Ateret watched as her sister and Aemilia sauntered off, none the wiser about the disaster of egos just averted. She blew a heavy exhale through her lips, letting them flap in a tired fashion before turning away from the square and heading down familiar alleyways she had traversed as a younger girl. She caught the eye of one of her old friends who teased her about looking like a girl, to which she replied she could still whoop him if she weren’t in a dress. The boy, well, man now she supposed just chuckled and brushed her off in a friendly fashion before she’d smiled goodbye and continued on. She was almost to the docks where she planned on meeting with her father and discussing the travesty of a get up he was making the servants put her in each day, when she saw two men in the shadows discussing. And anything discussed in alleyways away from prying eyes and ears was usually something worth knowing. And sometimes worth killing over. Ateret laid her back against the wall and concentrated, furrowing her brow as she heard the two men speaking. 

“The Emperor must be warned,” the taller one hissed.

“He’s been turning a blind eye for far too long. He’s foolish enough to fight it if he knows,” replied one with a slightly higher voice and smaller stature.

“A true Roman would not let him be cornered in such a fashion. Or embarrassed as he will be.”

“He should already be embarrassed for the mess he’s made of Rome’s reputation and his own.”

“You will see my friend. Allegiances with those in power will come in handy.”

“Ah, not when those in power crumble. Sooner than you think, Livius.”

With that, the two men parted ways, a seemingly friendly yet unfriendly tone left hanging in the air. Luckily, neither passed Ateret’s hiding place and she slipped back onto her chosen path towards the docks undetected. Her mind was now occupied with grander things than her morning routine though. What was happening so soon to the empire? Was the emperor in danger? Did she have any sort of obligation to warn anyone? She continued on her way but the concern and confusion on her face was clear.