The message from Crassus came to Lentulus Blaticus. It was short and sweet: "Bring them to Rome for the Pleb's Games."

And this is this, thought Blaticus. I hope they are ready, and that they will not shame Marcus Crassus...or me.

"Round them up and quickly!" shouted Blaticus to the guards. "All right you disappointments of your mother's imagination, you filth from other peopole's buckets! You are going to Rome to feed the amusement of the people! Into the wagons...NOW!"

As they headed north from Tarentum Lentulus Blaticus wondered what sort of greeting CRassus would give him.