To Rufinus
"Mostly aloe. Some lavendar to help healing. Hazel for astringency."
In some concern to Paper
"How much damage did they do to you? I doubt I should do much here, but when we rejoin Levi, let me look."
And more generally - but mostly aimed at Rufinus
"Levi will do well. Finding that object of his will set his mind at rest too. It's not ours and I for one have no intention of opening it without his permission. As to us ... well now. It's been an enlightening and bloodthirsty day so far, even by our high standards."
He drinks his wine and continues.
"Let's see. A certain amount of soul baring has taken place, which forgive me, I don't propose to share in public. Paper gained wounds honourably defending his family name and property. Our cart-driving acquaintance has had an abrupt change of face from some passing Goths. Modius's nemesis is also Levi's. Red has been strangely bashful of late, but no doubt he'll tell us why in his own time. We are beset by enemies we know little about on all sides. Lycurgus and Rafi are men to be reckoned with and they do not like witches. That's a matter close to my heart.
Apart from anything else, it's supremely bad manners to kill a man without telling him why you want him dead."
Reaching for a piece of chicken.
"As always, I merely observe from the sidelines, provide commentary, stitch up the casualties - and pay for lunch."
Softly "Who are they?
More on edge than he'd care to admit, Rufinus' words cause Isat to look sharply around the room for any danger.
"If you mean Rafi and Lycurgus, I couldn't say. From what we know of them they're ruthless, efficient and fanatical. That's a nasty combination. Something tells me we may have to teach them the error of their ways."
"So, whose blood is that? What happened to the man with the wagon? You said he had a change of face? I heard of Rafi and Lycurgus. Did you run into them today?"
"So, whose blood is that? What happened to the man with the wagon? You said he had a change of face? I heard of Rafi and Lycurgus. Did you run into them today?"
"The blood belonged to some extremely well-trained young thugs. Man called Javenus trains them near the circus. They made the grave error of flaunting Paper's property in front of him and two will not see daylight again.
Agrippa's face? Just a bad joke. We were too late to stop some Goths removing his ears and charging him with a message for Lycurgus - a challenging one. The man sold us all for gold Rufinus, so I find it hard to rise to Modius's levels of forgiveness. Besides he'll live. If we don't start putting some pieces together soon, we may not.
If you know anything about these two, tell us. I have personal reasons to fear their plans if any of what Agrippa said was true. It ties in with the little Levi told us. They're deadly men.
You know, I came to Constaninople for reasons that were dangerous enough, but only really affected me. Like Modius, I think this tangle of deceit has been thrown at us for a reason. Very little is accidental after all."
Isat finally stops speaking. His face takes on a bleak look as he contemplates their possibly short future.
"I came to constantinople when my family were killed in Rome. We were important people in a tribe just north of the Danube. My father was a king. A small king, but a king. We follow the old ways, my people. I am a bearsark, like my father before me. My mother was a wise one. Idun touched my mother, and she was a healer. She could cure diseases with a touch. When people came among us talking of the Kristos, my father had them put on crosses, to see if they would come back after three days. They died. One of them, we hurt, to see if they could work magic, like my mother. They couldn't. We decided there was not much to the Kristos, because we already had the all father, and the thunderer, and they were good to us.
A king to the West of us was not so strong willed. He swore his people to the Kristos, and the churchmen said he must take our people, as we are heathen. They were stronger than we. My father wanted to fight, but my mother said we should go, or the thanes that followed my father would die, and the people too. Nothing would be gained by staying, except death for the people. We went to Rome. People of the big king came. I survived, alone of my kin. I came to Constantinople. I was trusting. I got drunk in a tavern by the Hippodrome. I was taken and enslaved. I had no one left who could vouch for me. Javenus said to the inspectors that I was born a slave. I made many attempts to gain freedom. I made myself as worthless to own as I could. Finally, he sold me to a man called Ioannes Galsius. I was treated better, and the man listened to my story. He offered to pay me tokens for my labour. With five hundred tokens, he would free me. I gained my liberty two new moons ago, and was looking for work. Now I am a great mason. I will open a quarry, and buy slaves and free them after they work, but I need lots of coin to do it. I know Javenus. He is a snake in the body of a man. There is no depravity he did not commit to the people he captured. He is now in Alaric's employ. Those who do not bend the knee to Alaric and the church are taken and sold. The wise are killed, and their tongues cut out. Those who followed them have their ears cut off. Javenus is not christian. He is one of the only two men I have ever dreamed of killing. Last night, I struck a man in anger for the first time. I destroyed his face. It makes it easier for me to see Javenus face instead."
Listening to the story, Isat's face takes on a distant look. Very quietly, speaking more himself than anyone specific he says.
"My soul says I should have healed Agrippa. It was the first time I have walked away from one in need. We do as we must when the time comes, but some actions scar the soul. Let us hope that the balance of our actions finds in our favour.
The goddess holds us all in the end. I said I would not speak of my soul baring in public. I was wrong. The goddess has touched me. I am entirely her creature. She has granted me powers I can barely control. I came to Constaninople from Eleusis seeking a man who may help me understand. He's at the courts I think. Whether it's important to find him now I don't know, but soon I must."
Coming out of his reverie, he adds in a much more normal tone.
"You said there were two men you dreamt of killing. Who is the other?"
"Alaric."
"I can not keep open the eyes. Watch me please as I sleep a bit."
"Depend on it my friend."
... Whose blood is that, on Master Papyrus' neck? ...
Paper looks at Rufinus.
"We ran across some of the theives who plundered and burned my family's villa."
Paper attempts to clean the stray blood off his neck.
"The will not be seeing the sunlit world again."
After consuming a lot of chicken and beer, waiting for Rufinus to get a little rest, and avoiding the exact details of his own encounter with Rafi, Modius belches loudly.
"Well. We have a casualty to check on, a woman to meet, and a lot of people to question and kill. We are busy men. We'd best not sit here all day."
"Spoken like a true warrior, Modius. It appears that my good qualities are rubbing off you." Hrothgar raises his mug in a toast, "Blood and iron!" He then drinks all the beer in one big gulp. "I am ready."
Any of you who drank a lot can make fort saves, DC 10. On a fail, you are intoxicated, and at -1 on all rolls for about half an hour. Only roll if you drank enough to get tipsy.
The hall has seen more people come in as you all talked. There is a bustle of people close o the fire pit, carving the boar and pulling the remaining chickens onto wooden platters. A few prostitutes have come in, faces painted gaudily. They are attended by a Short, hairless midget in a pink robe.
The young men have gone. There are a few families who have come in to eat. The dozey air of the place is lifting. Traffic on the streets has picked up.
As Isat pays, the waitress smiles at him, showing perfect teeth. She hands him back one of the silver coins, and jabbers something quickly in Gaulish languedoc. Before he can get modius to translate, she has gone to attend to a greek family that just sat down.
Paper sees a roman merchant that he knows walking past the arched front. His family does business with Paper's brother. The man is a loud, stupid and greedy prole, with money. Paper can make a hide check to avoid notice.
The bald-pated Gaul who owns this building intercepts Modius and speaks to him in Hibernian. "Good afternoon, young sir. I noticed that your young friend is a physician. He can eat here for free, and we can find work for him. There is a lot of call for a doctor in this part of town. There are many people who have things to trade for healing. The doctor who used to tend to our needs here is gone."
It is edging toward four in the afternoon. A thick bank of cumulus and stratocumulus cloud has blossomed in the sky over the sea. The land breeze will carry rain tonight. It has cooled down to a lovely afternoon.
Hrothgar is used to the alcohol.
Examining the unexpected coin
"Odd. First time I've been paid to eat anywhere. Why'd she do that?"
Modius is feeling a bit of a buzz.
To Isat: "They have need of your services, Isat. They need a doctor."
To the owner, in Hibernian:
He continues: "The truth is that my Goth friend (gestures toward Hrothgar), Isat and I have no people here. Our only local friend is this gentleman, Mr. Paper, whom we have just met, and he met with terrible misfortune less than an hour after greeting us. And Rufinus here suffered these burns not long after making our acquaintance. Are you still interested."
Paper has been nursing his drink slowly. He dislikes being out of control, so refrains from drinking large quantities of anything. He notices his crude acquaintence and melts into the shadows of the eatery like a Goth into a forest.
The friendly landowner shrugs. "Your enemies are your enemies. If you are like a lodestone for troubles, then you are wise to tell me. That means you will not bring those troubles to my door willingly. A doctor is a doctor. It is good to know one. We do not need anything today, but there are a lot of good people in this ward, and we have no physician. If you let me know his rates and services, I can certainly find work for him, in exchange for cheap care for my family and employees. Room too, if he wants it. There is a good corner room upstairs, quiet and cool. As I said, a doctor is a doctor. Tell him that Lugurix Aneunicno bids him welcome anytime."
He shakes Modius' hand and leans in to whisper "My daughter likes you. She says to bid you welcome anytime too. Be good to her if you do. I am a man with many friends."
*Hic
"Isat, I would like you to meet Mister Lugurix Aneunicno, he's willing to find work for you if you look after the medical needs of his family and employees at reduced rate, and he'll provide a room, and he seems to be well-connected around here."
*Hic
"And the beer is pretty good, too."
To Isat, politely
"Very pleased to meet you. I was telling the young master that there is a lot of work for a physician in this ward."
The man speaks very halting, colloquial Greek.
Hrothgar stops tapping the table when Modius arrives with company. "A friend of yours, Modius?"
To Isat, politely
"Very pleased to meet you. I was telling the young master that there is a lot of work for a physician in this ward."
The man speaks very halting, colloquial Greek.
Also speaking slowly in Greek.
"I would be honoured to help you and your people if I can. Modius here says you have a room you could rent - that is also of great interest to me. My brothers are very appreciative of your beer as well. If my friends are happy with such an arrangement, it would a great kindness on your part."
To Modius in Koinne or whatever we normally speak together
"Have you mentioned our tendency to attract trouble? I won't take work and room from this man under false pretences. By the way, how fast can you teach me Hibernian? I don't think I'll get far with accurate diagnosis without it."
To the others
"What do you think gentlemen? I'm happy to accept this offer, but the decision isn't only mine to make."
"Come to lunch here tomorrow, on me. We can discuss things then. I must go and make myself available to my new guests. We are getting busy, and I want to give you the time a new business relationship deserves. A pleasure to meet all of you."
Bowing slightly in acknowledgment.
"A great pleasure. We will certainly return tomorrow if our destinies permit."
Making your farewells, you head outside into the afternoon sun. A bank of cloud is building, that makes the clouds of yesterday seem fluffy and small. The market stalls that usually line the streets are sparsely populated. Most of the traders seem to not be setting up, in case of a storm. There is a breeze that seems to be looking for something, as it meanders in different directions. Making your way downhill, you catch a glimpse of the sea. The sailing ships are all coming in to berth and weather the storm. None of the small craft are still out on the water. The sea looks green gray. The air around you all is humid and has the taste of rain to it. A crew of labourers are moving down Via Fulmian, wiggling staves into the drains to clear any blockages. Most windows are shut.
If you want to go to the courthouse, it closes when the sun sets, You have an hour and a half before that happens. The courts are about half an hour inland, along the Mese.
If you want to go to Hrothgar's hide, you will continue downhill for fifteen minutes.
Feel free to go anywhere else you fancy.
As you go, you scan for tails and onlookers.
Perception checks.
"Much as I'd like to try and trace Stratos Kopteros, I think we should see how Levi is doing first. I'm uneasy leaving him alone for so long. There's another thing. If he's recovered enough to walk, I've seen enough of him to think he'd be good to have with us when we do find Stratos."
To Rufinus
"If you still wish to learn doctoring, the work we could do for the Gauls would be excellent training. If you watched your mother, you'll already know that there's nothing better than learning to recognise and treat the ordinary for helping you spot the unusual."
"I'm with you, brother."
Paper looks around.
"I think we should check on Levi as well, Isat. I need to write a letter to my father informing him of what transpired last evening, but I think that Levi's safety should come first."
Paper looks at his sooty blood-smeared self.
"I also need a tepidarium to soak in and some new clothes."
"I'd rather rest."
For Hrothgar, Isat and Paper.
Perception: 1d20 7=10
"One day you will see the beauty of Christ, brothers. It will open your minds and sharpen your awareness of everything around you!"
Hrothgar places his hands on hips, near the hilts of his weapons.
"I lift up my eyes to your Lord, Modius, whence I see we need your help."
Isat tried to signal upwards as discreetly as possible.
Perception: 1d20 7=10
"One day you will see the beauty of Christ, brothers. It will open your minds and sharpen your awareness of everything around you!"
Paper frowns as he notices the tail.
"The only sharpening I need is my gladius' edge and the only opening I desire is that of my enemies' insides."
Modius still can't notice anything. He is also tipsy enough to not notice the subtle signs the others are giving. Three beers are interfering with his instincts.
Seeing that the subtle approach is wasted effort, Isat leans in to Modius and says low and clear
"Don't react. We have a tail up above."
"Well then we can't go home can we. Let's go for a long walk."
The person up above has stopped, and is being still. You can't hear him anymore.
There is if you climb fast. Three DC 18 climb checks will get you onto the roof fast enough to give chase. Modius has -2 on the check for inebriation. Anyone can try.
Paper eyes the access to the roof.
1d20+6=16, 1d20+6=7, 1d20+6=11
He tries to scale the nearby walls, but is defeated getting a purchase.
Modius has -2 on the check for inebriation. Anyone can try.
Modius knows that sometimes it's not good to test the Lord's generosity.
Contemplating the walls, his comrades and his chances of survival if he manages to get to the roof, Isat decides this is not his game.
"The scenic route for us. Via the courts perhaps?"
"Lead on, friend Isat."
"Yes, it's a beautiful town."
Paper abruptly realises that he was climbing the side of a brothel. He drops down before anyone can see him from inside.
A water vendor on the street mutters "Romans!"
The tail is probably gone by now. After checking a few times on your way to the courts, you are certain now that nobody is tailing you. The youth must have realised you were onto him.
The clouds and winds have come. You can all smell rain and dust. Even the bravest merchants are heading home early.
Hrothgar has two occasions on the trip to the courts where he must duck out of sight, but his keen senses and instincts serve him well.
The courthouse is an elegant and authoritative building of grey basalt and fine white sugary marble. A statue stands in the atrium, but a vandal or fanatic has broken up the face. It was a statue of Mercury. A cross has been chiselled into it's chest. A few clients are waiting for their counsel. A courtroom nearby is full of cries of outrage, and a woman screaming in anguish. There are scribes sitting on the floor with boards across their knees. A young girl of twelve or so is selling oranges and water. An old augur is doing readings for the superstitious.
There are two officials at a large and imposing desk in front of the arched courtrooms. As you approach, young lawyers call out to hawk their wares. There are about six of them, in colourful togas. A few of the older ones chide them, pointing out Paper, and saying to the novitii, "He is a Papyrus, and they have counsel."
The official at the desk perks up when he sees Paper. He has been a guest of the family at a few parties and functions, and is a fellow student under the same tutor as Paper.
The man is called Artus Facippus. He comes out from behind the desk, and clasps Paper's forearm in the Roman handshake. "Master Gnaeus. To what do we owe this honour?"
Paper shakes Artus' hand
"Good to see you Artus! How is your family? health, ...?"
Paper does the courteous inquiries bit before getting to the meat of the matter.
"I have come for a few reasons, Master Artus. One is that last night villians set fire to my family villa, and I am wondering whom I should make aware of this fact. Another is that I am attempting to track down a fellow that might have some information I need. A certain Stratos Kopteros. He is supposedly known in the courts. Have you ever heard of him?"
Faccipus nods. He takes Paper by the elbow, and leads him deeper into the courtrooms. Seeing the rest hesitate, he smiles and says "Please, come with me." When you are alone, in a small office with no windows, and a trio of bright, but old, oil lamps, He speaks.
"About Stratos Kopteros, I can only assume that your business with him is for your associates. That is all I will say about that man. He is not the sort that I think...You can find him at the calends. He has services that he conducts there. He has rooms in the Inns of court, on the third floor. He is pleasant enough in person, but his views are not, how shall we say, respectful of the order of things. I won't say any more about it. If you want to catch him, you had better hurry. The storm that is coming is a rebuke from Neptune."
"I was sorry to hear that your house burned down. I knew that one of the villae had burned, but had no idea it was yours. I will personally go and tell your counsellor about this, as soon as he is out of court. We will handle this as quickly as possible. Do you have any suspects? Who is the investigator?"