The House of Tiberius
Written by Gaius Tiberius "Caligula"
In writing my personal history, the pain from the sins of my family are scalding reminders of what can go wrong with Power. The story is set in another realm and the events lead up to the exodus of most of my family to different areas of the world. I, myself went even further never to be found by the Assassin's dagger in the realm we call Terris.
In order to set the events, one needs to tell the short story of my grandfather Gaius Tiberius Germanicus later to be known as Caligula, Emperor of Rome whose Imperial rule would last four short years. There are many rumours concerning my grandfather's ascension to power, reign and demise. Even in my own family, the story is not fully complete. After the death of Emperor Tiberius, my grandfather the emperor's nephew came to power. I remember my mother telling me how accepted and praised he was. The celebration of his ascension will be talked about for eternity. His rule started with astounding reforms and he was called the Emperor of the People. In the 4 years of his rule the tide would turn. My grandfather was in the prime of his life when he was assassinated in a walkway under the city. The assassin's quickly slayed my grandmother Caesonia and my mother Julia Drusalia. They were attempting to rid their city of the monarchy. Little did they know Drusalia had a child. Due to my grandfather's paranoia with conspiracies, I was kept a secret and was to be according to his will, the next Emperor of Rome.
Later flight would become necessary when Claudius' wife Messalina ran across a letter from me to my uncle. She was a vicious woman and controlled my uncle with cunning only a woman could wield. She would trick him into sending soldiers to our house to slay the maids and me. She convinced my uncle and sole supporter after all these years that I was a threat to his Imperial rule. The next events happened so fast and were so horrible. They still haunt me at night while sitting alone in the Ranger's guild.
On the day before my birthday the maids and I took a trip. We went to seek a blessing from the Oracle. I waited in line with the others who needed blessings more than I. The Oracle watched me while I was in line. His eyes kept meeting mine then looking away. Like my family before me, I was brash.
"Oracle! Why do thine eyes look at me and then ye look away afraid?" I yelled out to the holy man. As I approached the Oracle with bushy eyebrows, he backed away. I demanded a blessing from him but this is all he would say, "Ye soul is cursed and the curse runs deep. The blood of your family poisons minds. Ye shall not live past your thirteenth birthday. Mark my words young Caligula your day has come!" Upon hearing these cursed words when I expected a blessing, I rushed the oracle but was held back by the people and guards. I would leave in disgust but pondered his prophecy and the name he called me "Young Caligula".
I awoke the next morning, my birthday, with a smile. I knew my uncle would be sending a present and I was excited to see what it would be. Forgotten were the words of the Oracle. In the late afternoon word came from the city pages that Roman chariots were seen at the gates of the city. Our small villa was at the crest of the city and just like past rulers, we could look down and see the people coming to our estate. I would always run to a peek by our villa gates and watch my Uncle's soldiers ride up the rough roads. I loved to see the armour and watch the horses. This time something was different. There was a lady in the head chariot and not my uncles most trusted secretary Narcissus. As the procession rode by the villa gates, I held back. Something was not right. Where was Narcissus? I walked slowly to the house but would start running when I heard the terrible screaming.