New Rome

6. Murder at the Tower

An urchin boy charged into the temple office, breathless but with bright, proud eyes. Guy recognised the boy as one he'd been giving pennies to in exchange for hearing any rumours about the Silent Prince.

"Master, master." The boy called excitedly. "Been another murder."

Guy was on his feet in an instant.

"Lead the way," he directed - donning his jacket as he headed for the door.

The elderly priest met them in the corridor. The wheezing man had been attempting to chase the temple's young intruder. He jabbed a gnarled finger at the urchin, unable to yet form words. Guy and the boy side-stepped him, continuing to charge out of the building. Affronted worshipers muttered after them as they passed.

Outside, they paused to allow the heavy traffic to pass – looking for a gap. Being aboveground, Guy was able to look up and notice dusk creeping in. This would be the first of the murders to happen in daylight - the killer was growing bolder. Guy had asked Sejanus to meet him here at nightfall but there was no time to wait for him.

Guy ran through the streets – heading for the Lantern's alleyways. More witnesses would be good. If he could only get a description of this man, that would be the beginnings of success. The Lantern was sparsely populated, not yet ready for its full swing of traffic. The boy ducked down a passage where the buildings either side were sagging together. To follow him, Guy had to crouch down. His back brushed against the moulding plaster and a breeze carrying a rancid stench ruffled his hair.

                      Sejanus marched briskly up the temple steps. He was late to meet Guy and it was now well into the evening. Through a patch in the thick smog that chocked the city, Sejanus fancied he saw one bright star peeking through. Once inside, he quickly unwound his scarf that had been covering the lower half of his face and scanned the area.

"Pause goodly priest," Sejanus called – beckoning over an elderly fellow. "I was supposed to meet the Imperator's grandson here. Have I arrived too late to find him here?"

The priest ermed and ahhed, struggling to clearly conjure an answer but Sejanus waited patiently. A poor woman bustled through the door, dragging with her two scrappy children.

"Mother – hour is too late to worship," the youngest whined in complaint.

"Silence boy and find quiet nook to rest in. We're sleeping in this sanctuary tonight."

Sejanus' attention was caught by the anxious mother. Giving up on receiving a sensible reply to the priest, he moved instead a step closer to the family.

"Why do you and your family seek shelter in the goddess' house?" He asked, meaning to offer them his protection if it was needed.

"Dark words met me in market. There's been another murder. This one's happened very near our door step." She shuddered, wrapping her shawl tighter around herself.

"Another murder?" Sejanus' questioned sharply.

"Indeed, word has reached our ears too. The lantern's killer strikes once more." Sawyr concurred, stepping from the shadows to join in on the conversation. Sejanus and the woman bowed their heads, recognising Sawyr as a Head Priest. "Goodly woman, Mnemosyne opens her arms to embrace you in sanctuary. Be comfortable."