Artorius took his wife by the hand and hurried her along. It was getting late, and the sun was starting to fade into the west, painting the sky in a last burst of crimson light. At least this time Primus and Juliana knew that their son was coming home and were expecting to see him. In his last letter home, Artorius had mentioned having a surprise for them, but did not mention his promotion to Centurion or his marriage to Lady Diana. They walked hand-in-hand as they approached the front of the villa that Artorius had been raised in. Juliana immediately rushed outside, embracing him hard, squealing and crying in joy.
“My son, you’ve come home!” she said with emphasis, kissing him on the cheek. She was still as lovely as ever, that radiant smile that had ensnared his father. Her hair was graying in places, though like many Roman women she kept it colored. She then reached out and took Diana by both hands.
“My lady, you are most welcome!” Juliana’s words puzzled Artorius, and he looked over at his wife, who leaned in and kissed Juliana on both cheeks.
“Ave, Mother!”
Diana and Juliana shared an embrace while Artorius stood dumbfounded.
“What?” Diana asked, turning to her husband. “You’re not the only one who writes letters home. Oh, sorry, was I supposed to be a surprise?” She smiled and stuck her tongue out at him. He could only laugh and shake his head. A commotion was heard inside and his father, Primus, limped out, holding on to his walking stick. Artorius was concerned that his father’s gait had worsened from the last time he had seen him. His gray hair was not colored like his wife’s, and he was considerably thinner. Still, he looked happy and full of life, something that relieved his son. He stumbled down the short step and surprised Diana by embracing her hard.
“Daughter!” he said, laughing. “It is an honor to welcome you to the family!” He then placed an arm around her shoulder, and Artorius could not help but notice that Diana was slightly taller than his father. The old farmer then took her into the house, his voice carrying on about how he would show her the vineyards later.
“I’m glad to see him so full of life,” Artorius said as he and Juliana remained on the porch.
“Don’t think that he’s not happy to see you,” his stepmother replied, arms folded as she turned and gazed down the path.
Off to their right, into the west, the sun was setting behind the hills, the sky in the east deepening to purple with the coming of night. Artorius breathed deeply through his nose, remembering the sights and smells that he loved so much. The sweet smell of grapes always reminded him of home.
“I know,” he replied with a smile. “I admit I was surprised that Diana had already written to you. I had hoped to surprise you both, but it doesn’t matter. How is Father’s health? He doesn’t look like he walks too well anymore.”
“He doesn’t,” Juliana replied with a sad shake of her head.
In the distance, well behind the house, they could hear Primus’ boisterous voice as he showed Diana his fields of grapes.
“He turns fifty-six this summer, and yet I can’t help but feel that his years are beyond the chronological reckoning.”
“Things happen that can age someone, I know” Artorius replied as he started to walk back down the road. It was good to talk to Juliana alone. He used to go to her for counsel after his mother died. She had been like a mother to him ever since he was nine, and yet it wasn’t until ten years later that his father finally married her.
“You’ve been through much in your lifetime, too,” Juliana observed, linking her arm with his in the same manner that Primus had with Diana. “You suffered through the same tragedies that he did, and you have seen much since you left for the legions. Yet for all that, you look as though you haven’t aged a day.”
“Just lucky I suppose,” Artorius shrugged, bringing a laugh from his stepmother. “I tell myself everyday that I will never grow old, even if I live to be ninety!”
“I’m glad to see you have found one who keeps you young,” she replied, her smile never leaving her face.
“I would never say this in so many words to anyone else, but Diana is the light of my life. The entire concept of ‘family’ is still a loss to me. I know that one is supposed to marry someone of good birth who can provide us with heirs. For whatever reason, I have never cared about that. Some say that life on the frontiers de-Romanizes us and makes us more like the barbarians we fight and live beside.”
“If it makes you feel any better, your father only cares that you found someone who makes you happy.”
Juliana’s words were reassuring. Part of him thought that perhaps his father would be disappointed that he had married one who could not have children. Of course, she also brought much wealth, as well a strong family name. Artorius mentioned this to Juliana.
“Enjoy the trappings that come with being part of the Proculeius family,” she replied, “though I know that had nothing to do with why you pursued Diana the way you did.”
“To be honest, I have no idea what drew me to her in the first place,” Artorius replied. “I think at first it was a simple infatuation, and in part because she was unattainable. It was a challenge. Over time, we grew close. And, of course, there is nothing like a crisis and the threat of death to make one appreciate what one has!” He gave a dark laugh and shook his head. He had told his parents in a letter about the terror that Heracles and the remnants of the Sacrovir Revolt had wrecked upon the city of Lugdunum. He had even saved Diana’s life during a raid on the Proculus estate. He often wondered, if not for those horrific events, would he and Diana have ever ended up together.
Chapter X: A People Apart
The House of Proculeius, Rome
May, 26 A.D.
“Life for me has completely changed, old friend,” Pilate said as he and Artorius walked through the gardens surrounding the Proculeius estate. It was a warm evening, and Pilate took a moment to kneel down and run his fingers through the current of a man made stream that bordered the garden.
“I heard about your appointment to Judea,” Artorius replied. “That’s fantastic news!”
“I suppose,” Pilate replied with a sigh.
Artorius furrowed his brow as his friend continued to sit and let the cool water caress his hand. Artorius clasped his hands behind his back and looked down at the ground, guessing at what bothered the Tribune.
“Look, if you are hoping to ever get another assignment back to the legions, forget about it,” he said after a brief silence. “You did your time on the line…too much time according to some. Now you’re getting one of only two provinces in the whole of the Empire that allows one of the Equestrian Class to be a governor.”
“True,” Pilate conceded. “Most of my class would kill to be in my position. Being Procurator of Judea will give me much in the way of opportunity, both politically and economically. Still, do you know why the Senatorial Class allows us to have this province, and why they don’t give it to one of their own?”
Artorius shrugged and shook his head.
“It is because Judea is among the most volatile provinces in the entire Empire,” Pilate explained. “Few governors even complete the minimum three-year commitment. The Jews are a strange and violent people. They have a staunch ally in the Emperor, and yet they are not even grateful for his patronage! They seem to think that all they have is because their god has given it to them. They think that the lands of Judea are their gift from God…although I’m not sure if I would praise any deity that gave my people such a desolate place!”
His last remark elicited a short laugh from Artorius.
Pilate was serious once more as he continued. “Did you know they are the only people within the Roman Empire that are exempt from having to worship the Roman Pantheon? In our society, religion is viewed as a very personal matter. Every citizen is allowed to worship any gods he chooses in whatever fashion he sees fit; as long as he also pays homage to the gods of Rome and acknowledges the divinity of the Emperors. The Jews are the only people that are allowed to be truly monotheistic. They would have you believe it is because their god is greater than all. In truth, it is because Herod Agrippa is a close friend of the Emperor, almost like a son to him. Hell, Herod was a lifelong friend of the Emperor’s son, Drusus, may the gods rest him.”