Soldier of Rome: The Legionary (The Artorian Chronicles) by James Mace Read Free Book Online Page B

a determined, yet sad air about her. Though it was plain to see her one intent was to get her son elevated to the highest position of power, the final step of that transition would be very painful for her. After all, she had been married to Augustus for more than fifty years. The man she shared the vast majority of her life with was slowly slipping away.
    “So how is he?” Tiberius asked. His real concern was how long until he had to take on the task he ’d been preparing for, and yet dreading, his entire life.
    “He’s in the garden,” Livia replied. “He asked to see you once you returned. He spends most of his waking moments in his garden, off in his own little world. He knows his time is growing short, and so he takes the most pleasure in the simplest things in life. He’ll want you to assume the majority of power immediately. You will become Emperor in everything but name, ruling jointly with him until he breathes his last. Go to him.” She motioned with her head towards the door leading outside.
    Tiberius took a deep breath and walked through the door. He was still dressed in full military garb, his helmet held under his arm.
    As he walked through the gardens, he came upon the aged Emperor. Augustus was seated on the edge of a fountain, a small pot with a sapling in his hands. He had just finished planting it and was marveling over something only he could see.
    “You sent for me, Caesar?” Tiberius asked, standing at attention. He had never felt comfortable in the presence of the Emperor, preferring their relationship to be confined to correspondence from the opposite end of the Empire.
    “It’s a marvelous thing that something so small and frail as this will one day grow to be big and strong,” the Emperor stated, still gazing at the potted sapling he held. “It will grow slowly over the course of the ages, like our Empire. And if maintained, it will live for hundreds of years, maybe even thousands. It will watch everything, its gaze immortal in the eyes of men. It will see the passing of our Empire and what will come beyond her. Yet it will linger and flourish long after we are gone.” He smiled sadly and placed the pot down on a tray where there were several other plants he had been toying with. He then turned towards his stepson. “Sit with me,” he said, motioning towards a nearby bench.
    Tiberius hesitantly took the seat, his helmet in a virtual death grip beneath his arm.
    Augustus still held the same smile. “You know, Tiberius, I have been less than fair with you over the years.” 
    Tiberius looked away and cringed. He knew that Augustus would bring up certain topics that he wished to remain buried in the past. There was nothing for it, after all. He had paid a heavy price to be where he was, on the brink of sole ruler-ship of the known world. And yet he did not want it.
    “The fairest thing would have been to leave me in retirement on the Isle of Rhodes or else on the frontiers with the army,” he replied.
    Augustus nodded, though never relaxing his contented smile. He leaned forward, closing the distance between himself and Tiberius. “When one is destined for greatness, one cannot escape it. You are destined to serve in a far greater capacity than you ever imagined or even wanted. It seems like everything and everyone, including yourself, fought against your becoming my successor. I, myself, never even toyed with the idea of you succeeding me until the hour had grown late.” He sighed and shrugged, so many memories of the last forty-two years flooding back into his conscience.
    Tiberius remained silent.
    “I underestimated you, I really did,” Augustus continued. “I had always based my selection of a successor on emotional attachment, rather than on practicality and qualifications. Your mother kept reminding me of your true worth, but I did not listen. I think now of all those whom I groomed for this position, and how much better my efforts could have been spent had I given you