~Quintus Servilius~

Lucius stopped at his villa quickly to acquire a few supplies before he left for Rome. With any luck he would be there before dawn, ready to meet with the emperor along with his other important magistrates.

Quintus was waiting for him.

"Nice of you to show up," the Pontifex snapped. His face was swollen and painful from the blows Masala had delivered, but his jaw and nose had managed to stay intact.

"Yes, I went to see your captive. Congratulations on being so lucky to run into him at the forum, though you failed at attaining the far more valuable prize that I sent you for originally."

Quintus stood up violently, knocking over his seat. Despite the blood he had lost his anger at Lucius prevented his getting dizzy. "Perhaps you should have permitted me to kill him when I had to chance," he cried, "rather than making my task infinitely more difficult just so you could play with him before you execute him! If you are so interested in interrogating him yourself, why don't you take care of your own damn business?!"

Lucius chuckled. "Perhaps I will, later. Don't get so flustered, Quintus. I would have taken care of it had I not needed to prepare for my trip to Rome. And don't blame me for getting captured. If you had taken better care to examine your surroundings it would not have happened."

Quintus seethed, less because of his failure than due to Lucius's calm, even mocking reaction to his passionately angry accusations. And Lucius never missed an opportunity to further criticize his efforts. His anger welled up in him, and he wanted to strike out at his friend, but he knew he would be easily overpowered by the former soldier. He forced himself to relax. "So where is the aedile now?" he asked, hoping to change the subject.

"I placed him in the catacombs," replied Lucius. "I had a few cells built down there for this purpose. Do you know where the entrance to it is?" Quintus shook his head to indicate he did not. "Good. I intend on keeping him there until I return."

"Which is when?"

He shrugged. "I'm not sure. Shortly. In the meantime, see what you can do about fixing your mistake. I want to see Masala here when I return."

Quintus watched Lucius leave the villa, picking up the supplies he had placed in the atrium earlier and riding off at a gallop. Quintus leaned against the doorway for several minutes, calming down, feeling his swollen jaw and thinking about the hopelessness of the situation.

He sighed. There is no way I can capture Masala by myself now that he knows we're after him, we've sustained a large amount of casualties, and I can't possibly advance our cause alone. Why is he leaving at a time like this??

And then it hit him. It was so clear, so hideously perfect, so...evil. Lucius had once again thought one step ahead of him. He was deserting the cause. He realized it was too late, and as soon as he got to the emperor he would report Quintus's betrayal. He would use his friend to absolve himself of wrongdoing and be a hero to the empire, and Quintus - his fate would be unimaginable.

"No! DAMN YOU!!" he screamed, forgetting his pain and running towards the stable. "Prepare my horse!" he ordered the stable boy. The frightened slave complied hastily. Quintus glared north, towards Rome. Lucius, if I find you, my suffering at your hands will be meaningless compared to what I will inflict upon you. Climbing onto his steed, he set off in pursuit.