The cold winter chill had finally settled into the coastal city of Narbo Martius. Flavius Julius Victor led his tired, starving, and fresh-from battle legions into the city after six months of marching. What had began as a summer invasion of Gaul had ended in a freezing, prolonged siege. Luckily, he had left his youngest son, Vibius, in a governorship of Massalia. Vibius had brought his beautiful wife Claudia, and young Manius into the developing city to keep the supply roads back through to Italy, keeping both armies supplied with reinforcements and supplies.
While Flavius and Vibius had ventured into a conquest of Gaul, he had his eldest son and heir Lucius to administer the affairs of the House of Julii back in Arretium. Even now building projects were beginning in the recently conquered cities of Mediolanium and Patavium. Meanwhile, Flavius' second-born son, Quinutus, dealt with rebels in Illyria. Flavius had openly applauded Quintus' fervor, but questioned his strategy. Hoping to use Segestica as a springboard into Dacia and, eventually, Germania was risky. If the Junii hadn't already done, he would've recommended using Greece as the northward invasion's lanch point.
That was partially Quintus' problem, his short-term thinking made him hot-headed. As faction leader, Flavius had to constantly think in terms of decades. One conclusion he had come to was that, one day there would be only the three Roman factions left standing in the world. Lines on the map would be drawn and right now, Quintus' invasion point would determine the most eastern borders of his territory! Flavius sighed deeply at these thoughts. He did not relish the idea of Roman swords spilling Roman blood, despite how much he loathed his Junian and Scipiian rivals.
At the head of his army, he marched through the streets of Narbo; parading through to stake the Julian Eagle onto the Governor's Villa and proclaim the city Roman. He had relished taking another Gallic city, especially one as vital as Narbo Martius! Though he did not have many vices, he had one. His pride demanded that before the Fates cut his string, he conquer the nation of Gaul.
Not just for the sheer and utter glory, but to settle his personal vendetta against the illiterate, savage brutes once and for all. A vendetta that coursed deep in his Roman blood, a vendetta that's origins could be painted on a canvas as a humid summer day. It had been a humiliating defeat that had cost him an entire legion and his credibility in the Senate. But he had won their fearful whispers back, there could be no question. The thought of all Gallic people from their vaunted capital of Condate Redonum kneeling at his feet while he placed their chief's head on a spike made the ghost of a small, savage smile appear on his lips.
"We've reached the villa, my Lord," His legate reported, his steed riding parallel to the general's.
"Very good, Titus. The army shall make camp in a circular perimeter around the villa until barracks can be raised. Pass the word that we make winter quarters here. No more advances until the snow in the forests in to Lemonum melt." He kept his eyes forward while addressing his aide.
Giving the traditional Roman salute, Titus Cassius trotted off to do Flavius' bidding. Minutes later, Flavius Julius Victor settled into his Governor's seat as his army settled into their campsite. The legate rushed into his room again, saluting.
"Sir, news from Arretium," he bowed his head, reminding the General once again of the loyalty he had earned from his men. Three legions, a little over fifteen thousand men, willing to march to their deaths in the name of one man. Cassius handed his General the scroll, almost averting his eyes.
"The news is good, Titus. It appears my daughter is betrothed!" Titus gave a hearty salute and an exclamation. "My sentiments exactly," the old General mused. "He comes from a wealthy family, he has even trained with centurion tutors all of his life! Hmm, even more curious is this young man's name…."
"May I inquire his identity, sir?" the younger man asked.
The old fox's eyes glistened dangerously.
"Why, young Cassius, the name is your own!" He stood from his chair as Titus' gulp echoed throughout the room. "You've been seeing my daughter, my beloved Fannia, behind my back!?" He demanded, his voice rising slowly.
"Sir….I," the young man stammered. Taking a deep breath and steeling himself, "I love her…"
Flavius rolled his eyes. "Foolish boy, I took you under my wing when we left Arretium, do you remember? I put you through every test I could to prepare you to be a General with a command of your own one day, do you remember why?"
The young officer nodded solemnly. "It was because I had no family. All I wanted was to serve you."
Flavius' expression softened. "And serve me you have, my young friend. We've been on this road for nigh on three years and you are without question my most dedicated of officer…" Flavius took a deep breath and for a moment he was far way in his mind. "And the men realize it as well. Say what you want about your family, but you have the men's respect. If I were to punish you, it would weaken me. Tell me; are they aware of this affair of yours?"
Titus' eyes narrowed, "If you are suggesting that I parade about my 'conquests' with my commander's daughter to the common soldier….."
Flavius raised a hand, "Forgive me, Titus, I did not mean to sully your honor. I know you are made of stronger stuff." He looked the young Roman in the eye. Short, brown hair with a slight shadow of a beard, and blue eyes. "Look at you, you've become as a son to me. How could I not give you my blessing?" He grasped Titus softly by the back of the neck and embraced him.
"I am honored, sir, to be a part of the Julii family." Titus bowed solemnly and kissed Flavius' hand.
"As am I to have you, young Titus. I shall send word to Lucius that you travel to Arretium to marry Fannia!" Flavius let the merriment in his heart be heard through his voice and clapped his new son in-law on the shoulder.
"By your word, Imperator,"
"Now on to other matters, what news?" Flavius resumed his seat as Titus unraveled the scroll.
"Public order is exceptionally high in the cities; your son Vibius has begun agricultural projects as well as defensive fortifications in Massalia." Flavius smiled. How like Vibius it was to balance the well being of the people while ensuring the defensibility of the recently conquered city! Vibius was almost the polar opposite of his elder brother, Quintus. Vibius was cold, calculating, even borderline apathetic at times. He never had taken any real joy from the games and would often bluntly calculate the shortcomings of his allies to their faces.
His son Manius, nearly two years old, was part of the sudden baby-boom Flavius' three sons had had just before the Julii's expansionist conquest had begun. Perhaps it was the fear of death mixed with the desire to keep the family name alive to pass on.
"Your son Lucius has been elected as a praetor!" Flavius smiled. Praetor would just be one more office filled by a Julii, which he was sure would come in handy. "Lucuis has also welcomed a daughter into the world, Fadia." This was indeed a joyous occasion. "Your standings amongst the plebeians and the Senate have also improved." He concluded with a smile.
"Tell me of my grandsons, Titus," the old man murmured nostalgically. "Where are they? Tell me all that you can, boy."
Cassius shuffled through more scrolls. "Let's see, where was that report? Ah, here it is!" he procured the necessary document. "Your son Lucius has two sons in Arretium; Decius and Marcus, he is also keeping Quintus; wife and son in his house while he is off fighting the rebels; Quintus only has Amulius, although his wife is expecting a second child. And Vibius has recently brought his son, baby Manius, and his wife into Massalia. Surprisingly, they are all relatively the same age, give or take a year in between Decius and Marcus."
Flavius smiled in relief, it warmed his heart to know that four out of the five were safe in Italy. However, for the life of him he couldn't figure out why Vibius wanted to raise his boy so near to the barbarians.
"And what of Faustina?" Flavius inquired suddenly.
Titus' eyes widened suddenly. "Your wife…." He slowly confirmed. "It seems she has passed into the Elysium Fields, sire." Silence.
A weight had suddenly fallen down onto Flavius' chest; he covered his face as a single tear streaked his weary face.
"My Lord," Titus began. "Is there nothing I can do…?"
Flavius wiped away the tear. "You have done enough, my son. You are to leave at once for Arretium to marry my daughter. After you have done so, you are to begin building a navy and two legions. With all haste, you will take the Carthagian islands of Carlais and then Osca and you will hold until given further orders from myself or Vibius. Are my orders clear?"
"Aye chief." Titus rose and embraced his commander for what felt like the last time.
"May the gods feed you honey, imperator," Flavius murmured as Titus strode away.