They were, most of them, military men. Terse and disciplined, but not averse to a night of boisterous revelry after a major victory. Some broke into song when news reached the villa that the Senate had voted to forgive its Liberators, and the wine flowed even as an uncharacteristic rain poured down the streets outside.

Trebonius drank beer, of all things, although that was not the only reason everyone else wished he would leave early. His foot tapped nervously against the floor, and his eyes ...