Story #1 UNRV forum member Spurius - 1,200 words

The maddening itch showed no signs of easing, the rain no sign of ceasing, the horse no lack of swaying.

" Well, what did you expect Antigonus?" he mused out loud. Muttering and running his hand around his neck wrap:

"You can smell the damned place before you see it."

The long, long countryside stretched before him as the horse topped another of the rolling hills. He and five other troopers were escorting the Optio towards some or another outpost in some other mud hole. Messengers going to no important place to deliver laundry lists and grain orders. Not that Antigonus particularly hated Britannia. He (or more precisely his back and knee) just wanted to be warm and dry. For that you needed a barracks, not horseback and camping in this tempestates molestae. At that last stop he was sure that he had picked up little visitors.

"Feed well vermin."

What was the name of the old tribe here? The Belgae? Bulgate? Just let us get to Traiectus station soon, he thought. We'll be back on the road and well on to Calleva Atrebatum. Then back to Aemila and her comforts. He hadn't told her yet, but he was going to muster out soon and keep her and her small son.

"Twenty-eight years and a farm for me," was his thought as a smile crossed his lips.

Antigonus shrugged deeper into his hooded cloak. He never thought he would live this long. Damn near died 22 years ago in the revolt up north. Saved the Imaginifer too. Did he thank me after he became a Centurion? The patter of the rain was his answer. The smile turned to a mirthless grin as he stared at Optio Marcus Fabius riding in the lead.

Fabius was younger than Antigonus but thinner. He had the red hair of a Gaul and the air of a Centurion. That certain arrogant, uptight, staff stuck up his . quality. You could follow him, but wouldn't want to get drunk with him. Let's see if I have to save him like his patron. Antigonus sighed too loudly and his horse nickered a bit as they rode on.

Glancing back at the muttering and noise breaking the quiet of the group, Optio Silus saw Tiberius Sergius drop his eyes and lean his head down to pat his mount. Antigonus was a good man to have in the ranks if there was action. The Armillae he always wore and the Phalerae on his parade armor marked that. He just never wanted to do the everyday tasks.

He never took initiative, he was never the first one done, he only dealt with the newer recruits when detailed. He'd ever picked up with one of the local prostitutes over the last year. Some brown haired, brown eyed wrench with a little brat. Silus thought that Antigonus had seen enough service not to fall for a local. "Oh well," grinning mentally, Silus thought:

"He's happy being a Milites, but he's going to hate what's coming. He's going to be an arms instructor soon. I'll get an experienced soldier training the recruits and he gets his meals." (The last part referred to the gradual thickening of Antigonus belly from the prostitute's cooking.)

Getting back to his thoughts - and traveling in this country let one think long, deep ones - Silus reflected on what Centurion Masculus had commanded:

"You are about to go on a little trip, Silus. I don't have time to follow the normal route and deliver these myself, so think of it as a training exercise for later in your career. Take an escort of six men with you. I can't spare any more. We're down to about 60 on the roll. There might be a few robber gangs in the north so watch it.

"Now the mundane items are as follows:

"Take this message to the governor's office and give my regards to Flavius Golba. He'll know where to take it. This is the most important of your messages. It asks for more replacements and beer.

" This second one goes to Venta and to the hands of Octavius. Our Signifer has contracted for some extra modii of grain and bulls for the festival. They had better arrive before hand or they'll be hell to pay. Venta will sort it out. Also tell him that Lucco and Frontinius are watching him.

" This third one goes to Iscalis for the recall of the outpost there. We need them to help in the patrols up here.

" Finally, the best for last. In Calleva Atrebatum there will be an auxilia unit for you to pick-up and march back here. Take experienced men with you. Include Tiberius Sergius Antigonus and break the news of his promotion to him gently."

The last part was said with a broad smile. Masculus and Antigonus went back a long time.

" Requisition horses too. I want you back within the month."

Riding on in the maddening rain, Fabius recalled that about 6 miles from Iscalis stood Aquae Calidae and its hot springs. Now that might be a place to divert to for a day or two to dry off and warm up. Iscalis was only a half-day from Traiectus station. So they could be there in two days.

"Hey boys," Fabius suddenly called to his men," How would you like to soak your respects to the god Sul? Are you up for a couple days in Calidae?"

"I heard some of the baths have got great hipped attendants," Annius, one of the other troopers, answered. He traced an ample figure with his hands and punctuated it with a whistle.

"I'm up for it Optio!"

Three others growled their approval when Antigonus interrupted:

" How much longer will it keep us from camp? We need to get back with those recruits."

"Niteo Antigonus wanting to hurry somewhere? Look for some gods under those rocks boys. The world's turned upside down!" shouted Annius.

Fabius knew that Tiberius just wanted to get back to his woman. But the laughter of his fellows, and rising anger of Tiberius, made a fight possible. Fabius was making ready to head it off when the first javelins appeared. One caught Antigonus in the throat; another pinned Annius leg to his saddle. As more javelins missed their targets, Antigonus pitched forward and fell.

" Everyone ride!" came from Fabius.

Two days later, after they went to Traiectus station and took more men out with them, they found Antigonus. The gang had stripped him, mutilated him and hung him up. They were found by an angry Fabius and dealt with -along with their families- in kind.

Twenty years later, a successful iron to the legion contractor (accompanied by an older redheaded Centurion) came to an area near Aquae Sulis and put up this tombstone. The contractor and his patron left after making offerings to Sul and discussing old stories. Over the centuries, part of the stone was broken so this is what survived to the modern day.

.SER ANTIGONVS NIC EMERITVS EX LEG XX XLV H S E G TIBERINVS HERES F C

(.Sergius Antigonus, prize-winning veteran of the Twentieth Legion, forty-five years old. He lies here. Gaius Tiberinus his heir had this made."

*Note: This is a real inscription from the area of Bath. Search for it on line and get more connected to the honored past.