'Keep quiet,' snapped Caesar, his dislike of the lanista obvious. 'If you didn't, who did?' he asked Romulus.
'My friend, sir.'
'Him down there?'
'No, sir. Another man — an Etruscan.'
'Where is he?'
'I don't know, sir,' Romulus answered truthfully. 'He disappeared in Alexandria after being wounded by an Egyptian sling stone.' Responding to Caesar's surprised look, he explained. 'We were both forced to join the Twenty-Eighth.'
Caesar seemed amused. 'You had no choice in the matter?'
'No, sir.'
'Innocent of all crimes, eh?' Caesar tapped a fingernail against his teeth. 'That's what everyone says.'
His legionaries tittered.
'I am guilty of one charge, sir,' Romulus butted in. He would pretend no longer.
'Which is?'
'When my friend and I ran from the ludus, we joined a mercenary cohort in Crassus' army. Told them we were Gaulish tribesmen.'
'This story gets taller and taller,' scoffed Caesar. He glanced at Memor and saw him trying to conceal his reaction. His expression grew fierce. 'Speak!'
'I heard that rumour, sir,' the lanista admitted reluctantly. 'After the news of Carrhae, I never thought to see the whoreson again.'
'There are few whoresons who can kill a rhinoceros single-handed,' mused Caesar. 'So you and the other prisoners were taken to Margiana?'
'Yes, sir. Fifteen hundred miles from Seleucia, to the ends of the earth,' said Romulus, staring into the general's eyes. 'The Forgotten Legion, we called ourselves.'
There was a small smile of acknowledgement. 'Yet you escaped. That was well done. Did you have companions?'
'One, sir. The same man who killed the nobleman,' answered Romulus, starting to prune his story. There was no point stretching Caesar's tolerance too far. 'We reached Barbaricum and found passage to Egypt, but our ship was wrecked on the Ethiopian coast. Luckily we survived, and the gods continued to show us favour. A bestiarius took us on, and we travelled with him to Alexandria.'
'Where you joined the Twenty-Eighth.'
Romulus nodded.
'I've heard many tall stories, but this is the best yet,' Caesar cried.
More hoots of amusement rang out from his followers, and Romulus realised that his fate was still most uncertain. Caesar's next move was therefore most unexpected.
'Longinus!' the general called. 'Where are you?'
A grizzled officer in an ill-fitting toga stood up. 'Sir?'
'Ask this slave about Carrhae. Questions that no one else but a veteran of the battle could answer.'
Longinus glared, his whole stance showing that he didn't believe Romulus' story. 'How did Crassus' son die?' he demanded.
'Publius led a combined charge of cavalry and mercenaries against the Parthians, sir,' replied Romulus at once. 'The enemy pretended to flee, but then they swept around his forces and slaughtered nearly every man. Only twenty mercenaries were allowed to return. Then the bastards cut off his head, and paraded it in front of the whole army.'
Longinus was too plain a man to conceal his surprise. 'He's right, sir.'
'Keep asking.'
Obediently, the officer interrogated Romulus about Crassus' whole campaign. All his answers were correct, and at last Longinus gave in. 'He must have been there, sir,' he admitted. 'Or else he's been talking to every survivor who made it home.'
'I see.' There was a long silence as Caesar considered his options.
Romulus looked out at the battered shape that was Petronius' body. He'd probably be joining him very soon. So be it, he thought. I don't care any longer. I have done my best.
'I have seen many things as a general and a leader of men.' Caesar's voice was pitched to carry around the whole amphitheatre. 'Never have I seen such bravery as these two noxii showed today, though. Unarmed and condemned to die, one was resourceful enough to steal a spear from a half-asleep guard. Disregarding his own safety, he tried to wound the rhinoceros in order to save his friend.' Caesar looked around at the audience, which was hanging on his every word.
Romulus was stunned. Maybe I'm dreaming, or already dead, he thought.
'The noxius failed, but then his comrade bought him some time with his own life. Even though the survivor was then armed with a spear, I thought that the beast would kill him. But it didn't! Against all the odds, he slew a creature which had walked out of legend. Furthermore, he turned his back on me — the editor. Why? To honour his friend,' Caesar shouted. 'I say to you that this man is a true son of Rome. He may have been born a slave, and committed crimes. Today, however, I name him a citizen of the Republic.'
Romulus' mouth fell open. Instead of death, he was being offered life. Freedom.
Memor looked appalled, outraged even, but he kept his mouth shut.
To tumultuous applause, Caesar turned to Romulus and offered him his right hand. 'What is your name?'
'Romulus, sir,' he replied, firmly taking the grip.
'If all my soldiers were as brave as you, I'd only ever need one legion,' joked Caesar.
Romulus was overcome by gratitude. 'I offer you my service, Caesar,' he said, dropping to one knee.
It was Caesar's turn to look surprised. 'You wish to be part of my army? Soon we will be shipping out for Africa, where much bloodshed awaits us.'
'I can think of no greater honour, sir.'
'A soldier like you will be welcome,' replied Caesar in a pleased tone. 'Which legion would you join?'
Romulus grinned. 'The Twenty-Eighth!'
'A good choice,' smiled Caesar. 'Very well. You shall have your wish.' He beckoned to one of his officers. 'Have this man — Romulus — taken to your camp and fitted out with an ordinary legionary's kit. He can bunk in with your soldiers until next week, when I send new orders to the Twenty-Eighth. Then he is to accompany them to his old unit. Clear?'
'Sir!'
Caesar turned away.
The officer jerked his head at Romulus. It was clear that the interview was over. Romulus struggled to overcome his intimidation and awe. I made a promise, he thought. 'Sir?'
Caesar looked around. 'What is it?'
'Petronius — my comrade — served in the Twenty-Eighth,' began Romulus.
'So?'
'He was a good soldier, sir. I promised him that he would receive a decent funeral, with all the proper rites.'
Caesar was taken aback. 'Determined, aren't you?'
'He was my friend, sir,' replied Romulus stolidly.
The surrounding officers and senators looked outraged by his audacity.
Caesar stared at Romulus long and hard. 'Good enough,' he said at length. 'I'd do the same myself.' He glanced at the centurion in charge of his guards. 'See that it's done.'
Romulus saluted. 'Thank you, sir.'
'Until we meet again,' answered Caesar.
This time, Romulus felt his elbow being taken. His audience was over.
'Lanista!' Caesar's voice was frosty. 'A word, if you please.'
Romulus didn't get to hear what the general had to say to Memor. Alternately sad and ecstatic at what had happened, he was led off by a lean soldier with a bad limp. 'Caesar likes you,' this man whispered as they left the
