Spurinna was in dubio: several days ago, he had visited Caesar to tell him about some evil omina and Caesar had listened but not been amused. He knew that Caesar had a special liking for Etruscan culture, but also that he stood far beyond divination and it's impacts...How could he warn the dictator, how could he get through to him? He had discussed this later on on a visit to the man's house with M. Aemilius Lepidus, who had told him, that there would be a banquet dinner at his house in honor of Caesar, the day before the Ides of March. If he, Spurinna, would be there and pass the word on again at Caesar, with many others present, in a quiet and peaceful environment, the dictator would certainly listen to what important message Spurinna had to convey to him.

Thus it was said, thus it was done. Spurinna was invited to be present at the dinner and so he came. Caesar was even delighted to see him.

"My dear man, Spurinna," he had said to him, "I want to apologize for the shortness I adressed you with in my home the other day. I was obviously tired and had seen lots of visitors; I did not want to shut you up."

Spurinna, of course, had accepted Caesar's sincere apologies and was delighted that his favorite statesman showed so much care and interest in his well being. He even had invited Spurinna to come and sit next to him and Calpurnia, which he had done.

"You must know," Caesar had told him, "that I really appreciate the value of Etruscan divination. It's only that I can't see it into it's real perspective...I don't believe in magic, but I do know that the messages mean an important thing..."

Spurinna had nodded and with Lepidus' eyes resting on him, he had dared to bring up the subject again.

"Do you mind, Caesar, if I told you some more about this matter?"

"Of course not," Caesar had answered. "Do not be afraid to tell what's on your mind, Spurinna, I can't see why you should be afraid of what I think..."

Thus, Spurinna cleared his throat and started to tell. About the horrible things he had seen, both in real life and in his dreams. His last dream, which had waken him up sweaty and with a head ache, was about seven birds, flying rounds in the Curia, shearing over the heads of the members of the Senate. It's leading bird had been slayed and slaughtered, right above Caesar's seat in the Senate, who was not there at the moment. And so on, many more stories, one even eerier than the other and everyone was holding his breath. Some were even crying silently, as to not upset Caesar.

Caesar had listened him out, saying nothing, just listening with calm eyes and a strange smile on his face.

"I am so sorry to bother my lord with all this....," Spurinna concluded his story.

Everyone was quiet and looking at Caesar, how he would react. Caesar shook his head and patted Spurinna on the shoulder.

"I don't blame you, my friend, in fact, I know the burdens of being an augur....It's not your fault. In fact, I'm not upset either. Somehow, I knew I had it coming one day. Too much fame and glory can't be good for one person. But I can't step out of it now. I have to do what I have to do. As common people say: there's no room for the chickenhearted. I always thought that I wouldn't make it long in this life. And look, I've reached my fifty six years already, in comparative good health, except for a few epipleptic fits and some fevers....And a lot of good companionship, *s*!" He looked at Calpurnia beside him, smiled at her and took her hand...

Some ladies present started to cry a little harder.

"So, my dear man, I'm not really surprised, not at all..."

Spurinna didn't know what to say. Caesar had answered him so calmly and he had said that he somehow had known all along, that his end would be short and heavy, that he would, sort of, die in his political harness...He was relieved and unhappy at the same time. Caesar had taken the warning seriously and...he hadn't changed his mind...

"I beseech you, Caesar, to lay low tomorrow, at the Ides of March....I know, that You are or will be invited to visit the Senate meeting before you leave for Parthia....Don't go! Rome needs You alive, not dead!"

Caesar only smiled and drank his wine...

Spurinna felt relieved and worried at the same time: Caesar had understood him, but he hadn't changed his mind! He knew that it was time to turn to a lighter conversation and he didn't try to convince Caesar anymore not to meet the Senate the next day. He knew that he could do only one thing, the next morning, when Caesars carriage would draw near the Threatre of Cn. Pompeius Magnus, where the Senate meetings were held until the rebuilding of the Curia (by order of Caesar) had come to an end, that he had to be there, and that he had to warn Caesar and even stop him, that he had to tell him to turn around and go home, in the name of the people of Rome, who needed him alive, not dead, by the gods of Rome and his ancestors, by Menerva the Protector, for this day, Idus Martii, would be a wicked one!