Caesar knew Pompey enough not to be offended by his high handed style. He will allow me leave to return to Italia? I am already here, thought Caesar. It is too late for the Boni. They had their chance. Now, compromise will come weighted in my favor. The tarnish of treason is already upon me. They would have it so.

Caesar walked across his small command tent and threw the note from Pompey into the brazier. He returned to his desk and amidst the blizzard of papers that he was simultaneously writing, he scrawled a simple response to his old friend and former son-in-law:

Veni, dice. Come, talk.
Caesar

The letter was sent to Pompey faster than his to Caesar.