Trumpenstein on the Ides of March (an unbidden Historical Fantasy) by Alfred N.Muggins

18/3/25

Trumpenstein goes to speak before the Senate at the Capitol. It is the Ides of March (15/3/26) As he prepares to enter the auditorium his erstwhile supporters in the first and foremost Chamber come towards him, to gain his ear, or pat him on the back, or so he thinks, as he has been, in his own mind, such a great leader, and probably the greatest there ever was, he thinks to himself. But it isn’t hands which pat him on the back. These are the hands which carry knives. Instead of adulation they bite into his precious godlike flesh. All those who come to greet have made a pact to share in the demise of their unwanted Emperor. They voted for and with him before oftentimes, but he has exceeded the authority they gave him, has taken all the power to himself, and thinks he can run the erstwhile Republic as a tyrant, or an Emperor. That is not what they wanted. To restore the Republic to its former glory it is necessary that the Dictator die. Their own safety will depend upon who will remain loyal to Trumpenstein, and who will take revenge for his downfall. Will there be a Mark Anthony or an Octavian to end the Republic once and for all? Or will traditional politics be restored as if he had never been?