Swords of Rome (19 page)

“And
are we Romans are so superior that we, in such a short time are faced with another invasion?” Fabius added.

“Oh, come now!”
Varro blurted out as he finally lost his sense. “You cannot honestly believe what you are saying.” Varro slammed his fist against the surface of his table, which drew everyone’s attention to him. “No army of Carthage or barbarians can topple this government or its legion, regardless what some may say at my table. Rome is strong, and this emboldened - delusional Hannibal will soon be nothing more than a footnote in our history when we are done with him!” Varro asserted.

There was silence for a moment as
Varro looked around the table. He could plainly see that it was starting to weight on his guest whom the night might be lost.

Gaius noticed that
Varro had a desperate glare in his eyes. He needed to find someone that would agree with him, beyond those he already had in his pocket. It was then, to Gaius’ concern that Varro settled his eyes on him.

“And what about you, Gaius, what does our younger generation think?
” Varro directed his gaze down to his son, “that has proper training and experience in matters of warfare has to say about these matters that face our great Republic?”

Gaius swallowed hard as he suddenly wished he had a shell in which he could hide in, as everyone’s attention was turned towards him, as if he had the wisdom to ease their troubled minds and instill confidence in Rome’s abilities to handle the current crisis.

Taking a deep breath, Gaius wasn’t sure what he could say. Truthfully, beyond the simple facts that every common citizen knew, he understood little about Hannibal and his bloodlust against Rome. He hardly had enough time to think of the matter, not with so many other concerns that kept his troubled thoughts preoccupied.

Gaius decided it was best he
played it safe.

“Well, Senator, the luxury of being a soldier is, you don’t have to have any political views. I merely fight who I’m told without question as to why.”

Varro was silent for an awkward moment before he burst into laughter, which was soon copied by a number of his guests.

“Well, lad, with men such you, Rome is certainly safe.”

Gaius forced a shrewd smile as he took a sip of his drink. He knew that was what Varro expected him to say, to follow his superiors’ authority without question, and blindly walk through the gates of Hades if instructed.

It was then that Gaius looked into Julia’s eyes as she stared at him with disappointment, and suddenly he felt ashamed. He had lied, and she knew it, somehow. He had his
individual mind and his private opinions, but he allowed the pressure of those he perceived to be superior to him clouds his thoughts, and Julia saw threw him.

Gaius coughed, which drew
Varro and his guest's attention back towards him.

“However, Senator, if I may continue,” Gaius interjected. “Those are the thoughts of what is expected of a simple soldier.
N I am a centurion in Rome’s legions, and a citizen of this Republic. I know the truth isn’t as uncomplicated as we all wish to make it seem. A soldier works in facts, and the modest fact is Hannibal has armed a combined force that numbers well over anything Rome has faced in two generations. We are the sons of the veterans who knew this enemy. We have heard their stories and because of that, I know one thing above all: no matter what you wish to call them, so that your words can give you comfort, they are not weak, nor should we ever underestimate them. Carthage has a culture as old as ours, and like us, they will not allow a foreign power to dictate how they grow and expand. If we are to mend the damage between our two nations, then those that lead need to make more effort to reach a compromise that doesn’t risk the lives of more Roman men. Alternatively, I fear we will face the dire consequences of our failure to be responsible to those citizens who place their trust in us.”

Varro
laughed, attempting to break the tension in the room as the whole table went silent.

Gaius noticed Fabius’ sneer at
Varro hasty comment.

“To my understanding,” Gaius began before anyone could speak first. “The Senate demanded that Carthage bend to our will and do something about Hannibal, regardless of the fact that they had no control over him. Perhaps it is us that should have bowed to reason and found a solution for both our nations, so that we might have resolved this crisis before it has gotten this far.”

Gaius looked around the table, gazing in each of the guests’ eyes as he continued. He could see their doubts as if they were shrouds covering their heads.

“We are alone in the world, with fewer friends than enemies, whether or not you want to see that. If this
city is to survive, then it is in you, Senator, that we must find the means, to either grow stronger by building a lasting union with those we think lesser, or we will perish from this earth, as a people and nation – never to have been remembered unless told by those that have enslaved us.”

“And what should we do about men like Hannibal?” Paullus asked. To even Gaius’ surprise the man seemed keenly interested in what he had to say,
in contrast to Varro’ who face had turned bright red.

“Do
not misread my words, gentlemen. I am a patriot first.  I love Rome, and the Republic that we have built more than my own life, and I would gladly lay it down to keep Rome and those I love safe,” Gaius directed the final part of his sentence towards Julia, who smiled as she hung on his every word. “Hannibal must be stopped, that I agree with completely. I only asked that we think about if we've given this man reason to hate us?”

“Well said, centurion,” Julia broke the silence as she raised her cup to him, which was soon followed by Paullus and a number of other guests;
Varro wasn’t among them.

Gaius remained silent during their acclaim, taking a deep breath as he looked at Julia, who smiled at him. He knew it was time for him to make his departure. He wasn’t sure if he could stomach the night much longer.

Gaius cleared his throat as he stood to his feet. “Unfortunately Senator, I’m afraid that I must take my leave before the hour grows too late. My men have a great deal to do before the week is over.”

Varro
stood to his feet, managing a false smile as he nodded respectfully,” Thank you for coming, Centurion.” Gaius noted the small hint of annoyance in Varro address. He took no offense to it. He needed this night to be over with. “And thank you for the wonderful evening, and the insightful conversation.

Antony stood
from his chair, deciding to walk Gaius to the exit as Varro’ guests’ quickly found new topics to explore, as the room once again filled with conversation.

As
Antony escorted Gaius out to the courtyard, he suddenly erupted into laughter.

Gaius too joined his friend, even though he tried his best to hold back his enjoyment of the moment.

“I did not mean to offend.”

“Please, it was wonderful. Do not let those old goats bring you down. You spoke
your mind, as you should have. My father surrounds himself with puppets that don’t think for themselves, all but Fabius and Paullus, I must say.”

Paullus
, Gaius thought to himself, still trying to figure the man out.

Antony placed
both his hands down onto Gaius’ shoulder; his smile beaming as he stood before his friend.

“Honestly, it does my heart wonders to see you well, my dear brother. I have enjoyed this reunion, and await our next gathering.”

“As I,” Gaius replied honestly. It was hard for him to think about why his fears had taken hold of him so strongly. Antony, while older than the boy he remembered, was still young and carefree – untainted with the burdens that weigh most Roman men down.

“Perhaps in a week’s time, if you aren’t too busy soldiering, we can
explore the city and its many wondrous treats that were forbidden to us in our youth.”

“I would enjoy that very much.
However, you will have to pay; I'm only a poor soldier, after all,” Gaius joked, which brought about more laughter shared between the two friends.

“I shall bring my purse and make certain that it is filled with plenty of coin.”
Antony hugged Gaius one last time before he turned and headed back into the house. A moment later, Gaius watched as Julia stepped out from the doorway and stood on the patio.

It was colder outside than it had been when Gaius first arrived, so Julia was wrapped
in a fur cloak that draped well past her feet.

Antony gazed
up at his sister with joyful eyes. “You be gentle with our boy now,” he smirked. She only grinned before he left her alone.

“Are you leaving so suddenly, without saying
good-bye to me?” Julia asked as she walked carefully down the steps, before moving towards Gaius, who stood, taking in every detail of her as she neared him.

“I wouldn’t think of it. I was hoping we would get the chance to speak tonight, just the two of us,” Gaius answered.

“Oh really? Was there anything, in particular, you desired to talk about?” Her stare was alluring, nearly overpowering Gaius, who had to hold back with every fiber of his being not to reach out and grab her, wanting with all his heart to taste her seductive lips.

“I...” his mind drew a blank. He had had countless conversations with her in his mind over the past ten years. There, within the
recesses of his thoughts, he was in control, without fear and able to formulate the words of poets to describe his longing for her, and how her presence gave him strength to carry on when he felt most alone. However, Julia stepped within inches of Gaius, placing the tip of her index finger against his lips, forcing him to remain silent as she stared deeply into his eyes. She did not break from her probe, seemly looking through him, searching for something that wasn’t on the surface, but still within Gaius.

“What is it?” Gaius broke the awkward silence as he touched Julia’s hand, feeling her soft skin against his rough fingers as he pulled her reach away from his face.

“Nothing,” she mussed with a wide grin. “I am merely looking for that boy I knew – the one that vowed to protect me with his body and heart.” She beamed - her touch, presence and voice leaching into Gaius that he was without thought or words – awestruck by this woman as if the goddess Athena had come from the heavens and stood before him now.

Gaius swallowed. “Am I so different now?” he asked nervously as he rested his hand over hers.

“No,” she smiled. “And yes. Nevertheless, you are he. I knew it the moment I saw you – those same eyes that shine the goodness of your heart that I’ve longed to see once again.”

“I’m pleased that I haven’t disappointed you,” Gaius replied, barely able to form a cohesive thought.

“I, on the other hand, must be quite different. I imagine you pictured me astray – fat, with hideous skin and matted hair,” she giggled.

“At times, perhaps I might have imagined that fiction.
However, you are nothing that I could have dreamt.” She stared at him with curious eyes as Gaius took a deep breath. “You are beyond any beauty I’ve ever seen – a goddess statue made real,” Gaius caressed her cheek, memorizing her every feature.

Julia blushed, noticeable even in the cold. She then eagerly took his hand and pulled him over towards the stables, “Come with me. I want to show you something.”

“What is it?” he asked as he followed without hesitation.

“
Hush
, you shall see in due time.”

Julia signaled for one of her slaves to bring two horses over to her and Gaius.

He noticed, a boy no more than twelve years old escorted two horses to them that the animals were already prepared for riding. It seemed to him that she had planned this encounter, when she could escape her father’s party and be alone with him without fear of interruption.

Gaius ran his hand over the horse he was given, feeling the soft
hairs of the animal’s mane between his fingers. It was an expensive horse, and elegant, not the bulky steeds that were drafted in the legions.

Taking the reins, Gaius pulled himself up onto the horse’s back, quickly easing into a comfortable sitting position. He was surprised the animal did not voice any discomfort. It felt odd for him to not be on
Apollo.

Julia mounted her horse with the
assistance of a slave. As she positioned her thighs over the mare’s back, she glanced over towards Gaius, who rode next to her, both waiting as the gates were swung open.

“It can be dangerous for a lady to ride this late at night,” Gaius commented as he
kept a few paces behind her, knowing that she would be leading him through the city, and to whatever destination she had in mind for the two.

“Then it is a good thing I have my protector with me. Do try to keep up, soldier,” she smiled before kicking her horse, which reared back slightly before bursting into a full gallop and rounding the corner once outside the gate.

Gaius spurred his horse forward, and as he took raced down the paved streets, their two animals hoof echoing through the night as Julia led Gaius towards the western gate. Where she was taking him, he did not care. He was lost in the moment.