Caius and ten of his gladiators walks towards the home of Agrippa his comrade in arms. (In his mind he continued to think of his bodyguards as gladiators and they were, but they had earned there freedom in Hispania Ulterior. They were his best and they trained the rest for two years and all of them pulled double duty while there. They were also the guards for the Propraetor and his family while he was there for two years. They were also with him at New Roma and were a great help in building a part of the new fleet of the Republic.)

(All ten gladiators were taught Latin, eight of them have learned to read and write Latin. Two write their name and a few words but seem to have much difficulty mastering even the rudimentary elements of our language, but speak and understand quite well. There intelligence seems to be intact for all other things in communication except the reading and writing. The ways of the gods are difficult to understand.)

None of us carry weapons, I think numbers will be enough to dismay robbers and few of them ply there trade in this area of Roma. We are dressed in Roma fashion, the men in tunics and I in my toga ready for the Senatus when I’m done at domus of Agrippa. We arrived at the domus of Agrippa and I gave notice at the door of my friend in arms. I stood with walking stick in hand and my escort leaned on there walking sticks as if they were tired from much too much work. They seem to think it is for resting on rather then an aid to walking and a statement of fashion. As a side light we could use them to defend our selves if the need was to arise.

A servant came to the door and peered at me with suspicion and said “My Lord my Master is gravely ill and is not taking visitors today and has not since he has fallen ill in the Senatus some days back.”

“I know he is ill, I have come to speak to my daughter-in-law Vipsania, now my good man bring her to the door so I may speak to her or invite me in.”

“My Lord forgive me, for I’m new to the domus, I will inform my Lady and return with her if she is able.”

“Go my good man, I’ll wait here.”

A few moments later he appeared with Vipsania at his side. Her face was in great distress and her eyes red and puffy from crying and lack of sleep. “Dear father-in-law, I have meant to write you an answer to your letter, but I can seem to put it on paper I break down and start crying.”

“I’m so sorry about coming like this, but I know not when I’ll be leaving Roma for Asia. It is imperative I know the nature of his illness and the outcome.

“He has a temper and he may have had a stroke and has not said a word. His breathing is shallow and the physician said that is a bad sign. He has not eaten since that day; we try to get water and wine into him, but to no avail. What will we do?”

“ One thing I have seen when one can not drink is to soak a sponge in water or wine and place it in the month, they will react and suck and drink. The body needs water and it is a natural reaction as in a baby. All we can do is make him comfortable and let the gods do there will. You and Virgil are alright as far as income and your brother is well off. But his person will be greatly missed by many, especially my self. He has been a good friend and comrade to me, the world will be an empty place without him. I will make my domus open to you and your family and of course you and Virgil are most welcome there at any and all times.” Caius pulled his daughter-in-law close and gave her a hug and whispered in her ear that he would sacrifice for her brother this very day.

With that Caius left the domus of Agrippa and went on to the Senatus, it was going to be a long day. With the death of his friend and himself as his client he would feel his death in many ways. A long day indeed!