"Tiberius, son of Claudius, your actions have been considered by the judges of the Republic and have been found unjust and unlawful. Your claim has been evaluated and found null and void. The succession of family inheritances is determined by familial relations and according to our law, and the traditions of our ancestors, blood must precede marriage. Therefore we declare the estate of the late Augustus and his ancestors to be legally that of his eldest son, Amyntor.

Amyntor let out a breath and patted his brother's thigh. They both looked across the packed courtroom to where Tiberius sat, alone. He looked defeated. Alciades looked up to where Livia sat with the ladies. Amyntor followed his gaze and they met each other's eyes. "Do you think he will dispute it?" Amyntor whispered.

"I don't know what Livia will do," he replied. They held each other's gaze and then looked away, refraining from laughing.

The senior judge continued, "Blood has been spilled in this feud and blood will end it. The Council has suggested that the offences made on both sides be overlooked. Provided this is settled peacefully by the law and by the gods, the court will agree. If there is a dispute, it must be judged by the courts and no leniency will be shown. This is the decision of the Athenian courts."

Amyntor held his breath as the judge looked up. "Amyntor, son of Augustus, do you dispute the court's decision?"

Amyntor stood up, "No, I do not."

Immediately the court started buzzing. They quieted as the judge turned to Tiberius, Amyntor held his breath, " Tiberius, son of Augustus, do you dispute the court's decision."

Tiberius stood, erecting himself slowly and painfully. Finally he said, "No, I do not."

The courtroom buzzed again. Tiberius sat down, a defeated figure. Amyntor chanced a glance at an immobile Livia who was seething at the ears. He met his brother's eyes, noticing the glint. In a way they had achieved their childhood goal, they had defeated Livia.

The judge continued, "By the power of the Athenian constitution which was adopted freely by the Athenian people twenty years ago, we, the court of the Republic put this motion to the Assembly. This family feud has encompassed all of Attica. The Athenian people have suffered with your family, gentlemen, and they will have the last word. May Athena govern the decisions of this Republic."

Summer was fading slowly, it had been three months since Augustus' death. The Athenians were gathered on the Pnyx, listening to the Demosthenes, who had been elected Archon that year. Amyntor stood with Alciades to the left of the platform, Demades was on his right. They had known each other twenty years. He had studied law with Amyntor and had supported him in the feud.

"No doubt Demosthenes has been smiling during the feud," he said.

Amyntor nodded grimly, "That is another reason why it must stop. We lost face with this feud, who knows if the Athenians will trust us again?"

Alciades looked at his older brother and frowned, "We must win it from them. After all this and the Macedonian wars ahead of us, we will need them."

Amyntor looked past his brother onto the sea of Athenian men on the hill where so many changes had taken place. Just above was their beloved Parthenon, which their ancestors had hated. He looked at the people again, " How fickle they can be."

Demades looked at him surprised but Alciades nodded, " And yet we have survived. Our family saw the Acropolis built, we will not perish now."

Amyntor nodded. He glanced at Demades and smiled, "I think we are confusing Demades. We're not planning on returning the rule of tyrants, Demades. My brother simply means service to this country."

Demades nodded slowly, assessing the brothers, " Good. I cannot support such a rule, Amyntor. Your father was good for us but I will not set a precedent."

They locked eyes and Amyntor nodded, " Of course. We are a democracy, inside and out."

Demades smiled again and clapped Amyntor on the back. Demosthenes had finished speaking. Alciades leaned in, "No damage, for once."

"He wouldn't dare. The people want Amyntor."

A judge stood up, " Do the Athenians stand by the decision of the court?"

Some put up their hands immediately, Amyntor contained a smile as he saw some men he led, others he had worked with. Demades left them and put his hand up, others followed. Men were discussing still. The judge called, "Athenians you have one minute."

More hands went up. Chares had voted in favour, so had Demosthenes. The judge nodded, " The vote is clear. Amyntor, son of Augustus will inherit the estate of his forefathers. Tiberius, son of Claudius will inherit Augustus' private fortune. Both parties will go untrialed for the offences committed.

"Amyntor, son of Augustus and Tiberius, son of Claudius, you will shake hands today. Tomorrow you will seek the goddess' blessing. All citizens are invited to the Parthenon tomorrow morning where the deputy Archon will conduct the blessing."

Amyntor and Tiberius stepped onto the platform. Amyntor searched Tiberius' eyes for something, a clue to what he would do now. But all he saw was a broken man. Their hands gripped each other.

"We are still family, Tiberius."

"Yes," Tiberius said, "And I am tired of war."

Amyntor had no time to reply as the judge thanked them and the Assembly started to disperse. What had Tiberius meant?

Hephaistion smiled brilliantly as he hugged Kyros for the first time in years. He had been in Crete when Augustus had died, they had not seen each other since Hephaistion had exited this very hall after saying goodbye to his loved ones. He had not believed that he would stay in Macedon for ever but neither had he expected to be back so soon. He and Lucius had made it to Athens, so had Diana and the children. Amyntor had told him the verdict and although it didn't matter to him greatly, he would inherit one of the richest estates in Attica. Best of all, Aunt Julia would come back and all five children were safe and healthy, waiting to be delivered into her arms.

Hephaistion laughed as Kyros held his arms and guided him around the room with very little rhythm.

"You are a terrible dancer!" he laughed.

"Says you," Kyros retorted. "Everything is perfect now, surely we must dance."

Hephaistion laughed as Kyros began a traditional Athenian song, clapping out the rhythm they had clapped at Salamis.

That was the sight Athene saw as she came down the stairs. Kyros called out to her gleefully, Hephaistion laughed. From where they stood she looked her normal poised and graceful self, as she came down Hephaistion stopped laughing. Her eyes were red, she was sucking her lip, an opened letter in her right hand. "What's wrong?"

She halted on the last step. She took a deep breath, "Hephaistion, Aunt Julia is dead."