At the bottom was written: Approved, by permission of Platorius Macro, Centurion.
He had been waiting for weeks to hear from his father and had hoped that perhaps he had made his way up from Ostia. To know that not only was he going to be able to see his father, but that he was finally doing right by Juliana made Artorius beam with pride.
The Triumphal Parade was a spectacle unlike any other. It seemed like every citizen of Rome and all the surrounding areas had turned up to pay tribute to the legions who had smashed Arminius and the Germanic tribes. On the morning of the parade, the legions were lined up outside the forum. Each soldier had taken the time to polish his armor, helmet, and weapons, and draped his cloak over his shoulders. As they milled about, Artorius saw a familiar face he had not expected to ever see again.
Camilla still walked with a slight limp, and she had, at this point, given up trying to cover the bite mark on her neck. She smiled at Artorius, and he walked over to her, removing his helmet as he did so.
“Looks like you got savaged by a wild animal,” he remarked sarcastically.
She smiled wryly. “Yes, well, it seems I had to learn a hard lesson about trying to get back with a former love after I went and got married behind his back.”
“So what did you tell your husband?” Artorius asked, morbidly curious.
Camilla gave a shrug.
“Only that we had both spent the night paying to be serviced by men,” she answered.
Artorius could not help but laugh at that.
“I think he’s envious, since his lovers aren’t quite so masculine.” She then gazed downward for a second. “Artorius, I know it was wrong for me to get married the way I did. I did not love Marcellus and still don’t, but I can’t take it back.”
“Look, if we can at least part as friends, it will be enough,” Artorius replied.
Camilla smiled, gave him a lasting embrace, and walked away.
“What did you do to that woman?” Magnus asked as they watched Camilla pause and brace herself against a pillar for a second. She let out a long sigh before she slowly walked away, never looking back. Artorius was grinning from ear to ear as he turned and faced his friend.
“I only got even with her for a previous wrong,” he replied.
“Remind me never to piss you off.” Magnus remarked, his eyes wide.
They wandered back over to where the rest of the century was staged. All wondered why they were there so early, since the parade was not supposed to start for several hours. Then Severus and Germanicus mounted the dais in the center of the formation. They were each wearing their finest military dress: shining breastplates, purple cloaks over their shoulders, ceremonial gladii at their sides, ornamental helmets underneath their arms. They looked so different than when each had been covered in dirt and blood on the fields of battle.
“Soldiers of the Twentieth Legion!” Germanicus called out. “It is my duty and privilege to present to you your Emperor, Tiberius Claudius Nero Caesar!”
With that the men erupted into loud shouts and cheers that shook the Seven Hills of Rome as the Emperor mounted the dais. He was dressed in full military garb, like his generals. The only thing he lacked was the ceremonial helmet; instead, he wore the laurel crown that signified him as Emperor. He raised a hand in salute, and the legion immediately became quiet.
“My friends, fellow soldiers, brothers in arms.” he began. “For each of you that stand before me, I acknowledge as my brother. You have avenged the greatest treachery of our time bringing justice and honor to your legion and to Rome. And though we, as individuals, may be forgotten by history, your deeds and your valor will be remembered forever. Therefore you, my friends, will live forever! In honor of your victory, it is my privilege to present each of you with the campaign crest and medal. Wear them with pride and know your Emperor is proud of you!” He then raised a medal in his right hand as the soldiers all started to chant together, “Hail Caesar! Hail Caesar! Hail Caesar!”
Once the Emperor left, centurions and options made the walk down the lines of their centuries. It was the first time Artorius had seen Macro and Vitruvius in full parade dress with all of their awards displayed. They each wore a harness over their armor, which displayed their medals and decorations. Both had quite a few, though Artorius was surprised to see Vitruvius actually had more than his centurion. As they passed in front of each soldier, Macro took a medal from Vitruvius and handed it to each man. He then clasped each soldier by the hand.
Artorius gazed at his medal the centurion and optio presented to him. For Artorius, as well as many of the younger legionaries, this was the first decoration he had been awarded. It was slightly smaller than the size of his hand and was made of silver. As was customary, it was emblazed with the image of the Emperor. On the top was inscribed: For Victory in the Defeat of our Enemy Arminius. Across the bottom it read: XX Legion, Valeria, Senatus Populusque Romanus. Once all medals had been handed out, Macro took his place at the head of the century formation.
“The campaign crest and medal honors us as a legion and our deeds during this war,” he said. “But there are those who also distinguished themselves individually, and they deserve to be honored and recognized. We have several soldiers within the Second Century who have been selected to receive awards for valor. When I call your names, come forward and receive your award.”
The first award Vitruvius handed to him was a gold crown.
“Legionary Decimus, you are awarded the Rampart Crown for being the first legionary over the wall of an enemy stronghold.”
Decimus removed his helmet as he stood before his centurion. Macro placed the crown on his head, and then clasped his hand.
“Legionary Decimus is the first soldier in the history of the Twentieth Legion to be awarded the Rampart Crown three times,” Macro stated.
Decimus saluted and returned to his place in formation.
“We also have several soldiers who have been selected to receive the Silver Torque for Valor,” Macro continued. “It is awarded for conspicuous acts of valor, above and beyond that normally expected of a Roman soldier.”
The names of several soldiers were called off, along with the deeds for which they were being recognized. Artorius was pleased to see Praxus was among those selected. As their names were read off, each soldier came forward and Macro presented him with the Silver Torque. Artorius was shocked when he heard his name called.
“Legionary Artorius, you are awarded the Silver Torque for Valor for conspicuous acts of gallantry during the assault on the Cherusci stronghold, and for personally killing Cherusci War Chief Ingiomerus.”
Artorius could not describe his feelings as he walked up to receive the award from his centurion. Macro handed the torque to Artorius and then clasped his hand firmly.
“Well done, soldier,” he said softly. “Your valor is a credit to this century and to your legion.”
Artorius saluted and marched back to his place in formation.
“We have two more awards to hand out, and for these we need to bring back an old friend of the century,” Macro said. He face and his tone betrayed his emotion as he turned his head and called out over his shoulder, “Optio Valgus, step forward!”
There was an audible gasp as the century watched their former optio come walking around the dais. He was in full parade dress, and though he now required a walking stick, he had lost none of his presence or aura. With him was a rather comely woman dressed in a resplendent stola. She was very pretty and statuesque, and Artorius surmised she must be Vitruvius’ sister. In their former optio’s right hand were two simple crowns made of oak leaves. Artorius was impressed when he saw the number of awards Valgus had been presented over his career, a career that had been cut short by a German spear. Valgus faced the century as he addressed them.