Approaching steps made him straighten in his seat and he took a deep breath as Ciro made it first into his presence. Regulus, Octavian, and Domitius were close behind and Julius watched Domitius without expression as he came to stand before him. Had he too lost his courage that night?

Under the black smears, Domitius looked exhausted. He removed his sword and laid it on Julius’s table.

“Sir, I ask to be relieved of command,” he said. Julius did not reply and Domitius swallowed. “I . . . could not reach the position in time, sir. There is no excuse. I will resign my commission and return to Rome.”

“If our enemies were led by a man who knew how to win, I would be dead,” Julius said softly.

Domitius stared straight ahead in silence.

“Tell me what happened,” Julius said.

Domitius took a deep breath that shuddered out of him. “We found a river too deep to get across, sir. I saw the arrow signal while I was still on the wrong bank. By the time we had found a fording place, Pompey’s legions had answered the horns and it was too late. I could still have attacked then. It was my choice alone that I did not. We recrossed the river and made our way back here.” He did not say that to have attacked Pompey’s legions would have been suicide. His orders had not allowed him to make the decision.

Julius drummed his fingers on the table. “Did you see why Pompey halted the attack?”

“I saw him talk to his officers, but they were too far away,” Domitius replied, ashamed not even to be able to provide this small piece of information.

“I have not yet decided your fate, Domitius. Leave me and summon the Third before my tent. Have my Tenth march prisoner escort to them.”

Domitius saluted, his raised hand trembling. Julius waited until he had left before speaking again.

“I never thought I would see a legion of mine run in fear,” he said. He looked up at his generals and they could not meet his gaze. “I held the legion standard and they ignored it. They went past me.” He shook his head, remembering. “I left it there for Pompey. He has their honor, he might as well have their flag.”

They all heard the shouts and tramp of feet as the Tenth and Third gathered. Julius sat looking at nothing while his generals waited. The defeat seemed to have aged him and when he stood at last his eyes were blank and tired.

“Take your places, gentlemen. The day must run its course,” he said, gesturing outside. Without a word, they left the tent and he followed them into the pale sun.