Soldier of Rome: Heir to Rebellion (The Artorian Chronicles) (23 page)

Erin was focused on her task of cleaning the crockery
and she did not hear Valens and Magnus walk in. The cry of the baby startled her and she placed her hand over her heart as she caught sight of the three. She was surprised to see Valens holding the child, thinking that perhaps it was his.

“Tell her,” Valens said to Magnus. Though she belonged to Valens, it seemed that his Nordic companion was the only legionary who could speak to Erin in her native tongue.

“You are to raise this child as your own,” Magnus ordered. “He is now your son.” Without another word, Valens handed the baby to Erin. Unconsciously her face broke into a smile as she held the child, whose eyes opened wide as he gazed up at her. Her smile held as she looked up at her master and for a moment forgot her hatred for the legionary.

“Was that your intent all along?” Magnus asked as they walked back outside.

“I admit the idea came to me rather quickly when I saw that family in the slave cart,” Valens replied. “I didn’t like the idea of Artorius having to kill the child; plus I thought it might help
give Erin some meaning in her life.” Magnus cocked a smile.

“She’s a slave, what do you car
e?” he asked.

“She’s a slave, yes; but she is still a human being,” Valens replied. “Besides, she is my property and I need to do all I can to see to it she’s cared for.
She now has a reason to live; she will see each dawn for the sake of her child.” Both men turned to see Svetlana running towards them, her face beaming.

“Oh, where is he?” she asked, excitedly.
Magnus grinned and looked back over his shoulder towards the kitchen. His face then sobered. “You do know how we got him, don’t you?” Svetlana gave a sad smile and nodded.

“Yes,” she replied, placing an arm around Valens and kissing him gently on the cheek which bore the mark of Macro’s vine stick. She then raced to the kitchen to see Erin and the child.

“Maternal instinct?” Valens asked. Magnus snorted and nodded.

“I think all women have it, regardless of whether or not they have children,” he replied. They walked by the stables, where Artorius was readying his mount for another courier run to Proculus’ estate.

“Damn but that’s an ugly mark you got there! What’s your beauty secret?” Magnus chided as Artorius replied with a rude gesture. His left eye was partially shut from where Macro had struck him; his brow and cheek a deep shade of purple. “I’m sure Lady Diana will love that!”

“Valens, you know you owe me a pankration match for this,” Artorius said, pointing at the legionary sternly.

“I know,” Valens replied with a sigh. “I’ve been sparring with Camillus in anticipation; though I think he enjoys the idea of watching you bludgeon the shit out of me!”

“The only question you need to ask yourself,” Artorius stated as he stuffed some letters into his saddlebag, “is,
was it worth it?”
Valens did not hesitate in his answer.

“Absolutely.”

“Then you’ll take your beating like a man and we’ll call it good,” Artorius said with a grin as he mounted his horse. “You know the drill; Magnus is in charge until I get back. See you in a couple days.”

Svetlana pulled the cloth back from the child’s face as he slept in Erin’s arms. The young slave looked both ecstatic as well as a bit nervous. Though probably at least a couple years older than her mistress, Erin’s life as a slave had left her devoid of most of the experiences a freeborn woman of her age would have and she was rather naive and childlike herself in many ways.

“Have you thought of a name for him?” Svetlana asked; like her brother she was able to speak Gallic.

“I haven’t really thought of it,” Erin replied. “This is all so sudden and a bit of a shock to me…I think I’ll call him Tynan.”

“A good name,” Svetlana said, nodding with approval.

“It was the name of my husband,” Erin replied as Svetlana lowered her eyes. Erin then spoke quickly, “I’m sorry, Domina. If it offends you, I can change it.” Her mistress shook her head.

“No, it is a good name,” she replied, giving a reassuring smile.
“I know this circumstance is hard for you.”

“I am a slave,” Erin remarked, “whether I hate my master or not is irrelevant. Slaves are property, we do not warrant feelings.” Svetlana cocked her head to one side in conte
mplation. It was true, though something she had never given much thought to. In her life she had never had any kind of rapport with a slave. They were just
there
; one did not pay them any mind. It was a strange and horrible circumstance how Valens had acquired both Erin and now the child that belonged to him. He had slain both Erin’s husband as well as the parents of little Tynan. Svetlana supposed that in Rome’s rather violent history such acquisitions were fairly common. Indeed after the fall of Alesia during Caesar’s Gallic conquest the survivors were sold into slavery with many of the legionaries taking some of the captives as their own property.

“We still ca
re about you,” Svetlana assured her. “Valens thought that giving you a child would bring you happiness that you’ve been denied in this life.”

“May I ask where he got the child? Slave children do not come without a price; one that a legionary would be hard-pressed to afford.” Erin’s face tightened up at Svetlana’s silence. “He acqui
red him the same way he got me…didn’t he?” Svetlana nodded.

“In a manner of speaking. Tynan’s birth parents were already condemned, and the boy about to be slain. It was Valens who saved him from the sword.”

“I suppose I should be grateful then,” Erin replied, forcing a smile. “This does add some meaning to my life. I now have a reason to live that does not involve toil and labor. My husband was my life, and I don’t know if I can ever forgive the Master for killing him. However…I am grateful to him, Domina.” A slave Erin may have been, but Svetlana found she was growing attached to the young woman. Perhaps it was the lack of female companionship and the fact that she lived in a tiny flat with Erin’s presence constant. Erin worked hard to keep the flat clean, and she was a decent cook. Now she would be a mother as well; at least that brought some meaning into her otherwise empty life.

Chapter XIII: Terror Rising

Artorius
sighed as he approached the Proculus estate. This was the fourth time he had acted as a courier for his Cohort Commander, and while he was grateful for Lady Diana’s company he was becoming discouraged. The thoughts that he held were silly at best. She was always very kind to him, but also distant. How else could she be? Roman society would rather she remain alone and unmarried rather than lower herself to associating with someone of his status. It was a barrier that was ingrained from birth into all citizens.

While he was still very young and not even eligible to find a bride unless he were to reach the rank of Centurion, Artorius did not like the idea of being alone. He certainly did not lack for female
companionship; however this was all purely physical. Whenever he finished his business with a lady friend or concubine, he was quickly on his way.

A slave took the reins of his horse as he dismounted. As he dug through the saddle bag
s Diana rode up on a dark grey mare. Her hair was unkempt from her ride and there was sweat on her brow, but Artorius was still awestruck.  He quickly reminded himself that he was there on
business
and spending time with Lady Diana was just a perk. She wore a sleeveless tunic that showed her well-defined arm and shoulder muscles.

“Just some letters, my Lady,” he said,
trying to sound casual. Diana abruptly dismounted and walked over to him as the slave grabbed the reins of her horse with his free hand.

“I’ll take them now,” she said, holding out her hand. Artorius gave a glum frown and handed them over to her. He sensed she was deliberately refraining from making eye contact.
What was it about Diana that made her so distant with him though she was always cordial?  He had a horrible thought:  she had to know of his infatuation with her. Did she find it offensive?  Possibly, she was a lady. Surely she would have said so already! He never pretended to even be able to figure women out and knew that he would never find out for certain. He readied himself to remount his horse when he heard a man screaming in panic.

“Domina! Domina!”
Proximo, dressed in field worker’s garb, was racing up the road in the opposite direction that Diana had come from. His eyes were filled with tears, his face red and drenched in sweat.

“Proximo!” Diana scolded. “That is no way to behave! Calm down and tell me what’s the matter.” The slave fell to his knees, his hands trembling.

“It’s Master Levant…he’s dead, Domina…murdered…” the slave placed his hands over his face, unable to continue. Diana swallowed hard.

“Compose yourself!” she spat as she cuffed the slave behind the ear. His sobbing ceased and he fought to regain his bearing. “Now what do you mean
murdered?”

“Beheaded, Domina,” Proximo stated. This gave Artorius a start.

“Where?” he asked, stepping away from his horse. The slave had only just noticed him.

“Thank the gods,” he said in a lo
w voice, “we have Sir here to help us.” Diana looked back at Artorius, and then to Proximo.

“You will take Sergeant Artorius and
me to Levant, understood?” Proximo nodded meekly.

“Of course. This way, please.” Artorius left his helmet in his saddle bag, but strapped on his gladius as they walked briskly behind the slave to where a grove of trees paralleled the river past the wheat fields.

“Please, not here too,” the Decanus said quietly. Diana overheard him and gave him a curious stare; looking him in the eye for the first time since his arrival.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“I’ll explain later,” he replied, increasing his stride. Diana was startled by his demeanor. Artorius was usually very friendly and outgoing, but now he was sullen and dark. She suddenly wondered if a soldier of Rome had to change who he was under duress or in battle.

A grizzly sight greeted them as they came to the edge of a grove of trees. A headless corpse hung crucified from the branches of an old oak tree. The body had been there for at least a day, and flies were gathered in mass around the bloody stump of a neck, as well as the head which was thrust upon a makeshift spike in the ground.
Artorius studied the corpse, a look of disgust upon his face.

“Who was this man?” he asked.

“Just some farmer who lived a few miles up the road,” Diana answered, the sight of the mutilated body making her nauseous and faint. Artorius started to walk around the tree and the surrounding area.

“There are drag marks here,” he observed, pointing to the flattened grass leading from the road, “but not much blood. Which means he was already dead and decapitated when they brought him here.” He closed his eyes as terrible fear struck him. “He was brought here as a warning; a warning to you, my Lady.” His eyes were dark as he turned towards Diana.

“What are you talking about?” she asked, suddenly frightened by Artorius’ stare. “Who would dare send such a warning to me?”

“I can hazard a guess,” he replied, walking away from the sickening scene. “Have him cut down and brought to the estate.” Proximo cringed at the order
.

Diana
nodded, “do as he says.” She had to run briefly to catch up to the fast-pacing Decanus.

“Are you going to tell me what the
fuck
is going on?” she swore. It was the first time Artorius had ever heard her use profanity.

“I need to know everything we can find out about that man,” Artorius answered. “There have been a series of rather gruesome murders taking place in Lugdunum. We think they are being committed by a survivor of Sacrovir’s rebellion.
If this man Levant was in any way connected, we are in serious trouble.”

As soon as they were inside the main foyer of the house, Artorius started to unlace the ties on his armor. He handed the armor and his belt to a slave, though he kept his gladius strapped to him. Diana sat on a table, one hand covering her mouth, her face still pale as she sought to comprehend what was happening.

“What happened to your face?” she asked, seeking a distraction while they waited for the servants to finish searching the archives. She had noticed the mark on Artorius’ face when he arrived
, but didn’t have the opportunity to comment.

“Oh this,” Artorius said as he placed his hand on the still tender lump below his eye.

“It looks like someone hit you in the face with a stick,” Diana observed.

“Well funny you should mention that…” before he could finish a
slave appeared, bearing two dusty scrolls.

“The documents you requested, Domina.”

Artorius snatched the scrolls away from the slave and signaled for him to leave. He closed his eyes and raised his head as soon as he finished reading the first.

“Have you ever looked at these?” he asked. Diana shook her head.

“No. All I know is these were the documents pertaining to Proculus and Vorena’s acquisition of the estate. Why, what does it say?” Without opening his eyes, Artorius held the scroll over his shoulder for her to take. Diana gasped when she read it.

“You mean…”

“Yes,” Artorius said with a nod. “The man Levant was the owner of this estate before the Sacrovir Revolt.” Diana continued reading as Artorius paced back and forth, his hands folded behind his back. “Levant was a rebel who was ransomed after the rebellion was put down. The price of his life was his estate. He was given a small farmhouse to live out the rest of his life. Your cousin, like many other Romans of rank, purchased this estate at auction.”

“He told me about how he had procured the place,” Diana remarked. “So why was Levant murdered?”

“The same reason as most of the others we’ve found slain in similar fashion. The people responsible for this are seeking retribution on those who surrendered to us rather than fighting to the bitter end. They are viewed as traitors to the cause and their lives are now forfeit. We found one former nobleman, whose life was spared, but his wife and children were butchered in the same manner as Levant; the wife was defiled before being executed, of course. The husband hung himself soon after we arrived.” Diana’s face bore a look of utter disgust.

“
You speak so casually,” she said.

“My Lady,” Artorius spoke calmly, “I have seen mankind at its absolute worst
and there are some things that no one should have to see. But for now we must look to your safety.” He had some doubts about his own words. How could anyone have partaken in the vile acts that he had and still be human?

“What would you have me do?” she asked, clasping her own hands behind her back. It was strange, taking orders from a mere plebian soldier; however, Diana knew that her very survival could depend upon it. She swallowed her fear and steeled herself for whatever needed to be done. She was charged with safeguarding the Proculus estate, and she would not fail.

“Do you have any weapons here?” Artorius asked.

“The slaves have some farming tools, and I have a legionary dagger that Proculus gave me a long time ago.”

“Wear it underneath your stola,” he directed. “Don’t ever leave it anywhere. Close and bar the gates and post a watch up there at all times. I’ll return to Lugdunum and see if I can get some men posted here.”

“And if you cannot?” Diana’s face bore no emotion.

“Then I guess I will have to come back here and protect you myself,” he said with a half-smile. Diana smiled back as Artorius’ face became sober once more. “I promise I’ll not let anything happen to you.” Diana gave him an inquisitive look, but before she could question him, he turned briskly and walked out of the room. With a snap of his fingers, a slave brought his armor and belt to him. In that moment, Diana found she was utterly fascinated by this young legionary. She walked slowly out to the courtyard, where he was finishing up the ties on his armor while a slave strapped on his belt. Though he was handsome and looked capable of great strength, she had never paid him much attention.  She thought of him as just a courier and he seemed a bit shy around her for some reason, so she was slightly amazed at how he took charge and handled the horrible incident.  She suddenly saw him not as a boy who delivered her mail, but a legionary. And a brave man he was if he was serious about protecting her himself--alone.

Artorius swung into the saddle and turned his horse towards the gates.  The horse felt the excitement and pranced, ready to run.  He looked over his shoulder and shouted, “I
will
protect you my Lady!”

“Absolutely not!” Magistrate Julius snapped. Proculus stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his face hardening. “We have a group of madmen terrorizing the city and you want to send troops to protect your own personal assets? I think not! And if their numbers are as large as we fear, how many men do you think it will take to defend your estate?” While Proculus was the Commander of the Third Cohort, while attached to Lugdunum they fell under the control of the Roman magistrate.

“Look, I’m not trying to be unsympathetic,” Julius continued as he poured himself a goblet of wine. “But do you realize just how many outlying estates there are in the region? It’s not just yours that’s at stake here. You’d be better served using your legionaries, in addition to my urban cohort, to hunt these bastards down.”

“I understand,” Proculus replied.

Centurions and Options sat or stood around the table in the crowded office, an oil lamp casting a soft glow on the table. Artorius and a few of the Decanii that had witnessed some of the atrocities were also on hand. Proculus sat resting his elbow on the table, his chin in his hand.

“Let’s take a look at what we have,” he said. “The slaver and his family aside, what do most of the victims have in common?”

“They were all paroled prisoner of Sacrovir’s revolt,” Artorius answered after a brief silence.

“So what then if the surviving rebels want to kill each other off?” an Optio asked. “What should we care?”

“They paid their ransoms,” Vitruvius replied. “They made their peace with the Emperor and are redeemed. They are afforded the same protections as
all citizens.”

“That and it is unsettling
to the populace,” Macro added. “After all, it’s not just ransomed rebels they are targeting. That slaver had nothing to do with the rebellion; though I don’t doubt he profited from it. There was also the matter of the slave who led my men into that ambush.”