Antistius watched him from the window of his office. Lepidus was slender and agile, despite his years. He wore his hair combed forward to cover part of his forehead. This was more a habit than a hairstyle and had developed over long years of wearing a helmet during the military campaigns in which he had served alongside Caesar and won his esteem. His features were spare, almost hawk-like: a thin face, sunken cheeks, an aquiline nose. In a certain sense, although he was quite different from Caesar, the two men had something in common physically, almost as if their long familiarity with the high command were contagious, somehow influencing their cast of features. He wore armour, with his red cloak belted over his embossed bronze breastplate. He briskly reviewed the honour guard, then entered headquarters. His duties as commander-in-chief awaited him, as well as his political commitments and the other business of the day.

Antistius closed the window and returned to his work. He had been going over the day’s appointments for just a few minutes when a visitor was announced: Silius Salvidienus was asking to see him. He got up and went to greet him at the threshold.

‘Come in,’ he said, and invited him to take a seat.

He served his guest a cup of cool wine and took a diuretic potion for himself.

‘How is Caesar?’

‘He had a seizure last night but it didn’t last long and so I didn’t call for you. I’ve become quite the medical expert myself after assisting him for so long. Once the seizure had passed, he settled down and fell asleep.’

‘You should have called me in any case. You mustn’t take risks. This condition is treacherous. It’s best that I spend the night at the Domus myself from now on. Any other news?’

‘He’s called for a meeting of his general staff this evening.’

‘That’s why Lepidus is back. He’ll be there as well, I imagine.’

‘Obviously. Lepidus is Caesar’s right-hand man.’

‘Of course. And Antony is quite resentful of that, if I’m to believe the rumours I hear. Who else?’

‘Antony, naturally. He’s still a fine soldier. Caius Trebonius, certainly. He was governor of Asia and has an excellent knowledge of logistics in the area. Decimus Brutus, who’s had experience of commanding both infantry and cavalry and has always proved to be up to the challenge, even when commanding the fleet. He’s still young, versatile and altogether reliable as an officer. Caesar holds him in high regard, and is quite fond of him as well. He contributed decisively to victory in Gaul, more than once. The commander never forgets such things and knows how to return a favour, but it’s more than that. It’s more than just recognizing a man’s valour. Caesar believes deeply in friendship and in gratitude.’

‘I know. He’s already made him praetor and next year he’ll be the governor of Cisalpine Gaul.’

‘As far as I know, tonight there will be a preliminary meeting to assess the advisability of a campaign against the Parthians. Caesar is in possession of a map that Publius Sextius sent him some time ago which will serve to formulate a plan of invasion. But I’ve come to speak with you now for another reason. I was wondering whether you’d heard anything from your informer in Brutus’s house.’

‘No, unfortunately not,’ replied Antistius. ‘I’m hoping he’ll show up soon. If he has detailed intelligence we can approach Caesar directly. Even in the absence of hard proof, he may be persuaded to act with prudence.’

‘If we have names, the proof may come of itself. A number of unusual coincidences might be proof enough on their own.’

‘There’s Servilia as well. She may have succeeded in getting a warning through to him.’

‘I hope so. I have reason to believe that she found a way to see him. You know that Caesar’s no longer using his Hispanic guard?’

‘What? That’s impossible.’

‘It’s true. He told me he dismissed them because he doesn’t want to be seen as a tyrant. Only tyrants need bodyguards.’

‘Where’s the sense in that? Does he want to die? All it takes is one fanatic — one lunatic — who would like to go down in the annals of history and he’s gone.’

‘You know what? I think it’s a wager he’s made with himself. He wants to prove that his clemency and the generosity he’s shown, to friends and enemies alike, are sufficient to put him beyond risk. That he can walk the streets of Rome just like anyone else, without having to check his back all the time. He wants to believe that the people of Rome themselves are his garrison — his bodyguard. Along with the Senate, who have sworn to defend him with their own lives.’

‘He can’t be so naive.’

‘It’s not naivety. It’s his faith in himself and in the people. He’s the greatest man alive, Antistius. And only a great man can defy death so boldly.’

He didn’t wait for an answer, but walked to the door.

‘We’ll stay in touch regarding all of this,’ said Antistius. ‘Let me know tomorrow who participated in the meeting Caesar has called for this evening and who, among those summoned, found an excuse not to attend.’

Silius nodded and left without another word.

Romae, in aedibus Bruti, a.d. III Id. Mart., hora duodecimo

Rome, the home of Brutus, 13 March, five p.m.

Artemidorus had been attending to the library all day and had not yet managed to restore order to the chaos he’d found that morning. He was certain that the upheaval had been caused deliberately and the outright absurdity of the situation meant that he must obey without asking for any explanation. Perhaps this was just the start of a Sisyphean ordeal: once he’d reorganized the library, he’d come back the next day to find it turned upside down again and would have to start anew. What was the intention behind creating such a scene, if not to keep him busy, and distracted, and unable to deal with other activities? And if this were true, what activities was he being kept away from?

The mere thought that Brutus knew what he’d been up to terrified him, but he didn’t dare make a move, demand an explanation or even give the impression that he was disturbed or frightened, because whatever he did would only worsen his plight. He tried to focus on the situation at hand with as much lucidity as possible and deduced that if someone had wanted to harm him, this was not the way to go about it. This ruse had been crafted to get across a clear message: ‘Do as you’re ordered and no harm will befall you.’ There was no other explanation, as he’d left the library in perfect order just the day before. At this point, he was even hoping to find the same mess the next day, in order to confirm his hypothesis.

As he was painstakingly thinking all this through, the boy who sometimes assisted him came in. He looked around in bewilderment and asked, ‘Do you need help, Artemidorus?’

‘No,’ he replied. ‘I can manage on my own.’

‘Fine. Then I’ll be on my way. But if you need my help, just let me know and I’ll come immediately. I’ve done this kind of work before.’

As he was speaking, the boy fingered the scrolls and their labels, picking them up and turning them over curiously. Then he took a little scroll nonchalantly from under his tunic and placed it on the catalogue table. He gave Artemidorus a sly grin and walked away without adding a word.

At first the Greek didn’t even touch the scroll. It was as if he could feel invisible eyes watching him and he continued his work. But his gaze was increasingly drawn to that little roll of parchment and he finally gave in and opened it. It contained the other names!

He felt overwhelmed by a huge responsibility. How could he ever have agreed to do such a thing for Antistius? How could he have got himself into such a fix? And now how could he get out? He could choose to ignore the scroll, but it was too late now to feign ignorance. The boy knew that he knew and so did his friend. If he did not pass on the information and the plot was averted by some other means, what punishment would await him? And if he did pass on the message and things ended up badly, how would the people on that list see fit to deal with him?