and even who could lay the most women.” Valerius winked with the last comment and added, “I must admit that I always came out on top with the woman,” he finished with an odd grin that Gaius failed to comprehend.
Valerius continued, “Many times our daily challenges came to violent blows. We would fight until one of us couldn’t get up , or until the centurions beat us over the backsides with their vine-canes; bloodied, bruised and even a broken bone or two from time to time. It did not matter as long as one of us proved who the better was. However, with all that said, our spirited contests made both of us the best among the Sixth.”
“And then you became friends, from your contests?”
“Oh no, we became even greater rivals.”
“Then what changed? What made you two brothers in the end?”
“War – namely Rome’s conflict fought with Carthage many years before you were born.” Valerius tossed another log onto the fire, which sparked and crackled as the heat of the flamed engulfed it.
“Carthage?” Gaius’ mind drifted.
“Where are they?” Gaius asked.
“Africa, to the west of Egypt and Numidia. They aren’t too different than us, in many ways: akin government, similar heritage, related customs, yet, we couldn’t be more different either. Both Carthage and Rome seek to control the Mediterranean, but they have a superior navy and trade than we, at least they did before the war.”
“Is that why Rome went to war with Carthage?”
“Who can guess: land, wealth, greed, or two fat men who couldn’t come to an understanding. All I know is, young men like your father, and I was called to service, to fight and to kill men we’ve never met or seen until then. The why wasn’t important when we fought to stay alive.”
“So the war made you friends, finally?” Gaius asked.
“Yes, it did,” Valerius smiled, as Gaius seemly cheered up in knowing that his father hadn’t damned him to one of his enemies.
“You see, Gaius, all those years your father, and I fought one another, made both of us strong men, better than most. We quickly realized that alone we were powerful men, but when we were together, we were nearly unstoppable. We lost many friends during the war, most we trained with our entire adult life, but always we were there for each other – he protecting my back, and I his.
Gaius smiled at the thought of seeing in his mind, his father in his prime, battling wave after wave of enemy barbarians with Valerius by his side. What a sight the two must have been, true heroes of Rome; c hampions like those he acted with Antony.
The two were silent for a moment as Valerius’ own thoughts drifted to his youth with Julius and their many adventures together. And then after several quiet minutes he broke the silence, his voice now low and somber as he felt compelled to confess the truth to Gaius.
“I have something that I need to tell you – something that I think is important for you to know before we continue forward.”
Gaius could read the change in the mood as Valerius stared at him with daunting eyes that showed the slightest hint of reservation behind them.
“What is it?” Gaius asked.
Valerius took a deep breath, and then spoke.” I am the reason your father is dying – the reason he had to give you away. It is entirely my fault that you were forced to leave your old life behind, and those you called your friends.”
Gaius’ eyes opened wide as he struggled for words, but managed to utter, “What...What do you mean it is your fault? I don’t understand.”
Valerius hesitated as he dropped his head low, not wanting to look into Gaius’ innocent eyes, as he stared with confusion at the confession.
Taking a deep breath, he began, “The war was nearing its conclusion. Our cohort was on patrol. We had been camped in Sicily for nearly a year, and had tamed most of the tribes that were loyal to Carthage, so we did not expect anything to
Valerius continued, “Many times our daily challenges came to violent blows. We would fight until one of us couldn’t get up , or until the centurions beat us over the backsides with their vine-canes; bloodied, bruised and even a broken bone or two from time to time. It did not matter as long as one of us proved who the better was. However, with all that said, our spirited contests made both of us the best among the Sixth.”
“And then you became friends, from your contests?”
“Oh no, we became even greater rivals.”
“Then what changed? What made you two brothers in the end?”
“War – namely Rome’s conflict fought with Carthage many years before you were born.” Valerius tossed another log onto the fire, which sparked and crackled as the heat of the flamed engulfed it.
“Carthage?” Gaius’ mind drifted.
“Where are they?” Gaius asked.
“Africa, to the west of Egypt and Numidia. They aren’t too different than us, in many ways: akin government, similar heritage, related customs, yet, we couldn’t be more different either. Both Carthage and Rome seek to control the Mediterranean, but they have a superior navy and trade than we, at least they did before the war.”
“Is that why Rome went to war with Carthage?”
“Who can guess: land, wealth, greed, or two fat men who couldn’t come to an understanding. All I know is, young men like your father, and I was called to service, to fight and to kill men we’ve never met or seen until then. The why wasn’t important when we fought to stay alive.”
“So the war made you friends, finally?” Gaius asked.
“Yes, it did,” Valerius smiled, as Gaius seemly cheered up in knowing that his father hadn’t damned him to one of his enemies.
“You see, Gaius, all those years your father, and I fought one another, made both of us strong men, better than most. We quickly realized that alone we were powerful men, but when we were together, we were nearly unstoppable. We lost many friends during the war, most we trained with our entire adult life, but always we were there for each other – he protecting my back, and I his.
Gaius smiled at the thought of seeing in his mind, his father in his prime, battling wave after wave of enemy barbarians with Valerius by his side. What a sight the two must have been, true heroes of Rome; c hampions like those he acted with Antony.
The two were silent for a moment as Valerius’ own thoughts drifted to his youth with Julius and their many adventures together. And then after several quiet minutes he broke the silence, his voice now low and somber as he felt compelled to confess the truth to Gaius.
“I have something that I need to tell you – something that I think is important for you to know before we continue forward.”
Gaius could read the change in the mood as Valerius stared at him with daunting eyes that showed the slightest hint of reservation behind them.
“What is it?” Gaius asked.
Valerius took a deep breath, and then spoke.” I am the reason your father is dying – the reason he had to give you away. It is entirely my fault that you were forced to leave your old life behind, and those you called your friends.”
Gaius’ eyes opened wide as he struggled for words, but managed to utter, “What...What do you mean it is your fault? I don’t understand.”
Valerius hesitated as he dropped his head low, not wanting to look into Gaius’ innocent eyes, as he stared with confusion at the confession.
Taking a deep breath, he began, “The war was nearing its conclusion. Our cohort was on patrol. We had been camped in Sicily for nearly a year, and had tamed most of the tribes that were loyal to Carthage, so we did not expect anything to
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