Time Machine 18: The Sword of Caesar by Robin Stevenson & Bruce Stevens

Author:Robin Stevenson & Bruce Stevens [Stevenson, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 1588244482
Publisher: iBooks for Young Readers
Published: 2014-09-01T00:00:00+00:00

It’s the evening after Caesar’s victory over Pompey. You accompany Caesar to Pompey’s tent to take inventory of all that Pompey has left behind.

“If there are any food supplies left,” Caesar tells a departing messenger, “see that they are equally divided among my men. I could not have survived this day without them.” Then he turns to you. “Come, let’s have a look inside.”

What you see leaves you speechless. The floors of the tent are covered with richly colored rugs. Hanging golden lanterns cast light in every corner. A banquet table is laden with silver plates filled with food and goblets brimming with wine.

“It’s set for a victory feast,” says Caesar. “We’ll not disappoint Pompey—we’ll take our dinner here.”

Caesar reclines on a divan beside the table, and you pull up a campstool. You wolf down a roasted chicken leg and a handful of grapes. When you glance up, you notice a writing desk strewn with parchments and scrolls. Curiosity gets the better of you. You clean your fingers, rise from the table, and inspect the contents of the desk.

You cannot believe what you’re reading! These are all Pompey’s personal papers and correspondence!

“Caesar!” you cry. “Look what I’ve found!” You hand him one of the parchments. Caesar reads it slowly, then holds the corner up to the candle in front of him. Instantly, the document catches fire and goes up in smoke.

“But why?” you ask.

“I have defeated Pompey, dined on his food, and drunk his wine. I have no need to read his letters.” He drains his cup and says, “Destroy them all!”

You take the scrolls and parchments outside and burn them in one of the campfires. As you watch them turn to ashes you wonder what secrets they might have contained.

“Hail, Caesar,” a voice calls, and a battle-grimed centurion appears.

“What news do you bring of the battle?” Caesar asks.

“The last of Pompey’s armies are cut off from all escape. They are without food or water. It is only a matter of hours before they surrender.”

“And Pompey?” you ask, thinking of the incredible feast he left behind. “What has happened to Pompey?”

“It’s reported that he tore the insignia of command from his clothing and fled with some of his army. He is nowhere to be seen!”

“My thanks,” Caesar says. “To all of you.”

You look at Caesar in wonder. His sword lies at the foot of Pompey’s abandoned banquet table. Little more than a year has passed since Caesar crossed the Rubicon, yet now the Roman world and Empire are his!

It’s time to move ahead. Caesar isn’t ready to return to Rome, and it could be quite awhile before he does. You can catch up with him at a future date when he’s likely to be wearing the sword.

Jump to Rome one year later. Click here.

Jump to Rome two years later. Click here.

Jump to Rome four years later. Click here.

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