"The courier service is indeed a good idea and I will instigate its construction as soon as possible. I have an auxiliary legion that can do the building so all I require from you is a group of architects who know the structure of the courier service."

Caesar sighed slightly

"Now, Julius please do not take it as a slight that I do not accept a legion of yours into Hispania but I fear with the Vasconi and others causing problems that it would make them more restless."

"Alright Magnus. I will send you some of my best architects."

"With that agreement Julius, old friend, I must take my leave back to Tarraco. I have been away too long."

"So when your tenure as governor of Hispania comes to an end, you will return to Rome and work with me to rebuild her greatness?"

Magnus nodded in the affirmative

"Yes Julius, I will, as long as you have made strides forward in the government and as long as you leave the Vasconi to me..."

"I will leave them to you Magnus but promise me..."

Pompeius raised a hand to stop Caesar

"Do not worry, Julius. I will order Labienus and my son Cnaeus to bring them to battle and then offer them terms that gives them client status, but if they refuse I may be forced to take more drastic measures."

Before Caesar could reply, a slave shuffled into the room.

"I sent word we were not to be disturbed!" Caesar shouted angrily

"But my lord, this is urgent."

The slave produced a scroll

"Fine then, give it here."

Caesar snatched the scroll and read it. As he read, Caesar's face gradually turned a deeper and deeper shade of red. Pompeius spoke up

"What is it, Caesar? Bad news from Gaul?"

Through his growing rage, Caesar could only manage one word

"Balbus"

"Your banker in Rome? What has he done? Invested your money in marble based boats?"

Pompeius laughed a bit but stopped when he realised Caesar was not laughing. If anything, his anger was growing

"Julius, what is it?"

"Not that Balbus..."

Then it dawned on Pompeius.

"What has that little shit done now?"

Caesar said nothing but handed the scroll to Pompeius. After reading it, Pompeius shot to his feet and stormed to the door

"I am going to hunt down that little bastard myself, even if I have to follow him to Scythia!!"

"MAGNUS, WAIT!"