Wrapped in a cloak, no one paid much heed to the old man who hobbled along the streets of Pergamum. The gates of the great city had been opened now that the rebel army outside had been utterly defeated, smashed by the Romans in wave after wave of attack that had broken them and scattered them, with the Roman cavalry seeing that few got away.

The streets were full now. Walking wounded seeking cures, whores promising the pleasures of the flesh to campaign-tired soldiers, merchants hawking their wares at inflated prices. The old man shuffled along, noticing all this but saying nothing. The Roman general, Brutus, had sold off the surviving rebel troops as slaves, sending them off to lives of misery all throughout Asia and elsewhere.

The gossip in the city talked of the fearlessness of Brutus, fighting in the front line with his men, and the cowardice of the Proconsul, who sat in the Citadel, refusing to make an appearance. The old man listened intently to the converations as he shuffled past. Eventually, he reached what was obviously a familiar door, and pushed inside.

Once the door had closed, the old man straightened himself, and flung off the dark cloak. "Damn them!" Even in the dim light inside, it was clear that this was no old man - he was in his forties at most, and the clothes that had been hidden under that enveloping cloak were rich and colorful. "Those Roman bastards have us under their yoke again."

"They have won today. They have not won for ever." The female voice was low and resonant. "Your time will come, my lord."

"They have ripped us apart! The traitor Pantheras betrayed us and led us to be sacrificed. We were so close to victory! Why has this happened?"

"This Brutus was ruthless, and you were outnumbered. Your time will come, my lord. You will one day be King of Asia as you dream. In the meantime, plan, wait, be ready. The time will come." Soothed by her words, the erstwhile rebel leader put his head in the woman's lap and she stroked Philetaurus's hair with her fine fingers, while his mad eyes shone and he plotted.

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OOC - The rebellion in Asia is over! The rebel army has been decisively beaten, its leaders dead or on the run. The Romans once more have full control over the province.