*Roman salute.* So it begins. Rain fell softly on the Imperial city, washing the white flagstones, cleaning the gutters, but doing little to clean the fog of melancholy that hung over the city. The emperor was dead, long live the emperor. Gaius Meridius sat silently on the back of his horse, looking up at the large monolith that had been erected in honor of the late ruler. It was recently finished, and dust left by chisel still remained to be washed out by the rain. Gaius was a senator of these lands, and as far as he was concerned, he was [i]the[/i] senator. Beside him rode a younger, more inept senator, Horus. He often followed Meridius around, as if in hope that his years of experience would rub off on him. Together they paid their respects to the fallen emperor, who by all accounts had been a man of the people, a father to the children of the land. In truth, however, it was only Horus who paid respects, while Meridius merely watched on with a curious gaze. He read the words writ in stone and thought them gaudy. A glowing epitaph for a lesser man. He looked sidelong at Horus, noting the pained expression on the young man's face and a faintly trembling lip. Sentimentality at its weakest. "Ah, my emperor, if only I had been there that hour..." Horus looked over at Gaius. "If I had been there, I would have slain that assassin, on my oath to the Senate I would have. -Or die in the attempt. Would be better to part with so loved of a leader. " "Yes," Said Gaius in a consoling tone that belied the secret irony in his words. "As would have. But think not on such sad things, young Horus! Now he watches from above and he may yet see how we can make this land a far, far better place than it was even under his ruling. " As he spoke these words, Meridius felt not a twinge of regret, not a pang of conscience. No remorse, even though it was he who had sent the assassin himself. How easy it was to undo an old man's whims with cunning. The world would be a better place now without the dying ignorance of the old monarch. "You are, Gaius. We have a duty to uphold. To him, and to the new emperor, long may he reign." Horus, his red cape shifting in the wind and rain, turned his horse slightly towards Gaius. "I now I have said it many times of late, but I am happy to see Tarquin on the throne. I could not think of a more worthy successor." "You flatter him in his father's presence, Horus. He is my son, you need not extoll his virtues merely for my company's sake." Inwardly the jaded senator smiled a contented smile as he watched his fellow senator. "And yet stil I believe it! I fought under him, you know. Up North, in the bloodiest strip of land I have ever laid eyes on. He fought like an judge of providence, and his sword swung twice as fast as its want. What's more I judge him to be a good man of character, just like I judge you to be. " It is to be noted, that while a good fellow and on occasion a wise one, Horus was not gifted with good judgement of others' character. Nodding his thanks, the older senator looked up at the monument to the emperor. Its sides were slick from clean cuts and from the rain's drizzle, but it was an imposing sight and an impressive one. "Not so bad is his death, for now he can live in the memory of all the little people he tried so hard to accommodate, perhaps to his own detriment." "The people did love him like a father, didn't they? He was that, and a good master as well." Horus replied, then looking up at the monument he solemnly read out its memorial. "Here lies Julius Grachus, last of his name and first in the hearts of the people. May Providence see him seated high in the clouds above, That he may look down on the nation he built, as a father to his people. May his watchful soul ever guide us towards prosperity." Horus was quiet after the reading, and except for patting the side of his horse's neck affectionately, he remained perfectly still. Meridius waited as well, not out of respect for the dead or solemnity, but because it was proper to do so when Horus was so distraught by the moment. However, he had places to be and laws to enact, and an emperor for a son who would need counseling. "Come, Horus. Let us not dwell overly long on his passing, he would want us to tend to the nation's future." With a sigh Horus turned his horse's head back towards the Senate, whose bright stone and lofty roof stood above the rest of the city like the power that it was. The praetorian guard behind them shifted their own horses to flank and surround the two senators as they began their ride back. Hand and half swords hung at their sides and tall helms crowned their heads. Their faces were grim and still, as befit their station, but Meridius believed he knew what may occupy their thoughts. The people looked now upon their noble order with fear and loathing, for was it not a praetorian that had taken the life of the emperor? How would these men react if they knew that the very man they now escorted was the man who had cast an indelible stain on their honor. Rotten food, scowling women, and spiteful children were now what greeted them on the streets. But not so scorned was Meridius, for as he passed the rows of humble shops and homes people came out to watch his passing, hailing him as progenitor of kings, unbeknownst he was equally the killer of one. On his face was satisfaction and in his mind plots for the stabilizing of this grand empire. It was not personal, his successful bid for power, it was merely what had to be done, both for this nation and for the glory of his family name. Throughout the future historians would now learn of this line of kings and emperors. Meridius' line, a proud line, a line which would endure. Of that he would make certain.