The Rhodians had to get Antony and his burdensome soldiers off their island, and fast. Perhaps if they saddled him with a mission…

Antony found himself thoroughly deflated with Pompeys departure as well as Cato’s. The pirates were gone, and the officials of Rhodes had seized their ships and cargoes in the harbor.

Rhodes was poised to make a comeback. Using their newfound wealth, they came to Antonius with a proposition.

“Domine, our port has long been eclipsed by the power of Delos. Delos, as you know, has no port taxes or restrictions. The merchants flock to them, and ignore us. We are no more than an occasionally repository for temple treasures anymore.”

Marcus did not realize the predicament, but still did not particularly care. He wasn’t here to solve provincial problems. “So?”

The Rhodians knew how to speak with Antony. The delegation turned and broke ranks to allow a chest full of coin to be brought in. Antony drooled.

“We were wondering, Domine,” said the chief delegate with deprecation, “Could you perhaps lobby for our reinstatement as a free port? We do not even require that Delos be restricted. On equal footing, we will outdo them for certain.”

Antony saw his debts melting away. All told, there was about 500,000 sesterces in the chest. Much of it would go to bribes to get the law passed, but some of it would remain his.

“Consider it done.”

Antony corralled his soldiers and set off the next day for Aquileia.

OOC: II Italica is sailing for Aquileia and will arrive in 6 days. Antony has given the Rhodians permission to stop collecting harbor taxes. [n.b.- he is not authorized to do so, and this is illegal. For the time being no one is really aware of the situation. The rhodians are expecting legislation to legalize the move soon.]