Blood of Eagles by Charles Scott Curtis

Author:Charles Scott Curtis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: blood, ancient, rome, roman, germany, eagles, augustus, arminius, germania
Publisher: Charles Scott Curtis

20

Castra Vetera

The green leaves of summer had given way to the brown and orange hues of autumn, and a chill wind blew through the Wiehengebirge as all business in Castra Vetera ground to a halt. Even the smoke had ceased to rise from the forges of the blacksmiths as ten thousand men, two full legions, stood at attention. Sentius Saturninus stood at the front gate, dressed in full Roman panoply. An attendant stood next to him bearing a pillow upon which sat the official wreath of office that as of that moment was still his. Saturninus was tall and thin, with short gray hair cropped close to his head. His face was deeply wrinkled, and he walked with a ginger limp in his left foot, but his eyes were hard and piercing.

Suddenly, a tribune rode out of the woods and up to the entrance. He saluted formally as he reigned in his horse. “Governor Varus, sir,” he announced as horns blew and drummers thundered welcome to their new legatus.

A moment later, Publius Quinctilius Varus rode into view. He wore a fine set of bronze armor and rode a magnificent white Arabian stallion. In his hand he carried a senatorial baton, which he raised to symbolize his new authority. Another rider in a red-plumed helmet rode next to him. Saturninus and those around him raised their right hands in salute. Varus paused a brief moment, in the carefully practiced Roman manner, then slowly returned the salute with a dignified air before both men dismounted. “Saturninus,” he greeted his predecessor, “I wouldn’t have figured you for a formal man,” he said as he glanced at those there to welcome him.

Saturninus was quick to respond. “And I wouldn’t have figured you for a competent one.” They both spoke in low tones, so that the only person who heard them was the wreath bearer, who blushed with silent laughter, which earned him a reproving look from both men.

Varus indicated the man standing next to him. "My cavalry prefect,

Vala Numonius. You’ve done well for yourself, Sentius. The men look good, no problems I should be aware of?”

“Nothing a good scrap won’t fix,” Sentius Saturninus replied acidly.

“I thought that business was concluded, Sentius. At least the emperor seems to think so. Shall we go inside?” Varus led the way, followed by Vala Numonius, Saturninus bringing up the rear.

“Gentlemen, let me bring you up to speed,” Varus said as they went inside. “Augustus has given the final go-ahead. The cities are coming, starting early next year. The supplies are being assembled all over the empire as we speak: Concrete from Tivoli, granite from Egypt, and timber from right here in Germania. It will serve a double purpose, to build cities and clear out some of the forests so we can build better roads and facilitate easier movement among the provinces.”

Varus removed his helmet, his hair matted wetly on his head as his servant began removing his breastplate. With all of them now safely inside the principia, Varus quickly dropped all pretense of kindness.

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