The Looming Shadows

These were lead-up days to Ides of March. Though life and business seemed to keep things on an even keel in the city, strange, unnatural tension hung there like that moment before the storm that rolls. Leo felt it step he made, every word heard when chatting to get his coffee in the marketplace, passing by the Forum on some matter.

Such whispered talk and discontented growl for the word of Caesar's influence going to grow like wildfire: senators narrow their eyes, in quiet whispers, behind-the-scenes communing. He was hardly ever at liberty of unawareness; more over, Antony, all observant and quickwitted, kept watchful at the political stage of Rome.

Leo sat in a shaded corner of the Forum, pretended to read a scroll he'd borrowed from a merchant. Truth was that he was scanning the crowd of faces, his mind racing. The system had kept its mouth shut since the notification that night, and he'd had nothing but himself to occupy his time with.

It wasn't long before the familiar voice of Mark Antony broke his thoughts. "You've been staring at that same sentence for the last ten minutes. Either you're deep in thought, or you're the slowest reader in Rome."

Leo glanced up, smirking. "Observant as ever."

Antony sat beside him, his face deathly grim. "It's really hotting up in the Senate," he remarked. "Cassius is moving, subtle moves, but enough to wake up anybody with a heartbeat."

Leo settled back into the chair, rubbing at his temples. "I saw him conferring with his plotters. He was there too, lacerating his soul to do it but listened.

Antony's eyes had darkened. "Brutus. He's the linchpin, you understand. If Cassius can win that man over, the rest will follow suit."

"Well, then we have to ensure that doesn't happen," Leo said, his voice firm.

Antony nodded. "I have a plan. Brutus is an idealist, a man of conviction. If we appeal to his sense of honor, show him that Caesar isn't the tyrant Cassius makes him out to be, we might pull him back."

Leo frowned. "But how do we do that without tipping off the conspirators? If they suspect we're onto them, they'll move faster.".

Antony grinned, the old mischief returning to his expression. "Leave that to me. I'll arrange a meeting with Brutus. You, meanwhile, have another task."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"

Antony leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Caesar's safety. He's still dismissive of the danger, but if anyone can convince him to take precautions, it's you."

Leo's stomach sank. He knew Antony was right, whether Caesar was listening or not. Unless Caesar went down first out of the sky, everything they had planned was going to be nothing.

That night, Leo was standing in Caesar's private quarters. The man sat at a marble desk reading the documents in the light of an oil lamp. He looked up at Leo, and he smiled faintly.

"Ahh, the overseer," said Caesar. "What are you doing here so early?

Leo hesitated, then moved closer. "I wanted to speak with you about warnings, Caesar. Soothsayer, whispers in the Senate-there is danger brewing."

Caesar leaned back into his chair, his face unmoved. "Danger is a constant companion to those in power, my friend. It is the price we pay for greatness.".

"This is no common grumbling," Leo declared. "Cassius gathers his forces. There are those who would see you fall, and they're growing bolder by the day."

Caesar waved a dismissive hand. "Cassius is ambitious, but he hasn't the guts to act upon it. And as for the others, they're sheep. They follow where led but are lacking the strength to lead themselves.".

You're underestimating them, Caesar. Can't just ignore this. Take precautions, increase your security—all that's required to give you an edge."

Caesar regarded him with searching eyes. "You speak with passion, overseer. But tell me this—if I'm afraid of every shadow, every whisper, is that the man who commands Rome?"

Leo opened his mouth to say something but then swallowed hard. He knew Caesar's pride was part of the package with the ambition. It wasn't going to be easy to convince him that he should act prudently.

The system made a gentle chime inside his head and presented an answer he did not anticipate in return.

System Message

Skill Unlocked: Rhetoric Persuasion

Improve the art of persuading minds for decisions with powerful arguments.

Passive Increase: +10% success on dialogue tests.

Leo straightened, a newfound confidence surging through him. "Caesar, it's not about fear. It's about strategy. The greatest leaders know when to defend as well as when to conquer. Protecting yourself isn't weakness—it's wisdom."

Caesar studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded, though his smile was faint. "You make a compelling point, overseer. I will consider your advice.".

Not an easy promise, but it was a good deal more than Leo had hoped for.

With a weighty sense settling over him, Leo made his way out of the chamber. The Ides of March now hung ever closer, but even though small battles were won, betrayal cast its long shadows.

In the stillness of that night, he decided to do whatever it took to turn the tide of fate over on its other side, and against history itself.