by Karrie Roman
A NineStar Press Publication
www.ninestarpress.com
Sons of Rome
ISBN: 978-1-951057-68-8
Copyright © 2019 by Karrie Roman
Cover Art by Natasha Snow Copyright © 2019
Published in October, 2019 by NineStar Press, New Mexico, USA.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact NineStar Press at [email protected].
Also available in Print, ISBN: 978-1-951057-75-6
Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content, which may only be suitable for mature readers, graphic violence and gore, war, and death of a minor secondary character.
Sons of Rome
Karrie Roman
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
About the Author
Prologue
8 BCE
Of the many things he would miss about his life, Drusus could not decide which he would yearn for most—his mother’s sweet smiles or his baby brother’s happy babbling. Of course, he loved the land around his family’s farm and would miss the beasts as well as the hard, honest work he toiled at day after day. But his family? Oh gods, how he would miss them.
Only two years ago, having barely reached his eighteenth summer, Drusus had become head of his family after the death of his father. Little Calpurnius, his brother, was barely two summers into his life then, having come along as a great surprise to his parents after many years of failed attempts at a second child. With his loveable nature and adorable face, Calpurnius had easily become the light of the Tuscus family. The time between Calpurnius’s birth and the death of his father had been a happy time for Drusus’s family.
“Drusus, you take too much time,” his mother called.
Agrippina Tuscus was devastated by the loss of her husband, and now, so soon after, she was losing her eldest son to the Emperor’s legions. Drusus had been conscripted. They’d always known it a possibility—more of a certainty—but, nonetheless, Drusus and his mother felt the blow when they finally came for him.
Drusus was not a coward, and he had little fear of battle. He dreaded leaving his mother and little Calpurnius though. They had slaves to tend the farm, and he knew each of them to be loyal. But there was no man of blood here, no Roman man left behind to defend what was left of his family should the need arise. And his family in danger scared him more than any battle could.
“I am taking the land into memory, Mother, so I will not forget what I am fighting for,” he answered as his mother came to stand beside him. Drusus was an unusually tall man who stood above most but towered over his diminutive mother. She looked so fragile beside him, and yet he’d seen her turn into the lioness when the need arose, especially in the care of her children.
“You fight for Roma, son. For Roma’s glory and honour. For Emperor Augustus.”
“I fight for you and Calpurnius too. I fight to keep you safe. I fight for this.” He spread his arms wide and cast them over the panorama of their land: the rolling green hills heavy with wandering sheep, snow-peaked mountains far in the distance, cypress trees swaying gently in the breeze. The wildflowers were due to bloom soon, bringing with them their honeyed fragrance as well as the chirps of a thousand cicadas.
He’d miss it all. The aroma of Cassia’s bread as it baked on the hearth, and even the dry dirt that needed tilling for seeding—and got everywhere—would be missed. The melodious banter of slaves as they worked at the jobs he should be doing were it not for his conscription, the bleat of the sheep, the low calls of the cattle in the field: he’d miss everything. Wherever he went, he’d experience similar sights and sounds, but they wouldn’t be home.
“I would have you stay, Drusus.”
“I cannot, Mother. It is a citizen’s duty to fight with the legions for Roma.” He pressed a tender kiss into her hair, the scent of olive oil and farm life potent in the strands.
“I know, son. I speak selfishly. I will miss you though. It will be many years before you return. Little Cal will not know his brother.” For twenty years, his life would belong to Roma; he’d be nothing more than another body in the cog keeping the Roman war machine turning.
Drusus saw his mother turn her gaze to where Calpurnius was playing with one of his kittens—exactly as he did—at the mention of his beloved brother. He watched the boy’s cherubic face light up in fits of giggles as the kitten rolled playfully all over him. With Cal’s white curls framing his pinked cheeks, he had the look of a god. All who met Calpurnius fell for his charms.
“Pray the gods I make it home before he is sent to the legions.” Drusus flinched at his thoughtless words, knowing they would cause his mother more pain.
As a true Roman woman, his mother ignored his insensitive words, stoically bearing Drusus’s departure instead. “Be safe, Drusus. And do not fear for those of us left behind.”
His mother wrapped her arms around him and held tight. Drusus mirrored her actions, doing his best not to think this may be the last time he held her—saw her. His sweet, kind mother.
He eventually pulled away and took her face in his hands, his gaze intent on her as he did his best to brand her image into his memory. Her dark curls and gentle eyes, the crinkles at the corner of them from years of laughter, her sun-kissed skin. She was still a beauty, even though youth had passed her. He had hopes she would find a good man to marry her one day soon, but he knew his father held her heart even from the afterlife.
Calpurnius was playing with his kitten when Drusus took leave of his mother and went in search of him for their goodbyes. He wasn’t sure Cal comprehended what was happening. The little boy understood Drusus was going away, but the idea of twenty years meant nothing to a child of four. Drusus wondered how long it might take for Cal to stop thinking every day maybe this would be the one his brother returned. How long before Cal forgot him entirely?
“Dru, kitten scratched my arm.” Calpurnius thrust his arm out to show him the offending wound as he approached. His little lip quivered as he looked at the tiny knots of blood left in the wake of the little cat’s sharp claws.
Drusus kneeled before his brother and scooped him into his arms. He kissed the scratch repeatedly until Calpurnius finally giggled and pushed him away.
“Kitten was only playing, Cal. He did not realise how sharp his claws are or how fragile your skin is.”
“You go now?”
“Yes, Cal. It is time for me to go.” He pressed a kiss into soft curls. “I want you to remember you are a Roman man. Earn your honour through your duty to Roma and your family. Treat others well, Calpurnius, and you will make our father proud.”
Calpurnius nodded, clearly intuiting this was an important moment but not understand
ing why. Drusus seared his mind with this image, too, as his little brother watched him with large blue eyes burning with trust and love.
“I will miss you, little one. Always remember somewhere in the world you have a brother who loves you.”
“You come back?” Calpurnius’s tiny hands rested on his cheeks, pushing them and pursing Drusus’s lips as Cal loved to do. Drusus was willing to give anything right then not to have to go. He understood his obligation to Roma, but the ache in his chest was making leaving to complete his duty so difficult. He’d be gone for so long.
“One day, Cal. Give your brother a kiss before I go,” he requested. Calpurnius dutifully delivered a sloppy kiss to each cheek before Drusus leaned forward and blew into the side of his neck, making the noise that so amused the little ones. He set his brother on his feet and patted his bottom. “Off you go now, and find your kitten. Be good to our mother, Cal. Her heart aches today.”
Drusus watched him for a moment before he turned and walked away from everyone and everything he’d ever known without looking back. He feared if he did so his feet would stop carrying him to the road he must now travel. He didn’t know which legion he’d be sent to or what part of the world he’d be shedding blood and tears in. All he knew was the ache in his own chest at leaving was so painful and crippling that surely no wound he might suffer in battle could ever be worse.
Chapter One
9CE
17 years later…
Drusus Tuscus sat quietly watching his men as they gambled away much of their wages. He marvelled at some of his legionaries laying out two or sometimes three coins on a simple game of chance. It was a considerable sum coming from their paltry wage. He remembered those days of earning so little, but never being one to gamble, he’d put most of his wages to purchasing trinkets to remember his years in the legions or sending some home to his mother.
There were plenty of entertainments for the legionaries to spend their coin on outside the gates of the camp: drinking, gambling, whores. The Roman camp provided employment for many of the locals. Farmers sold their livestock and grain; women sold clothes to the soldiers, while others opened taverns or whorehouses nearby. Drusus preferred to frequent the craft shops and collect items to spark memories for him in the years to come. His seventeen years in the legions hadn’t been all bad; there were times he wished to remember—though many more he wished to forget.
Now he’d reached the rank of Centurion, his wage was excessive for a man of simple tastes. He saved much of it for the future—the one only three years away—when he’d be eligible to retire from service in Roma’s legions.
Until then, he had his duty to Roma and her Emperor. In only a few weeks, they’d be leaving the safety and comfort of their winter camp at Castra Vetera to begin summer campaigns. The days were already turning warm after the long months of bitter cold. Years spent in Germania helped Drusus adapt to the hostile cold, but he remembered the shock of his first exceptionally cold winter here, so unlike the mildness of his winters at home.
His men were blowing off steam—and their nerves—with excessive gambling, before they marched from the safety of this camp. Most of his men were battle hardened veterans, but over the winter they’d gained several new recruits to their legion after many men in the Eighteenth had reached retirement. A handful more were expected today. These young, untried men would be facing their first real combat in the coming months, so it was natural for nerves to grow as the campaigns approached. The arrival of raw young men was also an excellent time for the veterans to take advantage of the new recruits and win some coin from them. Drusus didn’t intervene; the new ones would have their time to do the same—those who made it to be veterans, anyway.
As centurion, Drusus’s responsibilities included overseeing the training of the new men in his century as best he could before they left Vetera. All recruits had basic training at the Fields of Mars in Roma, but once they reached the legions, the play-acting of training became reality. Drusus had to make them understand the fights out here at the edge of the Roman empire were fierce, brutal, and very real if he wanted to keep them alive.
As with every other time he’d had a new legionary join his century, he prayed to the gods the new ones were good and loyal men. After nearly two decades in the legions, Drusus understood the importance of those qualities. He’d seen men—friends—fall in battle because the man next to him had been neither good nor loyal. Courage was important, but loyalty and goodness of spirit often made up for any lack of courage a man might possess. Allegiance to a legionary brother could stay a man’s feet when every other part of him was screaming to run.
He closed his eyes, soaked in the afternoon sun, and listened to the joyful sounds of his men as they continued their games. He always did his best to get to know each man in his century well. Gaining the respect of his men was wise, but he’d observed attempting to befriend them instead invited danger. Drusus was quick to discipline, not hesitating to use his vitis to punish where needed, but he was fair, never cruel. He did not punish gleefully or excessively with his vine stick, but he had to be certain his men trusted and respected him more than liked him. His men knew if the vitis whip came down on their backs, it was warranted.
Most of the men in his century were decent and hardworking, eager to do their duty and quick to laugh. The most good-natured and light-hearted amongst them often cajoling others out of their sorrow. War was never fun, but some coped with it better than others.
“Drusus, your recruits approach through the Decuman Gate,” a fellow centurion on guard called.
Drusus opened his eyes and stood. Around him the sounds of his men and their games quieted. They were similarly eager to take stock of the men who would now be fighting alongside them. Men they’d need to depend on for their own survival.
He would speak to the recruits in front of their new brothers. Drusus had no secrets amongst his men. He left no room for gossip or misunderstanding or thoughts of favouritism. Each man would know what was expected of them and understand the others in the century did too. He’d ensure they understood the price of failure.
“Assemble,” he called. His men moved swiftly, well-trained in what was expected of them. There was little room in the space outside of their barrack for eighty men to stand together, but his men would form the expected lines in the forum. They were all appropriately attired, knowing Drusus did not allow men out of uniform to stand before him while he addressed his century.
They walked as a group behind him along via Quintana to the forum and assembled hastily. The standards of the legion and the banners of Augustus flapped in the breeze atop the parapets. A Roman legion camp was a fierce and intimidating thing to behold if you were the enemy. To the men housed within, it was a thing of beauty and great pride—and comfort. Each castra was laid out in a similar grid pattern so a legionary could walk into any of them and find his way.
Marcus Mutilus, his optio and right-hand man, came with the twelve recruits dutifully following behind him. Each of them looked shiny and young—too young in some cases, especially when viewed in contrast with Marcus’s barrel-chested, grizzled form.
Though he had been of that age when he first joined the legions, and he’d made it this far, Drusus thought these men mere babes. Barely a handful had whiskers, a few still kept their youthful countenances. All were covered in dust and grime after the long trek from Roma.
These new men had been drafted from Florentia, the lands around his home, but like all recruits had gone to Roma for training. The very idea of these men coming from the lands where he grew up was blinking to life nostalgia for his home that he hadn’t allowed himself to feel for many years. It did no good to dwell on home.
“Centurion.” Marcus stopped before him and handed him the parchment. His craggy face was pulled into a knowing smirk, his brawny arms filthy from the road, and his hair was far longer than regulation, but Marcus performed his duty with the seriousness and reverence he believed it deserved. “A spec
ial group I have brought you from Roma.” He winked.
Drusus nodded to him, unclear what he meant, and then cast his gaze down to the parchment. The names of the twelve men were written in a strong hand, each letter well formed in comparison to his own scratchy words. Drusus would make a terrible scribe.
While Marcus got the new men in correct formation among the rest of the century, Drusus looked down the list of names. His breath caught and his eyes widened when they reached the seventh name. Calpurnius Tuscus.
Drusus fought for control of himself as he raised his head and searched for a certain face amongst his men. It had been seventeen years since he’d set eyes on his brother; little Cal had only been four when he’d left to join the legions. Would Drusus even recognise his baby brother? Most of the men’s faces toward the rear of the century were unclear but there was one man, taller than the others, though still not quite of Drusus’s height, who drew his attention. Golden hair curled from his head, but his face was indistinct at this distance. Could this man be his brother?
“Men.” Drusus stepped onto the platform and raised his voice, so it reached the very back row of his men. His voice was naturally deep and loud so he didn’t have to use much effort to be heard. The new men, who needed to hear him most, were scattered in the crowd, but Drusus made sure to leave no one out as he glanced around, hastily resting his gaze on each man. “I am your centurion, Drusus Tuscus. You will look to me for your orders, your praise, your discipline, and your punishment. It is your great honour to join the mighty Eighteenth Legion, Cohort Two, Century Three. We are the fiercest legion in all of Roma. The men of this century, along with the rest of the legion, are your brothers. You will look to each other for your very survival. Failure to follow orders will be punished. Cowardice in battle will be dealt with harshly. You will toil and fight for the honour and glory of our divine Emperor Augustus, father of us all. You will claim victory for the honour of Roma, your centurion, and for the honour of your family.”