The Silver Eagle

Romulus used the silence to shuffle closer to Bre

Novius lowered his sword. ‘Only citizens are supposed to serve in the legions,’ he said resentfully. ‘Not tribal vermin like you two.’

‘That’s right,’ agreed Caius.

The fact that they had served in a mercenary cohort under Crassus was not mentioned. That Romulus was apparently half-Italian. Or the fact that the Forgotten Legion was not a Roman army unit, but a Parthian one.

‘That’s a different matter,’ Bre

His words seemed to have the right effect on the veterans; they turned to go, Novius taking up the rear.

Gri

The little legionary turned at the door. Bre

With a sinking feeling, Romulus saw that Novius was staring at Bre

‘What is it?’ called Caius from outside the barracks.

‘Instead of branding them on the shoulder, Governor Pomptinus made us mark the captives’ calves on that campaign.’

‘I remember,’ came the response. ‘So what?’

Although he had never asked, Romulus had always wondered why Bre

‘It was to show they were his property,’ crowed Novius.

‘Tell me something I don’t know.’ Caius sounded bored.

‘This brute has a scar just where his brand should be,’ a

Before he could do more, Bre

‘Piss off, you son of a whore,’ the Gaul said from between clenched teeth. ‘Or I’ll kill you.’

‘Scum!’ Novius wheezed, his face twisted with rage. ‘You’re both escaped slaves.’

Romulus and Bre

‘Felix probably was too,’ the little legionary added as the others reached for their swords.

‘There’s only one punishment for that,’ snarled Caius.

‘Crucifixion,’ finished Optatus.

Primitivus and Ammias, their companions, raised their gladii in unison at that prospect. Five faces filled with hatred ringed the doorway.

Romulus’ stomach constricted into a knot. He had seen the brutal method of execution carried out many times. It was a slow, agonising death.

‘Just try it,’ Bre

None of the veterans moved. They were no fools.

Romulus pelted back to their room, scooping up his scutum and sword. There was no chance to don his chain mail, but armed like this, he felt more of a match for their new enemies. When he got to the entrance, Bre

‘Bastards,’ he growled. ‘They’re gone. For now.’

‘They’ll tell everyone,’ said Romulus, struggling not to panic. The Parthian officers didn’t care about their history, but it would not be popular among the others in their century. Or, for that matter, the whole legion.

‘I know.’

‘What can we do?’

‘Not much.’ The Gaul sighed heavily. ‘Stay alert. Watch each other’s backs.’

This felt all too familiar. Neither spoke for a moment as they considered their options.

There were none. Escape was out of the question: it was deepest winter. Where would they go anyway? And Tarquinius, the one man who might be able to help, was still incarcerated with Pacorus. They were alone.

Glumly, Romulus studied the burnished iron of his gladius. He was going to be sleeping with it from now on.

It took Novius little more than an hour to tell every man in their century what had happened. He didn’t stop there. The little legionary seemed possessed as he moved between the low-roofed barrack buildings, spreading his gossip. Caius, Optatus and the others were just as busy. Informing over nine thousand men took time, but gossip travelled fast and by nightfall, Romulus felt sure that their secret was well and truly public news.

The hardest thing to take was the reaction of his comrades in the barracks. Eighty of them ate and slept cheek by jowl, sharing their equipment, food and lice. Although the unit had been formed after Carrhae, there was a real sense of camaraderie. Felix had been part of it too. Far from Rome, they only had each other.

That no longer applied to Romulus and Bre

Or Tarquinius.

Men tarred them all with the same brush and the altar to Aesculapius and Mithras was dismantled the same day, its offerings taken back. Who would pray for a man with slaves as friends? Yet when the legionaries had nothing to pray for, they had nothing to hope for either – so they needed something to fill the void. Unfortunately, that turned out to be distrust of the two friends.

Suddenly Romulus and Bre

Crucifixion was not that likely. To earn that punishment, Romulus or Bre

But the most immediate danger was where they slept. Eight men had to share a small, cramped space and when one quarter of those were being ostracised, it made life very difficult. On hearing the news, a pair of legionaries had instantly moved to another contubernium that was two short. Their disgusted faces upset Romulus hugely. That left Gordianus, a balding veteran, and three soldiers on one side of the room, the friends on the other. Gordianus, the obvious leader now, had not said much in response to Novius’ revelation.

This kept his companions quiet, for which Romulus was grateful. He could take silent resentment. While it was doubtful that any of their own contubernium would try to kill them, they could not be trusted. Like a viper sliding through the grass, Novius was forever appearing unexpectedly, muttering in men’s ears and poisoning their minds. The little legionary had taken to hanging around in the barracks corridor, idly picking his nails with his dagger. When he wasn’t there, Caius or Optatus were. While none made any overt signs of violence, it was most disconcerting. If Romulus and Bre

So Romulus and Bre

‘This is worse than the ludus,’ muttered Bre

Romulus nodded bitterly.

‘There we could at least bolt the door on my cell.’