Announcement of the prosecution of consular Flavius Julius Corvenus.

[Kubrick]

Caius waved his arm over the crowd, gesturing them to be silent. 'People! Welcome! My name is Caius Geminius Dives, senator of Rome, son of consular and praetor Spurius Geminius Scaeva. I am here to announce the prosecution of former consul Flavius Julius Corvenus. Now you might wonder, why would we prosecute that slightly odd but kind man? Well, we will prosecute him for he has greatly harmed the Republic! To name only a few things, this man ignored our standing alliance with the proud Greek city of Syracuse and stormed their walls. After that he killed our friend Hiero, he killed his civilians and he tore down this once magnificent city down to the ground. For what reason? Even we do not know! After that, the madman sailed to Africa and foolishly stormed the walls of the great city of Carthage. This way he lost our dear First Legion, returning only with a handful of soldiers. Our Roman citizens, your sons, your brothers, your fathers! Death on the battlefield for this man's lust for glory!'
He stopped for a small dramatic pause, lowering his head, almost if he was sad. 'I can not live with that and I know there are more men like me! So that is why I am asking those who dare to oppose the mad Corvenus to step forward! Speak now or be silent forever! Together we can bring justice to him, for the Republic, for Rome!'

After he finished speeching his hear beat in his chest, he hoped enough men would step forward so he and his father could get this case rolling.

[Templaranubis]

Severus listened intently to the accusations made towards the former consul as he awaited for the main speaker to finish so that he would be the first to speak his mind. As soon as the speaker ended his words, Severus stood tall, his gray eyes scanning the senators. "Honorable senators I was just dining the the accused merely a fortnight ago and I might have information you deem valuable from our lively discussions over dinner, hear me out for this may be crucial to the trial of the former Consul."

[Nota']

We're listening Senator, what do you have to say!? The shout was from a loud and impatient pleb, just under the rostra.

[Templaranubis]

Severus stood up poised, making sure that all eyes were on him and no one else, a smirk etched on his face as he leaned forward on his snake cane, it's green jaded eyes glaring. He stood there for a moment calculating every word that will be escaping his mouth, as right now he had two options 1) to save the condemned man and he will be eternally in his service 2) If he is the main cause of his arrest he might be highly favored in the senate or viewed as untrustworthy by the senate. The choice was his. "Honorable senators a fortnight ago I had invited the accused to dinner for little chat and dinner in my grand estate here in Rome, half way through dinner and wine a servant I had sent out to the market received word out on the street that the man I am currently dinning with was wanted. He himself prior to my knowledge of his he actually informed me that was he was a wanted man." He paused for reactions and comments.

[Kubrick]

After a small silence one pleb stood up, he looked like the typical loud-mouthed no-brainer that formed a large part of the poor people in Rome. 'And? The ol' consul popped in at yer house for a meal and you found out he was being prosecuted? Nice breakthrough you made there!' A few of his friends started laughing.

[Kubrick]

An announcer arrived, he cleared his throat and addressed the audience. His voice thundered above all the talking plebs. 'People! The trial of Flavius Julius Corvenus has begun! The session is closed to outsiders! However, senators of Rome may come and watch the trial.' He walked away and heard some disappointed shouting. Those plebs where never happy! They wouldn't even enjoy a trial, there's no blood to be seen!

[Elendil of Númenor]

The man stepped onto the podium next to the Rostra, the customary position for those addressing the crowd of neither noble or senatorial rank. The herald was tall and stood firmly on the wooden stand, his eyes darting fiercely from face to face in the surging crowd below him.
“Citizens of our beloved Republic of Rome!” he cried, and many gazed at him, or just passed on, listening to what he was about to say whilst doing their daily business. “I bring to you news about the trial of Flavius Corvenus of the Julii, and the judgment that has been announced.”
Many heads turned this time, some standing on tiptoes, suddenly interested in what was to be said. The speaker continued: “The trial was overseen by noble Praetor urbanus Spurius Scaevus of the Geminii. It so happens that Senator Caius Geminius Dives has managed to convince the Tribunal!”
“What's the punishment?” came a yell from the crowd, followed by an increase in the loudness of the constant clamour. No one really had patience for all these necessary formalities. The herald raised his hand to force out a relative silence from the mob.
“Esteemed Senators Lucius Poplicola of the Valerii,” he shouted, “Marcus Lucanus of the Sergii and Aulus Caldius of the Licinii have all found Flavius Corvenus of the Julii GUILTY under charges of utter incompetence, violation of the sovereignty of an ally of Rome and perduellio, high TREASON!”
The turmoil died down suddenly, and only whispers could be heard from the people standing in the Forum. Rarely was a man convicted of such a crime. In fact, so rarely that whole generations wouldn't remember any man being charged of such a horrible act. Rome was in dark times indeed.
“Ex-senator, ex-consul and ex-patrician Flavius Corvenus shall be stripped of all rank, possessions and rights! Mourning his fate is from now on forbidden and his name may never again be uttered in connection with Rome's history or the government. The traitor shall be executed tomorrow at sundown, publicly at the Tarpeian Rock. Long live the Republic!”
With that, the speaker stepped down and vanished before the crowd could truly come to its senses. Among the mob stood a man wearing dark and ragged clothing. He pulled his hood up to cover his face and then walked through the gathering trying to find the quickest route out of the Forum. He wasn't sure – but... there was that man standing in the crowd. Cloaked. Facing the people, though he had been standing near the centre. Everyone else had been watching the speaker.
Too strange for Celsus, now taking shortcuts of narrow streets as he hurried towards the Library. It was the last day of the month. Agrippina must already be waiting. Celsus glanced behind him. The street was empty except for the old lady sweeping a few dark red leaves from one side of the pavement to the other. Looking ahead, he saw it again. The Bibliotecha... If it was good for his father, it will have to do for him. Even in that silent hall where they met, between the mysterious, yet knowledge-filled shelves holding thousands of scrolls – even there, Celsus felt too vulnerable, too open to attack. Truly, the heart of Rome. Who knew how many ears hid behind those shelves? 'The First Chamber...' How much more could there be? Where should he look? Was there anyone in the City who new about these Chambers?
Then he thought about another thing. That cold object weighing down his clothing. Folded into his cloak, the weapon he had received from his friend and... traitor to Rome. The second gladius of Corvenus. Probably the only object of his that will remain in hands he intended it to be in. Strange, how fate gives us so much honour, so much glory only to take it away later, utterly destroying who we were. Who we are...
Last time I met you, Celsus thought, I said to you, 'await my return'. Probably, we will meet again, Flavius Julius. Who knows how soon that will be. He took another glance at his surroundings. Perhaps only seconds. Perhaps years. At least you won't feel time pass.
And now Celsus was to return to Agrippina. Perhaps together they would be able to solve the mysteries of the present and prevent the tragedies of Rome's future.