As Gallus approached the bronze doors of the Curia Hostilia, he couldn't shake the images swirling in his head. His chance encounter with that remarkable young woman, Ianthe Horatius. What an amazing journey she had been on during her short life thus far! He would definitely have to offer his services to her, especially in the courts, should any difficulties arise pertaining to her inheritance. And that leopard of hers, Attis he believed she called it. The cat had seemed so familiar...

Gallus halted in mid-stride so abruptly that another Senator ran into the sudeenly motionless Tribune. That was it! Gallus realized as he mumbled his apologies to the man. The leopard! Now he knew why Attis had seemed so familiar, so portentious. He had seen it all, months earlier in this very chamber: the spotted fur, the flattened ears, the claws, the teeth...but instead of adorning a living cat, they had been the ornamentation of the Numidian delegation sent to avoid war between Rome and their king, Jugurtha.

Now Gallus knew exactly what he must do. This chance encounter with Ianthe and her beast had been the omen he had been anticipating. Gaul beyond the Alps will have to wait, along with his ambitions for that province. These new auspices were clear enough, and he must act on them...or at least formally offer himself to them, and let the Fates decide where he would actually serve.

It was with this thought in mind that he scratched out a quick note to the Princeps Senatus while Hortensius was making his opening remarks.

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Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, Princeps Senatus,

Forgive me, Marcus Aemilius for this hasty missive to you. Earlier I had made known to you my request to be appointed Quaestor of Gallia Transalpina. Something quite amazing transpired this morning, which I will share with you at a later date. Suffice it to say that I am formally changing my request from that province to Africa, where I hope to relieve Marc Antony and continue the good work he has begun, and to serve Quintus Caecilius Metellus (should he be prorogued) or whomever is appointed his replacement.

I also sincerely hope that you will support me in the Senatus Consultum which I intend to introduce once the governor of Sardinia et Corsica has concluded his remarks later in this session.

Yours,

Ti. Gallus Augur