....his writing. He had been working on an additional chapter for Caesar's Gallic War. A little history of the last year, to preserve for posterity the miraculous end to Caesar's initial five year governorship.

"Not as interesting as Caesar's, but then he was writing about war. This is politics. Too bad I couldn't have written about Caesar in say, I don't know, Egypt. That little tiff between Brother and Sister would've been easily settled by Caesar, the General." Aulus realized he was talking to himself.

A steward came in to Aulus' study bearing some reports.

"From Thracia, Domine."

"Very good," said Hirtius.

He sipped some of the Greek wine he had gotten used to and finished reading the training reports for his two legions. Everyone up to par...a few stragglers, but good Italian citizen troops. Perhaps some of the few left. A little Gaul in them, sure, but the braver for it.

He set down his beaker and unfurled the reports from Thrace.

Alarming, to say the least.

He called in his aide...

"It would appear that the Thracians are trying to resurrect some of their ancient glory."

"A new Orpheus?" asked the young man, a cadet from the country outside Rome named Agrippa. Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. The legions here in Macedonia seemed to take very well to his leadership. And he was extremely bright and able to boot. Pity he was so young.

"No," Aulus chuckled. "A new King Teres, it would seem." Aulus sighed. "Apparently, someone is uniting the tribes and attempting raids on the 'Greeks' to our north." Aulus and his legions were garrisoned in Thessalonica at this point. "We all know the Macedonians are hardly 'Greek,' at least by Athenian standards, but they are our subjects and they are complaining. It seems like just raids, but we've a job to do."

Agrippa's eyes lit up. A campaign! Hirtius thought he would throw the young man a little bone. Rank did have its privileges. "Why don't you call the legions to order? Get the men assembled."

"Yes, sir!" he said enthusiastically. "Which legion?"

"Think I will only need one? Confident, aren't we?"

"No, sir," said Marcus. "But one should stay in case the Republicans..."

Ah, youth thought Aulus.
"The Republicans? They are finished. Anyone can see that. They are one by one sulking back into Rome, and only Cato still cries for war. A matter of time. In any case, they are only just beginning to recruit to make up for Marcellus' losses, and Pompeius Magnus will soon be there to check them. If we wanted, they could be gone tomorrow. But Caesar has not ordered any such move. So we sit."

"Right," conceded Agrippa.

"Call the Second Italica to arms. We march at daybreak for the Odrysian Kingdom!" Aulus laughed at the idea. "We shall see if one legion can do the trick."

"The Second." said Agrippa. As he walked out, he said slightly under his breath: 'Good choice.' Then he was gone, dashing off excitedly.

Aulus stared at the empty doorway for a moment with a smile. Glad I have your approval, General, he said to Agrippa already gone. A little laugh and he bent back down over his writings. Back to the exploits of Caesar!


OOC: II Italica is marching for Thracia. 2 days IRL.