Read Online Soldier of Rome: The Last Campaign (The Artorian Chronicles) by James Mace - Free Book Online

amongst themselves, with a few nodding in approval. Claudius was quietly congratulating himself. He had gone the entire time without stammering once. He addressed Marcus directly once more.
    “As for what will happen to you , Marcus, you heard me tell Cassius. I will not condemn anyone for the death of Gaius Caligula. Those who murdered Caesonia and Julia have been sentenced and, therefore, the matter is now closed.”
    The senators all bowed deeply as they made their exit, Marcus most of all. One man remai ned. Though not a senator, Claudius knew who he was, his reputation in the legions exemplary, and his service as tribune of the plebs commendable.
    “Gaius Calvinus,” Claudius said, acknowledging the man . “I know that C…Cassius is a dear friend of yours, but do n…not ask me to spare his life.” The emperor silently cursed himself that his stutter had returned.
    “That is not my intent, Caesar,” Calvinus replied , at last breaking his silence. “It is true, Cassius is a close friend and brother-in-arms. The battles we fought in together forged a bond between us that can never be broken, even by death. He also understands the gravity of his crimes and asked me to make a final request on his behalf. He asks that he be executed with the sword that he used to slay Caligula.”
    “Granted,” Claudius nodded. When Calvinus did not make to leave he continued, “Anything else?”
    “Yes, Caesar,” Calvinus replied. “For myself, I ask that I be his executioner.”
     

     
    The cell was surprisingly well-lit despite the scarcity of windows and only a single door. As it sat atop the Capitoline Hill, the narrow slits high on the wall let in a surprising amount of light. The former praetorian had been returned to his cell, which would now serve as his place of execution that very afternoon. Rather than making it a public spectacle at the top of the Gemonian Stairs, the emperor had granted him a private death. Claudius wished to give him at least some dignity, despite Cassius’ terrible crimes. Cassius paced back and forth; his sentence read, he had made peace with whatever gods there may be and impatiently awaited his fate. The rattling of a key in the lock of his cell door echoed, and the metal door swung open with a loud creak. Cassius smiled sadly as Calvinus entered, carrying his scabbarded gladius clutched in his hands.
    “Calvinus,” Cassius noted with surprise as his friend approached him and drew the weapon. His eyes were damp, face pale, and knuckles white as he clutched the gladius.
    “The emperor agreed to allow you to die by the same blade as Caligula,” Calvinus replied. “And as your friend, I asked that I be permitted to grant you a quick passage into the next life.”
    “That was very kind of both of you,” Cassius noted.
    Calvinus shook his head and dropped the weapon, which clattered on the stone floor, before slumping down on a nearby bench. Cassius was kneeling and readying himself for death.
    “I don’t want to do this,” Calvinus said with much despair in his voice. “When we cut our way out of Teutoburger Wald all those years ago, I never thought it would end like this. Only two others from my century survived that horrid ordeal, and it is because of you we survived. More than a hundred men owed their lives to you after that.” The memory was so long ago, that it seemed almost surreal to both men. “What happened, Cassius? Caligula, yes, but why Caesonia? And by the gods, why her daughter?”
    “If you bear any love for me, old friend,” Cassius retorted impatiently, “then question me no more. Many days I think I should have died in Teutoburger Wald. Perhaps the gods would have looked upon me with favor for having fallen in battle. But no matter. Come, strike true and send me on my way. There is a coin in my pouch; place it in my mouth after I am dead, so I can pay Charon for passage across the River Styx and not be left on the shores in limbo for a hundred years.”
    “Of