Soldier of Rome: The Centurion (The Artorian Chronicles)

by James Mace

  …is hereby promoted to the rank of Decanus / Sergeant of Legionaries.

  …awarded the Florian Crest for the elimination of the rebel leader, Julius Florus.

  As a testament to the valor, fidelity, and superior leadership capabilities, Titus Artorius Justus is hereby promoted to the rank of Optio.

  There were others, and it brought a sad smile to Diana’s face to read them. How could one who had given so much to Rome fall so suddenly? It sounded as if he had acted in self defense, to say nothing of protecting a stricken legionary. She then started shaking once more, fearing that there would be no justice for him. The world was a cruel, unforgiving place, and it was almost never fair or just. She finished tidying up, laid the scrolls reverently in his chest for safe keeping, and then walked over to his bed, suddenly very tired. She pulled the blankets back and lay down on her side, while still fully clothed. She pulled the pillow into her face, breathing in his familiar scent, and began sobbing uncontrollably.

  Prince Klaes joined Tabbo this day as he headed towards the Rhine bridges once more. He had not seen the Romans for some time, not since Idistaviso. It was a cloudy morning, with a biting chill in the air.

  “I take it my cousin was awestruck when she saw the legionaries from Flevum,” the prince said as they came to a clearing by the bridge.

  “She said she did not know there was so much iron in the entire world,” Tabbo replied with a laugh. “I confess I still stop and stare when watching them on the march.”

  “What I would like is to get my hands on a suit of their segmentata plate armor,” Klaes mused. “Granted it’s a bit heavy, but still the protection offered is excellent. It’s perfect for the type of close-in fighting we train for, don’t you think?”

  “I suppose if I were ever struck in the torso or shoulders I would prefer to be wearing something that protected well,” Tabbo agreed. “I’ve never given it much thought, though. Even when we fight in close, I still like the flexibility that comes from not being encumbered by all that extra weight. Besides, you know our people could never afford to outfit even a fraction of our army like the Romans. We’ve always had to rely on more than just discipline and sound protective equipment.”

  As they sat down on the hill, they were joined by a warrior named Olbert, who was a good friend to both men. Like Tabbo, he was also devoid of facial hair, though his face was marked by scars. Unlike most of the warriors in their tribe, he was bald, with just a trace of bristling hairs about the sides and back of his head.

  “Watching the toy soldiers play, are we?” he asked as he knelt down next to them, an ever-present grin on his face.

  “Studying them,” Tabbo replied. “And you would do well to do the same.”

  “What for?” Olbert asked with a shrug. “My axe will cleave any one of them in half if need be.”

  “I forget you’ve never witnessed the Romans in battle,” Klaes said with a sigh. “Even if you did manage to breach their shield wall, your axe would bounce off their armor if you tried to cut one in half.”

  “Not to mention the man’s companions on either side of him would run you through,” Tabbo added. Olbert took his axe out and slammed it into a nearby stump.

  “You two sound like a couple of old women!” he growled at them. “If you’re so scared of the Romans, then why not go down there and offer to suck their cocks, lest you provoke them!”

  “Mind your tongue!” Tabbo retorted. “And don’t mistake respect for fear. Rome may not be our enemy, but it is still good to learn how they fight. We must never forget that it was only a generation ago that we faced them, and gods forbid should we have to again. I do not wish for us to suffer the same disastrous consequences.”

  “This trial is now brought to order,” Master Centurion Calvinus spoke, his voice echoing throughout the hall. He was reading the formal charge brought forth by a magistrate named Pinarius, who was also present as the prosecutor. “The charge is that Optio Titus Artorius Justus did willfully commit the crime of murder against a superior officer; that he did so with malice and without sufficient provocation. He is further charged with gross insubordination by preventing his Centurion from exercising his right to discipline a legionary.” Calvinus looked as if his guts were being turned inside out.

  From the report given to him by Vitruvius it was clear that Artorius had only acted in defense of a fellow soldier, and subsequently himself. Still, there was much that he did not know about the incident, and he needed to get all the facts out in the open before rendering a verdict.

  Artorius stood in the barricaded stand at the center of the room, facing the tribunal. The Tribunes would act as a type of jury, giving their votes to his guilt or innocence to Apronius. While he could overrule a verdict of the Tribunes, to do so would reflect very badly on him, and the Governor General scarcely knew who Artorius was, other than he had won the Legion Champion tournament, fighting other legionaries in what amounted to a game with wooden swords. The Tribunes were all young politicians doing the required six months of compulsory military service that Rome demanded of them. Artorius did not know if they were out for justice, or if they would vote in whatever way seemed politically expedient. After all, since Fulvius had had friends in the Senate, it might do well for a young Tribune seeking a magisterial position to vote in the way particular senators wanted.

  Master Centurion Calvinus was the only person on the tribunal that Artorius had any real faith in. However, he was a nonvoting member and was only there as an advisor. As powerful as he was within the army, the opinion of a Centurion Primus Pilus meant little to an Equestrian who was already looking ahead to the next step in his political career once his mandatory service was complete.

  “I now wish to address the defendant before we move on to witnesses,” Pinarius said, to which Apronius nodded in approval.

  The man stalked back and forth in front of the stand, like a wild beast mocking his prey. He was a weasel-looking man, slight of build and walking with a partial stoop; yet he seemed to somehow be able to turn his nose up at the Optio behind the short barricade. Artorius thought that it must have made the man feel good to wield power over one such as him. His expression seemed to cry out, all your muscles can’t save you now!

  “Optio Artorius,” Pinarius said, not bothering to hide the disdain in his voice. “You have already confessed to the killing of your superior, Centurion Fulvius, and yet you wish for the court to believe that it was due to extenuating circumstances. Please do explain.”

  “Centurion Fulvius was using excessive corporal punishment against a legionary…” he started to say before Pinarius cut him off.

  “You speculate on what is excessive, but that is not your place!”

  “The man was lying face down in a pool of his own blood,” Artorius retorted while trying to maintain his composure. “He’s been confined to the hospital for a month. If Fulvius had been allowed to continue, the man would be dead.”

  “Are you a medic? Again, a presumption on your part,” the prosecutor retorted. “How are we to know that the Centurion, exercising what is legally his right, may I remind you, wasn’t finished exacting punishment before you barged in and assaulted him?”

  “First off, he assaulted me,” Artorius responded. “This can be verified by Centurion Vitruvius. Second, he was drunk out of his mind, like he usually was.”

  “Ah, but how can we know he was drunk?” Pinarius said with a dismissive wave. “You killed him, leaving no way of anyone else witnessing his state of sobriety.”

  “The room reeked of rotten wine,” Artorius answered.

  “Yes, a jug was found shattered on the floor, with wine spilled everywhere,” Pinarius retorted quickly.

  Artorius’ anger was rising by the second, though he knew that this was not the time to be losing his tongue.

  “I think that would suffice to account for the smell, wouldn’t you say?”

  “And yet he still drew his gladius and assaulted me!” the Optio seethed, his temper finally
getting the best of him. He swallowed hard, knowing that he was playing right into Pinarius’ hands.

  “A bit of a hothead, aren’t you?” he said smoothly. “You used your Optio’s staff of office to prevent your superior from exercising his legal right. You shoved your staff in his face and he felt threatened. If you had a sword and someone attacked you with a staff, don’t you think you would draw, too?” He turned away quickly, not allowing Artorius to respond.

  “Legate Apronius,” Pinarius said, addressing the Governor General. “It seems pretty obvious what has transpired. We know the rest of the story by this Optio’s admission. The fact of the case is that Centurion Fulvius was killed by Optio Artorius. What other evidence do we need?” He raised his hands by his sides in emphasis.

  “We still have other witnesses whose testimony may be relevant,” Apronius replied, bringing a bored sigh from Pinarius.

  “Very well, if you wish.”

  Centurion Vitruvius’ testimony went almost exactly the same as Artorius’ since he was the only other firsthand witness. Two legionaries testified about the abuses Fulvius had exacted on them, bringing rebukes from the prosecutor that the Centurion had done nothing illegal, and that he was within his rights to physically chastise his men as he saw fit. When Tesserarius Praxus brought up the use of bribes instituted by the Centurion, Pinarius again forcibly reminded the assembly that this was not an illegal practice either. The only man who spoke favorably for Fulvius was Lincinius, the Cohort Commander. Artorius glowered at the man, knowing he was only speaking up for Fulvius in order to save himself from the fallout from the slain Centurion’s friends. Finally, Apronius spoke up.

  “I think it is time for the tribunal to recess and reach a decision,” he said solemnly. “The facts of the case are rather precise; however no verdict can be made hastily.” He then stood and left with the Tribunes and Master Centurion behind him.

  “Calvinus, do you have anything you wish to say before the Tribunes render a verdict?” Apronius asked as the men all sat around the table.

  “I do,” the Master Centurion replied, standing up from his chair. “The facts of this are that Optio Artorius did slay Centurion Fulvius; however, the circumstances leading up to it does not bode well for the Centurion. Fulvius had a spotty record at best…”

  “Which Pinarius said is irrelevant to this case,” a Tribune interrupted. Calvinus shot him a blistering gaze but kept his voice calm.

  “And is it Pinarius, a known friend of Fulvius and his patrons, who decides guilt or innocence here?” the Master Centurion retorted. “The way I understand it, it is you with the tribunician power who decide this case, not the prosecutor. I know that anything less than a full conviction will not be seen as…politically expedient.”

  “Calvinus, what are you insinuating?” the Legion’s Chief Tribune asked, suddenly irritated. He was normally close with the Master Centurion, relying on him heavily as a mentor. He was, however, outraged at what Calvinus might be implying.

  “I’m not one to insinuate,” he replied, “so I will just say it outright. Fulvius had friends within the Senate. They want revenge, and what do they care if it comes at the life of a mere Optio who was doing what he honestly believed was the right thing? After all, the lives of the plebian rankers mean nothing, they never have! So what’s one more sacrificed if it will help one of us keep favor with those in the Senate who would wish his demise?”

  “Damn it, Calvinus!” Apronius snapped, slamming a fist on the table. The Master Centurion raised a hand apologetically.

  “Forgive me, sir,” he replied. “I only state what each of you is thinking, or at least knows is the reality of situations such as this. I’m not saying whether you should convict or acquit Optio Artorius, all I wish is that it be done with justice rather than political expediency in mind. I ask that we do what is right for no other reason than it is the right thing to do.”

  The Tribunes muttered a few things amongst themselves before Apronius asked each if they were ready to cast their votes. When all said that they were, a basket was passed around. Each man would write his vote on a slip of papyrus and place it in the basket. According to the law, only a majority vote of guilty was required. The Legate had forbidden the men from discussing their votes with anyone, so unless a unanimous verdict was reached, no one would know how each man had voted. As they headed back to the courtroom Calvinus stopped Apronius in the hallway.

  “One last thing, regardless of whether or not Optio Artorius is convicted, the Third Cohort’s Second Century still needs a leader. One man has led them this entire time, and I think you know who he is.” Apronius paused and gazed at the floor. He then looked Calvinus in the eye and nodded. The Master Centurion hoped that Apronius had guessed his intentions. He also quickly prayed to any god or spirit that was in the vicinity and willing to listen that the Tribunes had made their decision based on justice rather than politics. He then went back into the office and grabbed a scroll from a box and scribbled a few lines onto it before returning to the courtroom.

  The buzz of voices in the room immediately died as Apronius and the rest of the judicial delegation walked back into the room. Artorius was calm; resigning himself to whatever fate awaited him. He only hoped that if sentenced to strangulation that he would at least die with some semblance of dignity and not do something embarrassing like shit himself at the last.

  “At this time, I will read the votes as cast by members of the tribunal!” Apronius’ voice boomed. He then took each paper out and read it to the assembly. “Guilty.”

  A grumbling started amongst the legionaries present, who were quickly silenced by Master Centurion Calvinus, who slammed his fist onto the tribunal table.

  Apronius then continued, “Guilty…not guilty…guilty…not guilty…not guilty.” The room was now abuzz with activity as all realized that the number of votes cast was equal.

  “At ease!” shouted Calvinus, silencing the room once more. The Legate closed his eyes and raised his head up, as if seeking guidance from the divine. He then looked hard on Artorius and spoke.

  “The tribunal has reached a deadlock,” he said. “Therefore, the responsibility of casting the verdict falls on me and me alone. Optio Artorius.” Apronius’ face was cold and distant. “On the charge of murder, this court finds you…not guilty.” A loud cheer erupted throughout the hall as Pinarius stood to protest, his face showing his sense of shock and betrayal.

  “At fucking ease before I personally castrate every last one of you!” Calvinus roared. “That includes you, prosecutor! You will not interrupt this court or the Governor General while the verdict is read.” He then turned and nodded to Apronius, who continued.

  “On the charge of assault on a superior officer this court finds you not guilty. It is the opinion of the court that you acted only in defense of yourself, as well as that of a fellow soldier. We find that the Centurion Fulvius was acting well beyond the limits of his authority and that this abuse almost led to the unnecessary death of a valuable legionary. It was your actions that saved the man’s life.” Artorius was dumbstruck in disbelief. “The charge of insubordination is dismissed due to a lack of viable witnesses. Therefore, Optio Artorius is to be released at once and allowed to return to his duties.”

  As Artorius turned to leave he was interrupted by the Legate.

  “I did not say you were dismissed!” Apronius barked. “You may stand down, but you are not dismissed yet. There is a new set of charges we must first deal with. Centurion Lincinius!”

  The Cohort Commander was shocked to hear his name spoken and fumbled with his reply before stumbling forward to stand before the Legate.

  “Sir?” he asked, suddenly afraid.

  “You allowed a tyrant to run amuck within the Third Cohort,” Apronius observed. “You have allowed the morale, good order, and discipline within an entire century to lapse. You did nothing while good men were punished for crimes they did not commit, and the combat readiness of the entire cohort was compromised as a
result.”

  “It has never been policy within the Legion for either the Legate or myself to interfere with the Cohort Commanders,” Calvinus added. “However, you have betrayed the trust placed in you and as a result are no longer fit to lead the Third Cohort.”

  “Sirs, I protest!” Lincinius bellowed.

  “Therefore,” Apronius interrupted, “you are relieved of your duties as Centurion Pilus Prior, pending a formal investigation. You are dismissed.”

  Lincinius looked like he had been struck down by the gods themselves as he walked slowly from the hall, the enraged prosecutor in tow, muttering in low voices. The men gathered sneered at them, but kept their tongues lest Master Centurion Calvinus make good on his threat. There was an awkward silence until the legionaries guarding the door unlocked it, and the men were at last outside.

  “Optio Artorius!” Apronius spoke. His voice had relaxed considerably, though it was still strained by tension.

  “Yes, sir!” the Optio replied as he stood rigid before his Commanding General. He had yet to even comprehend that he had been acquitted of any wrong doing in the murder of their former Centurion.

  “You acted in accordance of your charge as a leader of legionaries and saved one of your men from a needless death. While I do not agree with the precedent this may set, the facts are that I am now short a Centurion within the Third Cohort, two in fact; that and I know the men of the Second Century will follow you anywhere. You have been their real leader since Centurion Macro left for the First Cohort. You will, therefore, continue to lead them in the position that should have been yours by right, if not by protocol.” He then nodded to Master Centurion Calvinus, who stood and read from the scroll he still clutched in his hands.

  “Optio Titus Artorius Justus: As a testament of your selfless leadership, extreme valor in the face of Rome’s many enemies, and absolute fidelity to the Legion and the Emperor, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Centurion. You will assume immediate command of Second Century of the Third Cohort, Twentieth Legion.”