and strike of the heavy iron blade.
He paused, panting, and rested his hands on the long axe handle. There had been a time when he could have swung an axe all day, but now even the hairs on his chest had turned a winter grey. Foolish to keep pushing himself perhaps, but old age came fastest to those who sat and waited for it and at least the exercise kept his belly flat.
‘I used to climb that tree,’ a voice sounded behind him. Tubruk jumped at the interruption to the quiet of the woods, turning with the axe in his hands.
Brutus was there, sitting on a stump with his arms folded and the old grin making his eyes bright. Tubruk laughed with the pleasure of seeing him and rested the axe against the wide trunk of the oak. For a moment, they didn’t speak, then Tubruk crossed the space to him and gripped him in a great hug, lifting him off the stump.
‘By all the gods, Marcus, it’s good to see you, lad,’ Tubruk said as he let Brutus go. ‘You’ve changed. You’re taller! Let me look at you.’
The old gladiator stepped back and pulled on his tunic.
‘That’s a centurion’s armour. You’ve prospered.’
‘Bronze Fist,’ Brutus replied. ‘Never lost a battle, though we came close once or twice when I was giving the orders.’
‘I doubt it. Gods, I’m proud of you. Are you back for good now, or on your way through?’
‘My posting is over. There are a few things I want to do in the city before finding a new legion.’
For the first time, Tubruk noticed how dusty the young man was.
‘How far have you walked?’
‘Halfway across the world, it feels like. Renius doesn’t like to part with his money for horses, though we found a couple of nags for part of it.’
Tubruk chuckled as he picked up the axe and rested it on his shoulder.
‘He came back with you then? I thought he’d given up on the city when they burned his house in the riots.’
Brutus shrugged. ‘He’s gone to sell the plot and find a place to rent.’
Tubruk smiled in memory. ‘Rome is too quiet for him now. I should think he’d hate it.’ He clapped a hand on Brutus’ shoulder. ‘Come down the hill with me. Your old room is just as it was and a good soak and rub-down will take the dust of the road out of your lungs.’
‘Is Julius back?’ Brutus asked.
Tubruk seemed to slump a little as if the axe had suddenly become heavier.
‘We had to raise a ransom for him when pirates took his galley. We’re still waiting to hear if he’s safe.’
Brutus looked at him in amazement. ‘Gods, I haven’t heard this! Was he wounded?’
‘We know nothing. All I’ve had was the order for the money. I had to pay for guards to load it onto a merchant ship at the coast. Fifty talents, it was.’
‘I didn’t think the family had that kind of money,’ Brutus said quietly.
‘We don’t now. All the businesses had to be sold, as well as some of the estate land. There’s just the crop revenue left. The years will be hard for a while, but there is enough to live on.’
‘He’s had his share of bad luck. Enough for a lifetime.’
‘I doubt he’ll be down for long. Julius and you are the same. Money can always be made again, if you live long enough. Did you know Sulla was dead?’
‘I heard. Even in Greece, the soldiers at the ports wore black. Is it true he was poisoned?’
Tubruk frowned for a second, looking away before replying. ‘It’s true. He made a lot of enemies in the Senate. His general, Antonidus, is still searching for the killers. I don’t think he will ever give up.’
As he spoke, he thought of Fercus and the terrible days that had followed after hearing he had been taken. Tubruk had never known fear like it, waiting for soldiers to march from the city and take him back for trial and execution. They had not come and Antonidus continued to question and search. Tubruk didn’t even dare look for Fercus’ family in case Antonidus was watching them, but he had sworn the debt would be repaid somehow. Fercus had been a true friend but, more than that, he had believed in the Republic with a passion that had surprised the old gladiator when he had first broached the plan for killing Sulla. Fercus had hardly needed to be persuaded.
‘… Tubruk?’ Brutus broke into his thoughts, looking curious.
‘I’m sorry. I was thinking of the past. They say the Republic has returned and Rome is once again a city of law, but it isn’t true. They sink their teeth into each other to prevent anyone taking over from Sulla. Only recently, two senators were executed for treason on nothing more than the word of their accusers. They bribe and steal and give out free corn to the mob, who fill their bellies and go home satisfied. It is a strange city, Marcus.’
Brutus put his hand on Tubruk’s shoulder.
‘I did not know you cared so much about it,’ he said.
‘I always did, but I trusted more when I was younger. I thought that men like Sulla and, yes, Marius could not harm her, but they can. They can kill her. Do you know that free corn wipes out small farmers? They cannot sell their crops. Their lands are put up for sale and added to the swollen holdings of the senators. Those farmers end up on the city streets being given the very corn that ruined them.’
‘There will be better men in the Senate in time. A new generation, like Julius.’
Tubruk’s expression eased a little, but Brutus was shocked at the depth of the bitterness and sadness he had seen revealed. Tubruk had always been a pillar of certainty in the lives of the boys. He struggled to find the right words to say.
‘We will make a Rome that you can be proud of,’ he said.
Tubruk reached up and gripped his outstretched arm.
‘Oh, to be young again,’ he said, smiling. ‘Come on home, Aurelia will be thrilled to see you so tall and strong.’
‘Tubruk? I …’ Brutus hesitated. ‘I won’t stay for long. I have enough coin to get lodgings in the city.’
Tubruk glanced at him, understanding. ‘This is your home. It always will be. You stay as long as you want.’
The silence stretched again as they walked towards the estate buildings.
‘Thank you. I wasn’t sure if you’d expect me to make my own way now. I can, you know.’
‘I know, Marcus,’ Tubruk replied, smiling as he called out for the gates to be opened.
The young man felt a weight lift from him. ‘They call me Brutus now.’
Tubruk put out his hand and Brutus took it in the legionary’s grip.
‘Welcome home, Brutus,’ Tubruk said.
He
