Under The Bull by Carubia Christopher

Author:Carubia, Christopher [Carubia, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-01-27T00:00:00+00:00

VII

We marched through the canabae, the civilian settlement that lay on the south western bank of the Ouse, and onto the stone bridge that crossed the river towards the magnificently walled fortress of Eburacum.

This was administrative centre for the north, and the home of the Sixth Victix. “What’s the plan then?” asked Cal, as we passed through the gates and into the capitol of Britannia Inferior. I realised that up to this point I had only been concerned on getting here, “We need to deliver Asselio to the Legatus Legionus before anything else happens.” I muttered. “How are we going to do that? You can’t just walk up to the Legatus’s door and knock you know....you do know that ....dont you?

We marched down the main road which was straight as an arrow, as usual, through the middle of the city passing well appointed buildings of various size and design, people scurryed out of our way as the cohort took up the entire roadway.

I fell out of the formation and was accosted immediately by a Principalis or junior officer from behind, “Get back into fucking line and report to me when we fall out, you’re on a fucking charge you idiot.” I stood still and let the officer catch me up. “Take me to Tribune Varus ...now.” I growled at the startled younger man flashing the discs. He began to splutter, so I leaned in close, “Let’s go...Move.” As we caught up with the others I waved them out to fall in behind as we passed.

The column halted as we kept going passing rank after rank of legionnaires standing patiently for the command to fall out, which came by sections. As we passed the Signifier holding aloft the legions standard of a bull under the eagle, I realized it was the first time I had actually seen it.

We followed the junior officer to a large building that was the Legions head quarters, stopping at the steps as I sent the young officer back to his section, the look of relief on his face unmistakable.

I turned to Pulcher and Figs, “You lot wait out of sight, Cal and I will go and see the Legate.” As they disappeared amongst the other soldiers on the roadway, Cal and I climbed the steps towards two praetorians at the top who were standing either side of the doorway, eyeing us with disdain as we walked closer.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I was tired and irritable and was not in the mood for this, I had wanted to be part of the legion, just an ordinary soldier, not thrust into all this cloak and dagger crap. I had lost friends and was hungry and cold and piss wet through from the constant rain in this shitty country, so I vented my frustration on the poor sods on guard at the doorway.

One thing about the legions, everyone had superiors and the fingers of punishment extended to every rank. Whilst this generally was good for the army

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