Soldier of Rome: The Centurion (The Artorian Chronicles) by James Mace Page B

laid out in neat lines, six to a group for each cohort. Diana had heard that the layout scheme for all Roman fortresses was almost identical, dependant on the terrain and location. So, in reality, a legionary would know where to find a specific cohort or century at any fortress within the entire Empire. The chaotic logistics were fascinating to watch as carts hauled grain to the storage silos, cattle hides to the leather shops, raw iron to the metal smiths. Intermixed were units and individual soldiers going about their duties. Though it looked like total mayhem, Diana saw a type of orderliness to the whole thing. The legion functioned like a well oiled machine from centuries of experience.
    There seemed to be a lot of activity coming fro m the area around the Principia, the headquarters of the Legion, though she paid it no mind. As she walked along the road leading towards the housing for the Centurions Primus Ordo, Diana unknowingly strolled past the billets of the Third Cohort. It was then that she saw Sergeant Magnus walking her way at a feverish pace. His fair skin and mop of blonde hair made him easy to spot in a crowd. His head was down and he looked focused, uncharacteristically worried about something.
    “Magnus!” Diana shouted, causing the Norseman to stumble as she caught him by surprise.
    He turned and stared at her for a second, his mind so wrapped up in whatever vexed him that it took him a moment to recognize her.
    “Lady Diana!” he replied, eyes wide. “W…what are you doing here?”
    Taken aback by the manner of greeting, Diana stood with her hands on her hips.
    “Is that how one says ‘ Hello?’” she asked. “Not, ‘good morning,’ or ‘good to see you Diana.’ Seriously, Magnus!”
    The Decanus chuckled nervously and shook his head after she planted a kiss on his cheek.
    “My apologies,” he said, taking a deep breath. “It’s just… well; your timing isn’t exactly the best. You see, things aren’t going well right now.”
    The deep consternation on his face unnerved Diana. She folded her hands in front of her and started to fidget nervously.
    “Why?” she asked. “What’s happened? Where is he?”  She sensed something was terribly wrong concerning Artorius. 
    “I think you’d better come with me,” Magnus replied, placing an arm around her shoulder and guiding her over to the Second Century’s billets. Inside the main office a pair of legionaries was scrubbing what looked like blood off of the tiled floor, as well as the far wall.
    “What happened here?” Diana asked, jolting back in surprise. A look of horror then crossed her face. “Artorius…is he?”
    “No, that’s not his blood,” Magnus replied reassuring. “He’s fine, at least for the time being.”
    “ Please explain,” Diana replied, her face darkening.
    “You may want to sit down for this,” the Decanus replied, holding a chair out for her at the center table. He then snapped his fingers and the two legionaries quickly exited the office. He told Diana everything that had transpired over the last two weeks. Diana’s hands were on the table , and they started to tremble as Magnus told her about Artorius’ killing of Centurion Fulvius and his subsequent arrest for murder.
    “W…what’s going to happen to him?” Diana’s voice was cracking and she found it difficult to speak as a dark shadow crossed her heart. Just two weeks before, her cousin’s wife, Vorena, had come from Rome to tell her that she was going to take over the running of hers and Proculus’ estate. Diana was free to stay with her, of course, but also to leave if she wished. On a whim she decided to visit the one she still loved. She had hoped to surprise him, but now in a mocking of the Fates, it was she who had been surprised.
    “To be honest, I don’t know,” Magnus replied. “He’s not condemned yet. Fulvius had powerful friends, and they sent for one of the most venomous prosecutors they could find. However, the