And the hesitation of this tiny clique of Romans at taking up my challenge has been noticed by many. Your offer of a foederatus to fight on their behalf is a noble one; giving them an opportunity to cover their reluctance to fight with a few shreds of dignity. The tendancy of a certain class of Roman to pay others to do their fighting for them is well known in Germania after all.

But we should remember that it's actually only a small group of marginalised troublemakers who have made these allegations against me and now, it seems, slunk back into their stinking tenements and sewers to await the next grain dole with characteristic indolence. Perhaps one of the better class of Romans will defend the honour of their city - besmirched by these weird malcontents and rabble rousers - and take up my challenge. Not because they have give the baseless charges against me any creedence - because what sane person would - but because PetLuc has, yet again, dragged their reputation through the gutter. Rome deserves much better.

FeAudrey's suggested topic is an excellent one, by the way, since that is what began this bizarre chain of events in the first place.

If the ranter, PetLuc, doesn't emerge blinking from wherever he's hiding soon, he'll have to be declared a nithing and the challenge will either have to be taken up by a more noble Roman or some form of peace brokered.

I and my warriors will wait outside their walls with - which, I note, have seen much better days - for an answer.

Thiudareiks Gunthigg, Thrasareikis sunus