Soldier of Rome: The Last Campaign (The Artorian Chronicles) by James Mace Read Free Book Online Page A

German as the praetorians sheathed their weapons and started to lead Claudius away once more. “Let them know that Tiberius Claudius Nero Germanicus is their new emperor, and they will swear fealty to him!”
    The German nodded in understanding before shouting subsequent orders to his men who formed up into two lines, weapons held in salute as Gratus and his men led Claudius between them.
    “I don’t know about you, sir,” Gratus said quietly to Claudius, “but I think I may need to change my loincloth after that!”
     

     
    As Marcus and Regulus fled from the imperial palace, they were stopped by Aulus Nautius Cursor, Tribune of the Plebs. With him was a man the two sen ators recognized as Titus Artorius Justus, a centurion who had led the First Italic Cohort in Judea and now served as police commissioner for the nearby port of Ostia. He had arrived to make his weekly reports to the magistracy when he and Cursor had heard rumor of the emperor’s assassination.
    “Hold, senators!” the tribune said abruptly. “It appears to be chaos both within the palace and at the circus. Tell me what’s happened.”
    “The emperor is slain,” Regulus said plainly.
    The tribune then noted the blood on the hands of both men, as well as the splatters on their togas. He understood.
    “Please know that we only slew Caligula,” Marcus added quickly. “Unfortunately, Cassius has taken thi ngs further. He’s gone mad and started killing anyone associated with the imperial family.”
    “Let us pass,” Regulus urged. “We must convene the senate at once!”
    “Well, fancy that,” Artorius said as they watched the two men walk quickly down the street. “They commit murder, of the emperor no less, and they fret about needing to convene the senate.”
    “ And neither of us made an attempt to stop them,” Cursor replied coarsely. “I doubt any of their peers will shed a tear over Caligula. However, if Cassius has lost his mind and gone on the rampage, he could tear apart the very fabric of the empire.”
    “I seem to remember a crisis you went through about ten years ago, dealing with another maddened praetorian; though it pains me to make the comparison, for I’ve always held Cassius Chaerea in the highest esteem.”
    “As have I,” the tribune concurred. “And it is an unfair comparison, at least when looking at their motives. Sejanus sought to usurp Tiberius for his own selfish gains. Cassius believes he is actually serving Rome by slaying the entire imperial family. Yet it will create nothing but chaos if he succeeds. The senate will squabble amongst themselves as to whether one of them should become Caesar or if they should try and restore that antiquity known as the republic.”
    “ None of them were even born the last time the senate ruled Rome,” Artorius added. He shook his head. “And what of the legions? With no imperial heir, who’s to say they won’t try and appoint one of their own?”
    “Exa ctly,” Cursor emphasized. “The last thing we need is several thousand of your comrades bearing down on the city. That is, at least, where Cassius’ actions parallel those of Sejanus. In both cases they risk destabilizing the entire empire and turning our own legions on us.”
    At that moment they saw Cassius and a small group of Praetorians leaving the palace. Like Marcus and Regulus, they made their way towards the senate.
    “I would say one of us should try and bring him to his senses,” Artorius said, “but I think we’re far too late.”
    “It is never t oo late,” another voice said behind them.
    They turned to see a young senatorial legate named Vespasian walking towards them. “Come, let us make a stand for Rome.”

Chapter I II: Savior of Rome
     
    Temple of Jupiter
    14 January , 41 A.D.
    ***
     
    “Noble senators!” Cassius said, his face hard but determined as he addressed the assembly. He still wore his armor, with his helmet tucked beneath his left arm. He continued, “It was with heavy