The Great Game by S. J. A. Turney Read Free Book Online Page A

everyone was rested and freshly risen in the morning.
    ‘I beg leave to present to you legionary Gnaeus Marcius Rustius Rufinus of the Tenth Gemina, chosen man of the action and hero of Rome.’
    Aurelius’ eyes sparkled and some colour returned to his pallid cheeks as Rufinus desperately tried to land his eyes on the emperor without raising his head.
    ‘Indeed? Do go on.’
    Paternus cleared his throat. ‘My lord Caesar, this man saved my life and that of a number of Praetorian cavalrymen, single-handedly. He pushed me from the path of the arrows of hidden Quadi archers and, I am led to believe, killed five of the ten ambushers himself. All this, I am fairly certain, was done without the knowledge of who it was he was saving. Such selfless bravery is deserving of recognition, Caesar.’
    ‘Indeed’ the emperor said again, a quirky smile touching the corner of his lips. ‘It has been some time since the name Rustius has been spoken at court. Since before my reign, for certain. One wonders where the family has been hiding all these years while breeding their new clutch of heroes?’
    Involuntarily, Rustius looked up into the emperor’s searching eyes and quickly averted them, only to find Paternus looking at him in surprise. The prefect suddenly seemed uncertain. Was his new playing piece not what he thought? Rufinus should have expected Aurelius to remember the events that surrounded the exile of theRustii; he would have been at court then himself as a young man, heir to Antoninus.
    He was fighting the urge to address the emperor directly in defence of himself and Paternus when Aurelius smiled and swept the matter aside with his hand. ‘Very good. A hero in battle, then? You have already had thoughts as to an appropriate reward, Paternus?’
    The prefect nodded.
    ‘I felt that phalera were too small an offering, but a crown is clearly too much. I thought perhaps a phalera awarded by the emperor himself before the army?’
    Marcus Aurelius leaned back on his couch.
    ‘Pomp and ceremony is always good for the morale of the men. It is a good thought, Paternus. We shall need to wait until the rest of the army returns to garrison, of course. There will be other decorations to be awarded then.’
    Rufinus’ eyes widened as he stared at the floor. Decorations presented by the emperor were a rarity indeed. He wouldn’t have to pay for a drink among his contubernium for weeks.
    Lucilla, a flash of something that looked like hope crossing her face, looked up sharply.
    ‘If the barbarians are finally quashed, we should return to Rome, father. You can enter in triumph and decorate as many war heroes as you wish in front of the people.’
    Aurelius turned to face Lucilla. From his position Rufinus couldn’t see the emperor’s face, but he did see Lucilla flinch.
    ‘Father’ she added defensively, ‘it is time we returned to Rome. This cold, damp air is doing none of us any good. You have been ill for months and your chest…’
    Again, she flinched.
    Commodus let go of the back of the chair upon which he leaned and strode round to take the seat next to the stunning blonde woman. The look they exchanged briefly opened a whole new set of questions in Rufinus’ mind, but he brushed it aside. His place here, in the middle of what appeared to be a family argument, was to stand still and quiet and not intrude.
    ‘Father,’ Commodus said placatingly, ‘you know how rare an occasion it is when my dear sister and I are in concord, but in this particular case, she is correct. Your health suffers in this environment. It is time we returned to Rome, as soon as theimmediate business is over. Your legates and civil administrators can take on the task of turning this place into a province.’
    The emperor turned his gaze to his son and Rufinus caught a glimpse of his face and the softening of his features.
    ‘It is heartening to an old man to see his children show so much care for his well-being. My decision has already been made,