From the words of Drusus Silo
Tullus, for all his faults, was an intelligent man. After receiving the first letter from Gallus and his offer of help to fund a new army, Tullus was pushed into a corner of having to accept help from a man he knew cared nothing about saving the Republic. Nevertheless, in desperate times, strange alliances had to be formed.
[A correspondence found in Tullus’ personal archive between himself and Gallus.]
Gallus,
Your letter did indeed find me how I do not know. I shall have to redouble my efforts to remain hidden or risk Septimius’ agents discovering I’m still alive. Your words about saving the Republic warm my heart, or they would have if it came from another man. Do not be foolish with me, Gallus. You have no name of note and, despite your wealth, have risen as high as you will under Septimius’ regime. You seek to be elevated above your peers and have found an opportunity where your gold can buy that more elevated station if I am victorious, that is. Sadly, it is a reality of my situation. I am not short on friends and allies who I know will stand with me until the end, but I am short of the funds needed to march on Rome. So, it would seem without much in the way of other options I am forced to consider your proposal.
We will meet in Alexandria in the autumn. The exact date and time will be of my choosing. I will reach out to you again in the coming weeks. Until then, remain silent about what has been spoken between us. And know, if you prove to be untrustworthy, I will expense all the resources I have to make you suffer.
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