Labienus left, still wondering who could have been influencing Pompey. Perhaps it was a voice in the exiled Senate that claimed so much of his time. Though it was uncomfortable even to think such disloyal thoughts, Labienus had found little to respect in the bickering old men Pompey had brought from Rome. He comforted himself with the knowledge that he could honor the senators for their position, no matter how much he disliked them personally.

Seven of the eleven legions Pompey commanded were encamped around Dyrrhachium. The main force would meet and absorb the others as they moved south to counter the invasion. Labienus found the sight of the host pleasing and was certain he had given Pompey the right advice. Fifty thousand men were the largest army he had ever seen in one place. The best reports of Caesar's legions gave him no more than twenty-two. Labienus was of the opinion that Pompey had far too much respect for the upstart who had usurped the Senate of Rome. That the Gaul legions were veterans was beyond dispute, but veterans could be holed by spears as well as any other man.

In the near distance, Labienus heard the bellowing of a white bull, slaughtered by the takers of auspices. He would see their report before Pompey and alter it, if necessary. Standing in the sun, he rubbed his thumb over the tip of his sword hilt, polishing it in a nervous habit. He could not have imagined seeing Pompey so shaken by Caesar's landing at Oricum. There would be no more bad news to jar his confidence.

Labienus watched as messengers approached to take his word out to the waiting legions.

"We march," he told them, bluntly, his mind already on the campaign to come. "Give the order to break camp. General Brutus will form the vanguard, with my Fourth legion behind him."

The messengers scattered down the roads out of the city, competing to be first on the field with the news. Labienus took a deep breath and wondered if he would have the chance to see the face of the enemy who could shake the confidence of Pompey. He shrugged to himself. Caesar would regret coming to Greece with his ambition. They had not forgotten the rule of law.

Julia was sitting in Pompey's town house playing with her son on her lap when her husband came home. The peace of the day was shattered as he bellowed for servants to attend him. She winced at the strident tone and the child on her knee giggled at her expression, trying to copy it. The boy carried the promise of his father's heavy features and she wondered if he would inherit the same brooding disposition. A clatter of dropped dishes nearby told her that Pompey had made his way through the main rooms and was coming out to see her. She could hear every word as he called for his best armor and sword to be brought. She knew then that Julius had come to Greece at last and her heart thumped as she rose.

"There you are!" Pompey said as he came into the garden. He stooped to kiss her on the forehead and she bore it with a tight smile. Their little son held out his arms and was ignored.

"It is time, Julia. I will be leaving and I want you moved to a place of greater safety."

"He has landed?" she asked.

Pompey frowned and searched her eyes. "Yes. Your father made it through my fleet."

"You will destroy him," she said and without warning kissed her husband hard on the mouth. He flushed in pleased surprise.

"I will," he said, smiling. The heart of a woman was ever a mystery to him, he thought, but his wife had accepted her new loyalty without pain or argument. She was a fitting mother to his son.

"And Brutus? You will use him?"

"As soon as I am certain, I will set him free to wreak havoc where he can. You were right about his extraordinarii, Julia. The man works best when he is not too tightly tied into the chain of command. I gave him two more cohorts."

Gently, Julia placed her son on the ground and pushed him away. She stepped closer to her husband and enfolded him in a passionate embrace. She allowed her hand to slip down toward his groin and he jumped, laughing.

"Gods, I haven't the time!" he said, raising her hand to his lips. "You have grown more beautiful in Greece, wife. The air suits you well."

"You suit me," she said.

Despite his worries, he looked pleased. "Now have your slaves gather whatever you'll need."

Her smile faltered. "Surely I am safe here?" she said. "I would not like to be moved to a strange place at this time."

Pompey blinked in confusion. "What are you talking about?" he demanded, suddenly impatient.

She forced herself to reach out to him again, taking his hand in hers. "You will be a father once more, Pompey. I would not risk the child."

Her husband's face changed slowly as he took this in and considered. He eyed her figure. "It does not show."

"Not yet, but you could be in the field for months. It will."

He nodded, coming to a quick decision. "Very well. This city is far from any fighting, after all. I just wish I could persuade the Senate to stay here with you, but they insist on accompanying the legions."

The thought of having the Senate to question every order was enough to smother even the happiness of her news, Julia saw.

"You must have their support, at least for the moment," she said.

He raised his eyes in exasperation. "It is a high price, Julia, believe me. Yet your father has been elected consul once again and I am forced to bend to the will of those fools. They know I need them now, that is the problem." He sighed. "You will have the company of their families, at least. I will leave another century to keep you safe. Now, promise me you'll not stay if there is any danger. You are too precious to me to risk in this."

She kissed him again. "I promise."

Pompey ruffled the hair of his son affectionately. His voice rose to its previous volume as he went back inside the house, calling fresh orders to the guards and staff. After a while, he was gone and the house began to settle back to its usual sleepy quiet.

"Are you going to have a baby?" her son asked in his high voice, holding out his hands to be picked up.

Julia smiled, thinking how Brutus would react when she told him. "I am, darling."

Her eyes were cold in the weak sunlight. She had made her choice. Knowing Brutus was ready to betray Pompey had proved a heavy burden since he had confided in her. Part of her felt pain at her own betrayal, but between her father and her lover, there was no loyalty left for Pompey.

"Sir, there really is very little time," Suetonius said.

Cicero followed his gaze over the balcony of the meeting hall and his lips tightened. "Unless you would have me drag the great and good of Rome by the scruff of their necks, there's little else to do but wait," he said.

The previous hour had seen Suetonius's manner change from breezy confidence to indignation at the lack of progress. He watched as yet another group of slaves came in to add to the general confusion. It astonished him how many crates and packages were involved in moving the Senate, and he could imagine Pompey's growing impatience.

Below the pair, another argument erupted.

"I should go down there," Suetonius said reluctantly.

Cicero considered letting him try. It would be amusing at the very least and he had little liking for the senator. Maturity had not brought him wisdom, Cicero decided, looking him over. Yet he was a link to the military machine under Pompey and must be cultivated if the Senate was to maintain any influence during the campaign. The gods knew they needed every advantage they could gather.

"They are in no mood to take orders, Suetonius, even if Pompey himself were here. Better to wait it out."

They peered over the balcony again, looking for some sign that the chaos was lessening. Hundreds of slaves bore papers and materials in a snake of men that seemed to have no end. Suetonius tightened his grip on the railing, unable to hide his irritation.