The nights are getting warmer... Xavius thought as he returned home one evening in early March. The winter illnesses will start to abate soon.

His new position as chief priest of the Aesculapion in Rome had been busy and stressful, but strangely enjoyable. He had not minded the move back to Rome quite as much as he figured he would. It was indeed a nice change in pace from teaching at the Library, but he found that the priesthood and academia were not so different after all. And this position, where he controlled health supplies and advised Senators on issues of public health, afforded him some semblence of political clout, without the messy debates and backstabbing of the "democratic" process.

For Rome isn't always so democratic, after all.

Such was his thought when he read a letter from his colleague, dated but a few days before:

Master Xavius,

I hope this letter finds you well. We have heard about your appointment to the Aesculapion in Rome, and could not be happier for you. It is truly appropriate that a man of your skill and fame oversee the public health of one of the world's greatest cities. Still, we miss you at the Library.

We miss you more still since the arrival of some of your countrymen to the Library. Yes, we knew you were not always completely devoted to your homeland. But you would die if you could see what a ruckus this man is causing around here! Let me explain.

The man is the new quaestor of Aegyptus, Lucius Tullius Cimber. Keep an eye on this one, Xavius! I don't know much about the man, but he has an ego the size of Rome itself. Apparently he was educated here when he was a youth - but it doesn't mean he can walk all over the place! He's been threatening clerks, reorganizing the stacks; honestly Xavius, if only you were here right now! I don't care that he is restoring some of the library's works. It's only so that he can translate them to Latin and move them to Rome - apparently the Senate has charged him with this mission.

At any rate, I'm convinced something else is going on here. The praetor of Aegyptus has mysteriously disappeared just today, and Cimber has taken control as is his rank. Convenient, wouldn't you say? And things are more chaotic than usual with the impending battles against the false pharoah. Maybe I'm thinking too much. But I'd listen out for mention of this man.

We would love to hear news of your new life. Do write, as soon as possible!

Your colleague,

Demetrian