Julius Ceaser had been in a most foul mood in the weeks following Crassus departure. His local friends began making their visits rarer and shorter. Even the slaves kept their distance from him in fear of one of his outbursts. He had also become quite paranoid. Gaurds were spread throughout his estates; in his study, the gardens, even outside his bedchamber. He had hired a food taster, and made frequent visits to the kitchens under the pretense of inspecting cleanliness, while it was transparently obvious that he was checking on the staff. The gates to his estate had been closed for two weeks now, and gaurds patrolled the walls constantly. The only visitations were set by appointment, which explained some of his friends reluctance to see him anymore. Whispers spread around the house with various explanations. They were going to war again. They were soon to be invaded. Assassins had been sent to kill Ceaser. And in part, they were all true. So when twenty prefects arrived some weeks later at the gates, it caused some commotion.
Ceaser sat in his antechamber, reclining the large couch staring into space, as he so often did nowadays, when two slaves burst through the doors.
Governor Ceaser! Prefects at the gates!
Ceaser stopped them with a look. He slowly set his goblet on the nearby table and stood up, straightening his robes. This news should have startled him, yet somehow, he had known this would happen. He would lay Florins that he knew what message they bought with them. Very well, send them in. I will receive them in the Main Hall.
The word was sent to the gates, and the prefects entered, riding their travel weary mounts along the tree lined road to the front entrance of the house. They dismounted, rudely handing the reins to the servants before brushing arrogantly past the slaves, and retainers of the house, marching straight into the house and into the main hall. The Hall stretched from the antechamber about one hundred feet to the small dais that normally held statues. But Ceaser had replaced those with what could only be called a small throne. And that was where he now sat. If any impression had been made on the twenty policemen from Rome, they didnt show it. Stern-faced to a man, they marched right up to the foot of the dais before halting. One of the prefects, most likely the captain, stepped forward and handed a scroll to Julius before stepping back to stand with his men. Julius regarded the prefects for several minutes noting the hands on swords, chilly expressions, and tense stances before unbinding and reading the note.
Gaius Julius Ceaser,
By order of the Supreme Magistrate, you are hereby ordered to return to Rome henceforth, relinquishing any and all duties which you may hold at this time, and immediately upon receipt of this message, to stand trial and face the accusations of the Peoples of Rome for the following crimes;
To whit: On or about the fifteenth day of March of this same year, you are charged with conducting the massacre of no less then forty seven men, women, and children at the location of Little Villa, Province thirty two, Spain. Your are accused of violating each of the very Precepts of Roman Law; To live honestly, to injure no-one, and to give every man his due.
Magistrate of Rome, Keeper of the Jurisprudence
Ultium Flavius
He read and reread the message twice with no change to his features. He had halfway expected a move of this sort, but blaming him for the massacre of his own family? He hadnt foreseen that. Why, the entire Senate must have turned against him! And with chilling certainty, he knew that if he returned to Rome now, he would be convicted, sentenced, stripped of his title, and imprisoned. Or worse. He felt a great pressure lifting itself from his mind. He knew now what course he had to take! For the first time since he had learned of Crassus betrayal, his mind was clear, his way was layed out before him. He still didnt know wether this way was the right way, but he no longer cared. He had direction! He stood with a half smile on his face, Well. It seems I am indeed a bad, bad man, does it not?
The captain of the prefect guard replied with a suddenly wary expression on his face, Governor, I do not know the charges against you, nor do I wish to. My orders are simply to return you to Rome, and this I will do at all costs. As if to add emphasis, he returned his hand to the hilt of his sword.
Ceaser simply smiled more, My dear captain. You are a good policeman. Did you know that policemen are much like soldiers? There is little difference between you and a legionare! You follow orders blindly, and without thought. That is good. That is what a good soldier does. But what happens if your General turns out to be incompetent; or even worse, a traitor? Do you still follow those same orders?
An uncertain look came across the captains face, and he licked his lips nervously before answering, I am a policeman, not a soldier, and the law is quite firm. The JurisPrudence guides our hands, and the guilty are punished by the Gods. Now please come with us" He started forward to escort Ceaser, but was halted as Julius Ceasers expression went from mirth to cold fury in a split second. No sane man changed moods that quickly!
Ceaser flung out a hand and spoke with a voice filled with terrible rage, The Senate is your General, prefect! And your general is corrupt! Yes, yes! The Senate is a rotten fruit poisoning the people, and I am the cure for all that filth! I will remove the rotten core from the heart of Rome! Me!
Ceaser paused to smooth his hair back and take a calming breath before going on in a normal voice, I do not expect you to understand, captain. I have been plotted against. I have been under attack and for what purpose I do not yet know. You have heard of me, yes?
Of course, all of the people of Rome had heard of Julius Ceaser, and most loved him. Seeing the hesitation in the prefects eyes, Ceaser took a step forward toward the captain, coming close enough to look the man face to face, Can you believe it of the great Gnaeus Julius Ceaser to slaughter innocents? Women and children, hmm? Yes, that is the charge, the Little Villa massacre! You know that I show great mercy to fallen armies! I have the wounded well cared for, and the slaves taken are given humane treatment! Can you truely believe that I would kill my own family?
The captain cleared his throat. Looking quickly to his men before answering gave away the depth of his confusion, Sir, I
I have my orders
I dont know politics
Ceaser turned away from the man with a dismissive gesture, seating himself once more. At a gesture, guardsmen stepped into the hall with bows drawn and arrows nocked, surrounding the Roman prefects. Ceaser spoke this time in an intense tone. How many mood changes was that in just a few moments? "I have decided not to be arrested today, but I do not like to see good men die, so I will give you a chance to join me. You can die, nobly and foolishly following corrupt orders from a rotten Senate, or you can serve under me. I could use good policemen such as yourselves. You see, I already have former prefects working for me. Antonius Careales is one you may have heard of. He has discovered many things pertaining to the case of Little Villa which you may find
compelling. Of course I will give you all the chance to decide for yourselves after reviewing the evidence.
The prefects, looking wildly about at the arrows directed at them, all turned as Ceaser spoke. Finally the captain spoke, We will
we will examine this evidence. But how can we join you? We would become deserters, and the penalty for that is quite steep! More prefects would come, and we would simply join your fate.
Ceaser smiled, happy again, My dear Captain. I wouldnt worry about Rome. I intend to take Rome with my loyal legions here and elsewhere. A general, a good general inspires much loyalty, you see. By the end of this campaign, I will be Emporer. That is the only way to remove the rottenness which has pervaded my beloved government! And Ceaser laughed. No, I wouldnt worry much about the Senate or Rome at all!
)
Long way to go in this story yet! I'll try and be quicker but the more I write, the more ideas I have for the outcome! A few twists and turns 
, and some epic battles on the horizon! 
Great keep it up!
