Sciant Filii Pacis

Widuae Fleant Pro Hominibus

Justinius hurried to keep up with his brother’s long strides as they exited the Senate, cramming through the doors with a large portion of the senators, and made their way out of the building into the glaring afternoon heat. Justinius fell in step beside him and took up the conversation. “What did father mean by the lost generation?”

“You will see,” said Corbenus bruskly.

Justinius made an exasperated face but would not be silent for long. “So, Corbenus, how have you been since I saw you…over ten years ago? It’s like I hardly even know you.”

“I’ve been busy working for our father,” said Corbenus. “While you were away at the villa, doing nothing, I was helping keep our house afloat and saving the republic.”

Justinius raised his eyebrows. “My…that sounds important. How’s that going, by the way?”

Corbenus shot a glare at him. “Let’s just find Laurentius Conditius and give him the news.”

“And where will we find him?”

“With all his other friends, probably reveling in debauchery in the Gens Rest popina, at the bottom of the Capitol Hill.”

The pair made their way down Capitol Hill, past the rich houses, and toward the base where the more upscale businesses were. The particular establishment they were looking for sat in an open patch of the city, on the corner of the street but disconnected from the houses around it, surrounded by a small wall where shaded awnings and chairs could be seen within. Several patrons sat outside, conversing over wine and appetizers. Their quiet conversations were lost in the raucous laughter and shouting that could be heard from within. From the upper story, a half-dressed man leaned out the window, taking deep breaths while a woman’s voice called to him from within.

Justinius stared at Corbenus, his eyes wide. “I’m not sure I want to enter an establishment like this. I would gossip about myself if I saw me coming out of this place.”

Corbenus glared at him, then at the building before continuing. “Let’s get this over with.”

Corbenus pushed open the door to the Gens Rest and the smell of wine, smoke, and sweating bodies hit them. The fine establishment had many low tables and cushioned seats around them to relax in. Scattered about were patrons, mostly young men, congregating for an evening of pleasure with friends, alcohol, and whatever trouble they could find. Laughter resounded and rang particularly loud from a table in the center of the room where three men sat in conversation. One man stood on the table and began to proclaim loudly, “If I have to hear one more sermon from the man, I swear I shall disinherit myself.”

“And give up all his gold?” responded a companion seated below. “Your loss. I’ll take your place if you want. I wouldn’t mind being the nephew of an illustrious family like the Montinius.”

“I bet you would,” scoffed the man from the table. “But a Montinius must be strong, brave, and capable. You are none of those things.”

More laughter and a fourth man joined the group, an arm around a scantily clad woman. His tunic was half on and he was beaded with sweat as he took a gulp of wine and raised it to the man on the table. “You don’t seem to match the description of your own family!”

“You joke! I am the most capable of my family!”

The most serious of the group snorted. “At what? Drinking and spending?”

More laughter and Justinius glanced at Corbenus. “I assume one of those men is the one we seek?”

Corbenus could not keep the scorn from his face. “Indeed. Laurentius Conditius. He sits at the head with the dour expression. Beside him is the coward Matthius Ultimius and the man with the harlot is Lowellus Cadenzius, living up to his family name as usual. The one on the table is Ardellius Montinius, the disgraced nephew of the famed Marius Montinius.”

As they approached, Justinius took a better look at the group. Laurentius, true to his behavior, was the least remarkable of the three. He had straight brown hair, was of average height and build. Matthius had curly dark brown hair, a thin, pale face, and was the shortest of the group in height and temper. He was even then glowering at Lowellus who had sat beside him with the girl in his lap, spreading her legs into his chair as well. Lowellus was the fairest of the group, unsurprising for a Cadenzius. He had light, wavy brown hair, a chest with a good deal of it, abs that clearly saw cultivation, and a handsome face that held a wide smile as he tickled the woman behind her ear.

Ardellius, still laughing and looking slightly tipsy, had flat brown hair like Laurentius but was altogether more handsome and appealing in nature due to his friendly smile and manners. He climbed off the table and sat back clumsily on his cushioned chair when he noticed the two Honerius approaching. “AH! Look who comes! The sour and busy Corbenus Honerius, always at his father's beck and call with no time for himself. But who is this…”

The rest of the group turned their gaze to study Justinius in particular. Justinius saw every pair of eyes flick to his head of red hair and he felt his face growing the same shade. Lowellus smirked. “Well, Corbenus found himself a friend for once!”

“I’m not here to talk to you,” snarled Corbenus, turning to Laurentius. “I bring a message from your uncle, Magnus.”

“Wait! I know who you are,” said Ardellius, pointing at Justinius with the hand holding his cup.

Wine sloshed over and hit Matthius’s leg. “Careful you idiot!”

“Hmm? Oh. Don’t whine and just enjoy the wine, Matthius.” He chuckled at his joke before pointing again at Justinius. “You are the half-gen that pious Horatius hid away on his country villa! Aren’t you?!”

Corbenus glared at him but Justinius took a breath and shrugged, grinning with embarrassment. “Guilty…of that at least.”

Ardellius laughed all the more loudly. “Don’t let it get to you! It’s ironic how often our elders blame us for their own mistakes!”

“Sit down, Ardellius,” said Laurentius. “What does my uncle want with me that couldn’t wait?”

Corbenus shot one last glare at Ardellius who remained standing. “Your uncle has obtained a position for you in the Senate. You take your position tomorrow.”

Laurentius’s frown turned to barely suppressed rage. “Typical. That bastard.”

“Congratulations on your unwanted promotion,” said Ardellius, lifting his cup.

“I told him I would not take a position on that mess of a government body.”

"Look at it this way,” said Lowellus, his bare toe lifting up to prod Laurentius across from him, “You can have a job that secures your own future, free from your family. Most of us just use good old-fashioned mooching off our families' wealth.”

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“It's the principle of the matter,” said Laurentius.

“You just hate work,” chimed in Matthius.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion.” Laurentius stood, drained his cup, then stepped out from the table. “I suppose that is my cue to leave then. Tell me, Corbenus, who did he make a deal with to get me on the Senate? Your father I suppose.”

“Indeed.”

“Oh…no,” said Ardellius, a wide grin splitting his face. “Tell me that Horatius got his half son to sit on the Senate in exchange!”

Justinius nodded and Ardellius barked with laughter. “This is too priceless!”

Lowellus gave Justinius a pitying look. “I see your father dug you out of his storage to further his political ambitions. Hopefully, you will prove a better asset to him than Laurentius will for his uncle.”

Laurentius shook his head. “If he thinks I’m just going to blindly vote for all his policies like the rest of his underlings, he’s sorely mistaken.”

“You would be a fool to defy him,” said Matthius.

“Wisely spoken,” said Ardellius. “You should listen to the worm. He has sense at least in place of courage.”

“I am not a coward!” whined Matthius. “I am just sensible.”

Ardellius rolled his eyes. “I just said that.”

“I’ve had enough,” snorted Corbenus. “Come, Justinius.”

As the pair turned to leave, Ardellius stepped out from his chair. “Wait now! I would like to speak to Justinius…get to know him better!”

Justinius looked to Corbenus who shook his head. Justinius looked back at the group, not really wanting to spend time with them. Lowellus was kissing the woman, Matthius was muttering under his breath, and Laurentius had just tossed his coins to the table. “Maybe some other time.”

“Unacceptable,” said Ardellius. “I shall have to come with you then. I’ll walk you home.”

Corbenus gave a sigh of exasperation and turned on his heel, leaving the building. Justinius stood with uncertainty, staring back and forth between his brother leaving and Ardellius who was searching his pockets. “Oh, gods…I have forgotten my coin. Cover my tab, will you Matthius. Thanks!”

“I covered you last time!”

Ardellius put an arm around Justinius’s shoulder and steered him out the door. “Quick, before he starts on another of his tirades about how unfair we treat him.”

They exited the building and Justinus could see Corbenus walking further up the road. Ardellius took a deep, steadying breath and shook his head. “Sorry…I may have drank a little too much. Manners!” He clasped Justinius’s arm. “Ardellius Montinius, nephew of the illustrious Marius Montinius…as everyone likes to introduce me.”

“Justinius Honerius.”

“I know! At last, Horatius pulls you out of his chest to use in his political games!”

“How do you know of me?”

“Only by rumor, something I believe needs to be corrected. I also think it best I introduce myself before the rumors about me get to you and you get the wrong impression.”

“And…what impression is that?”

“That I’m an incurable, indulgent wastrel who tarnishes my family name.”

The ease with which he said this, with a jovial grin splitting his charming features, made Justinius laugh. “And, is it true?”

“Just a little,” said Ardellius, gesturing for them to begin walking. They did so, making the trek up to Capitol Hill and the Honerius mansion. “So tell me, has your father already told you of your role as silent vote in favor of any of his movements?”

Justinius nodded uncomfortably. “Not in so many words, but I read between the lines.”

Ardellius nodded. “At least you know. Some idiots don’t catch on to that fact. Me, I choose to suffer their disapproval in exchange for freedom.”

“Do you have any family in the Senate?”

“No. My father was, but he died in the civil war. My sister and I, yes, I have a sister, live here off the generosity of our uncle. In actuality, my uncle funds my sister more than me. He would get rid of me if he could.”

Justinius nodded. “Is your sister…um…on better terms?”

“Oh, my uncle holds her in high esteem. She is strong, sensible, and politically savvy, especially at playing the game of staying out of politics.”

“But what kind of person is she? It occurs to me that my sister is in need of a patroness to help bring her into society and I would see someone who will do right by her.”

“If by do right, you mean help her not be swamped by arrogance or stupidity, then yes. She is the one for it.”

“I will speak to my father about it…”

Justinius trailed off as he glanced down a side street at a strange-looking building. It was larger than the homes around it and its roof was sloped with arched windows in the upper stories. It looked more ancient than the buildings around it and a small crowd of people gathered before its large double doors. Ardellius caught his glance and nodded to the building. “That? That’s the House of the Cause. Apparently, a bunch of men and women worship some invisible deity there. It's not sanctioned by the state but they offer their services to the poor and work off donations.”

Justinius glanced with more interest. “I have heard of the Cause. A friend was recently speaking of it…”

“Are you religious?”

“No…well, I’m not sure.”

“Then it’s best not to get involved,” said Ardellius, continuing up the hill. “Religion becomes a pain that ties you down with commitments and obligations. Me, I’d rather live free while I can.”

Justinius glanced at him, a frown creeping across his features despite his best efforts. “While you can? What do you mean?”

Ardellius gave him an incredulous look and made a dramatic gesture around them, his arms waving wildly. “Do you see the world around us?” He stumbled and Justinius barely held his feet as Ardellius stumbled into him. “Sorry, Sorry! You will know what I’m talking about after a single week in the Senate. Our country is falling apart, war is inevitable, and I’d rather enjoy my life in song, wine, and pleasure while I still can. It isn’t going to stick around forever.”

Justinius nodded slowly. “I know what is happening in their world. However, I’m not sure I…agree with that choice of lifestyle. It seems…never mind.”

“No! Say it! I’m sure I have heard far worse.”

“Well…it seems selfish. How can we expect things to get better if we all take that mindset?”

He nodded knowingly, a smile creeping across his face. Justinius felt it wasn’t a smug look or even one of pity, but one of ironic humor. “A noble sentiment. Try it for a month, just a month, with all the ungrateful people who will actively work against you and still demand more from you. Then you can tell me if it’s worth it.”

Justinius felt a rush of frustration. He wanted to argue but wasn’t sure exactly what to say. His face flushed and he looked down at the paving stones. He felt a shove as Ardellius bumped him with his shoulder. “Don’t pay me any mind. I won’t be the one to destroy your ideals. Believe them as you wish. Each of us holds to what keeps us sane in these times. How do you know about our society from your isolation? You said you know what is going on.”

Justinius seized upon the subject eagerly. “I did a good deal of reading while at the villa. I kept up with current affairs through the writings of Virgilus Cantorius in particular. His wit is-”

“Hey, I know him!” Ardellius stopped and smacked Justinus in the arm. “He’s a good friend of mine and I’m often invited to his parties! There is one tomorrow night if you are interested. I could bring you along!”

Justinius felt his eyes bug. “Really? You know him? And…I can meet him?”

“Of course! Which of his writings do you like the most?”

“His poetry! It’s biting and vicious but brutally honest!”

Ardellius laughed loudly. “It’s true! He has a way of pointing out our flaws and the Senate’s stupidity in a truly entertaining way. His parties always have the most interesting people as well…”

“May I invite someone else? I think she might enjoy it.”

Ardellius grew suddenly serious and took a step back. “A woman? Really? I’m surprised you found a woman so fast. Didn’t you just arrive yesterday?”

Justinius cursed his inability to stop his blushing as he grew red again. “I…well…we could just go alone. I just think she would enjoy it, seeing she has a biting wit as well. She and I talked on the road to Aquilla…”

“Who is she?”

“She’s a dignitary from Carxandria, Lumina Humilius.”

“Humilius? I know that name…they have some scandal to their name purely based on their heritage. Also, a Carxandrian…bring her along. A disgrace, a half-gen, and a Carxandrian should bring some much-needed spice to his party.”

“You are sure he won’t mind?”

“Are you joking? The more controversial the guests at his parties, the more he likes it. He thrives on it! I shall come to collect you at…what…the 11th hour? After all those boring Senate hearings, I’m sure you will enjoy the entertaining party of a Cantorius! Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.”