The Emperor Series: Books 1-5 by Conn Iggulden

Author:Conn Iggulden [Conn Iggulden]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2013-12-04T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The summer had come and gone with its long, busy days, but winter was still far off as Julius mounted his horse at the Quirinal gate, ready to join the legions in the Campus. He looked around him as he took the reins, trying to fix this last picture of the city in his mind. Who knew how long it would have to sustain him in distant Gaul? Those travellers and merchants who had been to the small Roman camp at the far foot of the Alps said it was a bitter place, colder than any they had known. Julius had punished his lines of credit for furs and provisions for ten thousand soldiers. Eventually, he knew there would have to be a reckoning, but he did not allow the thought of debt to spoil the final moments in his city.

The Quirinal gate was open and Julius could see the Campus Martius through it, with his soldiers waiting patiently in shining squares. Julius doubted there was a legion anywhere to equal the Tenth and Brutus had worked hard to make something greater out of the men he had conscripted. Not one of them had been allowed leave in almost a year and they had used their time well. Julius was pleased with the name Brutus had chosen for them. The Third Gallica would be hardened in the land for which they had been named.

Brutus and Octavian mounted up beside him, while Domitius checked his saddle straps for tightness one last time. Julius smiled to himself at their silver armour. All three men had earned the right to wear it, but they made an unusual sight in the streets by the gate and already there was a crowd of urchins come to point and gawk at them. As well they might. Every part of their armour shone as brightly as polish and cloths could make them and Julius felt a thrill at riding for Rome with these men.

If Salomin had come with them, it would have been perfect, Julius thought. It was just one more nagging regret in a sea of them that he had not been able to persuade the little fighter to make the trip to Gaul. Salomin had spoken for a long time about Roman honour and Julius had listened. It was all he could offer after Pompey’s shameful treatment of him, but he had not pressed him after the first refusal.

The months in Senate had exceeded Julius’ hopes and the triumvirate was holding better than he had any right to expect. Crassus had begun his domination of trade and his great fleet already rivalled anything Carthage had ever put to sea. His fledgling legion had been hammered into some sort of shape by the best officers in the Tenth and Pompey would continue that work when they were gone. The three men had developed a grudging respect for each other in their months together and Julius did not regret the bargain he had struck with them.

After the night of the election, Bibilus had not been seen in the senate house for a single meeting.

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