Christopher Buckner - Swords of Rome

Gaius shook his head, “No. My father told me once shortly after my mother left this world that we can’t question the will of the gods. We are not wise enough to understand their plan for us, and we have to accept that each day that we live, is a gift. What he did for you, he did out of love. It is no excuse for why he had to come to your rescues, but he would have done it regardless, even if he knew what the outcome would have been. I believe he never blamed you, and therefore, I have no need to hold any grudge against you for your part in what happened.”

Valerius managed a smile. It was obvious that he did not feel right about the mistake he made, but he admired the young man for his wisdom, nevertheless.

“I don’t think I could kill,” Gaius suddenly stated after a short silence. The image of Calfax came to him: the way he killed, so meaninglessly, without mercy or feeling for those he cut down. A part of him wondered if that was his future now, to be trained to fight other men, and to take pride in the act of killing — to allow vanity to confuse him as it had Valerius in his youth.

Valerius shook his head. “It is never easy. As a soldier, you might be…you will be called to do so, to protect yourself and the men under your command.”

“What do I do when I’m faced with the chose?

“It is different for each man. You will learn things that you can’t understand now, skills that will give you the tools you’ll need to protect yourself, and hopefully prepare you for the day when you’ll be faced with your life, or another’s. Even so, nothing I teach you will make it easier. When the time does come, it will be up to you to take action, or die. It really is as simple as that. I would, however, suggest that you always keep in your heart the memories of those you are fighting for. It will make it that much easier in the end.”

“Julia, and Antony,” Gaius muttered to himself before he gazed up into the old soldier’s eyes. “How do I know I will ever be strong enough, when that day comes?”

“You, my young ward, have more courage and strength than you know. I can see great things in you, as I saw long ago in your father. I know you will be valiant, greater than your father and I.”

Valerius took a swig of water before he placed his arm around Gaius’ shoulder, deciding that it was best that he changed the subject to something more entertaining for the lad.

“Did your father ever tell you how he met your mother?”

“No, he did not,” Gaius replied as his ears perked up with renewed interested.

“Oh, wonderful; let me indulge you then. As it so happened, when your father was back in our camp, after his rescue of me, it was your mother who nursed him to health when he finally woke up from his long slumber.”

“Really, she did? Why was she in the camp?” Gaius asked with a wide smile.

“Well, as I’m sure you already know. Your mother was quite a talented healer. And too, she was a strikingly beautiful woman; some think your father acted through most of his recovery just to be around her longer. Many of the men, including myself had desired her, but it was your father who won her heart. Even still, I never saw what she saw in that big lug, but the two ultimately fell in love. However, there was one big problem that stood between their union.”

“What was that?”

Valerius looked down at Gaius and spoke softly as he answered, “Your mother was a slave.”

“A slave?!" He gasped, truly shocked by the revelation.

“Yes, I’m afraid so. She belonged to our camp prefect, and since she was beautiful, and a talented healer, the prefect was not willing to part with her. Nevertheless, that fact did not stop your father from approaching him and requesting that the prefect sign her over to him — he even offered to buy her.”

“What happened?”

“I’m getting there,” Valerius laughed. “Well, by the time your father woke up and started his romance with your mother, word gotten out about your father’s heroics on the battlefield, how he saved a certain promising officer with strong family connections, myself, from a hundred rampaging Carthaginians — or was it two hundred? I forget. Needless to say, your father was a real hero of Rome. The prefect offered him anything he wanted, promotion, money, other slaves, land and more, but it was only your mother whom he desired. Not wanting to lose face in front of his men, the prefect agreed to sign ownership of your mother over to Julius.”

“Then what happened,” Gaius asked eagerly.

“Well, you’re here aren’t you,” Valerius chuckled.

“That isn’t what I mean. What happened next? Did they marry?”

“Well, your mother was now the property of your father, and he could have forced her to do anything he wanted. However, the first thing he did was give your mother her freedom. I tried to talk him out of it. I believed she would run the moment, she was a freed woman, but to my surprise, she remained and agreed to marry your father. A few years later the war finally ended. Your father was awarded land for his bravery before he eventually left the army and retired to his property, where you grew up.”

Valerius’ smile widened as he admitted a hard truth to himself. “I must confess, while I’ve enjoyed my life, wealth, privilege and the chance to train many fine young men, I have always envied your father greatly. He found true love, something that is precious, and something that so few men actually manage to find.”

“I never knew any of this,” Gaius commented as his thoughts drifted.

“I suspect they never wanted you to know, not now any ways."”

Gaius smiled as he looked up at his new friend, “Thank you, Valerius.”

The veteran just smiled.

“You should hear about our exploits in Africa, your father and I. Now those were some harry days,” Valerius bellowed with a funny grin.

“Please tell me.”

Gaius stood taller as his stare fixed on Valerius as he began another story. For the rest of the night and the days that would follow, the apprehension between the two had left. They had bonded, overcoming the fear that lingered between the two. Now, from this moment on, Gaius was not fearful of what lie before him. He knew he could trust the old soldier as much as his father had, and for the first time, was excited by the adventure he was about to embark on.

The smell of fresh wheat that was a few days from being harvested filled Gaius’ nose. He loved that smell, the scent of life and hard work. It reminded him of home and the life he left behind, now seven days ago.

He and Valerius were now on the southern tip of Italy, heading toward the Sixth Legion’s barracks, which the old veteran commanded. It had been two days and nights since they had talked by the camp fire, sharing the stories of Valerius' past, which included tales of Gaius’ mother and father.

He had been afraid of the older man when he first saw him, but now neither one of them was uncomfortable with each other’s presence. They had become fast friends as they shared a common interest and love for Gaius’ family.

Valerius told more stories about his and Julius’ exploits in their youth, and Gaius listened to each one with keen interest. He figured, given time he would have his own story to tell, one that would equal his father’s. Even so, at the same time, the tales of his father’s deeds made him lonely. He had never felt altogether comfortable around his father — he had been closer to his mother, but since her passing the small house had been empty and cold, even though the two men shared it together. The only release Gaius had was when he was with Antony and Julia. At least with them, he could be a child, living life as he should, not troubled by the worries of men.