"My life is important to me." I heard chuckles in the crowd and sat taller. "It's important to my sister, who needed me for her survival. And to my mother, who had my promise that I would bring our family together again. The Roman Empire is magnificent, and I have tried my best to protect it. But my first loyalty is to my family, to those I love."
The crowd seemed to have softened at that, but Probus did not. "Rome is the family!" he said. "Once you were sold to us, the empire became your only family."
No, for me, that was never true. I arched my neck. "My freedom has been purchased. I'm a citizen of Rome now."
"If I recognize your citizenship," Probus said. "Why would I do that for someone who thinks so little of the empire?"
Crispus stepped forward, saying, "He admits to having great powers, Caesar, but he used them only for the love of his family. If he wanted to destroy the empire, it would already be destroyed. If he wanted to use his magic for harm, he would have done it."
"Hasn't he done harm?" Brutus's voice was thick with righteous anger. "The amphitheater still has some damage from what Nicolas did the first time he entered it. Homes were also floode
d and set on fire near the baths on the Appian Way. Throughout the city, strips of land have collapsed beneath his touch. And an ancient temple on Senator Valerius's land was completely destroyed thanks to this boy's magic, not to mention most of General Radulf's property. If you set this boy free, what will he do next?"
Explode Brutus's home. That was my current plan. But I didn't say that. It seemed unwise to offer up such an answer.
"Allow him to leave the empire," Crispus said. "Acting with strength and wisdom, Caesar gave mercy to General Radulf, granting him his life but banishing him from the empire. Give this boy the same consequences. For any crimes he may have committed, he was thoroughly punished yesterday. That was the strong arm of Rome. Let the people see that Rome has mercy too. Banish this boy from the empire, but give him back his life."
"Give me his life instead." Brutus looked down his nose at me, as if I were already in his control. "This boy came to Rome as a slave. What message does it send if Caesar releases him from Rome in freedom? Make him a slave again, and I will use his magic to serve Rome."
"Or destroy it," I muttered. "Praetors are the enemy here, not me."
"What was that?" Probus asked. "Speak up, boy."
"Don't," Crispus hissed at me. "Look at who is helping the emperor judge this trial. Praetors! What do you think will happen if you accuse them?"
"I ordered you to speak!" Probus clearly didn't appreciate being ignored.
Crispus turned to the emperor, becoming desperate in his gestures. "Caesar must forgive him. My friend is uneducated, and weakened from yesterday."
"I said that if you turn me over to Brutus, he will use me to destroy the empire." This time, I made sure I was loud enough to be heard by as many of the crowd as possible. Including the Praetors.
Crispus touched my arm. "Nic, don't --"
"Caesar, I ask to speak for myself." Crispus wouldn't like this, but I didn't particularly like being described as uneducated and weakened, even if it was true.
"It is not a wise request," Probus said. "But it is allowed."
Crispus shook his head. "No offense, Nic, but speaking for yourself has never been your biggest strength. You don't know the law, or how to speak to these men. There's nothing you can say to get yourself out of trouble."
"Be honest," I said. "Can your words get me out of trouble either?" When he failed to answer, I said, "Then let me speak."
Under Probus's order, soldiers came forward and lifted me to my feet, though they remained on either side of me. I didn't know why. I was still in chains and still wore the Praetors' armband to keep me from doing magic. I couldn't swat at a fly, much less render any attack.
When I shuffled forward to address the emperor, I became aware of the many people watching me. It wasn't the first time I'd experienced this. Only yesterday when I'd appeared inside the arena of the amphitheater, the eyes of fifty thousand Romans were suddenly on me. But this was different. Here I was expected to speak, to say something intelligent enough to save my life.
The words I intended weren't nearly as eloquent as Crispus used, and certainly wouldn't be what he wanted to hear. But I would speak them anyway.
"All that I am accused of, I have done," I said. "And if you only wish to convict me based on my actions, then no defense can save me. But I hope you will hear my reasons and decide my fate based on those reasons."
"He will lie to Caesar," Brutus said. "The boy admits to his crimes, what more is needed?"
"I will hear his reasons," Probus said.
"I have seen the might and power of Rome. Nothing has ever existed in this world so great as this empire, and perhaps nothing again will ever equal it. If Rome falls, it will not come from the enemy at the city gates. If Rome falls, it will come from within." I grunted a little as I gestured at Brutus. "I am here to tell you that the enemy is already within your gates."
Probus leaned forward. "Oh?"
"Your Praetors have betrayed this empire. They are sworn to a power much higher than yours."