Beneath the Iron

IV. Nec Aspera Terrent

The cruel gaze of Gnaeus Acilius Barba made Helva feel about three inches tall, but she did her best not to show it. They'd done the right thing and the consequences were thus worth it, no matter how ugly. That said, dereliction of duty was a very serious crime. Their orders had been to defend that inner wall, doubly important during an attack.

Above all, the other virtues of the legion, most enshrined and revered was obedience.

They would be scourged severely, possibly to death. That much was apparent from the whip their centurion was holding. The little lead pieces braided into it would lacerate deep and easily. Barbas didn't believe their story as relatively unseasoned and unproven soldiers, from what Helva could tell, but at least he delayed Sallustius's punishment until the angels said otherwise. The chaos where they had intervened left no one able to identify her little group as far as anyone had said.

The centurion smiled humorlessly at them, ceasing to pace. "Are there any questions about your punishment?"

Helva didn't dare steal a glance at the others. "Sir, would it be possible to take the punishment meant for the others?"

"Helva, no!" Sabinus blurted out.

"Out of line!" the officer barked at Sabinus. His wrathful gaze settled on Helva, but she didn't wilt. "Why should I allow it? You are all guilty of abandoning your post."

"Because this would serve as a powerful lesson, while keeping more soldiers at fighting-fit in case Gabriel's soldiers return, sir," Helva said softly. "No contubernium likes to lose a member. Watching would impress more of a lesson than death, sir. They followed Decanus Sallustius and I against their better judgment." It was a way of preserving the others, considering she knew she could take a beating far more vicious than what Rulla and possibly Sabinus could.

He was quiet for a moment. "You understand that this will kill you?"

"Yes," Helva said, as resolute as she could be. She didn't want to die, but she would for the sake of her fellow soldiers. At least Sallustius would be proud. "A legionary is always prepared to die for the good of the legion."

"You have been trained well," their centurion said, his expression unchanging. The comment, however, told Helva that he respected that response. "Very well. Your comrades will escort you to the altar and strike the first three blows."

"Thank you, Centurion," Helva said, dipping her head in gratitude. Guards cut away the restraints holding her fellows, giving them a moment to rub their bruised wrists.

Taurus grabbed one of Helva's arms and Sabinus took the other, the pair of them escorting her out of the centurion's tent. Rulla followed behind, more worried than fixated on escape attempts.

"Thank you, Helva," Sabinus whispered. "You didn't have to do this."

"You would have done it for me, if given the opportunity," Helva said. She would have given his arm a squeeze, but they'd bound her hands in such a way that she couldn't. Just as they had for the thief, her century assembled to watch. "Take care of Eirlys for me."

"We will," Sabinus promised.

Helva took a deep breath and let it out slowly as they shackled her hands above her head. Most of her clothing was the next thing to go, so it would not get in the way. Pain is pain. It will be over soon. "Let me be worthy," she whispered to the air. Imperials did not pray as the barbarians did, asking for divinity to solve their problems for them. Instead, every legionary, every citizen, merely dedicated their task to their gods and hoped to prove that they deserved divine favor...even death.

She gave little thought to what would come after she was dead. The idea of a soul seemed somewhat laughable. It could not be seen, could not be measured, and the teachings of their gods mentioned no such thing. Instead of dwelling, she focused on her breathing and centered herself.