Centurion's Rise

by Henrikson, Mark

  Tomal allowed three hours to pass before riding out with his honor guard to join his armies for the climactic battle that would cement his leadership of Rome. The gold breastplate of his armor glistened in the midday sun while he rode his horse to the top of a wide and tall hill which dominated the landscape northwest of the city. As he ascended the incline he mentally commended General Coranus for choosing such a defensible position to gather the three armies. Winning this battle would be child’s play.

  His glowing confidence lost some of its luster when he reached the summit and saw the force assembled was only a third the size he expected. Tomal quickly located General Coranus standing in a cluster of his subordinates issuing orders. Tomal prompted his mount in that direction.

  “You’ve had three hours to assemble my armies, yet all I see standing ready for battle is the army under your direct command. What is the problem?” Tomal asked with the stern tone of a parent scolding a child.

  Without a word, the general pointed down the hillside to the valley below. Tomal’s eyes followed the indicated path until the opposing army came into view. The enemy forces were arranged into three very large groupings and looked ready to make a charge within the hour.

  “That is a hell of a lot more men than the forty thousand soldiers you reported earlier,” Tomal said with alarm. “Where are my other Legions? We need them here!”

  General Coranus made his way over to Tomal and handed him a long thin shaft that served as a telescope for one eye. “Take a closer look and you’ll see why my original size estimate was so far off.”

  Tomal put the lens to his right eye and closed his left. The magnification effect was roughly five to one; not great, but it did allow him to see the standard bearers and the legionary banners they carried. He first focused on the center group and recognized dozens of banners from Caesar’s old legions. Next he focused on the force making up the left flank and the heat from his anger nearly melted the lens held to his eye. The standards were that of his first army. A quick look to the enemy’s right flank confirmed Tomal’s suspicion that his second army had also betrayed him.

  “Now that’s just rude,” Tomal sighed to himself. His first instinct was to throw a temper tantrum and curse the vile betrayers, but that wouldn’t help the situation. Instead he looked at Coranus with a confident eye and announced his new battle plan.

  “Time to leave,” Tomal exclaimed and tossed the telescope back to its owner.

  “Sir, falling back won’t accomplish anything. This is the most defensible position around. If we cede the high ground to them, defeat will be a certainty.”

  “Defeat is already a certainty. Part of being a good general is to recognize when a battle can and cannot be won,” Tomal countered. “Today we’re outnumbered four to one. With those odds, giving battle would simply throw away the lives of my men. Hannibal and Alexander the Great put together couldn’t carry this day.”

  “Then you’re calling for our surrender?” Coranus asked in disbelief.

  “No, I said we’re leaving.”

  “Leaving?” Coranus repeated. “Leaving for where?”

  “The east,” Tomal answered. “We’ll go after Caesar’s murderer in the east. That mission will bring thousands to our cause, and leaving the vicinity of Rome will dwindle Octavian’s numbers to the point we can take him if he pursues.”

  “I never retreat from battle,” Coranus protested. “I’ve spent a lifetime living up to that pledge, and I will not sully my honor by abandoning it now.”

  “General,” Tomal said with a sarcastic laugh. “You’re looking at this all wrong. This isn’t a retreat, it’s a strategic repositioning. Now make it so.”

  Coranus spent several heartbeats searching his internal moral compass. Eventually he looked around his circle of subordinates and hollered, “You heard him. Make ready the army for a repositioning march to the east.”

  Tomal smiled as the cluster of officers dispersed to carry out the order. Tomal then looked back down the hillside toward the armies Valnor stole from him, causing his mouth to morph into a sarcastic smirk. “Looks like attaching Caesar to your name was enough – for the moment anyway.”

  **********

  “Should we pursue?” a voice asked from behind Valnor. “We have them outnumbered and now falling out of battle formation.”

  Valnor considered the suggestion. He could send his cavalry around to cut off their retreat, but that would leave his horsemen exposed without infantry support.

  “No,” Valnor said softly as he turned his horse around to face his officer corps. “We came here to wrest control of the city away from a madman, not to kill fellow Romans. Mark Antony is giving us the city without bloodshed. In return, we’ll let them leave the field unmolested.”

  “Shall we begin moving into the city then?” General Quintus asked.

  “Yes. Return our newly acquired forces to their original encampments. The veterans will join me on a march to city center and an inspection of the treasury. It’s payday.”

  Chapter 44: Power Play

  Cicero walked across the open forum grounds toward the senate house with purpose in his step. His body had endured sixty years of life and showed definite signs of deterioration, but his mind was as keen as any in the Republic. He knew what needed to be done, and the constant questioning from behind by his aide was infuriating. He pressed his aging frame into a blistering paced walk with the hopes of ditching the young man, or at least giving him the not so subtle hint that his questions were not wanted. It was no use though, the questioning continued.

  “Senator, your plan only serves to install another dictator over the Republic,” the aide breathlessly uttered from behind. “The threat Julius Caesar posed ended with his death. Mark Antony has been expelled from the city. Now is the time to assert your leadership as head of the Optimates instead of handing the Republic over to Caesar’s heir.”

  “Your objection is noted,” Cicero barked while he strived to walk even faster.

  “Senator,” the aide gasped as he broke into a jog to keep up. “Appointing Octavian to the Senate will only add legitimacy to his occupation of the city.”

  Cicero came to a full stop at the base of the senate house steps and turned to face his pursuer. Anger and frustration grew more apparent on his face with every labored breath he took. He briefly glanced around and saw the casual passerby paid them little attention. Just to be safe, he gestured for his aide to come close so the conversation would be contained between the two of them.

  “He doesn’t need anything to legitimize his hold over the city, it is a bona fide fact,” Cicero insisted. “He gave every citizen a heaping pile of money, and is now rewarded with the undying love of the people. He commands an army so loyal to Caesar’s memory that they marched on the city without pay. Now that he actually has coin to cover their wages, his control over the military is indisputable.”

  “We need to at least put up a fight . . .” the young man started, but Cicero cut him off.

  “What would you have me do? Stand alone against him in a noble gesture that lands my name at the top of his proscriptions list? That will accomplish nothing except deny my head’s desire to remain attached to the rest of me.”

  “As Octavian’s enemy I can do nothing,” Cicero continued. “As his ally, I can influence decisions. Besides, Octavian’s army is the only things keeping Mark Antony at bay for the moment. The enemy of my enemy is my friend for now.”

  “You are attempting to hold the viper by its tail, Senator. He can turn around to deliver a fatal bite at any moment. You should grab him by the head while he still needs your political favor. To do otherwise, I fear, will be the end of the Republic.”

  Cicero grabbed hold of his aide’s shoulders and pulled him even closer so his ear was right next to Cicero’s lips as he whispered. “Octavian is still young and malleable. I can hone him into whatever shape I choose. I can guide him to do the right thing for the people, or nudge him off a cliff that costs him the pe
ople’s favor. He will be well handled, I assure you.”

  Cicero pushed his young aide back and marched up the steps alone. “All will be well; you’ll see,” he said over his shoulder.

  As Cicero ascended the last step and took two strides toward the entrance of the senate house, he was joined by a very anxious young man, a seemingly noble, yet potentially ambitions young man.

  “Is everything arranged, Senator? Do you have the votes?”

  “Yes, Octavian, rest assured. In a few short minutes you’ll be the newest Senator of Rome,” Cicero confirmed.

  “And what about legalizing my right to command soldiers?”

  “That matter, I’m afraid, is still very much in doubt. Every senator, to a man, is terrified they’ll be trading one dictator for another if they grant you legal military authority.”

  The displeasure on Octavian’s face was unmistakable, which caused Cicero to suppress a smile from crossing his lips. Both votes were well in hand, but he couldn’t have Octavian knowing the truth. He needed Octavian to acknowledge that he owed everything to his ally, his dear friend Cicero.

  “Even getting this matter to the floor for a vote has cost me dearly,” Cicero said quietly.

  “We both knew you’d have to call in a few favors,” Octavian countered.

  “You don’t get it. Doing what you’ve asked has taken everything. This has consumed every favor and asset I have left in that chamber,” Cicero said sternly while pointing toward the open Senate doors.

  “Your efforts will not be forgotten,” Octavian said with a reassuring pat on Cicero’s shoulder. He then turned the two of them toward the set of doors. “Now, let’s go inside and see what your political capital has purchased.”

  **********

  “I hereby call the matter to a vote,” the presiding magistrate said from the middle of the Senate floor. “By a show of hands, all those in favor. . . ” Every hand in the chamber went up except those belonging to the two most influential men in the room. Hirtius and Pansa together held the highest office in the Republic – Consul.

  “Those opposed . . .” Together both Consuls raised their hands.

  “The measure carries,” the presiding magistrate boomed. “Congratulations Senator Octavian, please come forward and accept the insignia of your office.”

  Octavian proudly stepped from the far side of the speaking floor and allowed a senatorial clasp to be added to his toga. Then he made his way up the stadium seated chamber and assumed his place, in the seat once occupied by Senator Brutus.

  “Next order of business?” the presiding magistrate asked.

  Cicero scanned the chamber with his careful eye. His fellow Optimates were all waiting to follow his lead. His vision then passed over to the Populares side of the chamber, and he focused his sights on Hirtius and Pansa. The men had silently protested Octavian’s appointment as Senator, they would be more vocal on the next matter, and as their votes went, so would follow the rest of the Senators on their side of the isle. Cicero noted the subtle nod from both men, confirming they were ready to play their parts.

  Slowly, Cicero got to his feet and spoke. “I believe this governing body must acknowledge the danger still posed by both Mark Antony and Marcus Brutus. Their respective rogue armies pose a grave threat to this city, and indeed the entire Republic. I therefore propose an army be assembled to pursue these madmen and rid the earth of their vile existence.”

  “As usual, Cicero, you state an obvious and universal truth,” Hirtius interrupted from the Populares side of the chamber. “Unfortunately, you remain true to form and give no suggestion of how to accomplish the measure you propose.”

  “What do you mean?” Cicero asked.

  “Who is left in the city or surrounding areas to form this grand senatorial army you propose? Anyone capable of swinging a sword left with Mark Antony,” Hirtius challenged.

  “I seem to recall Mark Antony being forcefully ejected from the city by a very capable military force,” Cicero countered with a sarcastic edge to his words.

  “You mean that illegal assembly led by our newest Senator?” Hirtius challenged, along with numerous shouts of agreement from his side of the chamber.

  Every head in the room turned toward Octavian so they could gauge his reaction to such an inflammatory statement. To the disappointment of many, the young man sat quietly staring straight ahead. Octavian was content to let others speak for him, besides, the presence of his army outside the city spoke volumes already.

  Pansa broke the uneasy silence with accusations of his own. “Octavian’s adopted father once marched on this city, and took public office at sword point. Then Caesar proceeded to plunge the Republic into civil war, one that continues to rage on I might add. With all due respect to Senator Octavian, have all of you learned nothing from our recent history?”

  Cicero knew Pansa’s words must have cut deep into Octavian’s remarkably thick skin. That said, no man could remain silent for long while the memory of his father was desecrated. Cicero quickly stepped around and over his fellow senators, scrambling to reach Octavian before the young man did or said anything foolish.

  As he moved, Cicero shouted back across the aisle, “You say the words, yet you pay Senator Octavian no respect whatsoever. You claim to have despised Mark Antony and his dictatorial rule, yet all you ever did to remedy the situation was grumble and gossip about it behind closed doors.”

  “The Senate passed numerous measures demanding Mark Antony disband his armies and return control to the Senate,” Pansa insisted.

  “Yes you did,” Cicero confirmed, “And I’m told Mark Antony giggled when he received each and every one of them. Let’s face it senators, we did nothing to solve the problem Mark Antony posed to our Republic.”

  Shouts of agreement rang out from the Optimates side of the chamber as Cicero placed his hands on the shoulders of Octavian and continued. “Now, in stark contrast, we have this brave young man. He did more than just talk; he took action. The absence of Mark Antony’s heel pressed against our collective necks today is owed entirely to the decisive measures taken by Senator Octavian.

  “And now Octavian moves to consolidate his own hold over the Republic,” Pansa countered. “We’ve all been here before, Cicero. How can a man of your age and experience not see it?”

  Hirtius added his final thoughts on the matter. “One tyrant gets forcefully removed only to be replaced by another. At some point the cycle must end. Making Senator Octavian’s army legal does not accomplish this. Quite the contrary, it perpetuates the cycle further.”

  Octavian’s nostrils flared upon hearing the word tyrant associated with his good name. He pressed upwards to stand, but Cicero’s iron grip pinned him to his seat.

  “Look around you, Senators,” Cicero demanded. “Do you see any armed soldiers forcing your vote in this chamber? Look outside in the streets. Do you see military patrols enforcing the will of one man upon the city?”

  Silence and blank stares were the only response to his questions.

  “No!” Cicero shouted at the top of his lungs. “No is the answer you’re all searching for. The armed forces Senator Octavian controls remain outside the gates with their spears pointed away from the city, not toward it. And there they shall remain until given leave to pursue the traitors Mark Antony and Marcus Brutus. Gentlemen, we have no more brilliant example of traditional piety and dedication among our youth than Senator Octavian. Let him lead his army with your blessing to finish off the man who murdered his father, and another who attempted to steal his father’s legacy.

  “Both Mark Antony and Marcus Brutus have been declared enemies of the state by you. Now is the time for action, not meaningless proclamations scribbled on a piece of parchment,” Cicero concluded.

  Hirtius and Pansa leaned into one another discussing the matter for several seconds. Finally, Hirtius rose to his feet and spoke again. “We will support your measure if it is amended to allow Pansa and I to add our forces to the army and carry command
authority along with Senator Octavian.

  Cicero strengthened his hold over Octavian’s shoulders, as he felt the young man’s muscular frame grow rigid at the notion of the two Consul’s babysitting his army. Once again, Cicero suppressed a smile from crossing his lips.

  “Agreed,” Cicero stated firmly.

  “I call the measure to a vote,” the presiding magistrate immediately said. “By show of hands, all those in favor of granting Senator Octavian Imperium, the legal authority to command an army, under the supervision of Co-consuls Hirtius and Pansa with the directive to destroy the forces of Mark Antony and Marcus Brutus . . .”

  Every hand in the chamber sprung into the air, save one. Cicero gave a firm squeeze to Octavian’s neck muscles which prompted the young man to raise his own hand and allow the measure to carry with a unanimous vote.

  “The measure carries, and that concludes this session of the Senate,” the presiding magistrate announced.

  Cicero exchanged a grateful look from across the chamber with the Co- consuls. They played their parts perfectly. From beneath Cicero’s hands, Octavian rose to his feet and squared off against Cicero.

  “That was not what we agreed,” Octavian insisted as several senators came over to congratulate him on his appointment and wish him luck in the coming campaign. Amid the random shaking of hands, Octavian continued with his angry words. “You gave into their demands too quickly.”

  Cicero slowly shook his head from side to side. “Their position was clear and there was no common ground on which we could have met in the middle. I had to make a concession to get their votes. Without support from the Consuls and their voting bloc, the measure never would have passed.”

  Cicero saw the doubt in Octavian’s eyes so he added one last statement to reassure the young man. “Consider where you were a few short months ago to where you now stand. Back then you were bankrupt and fleeing the city for your life. Now you are a rich Senator with legal authority to command an army that is fiercely loyal to you. Add in that you now carry the love and support of the people and senate. All things considered, I’d say you have every reason to be in good cheer right now.”