“Should I concern myself with a handful of malcontented senatorswhen all the rest of Rome supports me?” Caesar replied.
“It takes but one determined man armed with a sword or daggerto end a life.” said Cleopatra.
“I have survived many determined men armed with swords anddaggers.” Caesar replied. He turned to the others. “You see, we have had thisargument before. Cleopatra acts as if we are still in the palace of thePtolemys, where assassins lurk in every shadowed corner and intrigues abound.”
“There are intrigues in Rome, as well,” she said. “I onlywant to keep you safe.”
Caesar smiled. “I am as safe in Rome as I would be in themidst of my legions. The people love me.”
“The people are cattle.” Cleopatra replied scornfully. “Theyalways have been. Their affections can be bought, as you well know, since youhave spent so much to purchase them yourself. It is not the people you shouldfear, but those who stand to gain the most if you were to be removed frompower.”
“If I were to be removed from power, who is there who couldtake my place?” asked Caesar. “Antony? Perhaps, if he were to settle down andbe more serious. But he is one of my dearest and most trusted friends and hedoes not wish to become serious. He would require a guiding influence, mostprobably a woman, but there is no woman in Rome strong enough to hold him inhis traces. Save yourself, perhaps,” added Caesar with a smile. “Antony wouldbe no match for you. But I hardly think we need to worry about Antony. He is mystaunch supporter. Who else, then? Cicero? he is an old man and much moresuited to making speeches criticizing those who are in power than to rulehimself. And though Cicero might still cherish dreams of the republic, he hasno real ambition. Cassius. perhaps? An oracle once warned me to beware of mennamed Cassius, Casca. and Brutus. You remember. Lucius. you were there.”
“I remember that night well; said Travers, nodding. “Thenyou will remember the oracle also said that a man could change his destiny.”said Caesar. “I took his words to heart and I have taken firm control of mine.I know that Cassius and his friends bear me no love. I do not underestimatethem, but they would be incapable of ruling in my place. They would only fallto arguing amongst themselves. I have heard rumors that they plot against inc.but these are but the idle whisperings of malcontented men. They would be foolsto think the people would forgive them if they moved against me.”
“With your bodyguard around you,” Cleopatra said, “theywould never dare.”
“They would not dare in any case.” said Caesar. “But withyour Egyptians at my side, it makes my enemies believe I fear them and thatonly serves to bolster their opinion of their own importance.”
“Caesar has a point,” said Travers. “Though we know it isnot true, there are those in Rome who believe that Caesar has become distancedfrom the people. An Egyptian bodyguard cannot help but contribute to thatfeeling,”
There, you see?” said Caesar. “Have I not said the same myself?”
“My concern is only for your safety,” Cleopatra said. “Imerely wish to keep you out of danger.”
“Perhaps you overestimate the danger,” Lucas said. I, forone, find it difficult to believe that a general who was victorious in so manybattles and who defeated no less a commander than Pompey the Great need fearfor his safety in the streets of Rome.”
Cleopatra shot him an angry look. “In battle. Caesar was surroundedby his legions. In Rome, he is surrounded only by bitter, jealous, andambitious men. Is the Emperor not entitled to protection? Does he not have theright, the privilege, to maintain a bodyguard? Or would you have him travelabout the city without a retinue, like any common citizen?”
No one expects the Emperor to act like a common citizen.”said Travers placatingly. “but perhaps the common citizens would take it betterif the Emperor’s retinue was Roman, rather than Egyptian. Please understand, Imean no insult, but there has been talk that Egypt has far too much influencewith Caesar.”
“You mean to say that I have too much influence,” said Cleopatraangrily. “You disappoint me, Lucius. I should have thought that you, of allpeople, would be above listening to common gossip
“I am sorry. I did not intend to make you angry.” Traverssaid, “but the truth is that it is more than common gossip. You should knowthat I would be the last to speak ill of you in any way, but there are those inRome who do not know you as I do and who believe you have little respect forRoman freedoms and traditions. They see an Egyptian guard protecting Caesar andit makes them feel uneasy that their Emperor chooses to surround himself withthe soldiers of a foreign queen. It is a matter of appearances.”
“Why should Caesar care about appearances?” she replied hotly.“He is the Emperor! It is not for common men to question his decisions!”
“It is not for common men to question kings,” said Traversgently, “but Rome will not be governed by a king.”
“Enough.” said Caesar. who had been listening to their exchangewith a frown. “Let us not end this evening with an argument. I have alwaysvalued your opinion. Lucius, and I have had similar thoughts myself. But I amnot convinced most Romans feel this way. The people of Rome know that myconcern is only for their welfare. Still. I do not wish to give the appearancethat I am fearful for my safety.” He held up his hand, forestalling Cleopatra’sresponse. “I will give the matter careful thought. But we shall speak no moreof this tonight”
The streets were dark when they left Cleopatra’s house andstarted on their walk hack to Travers’ villa, a short distance away. Their waywas lit by two slaves bearing torches and another five slaves accompanied themas their armed retinue. The streets of Rome were dangerous at night. They spokein Greek, a language that would not be unusual for educated Romans to conversein and one which none of Travers’ household slaves would understand.
“What did you think of Cleopatra?” Andre asked.
“If she’s a fake, then she’s a good one.” Lucas replied. “I’minclined to believe she’s genuine. I think Apollodorus is definitely the one towatch.”
“Caesar’s guards all looked very capable to me,” Delaneysaid. “Alert, high level of fitness, taller than average … they could easilybe our men.”
“Caesar seemed very ambivalent about having them around,”said Lucas. “What do think. Travers?”
Travers sighed. “I think there’s a good chance he maydismiss them. unless Cleopatra manages to change his mind. The question is,what will we do if he doesn’t?”
“Well have to make sure he does,” said Lucas. “An attempt onCleopatra’s life would convince him that there are people in Rome who fear herinfluence on him and conspire to assassinate her. He’d believe the threat toher was greater than any threat to himself and assign his Egyptian guard toprotect her. That would get them out of our way.”
“It might work, but it would be dangerous.” said Travers.
“We knew that going in,” Delaney said. “But we’ve only got alittle over a week left. We can’t afford to waste any more time.”
They turned into a quiet side street.
“The best way to get inside would be through the gardens atthe back of the house,” said Lucas. We go in wearing masks and we knock out theguards. We don’t want to kill any of them, at least not until we’re sure aboutthem. The thing is. we want to get close. but not too close. We need to makeenough of a commotion to arouse the guards inside the house, so that-”
Travers suddenly cried out as a bright beam of laser lightpenetrated through his left shoulder. It all happened very fast. The two slavesahead of them dropped their torches and fell as laser beams stabbed throughthem. Two of their armed guard dropped before any of them had a chance toreact.
“It’s an ambush!” Delaney cried out, dropping to the groundas the street became a crisscross latticework of light. The three remainingslaves took off in fright. One of them, ran directly into a beam, screaming ashe fell. Lucas vanished as he translocated and a second later. Delaney alsodisappeared as he clocked out.
“Get back to the house!” Andre shouted to Travers as he fumbledfor the controls of his warp disc. Then. suddenly, it was all over. It had alltaken no more than twenty seconds. Travers vanished, clocking hack to thetransition coordinates inside his house about three quarters of a mile away.Andre stayed put, stretched out behind the body of one of the fallen slaves.She had pulled the laser pistol. which she had strapped to her lower thigh,beneath the loose, ankle-length. pleated tunic she wore. She lay very still,staring intently into the darkness. The street was deserted. A moment later,she heard Lucas.
“Andre, it’s me.”
“Are you all right’?”
