3

That evening, thunder struck the town. Casca was sipping wine at home with Cicero. He warned Cicero about thunder being a bad omen. Cicero said, "it must be an omen, but I believe that men usually interpret things as per their wishes and circumstances. We tend to forget their real meaning most of the time. Anyway, tell me Casca, does Caesar plan to visit the Capitol tomorrow?"

Casca confirmed that he did.

The bid each other goodnight and parted for bed. Before Casca blew out the lamps, Cassius came in through the open doors. "Why are your doors and windows open at such a stormy night?" he asked.

Casca replied, "Well, why are you roaming outside in this bad weather?"

"I am a brave man, Casca! I can stand bare-chested on the spot where lightning falls."

"Men should fear the Allmighty! You must not tempt the heavens."

"I think gods make the skies thunderous to convey something to people. It is an omen for a man who has become too ambitious and proud. Something is about to happen to him!"

Casca raised a brow. "Are you talking about Caesar?"

Cassius simply replied, "Let the right person be given awards and the wrong person be given punishments!"

"The senators have planned to crown Caesar tomorrow. He will wear the crown everywhere on land and sea, except in Italy."

"I will never bow to his tyranny. I would rather commit suicide than to be hi slave. He cannot dominate me," said Cassius, defiantly.

Casca pushed Cassius to reveal what he really thought of Caesar. Cassius said angrily, "The Romans will easily fall prey to Caesar's tyranny. Rome will become a hopeless place. I think Caesar should be killed. I am armed now, and I don't care what danger comes my way."

Casca was thrilled. "Cassius, if you wish to write these wrongs too, say no more! Let's shake hands."

Cassius shook Casca's hand, and said, "The noblest Romans have joined hands with me on this dangerous mission. We are meeting tonight."

Cassius' friend Cinna walked In and interrupted their conversation. As soon as Casca saw Cinna, he made to leave the room. Cassius assured Casca that Cinna was a fellow conspirator.

"I have been looking for you everywhere. We need to save Brutus to our side!" declared Cinna. Cassius handed over some letters to Cinna, and said, "Don't worry. Take these letters and toss them in through Brutus's window. Make sure he sees them." Cinna took the letters and left with a wicked glint in his eye. Cassius asked Casca to accompany him to Brutus's place.

Meanwhile, Brutus was sitting alone in his study thinking about his next course of action. "I think the only way to prevent my country from damage is to kill Caesar. If he is crowned tomorrow, he will become a threat to us. I do not have any personal motives to kill him, but I must do it for Rome!"

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