Veii, 18 kilometres north of Roma.

"My lord, duke Jagu requests for your report on the situation in Veii", the envoy stated his message. Standing before the baron of Veii.

"We will send the report soon. There are still rebels in the city", the baron replied hastily adding the rest when the envoy frowned. "Their networks reach too deep. Everybody is a suspect."

The envoy fixed the baron with a calculating gaze.

"Baron Labrax Grattus, I hope you are not using your newfound power to exploit your holding?", she asked. Smiling as the baron seemed to look for a way out.

"No no not in the least. The thought alone would never cross my mind", Grattus replied swiftly. Closing the distance to the woman, putting his arm around her shoulder. "I never caught your name, miss envoy."

"Vesuvia is the name", she answered removing the arm with a grimace.

"No last name?", Grattus inquired perplexed.

Vesuvia began to frown again.

"You know, never mind. Vesuvia I believe we can reach an understanding", Grattus said.

"What do you imply baron?", Vesuvia asked with interest.

"You should be rewarded for your services to the duchy. Why don't I ensure your well-earned reward and you ensure in kind that my report faces no problems. We don't want Jagu to wonder about the details, do we?"

"Baron Grattus has a point. Shall we discuss my remuneration then?", the envoy asked, matching the baron's smile.

"Perfect I knew I could count on your cooperation. Shall we?", Grattus outstretched his hand bowed.

"For the good of the country", the envoy answered taking the hand.

"For the good of the country miss envoy", the baron joined in.

Ostia, 26 kilometres south of Roma

Toxilus Verullus starred at the beverage and cup before him then at the letter in his hand. His view switched between both of them. He chugged down the beverage in one go, opened the letter carefully and began to read.

"Mhhh, what are you reading dear?", a woman whispered. Pressing herself against the baron's back. Looking at the letter as well, her head on his shoulder.

"Pontia, I didn't know you were awake", Verullus said, giving her a kiss by twisting his head. He enjoyed her warmth and the absence of clothing.

"Wait a letter from Jagu?", Pontia exclaimed and grabbed the letter. She turned around and sat cross-legged on the bed. Giving the paper all of her attention.

"Don't forget that he is our liege", Verullus reminded as he copied the position his wife had held a moment ago.

"He is a pretender, a murderer, a tyrant, nothing more", Pontia ripped the paper apart.

"You promised me. You promised to let the matter rest", the baron of Ostia said. His wife turned around. Anger in her face.

"He killed my husband and took the titles of my children! You are still his lapdog!", she shouted at her new husband.

"I was sent to secure control over the city! I am his fucking vassal for Zeus' sake! Do you want my head to roll?", the husband returned fiercely.

"You have no spine! I hate you!", Vellurus received a fist to his face. His wife took the sheets and left the room through the backdoor.

"Why does that woman have to be so difficult", the baron rubbed the red spot in his face. "And why does she hit so hard."

His hand shined in a dim light. The red spot got smaller before disappearing completely.

"Still hurts", Vellurus said to himself. Beginning to put on his clothes. "Maid!"

Several moments passed before a woman peeked through the opened door.

"You called my lord?", she asked.

"Notify Salonia. We will have an emergency meeting", Vellurus answered. The maid still stood in the doorway. Focused on her lord "Do I have to repeat myself?"

This seemed enough to motivate the maid to hasten herself.

An hour later in another room of Vellurus' dwelling.

Salonia entered the room and halted immediately. The Khajiit held her snout.

"You could have bathed you know? My nose is sensitive", she informed. Salonia still sat down on the chair before the desk.

"I really don't want to deal with this as well. Bear it, we have to talk", the baron ordered strictly.

"Quarrel with your wife?", Salonia inquired carefully.

"I DO NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW", said Vellurus slowly and clearly.

"Who would have thought that marrying a former enemy would ...", the Khajitt began.

"Salonia!", the baron intervened angrily.

"Fine fine, what is the problem then?", she relented.

"News from our liege. We are to report the progress of securing Ostia for the duchy. The lands around Roma will also have a governor from now on", Vellurus started.

"Does fucking the wife of an enemy count as progre ..."

"Salonia!"

"Yes yes. Do you know who is the new governor?", Salonia inquired.

"That is the thing. I have no idea. As far as we are concerned it could be anybody", Velurus explained. "I have nothing to show off except the properties confiscated from supporters of the late baron."

"You did bang...", Vellurs glared at the woman before him. "It should be Lucius. According to my sources."

"Who?", Vellurus asked.

"Son of Jagu, Lucius Vespasianus. He returned from the east and led a campaign against the count of Bari and his little uprising", she clarified.

"How do you know it is him?", Vellurus asked further.

"Because my eyes and ears saw him leaving Napule a few days ago", Salonia answered.

"You think we could maybe 'convince' him to put in a good word for me and my task", the baron asked hopefully.

"I don't know. Just keep an eye on your wife. We don't need a diplomatic accident", Salonia reminded the baron. He in turn sighed.

"Pontia won't like it", Vellurus said, sounding unsure. "But perhaps it is best to do just that. In case something does happen."

"Let's hope it does not", Salonia added.

"Yes. I have a task for you. You are to meet with the heir and explain our situation to him. We are willing to cooperate with him. On all levels. Bring the report with you. Don't whitewash it. He should see the truth of my progress", Vellurus finished standing up from the chair. "That is all."

"Very well my lord. I will not disappoint you", the woman stood up, bowed and left the room.

Vellurus looked at the closed door.

"Let's hope that the prince understands my situation."

"Cycnus did you not worry about fitting accommodations for you and your men?", I asked, the report from the scouts in my hand.

"And nice and beautiful maids and nice clothed maids. And many nice and beautiful maids and nice clothed maids", the minotaur added with a dreamy smile.

"Well, you won't have to worry about sharing rooms. The report about Roma's resident count is zero", I informed. Nobody had yet tried to repopulate Roma again. At least not officially. The surrounding villages were mostly completely abandoned as well. You could find one or two farmer families from time to time.

"So nobody is living in the city?", Cycnus asked.

"Not officially no, though the report does mention hints pointing to recent human activities", I answered. Continuing to answer his next question. "Bandits or beggars probably. Maybe they hope to find some left behind treasures in the city."

"What will you do about them?", Cycnus inquired.

"For now nothing. There is a lot more we need to fix first", I answered again. "I will need two teams to clear the tunnel systems of debris. We don't need to fix it, but the water must be able to flow out of the city again."

Quintus roar made me look up from the report. I glance at Roma in the distance and the black spot flying around the city. Roaring triumphantly my familiar landed on the gate facing us. He looked to have fun.

"Do you expect fighting inside the city", Cycnus asked … hopefully?

"Don't worry about that. There will be more physical labour for everybody, but I do expect some smaller fights", I answered.

We neared the city and I continued to read through the other letters and reports. There was a lot to read.

Firstly a letter from Alaric. I had asked him to move the legion north and meet us in Roma. He had secured the eastern cities and caught the last remnants of the rebellion. Alaric was to stock up on supplies on his way here as well.

Everybody willing to leave behind their former lords was welcomed. We offered land in and around Roma at cheap prices or partially even for free. A few thousand farmers, craftsmen, masons especially, would form the foundation of the city.

The fields around would be replanted first before re-establishing the surrounding villages one for one. But that hardly mattered right now. First, we needed to focus on securing a place in the city. Then we will need to provide the basic necessaries for the colonists.

And to accomplish any of this I needed a dozen trustworthy subordinates. Juladia was the missing piece. The letter had been sent and certainly reached her, but the dark-elf has yet to show up.

I had scanned the surroundings several times for any sign of her mana and magic. Perhaps the dark-elf really was just late.

The rest of the letters were the reports father gathered from his vassals in the province of Roma. All of them seemed to ask for excuses or pointed fingers at others for their own shortcomings. All except one. The one was awfully forthcoming.

Baron Toxilus Verullus, lord of Ostia. Vassal of my father and sent to help in securing control over the province and their inhabitants. He had sent a messenger with the report. The woman was still keeping us company. She was also a non-human. A surprise, but a welcomed one.

"Bring the messenger of Ostia to me!", I shouted. Finishing the rest of the report as the woman was moved to our position.

His report was genuinely the worst of all the cities in middle Italia. Yet he probably was also the only one to not whitewash his report. The baron had not secured the support of the population. His guards still had to be wary of certain districts. Confrontations between each faction would arise on daily basis.

He managed to at least cut down some of the supporters of the former baron. Securing a bit of wealth and influence. But that was it. The city didn't produce much, the prices were high, food was five times as expensive compared to the south. Bandits operated near the cities and gangs had control over some city districts.

I shouldn't be too hard on this man. At least parts of Ostia were secured for our cause. It was a start. The only open issue I have with him is that he married the wife of the former baron of Ostia. She was an enemy and I would be surprised to see her not harbour any thoughts of revenge.

"You called my prince?", the woman kneed before me. I halted Timere, the horse neighed shortly before following my wish.

"Your name?", I inquired.

"Salonia my prince", Salonia answered.

"Then rise Salonia", I ordered and she rose. Her head though still fixed towards the ground.

"The head as well", I added. It was my first time to see a Khajiit up close. There had been a few in Aegyptus, but I never had a face to face conversation with one. Salonia's fur was black, sharp teeth, sharp claws and green eyes.

The head finally rose as well.

"Do you swear on your life and to the gods that the contents of this report are true?", I asked.

"I swear that according to my information the contents are true", she stated without delay. Good. Now the matter of the wife.

"The count married the wife of an enemy. Well, former enemy. He is dead now. Should we worry about where his loyalty lies?", I inquired. The woman hesitated for a moment. Opening and then closing her mouth.

She looked conflicted. What was she conflicted about? Did she have worries about the baron's allegiance?

"The baron loves his wife dearly. He even loves his stepchildren. But his loyalty still lies with the duchy. We have spoken about the matter as well. His wife is being monitored", Salonia answered. Meeting my gaze. There was something in those eyes. Disagreement.

"And what do you personally think about the woman?", I asked. Not expecting a repeat of the former answer.

"She is an obstacle to the barons' ability to fulfil his task. And an obstacle to the prince's task to govern the province as well", Solania answered without delay. She sounded very sure of her opinion.

"In which instances had his wife hindered the task given by my father?", I asked further.

"She has protected the assets of her husband from being seized and saved or lessened some of the former supporters from their punishments", Solania supplied. That certainly counted. But it was also not enough. Not enough to warrant action from me.

Firstly we couldn't expect our vassals to remove every powerful person in their holdings. They would fail their task in days and could be happy to escape with their lives. Secondly, him marrying the wife of the baron, while it had some negative aspects, also had some positives.

"Your concerns are noted. You are to return to your lord", I stated.

"Tell him this, he is to continue his task to secure control. Should I have new instructions for him they will arrive through one of my messengers."

"Understood my prince", she said. Bowing again.

"You will also monitor the baron and his wife. I want a report from him and one from you, if you see suspicious actions inform us. This is of course to be kept secret from your lord", I ordered. "You are dismissed."

The woman was brought back to her horse and rode towards Ostia. We continued the march towards Roma.

Another report was from the city closest to Roma. Veii, a former Etruscan city. One of Roma's first enemies and first conquests. The baron there was called Labrax Grattus. His report spoke about all the progress he made while explaining why there was still so much to do. He could not pay his levy.

One sentence said the city was on the brink of rebellion. The next praised how he reformed the citizen into proper Neapolitans. The following described how he cracked down on those citizen because they undermined his and my father's authority.

The worrying thing was that the comments of the envoy supported those wild claims. The envoy had done his best to explain the crazy loopholes or contradictions. They should just have rewritten the entire thing. So that it at least looked believable.

"Ahh that explains it", I activated mana sight on a whim. There was a seal engraved on the papers.

They had no way to copy the magical seal and thus had to improvise. One of the first things Niloticus had taught me was that it was nearly impossible to fake seals. They couldn't fake it, so they tried to fix it.

I closed the report and put it into my saddlebag. The city laid to the north and controlled the upper part of the Tiber. Ostia laid to the south and controlled access to the Mediterranean Sea. Securing both cities was necessary to secure Roma itself. So I started to think about plans as I passed the gate of the city.

Quintus dropped from the gate as I exited from the other side. Disappearing in my shadow and scaring all horses around me. Except for Timere of course. He was calm as always.

Our destination was the city centre. The Forum Romanum to be precise. One of the few districts to survive the siege, flooding and plundering by bandits and vagrants.

The Forum Romanum was the symbol of a long past age. A symbol not only for the days of the empire but for the days of the republic as well. There was no better place than there to build up our headquarter and later our seat of government.

We passed ruins and half-collapsed houses and temples. There were rats and a few stray dogs. We didn't spot a single human being. We did however found still warm ash in fireplaces. Somebody had been here or was still near. Maybe even watching us.

The water began to reach up to the horse's chests. We had to leave the baggage train behind and most of the guards as well. Small teams were organized to scout for a way through the city. Two more were formed to clear the sewer system.

The water smelled like shit, literally. Timere swam over the deep parts without problem, while Cycnus cursed behind me. It seemed his horse couldn't swim with the addition of his weight. The water level fell again as we climbed the hill on which the forum was located. A proper bath moved up on my property list as I dismounted from my horse.

Cycnus appeared from the water pulling his swimming horse behind him. He gave me an angry look. I would have laughed if he didn't smell so bad. He needed the bath more than I. I needed him to have a bath more than needed one for myself.

"You need a bath", I stated the obvious, while holding my nose shut with the help of a hand.

"You don't say!", Cycnus answered. He fastened the horses reigns on the remains of a small pillar. Then Cycnus went into the next fountain he found. Beginning the process of cleaning himself. I continued on without him. The few guards following us arrived as well and joined Cycnus in the fountain.

Quintus left my shadow and took to the skies. He sat down on the biggest temple in the forum. I stopped in front of the temple of Cronus. Looking up the rows of pillars guarding the entrance. And at its top was an inscription dedicated to the people of Roma. And Quintus stood above it, roaring.

'SENATUS POPULUSQUE ROMANUS INCENDIO CONSUMPTUM RESTITUIT'’

'Destroyed by fire and rebuilt by the Senate and the Roman people'

I will try to do the same. To restore Roma to its former glory.