"When in Rome be like Romans"
Slaves of Rome part II
Authors introduction:
This is the sequel to my most popular story to date. All Roads lead to Rome has received over 12,000 hits and more than 150 reviews. Many-thanks all! If you have read part one you know I like research and incorporate it into my story as best I can. Each chapter will be followed with a notes section providing additional peaks into the rational behind the tale. I suggest you read All roads first if you have not already done so, it introduces you to the roman world during the reign of Cesar Augustus. (12 AD) and tells you how our favorite GW characters came to be where they are, as slaves of Treize Khushrenada and his aide-de-camp Zechs Merquise.
Chapter 1: Preparations for the Day
Trejanus Kushrenada Zeno woke slowly to the sound of bird song. His chamber was still cool and sunlight was only just beginning to filter in from the silted window that opened into the atrium. He stretched and turned over. A metal tray had been set on his bedside table…A sign that Zechs had already been and gone, careful not to disturb the master of the house as he slept.
The ginger haired noble sat up and leaned over to remove the cover from the tray to reveal …lettuce leaves…fresh cut lettuce leaves and clean strips of cloth. He sighed. Everyone knew Treize had an appreciation for roses. It would be nice to see some, freshly cut first thing in the morning…their fragrance nudging him gently from the silken folds of sleep. Zechs would never think of such a thing and he dared not hint. It just wasn't done. And so the tray contained a wordless rebuke from his ever practical second.
The frustrating blonde KNEW he had overdone things yesterday. When the master of the Saepta arcana tabulata catastae brokered the deal to sell him five exotic slaves before they went on public auction the man had directed that he be sure to enjoy them. Treize highly doubted accepting to duel one of them was what the man had in mind. But matching skill with the fiery WuFei had been a genuine treat. Even so, he was paying for it now. Treize was reluctant to go to Mistress Po and endure one of the healer's lectures; but there was no escaping his aide-de-camp's well meaning gestures.
Treize frowned. His eternal friend Seax MereKāser, or Zechs Merquise as the name was rendered in formal Latin, was many things; barbarian, prince, legionnaire & former gladiator just to name a few, but he was no chamber slave. Hopefully the newest acquisitions to his household would be taking up some of those duties. It was an insult for the young man to demean himself by setting out Treize's clothing and seeing young Mariemaia, had tidy bed linens. Yet Zechs chose to serve in this way as he did so many others. The man was indispensable and his faithfulness was more than Treize deserved.
The fact woke a stab of guilt in his breast. He hated keeping secrets from his most treasured friend. Treize knew just how important news of the Dēorlinde was to his friend. Zechs' father the Mighty Sea king of the Rus had named Govener Varus protector of his precious shield, years ago and, as far as the former prince was aware, that was still the case. But Treize knew different.
Arminius, a man Treize's father had trusted with his life when they fought alongside one another in the Pannonian wars, (BC 12-BC 8), had gone rogue taking his Cherusci fighters with him. Other barbarian tribes united under his banner. The Marsi, Chatti, Bructeri, Chauci and Sicambri were all taking up arms against the forces of Rome. Governor Varsus was two years dead and the Dēorlinde was lost. It was a bad omen to say the least. If it caused King Marbod of the Marcomanni to abandon the treaty with Rome joining his forces with Arminius, then all Zech's father worked and sacrificed for would be lost. The peace he crafted would be shattered for all time.
Treize's fists bunched up the thin blanket that had acted to protect him against the chill of night. He was doing everything in his power to recover the Dēorlinde from Arminius, and as leader of the equestrian order his influence was considerable indeed. He might not have the same strength of command as he had had as Emperor Augustus's Primus Pilus (primary general) but the man who currently held that title was still loyal to him. And Germanous was surely a force to be reckoned with. It said much that Emperor's grandson would search every stand of trees and riverbed in the Rhineland to find the answers Treize needed. But it just wasn't the same as doing the legwork yourself and sadly that ability was beyond him now.
Treize sighed. Having Zechs worry about things he could not change served no purpose. Besides, Treize did enough of that for the both of them. He just felt so helpless. The noble inched himself painfully to the edge of the bed. With the ease that came with years of practice he swaddled the cool lettuce leaves, still damp with dew, around his swollen knee and bound them tightly with the bandage.
The sounds of battle still tainted his dreams. Many nights he heard his horse scream as a terrified boy plunged his ash spear into its belly. He felt the mighty beast crumple beneath him and the bone jarring crunch his knee made when he made contact with the blood drenched soil. In a fraction of a heartbeat…visited in countless nightmares his brilliant military career was over.
The legion's best Greek physician had done his best to mend the twisted joint. Anointing it with honey and lashing it between stout tree branches to strengthen. The limb wasn't deformed, as was the case for many who incurred such injury, but it hadn't been a sterling success either. A fact he was reminded of every time he over extended himself. There was nothing quite like having to face your own weakness first thing in the morning. Was it petty to wish for roses instead of lettuce leaves?
Probably, He admitted with a sigh then smirked. So he was no longer a great general…that did not mean his life was over. He would not be giving up anytime soon. Roses or no roses, each day was an adventure and this one was just beginning. He owed it to Zechs and there were others who needed him too. He WAS head of house after all and the size of his household had more than doubled with the inclusion the new slaves. Treize ran his fingers through sleep mussed ginger hair rose to face the challenges that awaited him.
Section 1 Notes:
Trejanus Zeno: Janus was the Roman god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings, and endings. He is honored at the start of journeys and enterprises. Janus is also the root for the Roman word meaning door. Janus is depicted as having two heads or faces and is known for his vigilance. Janus represents time, looking both into the past and future at the same time. The doors to his temple were open during war-time so he could watch what was going on and closed during peace. The first month of the year, January, is named after him. Zeno is Greek name meaning gift or cart. It reflects Treize's mother's Greek heritage. Trejanus Zeno would denote "the gift of Janus or the 13th of January," So in this story Treize is named after his birthday as much as his character.
Arminius: Latinized variant of the Germanic name Irmin meaning "great" Also a historical figure, he was Germanicus chief adversary. Arminus left his mark on the historical record between 4 and 11 AD I am shifting the timeline a bit so he is still powerful. He unified some of the tribes and made a stand against the Romans winning a decisive victory in the Teutoburg Forest. He sent Varus's head to king Marbod in hopes to gain his aid. Marbod was appalled and sent the head to Rome for proper burial. In midst of battle His brother Flavus stood with Rome and tried to convince Arminius to give up. His brother tried to sway Flavus stand with his people instead. Nothing was resolved for either of them eventually Arminius was assassinated by one of his lieutenants who thought he was getting too powerful.
Germanicus: is an actual historical figure considered one of Rome's most beloved generals. By an interesting tangle in the family tree, he was related to six Roman Emperors and indirectly to two more. He was grandson to Augustus by blood, marriage and by adoption. He was named heir to Emperor Tiberius (at his grandfather's request). He was brother of Emperor Claudius, Father of Caligula, Grandfather of Nero. In addition, Mark Antony, right hand of Julius and Octavian Cesar, was his grandfather on his mother's side. He died under suspicious circumstances at the age of 35. His Emperor/uncle/stepfather, Tiberius, was suspected of having him poisoned. If Germanicus had lived to rule I believe a very bloody period of history could have been avoided. I expect you can see why I think Treize would have been drawn to him; they are kindred spirits after all.
Medical procedures in ancient Rome: Yes, as unlikely as it sounds honey and lettuce or cabbage leaves were thought to have tremendous curative properties. Doctors in the ancient times were not looked upon with a very high view of professional performance, as most of them were freedmen or slaves and many were little better than charlatans and quacks. There were some however, who did attempt to improve their medical knowledge, even though they still combined medical techniques together with superstition. Greek medical information seemed to have been based mainly on scientific data, and observation. Roman medicine borrowed much from the Greek, but combined it with local religious or mythical views.