Page 306 of Scorched Earth

“I asked for an explanation for whyyouare here, Legatus, not an explanation of the sentiment of the people.”

Marcus pulled off his helmet and let it fall to the tiled floor with a loud clang. “Am I not a person, Senator?” Unbuckling his belt, he cast aside his weapons, then the pieces of his armor, until he stood in only a tunic and sandals. “Am I not a citizen of the Empire? Cannot the reasons of the people be my reasons?”

“Curtail your theatrics, Legatus. You are no ordinary citizen, and removing the accoutrements of your rank does not change that fact. I would have justification for your actions.”

“You are correct, I am no ordinary citizen, for unlike every other citizen, I am indentured. Am, for all intents and purposes, a slave to the Senate’s will until I have earned back my price or until death liberates me, whichever comes first. I amlessthan an ordinary citizen, for I am not free, nor is any man in service to the Empire’s legions.”

“Less?” Tiberius made a face. “You hold the power. You’ve made that clear to us with this performance. You control Celendrial and we are all at your mercy. Except unless you intend to rule by martial force, to name yourself Dictator, to name yourselfEmperor,then you must still answer to the law.”

“And therein lies the reason I have returned to Celendrial, Senator. In answer to the call of the law.”

The senators were all leaning forward now, fear replaced with interest.

“Speak clearly.”

Marcus lifted one shoulder. “Is it not my sworn duty to uphold the laws of the Empire as determined by this senate?”

“It is. Yet you break them instead by disobeying the commands of the Dictator who represents us in this time of war.”

“I break no law, for I have no obligation to follow the directives of a man who holds power unlawfully.”

Ignoring the legionnaires training weapons upon them, the senators loyal to Cassius exploded to their feet, shouting in outrage.

Tiberius lifted his hands. “Silence! We will have order!”

The men returned to their seats, a few only under the prodding of Thirty-Seventh spear tips.

“Lucius Cassius was made Dictator by vote of the Senate, Legatus,” Tiberius said. “During times of war, it is the Senate’s right to suspendelections and elevate the power of the standing consul so that he might overcome the threat facing the Empire.”

“I do not question the Senate’s right to grant the consul a dictator’s powers,” Marcus replied. “However that consul must be lawfully elected by the citizens of Celendor.”

“Which he was. You yourself voted for him in the same performative manner as you are using now. It is not illegal for one to incite votes with the promise to take certain actions should one win office, which one can only assume was how Cassius secured your support.”

Marcus’s throat tightened, his gaze going to his father, who sat quietly in the front row. Their eyes locked, and his father gave the smallest nod of understanding.

“Cassius did not gain my vote, nor the votes of the Thirty-Seventh legion, with incentives,” Marcus said. “He gained it through blackmail.”

The Senate was silent for a shocked heartbeat, then they were again on their feet, shouting for explanations. Shouting that Cassius be allowed to speak.

Marcus watched Cassius squirm on the ground beneath Felix’s foot, the Dictator’s eyes murderous with rage. And the voice, which had been quiet for so many long days, reared its head, for it was not entirely defeated. Marcus doubted it ever would be.Silence him!it screamed.You earned your power! Why should you concede it to these soft and perfumed men who’ve never fought for anything in their lives? Why shouldn’t you rule?

He pressed a hand to the tiny replica of theQuincensethat rested against his chest, then nodded at Felix. “Ungag him.”

Felix obeyed, and Cassius scrambled to his feet, seething with anger. “Fool of a boy! Retract these false accusations and I might see fit to show mercy to you!”

Marcus tilted his head, staring into the eyes of the man who had done harm to so many. Who’d used war to achieve ultimate power, happy to step on the backs of a hundred thousand corpses in his quest to gain the golden chair behind him. For so long, he’d both hated and feared Cassius, but now as Marcus looked at him, all he felt was contempt.

“What was the nature of this blackmail, Legatus?” Tiberius asked. “Manipulating an election is a serious offense, and your accusation must be backed with details if we are to act upon it.”

Marcus only vaguely heard Tiberius’s question, because rising behind Cassius’s anger and bluster was fear. Fear that seemed to shrinkthe man, making it hard for Marcus to understand why he’d ever seen him as a threat. If Cassius revealed the truth that Marcus had kept secret for so long, it would condemn them both, and Cassius feared the consequences far more than Marcus did.

“Do it,” Marcus said softly. “Tell them.”

Cassius licked his lips, casting a sideways glance at the watching Senate. Yet he remained silent, still banking on his certainty that Marcus would do everything and anything to protect this secret.

“As you like.” Marcus cleared his throat. “I am the son of your peer, Senator Domitius. Not his second son, but his eldest son, born under the name Gaius Domitius. My health was poor as a child, my longevity uncertain, so my father made the decision to switch my identity with my younger brother’s so as to retain his stronger son as heir. Cassius learned of the deception, which is easily proven by any physician, and he threatened to reveal the truth if I didn’t arrange for my legion to vote for him and secure him the consulship. Given the severity of the punishment for breaking the child tithe laws, I saw no path forward but to agree to his demands.”

All eyes swiveled to his father, who rose to his feet. “All that my son says is the truth. My crime was the stepping stone that allowed Cassius to commit treason, and I will accept punishment.”