“I have no sons. I have never needed them while I have known you. Let it be over between us. We have come far enough.” He cleared his throat and threw his voice as far as he could. “My Tenth are short of men. They will walk among you and some will swell their ranks. The rest of you will be decimated. The survivors will fill the places of the dead in my loyal legions. I have no use for you now.”

A low murmur of agonized fear came from the ranks of the Third. No one moved from their position. Julius could hear the pleading note in their voices and he hardened himself to it.

“Tenth legion! Stand forward and take the best of them. You will oversee what comes after.”

He watched as the centurions of his Tenth moved out amongst them. He was exhausted and despair filled him. They had lost hundreds of men the night before to death or capture. Yet there were still more than three thousand of a veteran legion remaining. He could not disband them so far from Rome. They would be forced to prey on the villages and towns of Greece just to survive. He would be releasing a plague on Roman citizens that would eventually have to be hunted down and killed. He had no choice but to mark the day in their blood. They had run.

The officers of the Tenth indicated their choices with a brief touch on the shoulder. Each man chosen seemed to crumple slightly, as if he could not believe what was happening. They left gaps in the lines as they walked back to the Tenth, and humiliation and relief rode them in equal measure.

As the process continued, Julius shot a suspicious glance at Octavian and found his general already watching him. The younger man was stiff with tension and when Julius opened his mouth to interrupt the choosing, he saw Octavian shake his head minutely, his eyes begging. Julius resumed his gaze over the legions and said nothing.

The chosen men re-formed as a third group standing by the Tenth and it was soon clear that the officers had interpreted Julius’s orders to suit them. Julius guessed Octavian was behind the idea and he could only watch as every single man of the Third was tapped on the shoulder and marched over to the new position. They had left no one behind and Julius saw the beginnings of hope on the faces of the Third as they understood. The pressure of Octavian’s gaze was relentless.

Julius beckoned Octavian over to him. When he was close enough, Julius leaned toward him, his voice low. “What have you done?” he murmured.

“Their lives belong to the Tenth now,” Octavian replied. “Please. Let it stand.”

“You undermine me,” Julius said. “Would you have them go unpunished?”