Villa Flavia, Roma.

Fabricius awoke in a cold sweat in the middle of the night. He had been dreaming of the East again. In his dream the East was ablaze with fire and running with blood! This was the third night in a row he had the dream and he knew it was an evil omen not to be ignored. He had to find out what exactly was going on out there. He stripped off his wet clothing and went to his work table and began reading again all the dispatches from the East that had arrived in the past week. After he had finished he concluded that the Eastern Provinces were in great danger of being wrested from Roman authority and action must be taken immediately! Fabricius had been formulating a plan in the back of his mind for some time now and he decided to send it to Lucius Cornelius Flavius, the Legatus of Cohortes and Assessor for the Tetrarchy of the East, who was his deputy in the Eastern Provinces. As he finished writing his instructions to Lucius the sun was rising over the hills of Roma. He put his seal to the red wax and shouted for the duty Centurion. A grizzled veteran appeared and saluted. "Marcus Horatius Pulvillus, I want you to take an escort and personally deliver this message to Lucius Cornelius Flavius, the Legatus of Cohortes and Assessor for the Tetrarchy of the East in Nicomedia. I have issued you documents that give you and your men the highest priority for military travel. See that you do not misuse them and do not tarry anywhere. Also here are ten golden auri for unexpected expenses in your travels" grinned Fabricius. The old Centurion smiled back at Fabricius saluted and left the room quickly to begin his assignment.

Now for a nice bath and a rub down thought Fabricius. He had promised to take his daughter, Claudia Procula, to purchase a name day gift for Flavia Octavia her grand mother and Fabricius's mother. It seemed like only yesterday that he had found Claudia Procula abandoned on that street corner. She was one of the best things that had happened to his life and Fabricius loved the child very much. Flavia Octavia was always accusing Fabricius of spoiling the child. Fabricius remembered his own lonely childhood and was determined that Claudia Procula would enjoy hers to the fullest!

Suddenly Fabricius was very hungry. He told the guards at his door to inform the duty cook that he was famished and wanted a good military morning meal. Meat, vegetables, and a large loaf of bread. Also some sour wine to wash it all down. While his meal was being prepared Fabricius had a good warm soak then a nice long rub down. When he arrived back at his quarters the servants were setting up his morning meal.