Marcus found the city of Veii overwhelmed with troops. Surrounded on all sides as though it were under siege, the city looked as though it was visibly sagging beneath the military weight applied to it.

Dropping off his horse to ask a passing legionary where the Consul was, Corvus landed straight in a pile of ox dung. Cursing, he followed the directions of the laughing optio and found his way to Zosimus' command headquarters - predictably, the nicest villa in Veii.

"Another stinking legate, eh?" a grizzled man asked. With a sigh, Corvus nodded.

"Have you anything I could use to get this dung off me before I see the Consul?"

"Too late!" another, more familiar voice rang out. Turning around, Corvus recognized Zosimus, and Brutus standing behind him. "And speaking of late, I am oh so pleased you finally decided to show up." Drawing himself to attention, Corvus saluted. "Have you seen the other miscreants that the Senate has saddled me with?"

"No, sir," Corvus said, surprised. He had expected everyone else to be at Veii already, for he certainly hadn't seen Caesar, Lepidus, or Maximus in Rome.

"Oh well, I can't wait much longer, especially not for three spoiled brats," Zosimus snarled. "Come with me!" And deeper into the tent the trio went.

MAC