1 Viator - Wayfarer

The busy streets of Rome wasn't the most pleasant of places to be. The mystic behind the history of the city-state that grew into an empire to rule the known world was a little bit destroyed depending on which 'regione' (or quarter) of the city you were in; some people would throw their "human waste" right out of their window, making an otherwise harmless stroll become a perilous endeavor.

The year was 50 B.C. and Lucius was still trying to avoid messing up with the history too much at this point. The city was in a flutter with talks about Gaius Julius Caesar and his conflict with the Senate, that Lucius knew would become an open war next year. Ten years ago the Caesar's Triumvirate was formed with Gnaeus Pompey, future leader of the "Pompeyan Faction" for the Consulate, and Licinius Crassus, the fool of Carrhae who died three years ago. While Pompey is in the graces of the Senate at this moment, Caesar has acquired the love of the legions and is feared as a military commander.

Lucius came to this time due to some sort of magic, divine intervention or something else completely unknown to him. He thought he had dreamed a light appeared to him in his sleep and asked what he wanted to bring to the distant past; "a working smartphone with a never-ending battery" he answered; and it was granted. He now dwelled in this time, but could take advantage of his phone.

His smartphone was a sort of secret weapon to him; to others it would appear nearly magical, but to Lucius it granted him an incredible advantage. Its battery never ended, he could se the time and date precisely at any moment, it had a camera and flash that could be used as a flashlight, it could even access the internet but he could never upload any data (so no speaking with the future) and he could use the GPS even without any satellites above him.

He had been using this special advantage to survive so far; watching tutorials about surviving in the wild, since he appeared in the middle of a forest in Italy; he had built a hut in the forest and was fishing and collecting fruits for nearly an year while he studied Latin everyday.

Now he was feeling confident and finally entered Rome to try to earn some money and buy better things for himself - now that he was living in this unforgiving and savage time he would do whatever he could to take the most advantage of his knowledge from the future to live in comfort - his intention was to sell his modern clothes as a kind of foreign novelty to get a few coins.

He headed to the Emporium, the marketplace on Aventinus Hill near the port where there were many foreigners. It was difficult to pose as a Roman citizen due to his accent so he pretended to be from Cyprus and tried to sell his sweatshirt; the day wasn't particularly cold so it was a hard sell.

After spending nearly all morning in Aventinus he gave up and went to the Forum Magnum. It was a sight like no other: the crowd was so varied, citizens, freemen, slaves, patricians, women, children, whites, browns and blacks. You could see it all here, it was truly the center of the world. Markets, speeches, performances, slave trading and even gladiatorial fights would be in this place. Lucius tried to sell it to almost everyone who looked like a person with coin, and most snobbed him.

As a Patrician looking gentlemen with a toga was passing by, Lucius seized the opportunity. "Excuse me, lord! Wouldn't you like to acquire such a precious rarity of a winter gown?" He presented his sweatshirt. "In the winter it will all be sold out and even if your Honor can find it the price will be at least doubled"

The old man looked serious with his gray hair and pinched lips. He looked at Lucius as one would look at an unknown animal. He was about to move on but gave a second look at the sweatshirt. "It's indeed exquisite". He said without showing any emotion but with an intimidating seriousness. Only now Lucius noticed he was being accompanied by four guards armed with sheathed short swords and wearing chain-mail armor. They were looking at him with apprehensive eyes, as if Lucius looked dangerous in some way. "What is its origin?", the old man continued.

"It's a novelty from Cyprus, domine", said Lucius. "It seems like very soft wool, but it is actually cotton import from India through Persia". The man had a curious look on his face.

"Well, Cypriot, how much you want for it?"

"My lord, it is the most valuable thing I brought with when I came to Rome and it is very rare in the great city, perhaps the only one there is around here; anyone would ask an Aureus for it, but I want no more than fifteen silver Denarii."

"Fifteen?!" The old man's eyebrows lifted and made his forehead wrinkle. "You must be mad. No gown is worth more than five unless it is of Tyrian purple". He remained silent for a few moments while Lucius didn't react. "Be it!" He took a pouch and poured a handful of coins on his hands, counted them, handed it to Lucius and took the sweatshirt.

"Thank you, lord."

Before he moved away he stared at Lucius' feet. "What's that?" He pointed at the snickers Lucius was wearing. He completely forgot how it would be considered strange and unique, but wasn't willing to sell it due to its comfort.

"Special shoes from Greece, your Honor." Lucius quickly came up with this lie. "It is made for travelers."

"Greece, huh? I've lived in Greece and never saw such a thing. Where exactly in Greece?"

"Northern Greece, lord. Macedonia."

"Most surprising! I had a house in Thessalonica!" The came closer to Lucius. "I've never heard about these strange clothes and sandals neither from Greece nor Cyprus. Believe me, I would know. I have traveled my fair deal myself. You strike me as a most curious person. You don't look nor sound like a Cypriot; your accent isn't Greek or Egyptian; but still, you didn't correct me when I called you Cypriot." The man seemed to grow taller and severer. "What is the truth, foreigner? Where are you from and what are these objects?"

Lucius shrunk in his posture. "It's the truth, lord. I do not intend in deceiving your Honor."

"Don't take me for a fool. You seem to not recognize me, but I would guess you know exactly who I am. Who sent you?" The man's voice grew angrier at every word.

"I swear, lord, I do not know who you are. I'm merely trying to make some money. You can have your coins back." Lucius felt like it was time for him to leave.

"I've just returned to my beloved city after years of exile and then being forced to govern in Asia Minor, but this is how I'm received by my rivals: by sending strange spies. Guards! Arrest this man!"