The Wrath of Caesar

The Senate Hall was bursting at the seams with almost unbearable tension as Caesar took centre stage, standing tall like some lion surveying his kingdom. The senators, seated in a wide semicircle, shifted uneasily in their chairs. Their faces betrayed a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Already, word had spread through Rome's streets that Caesar would call the Senate not for any discussion but for reckoning.

Leo stood by Antony's side, his heart pounding inside his chest. Events of the previous day echoed in his mind: their frantic race to Caesar's villa, the confrontation, and Caesar's realization that they had conspired against him. Today, the table was going to turn.

The conspirators all sat in place, their faces all set at non commital lines, though flickers of anxiety danced there as in fireflies in dark wood. Cassius sat motionless, his jaw locked and hard, as if he braced against the coming storm. But Brutus seemed relaxed and casual, until Leo noticed the minute tremble that crept up his arm on his chair.

Caesar raised his hand, and the room became silent. The murmur of voices, the shuffle of feet, everything ceased. It was as though the very air held its breath.

Senators of Rome, began Caesar, speaking in a low tone but with the rumble of thunder as his voice shook the very halls. "I summoned you here not to debate nor deliberate but to confront great treachery sown within this very holy institution."

Leo's eyes flitted over at Cassius, whose expression hardened.

"A treachery" Caesar continued, "that dares to challenge not only me but the very foundation of Rome. A treachery so vile, so cowardly, that it sought to strike at me from the shadows, with daggers drawn and oaths broken."

With ripples of whispers that resound across the room, those whisperers continue questioning with lowered voices among fellow senators.

"I have given this Senate my loyalty, my life, and my victories" Caesar said, his voice now rising. "And yet, there are men among you-men who would repay my service with betrayal!"

His eyes swept across the room, lingering on each conspirator. Cassius's lips hardened into a thin line, while Brutus dropped his glance to the floor.

"I shall not mention names," Caesar continued, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "For those who have betrayed me know who they are. And let it be known—there will be no mercy for those who dare to defy me. Rome's enemies, whether they stand on foreign soil or within these walls, will be crushed beneath her heel."

Cassius stood up brusquely, scraping his chair against the marble floor. "Do you think to accuse us all, Caesar? Are we not your senators, loyal to the welfare of Rome?"

Caesar turned to him with eyes aflame with passion. "Loyalty?" he spat. "You tell me about loyalty, Cassius, plotting against my head? Prithee, think not myself a fool.".

The room was silent. And an accusation hung there like a blade poised to strike.

Cassius's composure parted for a moment before he settled into it again. "No proof, Caesar. These allegations are hollow."

Caesar advances, forward. "No proof? Your whispers have reached mine ears. Your treason is written in every look, every word you've spoken in the dark. You plot against me with others who sit in this selfsame chamber.".

The senators shifted uncomfortably, some moving away from Cassius.

"From this day forward," thundered Caesar, his voice a roar, "let it be known that those who oppose me oppose Rome. And those who oppose Rome will have to bear her anger."

Two of Caesar's guards stepped forward, their hands resting over the hilts of their swords.

Cassius, Brutus, Decimus, and all such; with look so piercing as his eyes, still on the following terms: "Enemies you are to Rome. To justice you shall go; there shall you dwell; no man shall tackle you with love."

Brutus stood, his voice shaking but unshaking. "If you do that, Caesar, you send us to death without trial, without so much as an argument. "Tis no more justice, I swear 'tis tyranny."

"Tyranny? Caesar spat. You talk of tyranny and would stab me in the back while talking of virtue. Do not lecture me for justice, Brutus: for all the wounds it could inflict, treachery cuts deeper."

It had now come to breaking point the tension that hung over in that room. Guards advanced by holding swords. Conspirators stood on their behalf.

"Grasp them," Caesar ordered, his voice colder than steel.

But before the guards could have even taken a step, Cassius raised his hand. "Wait! If you have a problem with us, then stand up and present it, Caesar. You might be Rome's ruler, but you cannot be a god.".

"Then come," Caesar said, his voice a challenge. "Let Rome see who dares to defy her." Then chaos ruled the Senate with senators' voices clashing to issue a rain of accusations and protests into the air.

Overpowered but unconquerable, conspirators were unyielding, staring at Caesar.

Leo stood there, speechless in his head. He had seen Caesar turn things around. The conspirators were not going to fall quietly into that good night. The Ides of March storm was broken, and Rome was never going to be the same again.