Faustus arrives in Genua, Gallia Cisalpina, on the Nones of Februarius, one day ahead of Legio V. He welcomes the soothing caress of the warm waters of the Roman baths in the town. His work begins tomorrow so he spends the remainder of the day at rest. In the morning, he dons his gilded armour over a senatorial tunic with red cloak and purple caligae, affixes the plume to his helm and strides out into the chill morn.

With some time still remaining before the sun burns away the pre-dawn fog, Faustus oils his black stallion's coat and mane. Wide-eyed locals stare silently as he mounts the magnificent beast and rides out of the east gate.

Faustus rides purposefully along the Via Aemilia Scauri to meet the approaching Legio V. He is pleased that his first sighting of the legion is a turmae of scouts who ride directly for him. 'Good,' Faustus thinks to himself, 'This legatus scouts even in friendly territory. He's not some complacent moron then.'

The turmae's decurion and main body trots up to him while two small detachments wheel off to scan the surrounding area. He salutes warily to Faustus, who looks every bit a senior officer.

"Ave!"

Faustus returns the salute and raises the sealed scroll-case in his other hand.

"Ave decurion! Take these orders to the legatus. I will wait here for the column to advance."

The decurion retrieves the scroll-case, snaps a salute and wheels his horse about, barking an order to the men.


Three hours later, at about midday, Faustus sees the legion advancing down the road toward him. The column comes to a halt some 100 paces away and the legatus, in full dress armour, rides forward alone to greet his Praetor.

"Ave Praetor, it will be an honour to serve under you."

"Ave Legate. Perhaps it will be an honour but I trust it will not be a pleasure. Inform your men that they will rest in the fort at Genua this evening and to make the most of it for it will be the last rest they will have for some time. Spring draws near and our work here must be done before the season of mal aria is upon us.

"Tomorrow at dawn we march for Placentia so we can reach it by the Ides. I will march with you and will push the men hard. We will construct full camps each evening as we would in enemy terrain and we will march in Defense: Intense Resistance. At random times, I will have the legion form up for battle. I will drill the bastards until I am confident they can execute my orders without confusion or hesitation. My drills will be bloodless battles and, in the event we do need to fight, the battles must be executed like bloody drills!"

The legatus is quite stunned by this burst of activity but takes it in his stride.

"It will be done as you order Praetor. Will you join me at the head of the column as we complete the day's march?"

"Aye, that I will," replies Faustus. "I will meet the officers and then I will ride back along the column and speak with the men as we march."

As they ride toward the head of the column, Faustus continues his orders.

"Organise a courier to deliver these orders to the legate of Legio I Cisalpina, currently stationed in Mediolanum. Their cavalry is to remain in the garrison but the remainder of the troops, 3000 heavy and 1000 light infantry are to join us in Placentia on the Ides of Februarius. I want the two legions to drill together and work and fight side-by-side. Legio I has not seen any fighting so they need to see how a real Roman legion functions. The men must also practice building multiple legion forts and coordinating logistics.

"I mentioned earlier that we have work to complete before Summer arrives. Legio V and Legio I Cisalpina will build a road from Placentia to Mediolanum, some 60 miliarum. Work must begin as soon as we arrive in Placentia. Engineers will survey the land ahead, under cavalry guard, logistics will source gravel and stone from local quarries, the officers will confer with landholders to negotiate the path of the road, et alea. I will stay with the legions for a few days then head north to our destination, Mediolanum.

"But now we march. Introduce me to your officers, the Praefectus Castrorum first."

"Yes sir," replies the legate.