Beloved Brother,

It has been too long, and I also must congratulate you for your mission, but what stands in the way is your lack of war chest. My mother has been hard at work conspiring to give you a war chest while delicately circumventing Balbus. I’ll never read her, I can’t tell if her goal is simply to spite Caesar or she is attempting to reach out to an old friend stuck in Picenum. The route she wants to take for your war chest is of course through the esteemed Lady Cornelia whose father incidentally has been trapped in Parthia for many years. The chance of receiving money from her is very likely. I am planning to write her on your behalf, if that of course is alright with you.

Though a visit would be prudent, I don’t think that Porcia would much appreciate my presence with her new husband. Did you ever think that a Cato would marry a Pompey? However, a visit from you would probably be quite satisfactory, you two seem to have some bond. In my letter I shall outline a potential visit for you.

I should like to see you soon, so you should feel welcome to visit at any time.

Brutus