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Message: <blockquote data-quote="sheelba" data-source="post: 397515" data-attributes="member: 7794">Session One Part ThreeMarius did a good job getting their room for six denarii per room per night. He hadn’t thought that he was getting such a good deal until he saw the rooms. Large, airy attic rooms at the east of the building. Slipping into bed to nurse his jaw, Marius passed out of consciousness. A couple of hours later, though far from fully recovered, the pair leave the inn for a stroll. Turning left out of the White Swan, they would approach the market from the east and would enter it at it’s northern point – on the corner with the Paulus House. It became obvious that something was happening as they reached the market, which was now considerably quieter. From the junction of East Gate and the road to the north, a small crowd was visible around the mouth of the alley. As they approached, two guards walked out of the alley and straight passed them.  Marius enquired what was going on. Unsurprised, they learnt that a body had been found. Joining the crowd, our pair could see two guards lifting the corpse onto a stretcher. Cotta was there as well, directing the guards. He sees the PC’s and walks over. ‘What’s happening?’ asked Marius.‘Murder. A corpse was found about an hour ago, wrapped in its cloak. It was one of my lord Cassiodurus’ clients. That’s why I’m here.’They gave their condolences and soon left. Now was not a good time to investigate the ruins. A quick discussion on the way back to the White Swan ended with the decision to try again when it was dark. Waking refreshed, the PC’s stop to chat to Lucius before going out. ‘Clean that pitcher first. Heavens save me! Oh, hello, and good evening. I trust you are enjoying your stay?’‘Certainly. But did you hear about the body? We heard it was one of Cassiodurus’ men, Marius volunteered.‘That will have been the B…… on the Hill.’ Lucius replies, conspiratorially. Seeing their puzzled faces he explains:‘The Urban Aedile. The Governor. He’s had it in for Cassiodurus ever since he arrived. But not the only death in the city today.’The party exchange glances and the talkative innkeeper goes on.‘Another baby has gone missing. One of the Vicostti refugee's, I believe. Over in the Ratsnest.’After displaying suitable horror at this news, the PC’s asked enough to learn that the run down quarter they were in earlier was the colourfully named Ratsnest; and this was the fourth baby in as many months. ‘The Vicostti always claim that a cunning sprite or demon took the little ones. But the city guard just assume it is rats.’Although dusk had not fallen fully, the cloud cover was heavy and it was quite dark already. They made their way towards the Market Square and saw the two guards at the gates to the Paulus house. Idly walking to the north, they could just make out dim forms and mutterings of two more guards down the alley. Back in the market,  they find virtually all the traders packed up. Dark shapes flit about, hunting for discarded scraps. Even the bright lights, shining from the cafes facing them,  did little to dispel a gloomy feeling.Marius was determined to look at the Paulus house, guards or no. He led the way north-west and turned into the far end of the alley from the guards' position. Quietly, they edged forward and turned right down the alley on the west of their destination. They moved about a third of the way down this narrow passage when Marius scrambled over the wall with Elehnor’s help. Telling Snowy to stay, Elahnor followed over. Crawling up the grass verge that the house had been built on, they were soon looking down into its debris-filled cellars. They would be visible from the far side of the market if it were day. They move cautiously to their left until Marius’ foot slipped on some stones.‘What was that?’   The words came from the rear gate, which was the nearest to the PC’s. ‘Shhh.’The gate slowly opened and Elahnor and Marius saw a hand holding a lantern and a helmeted head slowly appear. The head turned and just when it was looking in their direction, it shot back. They had been outside the lantern’s circle of light but had light glinted of Marius’ semi-spatha? ‘It was…’‘What?’‘A ghost!’‘Bah!’The gate was thrust further open as the sound of running feet arrived.What’s going on?’ said one of the new comers.As a quiet voice starts to answer a guard appears in the gateway.‘See? Nothing! Huh!’The PC’s lie in the grass grinning as three guards torment the fourth for seeing ghosts. After much laughter footsteps are heard and the night quietens down. Deciding that it was no good, the PC’s skillfuly left. They didn’t notice the small winged form that took wing as they left the grounds. Nor did they see what landed on a roof across the road from the White Swan. That said, they probably wouldn’t have been worried by what soon alighted on the roof just above their bedrooms when they retired.They breakfasted late the next morning, then went back to the market. Only about a third was in use as it was a textile and leather day and no ships had docked carrying such cloth for some time. They stood in an empty area discussing what to do. Elahnor was inclined to go to the Ratsnest and Marius wanted to find out about the tube. The debate was interrupted as a couple of figures rushed into the square from the direction the PC’s had just come from and ran to the guards at the front gate of the house and began a discussion. The guards pointed to the south-west and one of the cloaked figures ran away in that direction and the other went round to the rear of the ruin. Suddenly, half a dozen soldiers wearing the white with the red fist and lancea of the Emperor entered following in the footsteps of the cloaked figures. An argument started between the soldiers and the guards. The soldiers were more heavily armoured and more numerous, but the guards attacked, cutting one down instantly and forcing the others back. The soldiers hesitated, until under their leader's orders, they fanned out and the melee began in earnest. The guards fought defensively for more than a minute, then the two guards from the rear gate arrived and surprised the leader  of the soldiers; whose cries drew one of the other soldier's to his support. Three minutes after they arrived the Imperial soldiers were all either dead or unconscious.  One of the four guards looked injured but they all left the scene on there own feet. The PC’s stood as shocked as the rest of the crowd for a little while, their trance being broken by cries of pain and galloping horses. The crowd had only just began to disperse when twenty cataphractii rounded the corner and sent people flying as the sped through the crowd, disappearing to the south-west. Injured and hysterical people stood or lay all about!Twenty minutes later Elahnor was just putting her sewing kit away. Only a couple of injuries were serious and she had needed to use magic to stop them being fatal. One person – a Vicostti peasant woman – had died. The cavalry rode back, minus two of their number, just as Marius reappeared. He told Elahnor what he had found searching the ruins. Nothing.[edited for spelling]</blockquote>

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