Domina Victrix

Chapter 99: 40 AD, Rome and Augusta Trevororum

Fortuna strained her eyes as she sat near the Imperial women, watching Ptolemy make his formal entrance into Rome. Caligula was only two rows away in the specially-constructed bleachers lining the Forum plaza near the Curia. His back was to her and she could not see his reaction as Numidian horsemen rode into the square and passed the reviewing stand. A mounted military band came next, followed by Cathaginian cavalry, dancers, acrobats, Libyan riders, animals in cages, floats bearing statues of gods and goddesses.

"He's not holding back," Tribune Chaerea said.

"Not a bit," Fortuna said.

Ptolemy came into view as waves of cheers crested in the crowd. He was dressed as a Numidian cavalryman, the purple cloak Tiberius had given him flowing from his shoulders and over the crupper of the horse. He had on a golden laurel wreath and carried the gold and ivory wand he had received at the triumph over Tacfarinas. He looked so much like Juba that Fortuna's eyes filled with tears, wishing he could have seen this day.

A messenger approached Claudius on the Imperial dais and handed him a tablet. He read it and leaned toward Caligula, whispering to him. Caligula frowned at whatever he was saying and waved Claudius away. He turned and handed the tablet to Domitius Lepidus. He read it and silently pumped a fist. He passed the tablet back to Sabinus and Chaerea. Sabinus leaned toward Fortuna.

"Your father did it again, Lady. We are completely victorious. They'll resume the talks soon enough."

Fortuna smiled and reached out to both officers for a handshake, comrade to comrade.

"We will be celebrating this," she said.

Ptolemy dismounted before the dais and approached Caligula for a welcome embrace. The Emperor met him and said something to him. Fortuna could not hear what but the smile left Ptolemy's face. Caligula indicated a chair to his right and the Mauretanian King sat to watch the rest of the procession. Another messenger approached Claudius. He turned and whispered with Lepidus, who nodded in agreement with something.

The procession over, the dignitaries rose to file into the Curia. Women were forbidden to enter the building, with the exception of some priestesses and the Vestal Virgins. Caligula had recently appointed Fortuna as a priestess to Victory. At his signal, she stepped forward, and poured the libations at the golden altar behind the Consuls' chairs, before resuming her place near the Vestals. Claudius delivered the welcome on behalf of the Senate. As he heard his uncle's monotone and stutter, Caligula snickered. Claudius kept his comments brief. Fortuna knew that he was aware of Caligula's disrespect and wondered if he was hurt by it, or used to it now. Caligula himself rose and made a speech. As silly as he often was anymore, he could still grace an occasion when he chose. Ptolemy responded and Fortuna listened as though Juba were speaking the words, intending to write a full report to Victoria. Three of the most powerful men in the world were Antonii, other Antonys were victorious in the field. Caligula caught her eye and she smiled at him in spite of herself.

....

Sextus Gabinius stewed as he lay in a private room of an officers' ward in the infirmary at Trevororum. The last time he had been this embarrassed was when David bar Simon beat the shit out of him for intruding in the Temple of Jerusalem. His current situation was even more awkward. The Cheruscii leaders had opened talks with Aetius, but other Germanic tribes attacked the Roman forward camp, trying to pull off another Teutoberg Forest. While Marcus was gone, Gabinius, in command of V, Vinicius, in charge of III, and Bran cobbled a defense.

Hamilcar Barca and his nephew scraped the cavalry together, along with Iolarix. Levies from the Treveri and other Belgic tribes kicked in, trying to keep the Germans from surrounding the wooden palisade and burning it. The King was everywhere, beating back enemy horsemen. During the fighting, Gabinius and his staff became surrounded, and Gabinius was injured several tines and knocked off his horse. Iolarix was able to open a corridor and hold off the enemy. He also offered Gabinius a ride behind him on his own horse. With no other choice, Gabinius took the offer. The overloaded beast got them back inside the palisade, where medics took Gabinius and the animal keeled over under the saddle. Iolarix stripped the carcass, tacked another horse, and left to rejoin the fighting.