Agnes Smith TRAGEDY IN ROME 849 A.D. Rome ......... The King of the West Saxons returns to Wessex a week before Christmas, with his wife and three sons. Life continues as normal, except now in addition to the ache in your heart from Kemal's absence, there is another hole in your heart...and the two aches conflict. Dino's mood at work continues to sour, and Antonella remains morose, only appearing cheerful when you come to visit...or when she is visiting her sister and getting Lavinia ready for her wedding. Antonella is clearly unhappy with Dino. Yet there is little she can do and few specific reasons for her discontent. Dino is not the most considerate man, but he's not the most inconsiderate either. He is often insensitive and rude, but he also has a kind side, and he doesn't treat her cruelly (many men, perhaps most, would beat a wife who does some of the things Antonella does.) He's not a fantastic lover, but Antonella admits that only having Kemal and Dino to judge by doesn't allow for a comparison that's fair to Dino. She just isn't happy. But she won't seriously consider running away, for two reasons. First, there is Lavinia. For Antonella to do a thing like that would be a crushing blow to the Gallinis, and would throw a terrible pall over Lavinia's wedding, not to mention distress Lavinia greatly. But even after Lavinia is safely married and taken away to Verona, you think it will take more than mere dissatisfaction to convince Antonella to abandon her husband. Despite her self-centered ways, her spoiled nature, and her immaturity, Antonella really does have a few convictions...and one of them is that she has a duty to be a good wife. Perhaps because she feels she failed with Kemal, she is determined to be dutiful and faithful to Dino....no matter how much it pains her, and no matter how they scream at each other behind closed doors. .......... It is three days after Christmas. The Savorinos and the Gallinis have joined together to host a Twelfth Night Feast for half the nobles and merchants in the city. The Savorinos will be bearing most of the cost, but the Gallinis will host the event at their estate. You, of course, have been drafted to help with much of the organizing. Antonella has thrown herself into the planning as well, though, taking almost as much interest in the feast as in her sister's wedding, which will occur only a fortnight later. (And after a feast and a wedding, the Gallinis will be all but broke. The way nobles spend money in Rome sometimes defies all common sense.) You come to work, to catch up on some overdue bookkeeping at the warehouse. You came in early, but to your surprise, Dino (who almost never rises early) comes in very soon after. He wears an unusually worried expression. "Agnes," he says. "I think you should go to the Gallini's house." "A pair of servants came to fetch Antonella late last night. She's been there ever since." His face is drawn up in tight lines. "Something is wrong with Lavinia, she's very ill." <><><><><> [Agnes] "I will go at once, Dino," and with that she slips on her sword, throws on her shawl, and adjusts her clothes, before hurrying out towards the Galinni's. She enters by the servants' door, and demands of the first person she sees, "What has happened?" <><><><><> [GM] "Signorina Lavinia has been possessed by an evil spirit!" says one of the frightened servants, before another one slaps her and says "Stop that supersititious nonsense!" The other servant leads you upstairs. "The poor girl has some kind of illness that is making her delirious with pain. She began moaning earlier this evening, and now she's practically incoherent." You can hear Lavinia crying out as you top the stairs. Other servants are clustered around the doorway, wringing their hands and looking helpless. They glance at you, then part to let you pass. You enter a nightmarish scene. Lavinia is lying on the ground, writhing in agony. Her face is flushed and covered with sweat, and her nightgown clings wetly to her, both from sweat and from foul-smelling poultices that have been applied, obviously with little effect. You can smell burned herbs and pungent conconctions that make you nauseous, and see flasks and bottles strewn all over. Antonella is kneeling next to her sister, wiping her brow with a damp cloth and speaking to her soothingly, but Lavinia doesn't seem to hear. She just keeps crying out "It hurts! It hurts! OoooOOOOH! Please God, it hurts!" Dominus Gallini is squatting at her feet and holding her legs to the floor, while a servant has pinned Lavinia's shoulder and holds one arm immobile. A bald man wearing an embroidered robe is busily opening a vein in the girl's wrist, bleeding her with a sharp knife over a porcelain bowl. The physician is speaking to the others, saying "A woman can't be bled as much a man, they don't have as much blood in them. If this doesn't work, we'll have no choice but to cut her open and try to find the source of the malady." Standing off to the side, Lavinia's mother turns pale and covers her mouth. Antonella looks up at the physician, pale and haggard, and gasps "Is there nothing else that can be doen? Might not cutting her open kill her as well?" Then she sees you and cries out "Agnes! Thank God you're here!" as if she believes you may have brought a cure. Their parents glance at you, then turn back to Lavinia. <><><><><> [Agnes] She pales at the scene. She has never been much good at anything like this at all. She sees the poultices, the razor sharp knives at Lavinnia's wrist, the leeches, the talk of opening up the poor girl... and has to turn away. It is a good long moment of concentration before she can turn back, and then avoids the discomforting sights. She goes to Antonella's side. "The physician's will know what they are doing," she says trying to comfort her. <><><><><> [GM] Antonella nods, not looking very reassured. The doctor drains a gruesome amount of blood, and every time you see the dark crimson liquid sloshing in the bowl, you have to look away and gulp down a breath of air, and then struggle not to wretch as you smell the blood and sweat and nasty medicines. Lavinia continues writhing and screaming, becoming ever more delirious. The pain seems to be somewhere in her stomach. Antonella cries and strokes her younger sister's brow, begging God to show mercy. As the morning wears on, it seems that it would be most merciful if the poor girl were allowed to die now, instead of persisting in such agony. Lavinia cries out for her mother, sometimes kicks and flails frantically, sometimes curls up in a whimpering ball, moans pleas to God to end the pain, and curses with shocking language when the doctors try to stretch her out again to hold her limbs and apply new treatments, new leeches, drain new veins. Her gown is soaked to her skin where it's not torn, and her long legs are exposed as she's kicked and contorted until the lower half of it has ridden up her thighs, but she's completely oblivious to her loss of modesty. While she has no blotches, rashes, boils or other skin blemishes that often signify some horrible disease, the sight of her trembling, feverish half-naked form is one to inspire pity and revulsion, not lust. No one even thinks to evict the male servants who are also hovering at the doorway, watching with concern and fear. Nothing the physicians do is working. Lavinia actually begins moaning- when her moans are coherent at all- "Please let me die! Oh, please let me die!" Antonella has given up trying to cool Lavinia's forehead or hold her and reassure her. She rises, on shaky legs, and staggers over to you, and almost collapses as she leans against you. "What's wrong with her, Agnes?" she sobs. "Why can't they help her? What will we do? Lavinia has done nothing to deserve this, why is God doing this to her?" One of the physicians says grimly "Nothing is working. I believe she is close to death. We must cut her open." "Nooooo!" Antonella cries out. "You can't do that, you'll kill her! She's in enough pain!" "Doing nothing will kill her also, Signora," the haggard doctor replies. Signora Gallini faints, to be caught by one of the servants and carried out of the room. Lavinia's father, who long ago withdrew into a corner, wringing his hands in prayer and agitation, looks up with his face flushed and his eyes sunken, and whispers "Do it." Antonella makes an animal sound, deep in her throat, and her fingers dig painfully into your shoulders. "Tell them not to, Agnes!" she begs. "Tell them there's something else we can do!" Her eyes are pleading, desperate. "The Muslim doctors saved me, maybe they know something we don't, some secret heathen rituals...." But the physicians aren't listening to Antonella anymore. One man is hauling Lavinia up onto her bed. The girl is too weak and exhausted for her thrashing to be more than annoying, now. He begins tying her ankles to the bedposts, while the other doctor produces a large knife and begins sharpening it. <><><><><> [Agnes] She holds Antonella, trying not to get distraught herself. "There are no Muslim doctors here, Antonella, and I am sure that these physicians are as good as can be got in Rome. They are doing what they can." She quickly turns away to avoid seeing the doctor's knife cut open her friend. Somehow, Agnes feels that whatever it is that they are doing, the doctors are not winning the fight to save Lavinia's life. She feels as helpless as Antonella, with no idea what the doctors are doing, nor why, nor indeed whether it was the right thing to do in the circumstances. It was all she can do to maintain an air of calm so that Antonella has something stable to cling to. Inside, she is just as distraught, and she keeps having to avert her eyes, and steady her breathing. <><><><><> [GM] Trembling, Antonella disengages from you and goes to sit next to Lavinia. She cradles her sister's head in her arms, and holds her tightly, eyes clenched shut, as the doctor begins cutting. Lavinia screams, a bloodcurdling wail you will never forget. And then there is blood everywhere. Antonella's face is white as chalk, but she continues holding Lavinia down. The younger girl thrashes feebly, and terrible shudders go through her, and despite her weak, exhausted condition, she makes ullulating noises from deep in her throat, rising and falling as the doctor carves her open like a goose. Her father turns away, and then staggers from the room. Antonella's eyes are squeezed tightly shut, but you can see her lips moving, and hear her frantic whispered prayers, repeated over and over again. All you can see now is the blood and the gore, the doctors' hands prying into Lavinia's belly, in an obscene invasion, and Antonella's blood- stained robe is soaked to her body, and Lavinia's eyes are wide, staring from impossible depths of agony. You can't breath, and you feel your own stomach convulsing. It seems as if the horror will never end.... <><><><><> [Agnes] She too eventually resorts to praying to God with her eyes clenched shut - praying to God to deliver Lavinia alive - or more likely into peace. Even then the smells and the screams make Agnes's skin crawl, and she has to struggle hard to control her stomach. Eventually, she can take no more, and has to rush from the room to find a bucket. She returns, a short while later, even more miserable than she was before. <><><><><> [GM] Lavinia is not screaming any more. She makes a sick, gurgling sound, and convulses. The doctors are still prodding until it looks like they've decided they've done all they can, and are trying to stitch her back up. At this point you have to turn away, no longer able to bear the sight. You feel shudders wracking your own body. You can turn around again only after a long silence, which is suddenly broken by a wail of grief almost as frightening as Lavinia's scream when she was first cut. The physicians are standing off to the side, dour-faced and helpless. One of them is wiping his knife clean. Antonella is curled up over Lavinia, cradling her sister's head to her bosom and rocking back and forth, wailing with deep-throated agony. The girl's eyes stare sightlessly from a pallid, once-beautiful face. Your gaze is caught and held by her left hand- no longer pinned by her older sister, and now lying at her side on the bloody bed. Her fingers clutch empty air feebly, spastically, and then a death-tremor goes through her. Antonella screams "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo!!!" and then doubles over, covering her sister's body with her own, and shaking uncontrollably with great choking sobs. <><><><><> [Agnes] She leaves her friend to her grief, and weeps silently where she stands. She turns and goes to break the news to her parents. With red eyes and tears streaming down her face, all composure is gone. She reaches Signor Galinni, and finds that words won't come out of her mouth for sniffles. That she is in this state, and shakes her head at his look is enough to tell him the outcome. She returns to try to coax Antonella away from Lavinia's body, so that it can be looked after. But she is only marginally less distraught than her friend. "She has gone to a better place, Antonella. Allow the men to make her body look respectable, and as beautiful as she ever looked, so that people will remember her at her best." After a long time coaxing her, she eventually gets her away, suggesting that her mother would need her help too. <><><><><> [GM] Antonella takes a long time to coax away from her sister. She rocks back and forth, still cradling Lavinia's head. She weeps endlessly, until she can summon no more tears, and her throat is raw with wailing. In a state of shock, she allows you to gently pry her loose. Her fingers remain entwined in Lavinia's hair....pale yellow, the color of finespun gold, now stained and matted with blood. You gently pull her fingers free also. She reaches one hand out, and lays it on her sister's face. She closes Lavinia's eyelids. Then she lets you lead her out of the room, until you reach the hallway outside. Here, she collapses to the floor, with a moan that becomes one last wail, summoned from the depths of her soul. "MY SISTER IS DEAD!" she cries out. She sprawls out on the hardwood floor, trembling violently. "Oh, Lavinia! My sister is dead!" She lies there, and for a long time will not be moved, will not respond to anything anyone says, simply continues moaning, and repeating Lavinia's name. She clenches her hands into fists, and pulls at her hair. Finally her father shuffles ponderously into the hall, and looks down at his eldest daughter with a face like a man half-dead himself. "Get her up," he rasps, to the servants standing near. "Take her to her old room, and lay her on her bed." "I'll do it." Dino steps out from behind Dominus Gallini. You don't know how long ago he arrived. He kneels next to his wife, lays a hand on her shoulder, then looks up at you. "Will you help me, Agnes?" he asks softly. He is dry-eyed, but you can hear him struggling to keep his voice under control. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Of course, Dino," she replies, and helps him get Antonella to her old room. As soon as she enters, she knows it is a mistake. Even she, with her infrequent visits, finds that the room brings back many memories of Lavinia. They lay Antonella on her old bed, with her still in a state of shock, moaning and repeating Lavinia's name. Agnes gets out some of Antonella's old clothes from the drawer, and then starts to get her out of the bloodstained ones she is wearing. "Help me get her out of these, and clean her up, Dino." "It would be better if she came to her senses in clean clothes, and with the blood gone from her hands and face." <><><><><> [GM] Dino nods mutely, and helps you undress Antonella. He opens the door and calls for a servant to bring a basin of water and some towels. When they come, he helps you clean most of the blood off of Antonella. Both of you also have bloodstained clothes, now, as Antonella was fairly soaked with her sister's blood, and carrying her to her bed got it all over the two of you as well. At one point Antonella cries out and grabs Dino's wrist. "Don't touch me!" she wails. Dino freezes, looking chagrined, confused, worried....and hurt. Antonella turns away with a moan, and Dino very gently pries her fingers loose and resumes wiping her face and neck and shoulders. Antonella lies on the bed shivering, eyes closed, mumbling to herself. She is not exactly asleep, but not fully conscious either. She seems to have withdrawn into herself. With her husband's help, you get Antonella into some clean clothes, and then allow her to lie in bed and sleep it off- hopefully. Dino stands vigil over her, and you've never seen his (admittedly shallow) noble side shining so brightly. He rubs her shoulders, and strokes her hair, and looks down at her with more compassion than you've ever seen the man exhibit before. He really does love her. He may not show it very well, and it may not prevent him from being a cad to her, but he really did fall in love with his wife, and it hurts him to see her like this. <><><><><> [Agnes] She is touched by Dino's compassion, and leaves him with his wife, whereas not long before she would have stayed too. Wrapping a shawl about her, she makes her way home, in order to change, and then goes to Dino and Antonella's to get some new clothes for Dino, before returning to see how her friend is. She wants to make sure she is fit, as much as Dino does. <><><><><> [GM] The Gallini household is dark and silent when you return. A servant lets you in, and tells you that Antonella's parents have withdrawn to their own quarters, after summoning a priest, and making arrangements for Lavinia's body to be taken to the church tomorrow. Dino is slumped in a chair by Antonella's bed when you return. He nods and murmurs thanks when you hand him the clean clothes you brought. He makes no move to change, though. "She was too young," he mutters. "It was a terrible tragedy. I never would have thought Antonella would take it this hard, though." The two of you stand vigil over her all night. In the morning, at first light she awakens. Dino groans and struggles to sit upright as Antonella stirs. She looks around, glances at Dino, then turns to you. "Oh God, Agnes...I had the most terrible dream...." and then her eyes mist over, and her lip begins trembling. "It wasn't a dream, was it?" she whispers. She clutches at you. "Is it true? Is it really true? Is Lavinia dead?" She begins crying again, already knowing the answer. <><><><><> [Agnes] She comforts her friend. "No, Antonella, it was not a dream. Lavinia is dead." She helps her up. "Come. Lets us have something to eat to keep our strength up. Lavinia's body is being taken to the church tomorrow, and the funeral will no doubt be soon too. It will be a trying time for us all, and there is no point in making ourselves ill in the process. I'm sure she would want you to organise her funeral and make it something for her to be remembered by. You will only be able to do that if you are fed and clear thinking." She turns to Dino. "Would you like to change Dino? I'll take Antonella down to breakfast, and we'll see you there." She leads Antonella down through a very subdued household, to find Signora Galinni making a token attempt to eat something, and looking in as bad a state as Antonella. <><><><><> [GM] "How can I eat?" she weeps, but follows you. Dino hovers nearby, then nods when you suggest he change. Antonella follows you downstairs, still in a state of shock not much improved from yesterday. She keeps looking around the house, and you know she is seeing reminders of her childhood here, and remembering Lavinia in everything she sees. Her mother is in a much worse state than Antonella. A servant is practically spooning food into her mouth. Her eyes are red and puffy, and she seems to have aged ten years overnight. She doesn't even notice you and Antonella entering. Antonella goes to her, and embraces her, and after a time, Signora Gallini responds, and weakly embraces her surviving daughter back. But her mind is elsewhere, and after trying to comfort her mother unsuccessfully, Antonella shambles back to you. "The funeral," she mumbles. "Yes....we'll have to arrange that...." And she breaks into renewed sobbing. "Oh God, I don't think I can stand to see her b-b-body again!" Only the presence of her mother keeps her from breaking down completely, but she eats mechanically, with a trembling hand. Dino comes down and tries to talk to her, even tries to make comforting gestures, but Antonella barely takes notice of him....even comes close to shaking him off, at one point. <><><><><> [Agnes] She finishes her light breakfast, and provides what comfort she can for Antonella. With a comment of, "I'll be back shortly," she goes up to see Lavinia's body, to see if it is in a state to be viewed, collaring servants to help tidy the room, and smarten up the corpse's hair and clothes. She arranges for all the bloodstained clothes and bedlinen to be taken away and burned, and generally tries to remove reminders of the day before's awful events. Finally, she seeks out Signor Galini. "Signor Galini, your wife and daughter are still in a state of shock. Is there anything I can help you with?" <><><><><> [GM] A priest is giving Lavinia the necessary rites. When he turns around, you realize with a shock that it is Father Vezio...the priest you slapped for calling you a whore. His eyes go wide, then he glowers at you. "What are you doing here?" he demands. The servants have cleaned up a little....someone put new clothes on Lavinia, so the bloody wound in her stomach is covered. Blood is still soaked into her hair and staining the dress she was hastily wrapped in. Father Vezio does not interfere as you have the room cleaned up. He goes back to muttering prayers over Lavinia in Latin. Dominus Gallini is in better shape than his wife and daughter, but Lavinia's death has hit him hard too. He looks at you bleary-eyed, almost in confusion. "No," he sighs. "I don't think so. I will have funeral arrangements taken care of. If you stay with them, that would be appreciated." And belatedly, he adds "You may come to the funeral if you wish, Agnes." He seems uncomfortable around you, but in the wake of this tragedy, has apparently dropped his grudge against you for the moment. Back downstairs, Antonella is finally coming out of her trance a little. When you return, she grasps your hands. "Did you see her?" she whispers. "I want to see her....before her body is taken away for the funeral. That is, if...if she's not...if she's...fit to be seen-" her voice chokes. <><><><><> [Agnes] She glowers back at the priest. "I am doing what I can for my friend and her family," she snaps. Partly to discomfort him more, but mainly because it needs to be done, she remains, and washes the blood out of Lavinia's hair. She studiously ignores the priest, as she dries it, and styles it in one of Lavinia's favourites. She then searches the closet and picks out one of Lavinia's dresses. Carefully and with respect, she undresses the body of its bloody garments, and replaces them with the fresh ones, returning the body to a restful pose. Once back with Antonella, she hugs her. "Yes, the body is respectable, Antonella. Let's go and view it." She leads her friend back to Lavinia's room. <><><><><> [GM] Father Vezio is still kneeling next to Lavinia when you reenter with Antonella. He looks displeased, but moves back a little to allow Antonella to kneel next to her sister. Antonella stares at Lavinia's face for a long time. The younger sister could be sleeping, and Antonella takes one of Lavinia's cold hands in hers. With her other hand, she touches her sister's cheek, then brushes a stray wisp of hair back from her forehead. "Oh Vinny," she murmurs, her voice cracking. "You were so beautiful....even more beautiful than me, and less vain about it. You're still beautiful." "You were so excited and nervous about your wedding, and I so badly wanted to make it a special event. And I wanted you to be...to be happy- " and you can sense the unspoken ending of that statement- "as I am not." "It's not fair," Antonella continues, her voice rising in pitch and almost breaking. "You were perfectly healthy just two days ago! How could you just....just die like this?" "It was God's will," Father Vezio says sanctimoniously. And abruptly, Antonella turns on him. "You shut up!" she hisses viciously. She rises to her feet in an instant, towering over the priest, and involuntarily he steps back. "How could God take my sister like this? What did SHE ever do? *I* have sinned, but Vinny was just a girl, she was without guilt, she was sweet and silly and ignorant and she just wanted to be happy, and she did nothing to deserve dying like a criminal with her belly cut open, screaming in agony and I couldn't do ANYTHING!" Antonella's words spill out in a rush, edging into hysteria, as she advances on Father Vezio, who probably isn't the real source of her anger, just someone who's conveniently made himself a target. "No one is without sin," Father Vezio gasps, backing away from the distraught woman. "And you show a lack of submission to God's will by wailing and decrying your sister's death, as if she is not better off in Heaven!" The priest's unsympathetic words are only adding fuel to the fire, and Antonella looks ready to lunge for his throat. <><><><><> [Agnes] Agnes knows that Antonella needs to vent her anger, and she can think of no-one more deserving a recipient than Father Vezio. She stands by the end of the bed watching Antonella round on him and hearing his goading reply. "And you are a fine example to us all, Father Vezio, that even priests are not without sin." His whole attitude riles her, and as she stands watching, she cannot but help Antonella in her verbal assault. "Tell me, Father, are the words 'sympathy' and 'compassion' completely foreign to you?" <><><><><> [GM] "She has lost her mind with grief, but you have no excuse!" Father Vezio says, waving his finger at you. "You are a wicked woman, filled with pride and-ack!" Antonella grabs him by the throat, and almost slams his head against the door. She retains just enough presence of mind to open it while throttling the priest with her other hand. Then she hurls him out. You hear him stumble and fall in the hallway outside, then begin screeching imprecations at both of you. Antonella slams the door shut, then sags against it, and slumps to the floor. On her hands and knees, she crawls back to Lavinia's side. "I *have* sinned, Vinny," she sobs. "Why were you the one punished?" She puts her arms around Lavinia, and embraces her, tenderly but awkwardly, as her sister's body has already grown stiff and cold. She lays her head on Lavinia's shoulder and lies there on the floor with her, a rather morbid sight, but Antonella doesn't seem bothered by it. "When we were little, we were the apples of our father's eye," she says softly, partly to you, partly to Lavinia, partly to herself. "We laughed and played, and fought as only sisters can fight, and that grew worse as we grew older. But we always confided in one another, and sometimes conspired against our parents when we wanted to get our way..." she laughs, dryly, making a rasping sound in a throat worn out by crying. And she talks about Lavinia, and relates anecdotes from their childhood, stroking her sister's hair all the time. "Why did He do this, Agnes?" she asks you at last. "Why did God take my sister away? Maybe Father Vezio is right....I suppose Vinny suffered from vanity, and pride, and jealousy, and other sins....but no more than me. Not even as much as me." "It should have been me!" she wails, breaking into tears again. "Did God take my little sister away because of MY sins?" "I have been a bad daughter.....a bad wife.....a bad friend....." She chokes. "And a bad sister! Oh God.....Agnes....the last thing...the last thing I said to her.....we had a quarrel the day before yesterday, because she s-said I was being meddlesome and overbearing and trying to run HER life...a-a-and I c-called her an ungrateful spoiled brat....Agnes, our last words to each other were angry and spiteful, and I was going to make up with her because we always fought and always made up but we never did this time-!" She collapses in sobs, clinging to Lavinia, and wailing her grief. "I don't remember...how long it's been....since the last time I told her I l-loved her...and now it's toooo laaate!" <><><><><> [Agnes] She knows she is being affected by her friend's grief: that sensation of almost tears touching her eyes. She is close to bursting into tears too. She goes to Antonella and kneels beside her, facing her. "Antonella, Lavinia knows what is in your heart. She knows, as God does, that what you said was said in a moment of anger, and that truly you loved her. But God has chosen her, perhaps because she was worthy enough for Him to protect from some worse fate in the future, but probably for some other reason that mere mortals cannot hope to understand." She prises Antonella's hands free of the body. "Come, Antonella." She helps the woman to her feet, and leads her with a strong arm towards the door. Agnes starts to cry, as she remembers. "Grief will hit you many times in your life, Antonella. It gets no easier. The passing of a friend reminds you of all the other friends that have passed on too, all the people you have never seen for such a long time that you know they are dead, and you never had a chance to say what you felt, or put matters right." It is hard to tell who is leaning on who for support as they open the door and go into the hallway. "I'm sure Vinny would want you to come to terms with her death, and help your mother do so too." She pointedly ignores the priest, as she leads Antonella back towards her mother. <><><><><> [GM] The funeral is held the next day. Antonella and her mother are veiled, and Signora Gallini remains in a state of shock. The priest (not Father Vezio, fortunately, though he is one of the attendants, glaring at you and Antonella between prayers over the Bible) reads Lavinia's sacraments and eulogy, before her body is interred. The girl is laid out in the dress you picked for her, and the hairstyle you made her up in. She does look beautiful, even in death. Antonella remains silent, until Lavinia is carried into the family tomb, and then her shoulders begin to shake. She holds her mother, who is stiff and numb, but leans against her daughter, until the pall-bearers reemerge with their torches, and the Gallini tomb is resealed. Then Signora Gallini literally collapses. Antonella holds her up, until her father and a couple of other male relatives lift the woman and carry her back home. Antonella stands alone for a moment, head bowed. Then Dino approaches her, and puts a hand on her shoulder. She shakes it off at first. Dino withdraws his hand, looking baffled and upset. Then Antonella slowly raises her head, and turns to Dino. "Forgive me," she says softly. "You may take me home now, my lord." You have *never* heard Antonella call her husband "my lord" before. At any other time, it would surely be a sign of sarcasm. Dino looks even more baffled, but takes her arm and leads her away. Antonella pauses before you, and whispers "If I may, husband?" Dino nods, more and more nonplussed by his wife's behavior. Antonella comes to you and embraces you. "Thank you, Agnes," she whispers. "For everything." "I know I do not deserve your friendship, but thank you." Very stiffly, as if maintaining a carefully controlled demeanor that may crumble at any moment, she lets Dino lead her home. <><><><><> [Agnes] Veiled in black, with her arab veil, Agnes goes sorrowfully through the funeral. She knows that it has hit the family harder than it hit her, but she still grieves for Lavinnia. She pointedly ignores Vezio, and any others who comment on her veil. She is as taken aback as Dino with Antonella's reaction, or overreaction. She meets Antonella's embrace with her own. "Take care, Antonella," she whispers back, "I will be here if you need me." She watches the couple head back homewards, resolving not to interfere. She waits, watching the mourners slowly disperse, and beginning to feel very lonely again, The lateness of the hour spurs her to hurry homeward herself. She would keep on here for a while longer ... she knew that she kept telling herself to stay a while longer .. but she owed Antonella too much do desert her now. <><><><><> [GM] Antonella is more morose than ever. She no longer whines or complains to you. She seems perpetually depressed, though she does still welcomes your company. She goes through your sword-drills lethargically, when you can persuade her to do them at all. Ironically, now it is *Dino* who confides in you (or more accurately, complains to you, while you're at work)! "All the spirit has gone out of her," he sighs. "It's like a part of her died with her sister." "She has become the most docile, obedient wife one could imagine. She never argues with me, never disagrees with me, addresses me in a respectful tone of voice always...." Dino sits at a table in the warehouse, chin in his hands, with a glum expression. He seems unable to explain why this is a *bad* thing, but if not for your concern for Antonella, you might find it comical. Dino now has the proper, submissive wife he thought he wanted....and it's driving him crazy! He married an Antonella who was proud, strong- willed, and argumentative. He knows as well as you do that this radical change in her personality is not healthy. He just doesn't know WHY he should consider it undesirable, or what to do about it. <><><><><> [Agnes] "She has taken it hard, Dino," she responds. "She argued with Lavinia, and never made up before she died. Now ... " She shrugs. "Now, I suppose, as a reaction she doesn't want to disappoint anyone else." She watches a glum Dino for a while, moping at he table nearby until his presence starts to detract from her work. Despite her determination not to interfere, she says, "I'll go and see what I can do. You wait here." She makes her way to their house, and seeks out Antonella. "Well?" she inquires when she finds her. "How long are you going to keep this up?" She sits down beside her. "You may think you are being the type of wife that Dino wants, but I think you will find that he actually wanted the wife that he married, not some simpering, docile housemaid." <><><><><> [GM] Antonella looks surprised. "But I was being a terrible wife!" she protests. "You said so yourself! Well, not in those words, but..." she looks at you woefully. Then she looks down at her hands. "Dino hated it when I argued with him, and embarrassed him. He kept telling me I should act more like a proper wife." "I don't think I will ever truly love Dino," she whispers. "But I can at least obey and please him." "I have been proud, headstrong, disobedient, petty..." she begins sniffling. "And God took my sister away because of it!" "Dino....Dino wants children....and we...I haven't-" Her shoulders begin shaking. "If I can't mend my sins, God will take everything away from me!" She throws her arms around you. "I don't want to lose you too!" So like her, to assume everything revolves around her, even God's will, though now she's using it as a justification to torment herself. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Well, Dino hates it more now that you aren't yourself than he ever did when you were," she replies. "And God took Lavinia for His own reasons and took into account her actions, not yours." She starts scolding her with her finger, "Don't go filling yourself with self-pity just because you think that /you/ were to blame for her death - you weren't. And you are just being self-centred and selfish if you think otherwise." She bites her tongue before she launches into more, and before she gets carried away. She knows that she cannot tell her that she will bear no children. Not only would the news come hard on her, but she would start asking how she knew. <><><><><> [GM] Antonella sniffles. "I know," she weeps. "I am self-centered and selfish! But I miss Vinny so much! And I....I try to believe she is in a better place now, but all I can think about is that tomb!" She shudders. "I know it's selfish to want her here with me instead of where God took her, then I just feel more awful!" "My mother is even worse than I am, because now she's lost both her daughters, one to marriage and one to death. My father-" she wrinkles her nose. "He was probably relieved that he didn't have to pay Lavinia's dowry." She wipes her eyes. "I will try to do better, Agnes." Over the next few weeks, Antonella does seem to recover a bit of her old self. She still remains obedient and docile around Dino....in public. But sometimes the submissiveness has a sardonic edge to it. They may be quarreling again in private, but they no longer have fights in front of you. Antonella starts exercising with you in earnest, confiding that Dino was commenting about her weight gain, not happily. Dino's displeasure alone probably wouldn't move her to get in shape, but she's still vain enough to be concerned herself at how her curves are filling out, and she's gone from voluptuous to plump. It looks like Antonella might be on the path to recovery, and there may even be a chance for a reasonably content marriage. Dino is actually learning a few things around the warehouse, so he's no longer completely useless, though he's still usually more of a nuisance than a help. Then one Sunday morning, while you enter the church for Mass, you feel the Quickening. <><><><><> [Agnes] She knows that at least Antonella is over the worst, even if she still has a long way to go. "There is time enough," she tells herself. As for Dino, annoying as it is for him to be there, she troubles herself to tell him things - even if he pretends not to listen. She knows that at some point she is going to leave him, and she no longer dislikes him enough not to care what happens afterwards. And she will likely have little time to make preparations when she does leave, for whatever reason. The quickening startles her, though she tries to recover without giving herself away. She tries to hide herself by turning to talk to Antonella and Dino, as the three of them walk into the body of the church. Then, she glances about now and then, to see if there is anyone who she recognises, or who is as agitated as she no doubt looks. <><><><><> [GM] Looking around the congregation, you're able to pick out the other immortal fairly easily, both because he is a stranger, and because there is something about him that even attracts the attention of mortals. And of course, because his gaze is fixed on you. Antonella follows the direction of your gaze, and murmurs in Arabic, "Oh....my! What a handsome stranger!" And he is. In fact, he's the most handsome man you've ever seen. His appearance is of a man in his early twenties, an astonishingly good- looking man. He has dark hair in short, tight curls, and his eyes, deep brown, are captivating. His lightly tanned face manages to capture two usually contrasting qualities- he's extraordinarily pretty, but undeniably masculine. You can see broad shoulders and a very solid, muscular frame under a tunic and tight-fitting breeches. You and Antonella aren't the only women giving him long glances. He wears a sword and has a shield leaning against the rail in front of him....the priests don't look overly pleased by the stranger bringing arms into church, but now and then soldiers or noblemen who've been traveling do come to Mass and are in too much of a hurry, or just not willing, to hang up their weapons by the door. While his clothes are generic Mediterannean traveling garb, trappings on his belt, scabbard, and shield are Eastern, suggesting he may be a Byzantine. Which would explain further the sour looks he's earning from the Roman priests. Your heart is beating faster, possibly for more than one reason. However, as physically attractive as he may be, the calculating and unblinking nature of his gaze as he studies you suggests physical danger as well. Of course he's made no hostile move towards you, and surely won't, here on holy ground. But his demeanor is very confident, and unshaken by meeting another immortal- no sign of defensiveness or feeling like a newcomer on somebody else's turf. Then he smiles, turning an already handsome face into one to make hearts melt, and you hear murmuring from the other ladies around you to suggest that some are. He doesn't beam at you, just smiles, lessening somewhat the tension crackling in the air between you. And then he turns back towards the front of the chapel, and kneels in prayer. <><><><><> [Agnes] "And immortal too," she quips back at Antonella in Arabic. She eyes him up and down: a calculating look, not at all like the one she had given Æethelbert. This one examined his garb, his stance, his apparent fitness, his weapons. When she is done, her eyes return to his, and she smiles. It is a simple, pleasant smile, but one lacking in genuine warmth. She looks back towards the altar of the church, but the ceremony passes her by. She kneels and stands, and makes the right responses in the right places, even gives basic answers to Antonella's questions, but her mind is elsewhere. She has never really been concerned about the security of her sword, hanging as it does near the door of the church, but now ... Now she imagines all sorts of thievery making off with it. In between worrying, in her mind she ticks off the list of things she had set aside in case of sudden flight - her outdoor clothes, her camping gear, the chain mail she had never got round to really breaking in, her shield and helmet. Which stable would be most amenable to giving her a horse on a Sunday? Would she have time to get the money from the office, would the money hidden in the house have to suffice? She would have to go to the convent, she couldn't just abandon Antonella completely. Maybe she could persuade Antonella to leave too and they could head for the Alps. Her mind raced, and yet no clear plans had formed by the time Antonella tugs at her arm. "Agnes. The service is over," she hisses. Immediately, she looks to where the other immortal had been standing. <><><><><> [GM] "Immortal?" Antonella repeats. She's watching the handsome immortal as he kneels- watching entirely too closely. Dino frowns, but he's not the only jealous husband in the congregation giving his wife and the tall, dark, handsome stranger dirty looks. When the service is over, the immortal is back on his feet, watching you. "You've caught his eye," Antonella murmurs teasingly. She is clearly not thinking about the other reason why another immortal might be so interested in you. Dino grabs her arm. "The service is over," he snaps. "Let's go." <><><><><> [Agnes] She watches the church steadily start to empty, and then suddenly takes fright. She makes her way with the rest of the congregation towards the doors, searching desperately for her sword. **Don't panic. Don't panic!** she keeps telling herself, but she knows that as soon as her hands grasp her scabbard she will be off into the street as fast as her legs will carry her. **I'll lose him in the alleys before heading home,** she tells herself whenshe realises the urge to run is not going to be put to one side. <><><><><> [GM] "Agnes, what's gotten into you?" asks Antonella, not understanding. You grab your sword and head out the doors with a backwards glance. You can see people almost unconsciously moving aside for the handsome immortal, as he walks casually towards the doors also, coming up behind Antonella and Dino. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Oh no!" she gasps. She felt her plans turn to dust in her hands. All the man had to do was ask Antonella where she lived, and the fool girl would tell him. And if she didn't, Dino would. She couldn't hide. She stopped and turned to face Antonella, Dino and the man approaching from behind. She clutched her scabbard in her left hand, her right fingered the handle of her sword. She stood defiantly, facing him as the congregation moved past her. "What do you want?" she demanded of him. <><><><><> [GM] The other immortal raises an eyebrow, and continues smiling. "Well, you could start with your name," he says mildly, in very good, neo-classical Latin. "That is how people introduced themselves in Rome the last time I was here." "I assume since you're standing here in the doorway blocking my exit, you want to introduce yourself?" He looks down at you, his smile neither warm nor cold...bemused, if anything. His eyes seem to hold yours, and even though his don't stray from yours, you have a definite feeling of being given the once-over. He's even more handsome up close. Antonella is standing at your side, watching the exchange with puzzlement (and watching the other man with something else), while Dino pauses, with his hand on his wife's arm, looking irritated. <><><><><> [Agnes] The adrenaline was pumping through her - to fight or take flight. She was so tense she could snap. She felt for the calm, she was outside the door of the vestibule, was that holy ground? Would he fight her here? Not with all the these people about, surely? She started to back slowly away, moving away from the church, waiting to see if he would follow her, if he would draw his sword. "I have stayed in Rome too long," she mumbles. "He's back already." <><><><><> [GM] "I take it you're not going to tell me your name?" the immortal says, raising both eyebrows as you continue backing away from him. He stands at the threshold of the chapel and just watches as you continue retreating. Then he makes an almost-shrug, as if to say "Oh well," and turns...towards Antonella. She and Dino were following the two of you out, then paused between you, and Antonella is looking back and forth between you and the stranger. His gaze has now settled on her. For a moment his expression was flat again. Then his mouth slowly curls into another little smile. Antonella looks back at him, confused, but gives a faltering, uncertain smile in response to his. <><><><><> [Agnes] She stops dead upon seeing his smile. "I am Agnes Smith!" she yells, taking a grip of her sword and managing to restrain herself enough to only pull it an inch out of its scabbard. "Leave that woman alone! She is married, and my good friend," she continues, clearly rattled. <><><><><> [GM] You are earning some aghast looks from the other people coming out of the chapel. The immortal turns his head to regard you calmly. "I only hoped to introduce myself," he says. He turns back to Antonella. "Is everyone in Rome so rude, nowadays?" Antonella stammers, blushing a little at your reaction and at his attention. Dino suddenly jerks Antonella back, stepping forward to interpose himself between them. "It is customary and polite to introduce yourself to a woman's *husband* before presuming to make HER acquaintance!" he says angrily. "I am Dino Savorino," he finishes somewhat weakly, his voice trailing off and all his indignant fury deflated as the tall warrior fixes him with a cold, contemptuous stare, as if only now realizing Dino was present, and wondering why the little man is speaking. <><><><><> [Agnes] She steps back towards the group, slamming her sword back into its scabbard, and grabs Antonella's arm. "Come with me." And she starts to try to lead Antonella away. <><><><><> [GM] "Agnes, what are you doing?!" Antonella protests, and Dino says the same thing. She doesn't resist, though she's dragged rather reluctantly, but Dino holds onto her other arm and refuses to move. "Stop this, both of you!" Antonella exclaims. The immortal folds his arms across his broad chest and watches, bemused. <><><><><> [Agnes] "OOOOhh!" she cries in exasperation, letting go of Antonella's hand. She goes to the other immortal and takes him by the arm. "Come on then!" and tries to lead him away from the church. <><><><><> [GM] The other immortal stands rooted to the spot. You can feel his muscles, hard as iron, as he resists you effortlessly. "And where are we going?" he asks. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Wherever - I don't care!" "Let's just get it done!" <><><><><> [GM] The infuriatingly imperturbable immortal's eyebrow lifts again. A look goes over Antonella's face, as what's happening sinks in. The immortal says "Very well....lead the way." He holds his hand out for you to precede him. Antonella blurts out "Wait a minute! Where are you going? What are you doing? You can't- you can't-" she looks at you helplessly, while Dino bursts out "What in the name of God is going on here?" <><><><><> [Agnes] Ever so calmly, she looks over at Dino. "Dino. Nothing much is going on. Just take Antonella home. I shall lead this man away from all the admiring women he has attracted. You never know he might even tell me his name." She walks off, checking to see if he is following <><><><><> [GM] Antonella's eyes go wide. She pulls free from Dino's grasp and runs after you. "Nooooo!" She grabs you, and actually spins you around as if to interpose *herself* between you and the other immortal. "You go away!" she cries out at him, and clings to you, saying "I won't let you do this!" A small circle of spectators is forming. The other immortal continues to look thoroughly amused by all of this. "Now, what do you imagine we're going to do?" he asks. Dino storms after his wife. "Antonella! You are making a scene!" He grabs her arm. "Come with me, right now!" He glares at the other man, who doesn't notice. <><><><><> [Agnes] She puts her hand on Antonella's shoulder. "Antonella, please go with Dino." She pushes her gently towards Dino. "Please, you are making my scene an even worse." Looking at Dino, she says, "Take her home, Dino," and then turns her attention to the other immortal. "Have you eaten? I would rather have something to eat first." <><><><><> [GM] "NO!" Antonella startles you, Dino, and the onlookers with her vehemence. Even the stranger looks surprised. "I couldn't do anything to save Vinny!" she says, her eyes tearing up. "I will not stand here and watch you go to your death!" "What ARE you talking about?" Dino exclaims, looking back and forth among the three of you with total bafflement. Someone steps forward and asks "Should we call the Guards?" "No." The immortal fixes the Good Samaritan with a cool stare, which causes him to drop back. Then he turns to Antonella, and says "Antonella....no one is going to die today." He smiles at her, a smile still somehow lacking in warmth. "Go with your husband." He turns to you. "Yes, let's eat...Agnes." <><><><><> [Agnes] She walks away from the throng around the church, after a corner or two she pauses to slide her scabbard through the top of her skirt into the hanger beneath. She walks in silence, letting her thoughts run. "I would rather this was done with some dignity, rather than what you did to Lucius. And although Antonella knows about immortals she doesn't know that she is destined to become one, and I'd rather that you didn't tell her. When you win, it would be nice if you could let my husband know what happened to me, and what steps you took to look after Antonella. My husband is, Kemal ibn-Hakim ibn-Daud Hajii, he is a muslim, last seen in Syracuse." She opens the door to her house. "There are no tricks or traps," she says as she enters first. She walks over to the store, and takes out some bread and cheese. "Some wine, or some water?" <><><><><> [GM] The handsome immortal walks with you, listening silently. He does not say anything until you reach the threshold of your apartment. Then he smiles slightly. "And if there were tricks or traps, you would tell me, correct?" "My name is Philip," he says, almost as if formally introducing himself. Then he steps inside. "Water, please." He watches you, impassively, as you bring out refreshments. "So, someone took Lucius's head?" He sips the water, almost cautiously, then sets the cup down. <><><><><> [Agnes] She puts down a beaker of water for him, recovering from her momentary check when he mentions the taking of Lucius's head. "Yes. They did." She returns his cold stare as she lays out a platter of bread and cheese, and a small pat of butter. "And, with hindsight, it is not surprising that they have come back to catch any they missed the first time." She sits down on the stool on the opposite side of the table, the sword obvious again as the bottom of the scabbard rests against the floor. She cuts two slices off the loaf, and onto a small platter which she places in front of him. "That is why you are here, isn't it, Philip?" <><><><><> [GM] "I did not kill Lucius," he says. He takes a slice of bread and nibbles on it, without taking any butter or cheese. He regards you for another moment. "I did not come here to kill you, either." "Kemal ibn-Hakim....I have heard the name. He is also an immortal, is he not?" Philip's eyes are cool and unfathomable. "Have you converted to the infidel religion, then?" <><><><><> [Agnes] She breathes a heavy sigh of relief, and visibly relaxes when he claims not to have come to kill her. "Kemal is an immortal," she replies, buttering her bread and adding a slice of cheese. "Muslims are quite tolerant of christians, and I did not convert. Sometimes though, when I see the priests round here, I wonder whether Christendom has got it right." <><><><><> [GM] Philip's eyes narrow. "Are they? That has not been my experience." He eats some more of his bread, then says "Obviously you did not see who took Lucius's head. How long ago was he slain, and how did you find out?" He studies you as you eat. "You were not in Rome the last time I was here, but you do not sound like a Roman either. Whose fledgling are you?" <><><><><> [Agnes] She shrugs. "No doubt you and they were trying to kill each other at the time." With a small smile she adds, "Like I was. But then you were never going to make much of a price as a slave girl. Maybe that's why my christianity was tolerated." "Lucius was slain {fill in required number} months ago. I discovered it when I went to visit him after I had been away from the city for a fortnight or so." "What was he to you? A friend, an acquaintance or an enemy?" "I am no-body's fledgling, not any more. Not after my mentor, Peter, went off to lose his head roughly fifty years ago. I can look after myself, even if everyone thinks I'm a barbarian because I come from Britannia." <><><><><> [GM] "You were a slave....but this Kemal married you?" Philip sits back in his seat, glancing at you, and then staring at the wall as if considering what you've told him. "Lucius was....someone I knew. An old acquaintance of my mentor." He looks back at you and smiles. All of his smiles are reserved, controlled. "Ah, Peter. I remember when he converted to Christianity. He was once a Goth mercenary, you know. If we are speaking of the same Peter, that is." "So Peter the monk lost his head? A pity." Philip sips his water. And then he abruptly changes the subject. "This girl, Antonella. Why have you told her about immortals, but not told her she is one? Have you done anything to prepare her for when she becomes immortal?" <><><><><> [Agnes] She nods in response to his question about her and Kemal. "He gave me my freedom first. And there was no compulsion." She stands, after he has mentioned his relationship with Lucius. "A moment. There is something I ought to let you see." She goes up to her room, and retrieves Lucius's scroll. Bringing it down with her, she retakes her seat and lays it on the table. "Lucius, bequeathed me this - I suspect only because I was the only other immortal in Rome at the time. I have no idea what is is or what it says." "It is probably the same Peter. He died for his Christian ideals. He had made a promise, and went to keep his side of it even though it was certain death." It still surprises her how emotional she can get about Peter, even after these long years, and she has to wipe her eyes. "Peter was a good man." "It was rather hard for Antonella not to learn rather a lot about immortals after she was the main pawn in a struggle between three of them, and after she had witnessed a quickening from so close that Kemal had to pick her up and run with her to get away from it. She knows about The Rules, and I have taught her to fight with the sword, knife and her fists. It is her life. Who am I to tell her what is in store for her? And I don't really know how she'll react if I told her. I would rather that she died her first death in God's own time, rather than due to my interference. So I am waiting here for her to meet her first death, working for her husband in this the likely of cities for hunters to frequent. I intend to be with her when she recovers from dying her first death. Then I will teach her what I can, and then we'll probably go back to Kemal, for him to teach her what he knows." <><><><><> [GM] Philip looks at Lucius's scroll with interest, leaning over to study the incomprehensible rows of letters and numbers. He straightens and listens with unnerving intensity when you talk about Antonella. "Of course hunters come here," he says, with a touch of scorn. "Rome has been the center of the civilized world for centuries. Every immortal comes through here sooner or later." "You are very foolish. You are obviously no warrior, but you stay here waiting for someone to take your head, so you can let Antonella get old waiting for her first death." She shakes his head. "I will relieve you of that responsibility. You can go back to your infidel husband. I will take care of Antonella." <><><><><> [Agnes] "What right have *you* to breeze in and play God!" she shouts back at him angrily, hands tightening into fists, crushing the bread she holds. "None whatsoever! As I understand it, looking after is a fledgling is a duty, and I don't know how you were brought up but, for me, a duty is not something you hand over to someone else and walk away from." She relaxes a little, letting the bread fall to the table, and then brushes her hands together to remove the crumbs. "I take it from your comment you would presume to kill her. And at what age would you presume to kill her? Now? So that she lives forever looking even younger than me, forever to be treated as little more than a child, a pretty plaything? Or maybe you will wait a few years until she is as old as I was? Even then, no-one expects a woman of my age to be able to do much except look pretty. So how long would you wait - until she looks mature, knowledgeable of the world, matronly - at least she would get respect, even if leading men on by their lust would be more difficult. And do you think she would be pleased with your choice? Or had you not even bothered yourself to think about things like that? Perhaps you intend to take her to one side, and say 'Oh Antonella, you will be immortal, forget all these mere mortals, and come with me. I saw the contempt with which you treated her husband, Dino. The phrase 'All are equal before God' sprang to my mind - obviously not all are equal before Philip the immortal. Do you treat all mortals with such contempt? Or only those that are bothering you?" She rolls up Lucius's scroll. "Lucius was no warrior either. Did you call him foolish too?" She glares at him as he starts to reply. "And don't you get angry with me because I dare to criticise you. You called me foolish first." She leans back to a more relaxed pose on her wooden chair. "So I do not think it is in Antonella's best interests for you to be her mentor - so I refuse your generous offer. And also, you seem so anti- muslim, that I do not think you are a fit immortal to look after my former co-wife." <><><><><> [GM] Philip does not look perturbed by your outburst. But his hand slaps down on the scroll when you try to pull it away. His expression is unchanged, cool and impassive. "Lucius was foolish," he says. "He died." "And you will die too, if you persist in this course." He begins pulling the scroll to him. "I am not upset at your criticism. You are just a foolish, sentimental woman. But you misunderstand if you think I am making an offer. I am telling you that I am taking charge of Antonella." His tone is cold as ice, and he stares at you without blinking, waiting for you to argue or yell at him again. He looks as if you could rant at him until Judgment Day and still not affect him. <><><><><> [Agnes] "You misunderstand, Philip. You are not taking charge of Antonella, because as the person currently looking after her, I do not believe you are fit to do so." "You can look as cold and impassive as you like. I am not giving her to you." She fords her arms across her chest, and does her best to look cold and impsassive back. "I also note that you feel you have the right to take the scroll which I *showed* you. Are you in the habit of just taking whatever you want? Tell me, Philip, do you consider yourself a Christian, or is it just show?" <><><><><> [GM] Philip's expression doesn't change. He hesitates for a moment, and you think maybe you might have scored a little bit with the Christian comment. Maybe. "Lucius gave it to you for safekeeping, as you said, because you were the only immortal in Rome." "I can obviously keep it safer than you can. I can also protect Antonella better than you. When you thought I had come for your head, you had already resigned yourself to dying, and would have left her fate in my hands anyway. What will you do when someone who DOES want your head comes? Perhaps someone who will take the girl's head too?" He rises. "You don't have to give Antonella to me." He rolls up the scroll and tucks it in his belt. "I am Christian enough to not want to slay a woman who is also a Christian. But you and I both know what will happen if we duel. Do not oppose me." He walks to the door. <><><><><> [Agnes] She watches him leave. Hurriedly, but trying not to make enough noise for him to hear should he be outside, she goes upstairs. She dresses for the countryside - and for a fight. Over her quilted undershirt she pulls on her that chain mail, and pulls on her leather leggings. She puts her skirt and top back on over the top so she can move about Rome with some freedom. The coif she tucks into her belt. She gathers the belongings she intends to take with her, and slings the bag in which she has put them onto her shoulder. Her money she splits. Most she secretes about her clothes, but she leaves enough in her purse for the purchase of two simple riding horses and their furniture. "Farewell house," she comments as she walks back down the stairs, and heads for the back door. She gets a better grip on the shawl, and her shield hidden beneath it, before leaving by the back door. **Two horses first, and then Antonella's,** she tells herself. **No. Even though he doesn't know them nor where they live - I probably don't have that much time.** She hurries in the direction of their house, trying to avoid the direct route that Philip might have taken. She has lost time by getting ready, but he didn't know where to look. She might get there first. She approaches their house with only a little caution, aiming to enter by the back. Philip will know she's here as soon as she senses him. She really wants to get to Antonella first. <><><><><> [GM] You don't feel the Quickening as you make your way through the streets. All the way to the Savorino estate, luck seems to be with you. Philip doesn't know where they live. But Dino did "introduce" himself, and the Savorinos are well-known in Rome. It won't take the immortal long to find someone who can give him directions. You breeze right past the startled scullery maids. One of the houseservants spots you coming from the back part of the house, and rcognizes you. "Signora Agnes! I will tell Signora Antonella you are here. She is with the Master right now." She looks a little embarrassed. From Antonella and Dino's wing, you can hear her and the Master arguing. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Be discrete, will you? It doesn't sound like the master would be best pleased to know that I am here. Suggest, perhaps that the housekeeper would like a quick word with her, and I'll wait here." <><><><><> [GM] "Very well, Signora." You can hear Antonella and Dino's voices going up still further. Mostly Dino's voice, which sounds angry, but from down the hall, you can only pick out a few words. "...crazy....put up....Rome!" Antonella sounds shrill and on the verge of tears. They continue arguing, and Antonella does not emerge. The servant is probably hesitant to step into the middle of their quarrel. Antonella sounds a bit breathless, and there is a smacking sound, then more shouting from Dino. <><><><><> [Agnes] She struggles inside the urge to walk away is strong, and yet, with every moment Philip probably gets closer. She strides into the main part of the house, and up to the source of the argument. She shoos away the servant with a wave of her hand, turns the handle, opens the door, and steps into the doorway to view the scene. <><><><><> [GM] The servant looks as if she wants to hold you back, but she chooses the better part of valor and just retreats. Antonella and Dino are arguing in the suite that connects to their shared bedroom (each of them has their own room as well.) Dino has a frustrated, and guilty, look on his face. Antonella has her back to a wall, half-leaning against it, but sliding slowly down into a sitting position. She has put the back of her hand to her face, and is staring at Dino, angry and upset, while tears trickle down her face. "You aren't making any sense," Dino is saying, in a lower tone, with exasperation. "How do you expect-" and he stops talking when he sees you. "NOW what the hell?!" he explodes. Antonella's head jerks towards you, and her eyes go wide. "Agnes!" she gasps, looking shocked but happy. She struggles to stand up again, cheeks flushed. <><><><><> [Agnes] She stands in the doorway, regarding one then the other, her eyes coming to rest on Antonella. "Antonella, I've come to take you away." She rests her hand on her belt, ready to punch Dino if he tries anything. "Just for a while, maybe longer - we'll see how you feel." She looks at Dino. "Please don't try to stop us, or I will hit you as hard as you appear to have just hit your wife." Still regarding Dino, she holds out her hand to Antonella. "Come, Antonella. We are leaving, now." <><><><><> [GM] "You're insane!" Dino exclaims. Antonella rises, but looks confused. "Take me away? Agnes....I can't..." Then as an afterthought, rubs her cheek. "He didn't hit me that hard," she murmurs. "You're not taking her anywhere!" Dino snaps, but he's careful to stay more than an arms' length away from you. "I don't know what's going on, but if you don't get out of my house immediately, I'll have you evicted by force. You've gone much, much too far this time, Agnes!" <><><><><> [Agnes] "Antonella, if you don't come with me now, Philip - the man from the church - will come and take you away instead. And he would probably kill Dino in the process." "Antonella, you must come with me." <><><><><> [GM] Antonella's eyes become even wider. "For me?!" she exclaims. "Why would...." she glances at Dino. "Why would he come for *me*?" Dino's mouth drops open. "What nonsense is this?" he sputters. Then, he steps towards you, or more likely the door behind you. "Vesi, come here!" he yells. And to you he says "If that stranger intends to abduct my wife, I'm not about to rely on *you* for protection!" Antonella is coming towards you also, looking anxious and uncertain. <><><><><> [Agnes] She continues to look pleadingly at Antonella. "I doubt if you could stop him, Dino. Not unless you confine Antonella to live in your house as if it was a fortress, and even then, I have my doubts. It is like Africa again, Antonella. There is something about you that attracts attention." <><><><><> [GM] "Maybe I can't," Dino grumbles. "But the militia certainly can!" As a wealthy landowner, the militia will respond to Dino's summons; for that matter, he can afford to hire a small army of them to stand around his house. Antonella comes to you, shaking her head. "But that's ridiculous!" she says. "I mean....there ARE other beautiful women in Rome-" she glances at Dino and continues in Arabic, "even if he has a fondness for tall blondes like the Sheykh did." "Stop speaking that infidel babble in front of me!" Dino snaps. "If he's after your head," Antonella says in Arabic, ignoring Dino, "we can hire as many men as it takes to drive him out of the city!" <><><><><> [Agnes] "Oh, Antonella!" she replies in Arabic, "he's not after my head yet. He's after you." She shakes her head and continues in Arabic. "Antonella, you are special. Kemal, took you with him. The Sheykh took you. Now Philip wants to take you. It is _you_ he wants, not me, not any other of the women in Rome, beautiful or otherwise." She takes a deep breath. "Antonella. I am leaving Rome. Will you come with me?" <><><><><> [GM] "Me? I don't understand," Antonella says, weakly. But you see something flickering in her eyes, perhaps a dawning suspicion. "How...how can I just...leave?" she says. She looks at Dino and says "Where will we go?" "I said stop that!" Dino snaps, and grabs Antonella and shoves her back. His servant arrives, and he says "Run fetch the local ward captain." Perhaps it was Dino's shove, one straw too many. Antonella has been going through a meek and submissive phase lately, but she is still a proud and headstrong woman underneath. Or perhaps she is beginning to realize the bond you share. She comes forward again, and says, in Arabic, "I don't have anything packed....I'm not ready for travel...and Dino-" she glances at her husband, who is spinning around and glaring at both of you furiously. "I don't want him hurt," she says softly, but she has the old determined look in her eyes as she comes towards you again. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Philip may kill him to get you, if you stay," she replies, still speaking in Arabic. "We can buy things on the way if we have to. You can come as you are." Switching to Latin again, she says to Dino. "Farewell, Dino. I am leaving Rome. I doubt that I'll see you again. I hope that you have learned something of what I tried to teach you." She turns and walks out of the room, hoping that Antonella will follow her out of the house. <><><><><> [GM] "What?" Dino's look goes from furious to stunned. "Where are you going?" he asks. And then grabs Antonella as she walks past him. "You're not going with her!" "Yes, I am." Antonella stiffens slightly, and clenches her fists. Then she looks at you and says "Agnes, can you wait for me outside, please?" <><><><><> [Agnes] "Certainly, Antonella," she replies in Latin. She sets aside her protective instinct. **If she can't deal with Dino, what hope is there for her.** She goes to wait in the hall, a few yards from the door. <><><><><> [GM] You don't hear any noise from Antonella and Dino's room, except now and then a low voice. They are in there for almost ten minutes, causing you to wait impatiently while you imagine Philip coming closer with every passing moment. Finally Antonella emerges. Her face is carefully composed, yet she looks more fragile than you've ever seen her, as if she is holding back tears by force of will. She comes to you and says in a soft voice, "Where are we going?" <><><><><> [Agnes] "To begin with, we are going to a convent." She leads the way out of the house. "Firstly though, we have to go to Dino's warehouse so I can recover the other half of my money." As they walk away from the house, down the quieter streets, she adds, "I'll need to get two horses for us to get there. Later, we can get some stuff for you." <><><><><> [GM] Antonella nods mutely. She says nothing more until you are out in the streets, making your way through the afternoon crowds. Heads turn as the noblewoman passes by, accompanied only by a maid (as they will probably assume you to be). "What do you mean, I am special?" she asks finally. "Why is this other immortal after *me*?" <><><><><> [Agnes] "Because he said he was," Agnes replies weakly, with a shrug, conscious that heads are turning. She detours off her planned route to visit the clothiers market, where she buys a head scarf and shawl more in keeping with her own status. "Here, Antonella, put these on, and try to look a little less noble. We are trying to avoid attention." She sets off towards the warehouse again, telling herself, **money, then horses, then convent. Worry about everything else afterwards.** <><><><><> [GM] Antonella gives you a long look, but uncharacteristically does not argue or ply you with more questions. She takes the shawl and scarf and wraps it around her head and shoulders, and follows you as you go to the warehouse and retrieve your stash. She looks around, almost nervously, as if she fears as you do that Philip could think of intercepting you here. Or perhaps she fears Dino pursuing her after all. Then you go to the stables, and spend a sizeable chunk of your savings on a pair of horses with tack. While you are saddling up, Antonella asks "Why are we going to a convent? Is is that one you were talking about going to a few months ago?" <><><><><> [Agnes] She finishes preparing the mounts, and replies, "The convent will give us time to think," knowing that it will give her time to think. She knows she is far too rattled to make decisions, and needs to spend a quiet time thinking things through." For good measure, she adds a couple of bolts of fine cloth to each horse. She might as well have something to start with. "We will be able to get you some outdoor clothes whilst we are there. Then ... well, we might be able to come back here, or maybe take a trip north." They mount up, and make their way towards the gates of the city, and the convent a good ride to the south. <><><><><> [GM] Antonella rides with you, eyes still downcast. Two women alone on the road are inviting trouble. Even without Viking or Saracen raiders, there are plenty of bandits, even around Rome. Your sword and armor gives you some comfort, but Antonella is unarmed. A light rain is starting to fall, turning the road soggy. Antonella speaks without looking up. "You didn't tell me why Philip is after me. You said I was special, and you said it had to do with why Kemal took care of me, and why the Sheykh wanted me." "I don't understand any of this, but I think you're hiding something from me." "I left my home, abandoned my husband..." you didn't notice at first, because she's keeping her voice under control, but tears are mingling with the rain on her face. "I probably can never return to Rome. Because you came and told me to come with you and I...I trusted you. I still trust you. But you're not telling me something. Like in Carthage, when Techo first found us, and you told me nothing was wrong even though you sensed another Immortal. You were lying to protect me." She sniffles. "Don't I deserve better than that?" <><><><><> [Agnes] She rides in silence, looking at the road ahead. Her own tears are washed down her cheeks by the rain. She struggles with her conscience, trying to not say anything about the way things are, and riding on in silence. Eventually, she tries to say something. "I ... I ..." but the words catch in her throat, and the silent tears turn to crying. <><><><><> [GM] "Why are *you* crying?" she exclaims. And begins crying more heavily herself. "Agnes, answer me!" You're saved from answering immediately when a turn in the road gives you a good view of the way you came...and you see a single rider following you at a moderately fast pace...his horse is not galloping, but at his present speed he'll overtake you pretty soon. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Someone is following us, Antonella: probably Philip." She spurs on her horse, to keep him at a distance whilst looking for a suitable point to leave the trail and try to shake him. Looking at the muddy patch they are riding through at the moment, she doubts she'll have much success, but perhaps they will get onto a proper cobbled section again soon, and can lose him by leaving at some point along that section. She checks that Antonella is keeping pace, and tries to remember the details of her journey back to Rome to get an idea of how far and how long it is to the convent if they push the horses. She knows in her mind that even that probably won't work. Philip probably has a well conditioned war horse, whilst they have two ladies' riding horses fresh from being idle in a stable. She shrugs, she isn't going to give in to him easily. <><><><><> [GM] Antonella looks over her shoulder, and kicks her horse to keep up with yours. She's not as good a rider as you, and even if she was, you probably wouldn't be able to outrun the other rider. As he closes the distance, you can see he is riding a larger, more powerful horse. The convent is almost an hour away. At your present pace, he'll catch up to you within half an hour. If you both go into a full gallop, sooner. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Damn him!" she curses, when she realises that she won't be able to out run him to the convent. She keeps up the pace though, and hopes that at some point before he catches them they pass a village with a church or a chapel. If he's going to catch them, she much rather it was on holy ground than in the open. As he rides she keeps a check on how close he has got, and how well Antonella is doing, trying to keep up the hope that they'll make it before he catches them. <><><><><> [GM] Antonella is hanging on, but there seems little doubt that he is going to catch up. You can see a cluster of huts over the next hill, a mile off the road, where some shepherds probably live, but no sign of even a tiny chapel. You seem to remember a village that might have had one, on the way back from the convent, but you're not sure how far ahead it is. The rider keeps gaining on you....still a little too far away to be sure it's Philip, but you have little doubt. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Well, I tried, Antonella. I tried," she says as she gradually reins in her horse, until it comes to a stand beside Antonella's. Wheeling her mount to face the way they had come, she comments, "No point in blowing the horses for no good reason. We won't outrun him, so we might as well wait for him." She unhitches her shield, and starts strapping it to her left arm, as she stares down the road at the oncoming rider. <><><><><> [GM] "So what happens now?" Antonella asks quietly, watching the other rider approach. He spurs his horse to speed up a little as he sees you turning to wait for him. "Are you going to fight him?" She turns her head to look at you, face taut with anxiety and grief. "Can you beat him?" <><><><><> [Agnes] She finishes with her shield, and pulls her coif out of her belt to hold it in her left hand. "I don't know, Antonella. It may come to a fight, and I have no real doubts that I will lose." She shrugs, "But that may just be the way it has to be." <><><><><> [GM] "No!" Antonella exclaims. "I'm not accepting that!" She moves her horse, so she actually cuts you off, sitting astride her mount in the middle of the road. "You said he's after me," she says, meeting your gaze with a stubborn glare of her own. "Not you. I don't understand what an immortal wants with me, if he's not just smitten with my beauty," and for once there is no vanity in the statement, just speculation, while she searches your expression, "but if you're getting ready to fight and die for me...." her voice softens, and catches for a moment. "I can make the same sacrifice for you." She grips her horse's reins, knuckles turning white. "The worst he can do to me is kill me, right?" More tears glisten on her cheeks. "Let him have me, Agnes. I won't watch you die for me." <><><><><> [Agnes] Tears roll down her cheeks again. "The worst he can do is kill you," she quietly echoes with sadness in her voice. The two women sit astride their horses, crying for their own reasons, watching the other rider approach. <><><><><> [GM] He comes closer, resolves himself into a muscular, armored man on a cavalry horse, and as he comes closer yet, is confirmed as Philip. A little closer, and if you still doubted it, the Quickening makes it certain. He brings his horse to a halt just six yards from you and Antonella, and takes off his helmet to regard you both with a cool gaze. "Very predictable," he says. Antonella speaks before you can. "What do you want?" she shouts. He smiles slightly. "Not to harm either of you, Signora Savorino." That stings, though perhaps unintentionally. Antonella winces, then says "Then let us be on our way." "Not quite," Philip replies. He begins riding his horse in a casual half- circle around you. "I would have you accompany me, Antonella." "What if I don't want to go with you?" Antonella says in a low voice, fear beginning to enter her voice as she wheels her horse around in place to watch him. "I'd prefer not to make this unpleasant, but....why mince words?" Philip sighs a little. "You *will* come with me. Agnes, don't be foolish." "Why do you want me?" Antonella shouts. "*Why*?" The second time she shouts the question, she looks at you, addressing it to both of you. Philip arches an eyebrow. <><><><><> [Agnes] "You left me no alternative, Philip. And if Antonella will not willingly go with you, I will stop you taking her." She sighs at Antonella's question. She opens her mouth to speak, and then has to look to Philip. "You tell her," she says quietly. <><><><><> [GM] Philip shifts, and settles into a more comfortable position on his horse. Despite his heavy burden of armor and weapons (he's wearing a breastplate and reticulated shoulder and hip guards over chainmail) he seems completely at ease. "I was born in the tenth year of Emperor Claudius's reign, in the year 50 anna domina," he says. "I already know you're an immortal!" Antonella shouts. "Agnes told me about you." "So she did," Philip says, unperturbed. "Please let me continue." "I was mentored by Alexander of Sparta, an Immortal who was probably over a thousand years old at that time. He was a harsh master, his training regimen was brutal, but he was the finest warrior of his time. He turned me into the finest warrior in the known world." He smiles at his own immodesty, and then looks directly at you as he says "I say that because I have never been defeated, by mortal or Immortal. Not in almost eight-hundred years. Alexander hand-picked me, and spent years molding me, until I was at the height of physical perfection." Antonella glares at him impatiently, then looks back at you. She obviously doesn't see what his point is. "He did all that *before* I died my first death," Alexander says. "I was still a mortal, and unaware of my destiny, while he groomed me to become an Immortal." Antonella frowns, puzzlement in her eyes. She doesn't get it yet. "I am very grateful to Alexander for his training, for that is why I have been able to survive for eight centuries since leaving him. But..." he frowns, his beautiful, dark eyes smoky for a moment, "I have always thought he should have told me. I understand why he did it the way he did.....letting me die in a private duel, experience the shock and fear of feeling my life end....and the shock of coming back to life. If I had known beforehand, perhaps I would not have taken the training as seriously. Perhaps I would have been reckless, overconfident, knowing I couldn't really die, and that was probably what he feared, that I'd get myself killed before he judged me ready." He drums his fingers on his saddle. "But he should have told me." Antonella's expression is still confused. She's thinking about it, but the truth has not dawned yet. "How...how did he know you were going to be an immortal?" she asks, curious in spite of herself. "Do you mean you can tell when someone is destined to become an i--- OH!" And then it hits her, as Philip looks at her with a little smile, nodding almost sympathetically, and she sways in her saddle. The shock of realization threatens to cause her to fall off her horse. <><><><><> [Agnes] She moves her horse to stand beside Antonella's, and wraps her arms around her friend's shoulders. "You will be immortal, Antonella. That is why Kemal freed you. Any scar or loss of limb before your first death, you will carry through your immortality. That is why the Sheykh threatened to scar you for life with the whipping, for Kemal and I knew it would mean for eternity. That is why I tried to kill you. If I had succeeded, he couldn't permanently scar you. Philip and I disagree about whether you should have been told, but his view has won out. But I stand by what I said, Antonella. He will be a much harder tutor than I could ever be, and I doubt that you will enjoy it. But if you don't want to go with him, I will fight him for your right to choose. <><><><><> [GM] Antonella's shoulders shake. She leans against you as you put your arms around her, but covers her face with her hands. "You knew?" she sobs. "You knew the entire time? From the moment you met me?" "You and Kemal, and the Sheykh and the Qaid, and Lucius and Techo....all of you knew, and none of you told me?" "You *should* have told me!" she cries out. "Why didn't you? Didn't I have a right to know? Was I such a child that you had to keep something that important a secret from me?" "Why me, and not Lavinia? She should have been immortal, not me!" "What would you have done if I became old and decrepit and had to live forever as an old crone?" She continues weeping. Philip sits on his horse, watching her impassively. When she begins to settle down, he says "Agnes is very young, as immortals go. I'm surprised she's lived this long. She won't be able to protect you if another hunter comes for her, and you." "Kemal could protect us," Antonella murmurs. "Ah yes, your infidel husband," Philip says. "Agnes is free to run to him, and bring him back to face me." He smiles. "If Kemal ibn-Hakim can defeat me, he's certainly worthy of teaching you." The smile remains, but his voice is hard and flat. "But she will have to leave you with me." "And if I won't go with you willingly....you'll kill her?" Antonella says softly. Philip does not answer. "You can't beat him, can you Agnes?" she whispers, with her face turned down, and away from you. "If I don't go with him willingly....he'll kill you, and then I'll have to go with him anyway." She begins trembling. <><><><><> [Agnes] She holds her friend close. "We knew, Antonella. And none told you because I asked them not to. You were only a child when we first met, and I didn't know how you would react to knowing. A bit like Alexander with Philip, I suppose, I wanted your natural life to be untainted by the knowledge that you would live again after you died. You wanted so much to see your family again, and you so hated the desert that I put off making any decisions until after you'd got home to Rome, and even here, I kept putting off the decision. But I started your training again." She sighs. "I wouldn't have let you become a crone, Antonella. But I was going to let God decide whether you were to become an immortal as a young girl, or as a mature woman." She looks over at Philip. "I can look after myself. But not against determined hunters, and I doubt that I can beat a man who looks like he has been a soldier for the best part of a thousand years. But for you, Antonella, I am willing to try." "I only need to keep the fight going long enough for you to reach the convent, which is only about an hour away." <><><><><> [GM] Antonella sobs, and if she were smaller, would lay her head on your shoulder like a child, but instead just leans against you as you hold her. The horses shift, and then she shakes her head. "No," she says weakly. She puts her arms around your neck. "I will not ask you to die for me, Agnes. I could not stand to lose Lavinia and then you." "If I am immortal...then at least there is the chance I will see you again." She trembles, then whispers, "Where will you go?" <><><><><> [Agnes] She looks coldly at Philip. "You just said you wanted Antonella to go with you. You said nothing about me not coming with her." "What will you do if I follow you?" <><><><><> [GM] Philip looks genuinely surprised at the question. He actually seems to consider it for a moment, then says, "No. I don't wish to have you interfering. I am sure you will not like my training methods, and sooner or later I would wind up having to drive you away or kill you." <><><><><> [Agnes] She looks back at Antonella. "I didn't think he'd want me around." "For just now, I'll continue on to the convent. Maybe I'll stay a while - I am aware that I know no Greek. Maybe I'll return to Kemal. Maybe I'll return to Britain." She shrugs. "I don't know." "For a long time my plans have involved looking out for you, and planning your training. Now though ... " She gives the girl a final hug and then guides her horse away from Antonella's. She walks the horse round to point back towards the convent again. She doesn't look back. She stares at Philip as she passes him. "Train her well, and look after her, or I shall make it my business to see you dead." As she gets a yard or two from them she shouts, "Good luck, Antonella!" and spurs her horse into a canter. She would certainly spend a day or two at the convent deciding what to do.