Rome sat on his horse, surveying the petty force he had managed to muster. It had been two weeks since his talk with the emperor, who had reluctantly given his consent for an investigative patrol near the northern border. Three raggedy cohorts followed him, there feet already dragging and a general feeling of woe was emitted from the company. Rome frowned, the emperor had only agreed to allow Rome a force if it was small enough to remain inconspicuous and it had to be completely voluntary. But the last condition had made the first condition completely unnecessary. The legions around the capital had no lust for campaigning; they were content to stay near Rome and civilization.

The only recruits he had managed to conjure up were young, inexperienced, fresh recruits who barely knew how to hold a gladius let alone use one in formation. However Rome had had hopes for his little patrol, they might be utterly useless in any military sense but they had the true spirit of a Roman soldier, honor and glory; well, they had had it for at least the first three nights.

So now he had to train a patrol to fight, go to the north, see where the threat was, and combat it. He had faced greater challenges, but not when he was an old man.

He heard hoofbeats behind him and turned to see a man riding up on a dusty grey steed. It was one of his centurions, a man by the name of Probus, and the only skilled officer the company had. He was an older man, well into his forties, but still robust and equipped with a better mind than the emperor.

Rome felt a sly smile creep onto his lips, in previous years he had suppressed any dissent against his emperors, now he joined in, if not openly.

"Salve, mi Probi"

"Salve, pater; a nuntius rides in from the east, he claims he has news of great importance."

"Detain him, I want to hear this news."

"Very well," Probus rode off to the end of the column. A few minutes later he returned to the head of the patrol, where Rome was riding. Following him was a spirited bay, on which was mounted a man Rome assumed to be the nuntius, he was a young fellow with shaggy brown hair, he looked very much like a Greek.

"Is this the messenger?" Rome asked Probus, eyeing the youth, who was having difficulties controlling his steed.

Probus nodded, "He says he was sent to Rome from Byzantium, apparently they are have trouble there, and to tell his message to the first high ranking military officer he found. He saw our patrol and decided to ride with us until he reached a general." Probus added with a trace of irony.

Rome turned to the rider. "You may ride with us for the time being, ride up here and tell me what is happening in Byzantium."

"I was instructed to only tell high ranking officers of the Roman Empire, and you hardly look as if you were one"

Rome looked over to Probus, who was wearing an expression of disbelief on his face.

"Boy, this is the Roman Empire."


Latin Glossary

gladius: sword

salve, mi Probi: hello, my Probus

pater: father

nuntius: messenger

iter: journey