him hours to get the whole column into city. The last thing he wanted was to be caught between an approaching Carthaginian army and Rome’s outer walls.
“They said they've seen nothing of him. A few scouts here and there, but no army within miles of Rome.”
“Nothing?” Gaius asked shockingly.
“Yes, sir, nothing — in fact, no one seems to know where Hannibal is right now.”
“General!” Another soldier called from behind Gaius. It took him a moment to realize that it was he that was being addressed. With Valerius off of his feet, the legion and its survivors fell to him, so his men addressed him accordingly. He wondered if the title, if he should be allowed to keep it, would ever fit right on him.
“Soldier?”
“Consul Paullus, he would like to speak with you, sir.”
“Very well. Tell him I will be with him momentarily.”
The trooper nodded and saluted, then turned and raced back towards the main column.
“Return to the city and inform the watch captain that I will be brining in our men, through the east gate. Tell him to have a list of needed watch-posts, so I can get our men on the walls the second we are in the city,” Gaius commanded Avitus, who too saluted with a quick and eager, “Yes, sir, General,” before he turned his horse and trotted back down the paved road and disappeared a moment later into the thick haze.
Gaius walked through the long formation of his army. He was among the wagons and carts that carried the legion’s supplies, as well as the wounded, sick and injured. Paullus’ wagon, which was draped so to protect the consul from the elements, was in sight. Right away, Gaius saw Claudia standing outside the wagon. She smiled the moment she saw him.
He had come to welcome her pleasant greetings whenever the two met over the past four days. She was lovely and had caring eyes. Her long brown hair signaling her Greek heritage was pulled in a pony tail, still matted and dirty from her ordeal. Her clothing, a lengthy drab dress was stained with blood, most of it from the consular as she tended to him after Cannae.
Gaius admired her loyalty and devotion to Paullus. She could have abandoned him weeks ago, or could have joined Calfax and his other freed slaves, but she had remained and nursed Paullus during the worst of times.
“General,” she greeted Gaius warmly.
“You choose to walk and not ride inside with the consul?” Gaius asked as he stepped up to her and accepted her warm reception with his own wide smile.
“Oh, I’ve been stuck in there for days. I needed to stretch my legs. Besides, I’m eager to see Rome once more.'” She ran her hand through her hair, seemly a bit vain about her appearance before she spoke once again. “Is it true that Hannibal isn’t anywhere near here? I’ve heard rumors among your men.”
“It would seem. Nevertheless, I still have men out there making sure that he isn’t near to us. Regardless, be ready to move quickly once the order is given. Now, is the consul free to speak to me?”
“He is. Even so, do try to keep it short. While he would not act like it, he is still in a lot of pain and very weak.”
“I promise to make it quick. And, I’m sure with your loving care the consul’s recovery will continue.”
Claudia blushed as Gaius walked past her and over to the rear of the wagon that carried Paullus. Two guards stood, ever vigilant outside. Each stepped aside as Gaius pulled himself inside.
Paullus lay on a floor of the wagon, covered with several thick blankets. He was awake and was seemly reading over a stack of clay tablet; each one, the various reports from the quartermaster and cohort centurions about the status of the legion.
Gaius would have preferred that the consul rest since he had regained consciousness and his fever broke two days ago, but Paullus needed to keep himself busy and feel like he could contribute something to this ragged army. While the law dictated that Paullus could have taken command of the legion, even in his current state, not once had he made such a request. He allowed Gaius to make all the decisions, despite that he knew Valerius was no longer fit for command. The consul just wanted to be brought up to speed on what had been happening over the past two weeks, nothing more.
A part of Gaius was thankful. While he did not want the command of the Sixth like this, the thought of another man, other than Valerius giving the orders, was strange and unwelcome.
Paullus managed a smile, or as best he could when he saw Gaius. His face was still badly bruised as large purple welts had formed over the cuts to his forehead and cheeks. One eye was totally shut, and fresh cuts above it indicate that the legion doctor had been bleeding him, so to lessen the swelling before it risked his eye. The other cuts upon his body had already been stitched up, but the consul still had very little feeling in his legs and feet, and his left arm was nearly useless. He may never regain its use again, or so he was told.
Gaius could see in his one good eye that Paullus was in a lot of pain, but he had insisted that most of the medicine be used for those soldiers worse off than he, so he endured as best he could and tried to keep his mind active.
“General,” Paullus said, still being formal despite his more relaxed attitude he, for some reason, tended to show around Gaius. He was in the field, so Paullus kept his soldierly manner raised until everyone was in the city and safe. “I’ve been told that your men have not found any traces of Hannibal or his barbarian allies.”
“It is true, sir. And we’ve made contact with the city guards. They’ve confirmed as much.”
“Next I assume you will be marching the legion into the city and take up defensive positions along the wall?”
Gaius noticed that Paullus didn’t make it an order, but addressed his words as a question. He was still very new to this, given so much responsibility over so many lives. Paullus certainly knew this, but seemed to trust him to do what needed to be done without having to state the obvious.
“I will be, sir.”
“Good. You must ensure that our march into the city is done quickly, but calmly. We cannot afford to be caught between the city walls and Hannibal, if he should show up.”
“Of course; I’ve already begun preparations, even as we speak.”
“You’ll also want to meet with the Senate as soon as possible. You may represent me in my stay. When I am set in my estate and capable, I will receive them. But until then, I will be placing you in command of the soldiers inside the city, and those that are already under your authority.”
“Sir, is that wise? I am not a knight or a member of the senate. Certainly, an older and wiser officer should take command of Rome’s defenses.” Gaius was humbled and troubled at the same time by Paullus’ command that it should be he that carries out Rome’s defense.
“Do you feel that you are
“No, sir, I am more than ready, if that is your orders.”
“It is.”
“Some might argue this,” Gaius added.
“Not with this.” Paullus reached, squinting in pain, which nearly caused Gaius to step over to him and help, but he held back as the older man grabbed a sealed roll.
“If anyone, and there will be more than a few that will give you trouble about you taking command of the city’s defenses, show them this. The Senate will back it up.” Paullus handed the document over to Gaius, who took it and carefully stared down at Paullus’ crest, which had been sealed in wax.
“My orders are in writing. No one will dare to cross you, not until the threat has passed.”
“Yes, sir. I won’t let you down, sir.”
“Very good. I won’t keep you from your duties any longer. You are dismissed.”
“Consul,” Gaius nodded and was about to turn and leave Paullus, but he quickly called Gaius again, low and barely auditable.
“Sir?” Gaius had the feeling since he first came that Paullus hadn’t summoned him just for a report or to give him some last minute orders.
“Will you go see her, Julia, when we are back in the city?” Paullus asked.
Gaius hesitated for a moment. He had thought about little else over the past few days when he had a moment to his own thoughts.
“I–I doubt I will be able to for some time. I must see to the city’s defense and coordinate with whatever
