Caesar looked at Calpurnia; her eyes were red and her hands shook. Obviously, Spurinna's little foray into prediction had upset her more than he had realized.

"My dear, even if the auguries were true, you know me well enough to know that nothing prevents me from doing what I intend. I've outlived too many death threats and predictions to worry about them now."

He took her hands. "When my time is come, it is come. I know you wouldn't be frightened if I died in battle in the coming campaign - yet that, too, could happen anytime. You know that I nearly died at Munda. It is what a soldier expects." She winced.

Calpurnia had that look, she'd expected him to say all this. It might be three years before he would be with her again - perhaps, the right time for some gentleness.

"But to please you, Lady, I'll have the priests conduct the auguries before I attend the Senate. Will that help you?"