Jungle of Thorns

Dovere de Roma

Gaius sharpened his sword, as he did every day. He used this time to reflect on his past, on decisions made by him or made for him. Gaius thought back to when he first joined the 16th Legion. He was but a boy, a lad just past his 18th year on Earth. Gaius was tall but not muscular. He had the short black hair that most Romans had. He had no facial hair, which some Romans despised. Gaius however saw it as a boon. It meant he didn't have to take time to shave his face. Time he could be using for something else. He had green eyes, which was unusual in his family, since all of his family had blue eyes. Gaius was always quick on his feet and even quicker to adapt. He was always eager to please his superiors. Gaius thought back to his first battle. Barbarians of Britannia had ambushed his Cohort. He was both terrified and exhilarated. He reflected on how he got his promotion to Centurion. Gaius had stopped the previous Centurion from assassinating the General. The man was ambitious, seeking to kill General Octavion and make it look accidental. Octavion immediately promoted Gaius for his service. Gaius put down his sword.

Gaius watched as a messenger entered his tent.

"Limpy, is that you?"

"Yes sir." Limpy replied.

Despite his obvious limp, Limpy was the fastest messenger in the 16th. Gaius valued him for his efficiency and determination.

"What is it Limpy?"

"General Octavion asked for you sir. Seems your to go on a mission into forbidden territory."

"You mean the-"

"Octavion will explain it better than I can sir, it's best you go see him."

With that, Limpy left the tent to go deliver more messages. Gaius was alone with his thoughts. He knew where he was going. A place of secrets and death shrouded by shadow and mystery. Gaius got up and walked the the entrance of his tent. Before walking out, he looked back, wondering if he'll ever see it again.

"Ah, Gaius. I take it you got the message from Limpy?" Octavion asked.

" Yes sir. Something about a vital mission into forbidden territory." Gaius replied.

" Yes, about that. The Senate wanted to know more about this jungle. So they asked me to send in on of the 16th Cohorts. That was three weeks ago. We have received no messages back, nothing but silence. So I want you to take another one of our Cohorts and go in that jungle. I would send more but I don't want to lose any more legionaries than necessary."

" You know me sir, I'll always serve you."

"Excellent Gaius, I knew you'd accept. But I can see something in your eyes, you got something else to ask Centurion?"

"Yes sir, who was leading this missing Cohort?"

"This is why I waited to ask you. You need a clear head for this mission, so I don't want this clouding your mind. But I'm afraid I must answer. The man leading this was Centurion Glebor, your cousin."

Gaius thought his heart would never stop pounding. Out of all his family members he was closest to Glebor. He was 10 years older than Gaius but was always there for him. Glebor was the reason Gaius joined the Legion in the first place. In a way, Glebor was Gaius's mentor.

"Don't worry sir, I won't let this impact the mission"

" I know Gaius. You always seem to have a clear head in times if conflict. Now let's go over the supplies you will take with you. You'll get about- "

Octavion didn't finish. Outside the command tent there was shouting. Gaius drew his sword and slowly walked out the tent. What Gaius saw was a horse. Riding the horse was a wounded legionary. The man looked tortured, blood on his face. He had several darts and broken arrows in his back. The man rode up to Gaius and fell of his horse.

"Somebody get the Medicus, get this man some help!" Gaius shouted.

The wounded man uttered one word before falling unconscious, a word only Gaius heard.

"Glebor."