Augustus- Son of Caesar by Richard Foreman

Author:Richard Foreman [Foreman, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sharpe Books
Published: 2018-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

15.

Rain pimpled the marble slabs from an earlier shower. The dapple-grey clouds augured further rain or a storm.

Octavius noticed his foot tapping in nervousness and impatience as he sat on a stone bench in his garden, waiting for Cicero. He put a stop to the movement, tucking his leg beneath the bench. He did not wish to display any anxieties to the statesman – or himself.

Octavius had received a message from Cicero a day after returning to the capital, having met with his newly expanded army. Firstly – and most importantly – Octavius had paid his new soldiers. He thanked them for their support as well.

“I will repay loyalty with loyalty just as I will repay blood with blood in terms of those who murdered my father. I am not a revolutionary, nor do I crave a senseless civil war. I just want to make sure that Caesar’s reforms and promises are honoured. I must defend myself and Caesar’s legacy.”

Oppius also used the visit to set in place a training regime for officers and legionaries alike. The army would need to be battle-ready soon, whether it faced Antony or the forces of the Republic.

The statues of Caesar and Alexander the Great, which had previously resided in the corner of the garden, had been replaced by newly acquired sculptures of Cincinnatus and Aristotle. There was a slight chill in the air and Octavia, who had visited her brother that morning, insisted that he wear a red woollen cloak she had bought him, over his tunic. A small, polished bronze table sat in front of the bench with some of Cicero’s favourite foods upon it.

Octavius rose to his feet when he heard the approaching footsteps as an attendant escorted the esteemed statesman out into the garden where his master was waiting. The two men, separated by decades, greeted each other warmly. “When you shake his hand do so as an equal,” Balbus said, before the meeting. “There is no reason to defer to him. Remember, he requested to see you. Cicero needs you more than you need him. But do not underestimate him. An old fox is still a fox.”

Cicero’s usually round face seemed drawn. His brow was wrinkled in fatigue and worry. But there was still a stubborn vigour in his demeanour, his bright eyes were still intelligent as well as rheumy. The veteran politician smiled to himself as he noticed the new statues which had been introduced into the garden to make a subtle impression on him. No doubt the book, strategically placed on the bench, was one of his own. Cicero smiled because he had stage-managed such scenes before. Sometimes men can behave like women and flattery can get you everywhere (even when you know you’re being flattered).

“Thank you for meeting with me at such short notice,” Cicero remarked, after Octavius offered his guest a seat. The young man heard the old man’s knees crack as he did so.

“I meant it when I said that I would always have time for you.

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