A most welcomed surprise had arrived overnight. My cousins were waiting for me. Remus and Romulus sat at the table placed in the main hall. Looking out into the city through the rather big entrance of the temple.

They looked much like uncle. Just younger and fewer scars. Both have mixed eye colours like father and uncle, one green, one brown. Their hair was blond and short. The colour came from my aunt's side of the family.

Both turned to look when they heard me. Breakfast for three had been prepared by the servants. Plates with bread and fruits were joined by what I hoped was water and not wine.

Remus was biting into an apple when he spotted me. He winked me to them. Romulus was refilling his cup. The colour of the liquid betrayed that it wasn't water. Both of my cousins stood up, cleaning their hands with their togas, and greeted me with a firm handshake and a clap on my shoulder.

"Long time no see cousin. How have you been?", Romulus was the first to speak.

"Likewise. Quite well actually", I responded. Asking the question that had first formed when I had been informed of their presence "How come you are here?"

"We were supposed to lead the Legion Sicillica and Legion Neapolica towards Roma", Remus answered. Both sat down again and I joined them.

"Or what is left of them. 8'000 legionaries, give or take a hundred", Romulus added.

"Who is leading the legions then? Are we preparing for war against Raetia? Who else is coming?", I asked quickly. Rows of questions fighting in my mouth over who gets to leave first. An urge to collect information and plan our next move encased my mind.

"Slow down. I didn't even understand the first sentence", Remus interjected.

"Me neither", Romulus added. Pushing a filled cup in front of me.

I took half of it. It was a ... unique taste, less intense than my usual wines. Now that I thought about it this didn't taste like wine, similar yes, but something was missing. My questioning gaze turned to my cousins.

"Drink up. It is diluted with water. Proper posca", Romulus explained, emptying his own cup in one gulp.

My brows furrowed. None the less I emptied the cup next. Remus was the last to follow suit. "Don't only slaves and legionaries drink this?"

"Everybody who can't afford wine does. Try to drink it with your legionaries. It is a nice gesture of solidarity", Romulus explained.

"Do father or uncle drink it?", I asked and eyed the empty cup. Wine and water were better alternatives. Though I would remember the advice.

"Jagu? Not that I know. Father? Always when he is on a campaign", answered Romulus.

We were straying from the important questions. "So why are you here? Why the legions? Who is leading them?"

"We are here to help", Remus answered.

"'To put unrest down' were the words father used", Romulus said. "And to answer the rest, the legions are led by co-legate Latinius and co-legate Tarn, confidantes and friends of father, formally the legions are here to stabilize the region, informally to protect the northern border. Raetia is stocking up their garrisons in Italia."

I digested this information for a moment. Remus used that to add to his brother's explanation.

"Father should have led the legion, but he chose to take a pause from campaigning. I think he wants us to take over."

"I think he waits for the next conflict with the east", Romulus argued.

"Who is protecting our flank against the east", I interjected. I found it unlikely that uncle would be retiring. On the other hand, I hardly knew what it was that is driving him forwards. I knew mother wants to hand over a stable realm and father is an opportunist by birth. Uncle swears that he was pulled back by Jagu at their birth, resulting in him being born second. A running gag at family gatherings.

"Currently most of the fleet is heading towards Bari. That should stop any aquatic operations of the east. They are managed by someone called Salacia. Titania herself is hunting pirates near the islands of Melita."

Romulus words put my worries at ease. I was rather silly right now. Why was I worrying over the entire duchy? It wasn't like I was the duke. Not yet at least. I should have faith in my family.

"Okay", I said. There were matters where I could use their help. Time to address them. "So you were here to help with the unrest?"

"Yes. Though we require more details first", my cousins said.

So I started to tell them. Watching the sun to not miss the council gathering scheduled for today. I started with the root of the problems. People, that had been at war multiple times during the last century, living in the same city. Followed by parts of those people agitating each other. Kicking off an endless spiral of revenge and more revenge. Pulling in more and more that never wanted to have a part in it. My cousins listened and interjected to clarify details.

When I finished both of them sat there with frowns on their faces. Both of them deep in thought. I gave them about ten minutes before saying something again.

"So? Any ideas?", I asked. My own helplessness audible in the tone used.

"I think so. Brother?", Remus answered.

"Yeah, doable. As easy as surviving being poisoned", Romulus joked. Though his brother didn't smile.

"So?", I repeated myself.

"We will use the three legions or what is left of them. You said every citizen had to write down their names in registers? You know where everybody lives?"

"Yes and Yes."

"Good that makes things easy for us. Order a curfew. We split Roma up into districts. And every night we stop to guard one of the districts. Instead, we surround it and let beggars gather information. Everybody who wants to make trouble will do so then."

The idea was not bad. With the extra legionaries, we had enough personnel to do it. We could get most of the troublemakers this way. "What do we do if they catch on?", I asked. "This may solve the accident between the factions, but won't solve the root of this conflict."

Remus shook his head. "I am afraid there is nothing we can do to erase hatred forged by a century of hostility."

"But we can start little. First, we separate troublemakers from proper citizens. Then we start to make them do things together. Shared festivals, shared military training, shared schools whenever you do your planned education system. Bonds trumps inherent hatred. Eventually the people we learn to live together or at the least learn to live alongside each other."

Remus nodded at his brother's words. I was more sceptical. Frustrated was a better way to phrase it. Can only provide order in your capital with over 10'000 legionaries? Some governor you are. For now, their way is the best. Cracking down on the arsonists, murderers and assholes of both factions should help to at least relax the current situation.

I informed them of the council gathering next and asked them to attend it. Hoping to profit from their advice and experience.

"No problem. Jagu said you may use us as you see fit. Us brothers, not the legion that is", Remus said.

"Ah and also, your grandmother and some people from her estates are heading towards Roma as well. Your mother said they could help with your steward problem", Romulus added.

"Good. Do you know when they arrive?", I inquired. I needed the replacement.

"Give them a few days. Four maximum, two minimum", Remus answered.

"Good. The sun has been up already for a while now. I also want your help with a reform of the legionary system. But first comes the council gathering. Follow me", I finished the conversations and started to head to the gathering. Both of my cousins had lit up at the mention of an army reform.

My cousins spoke at the same time as they began to follow.

"In that case more heavy cavalry..."

"I would recommend more heavy infantry..."

"Heavy cavalry beats heavy infantry!"

"Heavy infantry is overall just better. Just because a few legates don't know how to use them against cavalry, doesn't mean they are 'bad'."

"You have no idea..."

Thankfully the walk to the gathering wasn't too long. Behind me, a familiar discussion progressed unimpeded. They switched from arguing about their infantry cavalry comparison to other military theories. That discussion once again reminded me to further my studies about warfare. The Strategikon of Maurice to be precise. I promised myself to read at least thirty pages a day.

We were not the first to arrive. Anaitis and Aellelorn were already there. We greeted as usual. My cousins went for a more formal greeting with bows and such, inquiring about the status of Anaitis' and Aellelorn's houses.

My cousins sat down where Alaric usually sat.

The next to arrive were Valerius, Constantine and Duvira. Together in a group. Juladia was busy with the tasks I had given her. She would probably take a few weeks before the elf made her first report.

Statilia was the last to arrive and with that, the meeting began. First, everybody reported about his own departments' progress.

Anaitis and Aellelorn started with the harvest and production of animal products. Their new cultivation method continued to prove that it worked better. And people were motivated by the fact that they were working on their own fields. The better their harvest, the more money they earned.

I was happy that my plan worked. If it didn't I would have had to take the land back and reintroduce the old system of serfdom.

Our fishers were also finding good catches in the rivers, seas and coastal waters. Anaitis had limited the amount of fish that could be caught. Her explanation was that we could only take so much before the fish population collapses.

I didn't argue against that. I didn't know the first thing about marine life or fishery. A reliable amount of fish was also better than one that would decline year per year.

The pair had also started to manage the forests around Roma. People were allowed to gather things from it

in certain quantities, hunters could only hunt certain amounts and in certain seasons and lumberjacks were only allowed to cut down as much tress as new ones were planted.

My cousins interjected from time to time. Arguing to remove or soften the limitations. Each interjection was met by an explanation from the married pair. They provided worst-case scenarios from other regions. Remus and Romulus looked a bit defeated when we moved on to the next topic.

Duvira came next and provided new information on the infrastructure project. The roads were coming along good. The bathhouses would be finished in about a year in Roma. The new fountains would all be ready in about two months. This meant everybody would have easy access to clean water. With the sewers repaired and runes added, sanitation could be ensured, disease outbreaks would be prevented. The river would stay clean.

We discussed what her next priority should be. In the end, we settled on focussing on the rest of the province. Duvira was to improve infrastructure in the surrounding towns and villages. A focus on water, sanitation, roads and schools. Though the last one had to wait for the teachers.

She was also to check the conditions of all walls in the province. Controlling if repairs were necessary. Starting with the settlements closest to Raetia.

Onto the next was Constantine. He had successfully gained control over all guards in the province. The centre of Roma was also secured through the new ducal guard he raised from Neapolitans.

The warden was to increase patrol near the border of Raetia and continue his hard crack on crimes. Especially grand offences like murder, crippling, rape and corruption. It was, now more than ever, a top priority to stabilize the province. Things like bandits, criminal gangs or groups of corrupt officials had to be kept at a minimum. Our enemy could use those against us.

This time Remus and Romulus intervened again. They suggested strengthening the outer patrols with 2'000 legionaries. Arguing that both legions had experience with smoking out bandit hideouts, highwayman or Robber barons.

I accepted their proposal only after confirming that we wouldn't need them in Roma. Constantine insisted that a few hundred guards accompanied them. They would act as guides to supervise the operations of the legions. My cousins had nothing against the proposal. So it was passed as well.

Remus and Romulus also confirmed what the legions were allowed to do in the province. They were here to fortify the border, prevent rebellions and prevent excessive banditry. Also, of course, to train and replenish their numbers. Funds for all those things would be provided from Neapoli. We had to supply half of the supplies. Something that was currently no problem with the good harvests.

Valerius was next to report. He repeated what already was known. A trade deal with the duchies was struck. Providing the much-needed import of copper and iron. Imports from the east were continuing to dwindle.

Carthage was more and more becoming an ally to my father. That gave us in the end three trading partners close to us. Valerius informed us that his father was currently trying to create a four-state alliance between us. A purely defensive one, but it would ensure the safeties of our coast and reliable trade routes. He was to inform me of any notable progress on that front.

The next thing was the embassy in Raetia and the bigger cities in northern Italia. They had been established, but nothing much yet came from them. Raetia is interested in a non-aggression pact. Though father was the one to decide over that. The cities in Italia wanted help to free themselves, but the recent increase in garrisons from Raetia made it harder to do so. Northern Italia would not rebel without foreign troops there to support them.

I hated to see that Raetia was stabilizing their rule in Italia, but there wasn't much we could do to stop them. Nothing that would require the approval of father and his vassals. Valerius' task was, for now, to listen to the things that happened in Napule. We need to know what the other states are planning. And those state would talk with father, and in the capital, foremost.

My cousins had not much to add again. Though they commented that diplomatic affairs should be handled by Rastus and Jagu for now. A governor's word, even if he was the heir, didn't count much when states were speaking, they said.

We moved to the last present council member Statilia. She spoke about the status of the treasury which was for now manageable. The first people had started to buy parts of our company. Most of them from my own family and vassals of father.

Though it accounted only for about 20 percent of the company. Nobody wanted to invest in holdings inside of a potential enemy. An answer from Aegyptus had still not arrived.

Statilia estimated that the current treasury would be enough for two years. Though it could become tight near the end.

I informed her that a replacement for steward and treasurer would arrive shortly. She was to help them adjust to the position during their first month. She agreed to help out.

The next matter was the education project. Not much had happened here yet. She was still gathering teachers. Statilia estimated that she could fill the first schools in about a year. Schools in the entire province in three years. She would start with the most populated areas.

With regular matters dealt with, it was time to spoke about the main reason why the gathering was called.

"Anything that is said in this room stays in this room", I started. Everybody, I included, pleaded to do so. "A war is coming, though I do not yet know against who. I think Raetia, but it could also be the east or the Franks under Charlemagne."

Nobody seemed surprised. By now every household of name knew of the war in the west. It was more of a question when we got involved, not if.

"To confirm father's intentions I will head to Napule tomorrow. In the meantime, I need a replacement for me and Alaric in Roma. I do not know if he returns first to the city or if I will", I explained. "My suggestion would be to let the council rule the province in my absence. With Remus taking my position and Romulus Alaric's until our return. Any objections?"

My cousins looked surprised but nobody looked to be against them. Though some looked like they expected to be in the position of my cousins.

"It will only be for a few days. I should return quickly. Now onto the next matter. I want to prepare for war. This includes more investments into the Legion Primum Multarum and an extensive army reform. We will also speed up all productions necessary for an offensive campaign."

With that, the flood gates opened. A discussion over several aspects of my plans began.

"We don't have the ducats for such things", Statilia was the first to raise concerns. Everybody excepts my cousins and myself nodded in agreement.

"You say we have enough for two years. What if you reduce that to one year?", I asked.

"Then… we would have the ducats … but we would also be bankrupt in a year", she answered. "I wouldn't recommend it."

It was a risky investment. Especially without knowing if the rest of the company can be sold to anybody. But it needed to be done. I was willing to trade a powerful legion for possible bankruptcy. "Prepare to do so. The exact amount of money will be sent to you or your successor when we finalized the reform plan."

Next came where we should be investing in and how to reform the legion system. This discussion was mostly fought between Remus and Romulus. I and the others would throw our own knowledge in from time to time.

A list was made with the most important decisions.

- Every legionary should be able to use the sling and the bow. Both of which are carried by themselves. They still needed to carry the pilum and be able to throw it as well.

- Equipment will be standardised.

- Cavalry does not have to carry a sling, but they have to learn to shoot from horseback with a bow.

- The legionaries must be able to switch quickly between range and melee combat.

- The ration plan I and Alaric had created was adopted.

- The focus of the legion would be the ability to inflict heavy casualties with mass volleys of projectiles.

- After the skirmishing face of the battle, they would become the infantry. Switching to gladius and shield.

Romulus wanted more cavalry, especially heavy cavalry. He advocated for a strategy he called hammer and anvil. The infantry would take the enemy charge and act as the anvil. The cavalry would be the hammer and attack from behind or the sides.

Remus wanted the opposite. The infantry should be the core. The cavalry only there for support. Infantry in formation can take any cavalry charge. That was his argument.

In the end, I was influenced by my own experiences. In the battle of Bari, it was the cavalry that won the battle. The infantry acted as the anvil and held the enemy charge. Our hammer was definitely the mounted warriors and not the foot soldiers.

We also discussed the organisation of the army. The smallest continued to be a ten-man squad. Ten of those would be a centuria, a hundred man led by a centurion. Five of those would be a cohort. Led by an equita. A legion was made up of twelve cohorts. 6'000 legionaries in total. 1'200 servants to help the legion with their organisation, construction and foraging. Every legion would also have 600 mules for the baggage train.

My current centurions would be promoted to equitas from now on.

We continued to discuss details of the army reform. Remus and Romulus insisted on measures to increase discipline and loyalty in the legion. They wanted to have a permanent standing and professional army. I agreed with them.

The meeting ended and I went to the temple with my cousins. We continued to discuss parts of the army reform and adjusted further small details. They also spotted the Strategikon of Maurice on my shelf. Recommending me to read it.

With the input from Remus and Romulus, I got confident in my plan to reform the legion system. I was sure that the new legion would allow me to replicate the feats of Caesar.

I smiled at my confident thoughts. I should first focus on Italia before thinking about Gaul. But Gaul didn't seem that far off anymore.

My cousins continued to talk about the reform while I was lost in my own thoughts.

Most would call me mad for what I was thinking about. But where others say it was madness and impossible … I … I saw a path, a risky one sure, but a path nonetheless. I would show that it can be done.

Aurelian, a contender is aiming for your title. And I will succeed.