“I am the best of my generation, Mother. I could have ruled. But I had the misfortune to be born to a Rome with Julius in it. I have suffered it for years. I have pledged my life to him and he cannot see it.”

She pulled back from him at last and shook her head. “You’re too proud, Brutus. Even for a son of mine you are too proud. You’re still young. You could be great and still be loyal to him.”

Temper flushed his cheeks. “I was born for more than that! In any other city, I could have ruled, don’t you understand? The tragedy is that I was born into his generation.” He sighed in misery. “You couldn’t know. I have won battles when Julius had already given them up. I have led men when they would have run under any other general. I have trained generals for him, Servilia. There are places in Gaul where my silver armor is part of legends. Don’t tell me I’m too proud. You were not there.”

His eyes glinted with banked fire.

“Why should I throw my years away for him like so many others? Renius died to save him, and Cabera gave his health because it was Julius asking. Tubruk died to save his wife. They were good men, but I won’t go with them across the river, not for him. I have won Gaul for Julius; let that be the end of it. He has had enough from me.” He gave a bitter laugh, which chilled his mother. “Perhaps I should cross to Pompey and offer him my allegiance. I doubt he would scorn what I could bring.”

“You won’t betray Julius,” Servilia said, her eyes dark with horror. “Even your arrogance wouldn’t stretch that far.” For an instant, she thought he might strike her.

“My arrogance? Is that what you call it? Well, why not, Mother? Where else in the world is crying out for good Roman generals? Perhaps when Julius comes asking for me, you should tell him he will find me in Greece, on the other side of a battle. Perhaps he would understand then what he has lost in me.”

He detached her clinging hands and smiled at the ravages her crying had made in her face. Her age was no longer concealed and he wondered if he would ever see her again.

“I am your son, Servilia, and I do have too much pride to follow him any longer.”

She looked up into his eyes and saw his furious determination. “He will kill you, Brutus.”

“Such little faith in me, Servilia. Perhaps I shall kill him.” He nodded as if they had come to an end, and kissed her hand before walking out.