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Lucius Oppius&039; nerves increased when he realised that he would be dining with Caesar alone The soldier was far ladius than a conversation He aardly stood before his commander Rain splattered upon the roof of the tent Nuave the room - for all intents and purposes a tricliniulow Soo Caesar had looked every inch a General Now, clad in a glea white tunic bordered with purple, Caesar appeared every inch an aristocrat Fine wines and exotic foods adorned the table Oppius also recalled once seeing Caesar in Rome at the Forua, also bordered with purple Despite his age, Caesar looked as fit and virile as any young officer Oppius could sht about his commander&039;s reputation as a lover Many a woman would just lie back, close her eyes and think of Rome ith most statesmen, but not with Caesar He acted as if he were still in his prime - and perhaps he was, Oppius mused

Caesar welcomed the centurion and clasped his forearm in a Roman handshake

"Firstly - and et you a drink I&039; to insist that you try the falernian You&039;ll thankto an attendant to pour a cup of the vintage

The wine and Caesar&039;s gregarious manner soon helped Oppius relax and the centurion was flattered to be asked his opinion about various ain thanked his newly promoted officer for his actions that day too

"You captured my respect and loyalty today Oppius, as well that beach You have earned ratitude - and a promotion Your father was a standard bearer too, no? He would be proud of you"

Oppius was shocked and intrigued to hear Caesar mention his father It seemed that it was only after his death that Oppius had started to get to know hiionaries His father had spent little ti He had resented back then how his father had devoted ion than to his oife and son Yet now he understood just how ion was its own family too, often full of orphans

"I met and knew your father a little I was even there, with ht bravely, like a lion Unfortunately his coladiatorial contest with a soldier froion The duel was meant ht for the honour of their legions Yet rumour had it that Gneaus&039; opponent had baited his sith poison What seemed like a minor flesh wound at the time ultimately proved fatal

"If you are just half the soldier that your father was Lucius, then you&039;ll be twice as great a soldier as most"

Oppius was at a loss as to how to respond Should he feel like he should live in the shadow of his father, or have him serve as an exa his guest&039;s aardness Caesar changed the subject

"There has been plenty of conjecture, both back in Ro the men too I warrant, as to why I have come to this island It&039;s certainly not for the women I did acquaint myself with one of thee but I considered that a blessing Most women, like children, should be seen and not heard But back to the ed that I have travelled to Britain in order to mine its tin and assess the rest of its natural wealth Or - and in Cato&039;s eyes especially I dare say - I have invaded this land lory Or I am here because of anda exercise, to furnishThere is a grain or two or truth to all of these theories Lucius, but what I&039;d like to talk to you about is another reason why I have landed on this sodden isle"

Caesar here leaned forward a little whist couched upon a sofa, as Oppius involuntary did so too - drawn in by his conetism