James Mace: Soldier of Rome: The Legionary

He thought about his uncle, Ingiomerus. The old man had been a hothead and had probably cost him a few battles. However, he had been exceptionally brave and had been part of what had kept the coalition of tribes together. He had also been the one member of his family that had remained loyal to him.

Arminius pondered what he considered to be his greatest personal tragedy: his wife and son were gone. He would never see either of them. He wondered what kind of life his son would have. Would he ever get a chance to know who his father was? Such was a forlorn hope. Surely Arminius could find himself another bride, and he could have other sons. However, the void now left in his life would never be filled.

Artorius roused himself two hours before dawn. He donned his polished armor and cloak, complete with his newly awarded decorations, and started on his way. There was a definite spring to his step as he strolled through the camp. Not a sound could be heard, except for the audible snores coming from the tents, where soldiers slept off the effects of the previous night’s debauchery. At the gate, he showed the sentry his pass. It was a cool morning and the city was calm. Remarkably, the streets had been cleaned from the previous day’s celebrations and the city now slumbered. After some time he reached the gardens.

There were climbing vines covering the walls on the inside. Roses were still in full bloom; their scent assailed Artorius’ senses. As he walked around the garden he came to an elevated altar, where a priest stood with his father and Juliana. They were watching and waiting for him. His father was dressed in his finest tunic, and Juliana wore a white gown with flowers in her hair. They both looked magnificent. His father looked as if he were ten years younger. They smiled at Artorius as he walked over, his helmet held underneath his arm. Juliana immediately ran over and embraced him, kissing him on the cheek. She looked even more beautiful than before.

“My dear Artorius, it is so good to see you,” she said, elated.

“Good to see you, too,” Artorius replied, as he held her close. “I’m glad to see Father has finally done the honorable thing with you.”

He then walked over to his father, who extended his hand. Artorius took it, and then pulled his father in and embraced him. Once they separated, Primus gazed in admiration at his son in his military garb.

“My son,” he said. “I hear you’ve already been decorated for valor. I received a letter from Pilate telling me all about your exploits and the deeds you accomplished. He said you stormed the wall of an enemy fort and took it almost single-handed.”

“He exaggerates,” Artorius laughed. “I just killed an old man who happened to be Arminius’ uncle.”

“So it was you who killed Ingiomerus.” Primus looked shocked. He then placed both hands on either side of Artorius’ head. “My son, that is wonderful news! No wonder they decorated you! Anyway, enough talk of war. We have business to conduct.”

“Business?” Juliana asked with a wry smile. “I didn’t know that ours was such a formal and impersonal affair.”

Primus laughed aloud as he placed an arm around Artorius’ shoulders and guided him over to his place on the stand. In a short and private ceremony, Primus and Juliana were married. It was something that was long overdue in Artorius’ mind.

After the ceremony, all three took a walk on one of the hills that surrounded Rome. It was a beautiful day, the most beautiful day Artorius could remember. Juliana walked in between them, her arms laced between each of theirs. For several hours, they talked about anything but the war he had just fought. Artorius asked about their health, about home, old friends, and anything else he could think of. When they tired of walking, they relaxed in the shade of fragrant olive trees, enjoying wine and the closeness they felt as a loving family. Finally, Juliana breached the question about the war to Artorius.

“May I ask what Germania was like?” she asked.

“Cold and damp in the winter, though the summers can be rather pleasant,” Artorius replied. “And it’s populated by a race of rather inhospitable people. It is mostly forests and swamps. Teutoburger Wald was an absolutely atrocious place.”

“Tell me about when you found your brother,” she continued.

“My love, please,” Primus said, placing a hand on her arm.

“No, it’s alright,” Artorius replied. “I don’t suppose you shared my letter with her concerning Metellus.”

“I did not,” Primus answered.

“The short story is that I met a cohort commander, who was Metellus’ centurion. He told me about how Metellus made his final stand, how he gave his life, saving the lives of his friends. We later found a set of remains that corroborated with the centurion’s story, including the death blow that killed Metellus. I told Father he would have been proud of him. And I am honored not only to have laid his body to rest, but to have done him justice.” He contemplated telling them of his seeing Metellus, but thought better of it. After all, he wasn’t entirely certain he had actually seen his brother, as real as the vision seemed. Though his heart told him the truth, he knew that no one else would believe his story.

Juliana reached over and placed her hand in his. “Your mother would have been proud of you as well,” she said.

Towards the end of the day, Primus and his new bride walked Artorius back to the legion’s camp. Each then embraced him in turn.

“Don’t you worry about your father, I’ll look after him,” Juliana said as she took Artorius in her arms.

“I know, Mother,” Artorius replied.

Juliana smiled at being addressed as such. A tear came to her eye. Artorius then reached over and embraced his father.

“I’m very proud of you,” Primus said, beaming.

“And I you,” Artorius answered. “It’s about time you brought Juliana into the family…officially.” He winked at his new step-mother as he said so. He then turned and walked back into the camp, back to the army, to the legion and his friends. He felt invigorated in body and in spirit. He would miss his father and his new mother. Yet he also looked forward to continuing his life and his chosen career. His vengeful spirit was at last laid to rest. This was a feeling he had not known since he was a boy. His father would be all right, his brother and his mother’s souls could, at last, rest in peace. He now looked forward to going home, and his home was the legion. He was, after all a Soldier of Rome.