Teras counted a full century by the time Snapper came climbing up to the wall beside him. The gate was securely fastened once again and the young guards resumed their positions, not daring to catch their centurion’s eye.

Snapper was a veteran and if you believed all the stories the men told about him, he had been part of every major battle since the days of Carthage. Despite the fact that it would have made him centuries old, he would talk of those times as if he had been there personally, with a clear implication that only his presence had saved the Republic from invaders, poor discipline, and, possibly, pestilence. Whatever the truth was, he was scarred, bad tempered, and deeply resentful of being given green recruits to turn into something approaching legionaries.

“You, you, and… you,” the old soldier said grimly, pointing last to Teras. “I don’t know what you think you were doing tonight, but tomorrow you will be digging out the shithouse on Famena Road. That I do know.”

Without another word, Snapper stomped down the slippery steps, still swearing under his breath. Teras could smell the sweetness of the alcohol on his breath for some time after he had gone.

The young legionary who had called out to Brutus shuffled over as Teras resumed his post by the brazier, warming his hands. He opened his mouth to say something.

“Don’t,” Teras said grimly. “Or I’ll kill you myself.”

Julius found the meeting place without too much difficulty. The cryptic message from Crassus had asked him to remember where they had once planned the defeat of Spartacus. Though Julius had not seen Ariminum for a decade, the city was simply laid out and the house was the only one showing a light in an empty street near the docks. He had tried for secrecy as far as possible, leaving Gaul without warning to fly ahead of informers and making the best speed he could with a century of the Tenth. They had covered the first sixty miles in a little over twelve hours, and not once had the men complained or asked to rest longer than the short stops for food and water. When he was sure that even the fleetest of spies must be behind them, Julius had allowed a slower pace over the Alp passes, and in truth, they could not have gone much faster in the bitter cold and thin air. By the time they had completed their descent, Julius was certain that anyone who followed would have to wait until spring.

Julius left Brutus with the century to block the road. He strode up to the doorway he remembered from the old campaign and knocked on the timbers, pulling his cloak tightly around himself against the cold.

A man he did not know opened it and Julius wondered if he was the owner of the house.

“Yes?” the man said, looking blankly at Julius.

“Gaul,” Julius replied, and the man stood back for him to enter.

Julius could hear the crackle and snap of a large wood fire before he entered the room. Pompey and Crassus rose to greet him and Julius felt a wave of affection for both of them as he clasped hands. They too seemed to feel it and the smiles were genuine.

“It’s been a long time, my friend. Did you bring my son?” Crassus said.

“As you asked me to, yes. Shall I have him brought in?”

Julius watched Crassus struggle for a moment before replying.

“No, not until we have spoken,” he said reluctantly. “There’s food on the table and hot wine by the fire.

Come and sit down and warm yourself.”

With a stab of guilt, Julius thought of his men shivering in the night outside. Crassus had asked for privacy for their meeting, but they would still need to find food and shelter before morning. He wondered how many men could be packed into the rambling Ariminum house or whether they would end up sleeping in stables.

“Have you been in the city for long?” Julius asked. Both men shook their heads.

“Just a few days,” Crassus replied. “Much longer and I would have had to return to Rome. I’m glad you came.”

“How could I not after that mysterious note? Passwords and night marches across the north. All very exciting.” Julius smiled at the older men. “In truth, I am glad to be here rather than in Gaul in winter. You have no idea how bitter it is in the dark months.”

The two former consuls exchanged glances and Julius saw that much of the friction between them had eased over time. He waited patiently for them to broach the reason for the meeting, though now he was actually with them, neither man seemed sure how to begin. Julius chewed on a piece of cold lamb as he waited.

“You remember our agreement?” Pompey said at last.

Julius nodded. “Of course. You have both honored it, as I have.”

Pompey grunted agreement. “But time has moved on. We must review the terms,” he said.

“I assumed as much,” Julius replied. “There are new consuls now and you are wondering if there is still profit to be had from me. Tell me what you need.”

Crassus gave out a dry chuckle. “Always so direct, Julius. Very well. The Senate has changed a great deal in the years you have been away.”

“I know it,” Julius replied and Crassus smiled.

“Yes, I’m sure you have your own sources. There is talk of recalling you from Gaul, you know. Your attacks over the Rhine did you no favors with the senators. The Germanic tribes were never part of your orders and Pompey was hard-pressed to protect you.”

Julius shrugged. “Then you have my thanks. I considered it necessary to hold the Rhine border there.”

Pompey leaned forward on his chair and warmed his hands against the flames. “You know how fickle they are, Julius. One year they are cheering you and the next calling for your head. It has always been that way.”

“Will you be able to prevent the recall?” Julius asked, holding himself absolutely still. Much depended on the answer.

“That is why we are here, Julius,” Pompey replied. “You want to have your time in Gaul extended, and I can give you that.”

“There was no talk of limits when I first set off,” Julius reminded him.

Pompey frowned. “But now the situation has changed. You are no longer consul and none of us can stand again for years to come. There are too many new men in the Senate who know you only as a general somewhere impossibly distant. They look for some end to your reports, Julius.”

Julius looked calmly at him without replying.

Pompey snorted. “You left the north bare when you took the legions at Ariminum. That cost you a great deal of support and we’re hardly up to strength even now. Your debtors pursue you through the Senate.

There is even talk of bringing a trial against you for killing Ariovistus. All of these things would require you to give up your command and return home.”

“So the price for me staying will be what? My daughter is already promised to you,” Julius said softly.

Pompey forced a smile onto his face and Julius could see how tired he was. Crassus spoke first.

“You understand, Julius. I am glad. For me, the price of my support is the return of my son to lead my legion. Pompey will secure a province for me and I will continue the education of my son there, now that you have trained him. He speaks well of you in his letters.”

“Where did you have in mind?” Julius asked with genuine interest.

“Parthia in the east. They are refusing to allow my ships to trade with them. The general of a legion can go where no mere merchant dares.”

“A merchant prince,” Julius murmured.

Crassus grinned at him. “Even he needs a good legion on occasion.”

Julius turned in his seat to look at Pompey. “So Crassus has Parthia to subdue for Rome. I give him his son to lead them. What could Pompey need from me? I have heard that Clodius and Milo create riots in the streets. Do you want my support? You would have it, Pompey. If you need me to vote for you as Dictator, I would return with my Tenth to deal with whatever may follow. On my word, I would. I still have friends there and I could carry it for you.”