The Cleopatra Crisis

threat. His legions seemed invincible, their loyaltyto him was absolute.

On his return to Rome. Caesar still faced charges ofirregular conduct from when he had served as consul. He had incurred tremendousdebts and made many promises that would be difficult, if not impossible. tokeep. In his time as governor-general of Gaul. he had acquired a taste forpower, and nobody believed that he would easily give it up. Consequently. as “amatter of public interest.” the Senate had decided that since the Gallic Warshad ended and peace had been restored. Caesar should be relieved of his postbefore his term expired. They had also directed him to disband his legions.Caesar’s response was to march on Rome.

Travers alone knew what would happen when Caesar crossed theRubicon. He would wage a bloody civil war, crush Pompey’s forces, and seizeabsolute power. bringing to an end the days of the republic. His name would becomesynonymous with the title that he would assume-imperator. But on thenight before he was to cross the Rubicon-a phrase that would go down in historyas signifying facing the greatest trial and passing the point of no return-Caesarwas keyed up and nervous.

He always looked for omens and was in the habit of consultingsoothsayers. Word had reached him of a local “oracle: with great spiritualpowers. who was said to have the ability to see into the Future. He had sentfor this oracle and was anxiously awaiting his arrival, he had grown impatientand sent a messenger to Travers. ordering him to have the oracle brought to himas soon as he arrived. And as Travers stood outside the entrance to the praetoriumand waited, he saw the detachment of men that Caesar had sent out approachingdown the via praetoria. With them was a tall and slender figure carryinga staff and dressed in a hooded black cloak.

Travers hurried to meet them. The centurion in charge gavehim a salute.

“You are the oracle?” Travers asked the hooded figure. Hecould not make out the man’s face.

“I am.”

“The general is expecting you. He is most anxious to hearyour prophecy.”

As, in fact, was Travers. He hoped that he would be allowedto stay and listen. He did not really expect to hear anything surprising.Oracles and soothsayers knew what was expected of them when they were broughtinto the presence of a famous general and found themselves surrounded by anarmy. Under such circumstances, it would not be wise to read “unfavorableportents.” The man would doubtless give a reassuring reading in the mostgeneral terms, promising success and power and the favor of the gods, pockethis “offering” and hurry home. However, Travers thought it might make for aninteresting scene in his book.

“You’ve searched him, of course?” Travers said to the centurion.

“Of course, Praetor. The man was carrying no weapons.”

“Good. Come with me.”

Travers led the way to Caesar’s tent, with the vexillum,the general’s standard, a white banner inscribed with red letters giving Caesar’sname and identifying his army. placed outside it. The tent was made of leather,with two upright poles and one ridge pole. When on the march. Caesar did notavail himself of any luxuries, which endeared him to his men. He lived as theydid, ate as they ate. He was pacing back and forth, nervously, attired simplyin his tunic and sandals. He looked up eagerly as they entered.

“Ah Septimus! You have brought the oracle?”

“This is the man. Caesar.”

Travers beckoned the hooded figure forward.

“Pull back your cowl,” he said.

The man pulled back his hood. He was completely bald, with aprominent, hooked nose and deep-set dark eyes that gave him a sepulchral look.His face was long, with a pointed chin and pronounced cheekbones.

“What is your name’?” asked Caesar.

“I am called Lucan, General,” the man said softly.

“You know who I am?”

A brief nod.

“They tell me that you can see into the future.”

“I have that gift.”

“I would have you look into my future and tell me what yousee.”

Lucan nodded. “Please. sit down.” he said.

They sat down at the table.

“Do you require an augury?” asked Caesar

“No. That is not the nature of my gift. Give me your righthand,” said Lucan.

Caesar held out his right hand, palm up. Lucan took it inhis own right hand and covered it with his left, then closed his eyes. Nothingterribly dramatic, so far. Travers thought. An oracle without much imagination.Caesar looked slightly disappointed.

“You are a man of great ambition.” Lucan said without openinghis eyes. “You have made many enemies. Some who were once your friends.”

A safe assumption to make about a famous general. thoughtTravers, though not the sort of flattering beginning that he had expected.

“That is true.” said Caesar.

“Please,” said bean. opening his eyes. “I do not wish tooffend. but I must ask you to remain silent until I have finished.”

Caesar nodded.

Lucan shut his eyes once more and remained silent for almostthirty seconds. He was frowning slightly.

“I see that you are about to embark upon undertaking a greatrisk. Old friends will become your bitter enemies. There shall be greatconflict, yet you shall succeed, though not without cost.”

Caesar smiled.

“But this undertaking … this war … will be only thebeginning for you. I see that you aspire to greatness and you shall achieve it.as did Alexander. whom you so much admire.”

Travers raised his eyebrows. The man must have been briefedby someone. Probably he had asked questions about Caesar from the men who hadbeen sent to fetch him. Caesar’s admiration of Alexander was hardly a secret.

“I see great power in your future,” the oracle continued,speaking softly. “Absolute power. And your fame shall last throughout the ages.You shall have many conquests. both martial and romantic. I see that you willfall in love with a wise and ambitious foreign woman who will smite you withher beauty. A young queen who shall bear you a son.”

Travers stared at the oracle intently. This was unusuallyspecific. And also uncannily true. He was talking about Cleopatra. No, hethought, don’t be ridiculous. How could he possibly know that? It was justflattery that happened to be coincidence. Caesar had several queens as mistressesat one time or another. It was not an unusual assumption to make about a famousRoman general and a provincial governor who had regular contact with localroyalty.

“I also see violent death in your future,” Lucan said. “Therewill be portents and warnings. You must not ignore them. For if you do. I seethe image of your body bleeding, pierced with many wounds. You will not fall inbattle, but at the hands of those you think your friends. Beware the Ides ofMarch, Caesar. Beware the names of Casca. Brutus, Cassius, Cimber …” His eyesfluttered open. “I am sorry. I can see no more.”

Caesar was frowning. Travers held his breath. He could scarcelybelieve what he had just heard. The oracle had just named Caesar’s assassins!

“This violent death you see upon the Ides of March.” said Caesar“ It will occur soon?”

In five years’ time.”

Travers almost gasped. He had pinpointed the time precisely!

“And is there nothing I can do to alter this fate’?” askedCaesar.

“Perhaps. To a man who takes his fate into his own hands,”said Lucan. “nothing is impossible.”

“What must I do, then, to avoid this violent death?”

“Give me your left hand,” said the oracle.

Caesar held it out and Lucan took it in both of his, as hehad done before. For a moment. he said nothing, concentrating. Then …

“There is a chance that you might be able to avoid the fateyour destiny has in store for you.” Lucan said. “But