They were both panting by then and yet as they met they struck to kill. Brutus kneed upwards into Octavian’s groin as they came together, but a lucky blow opened a gash on his leg, making him cry out.

“Hurts, does it?” Octavian snarled at him.

“Stings a little, yes,” Brutus replied, coming in fast.

The swords blurred as they cracked and rang against each other, both men straining with all their strength. Blows landed and cut without being felt in the heat of the struggle. The silver armor dented and then Octavian grunted as Brutus’s sword punctured through the metal into his side. He raised a hand to it, gasping. The light in the yard seemed too bright and his legs were wet with blood. He slipped to his knees, expecting the bite of a sword at his throat.

Brutus kicked his gladius away onto the sand and stood looking down at him.

“Nothing that can’t be stitched, boy,” he said, resting his hands on his knees. “I wonder if I should break your arm?”

The oval gash in his thigh ached terribly, but he ignored it. He’d lived through worse.

Octavian looked up. “If he wants an empire, I’ll give it to him,” he said.

Brutus sighed as he brought back his fist and knocked him onto his back, unconscious. “You really are a fool,” he told the supine figure.

Chapter 31

CHAPTER 31

Horns blew across Alexandria as the royal barge was sighted in the last days of summer. Brutus sent a dozen trim Roman galleys to meet them, and food enough for banquets was given out from the dock stores. The purple sail could be seen from a great distance and hundreds of boats joined the exodus through the mouth of the port, gathering around the queen’s ship like a flight of brightly colored birds.

Though the shorter days were on them, the air was still heavy with heat. Cleopatra’s slaves fanned her as she stood on deck and watched the fleet come out. Her advancing pregnancy had brought an end to the peaceful days on the Nile, and she could no longer find comfort in any position for long. Julius had learned to tread carefully as her temper frayed, and at the sight of Roman galleys her eyes narrowed in a flash of anger.

“You have brought your army here?” she said, looking at him.

“A tiny part of it,” he replied. “You would not have me leave Alexandria undefended when you come to Rome.”

“My warriors have seen to our defense over the years,” she replied indignantly.

Julius chose his words with care. “I would not take even a small risk with Egypt,” he murmured. “The galleys protect our son’s inheritance. Trust me in this. I have given you my oath.”