once upon a time

[Moonlight_33]

A story about a young woman who finds herself in a past life. The chalenge is to create a story, that is as exciting as it is sexy, with romance and adventure, with love and lust, betrail, and danger. All are welcome.



Lacy was a realistic girl, practicle and self confidant, pretty, but hardly stunning compared to her friends. At 25, she was sucessfull in ever part of her life except for her personal life. Seems she always made a better friends then a lover, and always got to be the brides maid, and never the bride. There was a guy once, it might have gone somewhere if he hadn't been married, but that's another story.anyway.....

It was an evening like any other. Lacy sat back watching the telly, enjoying a bowel of chocolate icecream, and trying to not admit to herself that she was bored out of her frigging mind, at least she could fool herself from time to time, and that was better than nothing.

She had been watching a program on past lives, something she had always been interested in, but never really looked into. Who had the time when you were a busy executive in todays world? Laying back in the sofa, her mind no where in particular, she bagan to doze, drifting, drifting, drifting.

With a start, she awoke, the world around her in termoil. She had no idea where she was, or how she came to be there, perhaps it was a dream, but there was one thing she knew for sure, she had to run, and run now. Dressed in heavy ground length skirts, she hitched them up, thinking this had to be a dream, and made for the cover of the trees as a dozen riders swept past her, tearing into the village behind her, and cutting down all in their path.

Blood curdeling screams filled the air, and flames swept over he houses. As she watched, she thought for a moment she recognised some of the riders. They looked a little diferant, but she was sure she knew at least a few of them from her highschool days. This had to be a dream, but never had a dream been so real, or so frightening.

 

[TygerEyez]

Catlin

ooc: hope you don't mind me jumping in. *chuckles* and I'd like to keep you in the dark about this for just a little bit. Email me if you want to know more.

ic:

"Cat!"

I turned at the sound of my name, searching to find my Lover amid the chaos that had erupted. There were too many men, drawing swords, daggers, anything they could find to protect their families from the Roman troops.

Finally though, I found him, the light reflecting from the Torque around his neck. Yet there was another man, just behind him, raising a broadsword. Screaming for him to get down, I pulled an arrow from the quiver at my back, and strung it quickly, sending it on its way into the attacker's heart before he knew was had happened.

"Conor where's Lacy?"

He shook his head at me, shouting above the noise. "I dunno! She should be right here! I told her to stay here!!"

We each looked around us again, frantically searching for the young woman. But she was lost in the sea of faces.

Conor's hand found my arm, and he squeezed it gently. "Find her, and take her back to the Sanctuary. I'll meet you there later..."

I nod, unable to fight him. He is an Irish warrior, thick-headed and stubborn to the fullest. But he has that quiet way of asking me to do something, that I cannot deny. He departs his own way, and I travel the other, dodging swipes from swords, pausing to help an injured man to his feet.

It's then that I spy her. I had stooped to hoist a man to the shoulders of another, when I caught her staring out at the chaos with the most bewildered look on her face. Once one man had been transported to the other's care, I approached her, reaching out and grabbing her wrist firmly.

"Lacy? Where in God's Name have you been?! We have to get out of here.. back to the Sanctuary.."

 

[Flurtayshus]

The Empress- Akhaia Petronius

The empress Akhaia (pronounced A-ky-a) sat atop her white destrier at the crest of the hill. She surveyed the chaos down below her with satisfaction. The wind blew around her as if it knew that the city of Medeia was in an uproar.

The empress was adorned in her white tunica and purple stola that anounced her lineage and the fact that she was royalty. Her chocolate brown hair glistened in ringlets that were pulled up and away from her face and cascaded down her back. Her high cheek bones, straight nose and full lips were the envy of the common woman and man.

She had given the order several moments earlier. "Seize him!" Her lieutenant commander had given the order immediately and the troops had set upon the village like a pack of wild dogs.

The one man that had eluded her capture had finally made a mistake and was there somewhere in the middle of that chaos.
Elios Mystiokles.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Lacy

Out of no where, a woman grabed Lacy by the arm, calling her name and saing something about getting to safety. Lacy was numb. If this was a dream, surely it was the worst night mare she has ever experienced. What ever was in her pizza last night, she would be sure not to order from that place again. The effects were terrible.

Following the woman, she looked at her a little closer.

"Kathy?" She was sure this was her best friend from her childhood. Kathy had died in a car accident when she was twelve, a loss Lacy still felt, but this woman was the image of how Kathy would have looked had she lived to be an adult. It was all so confusing.

 

[TygerEyez]

Catlin

I turn suddenly, caught off guard by the new name. My eyes search the forest... Perhaps another woman Lacy is calling to.

Finding no one, I approach her quickly, and tug on her hand gently. I fix my gray/blue eyes on her, and study what little I can see in the approaching darkness. Her eyes are shifty, disoriented.

"No, Lacy. I am Catlin."

I want to ask her what's wrong, but Conor's insistance is still strong in the back of my head. "C'mon, Lacy... We have to make it back to the Sanctuary."

 

[Neale]

OOC: Excellent start!

OOC: I'd love to play, but am not sure who or what to join as... Conor? Elios? Another? Please give me just a little guidance in this, and I'll jump right in!

 

[Moonlight_33]

anything you like Neale, But before you add, i'll talk to you about a few things in IM.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Empress Akhaia

Lt. Marcus Dissenius watched the crowds as they dispersed in groups screaming and gasping their last breaths. They had been given the order to kill anyone who was not cooperative. And according to him no one was ever cooperative.

Watching from above Empress Akhaia controlled her restless destrier as he whinnied and stamped his hooves sensing the confusion in the air. She watched the ruthlessness with which her warriors followed her command and was both pleased and uneasy. Dissenius seemed to have an unnatural bloodlust. It came in handy when force was needed, yet there were times when he seemed to cross the line.

"Never mind that now." she said out loud.

"I beg your pardon Empress." Phillipe her right hand asked

"Oh, nothing. I grow tired of this blood shed. Let us be gone from this place." Empress Akhaia wheeled her destrier around and headed in the opposite direction of the city of Medeia.

"He does take his job a bit seriously does he not Mistress." Phillipe marked pointedly as her entourage followed her back to the palace.

She looked away from the slaughter, "Indeed."

 

[sojournerwolf]

OOC: thanks for the invite to join...this looks like quite a bit of fun.

CHARACTER: Elios Mystiokles

IC:
Sweat burns my eyes and the cuts upon my chest. The stench of blood and fire and fear hangs across the devastated village like the miasma of the Empress' tyranny has too long blanketed the land.

I curse her with fury as I plunge my sword into yet another of her soldiers. But my true fury is turned upon myself as I watch them retreat. I should never have been so careless; should have known she would find me. Our war is an old one, and has its beginnings long before this current conflict. Sometimes, in the night, beneath the stars, I wonder how I could ever have loved her. Visions of what we had come back to me and they bring great pain.

Yet, I knew even then, where my destiny would lead. The powers and strengths we each had brought us together more in fire than air, earthquake than meadow. I see Conor and Caitlan moving off into the distance. They will seek Sanctuary, expecting me to follow. Yet, I cannot, not yet. For I sense, after all this time, the presence I have long sought.

The one foretold. The one who will save a people she knows and knows not.

Yet, rage clouds my vision, grief a fog through which I cannot pierce. I watch as the soldiers move off after their slaughter and curse again.

The Empress.

Myself.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Empress Akhaia

Once we'd returned to the palace of Uthracia I ordered no one to disturb my peace. Phillipe stayed at my side because Phillipe always stays at my side. He was the one person in the world privy to all my innermost thoughts.

Phillipe ordered the eunuchs to bathe me but I refused them and lowered myself down into the bath that sat just beneath the open inner roof where the sun poured down in a wide beam of light.

After saturating myself completely with the warmed water I swam to the side of the pool and lifted myself just enough to place my arms over the side, crossing them and resting my chins on my hands.

"You look like a child Khaia, what troubles you so?" Phillip sat poolside on the intricate bath tiles so delicately laid years before her reign.

I just shook my head loosening the rest of the curls as they tumbled down into water. "I can not put my finger on it Phillipe."

"Khaia, shall I tell you wherein i think the problem lies?"
he began

"Not if you will only anger me, I've had enough of that as of late. I do not need it from you."

"Yes well that has never stopped me before." He quipped lightly as he began his long winded tirade. "The fact is you are a strong powerful woman, yes. You can hold your own and plot strategies with the best of our war council. You can even wield the swords and daggers like the rest of your men for godsake. But this life, the politics, it is not you Khaia."

I glared up at him. Need he constantly harp on this subject.

"Do not wield those daggers at me with those sharp green eyes of yours. They will not stop the truth from being spoken. This you know."

"This is your truth!" I replied indignantly.

"NO! This is your truth. You inherited this throne. You did not ask for it. You carry out the will of the elders because you think that is what you should do. You do not do what you want to do. You never have. But I say you should do what is right. And that is following your heart." Phillipe's face was starting to turn red in his cheeks

"Why do you keep doing this to me?!" No matter how many times we had gone over this, it was still fresh and the pain of it still hurt.

"I don't do this to you. You do this to yourself. And until you finally stand up to the council and do as your heart tells you to do you will forever be tortured by this!"

With that Phillipe rose from the tiles and stormed out.

 

[Neale]

Seamus Finn

From across the battlefield, Seamus, a giant amongst the Irish troops, saw his friend, Conor wading his efficient way through the opposition. "A Finn! A Finn!" he cried, rallying his troops around him for a charge to Conor's side. "Hey, Conor, you dumb Irish drunkard! I've been busy killing t' bastards while ye've been off boffin' yuir Lady! Me count stands at 25 definite kills, how 'bout yuirself?!!"

 

[Flurtayshus]

Empress Akhaia

As night fell Akhaia inquired about her troops...having no news yet she felt sure the battle had gone on much longer than she expected.

Elios...He must have given the soldiers quite the fight before being captured.

Elios Mystiokles. He had always been one of the strongest men in the city. His intelligence well known. It was how he had earned the title of 'legatus', the leader of approximately 1,500 men in the legion. But it wasn't just that which had captured her heart years prior. It was the way in which he'd gotten down on his hands and knees and played with her younger sisters and brothers. It was the way he had danced with her grandmother at one of their many feasts, how smoothly his 6'4 frame had supported her tiny slight body.

But those days were long gone. She had to push those types of thoughts out of her mind. Elios had long been a distraction. But now was not the time for distractions.
The festival of Saturnalia would start in three days time and she meant to have him in custody and dealt with before then.

With that thought she drifted off to sleep.
******

As morning dawned the crisp cool air wakened an empress who had been restless all night.

"Empress, please wake. Lt Dissenius requests an audience with you. Empress!" Lydia one of the palace slaves was incredibly insistent.

It took just moments to dress her Empress who left her hair unbound to save time. As she made her way to the atrium she was met with the same awed stares from the young boys and men she had received for years. She thought with consternation that they should no longer fear her. She treated her people as fairly as possible. Unbeknownst to her the stares she received were because of her uncomparable beauty.

"Dissenius! Show him to me." I demanded headed toward the courtyard.

For a moment even Dissenius was stunned as the cloud of chocolate brown hair slid across her shoulders in a heavy curtain. But he was quickly reprimanded when he was called again.

"Dissenius! I have no time to waste. Where is he?"

"Well Empress...we...well.... We were unable to apprehend him your Majesty."

"WHAT!!" I couldn't believe it. "You of all people I trusted with this most important mission and you fail me now?!!"

"I apologize Empress we have the auxiliary troops out searching for him now. We will get him, I swear it." Dissenius nearly snarled. He hated being made a fool of especially in front of the Empress.

I began pacing up and down the intricately designed mosaic floors and then it dawned on me.

"The Festival...He's gonna show up during the Saturnalia."

 

[Moonlight_33]

As Lacy was led through a gap in the trees, and between two large rocks, shse found herself in a tunnle that ran for about twenty yards before breaking out into a small clearing. It was a neatly concealed little cavers, and one that could easily be defended by one person for quite some time. She was led to a chair beside a huge timber table and told to sit.

Lacy was coming to ralize this was no dream, and it was scaring the hell out of her.

 

[sojournerwolf]

ELIOS

I catch my breath a moment amongst the bodies. There is no water here, the cool clear water of Sanctuary I would rather use. I strongly dislike delving into the dark ways, the ones learned in the musty temples of Egypt, among shadows that moved of their own accord and the smell of death ancient and pending. Much more do I prefer the wisdom of Mithra, the cleanliness of tapping into the power there.

Yet, we do what we must. I find one of the enemy, his life fading. He glares at me, knowing who I am as I draw the obsidian dagger which resides in the pouch of my belt. Unwrapping it from its covering of tanned human skin, I lean over the man and slit his throat. catching the pooled blod in my hands. His body bucks and trembles, then is still.

Murmmuring the old words, I stare deeply into the ruby pool.

Always, it is like this. I see HER. Akhaia, and feel once again the strong pull asif iorn to lodestone. I close my eyes and still myself...her image vanishes, to be replaced by another.

This one is lovely, yet looks bewildered, as if finding herself somwhere she knows not. The feeling is strong upon me again that this, yes, this is the one foretold. I stare, trying to memorize her face before the warmth of the blood fades and so also the vision. I concentrate, trying to find, trying to call, feeling as if...yes, almost...she feels the touch of my mind upon hers...

The image evaporates as I hear my name. I look up to see Conor and Seamus striding across the battlefield like two of the old gods come to join in the fray. I stand and stretch, then move to join them after wiping my hands on the dead soldiers' tunic and replacing the dagger in its wrappings.

Anger returns as I make my way across the field of slaughter. It occurs to me that, perhaps, it is time to once again take the war back to the city. I recall it is soon to be Saturnalia, the wild Roman holiday of licentiousness, when all is turned upside down, the masters for a night serving slaves meals and performing their duties before the slaves are let free for the night to indulge their passions. A cold smile comes to my lips as a plan begins to form, one I will suggest to the chiefs...

[Edited by sojournerwolf on 05-13-2001 at 08:35 AM]

 

[Flurtayshus]

Empress Akhaia

SENATE MEETING
DECEMBER 15TH-MID MORNING

Empress Akhaia walked in to the tribunal followed by several of her entourage. The old patricians had already begun without her which served to put her in an awful mood.
There were two consuls, three praetors (magistrates), one of whom she really despised, five censors (representatives of the public census)including one woman whom she had enstated herself since in their recent history women were not allowed positions of power. In fact her own present position of 'power' was a fluke in itself. But that was another story altogether. Imoen was as decent as they came and could always be counted on to tell her the truth of things.

"...and the matter of Mystiokles.." asked a large robust consul by the name of Clodius of the rest of the senate members.

"The matter of Mystiokles is being handled." Akhaia cut him off quickly.

"Ahh, my dear, you've finally made it." Clodius turned on his simpering syrupy charm to cover up the venom he really felt for this woman who outranked him by leagues. "We were beginning to think you'd forgotten all about us, your citizens and had other important....womanly things to do." He added the last bit to twist the verbal knife he'd so delicately and discreetly just placed in between her political shoulder blades.

Akhaia leveled him with one seering glance of her eyes the color of the rolling hills in the highlands.

With carefully measured words she responded to the slovenly pig. "Clodius, this matter shall be dealt with at another time. I do not intend to discuss this matter at this time."

"But we were informed, by rather trustworthy informants might I add, that Mystiokles escaped capture from your soldiers. Surely, my informant...was mistaken?" He posed the last as a question with a smugness that mader her ache to reach out and slap the expression off of his face.

Closing her eyes and breathing deeply she decided to ignore this barb and continued on with the agenda of the senate.

"Saturnalia commences in two days time. I expect that the citizens are looking forward to participation?"

The nods were unanimous.

"Then let us discuss the schedule of events. I expect all of you to participate as well...." Akhaia continued the dialog with the senate for the next hour and when it concluded she was exhausted with the battering of insignificant issues to death.

Phillipe walked quietly at her side. "You know this issue will come up again."

She nodded. "But I do not wish to burden myself with that any longer today. The festival begins and I wish to think of non important things like my costume for the masquerades."

Phillipe breathed a sigh of relief at the change of subject. Especially this one because he'd personally designed her costume. His description of it had Akhaia caught up in the excitement before long, but no matter the joy she felt for the coming events there was still that nagging feeling......

 

[TygerEyez]

Catlin

I pause for my breath, and lead Lacy to a large chair. I tell her to sit, and turn myself to a another room, seeking out a vat of ale.

The wine is sweet, with only the slightest hint of bitter at the end. I pour a goblet for her, and press it into her hands. Standing back, I consider her a moment.

She and I are complete opposites. Raised in Roman slavery, I fought my way out, and joined Conor's troupe. She was a mere peasant girl, and one Conor seemed sweet on (as if he wasn't sweet on them all). Her dress was long, cumbersome, and dirty around the edges from our race through the grove.

I, on the other hand, was fit for combat. A short skirt rose high on my leg, with small tight leggings beneath them. My shirt was ratty and torn with age... a gift from my long-dead mother that I could not bear to part with.

How could she, of all people, be the one who would turn the war?

I drag another chair to sit across from her, and watch her face.

"You have a blank look about you, Lacy. What's wrong?"

ooc: Have no fear, I am getting us a Conor. He'll be here shortly.

 

[MusclesBaby]

Conor

ooc: Tada, Nic.

ic:

I chuckled as Seamus asked my count. "Only 17 as of yet, friend. But I'm only disarming the younger ones."

At his bewildered look, I chuckled again. My 26th birthday had yet to occur... and those boys were either my age, or younger. Their lives were still ahead of them. So, I merely took their weapons, and injured them enough to force them to drop from the battle.

Flicking my wrist, I brought my blade down, around behind me, and back again, raising an eyebrow at Seamus. I wanted to speak again, but before I could, another Roman boy approached, eyeing me.

"The Irish-Druid Prince?"

I rolled my eyes but nodded, leaning casually back on one leg. "I hate that name, but yes."

"You will die this eve."

I sighed heavily, and began to take my stance. Suddenly, the youth jerked, earning an arrow to his left arm. I chuckled. Angus, one of Catlin's "students" of the bow. He had yet to learn the fine art of targeting.

The Roman stared at the arrow, long enough for me to get the drop on him. With a quick movement, I kicked his legs out from under him, and placed a foot to the center of his chest.

"This will hurt you more than it hurts me," I said to him, plunging my broadsword into his right shoulder, his sword hand. He will not fight again for a long time, if ever. Leaving him, I clapped Seamus on his shoulder... a slight reach for my "not too imposing" heigth.

"We should fine Elios." The battle had calmed somewhat, the final Roman soldiers retreating. It was a glorious sight.

Without waiting for his answer, I started on my way, searching the edge of the trees. We found him, putting an end to another Roman's life. I sighed, but that was Elios. It was a part of who he was.

"Elios!" I called his name, and he looked, watching as Seamus and I approached. Once I was closer to him, I bowed low to the ground, sweeping it with the tips of my fingers. "Grand Elios! I take it you're not dying?"

My eyes raised to him, laughing at the common joke between us. "Or have the Romans cut your vocal chords?"

 

[Neale]

Seamus Finn

"Yuir too soft, Conor, me lad! Kill all t' Roman bastards, I say... Let t'ere silly gods and goddesses sort 'em out!" I paused to wipe my sword on a fallen foe, and joined Conor at Elios' side.



ooc:sorry for length. busy day.. more later, hopefully

 

[sojournerwolf]

I chuckle at Conor's joke. Though we come from greatly different backgrounds and know dissimilar ways of power, we have found common ground in our struggle against the Empress. I know he wonders sometimes why mine seems to border on fanaticism, and perhaps someday, I will tell him.

I sketch a courtly bow, "Hail great Irish-Druid chief," and grin when he rolls his eyes. "And you, you old barbarian, Seamus, has your sword given cause for the camp followers of the enemy to set about wailing this night?"

Seamus laugh is a full and hearty as the sky itself. Gods above, I hope their people know how fortune has smiled upon them to have two such protectors and leaders.

Conor's face grows grim as he surveys the carnage. Though we have managed to take the day, I know he feels each and every death of his brave warriors and those they leave behind, comrades, parents, lovers, wives, children...

The very thought of how close the enemy came today to getting to the non-combatants fills me with dread. Particularly the fate of the children should they fall into the hands of the patrician scum who would enslave them. I do not think Conor nor his people realize the sheer horror of what would be in store for those children. It is enough for now, I think, for them to believe they battle for their freedom.

My resolve strengthens and I grip Conor's arm. "Conor, this was too close today. Might it not be time to once more carry the battle to them?"

The plan vaguley forming in my mind is taking more definitive form...

 

[Moonlight_33]

Lacy

Lacy looked up at Catlin, sipping the strong smelling brew she has the nerve to call wine.

"I know this might sound a little odd, but i have no idea who i am or where i am. The last thing i reacall was laying back in my lounge and watching my TV. Cat, where the hell am i and what's going on?"

Lacy was on the verge of tears, confusion and fear taking a grip on her soul.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Empress Ahkaia

DECEMBER 16TH
Crisp Early Morning

Imoen had sent word to me that she wished to speak with me, so i met her at the edge of the palace grounds. As we walked the stone sidewalk I looked over the lush beauty mixed in with the glorious stone architecture. Little children ran passed us and laughed with wild abandon. I was jealous. I remembered when the child in me used to laugh and play. But the time for play had long been up. When my twin brother Lucius disappeared 4 years ago it had devastated our family. There were rumors that he'd been murdered because he was to be the next emperor and many didn't like the drastic changes they knew he would make once he took office. Others say he ran for fear of lechery. Others say it was a woman that seduced him away.

All i know is that his disappearance had stolen half of my soul. My mirror image. My best friend. The only man in the world I thought would ever understand me...that is until Elios Mystiokles.

"You seem distant my dear. Care to talk about what ails you?" Imoen's low naturally hoarse voice brought me back to the present.

"Oh...no Imoen, I apologize. What did you wish to speak to me about?" I asked half heartedly.

The sun kissed our faces but the wind chilled and I drew my sagum (thick woolen cloak) up closer to fend off the cold. I waited patiently for her to begin to speak. I studied her thoughtful profile. Imoen was always impeccably dressed. Her hair was a beautiful solid silver that almost looked white. It draped down her back in hundreds of tiny braids, very unlike the current style of fashion. Her hair was nearly the only thing that gave away her true age of 55. Other than that her skin was nearly flawless and her figure still as slight as that of a young woman. But her wisdom also belied her years. Imoen had a way of patting the end of her patrician nose and laying a wealth of wisdom on you like no other. And so I waited patiently, because I knew her advice would be helpful no matter what it was.

"Ahkaia dear, I believe that there are those who seek to harm you." I looked at her unalarmed. A certain amount of danger came along with being Empress. There was always someone who wanted your throne.

"Imoen, you are unduly alarmed.." I began but her quiet insistent voice stopped me cold.

"NO. You do not understand. There has been a threat on your life. I saw it delivered directly to Clodius."

"But nothing has been said to me..."

"It would not. I would not level such a charge unless I had proof, but I would warn you to beware of the council." Imoen sat down on a stone bench to rest briefly. She began wringing her hands unconsciously and paid attention to that.
It alarmed me that she was so upset. Imoen had been my mothers long time friend when they were young children and the one thing mother had always said was that Imoen was an unshakable character. It had once taken the threat of an earth shake before Imoen had showed the least bit of concern.

Sitting beside her, I became lost in thought.

"Empwess! Empwess!" a familiar little form came flying down the pathway to where they sat. His bright red hair like a beacon in the sun.

"Empwess 'Khaia, Clowdywus says he's gonna be Saturnus at the fwestival."

Oh god. I thought to myself. As i picked the child up I looked to Imoen and we both decided we should head back to the palace to iron out the discrepancies in festival details. If there was one thing she knew, it was that she refused to have Clodius as the master of ceremonies at this most joyous occassion.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Lacy

As Lacy sat, she tried to reason things out in her mind. Images flicked through her memory, images thad made no sense at all, and then there was the face of a warrior. His face streak with blood sweat and dirt, he seemed to look at her for a moment, then was gone. She shook her head, nothing made any sense any more. Taking another deep drink of the wine that tasted more like cheep vinigar, she was desperate to settle her nerves.

 

[Moonlight_33]

OOC: just a side note, i am in a thread in RP called Gladiators, it's not an open thread, but a few have dropped out, so i invite you guys to take a look and jump in if you like it.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Empress Akhaia

DECEMBER 16th
Late Evening
The 11th Hour
_____________

Empress Akhaia stood silently next to Imoen and one of her own personal guards. He was a young man by the name of Persius. Ever since Imoen's earlier warning Akhaia had her personal guard much closer.

There was only one more hour left before the midnight ceremony began and in her opinion it couldn't come sooner. Between arguing with Clodius over the new appointment of Rodregan as the 'Saturnus', and having Lt. Marcus Dissenius report that despite extensive searches they still had no clue as to where Elios or any of the other traitors were, she was exhausted, irritated and ready to be done with opening the ceremonies.

Imoen was acting as "Ops", "Saturnus'" wife for the entirety of the festival, which made Akhaia extremely anxious because she would not be benefitted the luxury of having her counsel in all the matters that currently weighed on her shoulders.
*******

My wandering thoughts were brought to a halt by the bright glint of something in the crowd gathered below the platform. I searched the crowd uneasily but found nothing but hundreds of jovial slaves who would at the dawn of the 12th hour be served by all the aristocrats they worked for. The irony.

The bells rang deeply resonating over the open field we had congregated in signalling the commencing of the open ceremonies. Bonfires surround the entire encampment for miles in order to provide light but moreso to provide warmth.

The whole thing was quite magical, what with the sparks spontaneously shooting up from the large bonfire and the wind carrying them high above the crowds...long brightly colored robes billowing out in spades making the whole world look like strings of ribbons entertwined.


"Welcome to the Saturnalia!
The Circle of the Year is cut in fourths,
and in the ancient lands of Greece and Rome
the darkening time from autumn equinox
to winter solstice was the time to plow
and plant the ground, to store away the seeds.
When this was done the people rested through
the winter months, until the Sun returned.
Three ancient Gods are honored at this time:
Saturnus, Ops and Cônsus are Their names.
Now listen to the Myth of Saturn's reign:......"

Rodregan's voice boomed out over the crowd and the excitement once again took over. As he related back the story of Saturn and Ops and the fight that took place on high in Olympus and how as they were cast down from the heavens and landed on earth they made lives for themselves, the crowd including Akhaia watched in awe the enactment of the story.

The magic was infectious.

[Edited by Flurtayshus on 05-19-2001 at 09:08 AM]

 

[Neale]

Seamus

"Aye, Conor. I agree wi' Elois here. Let's ram dis bluidy war right down dere fokkin' t'roats!"