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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 9137943" data-attributes="member: 2012">"One man's heroes can be another man's enemy," Casca interrupts. "I'm not saying they will become enemies of the Emperor, but it is something of which we must be cautious." He notes the look on Vitus' face and see the young man has something else to say. He motions for Vitus to continue.Lord Casca listens intently. His eyes display both anger and sorrow. He sits for a minute and just stares at Vitus before he finally speaks. "If you were anyone else, I'd have you taken back to Ticinum in chains and have you put on trial for treason." He quickly holds up his hands. "Easy now, my boy," he says with a sigh. "I knew taking you on would be temporary, at best. It seems old Avitus had been right all along, you are indeed meant for other things."He shakes his head. "I just didn't think this is the path you would choose." He sits back and pours himself some wine. "I spoke the truth when I said I can't protect you outside these walls. And its not like Amina is going to come to your rescue either. Just the opposite. She might make trouble for you once you've severed this relationship." He pauses to let his words sink in. "Really think about that, Vitus. If she brands you a heretic, I cannot help you. If Avitus was still alive, then maybe he could..."He stands and holds out his hands to Vitus. Once the boy grasps Casca's hands, he says, "I release you from your obligations, young Vitus Paccione. I hope Tyche will grant you luck in what you are going to face on your own... or with these heroes of yours." Casca roughly grabs a hold of Vitus' hands and looks at his former page sternly but without malice. "You must take all of your possessions with you, my boy, understand? Leave nothing behind. I will not be able to give you back anything that you leave here. You must find somewhere else to live. If you get into trouble, do not come here. You will be turned away. Tell me you understand?There is great concern in Lord Casca's voice. He is worried for Vitus, but if there is a reason why, Vitus can't sense it. The boy can tell that the man is being genuine with his words and emotions. Vitus senses no malice towards the dead ambassador in his former lord's words.Casca finally lets go of Vitus' hands. "I- I will have Amphion draw up the necessary documents. It will a take a while. No, objections. And, no tears."He leaves the room and closes the door behind him. Vitus hears him bark an order to the embassy's scribe. When the half-satyr objects, he screams at the half fey to do what he says. He is gone for what feels like and eternity to Vitus. When he returns, he brings with him one of his favoured possessions, a gladius from his family, and several documents. He insists that Vitus sign the documents where he notes. The documents release him from service and Vitus agrees to not step on Ticinum soil for ten years."That includes this embassy," Casca says as he gathers up the papers and takes Vitus out into the foyer. "Amphion will help you gather up your possessions and make sure you do not take anything that does not belong to you." He holds out his hand to Vitus. "That includes your sash."Once Vitus has handed over his regalia, Casca holds out the blade to Vitus. "This is yours now. Use it wisely, young Vitus. I hope it will protect you as it protected me." Then, he leaves the foyer to heads to bed."You are a fool," Amphion says to Vitus as he helps him clear out his possessions from his room. The half-satyr escorts him from the embassy. The night has become cold. "Lord Casca told me to give this to you after you were off the grounds." He hands Vitus a note. The half-satyr's demeanour softens, slightly, "Good luck."[Spoiler="For Taran Only"]The gladius is a +2 keen short sword of defending. It comes with an ornate sheath worth 500 gp. The weapon was handed down to Casca from his father. The weapon was forged by Casca's grandmother, a renown Ticin smith. It is called The Glorious ("Gloriosus").[HR][/HR]The NoteVitus,I hope you will not be angry at me for too long. You had to know this was a possibility. If not, then I have been a poor teacher. I wish you the greatest of luck, and I will meet you at the Gates of Athena in ten years time. We can drink and eat and you tell me of your adventures. You have chosen a path that I wish I had taken in my youth.Do not despair about losing your homeland. Ten years will go by faster than you think.Know that is has been my greatest honour to be your lord. Also, know that I am sorry for what I'm about to tell you. Cassianus Dovius Avitus was your grandfather. He had wanted to tell you, so many times, but your parents had sworn him to secrecy. Now that he is gone, it is best that you know, and that you know that he was murdered by The Dusk. Guard your birthright carefully.Speak to Falen. He will tell you all he knows. But, he did not know Avitus was your father's true father. No one else knew. Tell Falen that he cannot come back here. The two of you might find solace and shelter with Lady Oppia Nazaria, your grandfather's cousin. While they weren't the best of friends, she might look out for you. I know Falen has not gone to see her yet.Why the Renegade had The Dusk kill your grandfather is a secret that I do not know. Oppia might. I do know that this Phelix person had some sort of hold over your grandfather.Good luck,Sisenna Romnius Casca[/Spoiler][OOC]So, I treated this as Hunch check (DC 20) using Sense Motive. Vitus doesn't sense that Casca coveted Avitus' position. More likely, he will hate being the ambassador, but he will do as the Emperor wishes. The sending of the body back to Ticinum is within the traditions of this Roman-like empire, even if that wouldn't have been the case in the real Roman Empire.Casca's note to Vitus is likely even more jarring. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />[/OOC]</blockquote>

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