"The opinions range from holy man to talented tactician," Marcus Flamma informed Alerio. "And extend all the way to you being a brutal killer or a full on drunk."

"If it pleases you, I am all of those," Alerio replied. "Usually one at a time, but often I combine them."

"See, you don't care what other's think about you," Marcus summed up. "How can you do that?"

"Pray and think?" Alerio asked. "Or fight and drink?"

Welcome to summer 258 B.C.