The lamps are burning late in the aedile's offices. The chief record-keeper, a drab little man named Eugraphix, had casually inquired about the status of the second games for December--Arminius stared blankly, and it was explained that there was supposed to be a second match due to some recently passed law.

"Ecastor! No one tells me anything--there wasn't any such law last time I was aedile!" Messengers had gone out informing all entrants that another thirty denarii would be required to cover the fees for the second games, and Arminius wracked his brains for another sponsor.

"Aha, that court praetor Caesar said he'd fork over more cash--I will take him up on it--but he only promised 720 denarii, can't do much with that! I'll dig into my own purse again, and contribute another two thousand...."

A theme...must have a theme....Got it! Still have plenty of purple and gold banners...wonder if there are any purple animals left?

Maybe Syphax could help dye some more--but all we have left are some lions and tigers and bears...Oh my--that just won't do!

He called for his messenger Yorik, and handed over a tablet with a list of names. "These are the people who need to give us another thirty denarii entrance fee....Explain that due to the second set of games, this is needed, but that they get extra recognition this month due to there being two munerae."

Yorik looked down at the list:

Drakus Cordatus
Decimus Russus
Felix Maximus
Lucius Caesar
Lucius Flaccus
Caius Mutinensis
Publius Varus
Patricus Hibernicus
Publius Torquatus
Caius Numidicus
Marcus Sesquiculum

"Master--I'll be out all night! Can't it wait 'til morning?"

Arminius hated to abuse his servants, but time was short. "No Yorik...but you can have tomorrow free--and I'll give you a denarius to spend. Now be off!"