Paullus, on the other hand, already had great power and wealth, but not the support within the Senate. While popular during war, in peace he would be faced with an uphill battle to see any of his measures passed if Varro stood against him. The two families might be at odds for generation, if one man over the other defeated Hannibal in the coming days.

However, the other side to that coin, Hannibal somehow defeating both men, was a future that was more frightful. Both men would lose everything, if they survived, but Rome might be the ultimate victim if these men did not find a way to work together, for the benefit of the Republic, or all might be lost come morning.

Both Gaius and Valerius stood before Antony, who had summoned both men. It was well past nightfall, and the long meeting between Paullus and Varro had come to a conclusion, with no meaningful results.

While Antony did not outrank either man, as son of Varro, co-leader of the vast army sent to crush Hannibal, he carried his father’s authority and had been tasked with issuing his orders. Gaius could see that it troubled his friend, as he sat behind a long desk, surprisingly small before the two veterans.

Antony looked as if he hadn’t slept in days as large droopy bags hung under his eyes, which were blood-shot from having spent too many hours going over paperwork inside the dimly lit tent. Gaius wondered when the last time Antony ate as the man looked ten stones lighter.

Antony cleared his throat as he reached for a rolled-up parchment that sat among a stack of documents and clay tablets.

“My father is reassigning a portion of the Sixth Legion, three cohorts to the town of Canusium. We will be using it as a secondary supply depot and hospital for wounded, after the battle. I expect you and your men to hold the town against any possible Carthaginian counterattack,” Antony said as he handed the orders over to Valerius.

“Understood,” Valerius replied, his words calm and collective, as always. However, Gaius’ mouth hung open, dumbfounded by what Antony had just said.

Valerius nodded without saying another word before he turned on his heels and started to leave. However, Gaius remained fixed at his spot, staring down at Antony, angry by what he had just done.

Valerius said nothing to Gaius, knowing full well what his pupil was going to say. So, he left the two boys alone.

“What are you doing?” Gaius demanded.

“Canusium is important to our efforts. My father needs good men who can be trusted to safeguard the town,” Antony replied, sitting back down in his chair.

“Your father did not issue these orders, did he?” Gaius suddenly realized as he stared down at his friend, who was silent for a long while.

Antony took a deep breath. “The orders to hold Canusium do come from him. However, the decision to send you is my reasoning,” Antony admitted.

“Dammit, Antony! Why do this to me?”

Antony bolted out from his chair and slammed his fists down upon his desk.

“What do you expect me to do?” he cried out. “You were in that meeting. You heard my father speak. Those damn fools will follow him to the gates of Tartarus if he asked them, which is right where he is taking this army.”

Antony took a deep breath before he continued, this time his voice low and calmer.

“They underestimate Hannibal. They all have from the first day of this war, and no one; my father chief among them will listen to reason. He believes that he can win through numbers. I fear, however, that will be our undoing.”

Antony closed his eyes as he placed his hands over his head, holding his face sorrowfully as he sighed deeply.

“I’ve seen this day in a dream, for years now: the ground littered with the dead of our countrymen — our heads mounted on spikes, and the parts of our body stacked so high that the sun was blocked out. Even the river turned bright red, running with the blood of our people. Doom is upon us and there isn’t anything that can be done about it.”

“Antony, it is only a dream.”

“I wish it were.”

Antony reached into his tunic and pulled the broken half of the clay medallion he had worn since that day, now years past when Gaius left home. He looked down at it, a sad smile on his face as he rubbed it with his thumb.

“Do you still wear your half, Gaius?” Antony asked without looking up.

“Of course I do. I have never taken it off.”

“Then you remember that day outside the arena, the day the old man told us the story of Lupus — well, more telling it to you. That was one of the happiest days of my life, even after what we saw later that evening. I still cherish those memories. Things were much simpler back then. The world made more sense to me when we played in the fields, pretending to be heroes, as if it were in our power to change the world.” Antony sighed heavily, “It is a cruel fate to grow up, isn’t it my friend?”

“Those days were good. However, all boys must grow into men.”

Antony looked over at Gaius, staring at him for a long while before he spoke again.

“I am a coward, Gaius. I do not belong here, leading men such as you. You are the man, the soldier, Gaius, not I. I have always admired you for your courage and strength, even when we were children. I know you let me win many of our bouts, and I think I loved you more for that kindness. Even then, I wasn’t you. I did not have your heart, and I know I will not live to see and do the things you have already done. You have to live, my friend. When this battle is over, Rome will be at risk — Julia will be in danger. She loves you with all her heart, as I know you love her. You were always there for her, and for Rome. You have to protect them both.”

Antony stepped around his desk and reached out, taking Gaius’ hand into his.

“You have to swear to me, my brother, that you will protect her — my sister, from men like Hannibal. You have to take her far from here if it seems the city will fall. I ask that you promise this to me…please, Gaius, promise,” Antony pleaded, his words heavy with sorrow as he stared with saddening purpose into Gaius’ eyes.

Gaius lowered his head, but only for a moment as he struggled to say what Antony wanted him to say.

“I swear it, Antony. I swear upon my honor that I will protect her. However, you do not need to fear. Neither you nor I are going to fall.”

Antony nodded before he hugged Gaius, holding him tightly.

Gaius couldn’t help but feel that Antony was saying good-bye to him, even as he attempted to agree with him that all would be well.

Some hours later Gaius stood alone on top the wooden walls that surrounded the Roman camp. Within, a hundred thousand men slept, and for the most part, they were unaware of what tomorrow was going to bring, if indeed, Hannibal accepted battle when Varro marched the army onto the field. However, it would not matter if they were aware. Most wouldn’t care about the fuss the officers and nobility had made, nor would many have understood. All they needed to know was their enemy was out there, less than two miles away, and tomorrow, politics aside they would finally have their chance to face Hannibal and his horde, believing they would win a great victory, one that would be remembered for all time.

Gaius wished he could think as simply as many of the men under his command. The logistics, the tactics, the men who claimed to lead this army, it gave him terrible headaches. He wished the world worked the way it used to during the classical age. Why send so many out to die, Roman and Carthaginian when those that started this fight could face one another in the field, and settle their difference in single combat? It was simple and honest, and would save countless thousands — fathers, husbands, sons and brothers from having to be unleashed on one another, so that other men may grow powerful.