[b]Rome[/b]

Cursor strode through the busy streets of Rome with his small retinue of staff members following in his wake. He was still furious at the Assembly for the way they chastised him for saying what clearly needed to be said. He hated the power structure of Rome, the old men, and all they stood for. He knew that his hatred was rooted in his own father and the disdain the old man had shown for him and his mother. He wanted to show the Patricians, his half-siblings especially, that they were no better than the people they looked down upon. Word of his behavior in the Assembly had already reached the people and he noticed several approving nods and salutes in his direction.

"Ave Legatus," Cursor announced when he entered the legate's quarters just outside the city walls. "Aulus Gordianus Tranquillus, I am Quintus Cursor of Legio VIII: Spurii Romanae. The Bastards of Rome. Well met. I have our orders from the Consul. We are to ride with all due haste up the coast towards the western half of the Arno. From there we make our stand, and no pig of Carthage shall be allowed to cross that river."

Cursor paused and looked at the legate. He wasn't encouraged by the site of the man who looked much younger than he.

"Are you up to the task, Gordianus?"