Quiet Dealings

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Castra Praetoria, Rome
The day prior to the riots
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Consul Julius Flavus entered the Castra Praetoria prison with his grand assembly of personal guards. He stopped midway down the long hallway of cells when he caught site of his intended audience, B. Valens Pollio. The once vibrant Pollio looked haggard and tired to the Consul. With pity he spoke gently. “Valens, you have been charged with treason, and I have reviewed the case.”

Valens raised his head from his knees and stared up at the Consul, visibly shaken by the Consul’s statement.

Julius clasped his hands behind his back and locked eyes with Pollio. “...Because I have known for some time, I have lessened the sentence. The fact that I have known you is good…and bad for you. You have shown your good and bad intention in my presence.”

Pollio pressed down on one knee and with a few audible creaks he rose to his feet. “Consul Julius Flavus, I remember that day I was put under arrest distinctly. At that time, I called you friend and would have gladly sacrificed my life for the sake of my friend. I served the Emperor to the best of my ability; I had volunteered with the knowledge and consent of the Magister Militum to go act as a spy, and spy on Justius Julianus.”

Julius nodded, aknowledging Pollio, “Aye, I received your letter. However, you would undoubtedly failed in your spying mission. You lack the ability to accomplish such a task.”

Pollio stepped up to the bars. “I only wanted to help the Emperor defeat the rebels. I would have given my life to know that what I was trying to do was to help the Emperor”

Julius stood as still as ever, hands still clasped behind his back. His tone was firm, but faded as if unsure. “You will be exiled. This decision is final. However, I have not yet finalized a time period.”

“Just know...” Pollio sighed, his eyes darting from guard to guard before landing again on Julius. “...at least I tried to help, as opposed to sitting in the Senate saying I hope for the best.”

"I respect your response; therefore, I will make the sentence exile of 5 years. You must realize this is an extremely light sentence."

Pollio cocked an eyebrow. "And my property and position?"

"As per exile, your property will be seized." Julius softened just slightly. “However, I can negotiate your political position."

Pollio stepped back and straightened his shoulders, annoyed. “It seems somewhat harsh seeing as I have committed no crime."

"I understand your intentions were well, but you would have undoubtedly failed.” Julius brought a hand forward quickly to cover his mouth as he coughed. It went just as quickly behind him again. “What would you have me do with your position? Answer wisely.”

Pollio took on a more defiant stance, crossing his arms over his chest and furrowing his brow. “So the price of perceived failure is 5 years exile, interesting. Can you please show me that written law?”

Julius let a slight grin appear on his face. “Valens your are in no position to question me."

"You are an enforcer of the laws, true?" Pollio asked rhetorically.

"Of law,” Julius stated, growing irritated, “...and the protection of Rome."

"Good, then as a citizen of Rome, I ask for the law in which I am being held to!?” Pollio’s voice was nearly thunderous.

Julius threw down his hands as tightly balled fists and thundered back, “My law, citizen!”

Pollio uncrossed his arms and took a slow, deep breath. “Your law? Interesting...are you too a contender for the throne?"

Julius brushed his cloak as if erasing his sudden anger and then smiled at the guards to his left and right before looking back to Pollio. “Ah, they give you the news in here. No, I am not. I will remind you though, I hold Imperium as Consul.”

"So one can simply make up laws in which to charge a fellow citizen with.... can you show me that law?" Pollio held to his line.

A cold demeanor swept over Julius finally. His words were harsh. “I could change the sentence. I was told by some to simply announce a 20 year exile with the stripping of you status and holdings. Instead I came here to tell you myself.”

Pollio, in the fashion of a defiant teenager, spoke snidely. “Hmmm, interesting and why am I being exiled again? Remember when I said you were turning into Adrius? You have just proven my theory correct.”

In a quick fit of rage, Julius slammed his Pontifical staff into the ground, startling even his guards. ”You will hold your tongue!”

"Yes, of course, but... As a citizen what am I being charged with?” He almost seemed amused with Julius’s reaction. "I hope my question wasn't too hard for you.”

The two glared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Finally Julius cut the silence with the authoritarian tone fitting for his status. “Brutus Valens Pollio, you are sentenced to exile for 5 years. You will be transported shortly.”

Pollio rushed the bars, gripping them tightly to press his face into them. His eyes were wild and he stared deeply into the angry eyes of the Julius. “On what charge!”

Julius leaned in close enough for the two to rub noses. His words flew out loud and wet, “Treason! May the gods watch over you.”

Like the plumes of a peacock, Consul Julius Flavus dramatically left the audience of Valens Pollio and exited the prison. Pollio gripped the bars of his cage and watched angrily as his life as he knew it walked out of his sight followed by a dozen lictors. The slamming and echo of the prison door was the last thing he heard before the sobbing started.

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Later that afternoon
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Julius Flavus threw the document to the floor. He knew it was a thin line he walked with Pollio and despite his apparent shortcomings, Valens had surprised him by fighting his sentence. Flavus knew that regardless of his Imperium, he could simply make recommendations of sentencing.

As Flavus had feared, though privately expected, he had received official word from the Praetor. Pollio would stand trial; the Senate demanded it.

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The next day
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Julius Flavus walked briskly down the cell corridor and reached the cell of Valens Pollio before his guards did. Once there, he took a second to focus on Pollio in the dim light. Pollio, being on the opposite end of the light, had clear vision. He was still angry from the day before, so he gathered all the saliva he could into the back of his mouth and like a viper, spit in Julius’s direction. Julius jumped slightly at the barbaric action, but watched the ball of mucous fly past him and hit a guard. The guard growled, irritated, but remained composed.

Pollio stepped up to the bars of his cell and smiled at Julius. “Oh, I am so sorry your majesty.” He bowed slightly.

Julius just stared at Pollio, as if looking through him. “You requested my audience...”

Pollio stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest. “Yes, lessen my sentence.”

Julius laughed, Pollio had not heard of the Praetor’s demand. Finally he locked eyes with Pollio. “Why should I?”

"In return I can name the names of some active Justius Julianus supporters." Pollio flexed his shoulders and forced a smirk. He began to count his fingers to reflect the names. “One.... Two...."

Julius nodded, not sure what to think. “Interesting. I could bring this before the Senate. They may decide because of your loyalty, your sentence should be lessened.”

Pollio leaned forward and lowered his voice to an audible whisper. “Nothing short of a complete acquittal."

Julius lifted his arms out to the side slightly, palms facing Pollio. “However, there must be some proof. I can't simply take names to the Senate. They may think you’re making it up."

Pollio remained slightly leaned forward, his eyes coyly watching Julius. “Now or never.”
Julius brought his hands together at his waist and clasped them. “It is for the Senate to decide, Valens."

Pollio straightened up. “I'll present a letter to you and the Senate. I assure you that this man is capable of far more than myself.”

"Considering you’re in jail and considered a traitor,” Julius scoffed, “I doubt you will be allowed to present a letter."

"Do you accept or not?" Pollio spoke, half question and half statement.

Julius nodded his head to the right, groaning out his words before forming them. “Ehh... The best that can be done at this point is if I relay a letter to the senate. Your sentence is up to the senate to decide."

“Now, not later!” Like the night before, Pollio rushed the bars and grabbed them tightly. “I'll count to ten. One..."

Julius dropped all facial expressions in exchange for a sullen frown. “Well, seeing as you have stated you know more and won't tell, I doubt the Senate will lighten the sentence. Perhaps I will recommend a harsher one."

Pollio didn’t flinch. He kept his eyes locked on Julius. “Two...

Julius stood there, quiet.

“Three...” Pollio said. “... I see Rome in flames and Emperor Justius... Four...”
Julius exhaled roughly in frustration. “Ok, then I will recommend to the Senate your sentence be extended."

Pollio licked the bar his left hand was holding, just above his thumb. His eyes darted to the guard he spat on earlier. “Five...”

Julius stood completely still, his hands still clasped and his face still sullen. “Further, you will be held here until further notice."

Pollio rolled his eyes and stepped back. “I'll speak..."

"I am listening." Julius said.

Pollio offered another demand. “I would like to be placed under house arrest first."

Julius shook his head and raised a hand to do the same thing. “No such thing will happen. You are to remain here until further notice and I will recommend to the senate you sentence be extended significantly."

Pollio threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. “House Arrest... Look at this place! I am a Senator!"

Julius responded flatly. “No longer. You have been found guilty of treason. If you divulge the names and proof, I will present it to the Senate. They may have mercy on you."

Pollio glared at him, untrusting by this point. “And what do I gain from divulging this."
"Possible mercy from the Senate." Julius stated.

"Possible?” Pollio fumed. “Just like I may have possibly failed on my spying mission..."

Julius tried a little warmth in his words. “This is the best I can do for now. Perhaps if you would have come forth with this information earlier, more could have been done."

Pollio fumed. “I want to gain now... not the POSSIBILITY of gaining later."

“Pollio, you are in no position to bargain!” Julius took a step back. “In fact I believe your sentence has increased to ten years."

Pollio tilted his head toward Julius, his eyes narrowing menacingly. “Then my lips are sealed.”

In a heartbeat, before Julius could respond, Pollio straightened up. “Wait, hold on... You can increase my sentence, but not reduce it, with out the approval of the Senate?”

Julius glared right at Pollio, he had faltered. “I can recommend it be increased or decreased. As of now, I will recommend it be increased to ten years.”

Like lighting, Pollio blurted out the name he knew. Julius repeated it to be sure, in somewhat disbelief.

"Yes.” Pollio confirmed. “But as soon as his name is mentioned he will surely flee for Aegyptus"
Julius scratched his chin, thinking out loud, “Perhaps. But how do I know you are not simply uttering the first name you could think of?”

“I never asked you to believe me,” Pollio uttered. “How do I know you will even recommend the reduction of my sentence?”
"Faith.” Julius said. “But I asked you, and it will surely benefit your more if we have proof."

Pollio smirked. “And it would benefit you to arrest traitors less you wish something to happen... I assure you, he is planning something.”

"This is troubling Valens...” Julius shook his head.

Pollio stepped forward, his eyes widening. “No…what will happen is going to be troubling."

Julius wasn’t buying it. "How did you hear this?"

“Before you arrested me,” Pollio said. “I was approached and told. However I do recall it was scheduled for last month."

"I see." Julius murmured.

Pollio frowned, though his tone was upbeat. “I see you too, wow you are smart Consul."
While Julius stood there, thinking things over briefly, Pollio wandered over to a short table and picked up his cup. “Thirsty Consul?"

Julius shook his head, grimacing slightly at the grimy cup in Pollio’s hand. "Ah, I'm fine thanks. Just a moment while I consult with my aide."

Julius turned away and huddled with his aide and the guards, his words were muffled and could not be made out by Pollio. He leaned his head against the cell bars and watched impatiently as Julius spoke animatedly, his back to Pollio. After a few seconds he laughed, trying to hold it in but unable to. He got a dirty glance from the same guard he spat on earlier. Taking the cue, he meandered away from the bars, set the cup down and stood in the far corner of the cell. He pulled up his toga and watched as urine erupted like waterfall onto the stone floor. He turned around when he was finished and watched hopefully as the urine flowed in the direction of the still conferring group.

Before the trickle could reach Flavus a messenger came into the corridor. “Consul, it is time. The Circus awaits your leadership.”

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Home of Hadrius Aelius, Rome
Night of the Riots
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After some impatience, the Urban Cohort guardsmen were allowed entrance to the home of their Praefectus. After a short time, the small detail of men were granted audience by their new leader. He was quite sleepy, “What is the meaning of this? Does Rome continue to burn?” He yawned heavily. Suddenly as if he snapped back awake he remembered his orders from earlier in the day. “My orders, have they been carried out?”

“Tribune Vispanius is attending to them as we speak. But it at his order we are here. We have received credible threats that your life is in immediate danger. Our orders are to take you and your family to a safe location.” The Praefectus Urbanus opened his mouth, but was cut off, “Sir, you have one hour. This is for your safety and given the immediate climate of the city, you do not have the right to refuse.”

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Two days after the Circus fiasco
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Marius Gracchus entered the office of Consul Flavus. "You summoned me?" he asked, smiling to his friend. He walked slowly from his bruises suffered a couple days prior.

"Yes. I have talked with Pollio recently, before the riot actually. I have come across some troubling information,” said the Consul, the gash still plainly visible, though less gruesome since he had seen a physician.

"What has the traitor to say?" Marius asked, as he moved over to a window and glanced out.

Julius stood up from his desk chair and ran his fingers through his hair, his scalp still tender. "Through some coercion, he divulged a name. This name is not a lowly name, but a Roman Senator. This person is said to be a Justius Julianus sympathizer.”

"As were others," Marius said, as he sat on the window ledge and looked to Flavus.

"The name Pollio gave me is that of ___________,” said Julius. "It seems Pollio is more of a traitor than first thought," Julius said as he took a sip of a sweet liquid."

"Interesting. The reports I have received have not named him as a suspect yet. But yes... if Pollio knows other traitors… then it means his intent was not to spy for Pompeius like he claimed."

"I'm not sure I can get anymore out of Pollio. Anything new on your end Deputy?" asked Julius.

I have had growing suspicions over ___________. He has made some... strange political choices that make me, and a few others I have spoken with, curious about his loyalties.

"I see..." Julius's forehead furled with these words. "It appears things are getting very serious." The Consul sat down and began writing names on a blank piece of parchment, "We only have one of these men in custody."

"Agreed…though I have been meeting with the Praetorian First Tribune regularly… having him investigate many of my…concerns. I have also been told that Aelius was taken into hiding for his own safety. So far, nothing is proven about _________, but I am assured there is something there by other sources, but if what you say is true, __________ could be in for a rough time."

"We need evidence and we need to apprehend these men before they can flee." "Pollio stated that as soon as ___________ heard he was found out he would flee to Aegyptus."

Then we need to be very silent in our investigations…and Pollio cannot be exiled yet… he must be detained longer.

"Agreed," firmly stated the Consul, “But the Praetor has seen to that.”

“I will speak with some of my contacts…see what I can find out about __________ and have him investigated. I will let you know Consul.”

"Very well. Be cautious. It appears we may be in danger,” said Julius, his hand ran over his wound once more, a slight smile on his face.

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Palatio Ispii, Rome
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Cassius Ispius wept softly on the sheets that covered the lifeless body of his father and mentor. Though the wounds old Crassus had suffered were less severe than his own, his age had prevented him from recovery. Another great Roman had died needlessly in times of great tribulation. Cassius swore a quiet vendetta against those responsible for his father’s death.

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Results:
Pollio will stand trial for treason in the Roman courts.
Hadrius Aelius has been taken into hiding for his own safety.
Investigations have been launched on many prominent Senators.
Crassus Ispius has died from his wounds suffered during the riot.

Written by: Ferus Juventas and Voces Mercurii
ICQ and RP by: T. Julius Flavus, S. Marius Gracchus, B. Valens Pollio

109AD