Free Soldier of Rome: The Sacrovir Revolt (The Artorian Chronicles) by James Mace Page A

more than three cohorts,” Proculus answered. “Command feels that any more than that will provoke the locals into thinking we are invading again. Our cavalry assets are few, and they are constantly taxed to the limit as it is. Hence, the task has fallen on us. We will move across the Rhine in ten days. From there we will split off, all centuries moving on line, each taking an assigned sector as you can see on this map.”
    “Sir, will that not leave us exposed to attack?” the Optio from the Fifth Century asked.
    “Possibly,” Proculus answered, “which is why we must make contact with the local tribal chiefs as soon as possible and gage from them the demeanor of their people. They also need to understand that it is their responsibility to keep the fanatics in check. We must make certain that they understand any hostile act towards us will be construed as an act of war, and will be followed by another full-scale invasion. It has only been four years since Idistaviso. While there may be some who wish for the opportunity to spill our blood, there are many more who remember all too well the consequences.”
    Macro sat back in his chair, arms folded, brooding over what was being proposed. While the risks were there, he completely agreed with Proculus’ assessment. He was curious to see how things had or had not changed since they crossed back to the west of the Rhine four years earlier. This mission would be much different than their last ; one of reconnaissance and information gathering. There would a lot fewer of them this time as well. He still detested the barbarians. The horror of Teutoburger Wald never fully left him. It was a pity this wasn’t another invasion. A part of him hoped the Germans would become openly hostile toward Roman soldiers crossing the Rhine. An opportunity to slay a few more of the bastards would not be unwelcome.
     

     
    Tiberius sat before the assembled Senate. Piso stood with his defense counsel off to one side. The defendant stared at him the entire time, though the Emperor pretended not to notice.
    “Piso,” Tiberius spoke, “was my father’s representative and friend and was appointed by myself, on the advice of the Senate, to assist Germanicus in the administration of the East. Whether he provoked the young prince by willful opposition and rivalry, and had rejoiced at his death or wickedly destroyed him, is for you to determine with minds unbiased. Certainly if a subordinate oversteps the bounds of duty and of obedience to his commander, and has exulted in his death and in my affliction, I shall hate him and exclude him from my house, and I shall avenge a personal quarrel without resorting to my power as Emperor. If , however, a crime is discovered which is punishable, whoever the murdered man may be, it is for you to give just reparation both to the children of Germanicus and to us, his parents.
    “ Consider this, too, whether Piso dealt with the armies in a revolutionary and seditious spirit; whether he sought by intrigue, popularity with the s oldiers; whether he attempted to repossess himself of the province by arms, or whether these are falsehoods which his accusers have published with exaggeration. As for them, I am justly angry with their intemperate zeal. For what purpose did they strip the corpse , and expose it to the pollution of the vulgar gaze, and circulate a story among foreigners that he was destroyed by poison, if all this is still doubtful and requires investigation?
    “For my part, I sorrow for my son and shall always sorrow for him; still I would not hinder the accused from producing all the evidence which can relieve his innocence or convict Germanicus of any unfairness, if such there was. And I implore you not to take as proven charges alleged, merely because the case is intimately bound up with my affliction. Do you, whom ties of blood or your own true-heartedness have made his advocates, help him in his peril, every one of you, as far as each man's