Secundus sat bolt upright. 'The danger to Caesar is real?'
'Tarquinius thinks so. It is to happen at the Senate tomorrow,' Romulus muttered. 'I'm not going to stand by and let it happen. Caesar has to be warned.'
'He needs protection too,' growled Secundus. 'What was he thinking to disband those Spanish bodyguards?'
'That's why I came to you,' said Romulus. 'I thought perhaps your men could help.'
'Of course.'
Greatly relieved, Romulus sat for some time, discussing with Secundus the best ways to deploy the ex-soldiers the next morning. Finally they decided that surrounding the dictator's litter the moment he arrived would be the safest option. Their mere presence and determination would unsettle, or even put off, the conspirators. If they attacked regardless, they would pay a bloody price with little chance of success. Politicians could not fight army veterans.
Tarquinius returned some time later, prompting Romulus to wonder if he'd seen anything else in the kid's organs. A monumental wave of shame struck him as he thought of Brennus, whom he'd forgotten during the drama. A muttered conversation with the haruspex revealed that he had discerned no more of interest. This did little to ease Romulus' guilt about neglecting to ask about the big Gaul, but he had to put it aside. What was going to happen tomorrow outweighed all else.
'Are you all right?' Tarquinius' scarred face was concerned.
Romulus didn't want to talk. 'I need a good night's sleep, that's all.'
'You're still going to warn Caesar?'
'Of course,' he snapped. 'Wouldn't you?'
Tarquinius shook his head. 'It is not for me to interfere with another's destiny. Besides, Rome did too many terrible things to my people for me to help it now.'
'That was hundreds of years ago.'
'I have a direct link with the past,' said Tarquinius sadly. 'It is thanks to the Romans that I am the last haruspex.'
'Of course. I apologise,' Romulus muttered, his understanding of his friend's hatred of Rome deepening. Yet, despite his strong feelings, the haruspex was making no effort to stop him warning Caesar, which proved he was staying true to his beliefs. In turn, this strengthened Romulus' desire to do the same. Thinking of Caesar, Fabiola and his relationship with them both, he was startled by Tarquinius' next words.
'You could use your own powers to divine the matter.'
'No,' said Romulus, hating the fact that his refusal would cause Tarquinius pain. 'I'm sorry. Predicting the future is not for me.'
Tarquinius smiled in acceptance. 'A man can only be what he is meant to be. Kind. Loyal and courageous. A true soldier. That is more than enough.'
Embarrassed but proud, Romulus threw him a grateful look. He would follow his heart then. Tomorrow he would warn Caesar, and prevent his murder. Then he would have it out with Fabiola. Despite her actions, Romulus did not want the bad blood between them to continue.
What if she's right, though, his inner voice asked. If Caesar raped your mother, does he not deserve to die?
He didn't do it, thought Romulus fiercely. He's not that type of man.
Keeping this uppermost in his mind, he took his leave of Tarquinius and Secundus. Finding Mattius outside the door of the domus like a faithful puppy, Romulus asked him to return at dawn the next day. The urchin clearly knew nothing of what the haruspex had seen, so Romulus glossed over the matter, saying that he had left because he was feeling unwell. The revelation needed to remain top secret, and while Mattius was loyal, he was still only a boy.
After a brief and uneventful visit to the Mithraeum, Romulus retired to his small room. Afternoon had passed, and night was falling. It was time to get what rest he could before the morning.
The Ides of March. Romulus' dreams were vivid and disquieting. Caesar, Fabiola and Tarquinius featured in a variety of violent and distorted sequences that had him tossing and turning all night. Drenched in sweat when he awoke, Romulus could not remember a single detail, just the identities of those he'd encountered. Normally, he would have asked Tarquinius about the nightmares, but not today. Thoroughly unsettled, he went outside to see what time it was. It was still dark, but the cobbled courtyard was already full of Secundus' men, readying themselves for combat. Wearing mail for protection under their cloaks, they had discarded their bronze-bowl crested helmets and heavy scuta in favour of remaining inconspicuous.
Taking heart from their determined faces, Romulus headed back to his room. He strapped on his gladius as well as his dagger, but chose not to wear armour or carry a shield. His weapons alone would arouse the suspicions of Caesar's guards, and he could not afford the risk of failure. Last of all, Romulus pinned his two gold phalerae to his tunic. These, his proudest possessions, would hopefully gain him an audience with the dictator, and also trigger his memory of their three meetings. If Caesar remembered him, he would be more likely to believe Romulus' warning. He was not surprised to find the haruspex waiting by the entrance, his battleaxe hanging from his back. Romulus was touched by this loyalty. Whatever his feelings about Caesar and Rome, Tarquinius would stand by his comrade.
'Good luck.'
'Thank you,' Romulus replied. 'Hopefully I won't need it.'
'Fabiola?' It was the first time the haruspex had mentioned his sister since the divination.
'I won't say a word about her. Who knows what will happen once the conspirators are arrested, though?' Romulus gave a resigned shrug. 'That's down to the gods. With luck, I'll get to settle things with her afterwards.'
Tarquinius' dark eyes were unreadable. 'See you at Pompey's complex.'
Quickly they gripped forearms and then Romulus drew wide the door. Stepping outside into the pre-dawn cool, he found Mattius waiting. They set off in silence, but it wasn't long before the boy's curiosity got the better of him.
'Where are we going?'
'Caesar's domus.'
Mattius' eyes widened. 'Why? Did Tarquinius see something important yesterday?'
'Yes.' Romulus didn't elaborate further.
He didn't need to. Rome was chock full of rumours and, while young, Mattius was streetwise. 'Someone wants to kill Caesar. That's it, isn't it?' he piped. 'Why else would you be going to his house at this hour, wearing a gladius?'
Despite his grim mood, Romulus grinned. 'No flies on you,' he admitted.
'I knew it!' Mattius crowed. There was a short pause. 'Is it just you and me?'
Romulus heard the tremor in his voice and looked down. Despite his obvious fear, Mattius was clutching a rusty kitchen knife, which must have been hidden under his tunic. His heart filled at the boy's courage. It did not matter to him who ruled Rome, or whether Caesar lived or died. He was here for one reason: to show solidarity with his friend. Romulus stopped in his tracks. 'You've got real guts, lad, but you won't have to do any fighting,' he said, patting Mattius' bony shoulder. 'The veterans are coming along. Tarquinius too.'
'Good,' Mattius replied, relieved. 'I'll be ready just in case.'
Thinking of himself as a youngster, Romulus hid his smile.
A short time later, they reached Caesar's current domus, a palatial affair on the Palatine Hill. The sun was rising now, revealing the construction of a new high-pointed exterior intended to make it resemble a temple. Building had only just started, so almost the entire front of the building was obscured by scaffolding, which concealed the pair until they had reached the entrance.
'Halt!' shouted one of four soldiers before the massive iron-studded doors. 'Declare yourselves.'
'Romulus, veteran legionary of the Twenty-Eighth, and Mattius, a boy from the Caelian Hill,' Romulus answered, stepping out of the shadows.
The sentry's lip curled. 'Your business?'
Romulus half turned, so his phalerae glittered in the torchlight. He was pleased to see the soldiers' eyes widen. Few men earned two gold medals. 'I seek an audience with Caesar,' he said.
'Now?' scoffed a second guard. 'It's not even hora prima.'
'It's very urgent.'
'I don't give a toss,' replied the first man. 'On your way. Come back this afternoon, and you might be lucky.'