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Not long after Julius Caesar defeated the Helvetii and they returned home, he was entreated by the Aedui chieftain Diviciacus, to help settle a matter pertaining to the Germans that had come to inhabit the lands west of the Rhine. For scores of years, the Arverni and Sequani had formed a coalition against the equally powerful, however singular Aedui, and waged a battle for supremacy of Gaul. When the Aedui got the upper hand, the Sequani asked for the assistance of the German chieftain, Ariovistus.The Germans, becoming quite used to the higher standard of living, and the better lands belonging to the Celts, according to the words of Diviciacus, had decided to stay, after the Aedui were defeated, and their noblemen murdered. The Sequani, who had hosted Ariovistus and his army, were put under his violent and arrogant yoke, and stripped of two-thirds of their homeland, to make way for the Harudes, another German tribe, and allies of Ariovistus. It was reported that he demanded the children of all the most outstanding Celts of the Aedui and Sequani be given him as hostages. And for these atrocities, by a guest in their lands, the chieftains of the tribes appealed to Caesar, to drive the invaders out. The only tribe that did not, was the Sequani, for it had been they that had invited Ariovistus into the territory of the Gauls, and since now they were under his brutal hand, they feared retaliation, if they spoke out against him.
Because the Aedui had been considered friends of Rome, and by that time, the Germans had developed the habit of crossing the Rhine frequently, Caesar had enough justification to grant the request of the chieftains, and engage Ariovistus. At first, he sent word to Ariovistus that he would like to meet with him, regarding a matter of state, but the chief the German Suevi would not budge, demanding to know what right Caesar had to intervene. Caesar explained that he was taking up in behalf of Rome's allies, and a string of insults passed back and forth. The last, from Ariovistus to Caesar, stated that he was only asserting his authority over a conquered people, doing nothing the Romans did not also do, and added the baited hook, that none had ever battled against him, that had not been destroyed. Caesar declared war.
Ariovistus moved toward Vesontio, the principal fortified town in Sequani land, which sat upon a mountain. Caesar pushed the six legions with him, day and night, to get there, first. While they waited for supplies, word began to spread through the ranks from the officers, that the Germans, due to their size and their tenacity, might be a more fearsome enemy than any they had faced up to that point. The troops began to lose heart, finally displaying a reluctance to fight altogether, going so far as to make out wills, and question Caesar's wisdom. Incensed, Caesar reminded them that they were soldiers, and that even the Helvetii had defeated the barbarians from across the Rhine, and if they would not join him in rising victorious over Ariovistus, he would only take his best legion, the Xth. The legions' faith renewed, they set out again northeast to meet the Suevi and Harudes.
Some miles away from the encamped Germans, envoys from the German chieftain met Caesar. Their request was for the general to hold audience with Ariovistus, five days hence. Caesar agreed, and met with him, each leader mounted and flanked by a ten-man escort, and a force of horsed warriors from both sides, behind their respective generals. As they discussed their reasons for being in Gaul, the German horsemen moved against the Roman cavalry, and Caesar broke off the conference, but chose not to engage the enemy, at that moment.
The next day, Ariovistus again asked for another meeting, but Caesar sent representatives, who were captured. For the next few days, both armies worked at getting the better position for war. Though there were a few small skirmishes, there was little to resemble a true battle. Perplexed, Caesar inquired of some of the German prisoners. They informed him that their custom was to divine when it was advantageous to fight, and had discerned that it would not be good, until the new moon. This bit of news Caesar used to his advantage, and attacked the Germans. The battle was short-lived, and the barbarians fled to their own borders. Those that could not find a boat or swim, were overtaken and killed. It was said that both wives of Ariovistus and one of his daughters were among the dead.
Caesar's intentions at the time might not have been the conquest of the Gaul-held lands north of Italia, but certainly, the fact that he had won his first two major campaigns fed his ambition, and the seed of the idea was planted. At any rate, he was victorious over the German tribes, and for almost two hundred years, there was minimal trouble between the two nations, until the reign of Marcus Aurelius. There was an ever-growing population of Germans, and an ever-smaller country to contain them, so again they began the push westward, toward the lands that Rome claimed for herself, taking Panonnia under siege. For several years, the emperor held them in check, relying on his most favored general, a Spaniard named Decimus Maximus Meridas.
Maximus was born to lead men, and most followed him, willing to do anything he asked. Like Julius Caesar, he had a gift for catching the enemy unawares, or using their superstitions and traditions against them. When most tribes and peoples went indoors for the winter, letting their animosities hibernate with the snow and ice, Maximus waged war, forcing them to come out and fight. Often, all his opponents had to their advantage, was their bravery, and simple weapons. For Maximus, Rome was the light in a dark world, and in his mind, he did what he did to bring civilization to all nations. Sometimes, he did things he did not want to do, but for Rome, he would do what was necessary to serve her. He was a man of his word, for better, or for worse. More often than not, he would confide to me, it was for worse. As he aged, and learned about the peoples he was putting under Rome's yoke, he began to question the rightness of what he was accomplishing. But still, he was a citizen of Rome, and duty to her ruled his actions. And that duty involved the conquest of the Empire's percieved enemies.
Lucius Verus, second in command to the emperor, saw it in the young Maximus, who he met while surveying his troops in Hispania. Then, the general was simply a soldier of no rank, all of seventeen winters, but already noticed by his superiors, for his quick mind and attention to detail. Unlike some of his cohorts, he was never late to his post, and always willing to take an extra duty, here and there. The VII Gemina, then made up almost entirely of Spaniards, rather than the mix of provincials with us, the legion with which young Maximus began, was leaving for Germania and Panonnia.
His first battle, against real men that would feel no compunction for killing him, rather than lifeless straw dummies, brought him to the attention of Marcus Aurelius, as well. When nearly an entire century of cavalry fell back from a group of Germans that attacked them in the early hours of the morning, while they performed parade drills, only a handful of them, led by a decurion, stood fast. The phalanx of Quadi tribesmen upon them, the young soldier called for them to split into a single wall formation, and drive the raiders in front, straight into the cavalrymen who had been recharged upon seeing the example of the junior officer. Heeding his cry to form two columns, they waited for the Quadi to regroup, and come at them again. By that time, Maximus and his horsemen were already cutting the barbarians down from behind, while forcing them through the alley of mounted soldiers, who picked them off as the Germans tried to escape. The wounded Quadi limped home, carrying as many of their dead as they could snatch up, and Verus took Maximus under his wing, bestowing the rank of centurion upon him. He was eighteen, by then. The officer he replaced, shamed for his lack of spine, fell on his sword.
Killing, as far as Maximus was concerned, was a necessary evil of the battlefield. He had no trouble doing so; he knew if he did not take his enemy's life, his would be taken, instead. But the blood of innocents on his hands stained his memory and heart, all his life. In his dreams, he still heard the agonized screams of dying women and children, and watched the light of life die in eyes that begged for mercy. But he hardened himself, and continued to conquer and rise to the rank of General.
As his reputation grew, so did his popularity with the royal family. Unlike other men in his position, Maximus did not curry favor, by simpering and playing false to those in prominent places. He earned it, by being forthright, and diligent. Verus considered him a son and the emperor took him on as a pupil of his philosophies and policies, most notably, the Stoics, though Maximus did not always agree with them. He would not recognize it for many years, but he was being groomed for power, in the tradition of Emperor. It never crossed his mind, like it had Julius Caesar's, to aspire to the throne, however. His wants were simple- to serve his rulers, and to settle down with a family of his own, on the plot of land that had belonged to his mother's parents, with its pink stone villa, and bountiful crops of wheat and sweet grapes.
By the time we joined the army in Vindobona, I had heard many stories about my master, either because he would share snatches of memory with me, over a dying blaze, while we finished our trek, or his awe-struck nephew would regale me with his renderings. Sometimes, while I made my way around the camp at the Danube, I listened to the idle talk of young soldiers who had not been present, and told the tales as mythical fables, embellishing them with feats not even Hercules could hope to accomplish. But the fact that he escaped what should have been certain death, many times, on the battlefield, in the arena, and other places told me that there were some elements to his legend that rang true, or that the gods had marked the general for their own purposes.
Germania was as much a part of Maximus, as Hispania was. That wild country had shaped his career, and it was there his life had been torn apart. But when he had been loosed from his bonds, and Galen's skills had kept him from joining his family in the afterlife, he had taken his place again in the army, working at keeping the tenuous peace with the German tribes. It was easy to see how much he loved the land. Though it was not Hispania, it was still home, the army, his family.
It was obvious to me, as he showed it to me, how much. I think it never occurred to him, that it affected him the way it did; he kept his mind on things pertaining to his reason for being there. But often, he would point out some thing I had to see, and expound for long minutes upon the fascination it held for him. He could tell by looking at the clothing and markings of a man, what tribe he belonged to, and who his chief was. In that way, he was different than Julius Caesar. Caesar knew my people well, he had studied the Celts at length, but he had never truly bothered to get to know Ariovistus and his Suevi and Harudes well. Maximus admired Caesar, but he had the wisdom to learn from his mistakes. He had spent the last several years getting to know the chieftains of the closest tribes, and earning their trust, while he kept the border between the two nations secure. But soon, he would leave the dense forests of Germania, for a distant post in Britannia, or wherever else the Senate had found fit to send him.
Just before the last battle Maximus had fought against the barbarians, they had swept through the base at Vindobona, razing it completely. Before, it had been a huge, walled outpost, large enough to contain an entire company of six thousand men. When matters were settled, after a fashion, with the Marcomanni and Quadi, the Xth Gemina and Felix legions had rebuilt it. While the guard swung the gates shut behind us, I looked about, and was surprised to see, instead of the usual tents, neat rows of buildings made of clay, brick, logs and other hardy materials. The officers' quarters took up a large corner of the fort, the surgeons', another. Between those and the livestock area at the other end, lay the barracks for enlisted men. Unofficial families and the retinue of slaves for the pleasure of the men lived just outside the walls, but were protected nonetheless.
Maximus and I noted the awe that held Cassandra's mouth open, and grinned to each other. Most of the men were glancing to the harlots' tents; it had been a long ride, and after they filled their bellies, and got their bearings, the women would be very busy, that night. I remember briefly wondering if Maximus would also steal away to see one of them. I knew he had had none, for months, since just before we left for Emerita. I refused to think on it, instead, I concentrated on getting our things unpacked, and finding Eponina, the mare I had left behind. It would be hours before Maximus had any free time, anyway.
As he had promised, I did have a tent of my own, beside his generous house. It was small, but I cared not, it had been made to my owner's specifications, and it was mine, like the two horses. There were two beds inside, one for me, the other for Cassandra, who trailed in after me. She sat on one of the beds, running her hands over the blankets that covered it and smiled.
"He sent word."
"Aye. One of the legates rode ahead, yesterday."
"It'll do." I nodded in agreement, and left her to rest. I almost ran into Maximus, as I ducked out of the entrance.
"Adequate?" He motioned to the shelter I had just come out of.
"Aye."
"Good. Now you don't have to listen to me snore. Justinius informs me it's awful."
Giggling, I responded, "How would he know? No one can hear yours, over his." He bade me follow him, until we came to the physicians' quarters. He knocked softly, and at the invitation to enter, stepped aside to allow me to pass. The doctor's room was clean, all his medicines and implements put away in an orderly fashion. I examined everything in there, without moving, while Maximus introduced us, and instructed the highly interested surgeon to use me in whatever capacity necessary in the infirmary.
Phillip was much younger than Galen, but possessed the same kindness that was so necessary in our profession. He quizzed me at length, regarding my skills and knowledge, and my experiences. Maximus was as amazed as Phillip, that I was possibly more a healer than the Greek, and his staff. Phillip wanted me to tell him all about Galen, at some future date. He mentioned, as we turned to go, that he thought it would be a good thing if I were present, when he made the monthly examinations of the soldiers and the prostitutes.
We walked back to his house, not speaking; our legs moving in unison, and letting the evening heat envelop us in its warmth. Outside his rooms, he took his leave.
"Don't you want supper?"
"I will eat with Legates Valerius and Quintus." At my unfamiliarity with the second name, he explained, "He's a Praetorian prefect, from Rome. Used to serve under me. He accompanied the man who is replacing me, here. I'll explain later. Look after things, for me. Try to have some fun." He graced me with a gentle smile, and disappeared between the stone buildings.
In a few moments, I would get Maximus' things put away, and fall back into my duties as valet. But the quiet enjoyment of having my own living space was too tempting, so I went to revel in it. There was no one in my tent, and alarm caused me to go out and look. I had to feed horses, anyway, but it was mildly irritating that my private time was being used up. Something whispered to me, that she had probably been called out by Justinius, for she had no formal duties with Maximus, though the general had hinted that since I was in charge of his household, I might find things for her to do. Looking after Justinius was something, I joked to myself, knowing full well, that looking would not be the only thing going on.
Eponina seemed happy to see me, and nosed me for affection and scratches, while I fed her. I had named her after the horse-goddess, when Gracchus had given her to me, for that day when she was the first to peer at me over a stall door. I considered mounting and riding her out into the woods that surrounded the camp, but thought better of it. There would be time later. The next time we left the army, she was going with me, along with the patient gelding happily chewing hay in the stall next to hers.
As I had suspected, Cassandra was indeed with Maximus' nephew; Justinius answered his door, clothing in disarray, and glowing pink from exertion.
"Did you need her?" His voice was light, but it was a cover up for annoyance at having been interrupted, I knew. It hurt a bit; not since before the Greek girl had come to us, had we really talked as friends, and now, I was in his way, while he shared his youthful passion with Cassandra.
"No. I was worried, when I saw she wasn't there."
"I'll walk her back, when she finishes things here."
"All right."
As the evening wore on, and I put Maximus' house in the order I knew he liked, I realized I was lonely. The general was off meeting the Roman that was to take command of the Felix legions, Justinius and Cassandra were finding companionship with one another, and only the gods knew where Lupa had gone off to. She was familiar with the country around, and could be any number of places. Suddenly, the solitude I had sought earlier was not welcome. I missed the laughter of my companions, the stories told under the stars, and the quiet camaraderie of Maximus.
He walked in, just when I had decided to leave his altar set up, with the candles dancing merrily, a cup of wine beside it, while I went to bed. He was whistling, a thing he rarely did, and that, coupled with the tiny, lingering fragrance of perfumed oil on his clothing, slammed into my heart with all the force of a boulder sprung from a catapult. He tossed a bundle to me.
"You've earned it." I unfolded the blood red pile of cloth, and shook out the uniform he had procured for me. No other had been issued the tunic I held, rubbing the stiff, heavy cloth between my fingers, running my palms over the cool metal links of the chain mail that accompanied it. It was new. As was the realization that it hurt to think that Maximus had rather slake his lust on another woman, than ask me to relieve his needs. And that revelation sent pain to my head.
"Thank you, Sir." I smiled as best I could, hoping he could not see through the façade of gratitude, and excused myself, clutching yet another gift of kindness from my master to my chest. Sleep did not come to me, that night. Cassandra slipped into her bed on the opposite side of the tent, somewhere near morning. But what kept me awake, was that there was no Maximus on the other side of a linen curtain, the barest whisper of his nightly prayers to lull me to slumber. I found that I started at every noise, listening for his footfall, or the change of a body position. The dog stationed herself beside me on my pallet. I stroked her long, soft fur, and continued to let my mind wander to the general. Did he lie awake, disconcerted because I was not on the floor of his room, or was he sleeping soundly, finally undistracted by my presence? He had snapped at Julia, months before, that he did not want another wife, and had never made any untoward advances to me. It seemed clear, then. I was his adjutant, a friend, and a fellow soldier. Nothing more. For the first time in my life, I understood what it was to feel heartache for a man.
