Soldier of Rome: The Last Campaign (The Artorian Chronicles) by James Mace Page B

hand, lest we be here all day. You know what you must do.”
    “That I do,” Claudius replied with a sad nod. He walked slowly towards the praetorian, looking him in the eye. “I will not condemn you for the death of my nephew. Though he was my brother’s son, one does not have to look hard to understand that his death probably saved many lives. While murder must never be condoned, we can show clemency here, knowing that circumstances were desperate, with no other viable options available. Therefore, the charge of murder against Gaius Caligula is hereby dropped.”
    There were some quiet murmurings of approval amongst the senators present. It was also clear that by dropping the charge rather than rendering a verdict of not guilty , the fear of setting a dangerous precedent had been avoided.
    “ However,” Claudius continued, “it was agreed amongst you all that only Caligula should die. You went beyond that. You murdered an innocent woman and her baby. What grievances had they committed against you or against Rome?”
    Cassius remained silent. Nothing he could say would change the minds of Claudius or any of those present . He had committed a terrible atrocity. Even in his own mind he could no longer attempt to rationalize his terrible actions.
    The emperor continued, “F or years I have called you friend; your kindness to me and my family much cherished. And yet, I heard in your own words that you meant to murder me, along with my wife and daughter. Instead of cutting down one, you sought to slay the entire imperial family!”
    “I’ll not deny it,” Cassius confirmed. “The republic was far greater to me than our friendship. I took a risk for her, and I lost. The republic is truly dead, and while I am now filled with remorse, I do not regret dying with it.”
    “Understand, you have left me no choice,” Claudius emphasized. He turned and walked back to the imperial throne, sitting down before speaking again. “Cassius Chaerea, you are hereby condemned for the murder of Caesonia and her daughter, Julia Drusilla.”
    “I d on’t ask for your forgiveness, Claudius, but for your understanding,” Cassius replied as guardsmen grabbed him by each arm to take him away. He looked at each of the men, then back to the emperor one last time. “Gods go with you, Caesar. I pray that you do not have to pass too many sentences of death, lest one be passed on you. After all, is that not how we do things now?”
    His words turned the emperor’s stomach , and he nodded with his head towards the door, prompting the guards to take Cassius away. Calvinus, who stayed silent throughout the entire ordeal, remained where he stood. Claudius then turned his gaze towards the assembled senators.
    His old friend decided to take the initiative. “Caesar,” Marcus said, stepping forward, “what is to become of us?”
    “You are a fool, Marcus, if you thought you could restore the republic,” Claudius chastised. He then addressed all the senators present, his voice stern and without trace of stammer. “I am an old republican myself, as you all well know. But we cannot undo the past. Your predecessors in the senate saw fit to hand ultimate power to Augustus nearly seventy years ago. Not one person in this room was even alive when that happened, and the few amongst your peers that were, were but mere children then, with no concept as to what the republic actually was. It is a dream long dead, where it will remain. Rest assured, senators, I will do nothing unconstitutional. I am not like my nephew who fancied himself a god. I am just a man like yourselves. I would rather you deal with me as your colleague and peer. Know that I will make no crucial decisions without first hearing your voice, as well as that of the plebian assembly. I ask that we stand together, as emperor, senate, and people of Rome.”
    Though his speech did not elicit any outright applause, ther e were positive acknowledgments heard as the senators talked quietly