The naked swords wait at the tent door to give me the death I gave to Gratian . Therefore I , your General and your emperor , send you free and honourable dismissal from my service , which you entered , not for money or office , but , as it makes me warm to believe , because you loved me ! '' ' `` By the Light of the Sun , '' Amal broke in . `` This was in some sort a Man ! We may have been mistaken in his servants ! '' ` And Pertinax read on : '' You gave me the time for which I asked . If I have failed to use it , do not lament . We have gambled very splendidly against the Gods , but they hold weighted dice , and I must pay the forfeit . Remember , I have been ; but Rome is ; and Rome will be . Tell Pertinax his Mother is in safety at Nicaea , and her monies are in charge of the Prefect at Antipolis . Make my remembrances to your Father and to your Mother , whose friendship was great gain to me . Give also to my little Picts and to the Winged Hats such messages as their thick heads can understand . I would have sent you three Legions this very day if all had gone aright . Do not forget me . We have worked together . Farewell ! Farewell ! Farewell ! '' ` Now , that was my Emperor 's last letter . ' -LRB- The children heard the parchment crackle as Parnesius returned it to its place . -RRB- '
`` I was mistaken , '' said XXXXX .
Amal Antipolis Emperor Father General Gratian Nicaea Picts Rome day