Ben Kane: The Road To Rome

'Would you, by Jupiter?' Caesar rubbed his chin, considering. 'Very well,' he said. 'Leave us.' He jerked his head.

The slave obeyed at once, but the optio started forward. 'Don't trust him, sir!'

Caesar laughed. 'My enemies are many, but I don't think they include this man. I freed him from slavery for killing an Ethiopian bull, optio, and have twice decorated him on the field of battle since. A more loyal soldier doesn't exist in the Republic. Go, and shut the door behind you.'

With a beetroot face, the officer did as he was told.

'He's steadfast, but suspicious,' said Caesar. 'I should be grateful, I suppose.'

'Sir.' Romulus didn't dare agree or disagree.

To his surprise, the dictator didn't launch straight into a barrage of questions about his reasons for being here. 'How's life treating you since your discharge?'

'Very well, thank you, sir.'

'Your farm satisfactory?'

'Yes, sir,' said Romulus with as much enthusiasm as he could muster.

Eagle-eyed, Caesar chuckled. 'Tilling the fields isn't quite so exciting as standing in a shield wall, is it?'

Romulus grinned. 'No, sir.'

'A healthier occupation, though, if you can stick it,' said Caesar.

'Funny you should say so, sir,' Romulus blurted. 'I was thinking of volunteering for your new campaign.'

'Soldiers like you are always welcome,' Caesar replied, clearly pleased. A thoughtful look crossed his long, thin face. 'Didn't you serve at Carrhae?'

'Yes, sir,' Romulus answered, vivid memories filling his brain. 'I wouldn't mind another lick at the Parthians either.'

'That's the spirit. Why don't you come along to the Senate this morning,' Caesar suggested brightly. 'The senators would benefit from hearing what it's like to face them in battle.'

'I'd be honoured, sir,' said Romulus. 'Except I'm here to ask you not to attend the debates today.'

'My wife has been unhappy too.' Caesar frowned. 'Why shouldn't I go?'

'It's too dangerous, sir,' Romulus cried. 'There's a plot to kill you!'

The dictator grew very calm. 'Where did you hear about this?'

'From a friend, sir.'

'Who is?'

Romulus paused, worried how the other would react. 'A haruspex, sir.'

'One of those?' Caesar scoffed. 'They're liars and cheats to a man. If I'd lived my life by what augurs say, I'd never have conquered Gaul, or the Republic. Anywhere, for that matter.'

'This man is no charlatan, sir,' Romulus protested. 'He served with me under Crassus, and predicted the defeat at Carrhae and many other things which came to pass. His abilities are second to none.'

'Hmm.' Caesar regarded him steadily. 'So what did he see?'

'A plot to kill you at the Senate House, sir. Scores of men are involved.'

'And they are to strike today?'

Romulus swallowed the lump in his throat. 'Yes, sir. Beware the Ides of March.'

'Has your friend ever been wrong in his prophecies? Are they sometimes of uncertain meaning?'

'Of course, sir. That's the nature of haruspicy.'

Caesar barked a contemptuous laugh. 'I love it! It's the same damn reason that soothsayers give to explain the fact that they make up every damn detail which comes out of their mouths. There has been talk of assassination for months, and it's all hot air. Why would anyone kill me? After decades of infighting, the Republic is at peace. Your friend is imagining things. Believe what you will, Romulus, but don't ask me to do the same. There are important matters which need to be discussed in the Senate today. I have to be there, and I see no reason not to attend.'

Undeterred, Romulus fell back on his reserve tactic. 'I've taken the liberty of rounding up some loyal veterans, sir. About fifty of them. They'll be at the Senate by now.'

'One of my ex-soldiers sees fit to gather a motley crew of bodyguards, eh?' Caesar shook his head in amazement.

Romulus realised his boldness. 'Sorry, sir,' he faltered. 'I didn't mean to act out of turn.'

'From the humblest origins spring the finest virtues,' murmured Caesar. He smiled. 'On the contrary, you did well, and I thank you.'

Relief flooded through Romulus. 'So the veterans can come into the Senate with you, sir?'

Caesar's eyes flashed with anger. 'No, they may not.'

'I don't understand, sir,' Romulus stammered.

'Your motives were noble,' said Caesar with a nod of gratitude. 'But do not forget who I am. As the best general in the history of the Republic, I cannot arrive at the Senate accompanied by a ragtag selection of retired soldiers. It's beneath my dignity.'

'Just this once, sir,' Romulus pleaded. 'If there's no danger, you can laugh it off as a spontaneous demonstration of your men's love for you. If trouble does occur, you'll be safe.'

Caesar considered his request for a moment, giving Romulus some hope. Then he shook his head. 'No. I will not live in fear when there is no need.'

Romulus' spirits plummeted, before he had a brainwave. Secundus and the veterans could wait outside the Senate regardless. At the first sign of trouble, they could rush inside. It was more risky for the dictator than if they accompanied him, but it was better than nothing. 'Very well, sir,' he said. 'May I still come?' One decent soldier is worth more than twenty fat senators, he thought. Perhaps I can hold them off until Secundus and the others storm in.

Romulus hadn't counted on Caesar's incisive mind. 'You can, but your comrades are to go home,' he ordered. 'No hanging around in case there's trouble. Clear?'

Romulus gave him a despairing glance. 'Yes, sir.'

'Give me your word that you'll tell them to disappear.' Caesar stuck out his right hand in the soldier's fashion.

'How do you know I'll keep it?' asked Romulus.

'Because you're a good man. I can see that,' Caesar replied. 'You're also a soldier of mine.'

'Very well, sir.' Cursing the dictator's perception, Romulus accepted the grip.

'Good,' Caesar muttered. 'I need some time now to prepare for the day ahead. Have a think about what to say regarding Carrhae. Get yourself to Pompey's complex for hora sexta. That's when I'll arrive.'

'Sir.' Helpless before Caesar's power, Romulus felt sick to his stomach. Tarquinius wouldn't make up something like an assassination. The dictator didn't know that of course, and was taking him for a loyal but superstitious soldier. He had to make one more attempt. 'I-'

'Not another word,' said Caesar firmly. 'I appreciate your concern.' He raised a hand to his mouth. 'Optio!'

To Romulus' dismay, the junior officer appeared at once. 'Sir?'

'Accompany this soldier to the door,' Caesar ordered. 'Tell the major-domo to count out twenty aurei for him.'

'That's not necessary, sir.' Romulus protested. 'I didn't do it for money.'

'Nonetheless, your fealty will be rewarded.' Caesar waved his dismissal. 'I'll see you later.'

'Sir!' Giving the dictator his best possible salute, Romulus marched to the door.

The bemused optio took him back to the entrance hall, and a few moments later, Romulus emerged into the street, clutching a heavy leather purse.

The sentries had changed, but Mattius was still there. He focused on the clinking pouch like a vulture on carrion. 'Caesar believed you then?' he cried.

'No,' Romulus replied grimly. 'He wouldn't listen. This is just for being loyal.'

Mattius' face fell. 'What are we going to do?'

Romulus thought for a moment. 'Go to the Lupanar,' he declared. If she was there, perhaps Fabiola could be persuaded to call off the assassination. He doubted it, and his fear that her men would knife him to death resurfaced. Romulus scowled and set out anyway. It was clutching at straws, but what else could he do?

He was somewhat consoled by the sight of Decimus Brutus peering from an approaching litter. As a man who had not been at any of the meetings in the Lupanar, Romulus hoped that Fabiola's lover was also a man of principle. Maybe Brutus' purpose was the same as his.