Aurelia || SERIES ROMANA I

Chapter 93 ~ Fines

14th August 44 AD

With a dull roar, the signal echoed throughout the camp and across the vast expanse of the terrain. The small stones of the path crunched under his feet as Gaius trudged resolutely to his tent. In a few minutes his staff would join him there and he still had some work to do before they arrived. On his way he encountered familiar faces of familiar figures by now, respectfully pausing in their work and saluting. But on this day, he could not take the time to linger briefly with them and exchange a few words. Even though he did not know most of them by name, he could not look them in the eye as long as their fate was so uncertain. As a commander, he had to make life and death decisions, and when he walked through the camp on the eve of a battle, he wondered who he would have to sacrifice for Rome's victory. While he was keen to keep casualties to a minimum, there would still be casualties on their side too. Such was simply the nature of war and some days he wondered who had given him the right to make such decisions and intervene in the fate of each of his soldiers in such a way.
A large part of Gaius longed for the peace and seclusion of his villa on Dianium. He missed his son, who by now was even writing him his first little letters. Nothing filled his heart with more pride and sorrow at the same time than to see the progress of his Julius. He longed to finally meet his little daughter, whom he only knew from stories and pictures, and it broke his heart that he, too, was nothing more than a name and a face on a painting or a coin to her. But above all, he longed to be able to hold her in his arms again. Her words gave him the necessary strength to get through this war. But all too clearly he felt the weight of the burden that lay on both her shoulders and if he didn't share it with her again soon, he was in danger of breaking under it. If he felt this way already on the edge of her realm, how could she possibly feel in its heart? In all his life, Gaius had never felt so far from his family.
Yet now, for the first time, his return was within his grasp. He just had to seize the chance and he was more afraid than ever of failing. Too many people were relying on him, and he didn't want to let any of them down - least of all himself.
In his tent, Hesiod was already busy making the final arrangements for the staff meeting. It was a mystery to him how his slave could only think of everything and always put out exactly the maps and documents he actually needed. Not once in three years had he not been able to rely on Hesiod's preliminary work. Not once in three years had Gaius gone into a meeting unprepared or seemed unprepared during a meeting. When they were back in Rome, he might even give Hesiod his freedom, with the prospect of continuing to work for him. For Gaius could not and would not do without him any longer. But before he made such a decision, he had to talk it over with his grandmother and his wife.
After a few minutes, his officers were fully assembled, and the council of war could begin. With a serious face, Gaius listened to his legates' reports on the state of their legions. After Plautius, Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo stepped forward, who had taken over the post from Uncle Claudius. About a year and a half ago, Uncle Claudius had approached Gaius and asked him to send him back to Rome. The British weather was putting a strain on his uncle's health and Gaius arranged for the necessary steps to be taken. In his letter, which Aurelia was to read to the Senate, he had not put a name. Although Corbulo had not occurred to him as a candidate, within a very short time he had emerged as a very able strategist and legate. As soon as Uncle Claudius had arrived in Rome, he had taken up his post at the now completed university and in this position he seemed to flourish completely. In the end, they were all satisfied. Aurelia had appeased a political opponent, Uncle Claudius gained respect through his enormous knowledge and Gaius did not have to lead his campaign with a legate who did not even want to be here.
After the last report was finished, Gaius nodded with satisfaction. His army was in good condition and ready for the coming battle. The only thing missing was tactics. With a thoughtful expression, they turned their attention to the map of the area and Gaius quickly corrected the position of their opponents. With pursed lips, he studied the various figures and analysed the terrain. Every now and then he would grab one of the Roman figures, holding it indecisively in his hands for a few heartbeats before moving it to another spot on the map. While his legates quietly discussed their ideas with each other, he listened silently and weighed their interjected suggestions. Sometimes he would rearrange their ideas on the map, trying to anticipate how the British would react to these strategies. None of the ideas his legates suggested or he himself rolled around in his mind could convince him completely.
After a while he straightened up and looked over Vespasian's shoulder. Hesiod nodded at him unobtrusively before disappearing from the meeting room again. This was their sign that the sun was just setting.
"Let's stop discussing and use the falling night to gain clarity for tomorrow and recharge our batteries," Gaius said, curling his lips into a fine smile. "Be here before dawn to receive your specific orders."
One legate after another left the tent, but even Gaius did not follow his own advice. How could he even find peace now, when there were still so many decisions to be made? His soldiers were counting on him. He had to save as many Roman lives as possible. Deeply immersed in the world of his thoughts, he did not notice how the moon rose higher and higher.
Like a man possessed, Gaius stared at the map still spread out on his writing desk, trying to finally find a solution. Again and again, he pushed the individual figures over the terrain and spasmodically played out the same and yet completely different scenarios over and over again in his head. Every now and then he would pause in his work for a moment, grab his wine goblet and sip his drink. Ideally, he would simply have a second wall built like his ancestor and wait until the enemies had calmed down. But it wasn't that simple. He was not dealing with a two-front war. Not yet.
Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair, wishing for her advice more than ever. Together they would find a solution. With a sigh, he grabbed the figurine that was supposed to represent Vespasian and eyed it closely, as if the small figure would tell him what to do. Lost in thought, he played with the figure when suddenly a hand gently rested on his shoulder. At the same time, the familiar smell of lavender and sea salt rose to his nose and his whole body relaxed. His head sank imperceptibly back and leaned against her soft body. Her other hand stroked his hair before she breathed a fleeting kiss on his forehead. Automatically he closed his eyes, enjoying her closeness he had so painfully longed for all these years.
"Why aren't you in bed yet?" she murmured anxiously in his ear, her concern piercing like a dagger through the middle of his heart. Blinking, he opened his eyes and absorbed the sight of her. Her flawless beauty made him forget that she could not be here with him. Instinctively, he put his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. Deeply he inhaled her delicious scent.
"How can I sleep when my mind is searching for answers?" he replied, her silky hair brushing his face. Imperceptibly, he loosened his grip so that she could move better. She deftly wrestled the figure from him, examining the battle plan with a thoughtful smile on her lips. With such finality she placed the figure on one of the hills that Gaius flinched in surprise. Eyes wide, he surveyed the plan of the terrain and gradually grasped what she was trying to show him.
"Sometimes the answers we so desperately seek are right under our noses," she whispered, her voice no more than a distant echo. Searchingly, Gaius raised his head, but she was gone.
With a cry on his lips, he roused from sleep and for a blink he did not know where he was. But he was still in Britain while she was in Rome ruling his empire. In front of him was still the map he had studied for hours. He had fallen asleep again over his plans.
Exhausted, Gaius reached for his wine goblet and out of the corner of his eye he registered the small statue standing on one of the mounds to the northwest of the compound. With a leap he was on his feet, checking the positions of his legions and the position of his opponents. There was the solution he had been searching for so many hours. Aurelia's voice echoed in his thoughts. The strategy had been right here under his nose hours ago, just waiting for him to finally find it.
Tomorrow's battle would be the turning point. Either he would win everything in one fell swoop or lose what they had built up over the last few years.