After the cremation the only remaining Cato sat in solitude, contemplating his next move. The taper burned steadily in his tent, it seemed apparent that his father wanted him to ally with Sextus Pompey. An action only so bold as giving Sextus all the exiles troops from a man as politically experienced as his father meant that, younger Cato thought. This also was similar to his sentiment against the farce that was the exile senate. His father was the only one to believe or further the cause. The others, including the man his sister was so convinced to marry, did little but sit on their ass.

He was not the favored child. Porcia, his lovely, vibrant sister had their father’s heart and soul. To his father, this Cato was a failure. He was a skilled military commander and not always keen on books. Yet, whether or not he was father’s favorite, it did not matter. Cato followed traditional roman values of Pater Familias. And now, he was the head of the family.

He then began to compose a letter to Sextus Pompey.