The Centurion's Woman

Chapter 21

IXILLIUS WAS BUNDLING Alex back into his cloak to take his leave, hoping to rekindle the earlier foreplay on the walk back to his rooms, but expecting that, after making a spectacle of her injuries, Alex would be less inclined to copulate. Verus had hugged her gently, to her surprise, thanking her for providing solid circumstances to get his half-brother out of the Legions, dishonorably discharged, and for the excuse he'd wanted for some time that would allow him to have the idiot severely beaten.

        Ixillius was grateful that Alex didn't speak the language, saving her the responsibility of caring if the youth whose life she had saved just yesterday was severely punished.

        A hard knock on the door broke up the casual farewells, and Quintus answered. An Imperial messenger stood there, hard ridden and covered in road dust.

        "First File of Minerva's 1st?" The man asked, gruffly, eyes flicking around the men in the room.

        "Verus Celsus Calix," Verus stated, identifying himself as he stepped forward.

        The meeting turned sour as soon as the messenger started speaking. Alex didn't know what was said, but all the men around her grew serious quickly, Ixillius and Brasus especially grim. The man handed over a wax sealed document of some importance, and then left as suddenly as he came. Verus immediately called for more messengers, sending the boys out as quickly as they arrived with barked orders.

        Verus broke the seal on the document and unrolled it, scanning over the message. He turned his head from it suddenly and handed it to Brasus with a clipped command. Brasus deferred to Ixillius, and on his commander's curt nod took the document and began reading out loud. Part way through, Ixillius had wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

        Brasus finished reading, the words sour in his mouth. Verus called in the messengers that had arrived while Brasus read, sending them out with the notifications to all his superiors that the Imperial Messenger had not found them quickly, so had come to Verus's door.

        "It'll be three days at least to get word to the cohorts that are out. We'll assemble fully where we're supposed to meet with the other seven Legions in a week's time. Don't let your men unpack, my friend," he said to Ixillius. "They're not starting for Rome tomorrow, but they still march in three days' time. I'll send word to Aquilus Naevius, as well, that if he further harasses any cohorts other than his own with his ridiculous lack of patrol scheduling I'll see him whipped before the entire Legion."

        Brasus, Ixillius and Alex took their leave, Brasus immediately going to the encampment to break the news to his men. It seemed odd to step out into the mid-afternoon light after so heavy a message. It should be dark already, out of respect. Ixillius pulled his thoughts together and had organized the plan for his century by the time they arrived back at his room. He took his cloak from Alex and slung it around his own shoulders, pausing as she re-tightened the fastenings she'd loosened earlier. He pulled her into a hug, wanting to crush her tight to his chest, but not wanting to hurt her.

        "I promise I'll explain when I get back tonight," he said, kissing the top of her head. "At least you get three more days rest in Bonna before we start to march."

        He smiled tightly at her then turned and left to follow Brasus out to the encampments, the concern on her face etched warmly into his memory. It was well past his usual time for the evening meal when he spotted Quintus and sent the man to purchase and take food to Alex. Quintus hovered for a moment, and Ixillius paused to acknowledge him.

        "Any message for the Lady Traversi, sir?" The Legionnaire asked, casually using a married title rather than common terms for a woman. Ixillius had noted the man's increased level of respect for Alex during the meeting at Verus's rooms earlier, it had been his main reason for asking Quintus to go now, but the question gave him pause. Some of the surrounding men turned to listen, the title catching at their ears as keenly as the rest of the rumors they had been passing around all day.