After leaving the governor's offices in Placentia, Faustus issues the following orders to the Praefectus Alae of Legio I Cisalpina, currently garrisoning Mediolanum:

I. Seven turmae of cavalry, 210 men and horses in total, are to escort couriers delivering invitations to a tribal gathering at Mediolanum to the seven local tribes. You are to personally select the men who are most loyal to Rome and distant from their tribal roots, yet still Gauls. The couriers have been instructed to wait no more than three days from a response from the tribal chiefs. Each turma is to remain in the vicinity of its alotted tribe, either to escort the chief and his chosen men to Mediolanum or, if they refuse to attend the meeting, to stay in the area and report on any movements.

II. I will be marching Legio V from Placentia to Mediolanum in a few days, while Legio I Cisalpina continues construction of the road between these two towns. When we arrive, you and the remaining 690 cavalrymen will be required to take over guarding the engineers and surveyors, who are in advance of the legion, and the delivery of supplies and materiel for the construction. I expect you to commit at least 300 men to scouting a full 20 miliarum to either side of the road.


Outside Placentia, with Legio V and Legio I Cisalpina:

When the two legions meet outside Placentia, they are to construct a night fort to accomodate both legions. Legio V has been ordered to provide an exemplary example of what is expected of a true Roman legion, to show themselves off as the elite veterans they are. Legio I Cisalpina is to be left in awe. Faustus has instructed the Primi Pili of both legions to discipline any breach of expected standards or conduct.

For a few days, Faustus personally directs the legions and inspects all of their work on the forts and the beginnings of the road construction. He does not hesitate to order work redone if it it not up to scratch, on top of extra duties for the offending legionaries. However, when he finds exceptional work, he grants extra rations to the men and praises them personally. He tells the men he expects a full miliarum of road to be completed each day by each legion. When the legati complain that some of the ground is still frozen, Faustus tells them to use the trees cleared for the road's path to light fires and thaw the ground. Faustus works the men hard and continues to expect a full camp each night. It becomes clear that he expects and will accept nothing but the very best the men can offer, though when they deliver, the men are rewarded.


After six days, and about 10 miliarum of road completed, Faustus instructs the legatus of Legio V to join him in a force march (Defence: Intensive Resistance) to Mediolanum, 50 miliarum away. Faustus expects to reach the town in two days. Baggage will be left to follow with half the cavalry as escort. The remaining cavalry will continue guarding the engineers, surveyors and logistics.


When Legio V arrives at Mediolanum, the cavalry of Legio I Cisalpina will be sent on its orders and Legio V will occupy the town's permanent legionary fort. They will also be instructed to cut down all trees within 500 paces of the town with the exception of any sacred groves within that area.

Only when all of this is done will the men be permitted to rest, and then Faustus will surprise them with a day of feasting, games, wine and women, at a cost of 500 D. from his own purse. On the same day, Legio I Cisalpina, still in the midst of road-building, will be given a day of rest and a feast with women but no wine, with the promise of a similar celebration to Legio V's when they reach Mediolanum (a further cost of 200 D).