“Because, they’re all fucking dead and likely put the bloody sword by those savages!” Centurion Marco cried out, interrupting Valerius’ report. His statement was supported by all the officers in the tent as they jeered their frustration.
“And what is the bloody Senate going to do this time? Sit on their collective asses, and wait for Hannibal and his horde to encircle Rome?” Tribune Titus demanded to know.
Valerius raised his hands once more as a wave of angry roars drowned his words before he could utter a single word.
“I have just come from a special session of the Senate. Newly appointed Consul Titus Sempronius Longus has pledged to the soldiers of Rome, and its people that he will not let the atrocities in the north go unpunished. He has dedicated himself to lead a larger force, which is to march by the week's end.” Valerius paused for a moment as his men soaked up the building anticipation of what they hoped he was going to say next. “And I'm grateful to tell each of you that the Sixth Legion will once again mark its name in the history of our Republic, with another victory, once Hannibal and his rogue army is crushed beneath our heels!”
Valerius’ words brought a wave of cheerful excitement that echoed beyond the walls of the command tent, as his officers bellowed with glee at the prospects of avenging their falling brothers, and taking part in the coming campaign to punish Hannibal for crossing iron with the Republic.
Gaius cheered, but he was more reserved than they. He had never seen battle no less took part in one, and commanded men — eighty souls whose very lives rested on his decisions.
“Listen!” Valerius cried as he raised his hands once again, signaling for his men to be still while he continued. “While I have already dispatched riders to send word for the rest of the Sixth to march north, the consul will be moving from Rome before our brothers can join us.”
“More glory for us then!” Cried one of the older centurions, a man Gaius barely knew by the name of Sempronius.
Valerius laughed as he spoke again. “Now, it isn’t all good news. Since we are under-strength, we will be charged with guarding the auxiliary cohorts.”
A chorus of moans erupted from the officers.
“So,” Valerius continued once the groaning from his men subsided. “I’m afraid we will be babysitting the rear, at least until we draw Hannibal out for a fight. I do, however,” Valerius raised his finger high into the air, “promise plenty of glory for you when the battle comes. So, I want each century to be prepared. Make sure your men are kitted, feed and eager when the word comes from the consul. If he is wise, he will wait for the rest of the Sixth, and other legions to arrive before going north, but politicians, I’m afraid, aren’t known for their keen intellect.”
The wave of laughter brought a smile to Valerius’ face as his men’s excitement for the coming campaign was as he hoped.
“Alright then, what are you waiting for, Hannibal to come to us? Get out there and make sure the cohort is ready — dismissed!” Valerius gave his final order as each officer, beaming with joy turned and stepped from the tent, save for Gaius, who Valerius called before he left with his fellow officers.
Gaius stood at attention as he watched Valerius moved around his desk and sat down, where he ironed his fingers together, staring up at him with a displeased expression that sent shivers up Gaius’ spine.
“You have not been in the camp much, have you?” Valerius asked, his question sounding more like a statement of fact than a query.
“I apologies, sir, I have been — “
“Preoccupied with the daughter of one of Rome’s leading senators,” Valerius interrupted, filling in Gaius’ words.
Gaius stood frozen, trying as hard as he could to think of something that might excuse him, but he knew it was best that he not bother trying to cover his ass.
“Yes, sir. Julia is her name. You met her once, ten years ago.”
“I don’t give a damn who she is, Centurion!” Valerius shouted as he rose to his feet. His voice was colder than Gaius had ever heard him speak before.
“Do you know who her soon-to-be-husband is?” Valerius demanded.
“Yes sir, I have met him,” Gaius replied with a heavy heart. The lump in his throat felt like an apple trying to expel itself.
“Well, I will assume you are unaware of who he is, but if not, let me tell you: he is one, if not the most powerful man in Rome. His family alone holds more weight in the Senate than any hundred men. And his wealth could buy ten legions if he so wanted. We need him to win this war, regardless of what that twit consul thinks — this conflict will not end with Hannibal’s demise. So, I would very much not like to see Paullus preoccupied with having to hunt you down and impaling that pretty young head of yours on a pike, because one of my best officers couldn’t keep his cock in his pants, sleeping with a man’s betrothed!”
“I love her, sir!” Gaius blurted, falling from his careful attention stance, as he momentarily forgot his place and whom he was speaking to. “But" Gaius began again before Valerius could respond to his statement. “I’m not ignorant about the facts, sir, despite what you might think. I do not plan to see her further, romantically, which was decided before current events unfolded.” It was painfully hard for Gaius to say his last sentence. He loved Julia with all his heart, and it pained him more than anything to think of telling her what he had just said to Valerius.
Valerius took a deep breath as he sat down. His expression changed as he looked up at his young pupil with concern.
“I do not envy your position, Gaius. I know you love this girl. I know what she has meant to you over the past ten years, since I took you away from your home. However, I know too what Rome is like. In a better world, there would be nothing standing between your happiness. Nevertheless, this isn’t an immaculate world, or is it a flawless system, and unfortunately, people born into your class vs. hers; there is very little room for love.”
“I understood, sir,” Gaius replied with a heavy heart as his head sunk lower.
“I wish you did understand, but you will. Both of you are very young and stupid,” Valerius smirked at his idiosyncratic comment, as he was lost in his own youth for a moment. “I do not pretend to know what the future might have in store for the two of you, but I do know what the present demands, and she isn’t part of it. Your place is here, with me, with your men. No matter what might happen in the coming campaign, you cannot forget the oath you took to serve and defend the people of Rome. Victory or defeat, this war won’t be over as quickly as the politicians want the plebs to think. I need you levelheaded and ready to carry my banner onto the field. Are you prepared for that, Gaius?”
Gaius straightened himself to full attention as he answered, “I am, sir!”
“Then make ready your men. And Gaius, do not let me down.”
Outside, Gaius stopped before Valerius’ tent and took a deep breath. He felt like he had been holding his breath the entire time. He knew his mentor’s words were truthful and only spoken out of love and concern. Regardless, his words ran deep, piercing flesh like knives.
Gaius knew what he had to do — what he was ordered to do, but that didn’t mean he wanted to do it.
For the first time, just for an instant, he wished this wasn’t his life. He wished he hadn’t taken the oath. Even now the thought of fleeing with Julia, as she had suggested ran through his mind. Certainly, she would be safer elsewhere then here, if the war turned against Rome’s favor. They could be together and create some kind of life somewhere far from their responsibilities. However, those thoughts were fleeting as Gaius knew what had to be done.