“We got you something,” he said, his face beaming. “Actually it is two ‘somethings.’ The lads decided that so much masculinity needed a bit of relief and cleansing.”
“What? Is someone going to scrub my back for me?” Artorius grinned drunkenly.
“Well, I suppose they will if you ask them nicely.”
“Magnus!” It was a tantalizing female voice behind him, causing the legionary to bolt upright. “I hope your friend isn’t planning on keeping us waiting.” Artorius squinted his eyes and peered over Magnus’ shoulder, catching a glimpse at a pair of fetching young ladies standing behind his friend. The brunette who had spoken stood with her hand on her hip. She was well endowed, with full breasts and strong legs and hips. Her friend was blonde, of slimmer build, and was giggling behind the brunette.
“Oh, and how I have forgotten my manners!” Magnus replied, throwing his hands up in the air mockingly. “Artorius, meet Meegan and Glenna. Glenna’s a bit shy, but a real fireball, I promise!” He leered at the women. “Ladies, meet the pride of the Valeria Legion.”
Glenna, the brunette, rolled her eyes at Magnus. “Charmed, I’m sure,” she replied, her eyes then falling on Artorius for the first time. She grinned slyly as she looked him up and down, sizing him up. “Well, what do we have here? A good thing I brought you along, Meegan!” The blonde’s face reddened at the sight of Artorius and giggled afresh.
He rose to his feet, swaying slightly. “Ladies,” he said gallantly, taking Glenna’s hand, kissing it. She curtsied low, faking her flattery by his gesture. She winked at him boldly.
“Sergeant Artorius!” a voice boomed.
All eyes fell on Centurion Draco, who was walking towards him with an oversized goblet in his hand. “Here, you’ll need something to help you out a bit.” He offered the cup to the young soldier.
“Sir, I appreciate the gesture, but if I drink anymore, there’ll be no helping me,” Artorius said, his voice slightly slurred.
Draco snorted and shoved the goblet into his hand. “I insist,” he commanded, then whispered into Artorius’ ear, “this is no ordinary wine. It may taste like rat piss but, trust me, you’ll be thanking me tomorrow.”
He raised the goblet in salute and almost gagged on the drink and in fact, wondered if he was drinking rodent urine.
“There you are, lad,” Draco slapped him on the back as Artorius choked down the remainder of the disgusting concoction. Draco turned his head towards Meegan and Glenna who were waiting impatiently at the foot of the stairs. “Now, go make us proud.”
The lads raised their goblets to Artorius, cheering.
Artorius was guided into the room at the far end of the hallway by his two female companions. As Glenna opened the door, Artorius gave them a push towards the oversized bed in the center.
“Why don’t you two get started while I get comfortable,” he said with a sly grin.
Both women looked at him in mock surprise and giggled.
“Well, aren’t you the naughty one!” Glenna teased as she put her arms around Meegan.
Artorius’ face twisted into a deviant smirk as he watched them kiss each other deeply. He then closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath. His skin was flushed, and he felt his body temperature rising. He started clenching and unclenching his fists. Whatever it was Draco had given him seemed to wash away the effects of the alcohol. He chuckled to himself and took another deep breath as he frantically pulled off his tunic. It felt as if every muscle in his body was tensing and flexing, his manhood engorged with extreme anticipation. The two women, who had also discarded their clothing, looked up at him as he let out a low growl.
“Oh my,” Meegan said, her eyes widening. “I think someone’s ready to join us.”
Artorius snickered at that as he dove into the fray of flesh and lust.
The legionaries cheered loudly as they heard the unmistakable creaking of the bed. Screams that resonated throughout the inn sounded like a mix of terror and ecstasy. Magnus nearly choked on his wine as he heard a woman’s voice cry out indignantly, ’don’t bite so hard!’ This elicited a fresh bout of raucous laughter and cheering from the men still conscious.
“What in bloody hell did Draco give him?” Praxus asked.
“Something I got from an alchemist friend,” the centurion answered as he walked up behind the men. “Let’s just say it was a little special something. It was expensive as all hell, too. I was saving it for myself, but the pride of the legion deserves it more than me.”
“That was quite noble of you, sir,” Praxus replied, his face full of sincerity.
Magnus pounded the table, roaring with laughter before falling out of his chair.
Chapter IX: Rebellion and Deceit
Gaius Silius was in the middle of getting a rubdown at his personal bathhouse when Calvinus entered.
“Beg your pardon, sir, but an urgent message has just arrived from Gaul,” the master centurion explained.
Silius waved the slaves away and grabbed his robe. “Have you read the message?” he asked as they walked towards the legion headquarters, knowing full-well the answer.
“I have,” Calvinus answered. “There has been a revolt amongst two of the minor tribes. I say ‘minor,’ but you know how these things escalate in a hurry.”
“Which tribes are they?” Silius pushed open the doors to the meeting hall and saw that the tribunes, primi ordinones, and cohort commanders were already assembled.
“The Andecavi and the Turani, they are among the smaller tribes in the region. However, I do feel we should act quickly and decisively.”
“Take your seats,” Silius announced to the assembly as he sat down at the head of the table.
Calvinus waved the messenger over to him. The man handed the legate the copy of the scroll bearing full details of the rebellion.
Silius was silent as he read the details of the message. Finally he spoke. “The Aedui, Treveri, and Sequani are all offering to send significant numbers of auxiliary forces to help combat the rebellion. That’s awfully nice of them.” There was a touch of sarcasm in his voice. “Judging from the size of this rabble, the amount of support being offered, not to mention the sheer logistical nightmare of moving an entire legion, I do not find it necessary that we should send the entire legion. I do feel a Roman presence must be maintained in order to stamp out whatever seeds of rebellion may have been planted by this. “With that in mind, we shall stand up the First, Third, Sixth, and Ninth Cohorts, under the command of Master Centurion Calvinus. You will link up with our allies in Gaul and smash the rebels into capitulation. The rest of the legion will be placed on alert should things take a turn for the worse. I will need messages sent to the rest of the Rhine Legions, along with another to Rome.”
“Sir, is it wise to move against the rebels without first consulting the Emperor?” one of the Tribunes asked. He was a young man, having only been with the legion for a couple of weeks and was clearly biding his time before heading back to some type of political appointment in Rome.
Silius did not see fit to answer the man, and instead gestured to Calvinus, who answered for him.
“The Emperor does not micromanage his legion commanders. He trusts them to do the right thing in a given crisis and respects initiative. To wait for a reply from Rome can take several weeks, by which time the rebellion could have spread into a province-wide revolt.”
With that Silius stood, the rest of the assembly following suit.
“Calvinus, you have two days to ready your men. In addition to your heavy infantry, I want you to take a contingent of thirty archers, as well as two onager catapults, and six scorpion ballistae.”
“Consider it done, sir,” Calvinus answered, as he and the other officers saluted.
Silius returned the salute and walked out of the room.