Swords of Rome

In the distance, he could make out the outline of the legion barracks, which was surrounded by a high wooden wall. Further still were hints of a small town.

A number of workers acknowledged Valerius, calling out greetings as the two rode slowly passed them. Gaius could see on the old veteran’s face that he enjoyed the small pleasantries as he sparked short conversations with a number of the men, asking about their families, knowing many of them by their names.

“Are these people your slaves?” Gaius’ head was on a swivel as he took in every detail, sight and sounds, feeling that he was on a grand adventure.

Valerius chuckled as he glanced back with a thin smile.

“No, these men and women are all freeborn. I pay them to work the field. We share in the bounty; my men are fed and clothed while the workers sell the goods in the town or export elsewhere. It is a simple arrangement that works for both parties. It is about balance, Gaius.”

“Balance?” Gaius asked confused. It seemed to be a lot of work to him for so little reward.

“Yes. Look at them. Look at each of their faces. Are those the faces of slaves?”

“But Rome has many slaves.”

“Indeed, it was built on the backs of slaves. Countless generations of people, both from our own piece of the world and from lands not seen by my eyes have lived under the crack of a whip. Even today, without them the whole system would cease to exist, and the Republic would crumble.”

“Then why don’t you own them. It would be cheaper, and your bounty larger?”

“True, I suppose. However, easier isn’t always cheaper, no less is it honorable; men who work honestly, knowing that their labor is its own reward, will work that much better. A slave has no choice; work or suffer the consequences. Besides, less than a century ago these people were all Greek, enemies of Rome. If I were to treat them as such, our legion would not be enough to hold back their wraith. To treat them as equals, while not citizens of the state, we keep the peace while still maintaining Rome’s presences.”

“I don’t really understand,” Gaius admitted. He saw slavery his entire life. Once, in a fit of anger about having to do his chores, when all he wanted to do was go outside and play, he suggested to his father that they could get a slave or two. At the time, he was sure they could afford it. Antony and Julia had many slaves, all of whom rushed to please their master and their friend. He didn’t see anything wrong with it: if Rome’s foundation was based on it, what could be erroneous?

Valerius glanced back and looked at Gaius, seemingly amused by his confused expression as he tried to wrap his head around Valerius’ reasoning.

“You may not understand yet, Gaius, but I’ve seen much of the world. There are too much suffering and pain, much of it caused by Rome. I swore a long time ago that I would not add to it if it could be avoided. I would rather starve and have my men go without food than force another to tend to our needs.”

“Then Rome is wrong for its practices?” Gaius asked.

“I don’t know, Gaius. I’m but a simple soldier. It is not for us to question centuries of tradition, but that doesn’t mean we have to follow everyone either. You’ll have to make your own mind up one day. I love our Republic. I love what it stands for, what it could someday become, but it is far from perfect.”

Valerius stopped his horse and turned back, facing Gaius, who also came to a stop. The legion barracks were in full view now; its gates wide open, the sentries on post as dozens of people came and went through the entrance. The whole placed seemed daunting, impossibly huge to Gaius’ young eyes. Thousands of men, most much older, stronger and more skilled than he lived there, it was literally a whole new world, which he knew nothing about that he was frightened to move another step forward and cross the threshold.

“Gaius,” Valerius begun, his voice firm, his eyes fixed. “What favor I may have shown you over the past few days has to end right here. I loved your father, and I promised him that I would take care of you, but you have to understand that once we go through those gates, I am your legate and your teacher, and nothing more. I will treat you no different than I would any of my other men, regardless of whose blood flows through your veins. Do you understand, Gaius?”

He didn’t answer right away as he took one long look around, absorbing his surroundings, watching the people, listening to the wind, and thinking back to everything he left behind. Honestly, he did not know if he was ready for this.

But then the faces of Antony and Julia flashed across his mind. He remembered the promise that he made to her, and the brotherhood that he and Antony had formed. He recalled his father’s words to him before they left the house, retelling in his mind the importance of the armor plate that was strapped to Gaius’ horse, and the legacy that it carried. He knew his childhood was over. He understood that much was going to be asked of him. He too knew it was his choice to ride through those gates.

With a heavy sigh, Gaius answered. “Yes. I am ready.”

Valerius nodded as he turned his horse back and continued towards the barracks of the Sixth Legion.

Gaius glanced over his shoulder, staring for a long while to the north. A part of him was saying his good-byes to where he came from. He wondered at this moment when he might return, if he ever would.

When the time was right, Gaius whispered, “goodbye" to his old life and kicked his horse, urging it forward to his new home.

CHAPTER NINE

“Ten years, brother, ten long years and there it is,” Mago said to his brother Ha

It was cold, more so than Ha

Further in the rear both Ha

“How many do you think will make it?” Mago asked.

“Not enough,” Ha

“I was referring to the men, not the beasts.”

Ha