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"Can you do it?" Titus' voice sounded more of a statement than a question. Captain Arrianus understood he didn't have a choice, whether he was able to carry out the plans or not.
"Aye." Arrianus prolonged his answer. He spread it out over a long sigh. His voice was weak. No doubt he sensed his end, and the end of all the citizens here, but still he would obey his general. He breathed in quickly. "Aye." This was enunciated with more assurance.
"Good. Then assemble your men in the back. I shall go and greet the messenger with mine." Titus rapped his chest, "Honor and glory." Arrianus soon followed with the same gesture.

Titus left the governor's palace and proceeded onto his horse. His personal guard followed him as he marched his way to the front gates. A messenger from Marcus' army awaited the gates. "Let him in!" Titus commanded once told of his existence. The gates partly opened, and a messenger with 2 guards entered. "I am insulted." Titus challenged the messenger, "To think that you find me so barbaric as to kill a messenger." The messenger stumbled for words.
"I...I was to believe that every general of Rome was civilized. I am not to believe that of its citizens." He was good. To say that was to insult every soldier and peasant in earshot. It was also an insult to Rome. None of the men around took the insult as a shot at them, but the glory of Rome. This messenger was a fool. Titus was surprised one of the peasants hadn't attacked. Perhaps they thought that answering with dignity was better than violence. Titus readied his response.
"I am only as good as the people I command. To insult them is to insult me. You yourself were a Roman. Do you mean to say that you are undignified?" The messenger looked beat. "Now, what say you? What word of your General?"
"Lay down your arms, and return to Rome." The messenger had raised his voice. He spoke confidently, but none of the words were heard. "General Sextus asks that you leave this settlement to us. You will be unharmed, and would be able to return to your provinces." Once finished Titus laughed.
"Fool. You think I shall back down? I cannot return to Rome beaten without having drawn sword in Rome's defense. You shall have bloodshed before we return to Rome." Titus raised his fist. "Tell your, general," Titus smiled as he pronounced general with more exuberance. "that we shall not yield." Once he pointed towards the messenger and his guards, his men sprung forward and shoved them out. Once the gates had closed, Titus gathered his men to do a pep talk.