Letter from Numerius to Manius, mid-afternoon on the battlefield at Ancrya:

Quote Originally Posted by econ21
Manius,

You and your men have fought bravely and with great skill. The many fallen on my side testify to that, as do my own fresh scars. But now it is time to end this. Your situation is hopeless. You are outnumbered more than two to one and I suspect my Thracians and Romans have a greater taste for more battle than do the auxiliaries who make up what is left of your army. Let us end this now.

I promised myself I would protect your son during this battle today, but I regret I have failed. It saddens me that you should have to suffer another such terrible loss, after all that you have suffered. But I wish now to offer you my personal protection.

Manius, we both a have destiny to fulfil. Mine lies in Rome and with matters of state; yours is a more personal quest. You have to find the man who has murdered family. We can both succeed in our appointed duties if we put aside our differences, and work together. I offer you this: step over to my side, join my army and I will take you to Rome, from whence you can follow wherever the trail to the murderer(s) leads. I swear by the life of my children, if the killer is within the ranks of the Senate loyalists, we true Romans will hunt him down with you and surrender him to you, for justice to be served. If you chose to fight on, I fear your men will be wiped out to a man and your family will never be avenged.

I do not ask that you betray your friend Servius. You do not have to fight for the Senate, although naturally we would welcome so talented a commander. I ask merely this - surrender what is left of your men and ride with me to Rome, as the friends we once were and can still be again.

I pray that the gods will guide you at this moment of decision,

Yours,

Numerius