Familial Discord (Methos and Claire Dunally)

[Methos]

Lucius Numicius Priscus idly studied some correspondence that had made its way to his desk. An eyebrow was raised as it appeared that his half brother and his family had sunk even further into debt than he had been aware. A certain aloofness from the matter had been necessary on his part, least any think that he had similar problems. But indeed as he was well aware the rest of his family regarded him as having been partially responsible for the misfortunate of the other branches of the family.

Lucius had hardly conspired to plot the downfall of any of his kin, rather he’d simply found himself the recipient of a will more favourable than any had imagined would be the case. The bulk of his father’s estate had passed directly into his hands with a mere pittance allotted to his children by other wives. His half brothers and sisters had been absolutely irate that they were deprived of a substantial inheritance because old Titus had decided that Lucius was the great hope for the family name. Naturally the matter had gone to court as his siblings had tried to force what they deemed a proper division on the estate, but after a lengthy court case he had prevailed.

He privately suspected that their outrage and insistence had arisen because most of them including, poor Publius whose family was now being sold into slavery to satisfy their debts, had borrowed heavily expecting to pay off their debts with their inheritance. Naturally this made everything that happened entirely his fault. But he couldn’t claim to ever have had a particularly good relationship with his siblings, for a substantial age gap existed between them and he, for his now bankrupt brother had been a good fifteen years his senior. Accusations that too much of “the family’s money” was being devoted by old Titus to his career had been hurled at him for the last half decade, evidently those that had preceded him felt he was entitled to little more than his name and obscurity. Naturally being a rather ambitious fellow he had other plans.

Lucius rose from his desk and called for a servant to bring him his cloak. Soon that dark garment was wrapped about him and he headed to the door of his home, pausing only to allow several of his retainers to catch up with him. At twenty eight he was a man in his prime. He’d done his service in the legions and held minor political offices. His eyes were set on further advancement in the near future. His appearance was typically Roman. His skin was tanned a dark bronze hue and dark hair and eyes accompanied it. His features were rather angular and masculine in their arrangement, many deemed them handsome in a rugged fashion. He kept himself active in the gymnasium as he rather fancied another military expedition should he receive an appropriate posting could be he claim to fame. Thus his tall frame retained a muscled appearance. His broad shoulders were filled out and his form rather imposing in its build. His toga was rather impeccable and sat easily upon his form and the cloak kept off the rain.

As smirk graced his lips as it occurred to him that since everyone was so eager to place all the blame for Publius’ problems at his doorstep, he might as well have the benefit of it. His elder brother did have a rather fetching daughter and the horror that purchasing her would elicit from his estranged family would make it entirely worth while.

 

[ClaireDunally]

Candra Circe Priscus sat alone in her quarters, running a brush through her dark hair with slow strokes. She was lonely, as she had been often of late, since her father had dismissed most of the household. She had heard of the causes of his temper and erratic behavior of late; she had learned long ago to listen to the gossip of the house if she wanted to know the truth of things that her elders tried to keep from her.

However lonely she was, though, it was nothing to the soft undercurrent of fear that slowly churned within her. There was talk of her family being divided, sold into slavery in the same way as her father's brother's household.

She pulled the hard bristled brush through her hair absently, thinking over all the things she'd heard recently, as she tried to piece together the truth of what was going on. Still damp from her bath, the dark tresses parted easily, straightening for this brief time; once dry, they would return to their wavy spill of blue black down her spine. Her skin radiated the warmth of the water still, even in the coolness of her room, clear and creamy with a rich golden olive hue, influenced by her mother's old ancestory from the Greek isles. Deep blue eyes stared back at her in her reflection, the inner turmoil she felt not reflected in her smooth, etched face.

The problem, she knew, was money. Grandfather had left the vast portion of his estate to her estranged half-uncle, Lucius. She'd met him infrequently, only enough to know what he looked like and various bits about him - mostly tinged with bitterness and disdain from her side of the family. She knew he was ambitious and clever, ruthless and opportunistic. He was handsome, to be sure - a trait in men which she had become aware of more and more recently - and a good soldier and leader of men, it was said; a true Roman. But without the values that they all held so dear, he was but a viper among them.

She had been schooled well in the ways of a good Roman girl. She knew the virtue and expectations placed on her, and that she was close to reaching her majority in full. The toga about her was held taut by the swell and curve of her body, loosely flowing away with concealing grace from the thin clinging play of the soft fabric against her nubile skin. Her mother's side had always been the epitome of grace - even more than many others, dating back from her great grandmother's time, being the stolen Greek bride of a noble born soldier and needing to fit in as best she could.

There was a commotion in the front of the house that filtered its way through to her consciousness. Rising slowly, she lay the brush down and quickly twisted her hair into a fashionable knot, securing it with a few deft pins. Her feet whisked almost noiselessly over the stone floors to the entryway, trying to remain out of sight to better ascertain what was going on.

 

[Methos]

Lucius had moved through Rome’s streets with only two guards and a retainer following in his footsteps. It was perhaps an unnecessary measure for he doubted any should seek to waylay him, but the temperament of the mob was not something he wished to leave entirely in the hands of chance. But with purposeful stride he found his way to his half-brother’s hold easily enough.

Naturally he’d expected his arrival to be greeted with all the enthusiasm of pestilence itself knocking at the door. Thus he could hardly claim to be disappointed by the reaction his arrival had. Soon enough he found his half brother glaring at him but manners alone caused him to be invited into the house. Lucius idly gestured for the retainer he’d had lug along an amphora of wine to present it to his brother.

Any pretense of being unable to offer an unsolicited guest refreshment was thus defeated and soon enough he was reclined upon a couch over a low table with wine poured in a glass. Although little time was wasted before his half brother demanded “What do you want Lucius?” Lucius idly noted “I’m quite well thank you brother and yourself?” His tone had a slightly sarcastic tenor to it. “But if you must know I heard you were having some difficulty with money.” He said evenly enough and added “As I recall you still have some of the traditional family lands that border on my own. I thought to offer to buy it so that it remains within the hands of family.”

Titus eyed Lucius and rather accusingly remarked “You bought up through intermediaries Publius’ holdings and now you come for mine. You beggared us both by depriving us of any fair portion of our father’s estate and now you swoop in like a vulture to claim the scraps that we were thrown.”

Lucius rather coolly remarked “I’m not the one responsible for the legers of your or Publius’ households. Large amounts of debt are ill advised actions – look what’s happened to our brother – he is selling off his entire family to satisfy his debts. I only offered to buy the land because whatever transpires someone other than you shall soon be its owner. Better if you get the money from me now than leave it all to the courts to sell off your every possession including every last one of your children.”

Lucius rather expected that faced with that possibility that Titus would flee to a far flung colony to seek to evade his creditors by disappearing and living under an assumed name. His brother inquired “How quickly could you have the money here.” Lucius responded “An hour, two at most.” Titus proceeded to indicate that he’d sell the land for twice what it was likely worth. It was enough that he could live a comfortable colonial existence till the end of his days.

Lucius seemed to pause as he regarded his brother and then after seeming to consider the price he stated “I will agree only if you sell me your daughter Candra in that amount as well.” It was his brother’s turn to fall silent seeming to agonize over his own fate and that of his other children versus that of his eldest daughter. Finally he stated “I have little choice but to agree.”

 

[ClaireDunally]

Candra listened from her hiding place with rapt horror. Her father's land holdings? That was what that vile man - her uncle, she couldn't believe she could possibly be related to such a beast - was after? She knew how important those holdings were to her father. It was virtually all he had left of his family's once great estate. Lucius had taken everything else, and now he wanted the meager bits he wasn't given? If only she were a man and could challenge him openly! In fact, why didn't her father do just that? But then, what would happen to them all if he lost - if Lucius cheated just like he did with everything else?

At the mention of what would happen to she and her siblings if she didn't sell the land, her heart sank. Were things as bad as that, then? She had hoped the rumors of such impending disaster were untrue - such things often were exaggerated. But she could just barely seen her father's face through the scrim, and she noted the change in him at the prospect of receiving funds twice the value of the land. No matter how much it pained him, he would sacrifice it for the good of the family, and Lucius knew it. The ember of anger toward him burned hotter. At least her father was bargaining high enough to make it somewhat painful for her uncle as well. "Well, greed is costly, Uncle," she thought to herself bitterly.

“I will agree only if you sell me your daughter Candra in that amount as well.”

It took her aback briefly. Her? Why her? Truly she had bloomed this past year, and before the hardships befell them, her father had already had tentative inquiries about to whom her hand might eventually fall, but... She shook her head at the audacity of him. What reason could he possibly have for wanting it, apart from causing her father even more pain? Was he truly interested in marrying her? After looking down on her family for so long?

In the pause that followed, however, her heart skipped a beat before returning to hammer almost painfully in her chest. She had expected her father to refuse outright, even without thought. But he dallied. Just for show, surely? Surely he was but playing a game with the man?

Her mind began to whirl. Selling her. She blinked quickly. Truly buying her is what her uncle had meant. Not buying her hand, but her! A slave...? He was wanting to buy her as... a slave? And her father... name of Jupiter, what could he possibly be stalling for?! Her mouth went dry, and her breathing grew erratic. This[i/] bad? Things were this bad, that he was actually considering...

"I have little choice but to agree."

Candra Circe paled, her face draining of color as dark spots began to swim in her vision. She noble born. She had been groomed since childhood to be the dutiful and indispensable wife of a man of note. She had taken to her role without complaint, loyal to her family and thankful for her place in life... and now, to be cast aside like this... to be sold to this man - this horrible man - as easily as a mere piece of property, without ceremony or courtship... Her hand lifted to her breast, pressing down on the painful tattoo of her heart.

Perhaps her faint would have gone unnoticed had she not tried to steady herself on the scrim on the way down, making the fabric ripple and tear at its top as her weight dragged at the stitching.

 

[Methos]

Lucius watched as his half brother hesitated as he named his condition to such a high price being offered. The anxiety and guilt of either accepting or refusing seemed to play beautifully across his siblings features. Should he sacrifice a beautiful and prized daughter for his other children and of course for himself? Or should he risk seeing every last child put in chains to face starvation or worse. Lucius felt as though he could read his brother’s mind through his expression before at last practicality and expedience seemed to win out.

Lucius beckoned to his clerk who came forward with a contract. Naturally the price hadn’t been filled in and he did so now. Out of tact he’d not included Candra in the drafted terms, so that part of the transaction was simply written in at the bottom of the page and initialed. Once the agreement was signed, he sent the guards and his clerk to fetch the requisite gold. Thereafter, he poured himself a glass of wine as he remarked “I understand there are ships sailing for Britain, Spain and the farthest reaches of Greece yet harbored here tonight brother. I’m sure if you hurry and collect your belongs and family, you shall have plenty of time yet before those whom you owe discover your intentions.”

Naturally Candra’s father nodded as he remarked “Somewhere obscure to the north of Greece I think. It would be easier for my wife and the children. Spain and Britain..the places are crawling with savages. I’m not sure I’d be doing them any favors letting them live a free live in the wilds of either of those provinces.”

Lucius shrugged as he noted “That is for you to say not I. I do wish you the best brother wherever you set out for. Hopefully you’ll find yourself a nice little stretch of land and your children will grow up healthy.” He seemed agreeable enough about the matter as he noted “I’m sure my men will only be a few moments, I had arranged to have some gold ready as I recognize that time is undoubtedly pressing for you.”

His brother peered at him for a moment “Why the girl?” Lucius shrugged and idly remarked “Why not?” After a moment’s pause he noted “I gave you far more than the land was worth, and that’s well enough it consolidates all the old family lands once more. But I shall rarely see the land, so perhaps it’s well to have something in hand for the money I spent. Besides she’s a fetching girl, seems quite lively. I imagine you’ll want to tell her what has transpired.”

Lucius turned his head towards the far side of the room where a thump was hear and then the tear of fabric immediately thereafter. A bemused smile graced his lips as he noted “Or perhaps she already knows.” He rose from where he was seated to walk over to the girl’s fallen form. He reached down towards her and gently shook her by the shoulders. He seemed to glance at her head and didn’t see that she’d managed to crack it open upon the floor, thus this portion of his investment hadn’t immediately been dashed. “Wake up Candra.” He stated rather evenly as he shook the girl, waiting for her to return to conciousness.

 

[ClaireDunally]

The world swam into view slowly, her head beating a light tattoo of blood against her temples. Her shoulders were enveloped by a warm grasp, and she shook to the sounds of a masculine voice above her. At first, in the brief space of time her eyes focused, she thought it was her father; a sense of ease washed over her. But then the world came home.

Deep blue eyes opened wide as she stared up at her uncle, the light olive hue of her features going slightly pale as her imagination reeled at the deluge of information that reclaimed her mind. Full lips parted as if to say something, but only a small exhalation came out, cut short by not knowing what or even how to speak at the moment.

Slender wrists rose to brush his hand off her, gently but insistantly, as she began to regain her wits. "I... thank you for your concern, Uncle, but I am most assuredly fine. A brief fainting spell, that is all. I am so susceptible to them, weak as my humors are," she said evenly as she sat up, straightening her garments into more modest folds. Her eyes searched for her father, and as she rose, with as little help from Lucius as she could manage, she crossed to him and knelt beside his chair, laying her head in his lap, pressing his hand to her lips.

"Father. I beg you, please, tear up the contract. Let me away with you. Don't leave me here for him to manage as he will, please," she whispered quickly, her chest shuddering with a barely controlled sob. "There must be a way, there must! Please think of a way!"

 

[Methos]

Lucius was soon leaning over the form of his niece as she began to return to consciousness. Dark eyes scrutinized her as he watched those brilliant blue eyes blink open. He heard the slight catch of her breath as she realized that it was he as opposed to her father who lingered above her. Amusement played across his eyes at that particular realization. Although he simply smiled to her as he noted “Well we can’t have you taking ill five minutes after you come into my possession now can we?”

His hand strayed from her shoulder to let his fingers lightly trace through her hair. His fingers toyed with a few strands of those silken locks as he let his eyes trail over her body. It was a less than familial look at that, and one interested less in her well being than in her charms.

Lucius simply smirked as Chandra rose to her feet and indicated it was nothing more than a fainting spell from weak humors. “Here I thought you simply may have been over come with joy at having learned what was to become of you.” He watched as the girl leaned down to lay her head in her father’s lips begging him to undo what he’d done but moments previous - signing her life over to her uncle along with the land in exchange for a goodly sum of money.

He idly noted “Where there another way - I assure you your father would have taken it. But at this point in time he has what one might call a variety of bad options. He can wait for the creditors to close in and plunge every other member of your family into slavery. He can try to find someone else on short notice to cut him a better deal - which is unlikely as I’ve been reasonably generous as he is my brother and the land has sentimental value to me. Not to mention that shopping around runs the risk of the first possibility becoming a reality. Or he can take my money and give me what I ask for - including you.”

It was a rather start and explicit statement of fact. The rather pained and humiliated silence of Chandra’s father seemed to give credence to every word of it. It was undoubted that he was unhappy with what he had done - yet he seemed to feel he’d been left with little else by way of choices. Finally her father simply said “It is done. I had no other choice.”