Ben Kane: The Road To Rome

Romulus knew it was time to leave. In more ways than one. With Caesar dead, he owed the Republic nothing. Octavian was reputed to be the dictator's heir, but that didn't mean Romulus wanted to fight a civil war for him, or anyone else. Standing, he stared at Brutus.

The noble sensed his question. 'Her funeral will be in eight days.'

Romulus nodded once. Despite his earlier fury, he could tell that Brutus would tolerate his presence as Fabiola was buried. The noble owed him that much.

Brutus gathered his men and was gone. Having lost too much blood, the injured Thracian was left to die.

Without further ado, Romulus and his companions headed for the nearest alley. It would be easy enough to work their way past the crowd and back into the city. Tarquinius handed over his cloak. 'Best not to advertise where you've been.'

His mind spinning, Romulus donned the garment. Eight days afforded enough time to tidy up his affairs. What would he do after that? With Caesar dead, there would be no campaign to Dacia and Parthia. Yet the thought of going back to his farm was wholly unappealing. The bugle of an elephant in the nearby arena carried through the air, and suddenly Romulus knew that he could never be happy in Italy while the slightest chance of Brennus being alive remained. He caught Tarquinius' eye and saw that the haruspex had read his mind. What about Mattius, though? There was no need to break it to him immediately, thought Romulus.

'Mattius, I have another job for you.'

'What is it?'

'Go to the Mithraeum and tell Secundus what has happened,' said Romulus. 'Caesar's heir may need some muscle in the coming days.'

Mattius repeated his words perfectly; nodding determinedly, the boy turned and ran off.

Romulus watched Mattius until he was lost to sight. Great Mithras, watch over his path, he prayed. Jupiter, Optimus Maximus, keep him from harm. He'd need to see the lawyer whom Sabinus had recommended and have his will made out in favour of the boy and his mother. Romulus' heart ached that he would have to be left behind, but Parthia and Margiana were no places for a child. Here in Rome, under the guidance of Secundus, Mattius had a chance of a future — which was more than life had offered him and Fabiola.

The haruspex looked up at the banks of scudding cloud overhead. Within a few heartbeats, a smile worked its way across his scarred face. 'I am destined to travel east again,' he announced.

Romulus looked sadly at the gladiators carrying Fabiola, and then towards the temple where Caesar's body still lay. He had lost his sister and father in the space of an hour. It was a devastating blow, yet his mother had been avenged. What had happened turned Tarquinius, and Brennus, if he was still alive, into his only family. In a strange way, that set him completely free.

At a stroke, Rome had lost its position as the centre of his world.

It mattered less than Romulus thought.

'I'll come too,' he said.