He came in close and spoke to her like a man would a child.

"You have no throne, no wealth, no army."

"But you do. Oh Caesar," she said resting her head on his chest, "Make me sole ruler of Egypt and you will have her gold."

"I'm afraid not. As I said before I am to be arbiter between you and your brother. I can only side with you if he acts against me."

"Then let us hope he does."

"And as for Egypt's gold I can take that whenever I want."

"For you or for Rome?"

"For Rome of course."

"And you Caesar? What about you? What do you want? What would you take of Egypt?"

He looked down at her, lifting her chin with his hand to look into her eyes.

"Maybe her Queen."

He kissed her hard on the mouth. She melted into his arms. Her breasts in the thin material pressed against his leather breastplate. Her tongue darting into his mouth stirred him considerably. The kiss was long and passionate. There was a polite cough from behind. Caesar pulled his mouth away and kissed her forehead, his eyes closed.

"I said I wasn't to be disturbed."

"I'm sorry Caesar. But the Egyptian army has reached the outskirts of the city."

"I have to go," Julius said to Cleopatra.

She nodded. He kissed her once more on the mouth. She held his hand as long as she could as he moved away. Dolabella waited patiently at the door. Caesar turned back to her.

"I will grant you your wish my love," he said.

Then he turned and was gone.

CHAPTER FIVE.

Pothinus was with king Ptolemy in the boy king's office, standing to his right and behind the young monarch , looking over the child's shoulder, supervising the signing of official documents.

The door opened, sounding very loud in the almost silent room. The only sound coming from the scribbling of the reed brush on papyrus as the youth made his mark.

Pothinus and Ptolemy both looked up in surprise as Cleopatra strode towards them wearing a long pink flowing dress and full head dress.

"Queen Cleopatra!" Pothinus started, "How? When? Did you get here?"

She said nothing and continued to approach them. An arrogant smirk on her face.

"Guards!" Pothinus called.

The sound of marching feet now echoed in the corridor. It was Pothinus who was now smirking.

"You have made a big mistake in coming here your majesty."

Julius Caesar strode into the room. Four of his personal bodyguards in tow.

"Your guards have been dismissed Lord chancellor!" the Roman boomed.

Pothinus' smirk vanished.

"Lord Caesara."

Pothinus was lost for words, openly shocked at Cleopatra's presence, here, now, in front of them.

"What is she doing here?" Ptolemy suddenly blurted out.

"She is your Queen is she not?"

Caesar's Generals now filed into the room.

Pothinus was still staring open mouthed at Cleopatra.

"You have not answered my question Lord chamberlain. Is she your Queen or not?"

"Cleopatra has forfeited all of her rights mighty Caesar," Pothinus answered, pleased that his voice sounded calm, "She did this when she turned her back on her brother and left the capital."

"I will be the judge of that."

"It is the truth."

"Cleopatra has a different story to tell."

Pothinus put on a brave smile but inside he was quaking.

"It is her word against ours. Three against one."

"Sometimes the one is all that is needed."

"Caesar may I remind you that your role here is one of arbiter only. We are very pleased to see Queen Cleopatra is safe and well and back among us. Perhaps we could discuss concessions for her. King Ptolemy would be only too pleased toa."

"I'm afraid not!" Caesar cut him off.

"Don't you see," Ptolemy whined, "He's taken her side. The Romans have taken her side in this."

"Is that true Caesar. Have you taken her side?"

"I am only interested in Rome's affairs and have no interest in your petty squabbles. As you so rightly reminded me a moment ago I am merely the go between of your rulers."

Pothinus smiled at this, his confidence lifted by these words.

"Thank you Caesar and may I say that we, I, am equally interested in Rome's affairs. Your problems are ours," Pothinus extended his hands, palms up, as a friendly gesture.

"Is that so?"

"I give you my word."

Pothinus bowed low.

"I see. Then kindly explain why you have been inciting the citizens of this city to rise against your Roman visitors."

These words rocked through Pothinus and he held the bow to try to keep his composure. He was still smiling when he straightened up.

"Who accuses me of this?"

"Do you deny the charge?"

"Rumours and lies spread by her," he pointed his finger at Cleopatra, "And her followers."

"Did they make up lies when you murdered my son-in-law Pompey the great?"

"I had no hand in his death."

"You arranged it. You could have stopped it."

Caesar beckoned Lucius over. Germanicus brought a long wooden staff bearing an eagle on its top. Lucius opened a new scroll and dipping his pen in ink he was ready to write.

"Pothinus, Lord chamberlain to King Ptolemy XIII of Egypt you are accused and charged with treason against your Queen, for inciting the mob against Rome, plotting to have me killed and murdering a Roman consul, Pompey."

"Who accuses me?"

"Queen Cleopatra, her servants, a servant of Pompey's, my officers, the Senate and people of Rome and me."

"You have no jurisdiction here Caesar."

"I AM THE LAW!" the Roman bellowed.

Pothinus turned his attention to the young Queen who sat and watched impassively.

"Your majesty please," Pothinus pleaded.

Cleopatra made no movement. She lowered her eyes and stared at the floor.

"You are accused and have been found guilty for which the sentence is death. Execution will be carried out immediately."

Germanicus thumped the floor twice with the staff.

"Caesar has spoken. Law has been passed," Lucius said his pen scratching away on the papyrus.

Pothinus suddenly felt very sick but he knew there was nothing to be done. He had tried to please this man with the head of his enemy and it had all gone disastrously wrong. Two legionaries stepped up either side of Pothinus to arrest him.

"Apollodorus would you like to accompany the Lord chamberlain."

"Thank you Caesar."

The door closed behind them with a thud.

In the corridor Apollodorus was talking to a centurion.

"You're a traitor!" Pothinus called to him, taunting him. The centurion nodded and Apollodorus turned and suddenly leapt at Pothinus with a sword. Pothinus had no time to react to the blow which struck his head from his shoulders. A jet of blood splashed the wall and the body fell. Apollodorus watched the body twitch and then go still.

"It is you who is the traitor."

He offered the sword back to the centurion.

"My Queen is avenged."

Blood dripped from the sword to the floor.

"Take it to Caesar."

Inside the main room they waited patiently. Not a sound was heard. Finally the door opened and Apollodorus came in alone. In his hand the blood stained Gladius. Ten paces from Julius he stopped. Custom decreed that by law no one armed could come closer except his Generals and personal bodyguards. Apollodorus went down on one knee and laid the sword on the floor.

"Great Caesar I beg to report to you that I have executed the eunuch, the Lord chamberlain, Pothinus."

"You did it?"

Caesar had planned that Apollodorus, if invited to join the execution party, would probably strike the blow. He had arranged it with the centurion Vinius. Thus pothinus was killed by an Egyptian and not a Roman.

"Yes Caesar. I hope I did not act against your best interests."

Caesar glanced at Cleopatra then back at the servant before him.

"What is done is done. Lucius add to the record please that Apollodorus performed the execution. That is all. Apollodorus you may stand," To Germanicus he said, "See that whoever owns the sword gets it returned to them. You might wish to clean it first."

"Yes sir."

Now Julius focused on the boy King who blanched under the gaze.

"Are you going to kill me too Caesar?"

Lucius unrolled a new blank scroll and waited with pen ready.

"King Ptolemy you have been found guilty of allowing the death of the Roman consul Pompey the greata."