583 Rude Awakening (1/2)
A heavy fist pounded on the door to Antonidus' bedchambers, ”Head Magistrate! Head Magistrate. Are you still there?”
Ignoring the voice, Antonidus stretched his arms and back... only to have to creak, crack, and pop-- grimly reminding him of his old age. Shaking his head, he unhurriedly put on his Magistrate robe.
An earlier series of knocks had awoken him-- and rather rudely. This set of knocks was urging him to hurry.
He combed his long white beard thoughtfully, wondering what terrible thing had befallen his city this time... Likely, another merchant's son had been 'wrongfully' imprisoned or the Church enforcers were trying to shut down a bishop's favorite brothel.
Maybe an important building was on fire? Flamescarred Sons of Qotal... He had ordered them all to reside outside of the city. They were all so f... flammable.
Regardless, it was probably something that could wait until after breakfast... but, then again... if whoever was at his door got past so many rounds of guards, they were probably worth pretending to listen to.
He grabbed the satchel containing his pen, ink, and reference materials, but suddenly... his chest began to spasm, his throat blocked. He doubled over, overcome by a painful, coughing fit.
A pale-faced Decanus Philippos burst into the room, dark circles underneath his eyes and his wispy brows furrowed, ”Head Magistrate! Are you alright?!”
”Yes, yes,” Antonidus rolled his eyes, taking out a clean cloth and wiping his mouth.
Blood. Again. The cold of the winter had been in the air, as of recent... and it affected him more than in years past.
Righting his posture, he walked out of his room, past the young Decanus, ”Walk and talk, boy. Walk and talk.”
He casually glanced out the window of the second-story hallway and noticed the dim orange glow. He'd thought he'd woken up before dawn, but it seemed it was much later than that.
Flame take it. He had plenty of work to do...
”Sir!” Philippos shouted, ”Th-the city! It's under attack!”
”The city's under 'attack' every sun,” Antonidus groaned. ”What is the outrage about now? Was another gladiator caught f*cking something they shouldn't have? I told them that statue in the eastern square had too Flame-taken much sex appeal.”
”Sir... no, that's--”
”Wait, don't tell me--” Antonidus stopped abruptly, holding up a palm, ”It's another rally about inequality amongst the social classes, isn't it?”
”Harpies! There are harpies, sir!”
”BAH!! Will it NEVERRR ennnnd?!?!” Antonidus threw his hands up in disgust, turning away, ”If it were up to me, Decanus, women wouldn't HAVE rights! But that's not something that gets decided by me, now is it? Have them write a Flamescarred letter to their senator!”
Antonidus stopped... ”Is that so?”
”It is, sir.”
...The two of them slowly turned towards the nearby window.
The tinted glass shattered immediately, a naked woman with sagging breasts and grey-feathered wings for arms crashing to the floor. She loosed a croaking shriek, clawing at the space around her with long-legged talons.
”By the Flame!” Antonidus cursed, ”It's a Flamescarred HARPY!”
”Stupid overgrown PIDGEON!!” Philippos grabbed a broom that had been left nearby and began to swat at the woman, ”Get the hells out of here! Shoo!”
The creature shrieked in indignation before flying out of the broken window from whence she came.