epiphany

[Anna]

SPRING 63AD

The small villa was in chaos and standing in the midst of it was Drusilla as she stood there, hearing the panicked voices of her household gathering things, shouting to each other over the men that were coming. The dust trail from multiple horses had begun to blow this way, and in through the opened windows. In truth, while she did appear to look frozen in fear, she was not. She was still in absolution. If these men meant her death, then that was what they meant. There was no sense for her to act unruly. 

She felt hands on her, and she smiled to the aging woman that had raised her from the beginning of her memories, her soft voice telling her to run and hide. Dru shook her head, "No, I won't run from this." She said softly, her words bringing an end to the chaos around her, the shouts turning into murmurs of concern for their mistress. "I want all of you to take what valuables you can carry, and go out the back of the property, however. If they are coming for me, then only one of us needs to lose her life." She said before raising her hand to silent the words that came. 

Sounds could be heard coming from the large wooden gate and she glanced towards the door, which would be the second barrier between them and those that were coming. "Please." She stressed before a resounding no came from all of them. And it warmed her heart that her small household would stay with her but it worried her, that their peace was no longer allowed. That the potential of bloodshed would be great as whoever was coming might be there to kill them all. 

The small group of women jumped when the wooden doors to the main portion of the swung open, giving them ample view of those that came. A loud gasp would be all that greeted the man as her women moved around in front of her as if they were her shield. The aged housekeeper reached out to grip her arms as she stared down the man, her head held high as she waited for him to speak or for him to act. whatever it would be. 

@Gothic

[Gothic]

Octavius had to admit that he was absolutely loving it. Much of his time had been spent dealing with administration, bureaucrats, and the tedious nature of government. It felt good to be out in the open road again with his trusted men by his side. Caesar's reign was in the early year, there were still those who would question his rule, and soon he found himself in the saddle. The fresh air coupled with the sound of hoofbeats as he made his way towards the guest that few knew remained alive. Julia Drusilla, the daughter of Caligula. As he rode, he wondered how she had managed to kept alive during this time and which God had decided to give her their favour. Octavius was distracted by a bandit. No doubt they were eager for easy plunder. He draw his sword and thrust downwards into the exposed neck of one of the men, causing a spray of blood to rise up over his clothing & face. There was something about armed conflict. It did not take long for the small group to mop up the small bandit group. 

It was not the best way to approach a noblewoman's home in such a state. However, what if their were bandits further up the road? Or if they had somehow managed to attack the villa? 

"Come men," He said, and continued down the way. He saw the way the household bodyguards had reacted & took some time to assess the situation. They had not been attacked nor had there been signs of banditry. Octavius dismounted from his horse, cleaned his sword and entered. Momentarily forgetting the blood on his face. He blinked to himself when he noticed the household gathered around her to protect her. He did not lower his gaze nor did he try to stare her down. 

"Domina Julia Drusilla? I have been instructed to take you to Caesar," He said, and releasing there had been many Caesars. Perhaps the news had not reached here yet? "Quintus Flavius Alexander has offered you safe passage, security and protection." Octavius added, slipping a little with his brother's new name. 

@Anna

[Anna]

A collective gasp could be heard from the ladies that surrounded her as the man barged into what had been her home for all of these years. Drusilla held her head high and she stood proudly and unmoved as she held the gaze of the man before her. The women herded closer to her as they took in the still wet blood splatter that would stain anything white or offwhite that he was wearing. 

There was another stubborn tick of her jaw as he inquired about her by name. "Yes, I am she." she replied to his first question, her nanny-turned-housekeeper scolding her for doing so. They were still much under the impression this man had been dispatched to kill her.  He wouldn't be the first, she knew that, but he might very well be the one who succeeded and that had finally ate at her stomach. 

His next words however caused that stubborn and steel to melt away. To be taken to Caesar? Protection, security and safe passage. "To where?" She asked, in a moment of shocked dullness forgetting that Caesar would be in Rome. She was being offered the chance to return to the city of her birth. The city that killed her father and mother. "Why?" She also questioned, why now? Why after so many years being kept here - out of sight and out of mind.

@Gothic