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"Then today, res, non verba" Actions, not words

I speak withinto the center of the circle that now forms as Browns cart away the tables froustus As do Leto, Tactus, Victra, and the great Praetors of Mars So many famous faces, so many warriors and politicians The Jackal stands further away, shorter than the rest, i to no one I wonder what he would say to ry Perhaps he’s learned to trust in hts We are still allied

"Is this spectacle for ustus asks as I stand before hi I can’t help but glance over at Mustang Even now, she draws ," he nearly whispers "What they tell you in the storybooks is wrong; love does not survive things like this Not the love of"Her soul is like her e"

"No?"

"No" I bow o "The duty of the son is the father’s glory Is it not?" I fall to a knee

"You are not my son"

"No The Bellona killed him, stole him from you Your firstborn son, Claudius, was all a man could hope for--a son better and wiser than his father So let h quibbling Enough of their politics Blood for blood"

"My liege, Julian was one thing But Cassius …," Pliny tries

Augustus ignores hi n’s favor? A month? A year? Two? Soon she will replace you with the Bellona Look how she favors Cassius Look how she steals your child Look how the other goes the way of a Silver Your heirs are depleted Your time as ArchGovernor will end Let it For you are not a man fit to be ArchGovernor of Mars You are a s"

"Because none have dared craft themselves a crown," I say "Let this be the first step Spit in the Sovereign’s eye Make me the sword of your family"