Caput XL

***CDLXI***

The cough began three days after the Battle of the Weser. Marching east toward the Rhenus, Percy could only manage half a day's march. After a week of slow progress, he released Legio XXI Rapax to their station in Illyria at their own pace. He, along with his Praetorians, proceeded at a lesser pace. After four weeks transit, the Praetorian Legion had only reached the growing town of Mongontiacum and its great legionary fortress. As the column entered the fort, Percy looked upon the great marble monument to Drusus and wondered if, like two of his sons, Germania would see his end.

The hope that a two-week respite would ease the cough was dashed the first week of September, as a fever set upon him. The Praetorians would remain in Mongontiacum in an attempt to control the spread of rumors, but official word traveled to Rome that proclaimed Caesar would again winter in Germania. The same messenger, with more secrecy, delivered summons to Julia the Elder. Other messengers traveled to the periphery, to Jason the Younger, Germanicus, Giaus Vipsanius Agrippa, and, shockingly, a young Greek cavalryman named Patrocles. Tiberius received a far different message, to remain in Rome.

***CDLXII***

The first to visit the man who despite fever and cough still spent three hours a day training men a third his age in the way of the sword, had not been summoned. Nevertheless, Perseus smiled widely as Reyna the Younger entered his chambers. The daughter paused at the door as she looked upon the tired man with snow white hair looking at her. They had not seen each other since Mt. Taygetos. Nearly thirty years separated them from that meeting, but she had not expected them to show so clearly. He again smiled warmly.

"My dear girl." He smiled, but she noticed in doing so he could barely keep his eyes open. She approached him and felt his hands on her shoulders. She bowed her head and felt dry lips kiss her head. "Daughter, you are as beautiful as your mother."

"I shall never be as beautiful as her," Reyna muttered. She studied him, attempting to rectify the image of her father in her mind to whom sat before her now. It appeared his mind was not as aged as his appearance.

"Do you pity an old man for being old?" He attempted to laugh and instead began to cough. It took several moments before he could manage words. "I am afraid it happens to the best of us." He coughed some more and she caught the blood in his palm he attempted to hide. Upon looking at her again, his face became serious. "You were not among those summoned, however, what brings you to Germania."

"I bring a message from Jason the Younger, Legate of the Twelfth."

"It is the belief of the Twelfth that Piso arranged the death of Lucius Cornelius Jason and planned for an uprising of the eastern legions in coordination with Senators and other magistrates."

"You speak of this as if it is the past."

"It is," his daughter responded, before opening her case and revealing the severed head of Piso. Percy stared at it for a moment.

"How many others?"

"Several hundred."

"Is the threat gone?"

"Every aspect we know of is dead."

"Then your service is appreciated."

***CDLXIII***

It pained Patrocles that his mother was too weak to sit up and see their destination. A smile the likes of which he had not seen in years seemed to break her weathered face as he and Aspasia inclined her stretcher and she cast her clouded eyes upon the Parthenon.

"I know it is not rebuilt…" he started, but she cut him off.

"Yet it is still magnificent, is it not?"

"Yes, mother, it is." Replied her son, now, by the order of Caesar himself, a Roman citizen and Decurion of cavalry.

"Put me down inside of it, and let Aspasia show you about." The two younger Greeks did as their elder asked. Soon Aspasia walked Patrocles around the ruins, pointing out where heroes had fought and died for Greece. Annabeth felt the presence before words reached her.

"I hated that you never told him, but I suppose there was wisdom in it."

"My lord, I offered what I could so that my people would survive."

"The result of that offer is a fine man, and it is all your doing."

"How I wish my mother cared as you do, you visited to watch him too often not to."

"Everyone needs a little extra luck sometimes." He looked down on her. "My dear, my offer stands, come with me to Olympus."

She smiled sadly, "I must decline, My Lord Hermes." Her voice was heavy and labored, and the god could sense she would not be of this life long. "My lord, I merely ask that you lead me across, to the other side."

"Just say when." She smiled again and her eyes closed gently.

"I think… now…"

***CDLXIV***

The Twenty-first grumbled at their early spring march to Mongontiacum, until they learned Caesar himself summoned them. The Praetorians had departed at first thaw, returning to Rome with Julia the Younger and Gaius Vipsanius Agrippa. There, they released the five veteran cohorts to their fields and again became the law and order of the great city. Their position reestablished, Perseus Augustus Caesar Britannicus departed Germania at the head of the legion that would march in his triumph and stand by his side for the first spolia opima since Drusus. For all of Rome knew that Perseus had personally defeated Arminius, none knew what the campaign had taken from the man in his seventy-third year of life.

And what celebrations there were. For nearly a month, Caesar delighted the people with gladiatorial games and races, most of which his horses won. Sacrifices and dedications to all the gods exceeded any that had been seen. There would be no barbarian horde surging south to kill them. The new barrier between chaotic barbarianism and Roman order was the Weser and even beyond its eastern bank, the mere mention of Rome's legions caused the Germans to quiver in fear, at least that was how the criers told it. The Germanic leader, traitorous Arminius, died at the end of Caesar's sword and his wife and child stood fettered in slavery to the very man that turned them to widow and fatherless. To the people, the great Perseus Augustus Caesar Britannicus stood amongst the peerless of Roman history. To the Senate, he remained a Greek, lesser in reputation than his son, and as feared as any man in Rome's history.

***CDLXV***

Two weeks after the last of the fantastical celebrations, he stood upon the Rostra, gazing out over the Senate. He could see in their eyes that they searched for any semblance of weakness, any uncertainty in his demeanor. He possessed none.

Few of the Senators matched him in age, none exceeded it, and the remainder were younger. They knew the horrors of civil war from their father's stories, not experience. A week before, they had voted in his favor as he ordered the raising of two new legions: Legiones XXIX and XXX Perseo. That brought the army to thirty legions, and gods on know how many auxiliaries. The Praetorian Legion policed the city, while his Batavian guard protected his person. Just a few miles south of the Tiber, Legio XXI Rapax enjoyed leisure before returning to the frontier. Their lingering presence was felt by the Senators and was no accident.

"My fellow Senators," he began, pacing with his hands behind his back to prevent the palsy in his hands from showing. "I entered the service of this city on the plains of Greece, fifty-five years ago. Some of you were not born yet. I was a lowly cavalryman. I suspect many of you resent that I am not in that position any longer." He smiled crookedly and many of the Senators laughed. "Some of you, I have known for years. Others, just for a few, because I spent most of my years with your fathers. It would not do for this to occur again. I am what remains of an old breed, men of war. We fought foes and each other. They called pater familias, but why? I was more likely to share a meal with Bellona than my wife. More likely to ride with the sons of Mars than my own. Familia was a rare blessing for us. Mars and Bellona were our companions, not Juno and Vesta. I have shouldered the burdens of war and the defense of Rome for many years. I have built an army to secure our safety. Therefore, I have passed a greater burden to my son, the keeping of peace; for keeping far exceeds the demands of war. I am a chlild of war and we are not good at peace. Let them say I walked with great men, Augustus and Agrippa, Bassus and Antonius. But the age of the men of war is over. And thus, it is time I step aside and usher in a younger man to pursue such things. The wars of Perseus Augustus Caesar Britannicus are over. Now begins the peace of Tiberias."

***CDLXV****

For seven years he remained quietly on Cephalonia. His great estate, a gift "from the Roman people," rarely hosted foreign delegates or Senators, for he preferred to spend his days with his children and grandchildren. Julia the Elder remained by his side, despite his insistence that she should live a life she wished of her own. Her response forced a smile to his face. "And leave you alone? Gods only know what debauchery old men living by themselves on an island will get into." Thus she accompanied him even now, as the eighty-year-old traveled by wagon to the legionary camp along the Danube.

The cheers of the men brought a smile to his face. Julia suppressed a tear, for it appeared an army brought more joy to him than family. Tiberias greeted them, for he had been warned of his father's demand to travel and the deterioration of his father's health. Therefore, the carriage parked in a place where none could see that Perseus required assistance to exit. Despite the age though, Tiberias could see why his men cheered. Unlike many others, weight had not accompanied age. Age may have curled his spine and slumped his shoulders, but sharp eyes and a still-powerful build showed the man was still a force to be reckoned with. And the soldiers' reaction to him says more. Several days of quiet meals with a rotating guest list occurred, until the legate of the Twenty-first spoke up one night.

"Caesar," father and son looked to him. "My…my… my apologies, Perseus Caesar. The men of the Twenty-first have begged me to ask, will you speak to them before the campaign?" The tribes across the Danube had raided Roman land, Tiberias knew his duty to respond. Perseus looked to his son, not that even in retirement he required permission from anyone for anything. The look existed solely for the others present. Tiberias smiled.

"He looks to me, in an attempt to reduce himself and raise me higher," Tiberias stood and moved to his elder, before taking a knee. "But a father need never bow before his son." Perseus patted his son's knee and smiled warmly.

"I will speak to them in the morning, an old man needs his sleep."

***CDLVI***

For the first time in many years, Julia and Tiberius watched as the Son of Poseidon drew himself up to his full height. They stood close enough to see the pain and exertion it took to do so. Before them the assembled thousands of Legio XXI Rapax fell silent. This was their sponsor, the man who led them to victory and conquest, this was their emperor.

"You magnificent bastards." Tiberius could only assume that some divine power magnified his father's voice. "Some say Rome is a city of marble, that it is the flame of the West. Others say I am Rome, or that my son is Rome. But before me is Rome. For where the legion marches, Rome has come. At eighteen, I fought as of you, in the ranks at Philippi. There, I found my home. Yet you and others would say my home is Rome, from whence I ruled. But the legion is Rome. The legion bore me from Syria to Iberia, from Britannia to Egypt. Where Rome demanded, the legion went. Where the legion went, I found my home. I have fought many wars in your ranks and leading them. I have buried friends and sons. Lovers and enemies. None of those is so melancholy as burying a man who died because of my orders. Few of you are left that remember your legion's pledge on the plains of the Oeneos. To Pluto's Gates, you said," Tiberius could only look on as his father's voice rose in vigor at the words. "Here I say, I release you from your oath. For I am far too close to those gates for you magnificent bastards to follow." His voice returned to its softer tone. "Rome needs you far more than I will." Julia and Tiberius watched him pause. "I joined at eighteen my first look at Rome a legion, it is only fair that my last view of Rome at eighty be of the Twenty-first. The legion is Rome, men of the Twenty-first. For the men of the legion hold virtus dear to their hearts. And should not all Romans follow that example? The legion is Rome and I see a glorious Rome before me." As the cheers of the men rang out, complete with cries "Imperator" as in Britannia so many years ago, the aged man turned and walked slowly toward his tent. He forced himself to remain upright until passing from the eyes of the men. He slumped, his shoulders sagging and his gait unruly.

"Father, are you alright?" Tiberius asked.

"Just," his eyes closed for a moment, "need to lie down and rest." Mother and son aided his transit to a bed, where he fell asleep nearly at an instant, however it was uneasy. They watched him and after a few moments more, Tiberius realized the movements appeared as a microcosm of combat movements.

"What is he doing?"

"Fighting, I have seen him do it before." Julia responded softly, her eyes becoming wet as the movements slowly became less violent.

"Against who? The Gauls? The Germans? The Greeks?" Tiberius only now noticed the sadness in his mother's reply.

"Against the enemy not even he can defeat." The movements slowed more. "Mors." She felt Tiberius' arm around her and then tears struck her shoulder. Together, mother and son watched as the Son of Poseidon fought against the force no mortal man could face. The movements now nearly ended completely, even as the ferocity left his face. First calmness and then acceptance, until beneath his white beard the faintest semblance of a smile appeared. For no man could defeat Mors, no matter how great he was in the eyes of man and god.

Tiberius looked at his mother. "How am I do live up to him?"

"I think he would tell you to live up to Rome."

End Part IV

~Fin~

Notes from the Historical Record

Augustus: Did not die in AD 9, but in AD 14. I have the news of Teutoburg Forest killing him in order to allow the rise of Percy. In reality, this succession was less clean, as Augustus had lost multiple heirs apparent and his relationship with Tiberius Claudius Drusus was strained at best.

Julia the Elder: "There are two wayward daughters that I have to put up with: the Roman commonwealth and Julia." Beyond her involvement in a few political intrigues, my Julia is not quite the character that the real Julia was. I posit this is due to the fact that she and Percy found love and therefore while forced initially the marriage became a happy one.

Germanicus: Much of Germanicus' story is accurate with minor changes to fit the narrative. As Piso is dead, it is clear he cannot be the cause of Germanicus historical death in AD 19. It should be noted Germanicus married Agrippina the Elder in reality, not a fictional daughter of Perseus. Similarly, Agrippina the Elder has been married to Tiberius in this story.

Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso: A former consul and governor of Hispania, as the governor of Syria Piso was accursed of poisoning Germanicus and put to death in AD 20. Piso had supposed been sent to Syria by Emperor Tiberius as a check on the power and influence of Germanicus. I instead have him planning an overthrow of Percy as Caesar and this being rather brutally put down by Barbatus, Jason the Younger, and Reyna the Younger.

Teutoburg Forest: This event is of course real, and I hope my portrayal delivers justice to it as I dedicate less than a full chapter to an event that has entire books written about it. But now to the players.

Publius Quinctilius Varus: A real figure from 46 BC – AD 9, I have adapted him for this story. My version is roughly twenty years younger than the real Varus, but I avoided Percy and Reyna having a child at 14. The real Varus' father killed himself following Philippi. While Varus did have three sisters, I have completely fictionalized them all. I have mirrored his actual career, utilizing his father, Percy, and his work with Augustus to justify his lack of age. As is hinted at, Varus did marry a daughter of Agrippa, though I do not explore this.

Arminius: 18 BC – AD 21. In my story he dies in AD 12, as Percy's response to the disaster at Teutoburg is much faster than the historical one. His relationship with Thusnelda had been told in several ways, but I made it more amorous. Arminius did fight for Rome in Illyria, which I portray as his interactions with Percy prior to the final battle.

Roman Response: The Roman response to Teutoburg began in AD 14 and continued through the AD 50s. I portray Percy as responding within a year. The major campaign shown in this story occurs from AD 10 – AD 12. As part of this, I have Percy do something Rome did not in history. His rapid response is possible by the reestablishment of Legions XVII, XVIII, and XIX. Rome never used those numbers again for legions. I have the campaign culminate with a great slaughter at the Battle of the Weser in AD 12, not a close fought Battle of the Weser in AD 16.

Gaius Vipsanius Agrippa: This is a fictionalized version of Agrippa's son with Julia the Elder who became known as Gaius Julius Caesar. As Percy and Tiberius live, he is not adopted by Augustus. It would not be a stretch, however, to believe Perseus would take care of his friend's children, apparent by marrying his eldest legitimate daughter to him.

Invasion of Britain: Needless to say, this occurs far before its actual event. Aulus Plautius, on behalf of Emperor Claudius invaded Britain in AD 43 and it was not complete until AD 84. I have Percy accomplishing this in just 2-3 years, 17 BC – 15 BC, because its Percy and I wanted the story to move along. Mostly this stemmed from a desire to see Percy act as a true conqueror. I would consider Greece a reclamation of lost territory. Spain was close, but as is seen Augustus brings him back to Rome before it's over. The campaigns in Gaul and Illyria are responses to rebellions. Germania at the end could possibly qualify as a second conquest with the claims to the Weser.

Cruelty: Throughout this story, the treatment of the defeated and the conduct of the fighters on all sides is appalling. Reports and writings of the time, however, reveal that this was widespread. Carthage used crucifixion regularly, including on its own citizens, and the defeated could expect a high probability of slavery following their defeat.

The Legions: As stated above, I have Percy raising Legions XVII, XVIII, and XIX anew after Teutoburg. Additionally, you see at the end of his reign, Rome possessed thirty field legions and a full legion of Praetorians. I have renumbered many legions via Percy's "reforms" in order to avoid mistakes when addressing multiple Legio Vs or similar occurrences.

The Empire at Perseus' End: I have a map and legend of conquest and wars that I will post on my Discord Channel in the Emerald Library. It is hand drawn, as much background work commonly is for me, but should provide context as to the Empire's current size. Its Balkan holdings as well as lands across the Danube are not to their largest extent, but over the land area is nearly as large as it ever become in history.

Succession After Percy: Will be addressed in the epilogue, which if you read all the way to here, I believe you deserve to know is being written as you are reading this.

A/N: I will not go too in-depth here, as I will have the end of the epilogue for that. But I must issue an incredible thank you to CombatTombat for his help in some tricky plot points and honestly for expanding this story beyond just the Greek Campaign seen in Part II. For all of you that have been reading this since the beginning, all of the thanks and I hope the journey was worth dealing with my obsessive compulsive commitment to being as historically accurate as I could manage.