Read Emperor: The Death of Kings E#2 for Free Online

Paulus held, in the beauty of the white walls and ornamental pools. It was a piece of Rome, transplanted into the Greek countryside.
    Paulus laughed aloud as his children came running to greet him. He went down on one knee, letting them embrace him while he kept his broken hands clear. His wife too came out to see him, and Julius could see tears in her eyes, even from the second rank. A lucky man.
    “Tesserarius Caesar, stand forward,” Gaditicus ordered, startling Julius out of his thoughts. Julius moved quickly and saluted. Gaditicus looked him over, his expression unreadable.
    Paulus disappeared into his home with his family, and all the ranks waited patiently for him, happy enough to stand in the warmth of the afternoon sunshine with no jobs to be done.
    Julius’s mind churned, wondering why he had been ordered to stand out alone and how Suetonius would feel if it was a promotion. The governor was not able to order Gaditicus to give him a new post, but his recommendation was unlikely to be ignored.
    At last Paulus returned, his wife walking out with him. He filled his lungs to address all the men together, and his voice was warm and strong.
    “You have restored me to my position and my family. Rome thanks you for your service. Centurion Gaditicus has agreed that you may take a meal here. My servants are preparing my best food and drink for you all.” He paused and his gaze fell on Julius.
    “I witnessed great bravery last night, from one man in particular who risked his own life to save mine. To him, I award the honor wreath, to mark his courage. Rome has brave sons and I stand here today to prove it.”
    His wife stepped forward and lifted a circlet of green oak leaves. Julius unfroze and, when Gaditicus nodded at him, removed his helmet to accept it. He blushed and suddenly the men cheered, though whether it was at the honor to one of their own or the food to come, he wasn’t sure.
    “Thank you, I-I . . .” he stammered.
    Paulus’s wife put her hand on his own and Julius could see where face paint covered dark circles of worry under her eyes.
    “You brought him back to me.”
    Gaditicus barked out the orders to remove helmets and follow the governor to where his staff were setting up the meal. He held Julius back for a moment, and when it was quiet, he asked to see the circlet. Julius handed it to him quickly, trying not to shout out loud with the excitement he felt.
    Gaditicus turned the band of dark leaves over in his hands. “Do you deserve it?” he asked quietly.
    Julius hesitated. He knew he had risked his life and rushed two men on his own down in the lowest room of the fort, but it was a prize he had not expected.
    “Not more than a lot of the men, sir,” he replied.
    Gaditicus looked closely at him, then nodded, satisfied. “That’s a good line, though I will say I was pleased to see you when you flanked the bastards last night.” He grinned at Julius’s rapidly changing expressions, from delight to embarrassment.
    “Will you wear it under your helmet, or perched on top?”
    Julius felt flustered. “I . . . I hadn’t thought. I suppose I will leave it on the ship if there’s action.”
    “Are you sure, now? Pirates will run scared of a man with leaves on his head, perhaps?”
    Julius flushed again and Gaditicus laughed, clapping him on the shoulder.
    “I’m only teasing you, lad. It is a rare honor. I’ll have to promote you, of course. I can’t have a lowly watch officer with an honor wreath. I will give you a twenty to command.”
    “Thank you, sir,” Julius replied, his spirits lifting even further.
    Gaditicus rubbed the leaves between his fingers thoughtfully. “You will have to wear this in the city sometime. It will be expected of you, at least once.”
    “Why, sir? I don’t know the ritual.”
    “It’s what I would do, anyway. The laws of Rome, lad. If you walk into a public event with an honor wreath, everyone must stand. Every one, even the Senate.”
    The centurion