interesting and beautiful she looked, like a spell she kept him but deep inside he felt sad about the recently divorce he had been through. It was hard, but meeting another whom he never had met before made it all better. However the reason to why he was there, was cause the senate had a problem which she needed to handle by being paid richly in return.

[Livya]

"The boy will die a painless death" she promised quietely. She had the feeling that Marius was a kind man and wouldn't want a child killed brutelly. "And Julia will be held resoponsibel for the crime; it will be done." She bowed her head in respect. "Now then Senator; how much can you afford to pay me? Are you paying or is Rome?"

[Senator Marius]

"I will pay you, Rome should not be involved in a thing like this. However I am glad to hear you take this job seriously, cause this is important. Not just to me, but also to our land and people. Tell me, how much do you want in reward for this deeds to be done?"Marius spoke serious, but also kind as he was not cruel. He was glad the child at least would not feel a brutal death, as young the kid still was. Lyvia he trusted, who gave him hope that peace always could be found in other ways then war. Lucius was a dangerous man, one who had to be stopped before it would ruin them all. With a smile Marius watched Lyvia, but placed the goblet of wine back onto the table. She was very beautiful in his eyes, thought rough and dangerous she seemed.

[Livya]

"I can't say I am particularly concerned for the land or people. Assasins are always needed." She flashed him an appolagetic smile. She liked him; it was rare to meet a senator who accutually did care for the People rather than his own comfort. Not discounting the fact that he was also very good looking in a rugged way.
"In that case; 200 denarii upfront. Along with that you will owe me a future debt Senator. Much as I appretiate that you are trying to do the 'right' thing; it would be disaterouse if it was to come out you have ordered thier deaths..." She smiled and took a sip of her wine then took her stola off and laid it at her side. "Those are my terms Senator Marius. Do you accept?"

[Senator Marius]

Marius smiled of what she said, but thought it was good terms she asked for. Slightly he nodded, but spoke in answer."I accept, the things you ask for will be given. However it surely would not been good if the people knew I stood behind the orders of this mission, I believe I can trust you when it comes to this. Perhaps another 100 denarii more would fit?"He said and throwed a bag of 300 denarii`s on the table for her to grab."That hopefully should be enough."Marius continued, but kept a look of kindness and care as difficult it was to remove his eyes from her beautiful body. Something about her attracted him, even within he felt not ready for another woman in his life.

[Livya]

"Thankyou Senator; your generosity is much appetiated." She stood up and weighed the gold in her hand. Before putting it down beside her. "Your secret is safe for the moment anyway Senator." She noticed his look and blushed slightly. Livya wasn't used to men or anyone for that matter lookingt at her careingly; she was used to just being an assasin.
For the first time she properly looked at him and her blush deepend. She sat down again and took another sip of wine.

[Senator Marius]

"Good, I am glad to hear that." Marius answered with a smile, but kept looking. After a short moment he already could see she was blushing, which made him understand what thoughts she maybe kept for him. The way she took up her goblet of wine and drank, showed clearly something bothered her. In a curious way, he continued speaking as incredible he thought she was."If you don't mind me saying, you truly look beautiful. I am sure you must be a master when it comes to tricking men into a deadly sleep. Or am I wrong?"He asked, wondering if she ever had used her body to trick men into death.

[Livya]

She gave a hard laugh and there was a slight look of relief in her eyes. "I'm a female assasin; I must use all the gifts the Goddess gave me...but I never get emotioanlly envolved. Its part of my job. But I thank you for your compliments Senator; may I in return say that you yourself are a sight that I am sure has made many woman blush but it is your kind and good heart whitch strikes me most. It is not often to find a man who truly cares about the People of Rome." She raised her glass to him in a toast; inwardly filled with relief.
She was disturbed by the feelings she had for this man; not merely lust but something deeper and was glad that he was only looking at her like that becuase of lust rather than any more careing emotion; though slightly disapointed that it was not so.