Date: September 29, 2000 (Aether: March 1, 3907)
Place: Atrium - House Augustus - Palladium - Haven
Cast: Agrippina (Thalia II), Cassius, Claudius, Cressida, Drusus, Leonidas, Phineas (Jana)
Scene: A collection of Aegians gather, informally, to debate the fate of Avalon, and whether or not the Empyre should reclaim it.

Atrium - House Augustus - Palladium - Haven:
      The atrium of House Augustus is a spacious, airy chamber constructed from pale, pink-veined marble. The floor is covered in decorative tile depicting a series of geometric designs radiating out from the impluvium in the center of the room. Directly above it is the compluvium, which allows sunlight or moonlight depending on the time of day, or rain when the weather is poor. The shallow pool that catches the rainwater is tended daily to keep it free of leaves, insects, and other debris.
      The atrium is sparsely furnished, sporting only a few lounges and settees situated along the periphery of the room. Woven rugs dot the floor beneath them, and potted plants provide color and life to the otherwise Spartan room. Directly across from the main entranceway is an archway leading into the small peristylum -- an inner garden where residents may enjoy fresh air.
      Radiating off from the atrium are a couple of hallways, leading deeper into the House where the kitchens and servant's quarters lie, while engraved doorways lead into the various personal chambers of the household's residents.

Unlike the reception from a few days previous, there is no lavish buffet spread out for the guests. In fact, the refreshments provided are rather meager in scope, and there are only a trio of servants, looking overworked and harried. The rumors about the majority of the Augustin household being shipped off to Civitas Dei two days ago might explain the lack of preparation.

Still, there are various settees and chaise lounges situated about the atrium, implying the informal nature of this meeting. A slim mongrel man greets the various guests as they arrive and indicates for them to make themselves comfortable, just as Cassius emerges from one of the adjoining hallways to welcome those Aegians who've made an appearance for this impromptu meeting.

Wrapped securely in the warmth of a navy blue pallium, Phineas' entrance into the Augustin domain is less than noteworthy. The Aegian simply nods his head to the servant who greets him, coarse fingers interlaced loosely behind his back. Quietly does he observe the sparse state of the atrium, before he comes to a halt near one of the settees. He does not yet seem inclined to sit.

Claudius steps through the doors in travel-worn clothes and with a lean visage: again, the elderly Praetor has flown, and flown hard to Haven to attend this meeting. He accepts a cup of water from one of the servants, and remains standing as well. "Deus Augustin," he says, with a nod to Cassius.

Drusus arrived some time earlier; his Schola have since dispersed themselves about the area. He has accepted wine and has seated himself on a bench, wings settled across his arms, and is content to remain quiet. He will nod and return greetings to those who hail him, but otherwise he keeps his thoughts to himself.

At last, a servant appears, some girl in what is an obscenely luxurious chimere for someone of a rank below that of nobl... ah, no. Not a servant after all, no child, but merely a diminutive Empyrean woman, the same who was solitary in attendance at the recent Aegian reception. Dignity clings to her like another layer of that vibrantly blue gown while she strolls inside, inclining her head to those she may see. A question could be raised -- does this petite lady even belong here? -- but quiet self-assurance and self-possession are in the aquaceous gaze of Cressida Januarius. She, at least, feels she belongs here.

Agrippina stomps in with her usual pleasant demeanor. With only a brief look at the mongrel servant, she finds herself a seat.

Leonidas cannot, unfortunately, go anywhere without his purple-clad escort. So, he arrives with four Schola in tow. Not that he's not appreciative of their protection. Just ignore the wry set of his mouth. He offers, as he heads for a seat, "Good of you to offer your home for our council, Deus Augustin."

Although formally attired for the meeting, and outwardly composed, there are haggard lines inscribing the host's countenance. Cassius has evidently not slept well, or much at all, for the past couple of nights. But whatever his family tragedies might be, they have no place here, during this informal meeting of Aegians to help determine the fate of Avalon.

"Ave," he says, with a courteous dip of his head to his assembled guests, and specifically toward Leonidas as the Princeps' greeting. "Please be seated. I hope to keep this brief. The emperor," he nods toward Drusus, "asked me to convene this meeting while most of you were still in town. I am assuming that you've all read the documents sent out by Lord Iximus from Avalon, and the subsequent message from Claudius Areides?" The question is accompanied by another nod toward the man identified.

A brief glance strays towards those who follow after him, and the faintest twitches of a smile find their way to the normally stoic angles of Phineas' face. But any warmth is quick to dissipate in the aging Empyrean's demeanor, like a candle's flame guttering in an autumn wind.

Phineas says nothing to reply to Cassius' words, for the answer should be obvious. He would not have bothered to linger in Haven any longer than necessary if he had not.

Claudius nods in return to Cassius, and seats himself at the Deus' request. He takes a short sip of his water, eager to be in the air again and back to his post.

Cressida steals a glance at the speaker -- Cassius Augustin is he, the one of the House of Horrors -- while she settles at a place near the front. Easier to see thusly. She offers a bow, abbreviated but sincere, to Drusus before taking a seat, folding wings and fingers as properly as possible. Ye gods, it is still cold as Hades' heart in this city.

And not much warmer in the House. The dearth of servants have left the hearths cold and many braziers unlit. The atrium is not too uncomfortable, but some of he guests might be glad of winter's cloaks.

Agrippina is obviously like those others in the gathering who believes that her presence is answer enough. An expectant silence is all that she provides for Cassius.

Leonidas will answer, then, even if no one else will. "Certainly, this is an issue that concerns us all, Deus. I expect that we have all read those words, at least once over."

Pristine white wings gently spread, allowing Phineas ease of movement as he supplies the Emperor with a deep nod before seating himself once both Agrippina and Cressida seem comfortable. The man may be many things, but never let it be said he was ever without etiquette. His pallium is gently adjusted, and he can certainly be counted among those guests who is glad he has not bothered to shed the extra layer of clothing.

Cassius casts his gaze across the men and women gathered here and nods, once Leonidas has answered for everyone. "To summarize," he says, still standing near the impluvium while he addresses the guests, "it is our task -- and that of the Aegian body as a whole -- to determine what we will do about Avalon. Khalid Atar has broken the treaty and invited his Clans to invade our former province. The leaders of Avalon seem eager for the Empyre's protection, and have offered to return willingly -- but whether as vassals or slaves is up to us.

"If those of us here can settle on some unified stance, there is a greater chance that the rest of the Aegis will agree. Therefore, I invite you to present your views on the matter."

Once he's finished speaking, Cassius chooses a seat for himself, fanning out his wings as he settles on a nearby settee. His glance darts toward Drusus, but this is a decision for the Aegis, and as Jove's representative is not present, he directs his gaze toward Leonidas. "The honor, it seems, is yours, Princeps," he remarks, inviting the other man to begin.

Leonidas clears his throat and climbs to his feet again. "Recognize, if you will, that I am bound to speak on behalf of two Houses. Two Houses," he admits, "who do not often agree on matters of political policy."

Having begun, he folds his arms behind his back, tucks his hands under his wings, and continues. "For Thanatos, I say that we support the return of Avalon to the Empyre. As to their sovereignty, I ask whether Avalon as a free state is a benefit or a burden? Does it have a unique resource that might strength the Empyre as a whole? Or does it, instead, tax those resources we would have to share?"

He takes a breath and says, "For Tritonis, I must say that I believe that they would sue for Avalon's freedom, and full rights."

As this is an informal meeting, Phineas has not yet bothered to actually compose a speech worthy of being recited in the Basilica Justinia. Nevertheless, his posture straightens as he rises to his feet, falling into old habits of allowing his gaze to briefly alight upon all those present.

"While the thought of regaining the lost Arelate is one that would surely gladden the hearts of our patriotic citizens, I am in agreement with the Princeps, when one must consider what the land may have to offer us. It is, quite bluntly, a dead zone, is it not?"

A hand lifts in gesticulation, swiping through the air as he says, "I will be brief. I say that Avalon should be returned to us, and that we should allow them the semblance of freedom they so desire. In time and with patience, however, we will tighten our grip upon them, should Arelate ever come to regain something of what it once was."

Phineas then nods specifically towards Claudius. "And again, I must say I agree with Dominus Areides in terms of proposing terms of allowing the Varati their ... pilgrimage to Mount Lycenae."

Rising, for in terms of hierarchy, his House would come next, Cassius opens his mouth to begin his own speech. But he never gets the chance to offer more than a syllable. "I--"

Agrippina launches to her feet. "A moment, Cassius. This talk of caution turns my stomach and I cannot sit here further and listen to all of you wiggle around like chastened children."

Agrippina looks around the room with a stern mien. "I propose to speak briefly and bluntly. The matter of Arelate is an embarrassment to the Empyre. We convened in full council to debate this issue, only to timidly retreat like beaten dogs. Fear of the despotic Varati tyrant made the majority of us desire to move with care. We did not take back what is rightfully ours. We chose to be cautious. What has that gained us? Nothing, but a big fat slap in the face.

"The tainted halfbreed mocks us by giving his clans free rein to attack Arelate. It is an insult against our timidity and our cowardice. We need to stand firm and either take Arelate or let it rot. We cannot go partway, salvaging the battered mongrels who want our protection yet not our rule. I say, they return as they deserve, as slaves and as servants. They do not deserve to be a client state. They do not deserve to be a province. They leapt at the chance for freedom. They mocked our benevolent rule. Now, the mongrels of Arelate suffer for their shortsightedness and stupidity." She takes a breath before continuing.

Cassius's wings flare outward with irritation, and he's tense enough from recent events that the look he sends the elderly woman is nigh-murderous. But in the end, he subsides, letting her speak without interruption. He doesn't resume his seat, though.

"I do not want them with their delusions of grandeur. Arelate belongs to us. We either take it or we allow it to rot under the onslaught of the Varati, but we cannot continue these half-measures. We cannot, time and time again, show the world that we are cowards, easily chastened by the thought of Varati might. We should not be invited by the mongrels to protect them. We are men, not mice.

"We cannot continue to cower and take the cautious road. Each time we do, we are struck down, insulted and further demeaned before the eyes of the world. We take Arelate back, but on our terms, or we consider it a worthless piece of land not worth the effort, but anything else is an insult to ourselves." With that, the Juventas Dea sits down.

Cassius expels a breath, and a muscle twitches in his cheek, but he manages to keep his anger in check. "Thank you for your vehemently-offered opinions, domina. Now, if I may?" He dips his head to the older woman, almost mocking, before turning to address the others.

The only evidence of Phineas' surprise is the mild lifting of his brows, but it is hardly his place to complain about Agrippina's actions. Instead, he simply resettles himself upon his seat, eyeing the old woman before turning to regard the Augustin Deus.

"I will spare you any melodramatic pleas or arguments borne of sentimentality. In short, I concur with the solution that Claudius Areides suggested," Cassius begins.

"We can reclaim Arelate and fight for it as part of the Empyre, but I see no need to enslave all of its citizens or treat them as a conquered province. We don't want to be fighting on two fronts, against the Varati and the mongrels, who are willingly returning to the fold. Let them have their play at governing their land. We can send some Aegians and Tribunes out there to get things in order, maybe appoint a few mongrels to low-ranking positions, which ought to reassure them that we won't be petty tyrants." He takes a breath, but is evidently not yet finished.

"Stamping down hard on them and enslaving our former citizens would not win their loyalty, or their hard work. And that's what I desire, more than anything else. Avalon -- Arelate -- could be good farmland again, and ideal for livestock and cattle. I propose that we reclaim it as a province, but allow the mongrels to live and work there freely... in exchange for labor, trade, resources, and an annual tax." Cassius shrugs. "In essence, we rent it to them."

"My reasoning is simple -- expense. It would be far more expensive to enslave the mongrels again than it would be for us to merely offer our protection, patronage, and leadership. If the mongrels want their freedom so badly, let's give them a taste of it. We'll end up looking just, benevolent, and forgiving, the mongrels will retain some feeling of independence, and the Varati will continue to appear vindictive, dishonorable, and oathbreaking. The other races will be less likely to seek any alliance or treaties with them, and our own ties abroad will be strengthened. We come out looking golden, on all fronts."

With that, the Augustin Deus is finished, and he settles once more onto his seat.

Claudius nods to Cassius. "Well spoken," the Areides Legate says. "We want Avalon back, and we want it loyal to us. I have spent the past six months there, and can tell you that any military actions we have to undertake will be infinitely easier if the populace is for us, rather than against us.

"There should be no question that we will take it back -- I have given you my full thoughts already. There is one more thing I will mention, though: Avalon is not dead land. As I have said, there are Sylvans in the forest, and the current government has treaties with them. They control their forest lands, and in return, have been working to return the farms there to fertility. Avalon is most definitely worth having.

"Additionally, there is the factor of Port Avalon, which has excellent strategic positioning, as well as the Mt. Lycenae mines. You have already heard my thoughts on Avalon itself, and how we should treat with it. They asked for our help in the past, and we have provided it; now they ask to re-join and serve the Empyre. We must not turn away now."

Claudius finishes speaking, and takes another sip of his water.

Cassius nods his head in apparent agreement with Claudius before darting a curious glance toward the wife of the former Aegian of Januarius.

Drusus takes a sip of his wine, listening. His grey gaze moves from face to face as each speaker takes the floor. Sometimes he watches the orator; sometimes he watches the audience.

Januarius has not the prestige of the Emperor's House, nor the popularity and reputation of Acesius or Augustus. Placed last at the queue of those speaking, the representative of the House, Cressida, gains her feet and bows first to Drusus -- a formality but one she proffers nonetheless, for propriety is a Good Thing -- then offers a similar courtesy to Cassius.

"I am Cressida Januarius," she firstly proclaims, voice carrying fetchingly considering its origin in so small a frame, "and I stand before you representing my House. A people, perhaps different than esteemed Jove, or Augustus," and does a touch of dryness creep in here? "in that we suffered much in the war with the Varati. I am much certain we all recall that war? My household is the poorer for it... and the smaller."

As calm and unruffled as a pond in midwinter, Phineas turns his eyes to regard the Januarius woman. He is listening quite attentively, but then again, he always means to give the impression that he does so when any speaks. Even if he or she hails from a Common House.

Eyes of blazing summery blue focus on select members of the Aegis, most especially Agrippina, as Cressida continues with dignity and, in truth, with conciseness. "Do we desire Avalon returned? But naturally. Do we desire to show others, again, that we are not cowards? Naturally."

A pivot follows here as she faces the Aegians more directly, the movement a gracious thing of silken fabric and feathers, "At what cost, Domini and Dominae? At what cost? Shall we ensure our future generation is slain entirely and our households bankrupt for the sake of this pride that inspires the warriors forth? Well, for Januarius, I say no. My word is thrown beside Deus Augustus. Let us take the high road, no matter how low our intent, and let us win this battle with wit rather than might.

"It may behoove us, after all, to recall that might is the way of the Varati. Not of the enlightened children of the sky. Not of the Empyre. My children and my pride are not worth another conflict. Are yours?"

Cressida must be finished; she returns to her seat at this statement's conclusion.

Claudius raises an eyebrow. At no time has he espoused fomenting another war, but rather peaceful annexation of Avalon.

Cressida would balefully note, should she meet that raised eyebrow, that the Varati clans likely won't roll over and play dead no matter how much we pray they would.

"I don't believe any of us are advocating an out-and-out war with the Varati again," Cassius comments, though he shoots a glance toward Agrippina, the most vociferous of all those present tonight. "And it seems we are all, more or less, in agreement about reclaiming Avalon." He glances around. "Or have I misunderstood any of you?"

"And do you, Ambassador to the Varati, claim that the people of Khalid shall give us what they have been invited to take?" Cressida notes wryly, a golden brow slightly elevated.

"I am for reclaiming Avalon," Claudius says. "But the 'invitation' of the Varati Clans does not cover the Empyre, rather the free state of Avalon. Which shall cease to exist, if we act." Claudius looks around the room, then adds, "If we act quickly."

Remaining quiet, Phineas simply looks about the atrium from one face to another. He only listens for now, keeping whatever comments he has to himself.

Cassius's pale blue gaze settles upon Cressida. "No," he answers. "I suspect they will try to take it, and will have to be driven off. But I am... anticipating that they will lose interest if they discover that Avalon is not some little lost lamb left unprotected in the cold."

Something almost like a smile curves one corner of his mouth, fleetingly, and he glances at Claudius. "We'll have wolves protecting it. But I agree. We must act quickly. My vote is that we accept Lord Iximus' proposal, and accept Avalon back into the Empyre. But under benevolent terms."

Leonidas adds his voice, saying again, "No one advocates war, Domina Januarius. None of us, if you will consider what has been said, have offered to move in that direction."

"Forgive me," Cressida says, again with that touch of dryness, "for thinking that the warriors of Khalid, who suffered much in their recent war, would wish to take out their aggressions on their longtime enemy when they sauntered into Avalon to assume control, after their god-king proffered the place to them."

Cressida adds with a simple smile, "Perhaps I am only crying wolf. And quick action will prevail. I have presented my concerns."

Now the man speaks. "And the matter of Mount Lycenae that Dominus Areides mentioned in his missal?" Phineas queries. "Whilst some Varati may lose interest in Avalon itself, I am given to skepticism when it comes to the mindless fanaticism that grips that halfbreed's populace."

Cassius flexes his wings against his spine as he glances over toward Phineas. Pale blue eyes narrow in speculative puzzlement. "Excuse my ignorance, but would that volcano really have any merit for us? I do not see how it can offer anything of value other than as a holy site. I'm more interested in the farmland and pastureland. As far as I'm concerned, the Varati can have that hunk of rock."

Leonidas's eyebrows lift. "Denying the ... fervent their pilgrimage would, certainly, plunge us into another conflict."

Claudius eyes Cassius easily. "We are mindful of their religious concerns, of course, and should offer them the ability to continue their pilgrimages, on the same terms as before. But I wouldn't let them 'have' it. That would start boundary negotiations, which would draw in the real and useful mines into talks. And the mountain is close to several other important areas."

Agrippina finally makes herself known again, after having been uncharacteristically silent. "There is nothing stopping the childish halfbreed from reigniting his pet volcano in a fit of temper. What of your pastureland and farmland, then?" she asks mockingly.

Cassius's mouth curves marginally. "I'm not suggesting handing it over on a platter, dominus. They can negotiate for it, and we'll allow them to think they've won the prize. While we retain anything of value."

He shoots a glance over toward Agrippina. "There's nothing stopping him from igniting a volcano under your backside, domina, and my only regret is that he has not done so yet. But worrying about what Khalid 'might do' will get us nowhere. We can only plan our own actions. If we allow them to retain Lycenae as some kind of holy site, it might mollify them enough that we needn't worry over the antics of their God-King."

"I concur with Deus Augustus again." Cressida's glance in Agrippina's direction implies her concurrence is multilayered and, perhaps, to all points that Cassius noted.

Agrippina accuses, "You cannot take a half measure and retain your dignity and your honor."

"We'll be reclaiming Arelate," Cassius replies. "Which is exactly what you wanted in the first place. The only difference is how."

Agrippina snaps, "We would be reclaiming Arelate after having been roundly insulted for our 'caution.' The process matters as much as the end result. We'll have the land but not our honor."

Claudius folds his arms over his chest, watching the two bicker. He'll hold his comments for later.

"Oh yes," Cassius murmurs dryly, "I forgot that honor only comes with thousands dead upon the battlefield."

Quiet and thoughtful again is Phineas, seemingly content to listen to the talk flying back and forth.

Cressida, on the heels of Cassius's rebuttal, adds crisply, "Your attitude, Domina, is why we lost the war against the Varati. Process matters so little compared with lives. Pride is nothing to a dead man."

Agrippina shakes her head at Cassius. "Honor comes from standing by your principles rather than waiting for scraps and claiming that the leavings of others are tasty. Taking Arelate now is akin to us tucking our tail between our legs and thanking Khalid for letting us have something he no longer wants."

Cressida snorts. Audibly.

Claudius's eyes narrow on Agrippina. "Do not tell me of honor," he says in a surprisingly quiet, though sharp voice. "The Empyre has its honor, and always will. We cannot act otherwise."

Cassius's feathers bristle, indicating that his ire is roused, even though his voice remains cool and even. "Domina Januarius is correct. We can be stubborn and proud, and end up with nothing in the end. Now, we have a chance to regain Arelate, and to claim an entire province-worth of willing, loyal workers -- whom we will not have to support as slaves. There likely will be fighting with the Varati. If the Clans do take Khalid's offer. But we have our men there already--" he shoots a glance toward Claudius, as though to confirm, "--and we can send even more, once Avalon is officially 'ours' again. After the Varati have just recovered from a civil war, they will likely not be eager to engage in another one. So your points, domina, are meaningless. We'll have all that we wanted at the outset."

Agrippina snorts. "The Empyre acts like a spavined horse, never able to make any decisive decision with speed and accuracy. I am a member of the Aegis, but even I can see that we are collection of fools, each with a separate sense of honor, of justice, and a way to achieve it. We are our own doom."

Jaw muscles clenched to tighten her response to Agrippina, Cressida swivels to glare at the other woman through narrowed eyes. "Domina, I am no fool. And I am not so stubborn as to grip to this endless cry of honor and pride to the point of forsaking common sense. I wish I could say the same for others."

Agrippina looks at Cressida without a change in expression. "You, domina, have the sense and perception of a slug. You base your assumptions on a few words instead of a record of actions. There is common decency, a sense of pride in a person's actions which gives honor and meaning to an existence. This sneaking and skulking is not worthy of us. Certainly, it may give us a piece of land, but must we demean ourselves to the level of slime to achieve it?"

Drusus speaks up, then. "Domina; please explain what you mean by 'sneaking and skulking.'"

Leonidas says, quite crisply, "Dea Juventas, if you can point out those who are sneaking or skulking, as you so kindly phrase your comments, I encourage you to do so.'

Cressida's feathers ruffle. Figuratively, literally. Atop the Jovian's statements she adds, "I find it ironic that you call a House's representative a slug in the same breath in which you reference common decency and a sense of pride. Perhaps if I learned to speak from all respective orifices, Domina, I could keep up with your taunts. As such, I shall merely reiterate that I concur with Deus Augustin and not with a prideful bat who cares nothing but for the preening of her self-affections amidst this governing body."

Claudius finishes off his water, and sets the cup down. He's said what he came to say here, so Claudius Areides merely keeps a close watch on the others, noting their positions, opinions, and tempers.

Phineas, likewise, does not seem inclined to say a great deal more than he already has. The mask of stoicism, however, slips a little as he gives a rough smoothing to his impeccably neat pallium.

Agrippina looks over at Leonidas as if he has dandelion puff for brains. "Cassius has proposed that we take back Arelate, publicly stating that we will be doing it by the mongrels' proposed terms, yet we will afterwards slowly absorb them back into Empyrean society until they have the same status as before the last Varati/Empyrean war. That does not seem underhanded to you, Princeps? While this is entirely in keeping with Cassius' sly and slick approach to life, it does not bespeak a character that is forthright and truthful."

Drusus speaks up, again, and the wind becomes calm. "I believe what Deus Cassius meant, Domina, is that we may gradually return Arelate's inhabitants to slavery, if we determine that that is in our best interests. The problem, as I see it, is that they've been given a taste of freedom -- that is an idea, Domina, and ideas are difficult to crush. Let them have their idea. If it fails, then it fails, and there will be no question that freedom is an impossibility for them -- by their own measure. If the Empyre benefits more greatly from their freedom than it does from their slavery, then so be it."

Claudius considers that, thinking back. "I would not condone a slow reduction of Avalon's status. Questions of honor aside, it will serve to keep the populace in a perpetual state of unrest. Any evils that a state does to another, it must do at once, but parcel out the good slowly. By slowly tightening a leash on Avalon, the populace will eventually revolt. Once having known freedom, they will fight to the death rather than return."

"Are you here to discuss the most intelligent manner in which to accomplish that which is laid before us," Cressida must query of Agrippina, "or make aspersions against any who have the gall to indicate your outrageous lack of appreciation for anything approaching acumen? If you will not heed what Deus Cassius and I advocate, perhaps the words of the Emperor may hone in more lucidly? Or is he next on your targeting agenda?"

Agrippina looks almost triumphant as Claudius makes his statement. She says nothing, however. Indeed, Cressida is only graced with a mocking smile.

Cassius rises, flattening his bristled feathers, and shoots an icy stare toward Agrippina. "I believe we've had enough debate for the evening." He submerges his own roused ire, and manages to keeps his tone smooth and even as he goes on, nodding to the Emperor.

"What happens down the road with the former slaves cannot be decided in a single evening. For now, our concern is simply Avalon -- whether we reclaim it or let it fend for itself against the Varati. We all, at least, seem to be in agreement on the former. So let us act speedily, send word to Lord Iximus and his compatriots that we will accept his offer, and deploy more of our men to that province so that they can be ready, if and when the Varati Clan arrive to make good on Khalid's 'offer.'"

Cressida's answering smirk to Agrippina is the adult version of "I'm rubber; you're glue." Then she attends Cassius' closing remarks, brow slightly furrowed.

"Agreed, Deus Augustin," Drusus says firmly.

A sharp nod of his head is Phineas' only reply to Cassius' words.

"Indeed," Leonidas agrees.

Claudius nods. "We'll be ready," he says. "The Praetorian Guard does not sleep."

Agrippina shakes her head. "One would think that after fifty-some years, you would start looking at the big picture instead of one issue at a time, Cassius. Take back Arelate, but this decision will come back to haunt you. Indeed, it will haunt all of us down the road."

No visible relief shows on Cassius's face, but the arch of his wings is a little less tense as he nods to his guests, choosing to ignore Agrippina for the moment.

"Very well," he says. "Dominus Areides, this agreement is only informal, and awaits the full vote of the Aegis until it can be made official. But chances are good that they will concur. Tell Lord Iximus and his men that the Empyre will accept his offer. We will send reinforcements as soon as possible to strengthen the troops already there. And I myself--" he dips his head toward Leonidas, as though begging pardon for his presumption, "--will draft a letter to be sent out to the remainder of the Aegis tonight. Arelate will be ours again."

Leonidas nods in return, by way of answer.

FIN  

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