Swords of Rome

Scipio’s body hadn’t been found, and Ha

More would come — legions upon legions would be sent against the invaders. Ha

Ha

“My General,” Braca spoke as he pulled his horse alongside Ha

“And what about the consular’s staff?”

Braca shook his head as he answered, “Taken from the field. Even so, we did find the pay chests. We could give pursuit for the staff if you wish.”

Ha

“Do not worry yourself longer. We have to consolidate our position here until the rest of our troops, and supplies come down from the mountain.”

“And what of these…creatures?” Braca asked sarcastically as he glanced over his shoulder, directing his words toward the Gauls who looted and murdered the Roman dead and wounded; the wounded cries continued to carry over the battlefield as they were gutted alive.

“I do not trust them. How do we know they won’t head back north, now that they have their victory over a Roman consul, and enough wealth to keep them drunk through the next two winters?”

Ha

“I suspect they will remain loyal, for the meantime. There are a number of settlements south of us, and more than a few of the chieftains have expressed interest in sacking them,” Ha

“And you agree with this? We will need Italian settlements to stand with us against Rome,” Braca’s words were like ice as his mistrust boiled through each word he uttered.

“I do not have much of a choice, not at this moment,” Ha

“No, we must continue as pla

“As you command, my General,” Barca nodded before he turned his horse and began to trot off.

“Barca!” Ha

With a heavy heart, Barca nodded his understanding and rode off.

“Victory or defeat, I am set upon my course, “Ha

PART TWO

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Gaius lowered his head and allowed the sweet aroma of Julia’s scent to swirl around him, drawing him nearer to her as he took a deep breath, inhaling her essence. Julia was in his arms as they sat on the river’s edge, several miles west of Rome’s gates. A brisk, but tapered wind blew across the water’s edge as they sat, arm in arm, looking over the horizon, watching as the last vestiges of leaves fall from the surrounding trees.

They had spent as much time together as they could over the past week; every free moment either could spare. They found any excuse, both real and fictional, to escape their duties before they found one another outside the city gates and venture out into the wilderness. There they would spend hours with each other until the sun went down, leaving promises for another day of passionate lovemaking and long quiet afternoons together.

These were the best days of Gaius’ life. He never wanted them to end, and even though he knew that Julia’s pending marriage loomed, they refused to speak of it. Right now, each day is a gift, and both wanted to appreciate it to the fullest.

Julia ran her hand over Gaius’ arm, wrapped loosely around her shoulder and chest. She wore only a loose sheet, draped from her shoulders, hanging low. One hand was gently placed over the top of her right breast. She pressed herself nearer to his body, so that she may share his warmth.

They said nothing to one another. They hardly had to speak to fill the endless hours. Each other’s touch, their smell and sight were all either needed or wanted. Both had, however, shared quite a lot about one another — stories told to no one else. They were living in the moment as only two young lovers could, with no thought of the future and the obligations that both had to Rome, family and the Senate. If they pretended hard enough, with the slow current of the moving water in front of them and the sounds of the calm wind against the bare branches of the trees, they could have lost themselves in time, as if they were the last two souls left on earth.

Julia tilted her head back and stared up at Gaius for a moment. She raised her hand and rubbed her palm against the rough fuzz on his cheek, admiring the man he had become. However, beyond the robust body, a few scars and more hair, his eyes were as she remembered — proud, calm, strong and loving. When she looked up at him, she was taken back ten years when she was but a child. Then, as now, she looked at Gaius and saw courage and strength. She had always felt safe with him, and while one might cast off her affections for him as a child’s crush on an older boy, she knew, like she knew at the moment that her feelings for him were very real.