Hibernicus rolls his eyes at the response of the city. He wondered if what he was going to say next would have some effect.

He yells to the messenger.

'I don't know if this will make any difference to your world outlook, but it seems that Parmenion has been killed. One of our legates, Quintus Manlius Lupus, did the deed himself. He snuck in to Ambracia and sent your former leader to either the Elysian Fields or to the Underworld, depending on your political allegiance!

'I'll tell you what, I'll give you ONE more chance to surrender. I shall call for the body to be sent here so that you can see yourself. That should take a couple of days, so you should have some time to think about where you stand. Once you see the body, you have a choice, you can either surrender, or I'll kill every single man in the city, and sell the women and children into slavery, but not after I let my boys have their way with your women. That offspring would make good slaves as well, I'm sure.

'You have the chance to surrender and move on, without having to be bothered any further. Dodona is captured, Photice is captured. In Ambracia, not only is Parmenion dead, but his entire High Command were either assassinated or killed by their army, which mutinied and then gave us Romans their surrender. You are the only ones left. NO ONE is coming to save you. You can surrender, and no blood will be shed, no booty taken, and the virtue of your women will be preserved.

'But if you see this body and you do not surrender, then I WILL take this city. You may think that just because you fought me off once, that you'll be able to do it again. But even if you do, they'll keep sending men here, and you eventually will be defeated.

'I know what you're thinking. "Yes, but we will have held off the Evil! Forces of Rome. We will have made such a stand, that history will remember us. We will be heroes!" Yes, well, heroism doesn't count for much if you're dead, especially if no one is left alive to tell the tale. You'll find us reasonable and merciful if you surrender. If you do not, then you do so at your own risk. Think upon this while your dead leader is making his journey to show you the folly of your ways.'

Hibernicus then calls to an aide.

'Here are my orders:

1)Keep channels open with the Nicopolitans in case they change their minds and have the intelligence to surrender.

2)These Macedonian auxiliaries are still here, I see. I don't trust them, send them away. Tell them that their services are no longer required and that they should return to Macedon.

3)Erect both siege towers and heavy onagers. If we're going to take this city should they refuse to surrender, then we'll do it properly.

4)Send a message to Classis I and II. Tell them to remain on standby to move BOTH of their fleets into Nicopolis harbour. They are to move on my orders should I give them.

5)Auspices will be taken to see if our chances are any better to take Nicopolis.

6)Send for the body of Parmenion. If that's the proof that these people need, then they'll have it. Hopefully if they see the body, their cause will be lost. If not, then we'll have to fight....

7)I need a map of Nicopolis, as well as any weak points where we can hit them. By the way, how many enemy soldiers are in Nicopolis?

'That is all for now.'