Ravens of Eternity

466 Eternal City

The city’s westernmost gates, the Porta Aurelia, was currently a whirlwind of activity. Groups of people passed through it as they entered or exited the massive city itself. Most of the groups consisted of laborers and merchants and officials, and were simply going about their day, doing their usual duties. There were others as well of course, such as dignitaries and tourists and pilgrims.

And while most went in or out on foot, there were certainly a number of carriages, carts, and palanquins that passed through as well.

Since it was the daytime, very few trade carts actually went through the gates themselves. Many were posted outside the walls, where they waited for twilight – if they went into the city while it was busy, it was sure to cause massive traffic jams in the already crowded streets.

While out there, they simply rested as they watered their animals or kept watch for thieves and the like. Many of the crates had some rather valuable trade goods, of course. Typically, they were filled with all kinds of raw goods and wares, such as grapes, clay, and fibers. Things that were needed in order to produce fineries such as wine, pottery, and papyrus.

Some held sealed and protected crates which typically contained goods from the edges of the empire, or traded with others outside of it. Goods such as raw silver bars, brilliant gems, rich spices, fine fabrics, and beautiful art. These carts often came with a retinue of well-paid armed guards as well.

Although all were technically welcome, some still had to present themselves and their cargo to the many gate guards scattered everywhere. Especially when specifically requested by said guards.

Every single one of the stationed legionnaires was equipped in the same gear: a chain tunic – lorica hamata, a crested helmet – galea, a large curved shield – scutum, and javelin – pilum. All had their gladiuses strapped to their belts as well.

And their presence wasn’t just at the gates themselves, but up along the top of the walls, and inside the two square watchtowers that flanked the gates. Every single one kept a close eye on the traffic that passed under their watch.

Truth be told, nothing ever truly happened at the gates. Not regularly anyway. The fact that they were there at all prevented anyone from doing anything untoward. And if anyone was to start anything, the many heavily armed legionnaires worked quickly to stop it.

.....

Freya and Lucifer were among the ones stopped, considering they had more than ordinary armored outfits and weapons on them. But once they presented the badge that proved they were Reawakened Citizens, they were allowed in.

Weapons and all, despite the city technically being disarmed.

The two continued further past the gates after greeting its guards, and marveled at the wondrous city in front of them. Their light leather-strapped boots tapped as they walked over the paved basalt cobble roads.

And though it was certainly busy around the gate they passed, the streets in the city were even busier. All kinds of people flowed up and down the paved roads, simply going about their day. People carrying goods, people chatting with friends, groups of house guards protecting their noble charge, merchants, plebians, slaves, everyone.

The sheer amount of people became almost dizzying for the two, both of whom were far more used to the wide expanse of the countryside. Seeing this many people all in one place certainly made their world seem smaller than it actually was.

As they walked down the streets and headed closer to the heart of the city, they marveled at all the shops and stalls set along the sides. Most of the tabernas were fairly simple and small open spaces set into the larger building behind them. Usually it was the owner’s home, other times it was simply some kind of inn, or other place of work.

In any case, each of the tabernas were cozy in their own way. They hawked their wares, more often than not food and drink. Most sold various cheap wines, breads, various cheeses, candied fruits, and salted nuts.

They also served up various stews, usually with a variety of offal in them. Many also provided dried and smoked fish, though these fish were typically cheap or ‘less than fresh’.

But food was far from the only things they sold – many also sold tunics and tools, pots and baskets, leathers and fabrics, inks and papyrus. Everything that anyone could possibly need was sold at these numerous shops.

As it was turning noon, many of them were half-filled with people enjoying their midday meal.

Freya noted that they were lively and loud, but not boisterous or brash. Basically, the people were enjoying whatever time they had away from their daily grind.

It wasn’t long before the both of them crossed the Tiber straight towards Palatine Hill. And even though the Imperial Palace in front of them was quite the sight to behold, neither were particularly interested or impressed. Instead, they skirted around the city’s center of power and headed towards the Imperial Fora toward its north.

The two entered the fora from the southeastern end, utterly stunned by everything all around them. Not just the majestic buildings, but of the people all around them. Unlike many of those they encountered along streets that they had already traversed, most of the people here were in heated discussions and arguments with each other.

Usually with topics that revolved around the empire itself – its trade, its wealth, its military, and its general place as the leading power in the world.

Freya noted that almost everyone who spoke about power were men. Old men who wore finely embroidered tunics and silver rings and pendants. One pair seemed to furiously debate the merits of the empire’s eastern expansion, and whether it was a waste of resources or not.

As they passed through the streets and down roofed porticos, they noted that most conversations revolved around Rome’s military might. Or any such dominance over all other nations around them.

Lucifer especially cringed at what ze heard – many of these people actually believed that the Roman empire was the greatest in the world, and could never fall. It wasn’t their ignorance that bothered hir, but their arrogance.

Even this city itself, which every citizen believed would last beyond the empire, would one day cease to be. It might take millennia, but its disappearance was practically assured. Ze knew that everything had an end, and that nothing lasted forever.

But neither didn’t let those arrogant conversations get the better of them. Instead, they focused their attention on the buildings and architecture around them. There were countless intricately carved stone pillars and columns, each of which told their own unique story about the empire and those that built it. Or fought for it. Or died for it.

They walked further northwest until they ended up at the Forum of Trajan, which was even more populated than the rest of the fora. The porticos that flanked the main square had countless small groups in conversation with each other.

And as usual, it was all politics. Though both noted that there was more talk of the city’s infrastructure and its needs, much more than the usual topics of dominance.

Freya glanced over at the far end, where the Basilica Ulpia was located. She easily saw where Trajan’s Column jutted out from behind it. Behind the column was the Temple of Trajan, though she couldn’t see it from her angle.

Not that she nor Lucifer was interested in the basilica, the temple, or the library. Instead, they turned a bit eastward and headed towards a large, multilevel semicircular building – Trajan’s Market.

There, the bustle of the city’s elite shopped for the finest goods for their homes and mansions. Like the plebeians who gravitated around the tabernas, the rich and influential spent their time around the Market.

There were numerous alcoves recessed into the market’s curved wall all along the ground floor. Each one was a small shop with all varieties of fine goods. There were baskets and pots and various containers filled with spices, fabrics, and wine.

And unlike the cheaper chunks of smoked meats at the tabernas, the shops here sold cuts of raw pork, poultry, and fresh fish. They also sold seasoned sausages along with fine smoked and dried meats.

But perhaps the most popular shops sold all kinds of sweet or salty treats and other delicacies. Some sold fluffy honey cakes, delicious raisin wines, and prized stuffed dormice.

The sight and smell of all the food caused both Freya and Lucifer’s mouths to water. Freya was particularly attracted to a basket filled with candied dates. These had been pitted and stuffed with crushed walnuts, and were then dipped in honey and sprinkled with salt and pepper.

She immediately bought a handful and chowed down hungrily.

Her eyes lit up with each bite – the earthy saltiness of the nuts contrasted with the sticky sweetness of the honey-coated date. They were so good that she practically shoved one into Lucifer’s mouth – it was something she felt ze absolutely needed to taste.

And Lucifer easily agreed.

As they ate their delicious snack, the elderly shopkeep next to them exploded in fury. He had snapped up some young man’s wrist and held it in a vice-like grip.

“I hope you’re planning on paying for that!” said the shopkeep.

“Pay for what?” cried the young man. “I’m just passing by your shop on my way back to my domus!”

“Oh, so you must think I’m some kind of fool, eh? Maybe you thought I’m too old to see properly, huh? Well, I’ll have you know that my eyes are sharp as a hawk’s! I saw you snag that apple and watched as you tucked it into the folds of your tunic!”

The shopkeep then shook the young man violently enough that it threw him off balance. And while the man stumbled around, the shopkeep pulled him down to the ground by the wrist, and brought him down to his knees.

At the same time, the shopkeep drew out a thin, slightly curved utility knife from his belt and held it over the young man threateningly.

“You know the law!” shouted the shopkeep. “Either you pay what you stole from me fivefold, or I take your life here and now!”

“W-what?” cried the young man. “Kill me? Over a supposed apple? Aren’t you being overdramatic here? And what if I dropped this apple here and now, what then?”

“Oh, so you admit to theft, then?! Well now I suppose I can do whatever I want to you! I’m sick and tired of hooligans like you running roughshod over good people like me!”

The shopkeep reared back with his knife, ready to stab the young man. The anger in his voice was clear and palpable, and his frustrations were clear to everyone watching all around.

“Wait! Wait, please!” pleaded the young man. “I… I just wanted to get something for my youngest! He… he hasn’t eaten in two days! Please!”

“Then maybe you should’ve thought about paying!” the shopkeep angrily retorted. “Now you’re going to have to deal with Roman justice!”

But before he could swing down and stab the young man with his knife, Freya caught his hand and stopped him.

“Hold,” she said. “Allow me to pay for his apple.”

She then let go of the shopkeep, reached into her pouch, and produced a gold coin. She then pressed it into the shopkeeper’s other hand and closed his fist around it.

“This ought to be enough, right?” she asked.

“Th-that’s more than enough,” stammered the shopkeep. He was utterly stunned by Freya’s actions – no-one in their right mind would ever do such a thing. Not for some street wastrel.

“Too much?” Freya said. Then she turned to the young man and continued. “Well, you’d better get your aurea’s worth and start stuffing your tunic, then.”