What an interesting introspective Julius gives to Markus about Secundus.

Well, now Julius and Markus go on their own adventure, to the ill-repute tavern. Funny conversation with Camulus doesn't calm down my inner voice - something is going to happen there... but what? I hope I don't have to wait long till the next chapters.

It's getting serious, between Markus and Julius, isn't it? Well, I mean, even before, it wasn't just a long time flirt but still... they having this sort of conversation that means serious, really serious business...

I am really, really happy and grateful that you wrote and posted several chapters at the same time. It was so exiting! I hope you have time and inspiration to post more soon. I really appreciate and love your writing!

Oh, that was quite an adventure. Luckily, it ended well, the things might have been much, much worse. Another luck, so many "interesting" things came to light that undoubtedly will help Caesar to find out what his enemies are plotting and who exactly those enemies are.

You have quite a complicated plot here with so many characters. I am following diligently and take some notes on who is who. Don't laugh! I always do so when I read some historical fiction on the times I am not very well familiar with. Actually, it's quite an interesting way to learn.

Markus gets to show his jealous side again but he is also quick thinking and saves them both from a rather awkward encounter with Cicero!

The girls disregarded any caution and went to meet the person they don't know in another city. I don't like this Secundus and don't believe his story but it seems that he unwittingly provided a lot of important information. Hopefully, it gets to the write hands but first Julie and Pompea need to get home, which, it seems, is not going to be easy. But their absence is discovered and hopefully the help is on its way.

Oh, it seems that Julie and Pompea got themselves into more trouble than they can manage.

And Markus got all too jealous... by both Julius' early love life and the current one. He doesn't trust Julius, why? I don't remember him being given any reason. I quite understand why Julius thought that information he could get from Fausta might be useful and he is quite skillful pretending to know what he doesn't know...

It's been a horrible two weeks and I am so sorry I couldn't write the reviews earlier, though I read the chapters a soon as you posted them! And so many chapters at the same time, I am a happy camper. But let's see one by one what's going on here.

So, Pompey arrived and Julius' daughter with him. Everyone is happy and busy. That dreaded meeting between Julius and Pompey went better than I anticipated. Caesar is so smart in maneuvering his son-in-law where he wants him to be.

Marcus get some nasty surprises about Julius' family circle. I think he takes the situation to be way too more dangerous than it really is. This brings only trouble in future, doesn't it?

Ha, it seems that Julius' daughter is as investigative as her aunt is. Didn't they know that curiosity killed the cat?

Camulus, is of course, trying to help and diffuse the situation. Is he going to be successful?

YES, YES, YES! At last after so long you posted the update, I am so happy! Well, I had to read the last few chapters just to remember where the things were left.

It seems that the storm is brewing...Caesar vs Pompey vs Crassus. Add Markus, Julia, Camillus to the mix, and it's going to be very, very interesting. Like the perfect storm. And Cicero is coming? It's going to be a lot of speeches, a lot of intrigues, undercurrents on so many different levels.

I hope Camillus has a bit role in all of that, if you remember, I like his character a lot. And you ended with such a cliff hanger. Please tell me you already wrote several more chapters and just taking your sweet time to post them - I can't wait another year to read the next chapter!

I am so happy you resumed your writing. Please - continue!
Looking forward to the next chapter.

I am so glad you're able to write the next chapter so quickly! So much going on here.

Following Julila's adventures (at least in this chapter they were not misadventures) a question came up in my mind - did noble Roman ladies know how to ride? Was it acceptable for a noble woman to ride or it was a big no-no?

So many new things happened in this chapter, so many possibilities for development.

Looking forward to the next one.

I see you kept your word and posted the next chapter in a week or so after the previous one - I couldn't be happier.

It was a very interesting discussion between Julius and Marcus about politics and of course the fact that they met years ago - wow! I didn't see it coming. It was a very good example of the fact that when Moirai cast your lot, it doesn't matter how you resist it, intentionally or not, what will be, will be.

Looking forward to read the next chapter - not only I am interested to read about the meeting of Julius and Marcus with Pompey but also I wonder - are you going to bring some unexpected characters "back", those whom Marcus knew during his time with Pompey? So, I hope you post soon.

I was so happy to read your new installment!

I think Julila got off rather lightly for her mis-planned but so fortunate for the plot development adventure. I hope Julius is not going to send her home right away; I hope both Caesar and you will find her something to do especially, as it seems, quite a few new plots are emerging on the horizon.

Speaking of Pompey - are you going to introduce him here? It will be an interesting addition to the existing list of characters.

And what about Trajan? I hope to read about him soon.

Impatiently looking forward for the next chapter.

I am so happy that you resumed writing. I was waiting for so long to read the next chapter.

It was much fun to read this chapter, from the women's behaviour, to Marcus' thoughts on the whole enterprise, to his astonishment to the reasons of Julila's journey. I am dying to read Caesar's reaction to when he discovered why she traveled so far.

It is very interesting to know what is going to happen next. You know, I was missing your story so now I am very impatient to read about the further development. I hope you have more time to write during Christmas time. So, at least one more chapter this year? :)

Dear Zophiel,
First, I want to apologize for not reviewing in these last months. I had summer vacation, and then I had fallen back to the routine of college and studying, and I've been meaning to review, so here I am!
I cannot even begin to express how much I loved this chapter, honestly. I loved every moment of it, and once again, even if it's been so long since I've read your work, your writing still manages to blow me away! Especially lines like "The goddess was gone, dissolved in the wind like morning mist and Trajan was left alone with his demons and dreams, his sadness and hope, sitting on the cold marble in front of an empty window..."
I really loved that it painted such a clear and vivid picture. You don't write stories, Zophiel, you create paintings and imagery that I absolutely cannot even fathom because it's simply breathtaking!
And once again with lines like "Trajan didn't know for how long he was there, dead to the world as if his soul had left his body, his mind a chaos where innumerable doors opened at the same time..." I do believe Trajan has become my favorite, right next to Marcus and Julius. He just has so much emotion, just like Marcus and Julius, he's so...so real. And I love him for that! Him thinking about his past lives, and I like that he's reflecting on the people he was, the many people he has lost over the centuries and throughout many lives. He seems so lost... he thinks so fondly of Jules, it's heartbreaking.
And the fact that he remembered made me so happy! And I was very much intrigued by that Celtic goddess, I do hope I'll see more of her XD
But yes! When Trajan remembered literally made me hold my breath, especially when he ran to the temple and began to scream and cry in front of Julius' statue and how he said the details about his hair and eyes nearly made me cry. I must admit, this chapter came a bit confusing, but granted, I had not read this in several months due to being busy, it's my fault I became confused, but it all makes sense now! Poor Trajan, he has suffered enough already and now he has to suffer more, he has to suffer the worst pain imaginable: being able to live without his soulmate at his side.
Longinus sounds like a great friend, and he has the patience of a saint, I admire him for that! And his confusion also amuses me, but I do understand his worry for his best friend.
To be completely honest, I didn't expect Augusta to give Trajan the gladius, but I mean, a reason like the one he gave could move even a mountain. I'm so glad Trajan has Crocea Mors again! I am also glad Longinus is now believing his friend, and by the time I finished reading this chapter, I squealed because now Trajan is probably going to tell Julius and Marcus' story to him!
This was such an amazing chapter, Zophiel, and once again, a thousand apologies for not reviewing sooner. But I truly indeed loved this!
I cannot wait to read the next chapter! :)
Muchisimas gracias, y abrazos!
-Epic Hobbit

I don't envy Caesar here, he was put in such an impossible situation. I hope Marcus succeeds in his mission and Julila gets rescued by the very person she came to investigate! I bet she didn't expect to get confirmation whether her brother's lover was a worthy man in such a dramatic way.

Loved you description in the beginning of the chapter of the challenges Caesar faced, before the whole incident with Julila. I am actually happy that I don't know Caesar's military history, so in your story every development, both on a personal and historical level comes as a complete surprise.

Please update soon!

Another chapter at last! Glad to see that after a few month apart Marcus and Julius together again but Marcus' musings about what going to happen when Julius has to return to Rome made me wonder as well what do you have in store for them.

Oh-ho - I see a misadventure brewing for Julila. I don't even want to guess what you have in store for her and for her small entourage. Well, I hope you won't have us waiting long!

Have a nice week ahead and post next chapter soon, please.

You know, while catching up reading the previous chapters, I started to wonder when you're going to gift us with another chapter about Trajan. When I got your message that the next chapter has a connection to Alexander, I smiled. For several reasons, of course. One of them was that I was pretty sure that it was going to be chapter about Trajan. And I wasn't mistaken.

Wow, so many revelations here. When I started to read your story months ago, I had that feeling about certain resemblance between your Alexander and Caesar and your Marcus and Hephaistion. I never said anything because I thought it might sound as if I am saying that you write your characters the same way. Now I see there was a reason for that!

You left us with quite a cliff hanger. I'm so anxious to find out how your story unfolds in both time lines! I hope you can write fast. Pleeaase!

hERE WE GO... I think this is my 2nd review for this story ! lol what ?! it's been a while since I posted on this website since the end of a Macedonian Tale. So weird for me to read about Alexander not from a modern point of view but from a Roman. Hahaha You are pro ROMA and I'm pro Macedonian. Strong chearleaders that we are . A forbidden ritual ? yeah I still think Alexander on his death bed wanted to live his next life with the only man he truly loves until the end I miss Alexander and Hephaistion and I can't help myself to feel sad and nolstalgic right now when I read your chapter. I must admit it's quite difficult for me to understand the essence of your new story but it's because I never paid a lot of attention to Roma history like I paid attention to Greek history or macedonian history. However it feels good to read see the mention of Alexander and the admiration coming from great soldiers like him. Please let me know when Alexander will appear again in your new story lol and of course Hephaistion. A crossover lol But we are in Caesar period in your story so I think the chance you put Hephaistion and Alexander at the same time in this period is almost impossible. After all Alexander appears in our period after Hephaistion and his friends succeed to revive his body and soul. Hephaistion has more chance to appear since he is immortal... Thank you Tere for this wonderful opportunity to revive Alexander (you know what I mean ;) Let me know when he or hephaistion will appear again oki ? Tons of hugs and see you soon ! Xxx