<strong>Aulus Livius-Antonious Kiosk</strong><br/><br/>So far Livius had to be caged in a hold full of vomit, was nearly robbed by a child, was harassed by a bunch of prostitutes, nearly got run over by a slave caravan, and the day wasn’t even over.  In fact the next thing to come wouldn’t make the day any better.  Passing the supposed brothel district Livius’s eyes came across a small crowd gathering around kiosk as if watching something progress in the small market.  Not the biggest crowd in the world, but certainly an attraction to those whom were in the area, not to mention keeping their distance from the incident.  Something bad, more then likely.  Livius didn’t require too much displacement amongst the crowd in order to get a clear view at the incident at hand which unfortunately involved a kiosk bearing the title “Antonious’ Goods”.<br/><br/>Four tall men surrounded the kiosk.  Judging by their attire and weapons they were nothing but common street thugs squeezing merchants to fill their coffers.  The tallest of the men stared down at a scrawny but humble man full of fear of what may happen next. “You have no right to demand I pay you more when we already completed the transaction”  The thug had no physical reaction to the merchants words but only to reply in even sharper words, “Antonious…my friend can I not help if I feel that what I sold you is worth more then what I originally thought?”  A simple mistake, obviously this thug knew nothing of trading and his stupidity showed it both mentally and physically. The merchant could not be any more shocked by the criminal’s reasons, “Any merchant will tell you that the price I offered you was more then adequate.”<br/>As if that made the situation any better.  One of the henchmen approached the supposed leader bringing one of his daggers out of its sheath stabbing it into the wood of the kiosk.  The talkative scum nodded to the assailant to dismiss him only to turn to Antonious.  His right arm shoot out at Antonious grabbing him by the collar and pulling him back to forcibly so to bring his body within range, “Well unfortunately I don’t like what merchants think, I like what I think.  And now I think you owe me a hand for that.” With his right hand occupied holding him by the collar, the thug had to use his left hand to grab hold of Antonious’ right wrist placing it firmly on the wooden counter of the kiosk.  The second in command was all smiles as he grabbed the knife once more ready to strike down on the man’s hand for upsetting the boss.  This is as far Livius would allow it to go.<br/><br/>Thankfully with him blended in the crowd it gave him the element of surprise since these villains did not expect any vigilantes from this mob.  He had to move quickly considering the man’s hand was at stake.  Bending his body forward his body burst into a gust of speed charging towards the armed man.   Left hand ready he grasped the armed assailant’s right wrist to hold the dagger in place.  Allowing enough reaction time for the thug to see the hand anchored Livius made the next move by using his right hand clenched in a tight fist taking an uppercut movement directly at the villain’s right armpit.  With little to no time to react the sound of a pop reached the ears of the crowd, that pop being the sound of the thug’s shoulder dislocating, which left him no choice but to release the dagger from his hand as he dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes howling in pain.  Seeing him as no longer a threat Livius released him from his grip only to capture the falling dagger with the same left hand.  This part he had to time perfectly.  With the dagger finally in hand he swung his left arm at an upward arc coming down opposite of him landing the dagger directly opposite of him which happened to be the thugs’ leader’s arm which was holding the merchants wrist.   The blade pierced right through the arm anchoring it by even going through the wood leaving a large stream of blood flowing from the wound and at the same time, totally disconnecting the grip the villain had on the merchant.  The supposed leader had only enough time to scream in pain before a fist from the origin of Livius came right at his face knocking out a tooth and in fact his consciousness at the cost of some torn flesh at the knuckle.  Even the last two thugs whom were the slowest could not even make a move against the young soldier because of that very reason, for both of them could clearly see the mark of the legion engraved on his very neck.<br/><br/>“I think your business here is done.”  Livius’ tone in this case was more then serious if not intimidating for the first time in so long.  What choice did the two men have? Being sure to remove and drop the dagger from the boss’s arm, the standing henchmen recovered their superiors daring not turn back as they fled the scene, more then likely never to show their faces providing how long Livius remained here.  The old merchant could not be anymore thankful then just now seeing how he was on his knees holding the young man’s hands in means to thank him, “Praise Jupiter you were here, I fear they would have taken much more then just my hand had you not shown up.  I am Antonious, merchant of all trades, please at least allow me to give you a discount.”<em>Antonious…..wasn’t this the man Pompey told me about</em>…..Livius could only respond by first helping the merchant knowing that he couldn’t have someone kneeling for him.  “If you are Antonious then I come with this letter.”  Reaching into his belt pouch or at least one of them he presented the merchant with a letter bearing the senate seal, but to be more specific Pompey the Great’s seal.  Seeing the value and importance of this letter the merchant humbled the young many into the estate he was using for his kiosk.<br/><br/>Thankfully with the dispute finished the crowd dispersed to go about its business leaving Antonious able to close shop as he read the letter.  “Galla, can we get some bread and wine please?”  Antonious was very nice to those whom lived here as well, from what it seemed they were all women dressed in worn and torn pieces of cloth giving off a sensual atmosphere about them.  No doubt they these women were indeed prostitutes.  Livius could only respond with a look to Antonious as if questioning if this really was him home.  “Oh you have to forgive me, technically we are still in the brothel district but the madam gives me room and board providing I keep my deal of the bargain……” his lips leaned even closer to Livius’ ear, “….not just by coin alone.”  Making it all the more clear.  With both men settled at a table with food and drink Antonious finished the last words of the leader.<br/><br/>“Well my boy, from what this letter tells me you certainly have a ways to get to Capua, and what Pompey gave ya is not nearly enough.”  Antonious of course referring to the satchel of money given to Livius.  The merchant poured two flasks full of fine, one for each of them.  In fact after nearly losing his hand the old man showed a sudden sign of being famished as he broke bread and eating it along with olives covered in oil. “In any case I think it wont be any problem finding you work, after what you did I figure I could use the extra muscle to make sure no one tries to harm me without a fight. In fact I could also use a strong man like you as a mule too.  I have had letters dispatched to the various noble houses here and I hope to have responses pretty soon.  In fact I believe one should be arriving at the Ludus Leonis Scopulus Tarraconensis momentarily.”<br/><br/>Even after all those words and discussing his living arrangements, job details and other protocols Livius still remained isolated and if not nervous due to never being in this part of the Republic of Rome not to mention coming right off the ships from war.  “Thank you sir, I promise to my best in your services.”  The merchant could only laugh at the young man’s polite rebuttle. “Oh come boy, lets not get to formal okay.  I may be old but I’d like to think that their still is some youth left in me.”  His vision suddenly distracted by the passing of a voluptuous blonde gracing her presence.  “Do you have a first name what was it……Livius?”  Livius cleared his throat trying his best to ignore the prostitute as he gave his full name to Antonious.  “My first name is Aulus, Aulus Livius.  Son of Gaius Livius Justus.”<br/>