Domina Victrix

Chapter 71: 31 AD, Italy, Gaul, Antioch, and Judea

He was assigned as his uncle's staff officer, handling correspondence and documents for II Matrona and III Augusta, as well as tribal and provincial business. A courier set two dispatch boxes down on the table. One bore the Legion's emblem of Pegasus, the winged stallion. The other box had the image of Epona and held provincial documents. Appius was deputy governor and cooperated closely with Castillus Bricius in Lugdunum. Artos sorted this paperwork as well. Appius saw the stacks in front of him and sat down at the worktable.

"What have you got?" he asked.

As they passed documents back and forth, officers from the various departments began turning in their accounts and reports. Appius gathered them, using a stylus to explain the finer points of each to Artos. The workroom buzzed around them as they spoke. Anerin was now Prefectus Alae for II, with Bran as Prefect or auxilliary commander. A Parisi, a Treveri, and an Aedui were Tribunes. The officer corps of II were a tight squad and got along. The men, back home and led by Gaulish-speaking Celts who held tribal rank as well, were shaping up into a keen, fighting cavalry and infantry force with an emphasis in forested and mountainous areas.

It was III that gave Appius a headache. Posting in Gaul was a plum assignment for men who just wanted to check a box on the cursus honorum. Some were interested in making the military a career and gaining combat and command experience, but many were not. Settled provinces like Gaul, Hispania, or Greece, which were Romanized and where nothing really happened, fit their plans. These men were the proverbial officer-dandies, who loved to wear custom uniforms, strut around the fortress, carouse the tenderloin of the town, and not do much of anything else. That was most of his officer corps in III, with some exceptions. Hamilcar Barca's namesake nephew was Prefectus Equitum. As outgoing and hardworking as his uncle, he spoke enough of his mother's Celtiberian dialect and had some knowledge of Celtic culture that he had gained the respect of his men. An admirer of Lucius Antonius and Juba of Mauretania, he was in it long-term. So, too, was young Crispianus Aetius, who fled the Guard after his Grandfather's death.

There was another Praetorian refugee, who arrived a day or two after Artos joined. Marcus Vinicius was the son, grandson, and great-grandson of Consuls, but did not put on any airs. All he wanted, in so many words, was to be anywhere other than Rome. At one time, a posting to the Praetorian Guard would be the pinnacle of many young men's hopes, but apparently not anymore. Appius had asked Vinicius why he had wanted to come to Gaul after being in Rome.

"All I can say is Rome isn't safe," Vinicius responded. "I worry about Domitius and Artorianus, and am so glad Iullus, Crispianus, Marcellus, Valerillus, and I got out."

"That bad?" Appius asked.

"Worse. There are things going on that are above and beyond me and it isn't healthy. I don't want to talk out of turn, though."

He was not about to be specific and Appius did not press the issue. He had appointed Vinicius as Broad-stripe and pondered how to deal with his four nuisances. His staffing over with Artos, he went into conference with the senior officers of both units. As they talked, the buccinae sounded noon watch.

"Tribune Iolarix, go to lunch," Appius called out.

"Yes, Sir!"

Artos set his work aside and headed to the officers' mess. The orderlies had prepared ham stew and sourdough bread. Artos loaded a bowl and found a seat at a table. None of the Celts were around. The four Legion Tribunes entered, saw him sitting at an empty table with plenty of space and went to the other side of the room. Crispianus Aetius came in, got his food, and joined Artos.

"They don't like me anymore than they do you," he said.

"Then I'm in good company," Artos said.

"Can I ask you some questions about Vercingetorix?"