“I believe that Caesar is integral to this vision, but do not think I am a Caesarian. I just find that because he is a Colossus and unavoidable and he must either be involved or he cannot exist.” Brutus was wary of this statement once he said it. He did not want his actions to be considered violent or extreme. He hoped his friend would recognize this and his wife was nowhere near their conversation. He then looked to Cicero, with almost a conspiratorial gleam.

“This is the one fact I would hold above all others. We have seen what chaos can be brought with a First Man of grand strength ruling Rome. I feel now that we have moved past that chaos we should not risk it again.” Brutus’ face was greyer now as he thought of all the misery political disarray had brought him.

At last! Cicero thought. Marcus Brutus had stubbornly refused to reveal even the tiniest piece of his mind regarding Caesar and now he had unleashed that he stood not for Caesar’s cause at all, he simply recognized the Man’ greatness. That was a fortunate development indeed. But what could one make of his statement? Cicero was about to inquire if Brutus was suggesting violence when he thought better: Marcus Brutus’ battlefield was cerebral, not a physical one. Certainly, Cicero concluded, Brutus was growing weary of Caesar’s tight grasp, nothing more.

“I cannot but agree with what you say, Brutus. Indeed, it is what our ancestors – yours more than anyone else’s – knew all too well. Ultimate power corrupts ultimately. That is why we must make whatever is necessary not to risk being ruled single-handedly ever again. Caesar, admittedly, rules with an iron grasp but I trust his word – he is willing to share his position with the rest of us. That is why, Brutus, our role now is more important than ever! We must strive to pass the Republic to the next generation as we received it. We must preserve it!”