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smiled, partly because Cicero was the sole
person who Caesar would have said the above in relation to as well. Although he
did not always share his politics, Caesar was constant in his admiration for
the former consul. He thought of how he would try to introduce Octavius to the great writer and statesman when he was next
in Rome.  
    Caesar heard someone approach and he wiped the
expression of fatigue off his face, as if he were wiping away a film of sweat.
As it was Joseph however who entered Caesar soon wore tiredness – and warmth –
in his features. He could not help but yawn though.
    “You should get some sleep,” the old Jewish
servant remarked, in a spirit of both fussiness and concern.
    “I’ve got too much on my mind. I’m finding it
difficult to sleep.”
    “Perhaps I could make boring you to sleep part
of my official duties.”
    “And how would you go about fulfilling such a
duty?”
    “Hmm, I could either recite some of Cato’s
speeches – or tell you about the most interesting dish British cuisine has to
offer.”  

 

 
 
    14.

 
    The coals upon the brazier burned as intensely
as the heated look in the chieftain’s eyes. Caradog flared his nostrils and stared at the breathless pock-marked youth who had just
delivered the news, that not only had three of his warriors been slain but that
his brother had returned. Had he come back to take his
revenge? Caradog creased his brow in thought –
and worry. If Adiminus had returned to take his
revenge however, why was he travelling in the opposite direction to his
village? Caradog angrily dismissed his attendants –
and even the woman he intended to take tonight. She could have the pleasure of
his company and favour another time.
    The jewellery -laden
chieftain poured himself a large measure of wine. His mind was filled with a
hundred thoughts, breeding like rats. He could not ultimately find out his
brother’s intentions until he encountered him. He could not ultimately live in
peace until his brother was dead. First the Romans arrived, unsettling the
region – and now his brother had returned to cause him personal disquiet. Yet
were the two things related? Caradog recalled how one
of his archers had reported seeing his brother fighting alongside the Romans on
the beach. The chieftain had laughed at the idea at the time, but now it made
sense. Should Adiminus now be serving in the Roman
army – and rather than being a deserter Caradog judged that he was gathering intelligence for the enemy - then he would need to
make his way back to their camp upon the south coast. His plan of action would
be to send a small force to pursue his brother, but Caradog would also lead a small force of his own to lie in wait for him when he
returned to camp. He believed he knew the route his brother would take. Wine
stained his teeth as he grinned, wolfishly, thinking of how Adiminus always fancied himself as an archer and trapper. Caradog would now show his brother that he was superior to him in both of those trades.

 

 
 
    15.

 
    Midday.
    Oppius waited just inside the tree line at the edge of the settlement,
sharpening his knife, as Teucer returned from his
reconnaissance mission.
    “He’s here. He’s pouring lies into their ears
and drinks down their throat in that large hut closest to us. The three picts are with him. They’ve been drinking, but they can
hold their drink as well as hold their own fighting anyone. They’re well armed , carrying shields as well as swords and axes. I
overheard which settlement they’ll be heading to next – and they’ll be heading
along the track leading this way into the forest.”
    “We’ll lie in wait for them here. We shouldn’t
allow them to get into the forest, as our bows will be redundant there. At the
same time we should wait until they’re away from the hut. We don’t want his new
recruits entering the fray. Do you see that tree stump by the track? We’ll hit
them there. There’s no cover. We’ll