Villa of Flavius Hispansis Drusus

[Ace_General]

Here lives Flavius Hispansis Drusus, the recent in the ancient patrican line of Drusus and who is of parital maternal celt-iberian decent

[Dark Storm]

Senator Gnaeus arrives to seek a private audience with Senator Flavius

[Ace_General]

Gnaeus is lead into Flavius' office

The cavalryman looks up and, due to his injuries, instead of standing, holds out his hand and says

Ave, what can I do for you today Senatore

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus took Flavius' hand and shook it firmly

"Ave Senator, it is a pleasure to meet such a great commander, tales of your exploits have reached far and wide, and you know what, i'm glad we have another military man in Rome. Politicians just don't seem to understand how the world really works. I personally come from a line of soldiers, and you know what i've found, it's much easier to trust the most common footsoldier, than the highest politician. Anyway there is a simple matter of business i wish to attend to, something that in the long run could benefit us both.

[Ace_General]

Continue my good man.....

[Dark Storm]

"Now i wish seem to remember from the senate that it is your wish to raise a provincial force of cavalry, is this correct? If it is i have a proposal which may help us both, if you would support me this term in my bid to become Quaestor, i would be willing, at the start of next term to provide you with a payment of sorts, strictly business of course. However a Quaestor gains 1500 extra denarii a turn. So here is my offer, if you help me in my bid and offer me your vote, at the start of next term i will give you 750 denarii, half of the extra i would earn, due to support me. To help you raise an army for Rome. It would benefit us both certaintly, what do you think my good man?"

Gnaeus was nervous, unsure of how the senator would take this

[Ace_General]

Flavius is looks pleased but is cautious about the nature of this deal and says

Sounds pretty good though I have a few questions

This is just for the office of Quaestor, or do you expect me to vote with you on all issues

And I wish to ask you what your politics, are you an optimates or a populare

Also, do you think the institutions and sturutre of the republic is suited too and can last in this modern climate, or that something else should or will take its place

[Dark Storm]

"At the moment it is Just for Quaestor, however if in future you would like to further our, erm, alliance shall we put it i'm sure more agreements could be made to that effect, if of course that is what you wish. I am a military man Flavius, i do not concern myself with petty titles such as optimate or populare, i believe in a unit as a whole without the people there is no senate, without the senate there is no Rome, without Rome there is no people. That is my view, each is important as the next and to elevate one above the other would be foolhardy. I see Rome as this, the senate are the generals, the people are the soldiers and Rome itself that is the banner, the inspiration the great figurehead of all free will, speech and above all unity. Those are my views. In answer to your third question, i believe times are changing, whether or not we can keep up, we shall see, but there is a storm brewing senator and the outcome may change the shape of Rome forever. Senators like Severus use their powers to much whilst others not enough. Those are my views"

[Ace_General]

Flavius give the man an amused laugh

They do not teach us to to say so little with so many words in the provential schools in spain

You, Gnaeus Claudius Tranquillus, are a willy one and I would be wise to be your ally

Flavius holds out his hand to seal the deal

[Ace_General]

Flavius Raises 500 Celt-Iberian Calvary and buys a small farm and a large farm and spends the rest on slaves

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus smiles at this, reaches out his hand and seals the deal with his newfound ally.

"Thank you senator, i am glad we could come to an agreement, i will extend an open invitation to my villa, should you need to discuss any business with me or just talk about the state of Rome at the moment. The invitations there anyway."

[Dark Storm]

"Senator Gnaeus returns a few weeks later, to speak with Senator Flavius"

[Ace_General]

The senator is shown in

[Dark Storm]

"Afternoon Senator, i merely came to discuss the elections. I don't recall seeing your vote by my name."

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus could tell from the senators silence that he had forgotten all about the deal.

"Don't worry Senator, mistakes happen, i am here to give you this, it is the 750 i owe you and 250 extra, i realise it takes 1000 to raise a substantial amount of cavalry."

Senator Gnaeus handed the money over to Senator Flavius.

"Last season has been and gone senator and i'm to young to bothered by one vote."

Gnaeus smiled

"Consider the money a gift, of good will, hopefully an alliance will be able to grow from this."

"Now senator i have another proposition for you, i was wondering whether you would like to here it?"

[Ace_General]

Flavius smiles at the man and says

I'm not going anywhere, lets hear it

[Dark Storm]

"I would ask senator, if possible, you could possibly vote yes on the current military reform i have proposed in the Senate, you do not have to of course, however i believe that this may give you better freedom with your cavalry. I would be grateful if you could help me out on this Senator. This reform woukd greatly improve the lives of many soldiers upon retirement from the army."

[Ace_General]

"I would ask senator, if possible, you could possibly vote yes on the current military reform i have proposed in the Senate, you do not have to of course, however i believe that this may give you better freedom with your cavalry. I would be grateful if you could help me out on this Senator. This reform woukd greatly improve the lives of many soldiers upon retirement from the army."

I voted for the reforms, it will be nice to be able to recruit whomever I want to ride with without those stuck up Patrician families on my back. Also, it just seems right to me to give somehting to the men who bleed for the glory of Res Publica. Sure senators and the authors will speak, in greek of course, about roman virtues such as thrift and courage, but really its the legionaries who are the true explars of good roman virtue

Now I have a proposition for you.

I wish to devote all of my energies to military pursuits and I would like to entrust you with my finances and property so we can have, how you say, a joint venture. I only ask that I have the upkeep of my troops paid for and occasionally be able to buy reinforcements. See I think this would futher us both, I provide the muscle and you the politics

[Dark Storm]

"I believe we have a deal there Senator."

Gnaeus smiled and held out his hand to his new business partner

"How about this, at the start of each year i shall send a sum of money to you, then should you need any more money i will send it out. If you are to be out in the field it is unlikely you will be heard in senate. Therefore i shall inform you of the comings and goings constantly so you are up to date with all aspects of what is happening. If you wish to be heard in senate, and are in the field, all that you need to do is to send me a letter, detailing your proposal and i shall read it out in Senate"

"Whilst you are away, i will keep your finances here at your villa and i will send you a copy should you want one."

[Ace_General]

Flavius shakes his hand and says

The one issue I feel strongly about is that the Celt-Iberians be taken into the republic as a cilent state and be treated fairly. If you try to betray or threaten or coerce the Celt-Iberians they are not afraid to fight and I think there is a good chance I might leave for my kinsmen and you will have to deal with a Celt-iberian general with an intimate knowledge of roman tactics

Also, while I have a wife in the celtic tradition in Hispania, it is not a legal roman marriage and she has taken ill. Perhaps through marriage we could join our lines