Prologue

The Emperor of Rome receives a strange prophecy about a baby.

Screams of agony echoed off the marble hall of the Imperial Palatium as rain poured down outside. Gaius remained unmoved, sitting on his throne, listening to Atticus haltingly get through a report on the newest round of recruitment for the army.

“We received sixteen volunteers from Ostia,” Atticus said, the long plume on the general’s helmet swaying as he talked. “This is more than last year; I think that�"”

He winced as another scream split the room.

Gaius’ mouth twitched. “What is the matter, magister militum? You can handle the cries of the dying but not of women?”

Atticus swallowed. “Are you not worried, Caesar? It does not sound like it is going well.”

Gaius rested his chin on his hand. “I am the emperor; there will be more wives to birth me more heirs. Now, please. Continue.”

Atticus nodded. “From Antioch, we received five. And from Massalia… well, I hesitate to say.”

Gaius narrowed his eyes. “Go on.”

“We received none. As you are aware, the city has been

under constant attack by the barbaric Gaul forces. All of the men are preoccupied protecting their homes; they do not feel like they can spare a single person for the rest of the Empire.”

“The Empire is their home,” Gaius responded. “Send another recruiter.”

“Yes, my lord.”

A new cry split the air; a baby. 

Atticus looked towards the hall. “The babe lives! Hopefully the same can be said for your dear queen. Should we offer a prayer to Diana?”

“If we must,” Gaius sighed. He raised his gaze to the ceiling. “Swift footed archer of the golden bow, slayer of beasts, protector of Leto, bless my wife that she might survive the pangs of childbirth. Thank you.”

Attiucs had his head respectfully bowed but when Gaius did not go on, he looked up. “Wonderful, my lord, I am sure that pleased Her very much.”

“I suppose we could send materials to fortify the wall.”

Atticus stared at him blankly. 

“The outer wall of Massalia, I mean,” Gaius said. 

“Oh, yes. That would improve morale incredibly. My men report it is in poor condition after sustained charges and sieges.”

“Remind me at the meeting with the Senate,” Gaius said. An advisor silently standing against the wall jumped forward. “We must deliver wood, masonry tools, and architects to Massalia.”

The advisor nodded then retreated again. 

“Do you have name ideas?” Atticus asked, his face splitting into an unprofessional grin.

“What?” 

“For the baby, my lord.”

“Oh. No, I haven’t given it much thought.”

“I have always wanted children of my own but, alas, no woman will take me as long as I am in the legions.”

“As they should,” Gaius said. “Your focus should be on nothing but the glory of Rome.”

Atticus’ smile slowly faded. “Yes, my lord.”

A soft sound from the doorway interrupted them. The midwife stood half in the darkness, blood on her hands and the naked baby in his arms. Atticus gasped. 

“Great Caesar,” she said, “I present you with your son.”

“A son! Oh, good,” Gaius said. 

The midwife approached, eyes cast down to the gruesome stains on her dress, and placed the baby at the foot of the throne. She hurriedly backed up when she was done, as if the emperor was a sleeping boar. Gaius peered down at the fussing newborn. 

“He is quite unsightly.” He wrinkled his nose. 

“That is how freshly born babes look, my lord,” the midwife said. “If you choose to accept him, I will swaddle and bathe his body to what you desire.”

Gaius looked at her. “And you are sure he is healthy?”

“As sure as I am in the Gods above, my lord.”

“Very well.” Gaius reached down. He lifted it into the air above his head. 

And everything went red. 

�"

“You have been blessed, Imperator Caesar Gaius.” The voice was deep, resonating out of the emperor’s bones.

“Where am I?” he cried, voice uncharacteristically shaky. “Who are you?”

“Do not drop the baby.”

Gaius looked down; the baby was still in his hands. Its skin looked more crimson than before. 

He tried again. “Where am I?”

“I bring news of a prophecy,” the voice continued, ignoring his pleas. “The Oracle has spoken. The fate of Rome is in your hands.”

Gaius shifted uncomfortably. “Let me hear it.”

A searing heat ripped through his chest and he cried out in pain. The air itself seemed to vibrate as the voice said, “Blessings from the Gods are bestowed upon you, for beings of good and evil, you will have two. He’ll throw off the shackles of the oppressor, the unsung hero, Rome’s true successor. The other is a cunning snake, who devours all there is to take. Raise them well, ruler of men, and remember only one can win.”

As suddenly as it started, the pain subsided and Gaius’ knees nearly gave out with relief. Panting, he looked down at the baby. “What am I going to do with you?”

�"

Gaius’ head was pounding. He grit his teeth as a roll of thunder nearly split his skull open. 

“My lord?” Atticus was supporting him, holding some of his weight as he knelt on the ground. The midwife was clutching the baby to her chest. Guards and advisors looked down from where they had formed a protective circle around him.

“What happened?” he mumbled. 

“You accepted your son then collapsed,” Atticus said. 

“Help me.”

With a clatter of metal and leather, Atticus helped Gaius stand. He held onto his shoulder for a few more moments until it was clear that Gaius was not about to keel over again. 

“I need to see Cornelia,” he said. 

The midwife nodded. “Right this way, my lord.”

He followed her down the hall, Atticus and the guards on his heels. They stopped at one of the many side bedrooms and the midwife slowly drew the curtain that had been hung on the doorway to the side.

Two women were cleaning blood off the floor. A girl slept in a bed covered with pillows and furs. Her face was pale and curly flyaways stuck to her forehead with sweat. Gaius approached the bed. 

“Cornelia. Cornelia. Wake up.” 

Her eyes cracked open. “Mh?” 

“I have accepted my son. I will call him Cassius.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Cornelia mumbled. 

“He is destined to be greater than anyone here,” Gaius whispered with a smile.