It was the year 44 B.C.
The fury of change was blowing strongly over Rome and its provinces. A kingdom that had been able to welcome and subdue different peoples and cultures had been successful since its foundation, thanks to the successes of Romulus.
Seeing the numerous massacres and killings carried out by the legions to subdue the populations that were not easy to submit to the power of Rome, it is clear that the ways had never been the best.
Initially, it was a monarchy with seven kings. With the expulsion of Tarquinius the Proud, the republican era had begun. However, the Res Publica continued to decline slowly and inexorably even now. The "empire" of Rome had expanded more than expected and the authority of the Senate began to fade within its borders. Forced to defend itself from the incessant hostility of neighbouring states and with the power struggle that had devastated the political scene, the chaos spread like wildfire.
Three men gathered inside a domus just outside Rome. They were the knight Tiberius Quintus Castus and his son Claudius Quintus Castus, and the senator Gaius Valerius Valgus, three very influential individuals of Roman society and very ancient gens.
"Caesar will give a speech to the Senate next week," Claudius said.
"That bastard... if those idiots Lucius Septimius and Salvius had done what they had to do, wouldn't come to this." As Tiberius remembered Pompeus' death, his forehead frowned with rage and a vein pulsed. "They gave Rome to that scum."
"Rest assured. Although the plan has been overturned, the goal remains unchanged," Gaius, who seemed to be the predominant personality among the three, reassured with a confident tone. "Caesar will die."
The Republicans had successfully thwarted Caesar as long as Pompeus was alive. But the death of the leader had altered the situation, so much so that now the balance of the scales hung heavily in favour of Caesar, who had the support of the people and the army.
"Also, it seems that Tiberius and his legion are on their way to Rome," Claudius said.
"Already?" Tiberius exclaimed in surprise. "I expected it to take longer to subdue those barbarians."
"It looks like his weapon did most of the work," Gaius replied.
Tiberius Vedius Lupis was the patriarch of the gens Lupis, a family renowned and esteemed among the Knights for their courage and dedication to Rome. Moreover, they had been allies of the gens Iulia for many centuries although Tiberius and Caesar did not agree exactly on everything, as Tiberius was a man of honour and all in one piece, something rare for the times in which he lived.
"Don't worry. Even if the plan fails, nothing will happen to us anyway," Gaius said, pulling a small dagger out of his toga sleeve. "I told him I needed it for my wife."
The conspirators took the daggers, carefully observing their invoice. They were really well forged, such that simply placing the blade wire on the hand cut it.
"The blacksmith is one of Tiberius' freedmen. I heard he forged Tiberius' sword," Gaius said. "If everything goes according to plan, the blame for Caesar's assassination will fall on him and his freedman. Basically, we get rid of two nuisances and we get out of it clean. Just to be safe, I also gave him a fake name."
Claudius took a deep breath. He understood the need to get rid of Caesar, but there were too many variables that made him think it would end badly for them. Especially because he had done some research in the archives and could not find any documents about this blacksmith before the postage.
"Play your part as planned. Don't act on your own," Gaius said sternly. He held a hand to his chest and gave a slight tap on his chest, more or less at heart level. "Rex nos regat."
Tiberius and Claudius carried their hands to their chests and gave a slight tap. "Rex nos regat."