The galley was there, at the end of a thin pier that looked as rickety as the rest of the place. Brutus thanked all the gods he could think of and patted his mount’s neck excitedly before taking a long drink from the skin. The land seemed to suck the moisture out of him and the sun was fierce, but he didn’t care. He mounted again with a whoop and began to trot down the hill. Pompey would understand his value, he thought. Letters would be sent to all the legions mentioning the Gaul general who had chosen honor and the Senate over Caesar. They knew nothing of his past except what he would tell them, and he would be careful not to boast or to reveal his old mistakes. It would be a new start, a new life, and, eventually, he would go to war against his oldest friend. The sun seemed darker at that thought, but he shrugged it off. The choice was made.

The sun was going down by the time Seneca arrived with his two cohorts. The bustle aboard the galley had increased as the soldiers and crew made ready to sail. It was a relief to see Brutus talking to an officer on the wooden pier and Seneca realized how much he had been depending on the man.

He halted the cohorts, painfully aware of the scrutiny of the galley crew as they coiled ropes and heaved the last of the freshwater barrels up the planking and into the hold. This time, his salute was as perfect as he could make it and both men turned to him.

“Reporting, sir,” Seneca said.

Brutus nodded. He seemed angry and a glance at the galley captain told Seneca he had interrupted an argument.

“Captain Gaditicus, this is Livinius Seneca, my second in command,” Brutus said formally.

The captain didn’t bother to look his way and Seneca felt a surge of dislike amidst the pleasure at his new title.

“There is no conflict here, Captain,” Brutus continued. “You were heading for Ostia to pick up men such as these. What does it matter if you cross to Greece from here?”

The captain scratched his chin and Seneca saw the man was unshaven and looked exhausted.

“I was not aware that Caesar had come back to Rome. I should wait for orders from the city before—”

“The Senate and Pompey gave you orders to join them, sir,” Brutus interrupted. “I should not have to tell you your duty. Pompey ordered these men to Ostia. We would be with him now if we had not been forced to cut across country. Pompey will not be pleased if you delay my arrival.”

The captain glared at him.

“Don’t flaunt your connections, General. I have served Rome for thirty years and I knew Caesar when he was just a young officer. I have friends in power I can call on.”