Calvus sent riders to coordinate with the seven Legions in Etruria. He wanted them to know that the mercenary army had been destroyed and he was escorting 11,000 prisoners back to Rome. He instructed his riders to brief them on Praetor Tullus’ condition and the fact that Legion XVII remained at Lake Benacus.
The Legions departed Ariminum on August 11th and arrived at the outskirts of Rome on September 4th. The men were moved into an area suitable for camping during their visit to Rome. Contractors were waiting to take the prisoners. They had each submitted bids for a specific number of men to fill a variety of needs. Roman iron, copper, tin, lead, gold, and silver mines in Italy, Spain, Sicily, Sardinia, and the Transalpine had an insatiable need for workers. Farms and construction projects always clamored for able men. The Contractors paid the Treasury and the Treasury paid the Commander who captured them.
Calvus arranged to have the money provided to the men by rank and time in service. Within a week, the pockets of the men were full of money and they headed to the city.
The evening he arrived in Rome, Calvus rode to Manius’ villa to talk with Lucia. He knew her to be a level headed, flexible woman, and felt that she would deal with the bad news in a restrained manner.
He dismounted and approached the door. A servant let him in and Lucia appeared shortly thereafter. As soon as she saw him and not Manius, she recalled the day Manius arrived at her house in Soldier’s Town many years ago. He was there to tell her that Gaius, her first husband and Manius’ brother, had been killed in battle. She froze and studied Calvus’ face for a hint of what was to come. He looked into her eyes. “Lucia,” he said, “Manius was wounded, but he’s alive.” Her shoulders dropped. She turned and walked to the courtyard to sit. He followed her.
“How bad is it?” she asked as the color drained from her face.
“A spear hit his left bicep. It sliced a part of his artery and he lost a lot of blood. Quintus repaired the damage to the artery and he’s optimistic it will heal, but he said that Manius couldn’t be moved. In three weeks, he will reopen the arm to remove the binding on the artery. That will probably cause more infection. If all goes well, Quintus estimates a full recovery in two months. Lucia, I don’t want to mislead you. There is a chance that he may not survive.”
“Then I must go to him. He needs me. I’ll take the children. My staff can manage things here,” she said in one breath.
“Lucia, that’s not practical. You can’t travel that far by yourself. It’s too dangerous. You wouldn’t know where to go.” Calvus was feeling desperate. He had to dissuade her.
“Give me some of your soldiers! Men from his Legion will take me!”
“Lucia, you...” and he stopped in mid-sentence. “If you are serious about this, there is a way. His Legion stayed with him, but I brought back to Rome 25,000 loyal tribesmen who fought with us. I will be going back north with them in two weeks. They could escort you. Can you leave in two weeks?”
“Calvus, I can leave tonight!”
“If you really want to do this, I’ll assign a few men to assist you with the preparations. They can rent a carriage and provide for you during the journey. Lucia, it’s a long trip. It’ll take about a month. That’s a long time to spend sitting in a bumpy carriage. What about Titus and Flavia?”
“Titus would love it, but I’m not so sure about Flavia. I may leave her here. Regardless, Titus and I will definitely go. Please make the necessary arrangements. Calvus, you are a good soldier of Rome and your loyalty to Manius is unquestionable. I appreciate everything you’re doing for us. Thank you for personally coming to tell me about my husband.”
Calvus understood by her words that the visit was over and left. He had misgiving about Lucia going to Lake Benacus, but she was a strong woman and her mind was made up. He knew that by the time she arrived, Manius could be dead.
*******
Three weeks after Manius was wounded and about the same time that Calvus and the Legions were arriving at Ariminum, Quintus entered Manius’ tent.
Once the Legions departed, Quintus devoted every minute of the day to caring for the hundreds of wounded men still remaining at Lake Benacus, but still managed to check on Manius three times a day. Quintus was pleased that the blood had drained from Manius’ arm. The swelling was down, and the infection looked less angry.
Manius was awake and talking, but in pain despite the potions. “You know why I’m here Praetor?” asked Quintus as he smiled in an attempt to soften what was coming. Quintus had been dreading this moment.
“Because you’re a good doctor checking on your patient?” replied Manius looking intently at Quintus. Manius hadn’t been told about the second operation.
“Well that too, but today is the day, I have to remove the wrapping from the artery. The artery has healed, and the papyrus needs to be removed. I’m sorry to tell you this, but I have to open your arm to do it.”
“You mean you have to cut it open just as its healing?” asked an incredulous Manius.
“Yes.”
“What would happen if you just left it in there?” asked Manius. His voice had a pleading tone.
“You would die of an infection or I would have to cut off your arm,” replied Quintus. His sudden impatience with Manius surprised him. “Sir, as your doctor, I’m telling you I have to do this and let me add that I’ve done the same procedure to dozens of your soldiers and not one has ever complained.” Quintus was willing to lie if he felt it would benefit his patient.
Quintus’ sharp rebuke had the intended purpose. Manius drew in a deep breath and said, “Whenever you’re ready,” and stuck out his arm.
Manius drank Quintus’ concoction of herbs and was asleep in 15 minutes. Quintus worked quickly and skillfully. He removed the stitching, made a thin incision, and opened the arm. The thread and papyrus were removed and the wound cleaned. Quintus re-stitched the incision and liberally applied infection fighting medications. As Quintus stood up he said, “It’s now in the hands of the gods,” and he meant it. This was his fifth attempt at working with an artery. Two of the first four patients had died. He wanted Manius to survive.
*******
Titus was overjoyed at the prospect of a long trip to visit his father. He was also thrilled with the idea that he would be able to explore a real battlefield. Flavia declined immediately. She could not imagine being surrounded by 25,000 men with no real privacy for days on end. “Besides,” she told her mother, “Petronius would miss me too much.”
Lucia expected Flavia would want to stay in Rome. “Petronius is a fine young man from a good family, but it would be a scandal if I left you here unsupervised. I’ll talk to Rivkah. Maybe you can stay with her. She’d appreciate the help with Levi.”
Two days later, Calvus returned with two Legionaries of Etruscan descent. “Lucia, these two men will be your personal assistants to arrange your travel and provide for your security on the road. Another 10 men will assist you and Titus during the trip. They will drive the carriage, prepare meals, set up the tents, and so forth. Tell these two men what you need and they will see to it.”
“Thank you Calvus, but with a war going on, how did you get an escort for me?”
“The Garrison Commander of Rome is a personal friend of mine. He gave me the best of the best. You’ll be well taken care of!”
On September 18th, two weeks after they arrived, the Cenomani, Raeti, and Suevi Legions departed Rome under the overall command of Calvus. Many hated to leave. Rome was exciting and cosmopolitan compared to the small settlements they called home. Nonetheless, once they stepped off, the thought of getting home warmed their hearts.
Flavia was with Rivkah who appreciated the company. Titus could barely contain his excitement thinking about the trip. For the next three weeks, he would be living in the field like a real soldier. He even brought his Legionary armor, shield, gladius and pila that Cassius had gotten for him. Lucia was not excited, but happy to be finally underway. She was counting the days until she could be with an
d help her husband.
At the same time, 450 miles away, Quintus was very disappointed with the status of Manius’ recovery. He remarked to one of his assistants, “We have got to bring down his fever. Keep bathing him with cold water.”
As he left the tent, a Legionary standing guard outside asked him, “Sir, is the Legate getting better?”
“No son, his fever is high and he still has a very nasty infection. At least there’s no sign of gangrene.” Quintus was worried. Manius’ arm was very swollen and inflamed. He was pale and could barely hold up his head. He abruptly turned around and went back into the tent. “Are you getting him to drink any soup?” he asked the attendant.
“Yes sir. So far today, he’s had a full cup.”
“Well, that’s encouraging. Continue to push it. He needs nourishment.”
Lucia decided to join Titus who spent his days walking alongside the carriage. Titus enjoyed walking with the troops and would join his mother only when he had something exciting to tell her. Lucia quickly learned that sitting all day in a bumpy carriage was not good for her health. The swaying made her nauseous and her digestive system was not operating normally. The walking felt good and she did more and more each day. Her favorite Greek servant, Polona, washed her hair and looked after her clothing. In return, Lucia gave Polona adequate time to tend to her own needs. Titus thought living in a tent at night was a privilege. Lucia found it different, but not uncomfortable. She found herself beginning to enjoy the journey.
Six weeks after Quintus took the papyrus wrapping out of Manius’ arm, he began to improve. Quintus was mystified and pleased that the infection that had been raging and life threatening, had so quickly begun to subside. Manius’ color returned, the swelling went down, and his appetite increased. He had lost about 20 pounds and was weak, but the prognosis was good. In early October, Manius began to walk a little each day and was eating regularly. Quintus said to him during one of their daily walks, “I can’t tell you how pleased I am with your recovery. You are now my third patient to undergo artery repair and survive. Just keep wearing that sling for a few more weeks.”
“I thought you told me that you had performed dozens of similar operations.”
“Sir that lie was necessary to save your life. I was afraid you would resist the second surgery to remove the papyrus. It was a stratagem not unlike what you do when trying to deceive the enemy as to your true intentions.”
“Well your stratagem worked and I’m grateful.”
A week later, cavalry scouts reported that the troops returning from Rome were a days’ march out. They reported that Calvus was leading them. Calvus told the scouts not to tell Manius that Lucia and Titus were in the convoy. He wanted to surprise him.
As the troop column approached Lake Benacus, the two Cenomani Legions broke off and headed to Brixia. The Raeti and Suevi Legions continued walking to Trento and Innsbruck, respectively. Their Legates, the Suevi Odo, Arruns the Raeti commander who replaced Lugano, and the two Cenomani Legates Gervasius, and Bricius followed Lucia’s carriage into the fort to visit the Praetor.
The carriage carrying Lucia and Titus entered the camp through the south gate. Word of their arrival at the camp spread like wildfire and the Legionaries of Legio XVII turned out to greet her and Titus. Those standing guard on the wall started cheering. The men in the Legion camp went up on their rampart and added to the swelling noise. Manius was in his tent, which was in the center of the camp. He turned to Cassius, “What are the men cheering about?”
Cassius said, “Sir I’ll go check it out.” He ran from the tent to the rampart and saw a carriage on the 20 foot road way between the camp’s ditch and the west wall rampart. He spotted Titus hanging out the window waving to the Legionaries. Then he saw Lucia as she too looked out and waved. He could see they were going to enter through the porta principalis sinistra gate and proceed down the Via Principalis to the Commander’s Tent. He ran back to Manius and said, “Sir, we have dignitaries arriving at the sinistra gate. I’ll help you with your armor. Here’s your sword and helmet. Quickly sir, go out to meet them.”
“Who is it?”
“I couldn’t tell. I’ll have the trumpeters sound the Fall-In.” Cassius stepped outside the tent and told the horns to play “Fall-In.” The sharp call brought the Maniple-on-Duty running to line the roadway and the Tribunes and honored Centurions racing for the Commander’s Tent. The signum bearers took up their emblems and stood behind and to the side of Manius. The Tribunes lined up behind the bearers.
Manius donned his gear and took his position at the edge of the road way in front of the signums. He stood tall and straight. Cassius and Modius stood slightly to his rear. As the carriage came down the roadway, the Legionaries who were off duty moved closer to the Commander’s Tent to get a better view.
Lucia said, “Titus get inside the carriage and pull the curtains. We want to surprise your father.” As the carriage turned down the Via Principalis, Polona was applying the finishing touches to Lucia hairstyle and makeup. Titus was wearing the full armor of a Legionary. Titus and Lucia lifted the curtain and could see the Legionaries lining the road in full battle gear. Titus was mesmerized at the sight.
When the carriage drew even with Manius, Lucia said, “Titus, you step out first and put the footstool on the ground, but keep your back to your father. He’ll think you’re a soldier.” The driver reined in the horses and Titus hopped out with the footstool in his left hand. He set it on the ground and extended his right hand to help Lucia step down. He had watched the soldiers do this. As Lucia stepped out, Titus turned around to face his father. He and Lucia were both smiling broadly!
A thousand things raced through Manius’ mind. At first, he didn’t recognize Titus. “That can’t be Lucia,” he said under his breath. He took a step towards her. “Lucia, Titus! How did you get here? How did this happen?” Then he saw Calvus who was smiling. “You had something to do with this!” He took Lucia hands and looked at her. “You are beautiful.” He kissed her cheek. “Let’s go inside. Calvus, dismiss the troops.” Lucia and Titus waved at the Legionaries as they entered the meeting tent. “Cassius help me get this armor off.”
The four Legates waited outside and talked to the Tribunes and to Quintus to get an update on Manius’ health.
“I can’t believe you came all this way!” said Manius.
“Once I heard you were wounded, the place of a good Roman wife is with her warrior husband. I had to come and I couldn’t keep Titus away. Flavia is with Rivkah helping out with Levi.”
“I am so surprised and so pleased! It’s good to see you both. Thank you for undertaking such a long trip. It must have been difficult.”
Lucia said, “It had its moments, but Calvus saw to it that we were very well taken care of. I do need to thank Calvus and those soldiers.”
“Titus, my son, how was the trip for you?”
“It was the best thing I’ve done in my life. I walked with the soldiers, ate with them, and sat around the camp fires at night just talking. The Garrison troops spoke Latin so I mostly stayed with them. Many of them saw action against Hannibal. I’ve learned a lot about this war and now that I’m 15, I want to be a Legionary when I turn 17. That’s what you did!”
“I’m proud of you son and sorry I missed your birthday. If you want to start Legionary training in two years, I’ll support you. You’re strong, intelligent, and will make a good soldier.”
Cassius approached Manius and said, “Sir the four Legates who went to Rome with the prisoners are waiting outside to talk with you.”
Manius turned to an aide. “Please show Lucia to my tent and have her bags unloaded. Titus, your may stay to listen, but stand in the back of the tent.”
The Legates were shown in and greeted Manius. They sat around a large table and were served cups of wine and other refreshments. Manius said, “I want to personally thank you and your Tribal Councils for permitting you to escort the prisoners to Rome. We couldn’t have done it without you.”<
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Odo said, “Sir we are all pleased to hear of the improvement in your health. To be honest, when we left, we weren’t sure we’d see you again.” He then added, “Did anyone tell you that Centurion Cassius killed the man who threw the spear that wounded you?”
Manius turned in his chair. “Cassius is that true?”
Before he could answer, Odo said, “Sir Caile told me that after you were hit, Cassius looked out of the tower and saw the man who threw the spear. Cassius then climbed down the tower to the rampart and worked his way to the wall. He leaned out and drove a pilum into the man’s chest. How he didn’t get a sword in the face for his effort is a mystery.”
Manius looked at Cassius; his lips quivered slightly, “You did that?”
Cassius nodded affirmatively. Manius stood up and took Cassius’ hand, “You must be the most loyal and trustworthy Centurion in all of Rome. I thank you for your dedication and service. You could have gotten yourself killed and then who would watch Modius?”
Cassius laughed and Modius squirmed a little.
Manius turned to an aide, “Tell the cooks that we will have guests for dinner. Gentlemen, I assume you will join me and Lucia for dinner?” Odo and the others said it would be an honor. An aide said, “Legates I will show you to your tents to allow you to freshen up before dinner in about an hour.”
When they left, Manius turned to Titus, “What did you think of that?”
“It’s clear that you are the leader and that they respect you. Father, I’m proud to be your son.”
*******
Polona pulled out several possible garments for Lucia to wear for dinner. Lucia wanted to dazzle Manius. After Lucia made her decision, Polona freshened up Lucia’s hair and makeup. She looked gorgeous!
She timed her arrived so that she would be the last to arrive. Polona announced her and she entered. The men stood and took in her beauty. The festival mood and energy level in the tent jumped several levels higher as she greeted each Legate and Tribune. Manius then took her by the hand and lead her to her seat.
Legio XVII: Battle of Zama Page 35