A/N-Sorry for the LOOOONG update, but summer was crazy and starting grade 10 wasn't a walk in the park either. But, oddly, the thing that got me back into writing the story was English class. I'm currently reading the Shakespearean play Julius Caesar. Ironic, no? But, as I read the play, I realized that I was spelling Brutus' name wrong! Sorry 'bout that… It will now be spelled the proper way (u not i).  And going into the story… Yes, Brutus' wife will be named Portia (as in Julius Caesar) and yes, there will be a man named Julius. I will use man names from the play, including the conspirator's names and such. They are NOT the same people as in the play Julius Caesar! Just thought I'd clear that up before it caused confusion. Anywho… on with the story.

Chapter 2-Escorts and Romans

As we moved our horses around the many bodies of the Gauls, I took a good hard look at the group of men in red. And I am not just talking about their clothes. Blood covered their armour and swords, and I could see that they were all experienced. Most likely a general's guard. I halted my horse and dismounted, Brutus did the same beside me. I eyed the men. Three were lying on the ground, and another five stood in a protective ring, backed up against the canyon wall. The five that were standing all looked to be unharmed, but I knew the men on the ground wouldn't make it through the night.

One of the men, whom I could only guess was their leader, walked forward and sheathed his bloody sword. He was about a head taller then me, and quite muscular. But not the huge bulk like Brutus. I he must be only a few years older then me. And he has dirty blond hair, also filled with muck, and I could already see intelligence in his deep hazel eyes.

"Thank you," he said, standing in front of me. He looked at my face for a moment. Personally, I believe there was a handsome man behind that muck on his face, but that was beside the point. "Good sir." And he extended his hand to me.

I took it, a slight smirk on my face. Was he completely blind? Maybe he was so tired he couldn't plainly see that there was a woman underneath. Or maybe he had dirt in his eyes. Brutus came up beside me as I dropped the man's hand.

"My good Julii brethren," Brutus began, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Do you truly think that the Gaulic leader had lied? We are led by a woman! Commander Cassia is no man!" He had a quiet chuckle in his voice.

I took off my helm, and made it as obvious as possible to the men we'd just saved. And, considering I have brown hair that goes to the square of my shoulder blades, it was obvious I was a woman.

The man was stupefied. He stared at me for a moment, blinking, and I could hear a quiet gasp from his men behind him. He shook his head then lowered his eyes.

"I am sorry m'lady, I did not realize… I mean, it is not every day…" he stuttered, and I decided to stop him fore he has gone through enough already.

"It is alright, my friend. No harm done." He raised his eyes. "Now, we will bring you and your wounded to our camp that is being set up outside the battle field. While my men bury your dead, you may rest." He smiled.

"Thank you lady commander. You are most noble and kind. I am Commander Julius." He bowed his head. So, they were a large house army with a general and commanders.

"And I Cassia. This is Brutus, my first captain." Julius took Brutus' hand and shook it. "What of you, good Julii? And where were you headed?"

Julius was about to speak when one of the men behind him grunted and shook his head. Julius nodded very quickly then said: "Unfortunately our general was killed in the fighting." He sighed. "A tragic loss. But I, and many of these men are the general's guard." He paused for a moment. "But we were returning home to our capital, Arretium, after a short campaign. We were ambushed as we were marching."

I placed a hand on his shoulder. "I am sorry, my friend. Was the general a direct son of your house?" (A/N-'house' means the 'royal' Julii family). He looked at me, as if thinking for something to say. He finally nodded. "That is horrible." There was a brief silence. "But we must move, for you have men who are harshly injured. Come." And turned and motioned to one of my men. "Ride to the camp, and bring back three pulls (like stretchers) and five horses. We want these men in tents and being tended to as soon as possible. Tell Livianus to make ready for three badly injured, and the other five for bandaging and food."

"Yes Commander! Right away!" The man saluted me, then turned his horse and galloped out of the canyon. I looked to Brutus. He nodded his head, knowing silently what I meant. We would discuss this tonight.

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"I do not know," I murmured as I paced back in forth through my quickly raised tent. "I think they are not telling us everything…"

Brutus watched me as I paced, leaning on a long wooden pole that came up to just under his chin. "If they are not telling us everything, we can either force it from them, or do nothing," he paused. "Most likely the latter."

I stopped pacing and looked at him for a brief moment, then nodded. "True," I sighed. "We don't want to start any fighting with our 'guests', and considering how they are all very experienced, they must all be loved back at their home." Brutus nodded. "I believe that one of them is actually the general, but they are keeping it from us."

"What about their leader, Julius?" Brutus asked. "He seems plausible."

I shook my head. "I don't believe it can be him. I don't see any royalty pride in his eyes or any actions of royalty from him. I think it is one of the injured men." Brutus looked at me, and being my close friend, he openly contradicted me.

"Cassia, how would you know? Just because he is young and somewhat different then most house men…" I raised my eyes to Brutus in a 'be quiet and let me explain' way. He stopped talking.

"Believe me Brutus, I know." I shook my head and gritted my teeth. "I know how people who are sons and daughters of the three Roman houses act. Mostly I know the daughters, but I also know the sons. And if he was a son of the Julii house, he would have immediately been angered when he realized I was a woman." Brutus kept quiet as I spoke. Then, he did not ask why, but stated:

"I have no right to ask you where you would have learned this. We all took an oath that when we became mercenaries that our past lives would have no significance. But I just hope that you know what you're talking about…"

"I know Brutus, but I will tell you that I grew up around a very annoying house son, and even more annoying house daughters. And that I have dealt with a few sons of the Julii house, and I did not like what I saw."

"I understand," he nodded in total agreement.

"But, I will keep my mind open to the fact that any of those men could be the general in hiding, or that they could actually be telling the truth. But, I will not take anything from any of those men, no matter if I think they ARE the general or not."

"Of course!" he laughed, "I would not have it any other way!" I laughed with him. Suddenly the tent flap drew open, and one of my men stepped in.

"Commander," he saluted myself and Brutus, standing stiff and speaking clearly. "Captain."

"What have you to report?" I asked him.

"That the last of the three Julii injured have passed away." I shook my head. We knew that it would happen, but there was always hope that it wouldn't. "And we have finished placing the fallen Julii soldiers into the funeral pyre. We will place the three who died in our care and are prepared to light it."

"Excellent, with a heavy heart for the remaining. What of the five living?" I inquired.

"They are all in good heath and have eaten full meals, Commander. Their leader said that he was ready to send their dead to the heavens." I looked at Brutus, and he nodded.

"Did you find the body of their general?" Brutus asked.

"No, sir. But there were bodies that had been damaged beyond identification." I winced at the though. Picturing walking through the battlefield. Bodies dismembered and bleeding… I shook my head to clear the thought.

"Very good soldier. Thank you."

"Yes, Commander," then he saluted Brutus and I and left the tent.

Turning to Brutus, I sighed. "I hate funeral pyres…" I really did. But it was the best way to honour the dead. I'd guess that if I died I want to be surrounded by the warm flame, not the cold ground.

"I know, Cassia," he smiled, placing a hand on my shoulder. "For the fallen." I nodded.

"Let us get this over with."

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The next morning we surrounded the funeral pyre for the fallen Julii army after packing the tents. I barely listened as the commander Julius gave his ceremonial speech for the dead. He included a good word about their 'deceased' general as well, but I barely heard any of it. I was trying my best to keep still, as I hated standing through ceremonies. Only when I actually knew the men did I even bother to think about them. The Julii man placed a fire brand into the huge pile of grass, hay, and wood, and the other Julii followed with their own brands.

The entire funeral pyre was enveloped in flames. The top of the flames licked the torn Julii flag that was blowing in the slow breeze as it sat at the top of the pile. The smell of fire filled the air, and I breathed in deeply. We stood for a moment to honour the dead, and then I knew we had to get moving. I turned to my men.

"Mount your horses. We prepare for a long days march." We could not stay and honour the dead for long. This place was neutral ground between Gauls and Romans, and I wanted out before the Gauls found us. "Brutus."

"Yes Commander?" he stood at attention with his arms at his sides, just for show of our guests.

"The men we are escorting will ride at the front with us. Make sure their needs are met. It is about the three weeks march, and I want them to be satisfied with our company."

Brutus was about to speak when one of the five men in red cut him off. "Excuse me, m'lady…" he said it sarcastically. I instantly knew this man was going to be trouble. "But, from what I know, it is a five weeks march from here to Arretium. I believe you are mistaken." I looked at him for a moment, wondering is I should scold him, or if Brutus should scold him. Who would be scarier…

"Cinna! Hold your tongue! She is our escort's commander! Have you no decency?!" Julius was actually the one to scold the man. Both Brutus and I were surprised, and I immediately saw this man as an honourable friend.

Almost laughing, I raised my hand in gesture. "It is alright. But thank you for your quickness to discipline your soldiers." I turned to Cinna, and talked to him like a mother would talk to a naughty child. "I am sorry 'friend'. But you must have never traveled with my army." I looked at the commander, wondering if he would allow me to jest. He didn't look like he was disagreeing, so I continued. "We are one of the, if not the, swiftest army of all the mercenaries." I want to say 'in all of Italy' but I didn't want to push it.

"My entire army is mounted of swift horses all bred at our capital, Trajan. And we are also all experienced riders that could move though the heart of Gaul without notice." I paused and let my words sink in. "So, considering the horses you will be riding, and considering my men, unless you are a burly barbaric rider, and you need to stop every hour to rest from your hard time in the saddle, we'll get to Arretium within three weeks." Cinna glared at me and opened his mouth to argue, but Brutus cut him off.

"Damn true," Brutus began, crossing his arms. "All of these men have respect for this commander, good friend. And I'd hope that you would too. Do not judge on sex."

"I agree," Julius nodded in agreement, and I was once again stunned.

"Good to hear it, Commander." Brutus nodded and turned to the three Julii men who had stayed quite. "Now if you will come with me, I will do as my commander said and get you to your horses. Now come, to your mounts!"

Brutus and the four men walked towards five horses that were being held by my guard. I heard quiet jeering at the man called Cinna, who was thrown the reins of his horse. One thing I was very proud of, was how loyal and protective my men were of me. Maybe on a different scale then other commanders, but in a good way.

I turned to Julius, who smiled at me. I shook my head in disbelief. "I have to thank you," I told him. "Not many we come across act the way you have."

He nodded. "You saved our lives. And I see no reason why I should let my men say such things." He was smiling again, and I immediately got two words into my head that they once called me: pretty boy. Of course that was when I was masquerading as a man, but still.

"Thank you, all-in-all." He nodded. "Now let's get moving."

We walked to the front, where two riderless horses stood: My horse, Agro, and another, an average size bay stallion. Agro snorted angrily as Julius got near him. I sighed. Even my horse was protective of me. We quickly mounted our horses.

"Move out!" I ordered loudly as Brutus rode up beside me.

"Aye!" was the echoing response from my men.

Brutus turned to me. "I'll keep an eye on our 'buddy', and I think your guard already have a hit on him." I laughed as I knew he was joking. Partially.

"If he continues to disregard me, I'll teach him a lesson." I turned to Julius, who was riding on my other side. He was about at the same level as I, considering Agro is so huge. "With your permission, of course."

He nodded. "Do whatever you want with him. He's always been a thorn in my side. Just don't kill or mutilate him." I laughed. Julius and I, I knew, would get along fine. Just fine.