The Obstacle Becomes the Way

Late in his reign, sick and possibly near death, Marcus Aurelius received surprising news. His old friend and most trusted General, Avidas Cassius, had rebelled in Syria. Having heard that the Emperor was vulnerable or possibly dead, he decided to forcibly seize the throne. But of course, because it was Marcus, this war prize was something wholly different. They would capture Cassius and endeavor not to kill him, but forgive a man who was wronged one.