Текст книги "Swords of Rome"

Автор книги: Christopher Buckner

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CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Gaius walked through the gates of Rome four times in his life. Twice it was jubilant; the city was new to him and full of wonders. He thought he could have lost himself. But now, like before, after the defeats at Trebia and Trasimene, the city was foreign to him – a ghost of brick and marble. Those few thousand city guards who had remained behind, those that had not abandoned their posts and fled with their families had long faces and tired eyes. The return of the Sixth Legion and the survivors of Cannae were not enough to give them hope, as the column of soldiers marched through the gates in the pouring rain.

Gaius tried as best he could monitor the long march into the city. He had sent one cohorts in first so that they could take positions along the walls, while leaving the last two outside to protect the rear. He set up an unbroken chain of communications, starting five miles beyond the city limits, to his current position. If even a hare was spotted, he would know of it within ten minutes. The walking wounded, sick and wounded were then allowed into the city once he was certain he had set up a strong defense. He made sure that his prisoners were brought into the city through a different gate. He couldn’t afford to have them making any trouble, or more so, the Roman guards wanting to exact their built-up aggressions and fears on those men, not until each had been debriefed for whatever information they could reveal.

After, Gaius assumed that all of them would be tortured and then crucified – placed outside the city walls as a warning to any future slave who may think of siding with Hannibal. Unfortunately, while Gaius would have preferred to have stayed with his men until every last one of them was safely inside the city walls, he had been hounded continuously by officers and aids to the Senate. Their questions were endless and asked with such frequency that he barely had time to answer one before another was asked.

Always the questions were the same: Where was Valerius? Where was Paullus? What of co-consul, Varro – did he survive as well? Who was in command of the Sixth? When the various officers finally accepted the realization of the truth, their concerns were more relaxed. They wanted to know how the Sixth had survived Cannae. Had they encountered Hannibal or knew of his whereabouts? What of the gladiator army? Was it still a threat? The questions continued for hours without pause.

Between the interrogation, Gaius had some of his own questions answered. He learned that a few thousand men had survived Cannae, and had managed to make it back to Rome over the past two weeks. However, most of those men had since deserted, gathering their families and meager possessions and fled, along with a full two quarters of Rome’s population. Those that remain were placed along the walls, and what was left of the civilian population, mostly the young and old, were drafted or had volunteered to defend the city. They were given what training they could, and then placed on the walls. Even if they could not fight, it was hoped that with enough numbers, if Hannibal and his army should come, he would think twice about directly attacking Rome.

To his surprise, the central core of the Italian peninsula had remained loyal to Rome, which gave hope that with time, more men could be levied to rebuild the army. However, some cities had deserted to Hannibal after the word spread about Cannae, such as Capua, which sent shivers through the minds of every Roman. If such a great city could side against Rome, who might follow next?

The Senate, which had already lost dozens of members during the Battle of Cannae, was in tatters. A third of its body had fled as its members had taken their wealth and families to other boarders – where, Gaius couldn’t imagine, as Hannibal seemed to be everywhere and anywhere. Nevertheless, everyone, the Senate and the people alike, knew that Rome was a target. Its fall would symbolize not just the end of the war, but the end of the Republic as well. What would follow – cowardice or not, few wanted to face the day after the Rome crumbled.

Order would have to be reestablished, and Gaius hoped with Paullus recovery that it could begin soon. However, right now no one is very optimistic. By the time the rain had finally stopped falling and the sun was well past its zenith, Gaius had given the order for the rest of his men outside the city to be brought in. He would keep dozens of riders outside, as they scouted the surrounding countryside for days still to come. Even so, for the first time in a very long time he could breathe.

He felt weak in his knees and suddenly very hunger, but more so, unbelievably tired. When he was certain that there were no more officers seeking him, and if there were, he didn’t care, Gaius walked through the empty city, taking his time. His destination was the army hospital that he had sent the wounded and sick hours before.

As he walked through its halls, checking on the still recovering wounded, he took the time to stop and chat with those that could speak. Those that couldn’t, he tried as best as he could to reinsure them that they were safe and back home. It took hours more for him to see everyone, and he grew more tired as a result. It didn’t matter as he had one last person he needed to see before this day was done.

Valerius’ was kept in a separate room. Gaius had strict orders to his guards the general be left alone. Those that had pestered Gaius all day weren’t allowed within ten feet of him. If they dared the squad of guards, each man of the Sixth would have gutted anyone who tried, regardless of rank or privilege.

Gaius stepped into the small room. Right away, he could feel the musty heat, not from the torches that burned along the walls, but from the temperature that was slowly cooking his mentor from the inside.

Gaius wished that Valerius’ condition would have improved over the last four days, but that was wishful thinking. Valerius was going to die and despite the old man’s stubbornness and willingness to live, there was nothing that could be done for him.

It was only a matter of time now.

Gaius inched around Valerius’ bed trying as best he could be silent. He wanted to say something but found he could not form words. Valerius looked to be asleep, so he didn’t want to bother him with needless details about the day and the happenings in the city.

There was a pile of soaked rags, both covered with blood and sweat that rested next to the bed. The old veteran’s body glistened in the torchlight, and despite his body temperature, he shivered under the wolf pelt blankets. Gaius almost broke down then and there, but he wasn’t given the chance as Valerius opened his eyes and turned his head, staring up at his pupil before a small trickle of a smile formed in the corner of his mouth.

“Are the men safe and in the city?” Valerius asked, somehow finding the strength to speak.

Gaius grabbed a stool that sat in the corner and placed it beside the bed, before he sat himself down on it; his joints cracked. It was the first time in days that he was actually free to get off of his feet and rest, even for a moment.

He stared down at Valerius with heavy eyes. Taking a deep breath, he replied, “They are. We all made it inside without any loses.”

“You look, terrible. You do know that?” Valerius grinned, which caused Gaius to laugh as he ran his hand through his thick and matted hair. Only then did he seem to realize that it had grown longer than should have been allowed.

“It is not befitting for an officer in my army. Even so, I bet this new rustic look will drive the girls crazy. Wait until you show them the scars,” Valerius smiled before he fell into a coughing fit, which lasted several painful seconds before it subsided.

“You’re not looking well yourself, old man,” Gaius replied with a comforting grin.

“I’ve been better, that is for sure.”

Gaius tried to smile, but Valerius could see he only managed it with considerable effort.

“How are you?” Valerius then asked.

Gaius paused as his mind processed the question.

“I have men along the walls, guarding each gate and passage into the city. I’ve kept forty riders out beyond the city limits, scouting for any signs of Hannibal. And-”

“No,” Valerius cut him off before he could speak further. “I asked – how are you?”

Gaius sighed deeply as he lowered his head and answered, speaking words he never thought he would hear himself say out loud.

“I’m afraid…” Right away he felt ashamed that he had admitted that to Valerius. However, the old veteran rose higher in his bed even though it pained him to do so. He listened carefully as Gaius felt compelled to continue. “I’m afraid of what is to come, that I will fail the men, the city and you.”

“You’ve already proven yourself. You have no one to answer for. Gaius, you’ve faced your enemies and have lived. You’ve protected your men, and have brought them home safely.”

“Not everyone.”

“Bah! You cannot hold those deaths over your head. We are not gods. We cannot pick and choose which of us lives, and who dies.”

Valerius reached out and took Gaius’ hand in his own, holding onto him tightly.

“You are like a son, to me. You always have been. I will leave this world knowing that my boys are in the best of care. You will keep them safe, and when the time comes, you will lead them once more into battle. Men will die. Battles will be fought, won and lost, but always they will have you. And they will look to you now with the same eyes you’ve looked at me.”

“And if Rome should fall?”

“Then it shall fall. However, not because good men such as yourself gave up.”

He laid back down, flinching painfully as the arrow that was still lodged in his chest, pinched deeper into his body.

“You are more a man than I could have ever hoped to be. At your age, I cared nothing about the future, my duties or the affection of those I commanded. I’ve had time to look back at my life, the mistakes I’ve made, the promises I’ve broken and the loves I let get away from me. If I could, I wish that I could go backward and smack the boy I used to be, and demand that he wake up and live – not, for the moment, not for the next conquest or battle, but just to live and enjoy what little time we have. It is too late for me now, and when I look back, the only joy I can find, was the hand I had in raising you, Gaius.”

He shifted his eyes up, which were watering now as he stared at Gaius, who leered over him with equal sadness in his gaze.

“I can never replace your father, nor would I try. I can take pride, like he would have in the man you’ve become – greater than he or I could ever hope to have been.”

“I don’t know if I can continue with this,” Gaius admitted.

“You will…I can see it in your heart that you don’t know how to quit. Forget what you can’t change – move beyond the past. There will be a world after this war, and while you may never forget what you’ve lived through, have seen or have done, you will least live beyond it.”

Valerius reached out, holding his hand steady and waited for Gaius to take it, which he did.

“Find what has the most meaning for you, Gaius, and hold onto it – protect it, and in the end, your life will be full. Don’t let your end be like mine. Let your life have meaning, like your father did."

Gaius lowered his head and whispered, “I love you, Valerius.”

“As do I, my son.”

Those would be some of the last words Gaius would ever share with Valerius, as he remained with his old friend, his mentor and second father for the next four days, before Valerius, the last great Roman veteran of another era finally succumbed to his injuries. The following morning after his passing, the whole of the Sixth Legion stood out on the Fields of Mars and burned their beloved father’s body, and when the act was done and the final words said, Gaius left his men and found himself walking through the city streets. Rome was slowly coming back to life once it was confirmed that Hannibal, for reasons only known to the warlord, had forsaken laying siege to Rome, and instead set up camp at Campania.

Rome was spared and for the first time in months, everyone, citizen and soldier alike took a deep breath and thought to what next was to come – how to rebuild and regroup. Gaius, however, couldn’t share in the same joy. His mind and heart were trapped elsewhere.

When he found himself coming to a crossroad, one, which led nowhere, in particular, and one that would take him to Julia, he was vexed as to which he should take. He had not seen her or sent word to her about his return. He couldn’t face her and say to her that her father and brother were dead, and he couldn’t tell her that their deaths would not be avenged because he failed to kill Calfax.

It wasn’t until he actually reached the iron gates that he realized he was standing at her doorstep.

When he knocked, the front gate was answered by the same-old house slave that had greeted him each time he had visited in the past. He peered through the eye hole. Quickly, the old man opened the gate, and with wide eyes he called out, “Master Gaius, you are alive!”

“Is the lady of the house present?” Gaius asked, keeping his own voice low.

“She is, and my lady will be most grateful to know that you are okay,” the slave said eagerly as he escorted Gaius to the main building.

“How is she?” he asked, feeling foolish to mention it. How else was she supposed to be with her father and brother dead? Even Paullus had stated that he would not be seeing her.

“She is, troubled. I’m afraid that the last few weeks have weighed heavily on her young mind, sir.” The slave stopped and turned towards Gaius, and spoke lower. “Many have urged her to leave the city. She knows that her father and brother are gone, and that she is in danger here. Truthfully, I wish she heeded their advice. But I believe she has remained here, holding out hope that you will come for her.”

Gaius wondered for a moment how much the old man actually knew about the two of them. Probably, everything he figured.

He took a deep breath before he followed the slave into the house. Once inside, however, the old man didn’t have to announce Gaius’ presence as Julia was already in the room.

His heart sank to the floor the moment the two of them saw each other. She had been crying that much he could tell at first glance, and the moment her eyes fixed on him, she started once more.

“Gaius!” she called as she rushed over to him.

Both fell into each other’s arms, Julia’s hands digging into his back as she uttered his name again, holding onto him as tightly as she could.

The old Greek slave politely back away and headed outside to continue his nightly duties, leaving the two of them alone.

Julia dared herself to look up at Gaius, who felt a bit embarrassed at the moment. He hadn’t bathed in days, or had the chance to change his armor and clothing, which was dried with flakes of dirt, girt and mud, which were still mixed in with globs of blood. The rough stubbles on his cheeks were sharp and probably not comfortable to feel against her soft skin, but Julia didn’t seem to care as she kissed him passionately.

“I thought…I heard that everyone died,” she cried as she buried her head into his chest once more.

Gaius inhaled the sweet aroma of her oiled hair as he kissed her gentle on the top of her head.

“Tell me this is real, Gaius. Tell me you are really here. Say something to me, please, so that I know you are not an apparition,” she pleaded.

Gaius pulled Julia back so that he may look into her watery eyes, and as he did, he tried desperately to talk, but his words failed to escape his mouth in the way he had hoped.

“I…He…is gone…They are all gone…” Months, weeks of being the harden soldier, strong for his men, for his friends and peers, finally gave way as he collapsed into Julia’s arms, falling down to his knees as he sobbed, crying harder than he had ever done in his whole life.

“I could not save them! Antony…Valerius…I could not save any of them!”

Julia grabbed hold of Gaius, pulling him closer to her as he let go. She held him for a long time as he let out all of his built-up emotions, safe and finally alone with her. She cried with him – for him, but for the moment, she knew she had to be stronger than he. He needed her – he needed her to hold him, which she would.

CHAPTER FORTY

“He sent me away. He sent the whole legion off just to protect me,” Gaius said quietly as he looked down at the broken clay medallion in his hand.

It was hours, perhaps even days later, he had no sense of time right now. He was alone with Julia, she in his arms as both sat on the floor before a large fire that crackled as its bright flames, which warmed the pair. He was clean shaved and nearly back to normal, or as ordinary as he could be. They didn't have to say much to each other; words weren’t needed between the two, for both knew what the other suffered. They just needed to feel each other’s hearts, that both were alive, still warm and breathing.

They both had cried and allowed their emotions to flow freely without hesitation or judgment as they had embraced, and had made love, and at the moment just wanted to be near the other, for as long as they could extend this time. In a sense, they simply had each other in the whole world, and nothing was going to break them apart at this moment in time, no matter the rules, traditions, and arrangements, or by the force of the gods themselves.

“He did it, so I could come back to you – so I could protect you as I had promised all those years ago.”

Julia pulled herself into Gaius’ arms, closer as he spoke to her as a lone tear ran down her face as she listened to him.

“I went back to Cannae and looked for him, for as long as I could, but I could not find him. I could not give him the rights that he, and all those damn fools deserved.”

“He knew what he was doing,” Julia said softly. “He followed his father like a good son should, and fought to protect his country like every man should.”

“And he died for it. They all died for nothing. They were led by foolish men, even those with the noblest intentions. In the end, we are no safer now than we were before…I should have been there.”

“Maybe so, Gaius,” Julia looked up at him, rubbing her hand over his still youthful features. “But he sent you away, not to save you or to protect me, but because he loved you as his brother. He could not change his fate, and he knew that. Even so, he knew he could spare you a similar end.”

Gaius clutched the medallion tightly in his fist as Julia’s words sank in. He then bent down and kissed her, which she returned with a passion before she rolled over, facing him and again shared the same breath as, he.

“I love you more than life, Gaius,” she uttered softly as she ran her hand over his bare chest. “And I know you will leave again.”

He tried to say something, to deny it, but she stopped him before a word left his mouth.

“Nothing that happens from this point onward will ever change what we feel about each other.”

Julia took the medallion away from him and carefully placed it back around his neck, until it rested against his chest where it belonged.

“You will come back to me when this is over. I know you will. And until that day, I will be waiting for you.”

He kissed her again as he lowered her down onto her back. This would be his moment, the one he would live for – the one that would sustain him and allow him to see the war to the end.

For her, he would come back, no matter what.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

“Gaius,” Claudia greeted Gaius with a wide smile. She was less formal than she should have been with a person of his status, being that she was a slave and he now a general, a legate promoted as commander of the Sixth Legion. He, however, did not care for social edict, least of all when he saw her warm and loving smile. She was his friend, regardless of her class, and he greeted her as such as he embraced her with a long and meaningful huge.

“Claudia, it is good to see that you are well,” Gaius replied as he knelt down and kissed her youthful cheek. He realized that this was the first time that he had seen her cleaned and in proper clothes. She was very easy on the eye, long brown hair and blue eyes. However, Claudia had been raised into slavery, so the only alien aspects about her, were her features and not her accent or manners.

“It does my heart good to see you in better spirits, general,” she grinned, which caused Gaius to blush when she addressed him by his rank.

He stared down at her and smiled, perhaps looking at her a bit longer than he should have. She really did look different, but she didn’t seem to mind his long glare.

“I never got the chance to thank you. I mean, really thank you for what you did for me and the consul.” She looked up at him, who was considerably taller than she. “What you did, I do not think others would have done. I thought I was going to die there. I should have.”

“I did what any good Roman would have done,” he replied, not wanting to take too much credit for what he had done.

In his eyes, the operation was still a failure, to some degree. Calfax escaped. Valerius died as a result of the battle, and hundreds of Romans had been tortured and murdered. He didn’t think he would ever let himself off the hook for that day, what he could have had done differently – acted sooner to save more lives.

“Perhaps, but it was you that saved us. And for that, you have my gratitude, and love.”

Gaius smiled at her, accepting her words.

“Claudia, could I ask you something personal?”

“Of course.”

Gaius hesitated. He thought that perhaps he couldn't ask his question on second thought, but he saw, as she looked up at him, waiting eagerly for him to ask that she want to hear him.

“While you were in the camp…well, it was filled with runaway slaves, many like you, young women. They had their freedom, even for a short time, yet, you stayed with the consul when you could have left him – ran away or joined the slaves if you so wished. Why did you stay with Paullus, despite that it could have cost you your life?”

Claudia crossed her arms as she lowered her head and thought about his words.

“To be honest, Gaius, I did think about it…many times. But I couldn’t…I couldn’t leave, Paullus…I…”

Gaius observed that Claudia had not called Paullus by his title, as she should have. Her words seemed to trail off as her mind returned to those days, now weeks past. She looked as if she was going to say more even though she seemed afraid to continue, but she didn’t have to as Gaius placed his hand on her shoulders, easing her nerves.

“It is okay. I understand.”

She smiled and escorted him towards the rear of the house. When they turned the corner, they walked into a large room. Gaius saw Paullus right away as he was standing near the far corner, near the balcony. He was dressed, shaved and cleaner than Gaius had recalled seeing him, and as he turned and faced them once Claudia had announced Gaius’ presence, Paullus smile with a big grin as he limped over towards the man who saved his life.

Gaius met Paullus halfway, not wanting the man to injury himself further by trying to make the journey to greet his guest.

The swelling around Paullus’ face had gone down considerably, and he had even managed to gain back some of the weight he had lost. Still, Gaius knew that Paullus should have remained in bed a few weeks longer. However, he obviously wanted to make the effort.

“Consul, it does my heart well to see that you are up and about,” Gaius said as he took Paullus’ hand once it was extended.

“And it feels good I assure you. In fact, it feels amazing to be alive.”

Gaius noticed Claudia's smile as she listened to her master’s cheerful words as he escorted Gaius over to a series of plush chairs.

“Wine, breed, fruit?” Paullus offered as Claudia helped him down into his chair.

Gaius made sure to sit after the consul had before he politely declined the display that was set out before him.

“I am sorry to hear that Valerius did not survive his wounds,” Paullus then said, his voice filled with genuine sorrow.

“As am I; he will be missed by the Sixth,” Gaius replied.

“He will be missed by all of Rome. While I did not know him, as well as I would have liked, I always liked that he spoke his mind, and seemed to know more than he let on. He properly could have been consul himself if he hadn’t distanced himself from Rome and politics as much as he had.”

“He loved Rome, but detested its politics. His end came as he had wanted, in battle, among his men.”

“I’m afraid very few men such as he is left. This war has claimed many of our city fathers, and greatest generals. Rome, and this war will be passed to men such as you, Gaius – our youth.”

“Rome has you, sir.”

Paullus smiled as he shook his head before taking a sip of spice wine that Claudia had poured him moments earlier.

“No. I had my chance, and I failed. It is hard for me to admit, but I was as foolish and brash as my predecessors were. How many of our brave sons could still be here if better men than I had led them? Instead, I marched them to their doom. I’m done with politics and the army. I will sit the rest of my term as consul out, and let Rome be as it will be. My service is done.”

Paullus seemed sadden by his words, but Gaius could see in his eyes that he was indeed tired. His brush with death was it. He wasn’t afraid Gaius felt, but the very thought of having to go out there again and face Rome’s enemies, must have terrified him. He didn’t blame him.

“Then, what will you do now?” Gaius asked.

“You know I really don’t know. I never wanted this life to begin with. However, family legacy is important to our people, so I was expected for this life. So I had to follow it. Perhaps now, maybe, I will marry and grow something useful. I have – had a farm that I enjoyed a great deal, until Hannibal burnt it down last year. I think I will rebuild it next summer and start anew, start a family and just grow old and fat.” Paullus had a funny smile as, his words drifted off, as his mind was already in that field working under the hot glare of the sun, planting and cultivating the land as his children ran about, enjoying their freedom.

“I think that is wonderful…A worthy goal indeed.”

“Do not worry, before I go, I will make sure that Valerius’ Will is honored in the Senate. His wealth, his lands and the Sixth Legion will be yours, as he instructed. Congratulations, General,” Paullus said with a raised goblet.

Gaius nodded his thanks. He couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud. He not at any time wanted this, and did not expect it. Valerius had at no time made any mention of his plans after his death. Gaius assumed the Sixth would be given to another officer who was appointed by the Senate, or handed to one of the senior troopers within the legion – those still alive. However, times had changed, and very few capable and experienced officers were left at this point, so there would be no argument over who was now appointed the command.

“Tomorrow,” Paullus continued, “the Senate will appoint Fabius Maximus as dictator.”

“Really?” Gaius asked surprised. He knew that politically a dictator was only appointed in the most extreme of crisis, and even then, it was very rare.

“Yes. It will fall to him to begin a new campaign and try, somehow, someway, to win this war. At least, those fools in the Senate won’t be able to undermine him, and with no consul, including me to second guess him, perhaps we may survive this after all.”

Paullus put his goblet down and leaned in closer towards Gaius. A big smile appeared on his face as she stared at the young general. “However, I did not bring you here to fill you in on dreary politics or current events, Gaius.”

“Oh? Then why did you summon me?”

Paullus stood up to his feet even though it seemed to cause him some pain.

“You saved my life that day when it would have been easier to ignore what you had discovered.”

“Consul,” Gaius said as he shook his head. “It was not just I, and really it was nothing.”

“Oh? Saving my life was nothing?” Paullus asked amused.

“That was not what I meant,” Gaius replied nervously.

Paullus laughed.

“I meant; I did what was required of me, as a Roman, a soldier and an officer of the Republic.”

“Please, Gaius. I know more than a handful of men that wouldn’t have tried what you, and your men did. You should have left us to our fate and returned to Rome. You exposed your men to uncertain dangers, and perhaps even put the whole Sixth at risk. Hannibal could have arrived at Rome’s walls before you had, or there could have had been a larger force in the camp…There was any number of if'sand butsthat could have gone wrong. However, you acted quickly and without thought to your own safety. I don’t think many men could have done as much, least of all without thought to the reward you would be given by saving a consul of Rome.”

Gaius wanted to say more, deny what Paullus was saying that he believed more men, all men, all good Romans would have had done the same. He saved his arguments and allowed Paullus to continue.

“But since you did save a consul of Rome, you should be rewarded. I would like to offer it myself. Name it, anything, and it shall be yours, Gaius.”

“Consul, you’ve already granted me the Sixth Legion. What more could I ask of you?”

“Those were Valerius’ wishes. And frankly, there is no one else that could command the Sixth at this point. Regardless, I would request that you ask for something, anything that your heart desires.”

Gaius glanced over at Claudia. She stood near the far corner, a big smile on her face as she listened, seemly sensing his uneasiness.

“Your friendship would be all that I ask,” Gaius stated.

“Bah! That is already yours,” Paullus replied as he sat back down and stared at Gaius for a long while. Clearly, he wasn’t going to let him leave his house until he made an honest request.

After a long moment of silence, Gaius actually laughed as an amusing thought crossed his mind. Paullus smiled and ask, “What is so comical?"