April 10, 54 B.C
Portius Itius, Morini Gaul
It had been around ten months since we last departed Britain, and now, Caesar claimed, was the prime opportunity to return. Labienus wintered in Bagacum and Caesar in Bibracte, and me in the lands of the Veneti, further strengthening Roman rule in the region. All was good in Rome as well, as even the Senate recognized Caesar's monumental achievement of going across the Channel into unknown lands. They decreed twenty days of thanksgiving in his honor, though none dared to recognize my own achievements... at first. Caesar demanded that I, alongside all his officers and legates, be rewarded. He said, "They fight for the glory of Rome just as much as I, as such, we shall all receive the same honor,"
The Senate... withdrew the decree in full. Arrogant, prideful pricks. All of them!
Last time Caesar only brought our two legions and some one hundred ships. Now, we were bringing five legions, the X, XIV, VII, VIII and XII specifically. Caesar gave me command over the 14th and 12th, while he commanded the 10th, 8th and 7th legions personally. I was even more prominent, and had further earned Caesar's trust by him giving me a second legion to command. My brother and husband were accompanying us to Britain. Then with the ships... This was a wondrous fleet that would make even Hannibal sweat like a pig. 600 transports, 28 warships... it was a feat to behold. Caesar gathered 5,000 cavalry total, but decided to only take 2,000 with him to Britain. The invasion would soon begin.
Caesar entered my tent as I stood up.
"Lucretia, are you ready?" He said, and I could hear the glee in his voice.
"To what? Break the Britons and domesticate the wild animals they are? Without any doubts,"
"Then let us go, the legions are boarding the ships,"
I followed Caesar out to one of the warships, our flagship and we boarded, the men aboard saluting us. After a while more of waiting, the fleet began to sail for Britain. Just like before, the voyage itself was the easy part. We once again saw the barbarians gathered on the cliffs as we made for the site of our previous landing. I feared a repeat from last year, but then an amazing thing happened. The Britons saw our fleet, and fled for the hills, terrified of our return.
We made haste down the coast and when we anchored, it was a sweet change from last year. No ambushes, cavalry or missile fire. The landing went unopposed and all of our men landed and set up camp on the shore. I approached Caesar.
"Well, this is certainly a good change of pace,"
He smiled, "Remember Lucretia-"
"Do not underestimate the Britons, yes I know,"
I looked around as the men milled through the camp.
"Do you think we should expect an attack from the Britons?" I asked.
"Possibly, I would not hold it against them,"
"General Caesar! A Briton messenger has arrived!"
We flashed a cautious look, remembering last year.
"Send him in," Caesar replied.
Moments later a messenger entered.
"Esteemed Caesar," He began, "I come to inform you of your coming war with the Britons... a large army was assembled to resist your landing like it was last year, however, upon seeing your massive war fleet, the tribesmen fled to a better position,"
"A better position than the beaches?" I asked.
"Yes..." He trailed off, "Wait... you're... General Crassus are you not?"
YOU ARE READING
Salvatoria: The Memoirs of Lucretia Aurelia
Historical FictionLucretia Aurelia Appius was only fourteen years old when soldiers ordered by Pompey the Great slayed her father and mother in front of her. They would have claimed her life as well, just for being her father's daughter, had she not miraculously run...
