“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.