Hibernicus stood beside Dolabella as the freedman revealed his revelation. He looked over to McQueenicus, who looked surprised...and angry.

'Well, Aedile,' said Hibernicus 'I myself have never taken opiates, but judging from what I've read about them, I hardly think that such things would help us win. This, of course, raises the questions of who would do this, and who is the guy in the stables trying to screw us over?'

McQueenicus, staring at the ground and trying to remain calm, spoke to the aedile.

'Well, sir, I guess if the horses are chasing dragons, however unwittingly, they might not be up for racing this month? What's the plan?'