Sword of Rome: Standard Bearer Read Free Page B

I’m told, everywhere rains less than here. I
also miss my wife - although I’m sure that I’ll be cured of any fondness I’m
feeling for her once I see her again.”
    Caesar smiled. He always enjoyed his
conversations with his manservant. From an early age Joseph had used humour to temper his master’s seriousness, or he would
become serious whenever Caesar grew too flippant.
    “I was confident that you’d somehow find a way
to contain your excitement about the campaign Joseph. But we are close to the
edge of the map here, writing a new chapter in the history of Rome,” Caesar
remarked whilst checking his hair and how his tunic hung in the large silver
mirror his manservant placed before him.
    “Just make sure that your obituary’s not a
footnote in that history,” the Jew replied, unable to hide the worry and
affection he carried for his master. He had neither been blind to his flaws nor
greatness since an early age.
    “Would you miss me then Joseph, as much as
your wife?” Caesar replied, touched and amused slightly by the sage old man’s
rare show of emotion.
    “There are times when I miss my bouts
indigestion more than my wife sir, if that’s anything to go by. No, I’m more
concerned about being too old to break in a new master,” Joseph replied,
allowing himself a flicker of a smile as he packed away his jars of aromatic
oils.
    Caesar let out a laugh.
    “Some people might say I give you too much licence Joseph.”  
    “Ignore such people sir. Clemency is a fine
virtue, especially when displayed towards someone who holds a razor to your
throat each day.”
    “You are as wise as your people’s Solomon
Joseph.”
    “But not as rich,
unfortunately.”
    “You wouldn’t know how to spend such wealth if
you had it.”
    “No, but my wife would.”
    Again Caesar laughed and again a flicker of a
smile could be seen upon the wrinkled, good-natured face of his old servant.
Partly, he was pleased to have cheered his master up. When he had first entered
his quarters this evening Joseph had witnessed Caesar anxiously reading and
replying to correspondence. Caesar had looked like he was about to fall off the
edge of the map.

 
    7.

 
    Lucius Oppius ’
nerves increased when he realised that he would be
dining with Caesar alone. The soldier was far more comfortable holding a gladius than a conversation. He awkwardly stood before his
commander. Rain splattered upon the roof of the tent. Numerous lamps gave the
room – for all intents and purposes a triclinium , given its furnishings – a homely glow. Some
hours ago Caesar had looked every inch a General. Now, clad in a gleaming white
tunic bordered with purple, Caesar appeared every inch an aristocrat. Fine
wines and exotic foods adorned the table. Oppius also
recalled once seeing Caesar in Rome at the Forum, every inch the statesman,
dressed in a white toga, also bordered with purple. Despite his age, Caesar
looked as fit and virile as any young officer. Oppius could smell a woman’s perfume lingering in the air and he thought about his
commander’s reputation as a lover. Many a woman would just lie back, close her
eyes and think of Rome when with most statesmen, but not with Caesar. He acted
as if he were still in his prime – and perhaps he was, Oppius mused.
    Caesar welcomed the centurion and clasped his
forearm in a Roman handshake.
    “Firstly – and most importantly perhaps –
let’s get you a drink. I’m going to insist that you try the falernian .
You’ll thank me for it,” Caesar remarked, nodding to an attendant to pour a cup
of the vintage.
    The wine and Caesar’s gregarious manner soon
helped Oppius relax and the centurion was flattered
to be asked his opinion about various matters of soldiering. Caesar again
thanked his newly promoted officer for his actions that day too.
    “You captured my respect and loyalty today Oppius , as well that beach. You have earned my gratitude –
and a promotion. Your father was a standard bearer