Scipio was in the praetorium tent, at the back of the roman camp, debating on a new strategy for the upcoming battle. He had sent a slave to call Gaius Lelius - his best friend since the day his turmae of cavarly saved his father in the battle of Ticinius - and, while he was waiting for him, he put aside his mapsand focused his attention on a letter he was writing to his family, back in Rome. And as soon as he heard foosteps he could recognize, he spoke, without turning around to look. "Ave."