Rome: Empire of Blood (Book One, Completed)

VI: The Battle in the Streets

AELIUS

Two days later

Rome

The tavern hasn't really been full the last two nights, since two large mobs had just clashed at the Palatine forum (market) which broke the tavern's large window. Aelius and his men gathered up at the centre on a round table, which seats were taken from other tables making the small table look overloaded with men.

Acerbo, Aelius, Kassandros, Memmius, Decius, and Tullius were there. Mascius and Lucretius, who had just re-enlisted as an evocatus or veteran with the sixteenth (like Tullius), was personally requested by Aelius to be in his small squad. Valerius was out and hasn't returned since he was sent to send a message to Maecenas' camp.

"I still don't get it, I mean-" said Kassandros, still confused of Roman high politics. "Legate Longinus"

"I thought he was a good man"

"Thought, Aulus" Acerbo nodded to the Greek. "It's just an opinion" he pointed at him.

"Well my people from the doctors' guild said they were confirmed Pisonian men." "The ones Luca killed" Decius added. "They're usually right. The bastards got legion tattoos and Piso tattoos all over them."

"C.L." said Aelius. He was staring at nothing in the centre of the table before saying it. "Cassius Longinus. Who else?" "There's only one Cassius Longinus in Rome."

"Besides" he continued. "Cassius was a legate under Pompeius."

"Piso-" Acerbo repaired the mistake in Aelius' sentence.

"Yeah, Piso." Said Aelius.

"I was under him before I got that terrible wound. It was what? Six years ago? He was still a tribune." Said Tullius. "Piso a mere legate."

"Wait wait- which Piso?" asked Memmius.

"Cnaeus Calpurnius Piso" said Tullius. "I believe he's in the east with Pompeius"

"Then what are Pisonian people doing in Rome? innocent Lucius Calpurnius Piso doesn't play this 'game'" Aelius referred to the younger brother of Cnaeus. "It all wraps up. We need to arrest Cassius"

"It's clear." He added while gesturing his hand in frustration.

"But it's impossible. The Pisonian people must have someone to lead them. and that's Lucius" said Decius.

"Fuck" face-palmed Acerbo, literally tired of thinking about this. Ain't a centurion's job this is, plotting behind desks. He belongs in the field, they belonged in the field. "Two possible collaborations, heh?"

"Two possible collaborators on a collaboration based on pure speculation" he smiled and laughed a bit. "We're fools"

The room soon engaged in a small series of laughs until the tribune raised his hand. "I'll be seeing Cassius and maybe Piso." "Dangerous people-"

Then suddenly the door opened, Mascius, standing weakly in front of it. His face was pale and his eyes were going up. "Mascius, friend!" Memmius called but soon to his dismay the legionary's body fell down with an arrow struck behind him. Lucretius had his back facing the tavern and was seen fighting an angry body of men. The whole table stood up and those who had weapons, unsheathed them. Most were unarmed. "Lucretius get the fuck inside!"

"Get the door bar!" "Poppaea!" Acerbo shouted. "Get Mascius fucking treatment!"

"Yes, dominus" the small-bodied Sabine soon went to the aid of the arrow-stricken Mascius, who was lying on the floor, near dead.