The Silver Eagle

Hearing the shouted order, Romulus understood Fabiola’s gesture. Utter wretchedness filled him. There was to be no joyful reunion.

Pushed out into the harbour by long poles, the trireme turned ponderously. Slow drumbeats directed the sailors, and the three banks of oars dug alternately into the water, positioning the ship to leave. The trierarch paced up and down, shouting rapid-fire commands. Other crewmembers unlashed and prepared the deck catapults while the ship’s marines readied their weapons. Nothing lay between them and the open sea to the west, but they would be ready all the same.

The baying crowd of Egyptians was nearly at the dock. Moving fast, Caesar had marshalled his cohorts into a solid line across the Heptastadion. Just a few moments remained before the two sides clashed.

‘Let’s get over there. Every legionary will count against those whoresons,’ shouted the optio. ‘Draw swords!’

A dozen gladii hissed from their scabbards, including, instinctively, those of Romulus and Tarquinius.

‘At the double!’

Struggling to contain his emotions, Romulus glanced at the haruspex as they ran with the others. ‘Fabiola’s gone.’

‘Safely on her way back to Italy.’ Tarquinius found time to smile. ‘And your road there is clearer now.’

Italy, thought Romulus, readying himself for the fight.

My road to Rome.