Trouble had come. Father was supposed to send an escort of ten warships towards Alexandria. Some of my friends would be on those ships. Yet Titania had lost a naval battle. Our navy was stuck in the blockaded harbour of Syracusa. We were on our own.

And currently, I was trying to loan a few warships.

"Do I understand this right? You want to transport 3000 men, soldiers at that, with 10 war-ships of my house? Do you even understand the trouble this could cause house Bilibin", Elddis asked and looked between the three of us. Alaric, Pyrrhus and I had listened closely.

"This concerns our interests as well as Elddis. Our trade routes with Neapoli will totally collapse if the civil war isn't stopped in time", Pyrrhus made his point. "Think about the gold we could save."

"The east shouldn't interfere with outsiders too much. It was our tradition to do so and know only the sea-folk and dwarves are still keeping the promise", she said. Her disdain for Pyrrhus actions was audible, but she only got a smile from him in return.

"I do remember you were one of the first to start cooperating with the foreign prince. We are both in the same boat", Pyrrhus argued.

"This is different. You are far more invested in this than I ever was. Tell me how much influence you have gained without the resistance of the human faction?", she asked and Pyrrhus smile fell. The minotaur looked to the nearest window instead of answering.

"So your aide will not stay behind to maintain your political and economic interests in Aegyptus?", she asked instead, changing the topic. Her attention completely on the dark one. Alaric cleanly continued.

"Lucius has somebody to manage the political affairs in the east, but somebody capable to keep order in our company is still missing", he explained.

"And what would the person in question gain for the work and risk involved for that kind of position?", she inquired. Alaric and I exchanged a quick glance and nods. This didn't go unnoticed by either of the other two.

"Five percent of the profit", I offered.

"Twenty- five and a guaranteed income if your company goes into the minus", Elddis countered.

"Ten", I continued and the green hair woman groaned in frustration.

"Twenty, take it or leave it. Pyrrhus you will vouch for him. I won't risk my house for twenty percent", she said and the lord of Aegyptus snapped back into the discussion.

"Why do I have to vouch for you?", he asked annoyed.

"Did you invest tax income from the province into this foreign and private company", Elddis asked sternly. She looked first at me and then at Alaric. We instead decided to study the ceiling. What beautiful reliefs. The marble told the story of an ancient Egyptian hero.

"Fine I will vouch for you", Pyrrhus grumbled.

"I can't believe you actually invested state funds into a foreign company. This could make you lose your position if it gets out", she stated. "You owe me one for keeping it to myself."

"If it gets out. And you underestimate my influence. Don't forget who is the lord of a town and who rules this entire province frog", he said aggressively.

"You bull of a ...", she started.

"I think we should keep the threats to a minimum. We should remind all of us what is at stake here", I stopped this from escalating further. "I am are here to make progress and not to lose it."

Both parties hold back their insults and glared at each other as a replacement. Pyrrhus broke the silence first.

"Fine. I am not here today to make an enemy", he says and Elddis smiled at him in return.

"That would be wise from you", she said and I observed how one of the veins on Pyrrhus head bulged. The minotaur though didn't retort.

"So do we have an agreement?", I asked her.

“Yes we have”, she answered.

We left the room shortly after I signed an agreement between the three of us. Pyrrhus followed me and Alaric a bit.

"I do think you know that we will deny any connections with you and will seize all your assets if you fail", he said and watched my expression focused. “She will do the same.”

"I am aware of the risks resulting from our partnership", I said and managed to keep a neutral tone and face. "It is a pleasure to work with you as it is always."

We separate from Pyrrhus and waited with the talking until we reached the mansion. The eyes and ears of our allies and enemies could be everywhere in the city. We had two regional managers executed just last week. They had shipped some of their profits to Carthage. Our efforts to only have loyal personal did pay off though, even if there were a few bad apples.

Corruption had been kept at a bare minimum and this gave our company a good image. A fair wage and fair treatment of our workers allowed us to steal some valuable employs from other companies. Pyrrhus and my name kept most from retaliating. Some others had learned it the hard way.

A servant opened the door and Alaric and I strode in. We headed straight for my office on the second floor.

"So what is your option on the deal?", I ask as Alaric seats himself in front of my desk.

"It is not optimal, but okay. It will take us a week to gather the ships. More if we want to avoid rumours", he answered.

"Let them spread their rumours. Time is of the essence right now. Father wanted me to intervene quickly and I will not disappoint him as his son and heir", I stated a bit too loudly.

"You are right, but there is a difference between acting fast and hastily", Alaric reminded me.

"I know, but all of this just puts me on the edge. I can't fail here", I admitted. "Did you read Cycnus' report about the state of legion Primum Multarum?"

"Yes, yesterday. Niloticus later joined me and made a few comments. I wrote them down", Alaric answered.

"And what kind of comments did he make?", I inquired. There was still a bit of bad blood between the two of us. He reminds me on regular basis to do something about Quintus and I deny any of his suggestions about how to handle the wyvern. I will not restrict him or break our trust.

Alaric knocks on the table, a book was now in his hand.

"Sorry I kinda spaced out a bit", I said.

"I noticed. The six hundred units of heavy cavalry should be the core of the army. There are few situations where we couldn't use them effectively and they allow us to destroy enemy formations with well-timed charges", he read from the book.

"So the archives from the campaigns of Alexander the great were at least trustworthy", I stated and my friend continued.

"Six hundred men of light cavalry is less effective in direct combat, but good for scouting, foraging, quick raids and ambitious flanking manoeuvres. The higher speed means less armour and makes them more vulnerable to enemy fire and pitched battles", Alaric summarizes. "Avoid cavalry archers. Soldiers need at least a decade of experience on horseback with bows to become effective. Your newly trained 300 men are useless for this campaign."

"Hm, we should let them dismount and let them reinforce our archer regiment. I did underestimate the time it would take to train those cavalry archers. We should probably rely on hired nomadic warriors until we manage to train our own. Can't use them in a siege either", I thought out loud.

"The one thousand Legionaries will allow you to defeat light infantry and match the enemies own. Their mobility is limited, but formations and sturdy armour allow for slow, but effective movements on the battlefield. They may even be able to stop a cavalry charge if they break the momentum of the enemy", Alaric said.

"We need to increase that number in the future. Heavy infantry is more versatile in many situations. There is a reason for the high success of the legions of the empire", I remarked.

"Your four hundred units of light infantry are not really necessary. They are weaker against enemy fire and lack the speed of light cavalry. There are only a few situations where light infantry is superior. Swamps and mud like terrains favour them", Alaric said.

"In that case, we should start to train them to become heavy legionaries. I will not battle in swamps or heavy rain", I said. Alaric looked up from his book.

"The enemy will use that to his advantage", he informed.

"Only if you let him. This is why you always have a fortified encampment ready for your troops. Preparation and logistic will be the baseline for all of my future campaigns. I will never rush into the enemy unprepared", I explain.

"Even if it is the only way for victory?", he asked intrigued.

"Those are desperate measures. I have already failed as a leader when those are the only available options", I stated and Alaric went back to the notes.

"Your six hundred units of archers and skirmisher should be split up. To use a mix of ranged weapons is the last thing you want for a single company. Stick to bows, crossbows, slingers, guns or whatever you can come up with. Also, try to use them at a short distance. As ridiculous as this sounds, that is where they are the most effective", Alaric finished and closed the book.

"Anything else my 'teacher' said?", I asked. This was much less than he would normally say. Niloticus had the talent to hold informative monologues for hours.

"Yes all those tips won't bring you anything if a hybrid bites your head off", Alaric said. "His words not mine."

"Tell me what is your opinion on that matter? Please be honest", I asked and Alaric turns to look at the bookshelf.

"Are you sure you want me to be honest?", he asked and went in front of it.

"Yes. I value your opinion not only as an adviser but also as a friend. Your true opinion", I confirmed. Alaric pulled out a book. It was blue and I couldn't read the title. He skimmed through

the pages until he stopped near the end of the book.

"He is a risk. You know that as well. But the question we need to ask is if it is worth it?", he added and I went to read the page before answering.

The section of the book was a glossary. There were the incidents listed where a bound creature either reinforced or destroyed the reign of a ruler. A sea battle decided through a powerful Kraken sacrificing his life. A famine produced by the envy of a bound nature spirit. Both sides outdid those coming before them. Still, there was a balance of around one two four. A quarter of the time the rulers benefited greatly from his bounded creature. In other cases, they didn't.

"You evaded a clear answer", I said and looked up to my friend again.

"I will support you in your decisions as long as you are aware of the risks or prospects of your actions", he explained. "I would follow you into Tartarus if you could give me a good reason. At least as long as I am in your service."

"That is good to know. I do hope you decide to keep me company longer than agreed", I said with an expecting tone. I knew Alaric wanted to explore the world, but I would not be able to follow him. Not without my own heir and I am not even sure, if I would do it then. Duty comes always second after the family.

"If your reign is interesting I might stay around for a few more years", he said and I smiled at him.

"I will give it my best to make it interesting", I remarked joyously. Alaric showed a small smile as well.

"That would be good", he said.

A knock interrupted our musings.

"Come in", I ordered and a maid peeked in with her head.

"A guest is waiting for you downstairs prince Vespasianus. It is Livia Caesar", she informed me while staring at the ground.

"Guide her to my office. I await her here", I said and the maid's head disappeared behind the door. "Was there anything else we needed to discuss Alaric?"

"No, I think all the things that need your immediate attention have been addressed. The rest can wait until tomorrow Lucius", he answered. Alaric disappeared behind a side door after picking up two books from the bookshelf. I should ask him tomorrow what he picked out and why.

Livia entered the room without knocking and seated herself in front of me. She wore a stunning blue dress and had changed her hairstyle from a ponytail to a bun at the back of her head. I like her old style, but this one did look good as well.

"To what do I owe the honour of your late visit?", I asked. The sun would be setting in around an hour.

"I wanted to discuss some matters with the boy who had courted me for over a year", she said and a smile grew on her face when a frown appeared on mine.

"This wasn't funny then nor is it now", I reminded her, but she kept smiling.

"At least your reactions used to be cuter to things like that", Livia said with a small pout and I suppressed a heavy groan.

"Livia please, tell me what you want to discuss. This is no time to ponder over the past", I said and tried again to get to the point of her visit.

"Ah yes. You had asked me to be your political representative in Aegyptus. I accept your offer and wanted you to tell me what I would need to do and know", she explained.

"And you couldn't tell me your answer with a letter and let Alaric or somebody else instruct you with the details?", I asked. There were a few things I could come up with why she chose to act like this.

"Mostly for the entertainment. It also shut-ups my mother talking about my suitors. There a lot of gentleman angry about the attention you get from female nobles", she informed with a dashing smile. The suppressed groan escaped.

"I didn't ask for it and you won't use me to escape your own suitors", I said. Trying to sound serious.

"Oh, I will. That is the perk of our partnership after all", Livia added.

"Fine. Let us get the topic at hand", I gave up. "You are to do what I did in the last years."

"And that would be?", she interjected.

"Keep the human faction under control. We can't join the political game. I signed an agreement for that. You will instead try to make useful contacts, gather information and allies or strengthen our economic ties and influence. We act in the background", I summarized.

"That is all? What do I do if your interests are endangered?", she asked while leaning forward. I ignored the now to me known trick of hers.

"In that case inform Pyrrhus. If he acts unsuccessfully or suspicious contact me with a letter. Act in the background and within the limits of what you are legally allowed. I don't want to mess with the east", I informed.

"That is specific and not very helpful", she said.

"Just talk to Pyrrhus. He will tell you if you need to act and when you need to where the line is he can accept. Should that not be possible to contact me. Understood?", I asked.

"Yes much better", she said and leaned back with a smile.

"You are also to attend any events in my stead and will entertain the guest who wants to meet with me. You are my figurehead for Aegyptus", I said. "The dozen of women wanting my hand will be your problem as well. I forbid you to send them to Neapoli."

"Well, that is boring. But is your decision if you want to ignore all those beautiful women", Livia said. Trying to sound like I would regret my decision on that matter. I wouldn't.

"I meet and spoke with each of them. Either there were forced by their parents to try to make me fall for them. Those give up and are good speaking partners when I make my point clear. Or they are after my title. Those get more desperate and aggressive the more I refuse them. I won't miss them in Neapoli. Especially the latter", I explained and caught Livia staring at me. "And there is a third type. Somebody who likes to tease and annoy a person younger than them."

Livia stopped staring and looked instead around in the room.

"And what kind of women would you allow to entertain you?", she inquired with interest.

"That is really not your concern, but if you want to know I will tell you", I said and kept quiet for few moments. Livia was eager to hear the answer and shifted on her seat.

"Come on", she demanded. It is always better to be the one doing the teasing.

"I don't know. She should be able to be a good mother, but aside from that I will follow my father's advice on that matter", I answered and Livia looked a bit betrayed.

"Very funny Lucius. And what did your father tell you to do?", she asked.

"Just wait for the right person. You will know she is the right one after meeting her", I answered.

"That sounds romantic, but also stupid. Only a fool would rely on dumb luck", Livia stated.

"We are a house of fools. A tremendously successful house of fools at that", I remarked with a smile, but Livia didn't look convinced.

We ended the meeting after a small round of small talk. I spent a few minutes organizing my desk before heading to my library. There I read a book about Julius Caesar campaign in Gaul before heading to bed. I thought a bit about Quintus. He was starting to go on longer trips without me and would return with new scars.

My network also told me that he was sighted quite often by villagers. There had yet to be a report about him harming sentient species and I hoped there would never come one. It would mean I was wrong and worse, I would have to do something about him then. I didn't like my options in that specific case.

The memories of Quintus saving me flashed before my eyes and my worries disappeared. There is no need to concern me with what he could do. What is important is what he has done until now. He saved my life and trusted his to me. I should trust him as well. That was the least I should do as a brother.