When Laurentius left the meeting hall, he did so without making a single comment on the whole situation, ignoring the two men in command who stood shamelessly hauling insults at each other while the rest of the counselors watched with a no less shameful amusement. They were spectators who preferred these shows that bore the delicious seeds of gossips and canards to feast upon while forgetting the urgent matter that threatened the leisure lives they led and which enabled them to enjoy such travesties, the threat that proved to be more grounded and rooted than any rumor or ill - humored display of division and disunity. The chamber was split, but sadly not between a righteous and a false leadership. It was split for the favors of two arrogant fools who did not know when to back down and were foolishly proud to admit their mistakes. The dark – haired counselor did not place the entire fault on the blond governor, the latter was surprisingly trying and making an effort, though his senses and insights were better suited to value arts and beauty more than scheming for a ruthless war of tag and run as the matter seemed to be with these outlaws. However, Caecilius was not innocent either. He weighed his pride on a more important scale than the people he had come to help and see to their needs and well – being. He had chosen to but - heads with the younger far less experienced governor instead of offering him a helpful hand unlike what the first few days of his visits had suggested. Once again, Germanous was not exempted from blame, he infuriated the ambassador with arrogance and taunting, he defied him openly, and while this was an admirable honesty if standing for a rightful case, this was not the case with the blond lad who merely wanted to prove himself the exalted star of heavens, joining in a reverie the stars of the empyrean skies that keep burning till their death in a beautiful fiery show but one that would lead inevitably to their demise at this point.
The withdrawal of the counselors from taking a firm stance was not something new, at least not after Marcus retirement. They entertained themselves with the follies of their previous respected leader's son, as if they held no obligation to guide him, merely enjoying the stark contrast between father and son, blinding themselves to the destruction this vile mirth was capable of leading to. He had heard on multiple occasions that once things reach a certain unbearable edge, they will write to the emperor and demand Germanous's replacement, not even showing an ounce of respect for their previous leader's "presumed" wishes and request for guiding his youthful son.
What they failed at calculating was the scale of the disaster things would fall into by the time the message arrives to the emperor and the decision is taken. How far would the catastrophe scoop? How many lives it would claim? Laurentius needed not be neither a humanistic man or a practical one to weigh and worry about these consequences.
He only needed to be a just exemplary citizen.
***
The counselor walked a road he was familiar with though not often taken. He immediately knew where he was going and the maid that answered the door welcomed him with great respect, leading him immediately to the guest room before she hurried to inform her mistress.
Sabina entered without delay, donning a grey color, unbecoming of young noble maiden as if she was mourning along the citizens of the ravished city, though her face was neutral to any display of grieve or worry.
Her uncle's visits were neither rare nor usual, and she always managed to welcome him with sufficient courtesy and what her intuition of familial warmth entailed. She hugged briefly, her face devoid of pleasure or dismay, even as he did his own familial bidding and kissed her forehead to which she nodded welcomingly without shyness, or flush gracing her ivory skin to the somehow intimate caring gesture.
"It has been a while since you have visited me last."
The woman spoke, a suitable commence to any conversation. If this visit had taken place at any other time, Laurentius would have dismissed the comment. They both knew each was dependable on his own power and wealth, their domain of power varied vastly and they never needed each other, though it was a rude fact but true and relieving nonetheless. However, her mask of indifference, always hard to penetrate and read behind, seemed off to the visiting uncle. His visit was part of his duties, to make sure his only niece, the sole reminder of his sister's existence was safe and protected from the woes the city was suffering. Sabina was not a secretive woman in front of her uncle or the common people, what she wanted to do she did brazenly and amidst the sunlight, fearing no judgment for her actions were never out of personal interests or predatory gain. But this time, a carefully hidden shadow of nervousness paled her cheeks even more than usual, and despite wearing her nonchalance perfectly until this emotion was ingrained into her beautiful features, the counselor's eyes were far more faultless and trained than the deadliest of hunters and marksmen.
"Are you expecting someone else, or perhaps already hosting another guest?"
"You know rarely do guests choose this house."
"That is right."
Laurentius answered briefly, confirming the fact. While he did not move from his seat or even shift slightly to adjust his sitting position, dark eyes fixated on his younger hostess, the woman along the servant standing behind her to serve drinks, both felt the counselor's senses were overwhelming the humble house, penetrating non- existent pores and permeating through the far corridors concealed with neutral red curtains.
"I heard a show befitting a circus took place at the palace. I would not be surprised if it was Germanous who had started it."
"Both men were at fault."
The green – eyed woman leaned forward, waiting to hear the rest of the story that did not come. Leaning back again, her dismay was obvious but her uncle knew how to plump her carefully maintained and controlled feathers.
"I see no news escape you, no matter how fresh it is."
Sabina replied as she sipped from her freshly squeezed fruits.
"I am merely carrying on my father's duty toward this city. But I have to say, I am surprised by your lack of action."
"To intervene with reason between two fools would only make me the biggest one."
"Then, you admit to Germanous's incapability?"
"I would say this is his last test."
The eagerness and bright of satisfaction she asked her question with, certain of an agreeing reply, quickly diminished with Laurentius' words. What more tests should the dolt blond go through to prove his lacking governing and abilities? Getting her dissatisfaction, the uncle cleared the matter with the reasoning of a counselor:
"The city is already in chaos, changing governors and plans would only add to the toil it is holding."
Although carrying justified concerns, Sabina was not quite convinced and it showed clearly on her face, but her uncle did not care. He had not come to satisfy her and indulge in her war with his other nephew. He made this visit for one obligation.
"I am glad to see you safe despite the vileness happening around us."
"The same goes for you, uncle."
Laurentius remained silent, not because he lacked an answer. His response was ready but well known, he did not find the need to voice it. Sabina sneered in a knowing smile as she explained what her uncle refused to admit.
"Even though they specialize in assassinations and fear direct combat."
"And is this the reason for your safety?"
"Does my dear uncle wish to see me held for a ransom because I am the "governor" cousin? Perhaps even see me returned mutilated and disfigured?"
Sabina left her chair and poured her guest and herself another glass of whatever nonalcoholic juice they were drinking, dismissing her servant in order not to interrupt the infrequent visit, as she poured her thought dryly as the drink she was serving.
"That man would not pay a penny for me, it would be a waste for their time."
The usually grim – looking counselor actually chuckled. He was not a man to give up on anything, except fixing this relationship. He was not even a mediator between the two, he simply carried his familial duties toward his niece and nephew with the properly measured importance indicated by their positions.
"Is this what you believe?"
Laurentius spoke, and Sabina was quick to understand that he was preferring to the previous matter, not the animosity with her cousin.
"These thugs are indeed murderous monsters, hiding in the shadows and carrying their crimes beneath the veils of darkness, but they have announced their goal fearlessly and patently like the rays of the sun and Jupiter's courage. They want one thing; equality and justice! And since you and me have never crossed this line, we are not their enemies."
"That is what I thought of too, although it is foolish beyond belief."
Sabina raised her head briskly, as if stung by the answer. Laurentius watched this rare incident prompting him to go on:
"When you want to force someone's hands, you go after his most prized blades. I do not belief in this, I would go for the head immediately, but poor – minded people seeking power use this strategy as their spikes cannot even touch a hair of that head yet."
The woman paused for a few moments contemplating her uncle's words, but when she wanted to answer, the man had already stood up preparing to take his leave after he made sure that his remaining niece was doing well and safe.
"You are going already?"
"I would not want to delay you from your guests."
The tall man insisted once again, bringing annoyance to the woman who denied having any guest.
"Aside from yours and mine, there are two pair of other footsteps in the next room, trotting impatiently I presume."
Sabina's eyes lighted, admiration was not an honor she bestowed on anyone, but she liked being tested and proving her opponents wrong. Without additional words, she opened the door to the next room where only one man was standing, a petit blond working on building his body who the counselor did not take long to recognize.
"Is this not the other Celtic lancer?"
"Yes, he is mine."
"I did not know you have joined this fad."
Laurentius questioned not interested in the answer, though slightly surprised by her ownership of the blond lancer. Sabina put her elegant hand on the boy's shoulder and explained.
"Becoming a gladiator was his choice, and I did not see ill in it. However, this is not why he is here. I merely happened to come across a poor tortured afraid soul."
"And when did he start training?"
"It has been few months, my Lord!"
Oscar interrupted the conversation out of place, his enthusiasm and pride taking a
hold of him but neither of the nobles minded, the counselor merely remarking, aiming his words to Sabin more to the naïve boy:
"With this body I did not think it would be possible to stomp around with the power and stability of two men, like your kin."
***
Sabina's words were strange or difficult to believe. They needed no contemplation or hard thinking for they were true. Happening across a penurious newly enslaved lonely youth and helping him out of pity was not, truth be said, out of her character. Frigid in appearance, cold in manners, biting in words and opinions; that was her indeed but only to those who deserved this, and in her categorization of men and their qualities, many did qualify to her disdainful attitudes. Her previous qualities, had grown into a deeply grounded tree that everyone tasted its piercing roots, shading what good she did. Mercy was not strange to her, though denuded of the garment of compassion. Even the latter was an act to demonstrate her power, though this did not lessen from the impact and graceful help that mercy offered. Of lies she had plenty and told smoothly all without betraying her principles. Her idea of lying was twisting the truth, with no false promises or unattainable rewards. So in a sense, her virtues were intact from this sin as well. But Laurentius was different. He was a man of the sword, he told the truth as it was, his lips had never tasted the repugnant flavor of lies, and his advices were as straight as his aim in battles. He fought whether as a counselor or a soldier for justice, somehow similar to his niece's views bit unlike hers, his reasons did not stem from contempt toward the current governor.
Right now, he was stepping through the alley that stemmed the hatred between the cousins and which lasted in the name of upholding justice.
At this alley, where Sabina chose to live refusing the interference of mediators or branches of peace, and which as the dual wielder noticed before, was close to the deserted gutters of the city, the woman chose her residency where the incident that separated her and her cousin took place.
A counselor was dashing with his courage through that road, whatever urgent business or meeting he had to attend was not a proper or an acceptable justification to running over a woman and her three – year old child. Sabina, still a desired maiden back then, in the company of Germanous who was still struggling to secure his position through his father's illness, both witnessed the gory accident. The perpetuator was a high ranking man, whom Germanous had just been entertaining and charming him into giving him his support. A payment for that support was due, and it could not have come at any other more presentable time. And while Sabina demanded justice for the poor family, Germanous overlooked the matter and closed the case, winning a sole man support on a shaky throne with the price of an entire family.
Sabina had always wanted justice, but she learned it could not always be obtained by the means carrying its name. Germanous himself had taught her that.
Laurentius freshly returning from a war, did not learn of the incident until later, founding his niece becoming more secluded and distant. Unearthing this matter would be of no use after that time, and divine intervention had already manifested its power through the deadly illness striking that counselor and the poverty befalling his family. But Laurentius was not a man who believed in perfectly timed divine retribution. When injustice is carried out by a man it was ought to be corrected and straightened by a man. That what made a person a true unbiased human.
That is what he believed but could not pass to either of his kin.
Laurentius's stroll through that road did not stop at recalling. He looked around the houses that led into a ghastly part of the city where the six of the hooded criminals were caught. He threw a glance at his niece's house then drifted his gaze at the extending uninviting canal. Why chose this place? The criminals were indeed unskilled with direct fight and this place held an advantage equaling a disadvantage. The narrow place will make them fall an easy prey for the attacking swords yet at the same time limit these attacks range. The darkness of the collapsing canal would also hide their presence and the direction of their ambush. The canal was not the mystery, it was its location and its extension. The counselor did not need to turn around and check if someone was following him or keeping an eye on his movements. It was broad day light still, and Sabina knew her uncle had few roads he without breaking the habit. He had one route he always frequented; from his home to the palace or meeting hall and vice versa. He was not a man of surprised when it came to changing daily habits, only for the sake of new ultimately exempt exclusions and today was one of them. The man took steps leading down the massacre site, the bloody stained canal that no one cared to clean let alone repair. The man plodded through the mud, unbothered by his dirtied shoes. Although he did not look down, he did not stumble by single stone or rock, or trip by the many ups and downs of the uneven floor. The gravel and pebbles made his soles uncomfortable but he did not stop. Even as his sash caught mud, he did not care to raise it up or folded it over his arm. He continued walking, scrutinizing every surrounding detail like a man taking a solitary picnic to clear his mind although not a single circuit in his mind was not on work.
They said the seventh man who escaped capture fled into the skies. Well, for Laurentius; only that man's soul could take that route. Upon further inspection, he noticed a crumbling set of stairs, barely supporting themselves, let alone support the weight of a man. But that criminal according to the witnesses was lithe and light, swirling in the air like a feather, flapping across the roofs and tops of buildings like a bird while slithering amidst the alleys and sewers like a snake, encompassing both the contrasting abilities of a prey and a hunter, possessing the feline instinct of the first but lacking the cunning and viciousness of the latter despite everyone's claim.
The stairs were well hidden, patched against a dark wall, blending into it as if it was an uneven part of the described wall. Despite the risk of falling beneath the shaky wearied steps, Laurentius leapt them up speedily, his eyes welcoming an old forgotten part of the city; small in size, few in inhabitants, yet grave in history. A particular decaying building stood out to him, and he recognized it without the need to check double or thrice. It was an old institution, a place held for trials and justice, now forgotten and deserted like the files and pleas decaying inside it.
Two swords, one across the other in a horizontal fashion, the one lying horizantly resembling a scale.
Oh, Justiita was carrying the blame for a merciless revenge.
Laurentius descended the stairs with the same ease, the mice chasing him posing no problem or disgust. He even left them his sash that held his crest.
After the brief investigation that took longer than what the man wanted, the counselor returned home still without the company of soldiers or guards. Even his sword was not adorning his waste as he was wearing the counselors' white robes not the soldier's armor. Aside from few servants, no one was waiting him home. He knocked quietly when he felt a chill breeze in the shape of a cold blade pressed against his neck.