Large Temple of Minerva

Decianus invites some the more reform-minded Plebeian Tribunes to visit his newly erect shrine. He wants to tour them around the shrine and pay their respect to the Goddess Minerva. Then he would walk with them to discuss other important matters.

"Salve tribunes"

Decianus greeted the Plebeian Tribunes. To the the tribunes it appeared that the Shrine was close to completion. Still many workers were working to complete the construction, with many statues being transported to the right places.

"I thank you for being here, hopefully soon this shrine will be opened for the Roman citizens to pay fealty to the Goddess of Justice"

While he had not invited the Tribunes for the Shrine alone it would never hurt to show fealty to the gods to others.

"Aye, you ask good questions"

Decianus replied with a smile, leaning on a pillar.

"The citizens of Rome ask for justice after the recent debacle in Greece, which has caused many good men to die, it seems."

Many of Rome's citizens were calling for Mugillanus to be prosecuted, including populist senators.

Quintus Metellus Pius arrives to take the auspices of the Temple. He is accompanied by several priests, lictors, and other senators of note.

Pius' priests begin to take the omens outside as the man himself enters the temple within.

"Decianus. I see you have adopted some show of piety."

Remarked the Consul, turning his aquiline nose up at the efforts of the now-Praetor's temple.

"However, that you must deploy armed thugs to ensure your building is protected speaks only to the divine disfavour upon the building site."

"Lepidus' fire was a result of divine disfavour, and has now been corrected by substantial sacrifice. I suggest that you yourself make a healthy offering, to purge the memory of the Gods of the horrific misdeeds of your cursed uncle. Else you may find yourself cursed."

Replied Pius, implacable as a glacier.

"If the Gods withhold their favour, then the temple might have to be destroyed or moved. It may be that the site itself is a place of ill-omen. You shall have to consult with the Augurs."

Continued the Pontifex, in his typically imperious manner.

"I suggest you take appropriate action immediately."

Pius stepped outside to allow the priests to begin their divination. As customary for Minerva, a cow was sacrificed. The hapless animal groaned even before the knife hit the flesh, an assuredly poor auspice, and the priests looked anxious as they stepped away to allow the Augurs to do their work. Metellus watched on hawkishly as they rifled carefully through the entrails, and had attracted quite a crowd by the time that the Augur rose to his feet and shook his head.

"It is as I feared." Announced the Pontifex Maximus, with sternness writ into his features. "The site of this temple is cursed by some unforeseen malaise. I fear that this site was not properly consecrated." Metellus looked grave. "This site must be moved, unless some offering to the Gods could be made that would assuage their disfavour."

He turned to Decianus, wagging a finger.

"Have you been tampering with the sacred cults of our women? Bona Dea is not a Goddess to lightly cross, and yet I fear you have done so. Men should not meddle in her affairs."