Son of Mars: A Novella of Ancient Rome (The Marius Scrolls Book 1) by Vincent B. Davis II

Author:Vincent B. Davis II [Davis II, Vincent B.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Thirteenth Press, LLC
Published: 2018-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

Rather than reprimand me for my foolishness, Scipio gave me a crown. The corona aurea- given to a man who kills an enemy in single combat and holds his ground until relief comes. I was honored, and have that crown locked away at my home, even to this day. Sometimes I look at it, and it comforts me. The only thing that haunts me is that this glory was bestowed on me at the expense of Gratidius’ life.

I would have gladly traded the two.

Scipio demanded an audience with me later that night after the medicus patched me up. I had been around the General some, being on an officer’s staff, but I had certainly never addressed him.

He was a larger-than-life personality, and I was rather intimidated at first.

His disposition was as calm as a cup of water, his demeanor serious but never severe, funny but never lax. All the soldiers hung on his every word, not only because he was our general, but because he was Scipio. A few trite old sayings and we were ready to conquer the world under his command.

When I approached the General, he was reading over some old documents. He had poor eyesight, so he was holding the document so close to his face I could not see him.

“Will you have a little wine with me?” He said, stretching out a cup, still barricaded behind his document.

“Certainly, sir.”

“I drink the same swill you do, so don’t get excited about the quality.” Scipio said, noticing my enthusiasm.

“I don’t much care what it tastes like, as long as it gets the job done.” I said, to which he chuckled.

“Very well,” one of his slaves filled the cup and handed it to me, careful to ensure a drop wasn’t spilled on all those documents.

“I saw what you did today. It was reckless, foolish even. You got lucky today, but eventually actions like this will get you killed.”

“The gods favor me, sir.” I said.

“They do? I was unaware. Here I thought Gratidius said you were from a frog-spawned village in the hills. Is that not true?”

“It is, general,”

“Seems like the gods do not favor your then,” he lowered his document and met my eyes. I didn’t know what else to say, and I was afraid whatever I might come up with would be the wrong thing. I declined to speak and kept my mouth shut. He seemed to be testing me. “But the gods certainly looked over you today. How many was it? How many did you kill when you charged them like that?” He leaned back in his chair.

“I lost track, general,”

“That’s a good number. So the gods favor you. And I need men with friends like that on their side. I have issued orders that you are to be made part of my freshly instituted unit: the praetoriani. You’ll be my bodyguard. You’ll protect me the way you protected your brother-in-law.”

“A bodyguard? Forgive me, general, but I thought there was already a designated unit for that?”

He waved the question away like batting a fly.

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