Kassandra Bauer and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)

Prologue: End of an Era.

Rome. 29 B.C.E

A Roman Government Official walked through the palace. He had need to speak to the Emperor at once. Walking past guards that patrolled the palace. There was also another Roman subordinate who walked up to the official. "Sir. All preparations have been prepared for our expedition. If this is what you still desire." The Subordinate reported. 

"This is what the Emperor commands. And we will see that it is done." The Official had given his answer. 

"As you command, sir." The Subordinate left. 

The Official walked up to a door that was guarded by Roman soldiers. He was not deterred. "My name is Magnus Gracchus. I am to speak to your Emperor." He announced. 

The Soldiers  simply stood there. "No one informed us." One said. 

Magnus took out his wand. He was a wizard. One of the Wizards in the Senate. "You know what I can do with this. Caesar would agree with me." He said. 

The Soldiers nodded and then opened the door. 

Magnus walked through the door to see the Emperor Augustus Caesar himself. Following the assassination of his adopted Father, Julius Caesar at the hands of the traitorous Senators who Caesar had put his faith in. Augustus took command of the Roman Republic and had reorganized it into the Roman Empire. He was looking at maps of Egypt. 

"My Liege." Magnus bowed. 

Caesar looked at Magnus. "They let you in then?" He asked. 

"Yes." Magnus answered as if they both knew what they were talking about. "Willingly. I didn't have to use the Imperious Curse on them." 

"I should hope not." Caesar replied. "I might run out of competent guards." He then smiled and embraced his old friend. 

Magnus returned the favor. 

"Come." Caesar bayed as they walked out to the balcony. "I've summoned you here for a reason, Magnus. There is no other man I can trust with a task as important as this." He began getting to business. 

Magnus looked out the balcony and onto the city of Rome. "So... the tension is growing again. You would think that after we've killed Cleopatra and that traitor Mark Antony, our campaign in Egypt would be over." He commented. He remembered the campaign that Augustus launched into Egypt to fight his enemies. He could not have gotten far had it not been for the Wizards living in the Empire. Along with the main Roman Army, the Romans also had Wizards conscripted to fight. Magnus Gracchus was head of the Wizards in Rome. He had helped Caesar in the campaign.   

"It's only been one year, Magnus." Augustus reminded. "Egypt remains under our control and the Ptolemaic Kingdom is no more. But there are still rebellions from the Wizards and Witches of Egypt. We will never be able to fully control the province if they continue to resist us." He informed. 

Magnus could not deny that. "The Egyptian Wizards are powerful. They have walked the sands of this World long before we have. They have their faith to their gods, just as we have ours." He pointed out. 

"Then they are living in an old world." Augustus replied. "They are a part of Rome now. Perhaps a show of strength is in order. And to who's gods are clearly the stronger." 

Magnus looked confused as to this. "What do you mean?" 

Augustus went back inside the palace. "This is what I want you to do..." He then explained his plan to Magnus.

"Yes, Caesar." Magnus replied understanding completely.