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Author: * Calpurnia Caesar -
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Date: Aug 20, 2005 - 05:09
Porcia has been found! The news travel quickly; Cato's spies had just sent a message to Rutilius Rufus that they were now sure of where she was staying when all hell broke loose and Antony's troops started combing the city, terrifying the common people and destroying property.
Yet it was not one of Antony's who found Cato's daughter but one of Pompey's, who had put his troops in selected points as if waiting for the prey to be flushed out by the dogs and fall into his trap.
So now the messages to Rutilius said that the lady Porcia was being held by Pompeius, was probably at the very instant in the Great Man's presence.
Rutilius made a quick decision: he ordered his cohorts to advance to the city's gates, sent couriers to the fleet to be ready to sail the next day, and himself with what could barely be called an escort of twenty cavalry (it was all he had) rode into the city and to the palace where Pompey was staying and asked for admission.
When brought to Magnus' presence, Rutilius says:
"Greetings, Magnus! I am Gaius Rutilius Rufus, a tribune in Marcus Cato's army, and was sent by my commander to try and rescue the lady Porcia and her party.
I realise you have found her first, and am grateful for that, as I'm sure will be her father. I don't know if you want to take her back to him yourself, but if it pleases you, I will take her myself to Patara in Lycia where he will soon be.
I will faithfully tell Cato that it was thanks to you that she was rescued, and am sure the relationship between you will be strengthened by this, being already on its way to reconciliation since Cato and your son Sextus have come to an agreement in Issus.
I also want to ask you either to punish those responsible for this kidnapping or to give them to me for punishment. If given to me, they will be crucified like the criminals they are.
If you decide to do all this yourself, as you are entitled to do, I will ask only to be allowed to bring the news to Cato as soon as possible so as to deliver him from incertitude and anxiety."
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