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=== Rome; Octobris 137 AD ===

Titus opened the official document. Maria, his wife, stood behind him. She could sense his nervousness. "What is it my love," she asked.

Titus quickly read the invitation. He looked up. "It is an invitation to the palace from the Emperor."

Maria smiled. "I told you that Rome would soon need your services."

Titus shook his head. "No, my love, the invitation is for us all."

Maria lifted her hand to her mouth. Titus reached out to her. "It will either be very good news or..." He left the sentence unfinished.


Later that day inside the imperial palace, which for the time being was the family home of Lucius Tacitus Vitellius, the Emperor Vitellius waited for Tarquinus Titus Gracchus and his family inside his library. Tacitus remembered hearing about the former soldier from his brother, Proconsular Legate Titus Vitellius. He wanted to get to know the man now that he had the imperium to order the man around. Finally he arrived, family in tow.

"Welcome, Gracchus." Tacitus said with a smile. "How are you, and who are your family? There are other women and children through these doors," Tacitus turned behind him, pointing toward the rear of the library he was in. "Feel free to mingle, if you like. I would like you to feel welcome here."

Titus stiffened to attention and saluted. "Imperator, thank you for your kind invitation. May I introduce my wife Maria..." Maria bowed her head, "....and my two children..." Titus looked around but his two young children and already rushed of toward another group of children. Lucius Tacitus chuckled.

"Sorry sire my children are... um... independent. They get that from their mother."
Titus shot a glance at Maria who remained head bowed in a demure pose. She was quaking inside with excitement at being inside the revered home of the Tullians, but on the outside appeared as calm as ever. It relaxed Titus. Her eyes caught those of the Emperor, and he smiled upon her.

“Maria, why don’t you accompany your children? There is food waiting in the next room, and other’s who would enjoy your company,” he said warmly. She bowed her head and with a nod of approval from her husband, moved gracefully from their presence. After Maria and the two young children were out of the library, Tacitus had the doors shut so he and Titus could speak in private. He said, "What exactly happened in the East, and what would you like to be doing with the rest of your youth?"

Titus slowly turned his memory back to the East and the rebellion. His legion, well most, had remained loyal to Rome. "Sire, once we had reached peace with the Persians many voiced discontent. I remained, as did most of my legion, loyal to Rome. We were placed on the frontier split between various forts propably to keep us from discovering the truth of what was going on. News soon reached myself about some forts under my legions control falling to the 'enemy' with no survivours. Who the 'enemy' was no one could discover. With hindsight it would appear that all troops still loyal to Raeus Honestus were being... removed."

Titus stopped, picked up a flagon of water and drained it in one. He continued. "Soon the cohort I was with was the only one remaining and I took the decision to try and get back to Rome. When I was first Tribune I had served with the Classis Alexandrina so had frinds there. I decided to led my remaining troops to Alexandria. Whilst we were making ready a large force of rebels arrived outside. The gate was opened by someone loyal to the rebels. My men and I fought against massive odds. My senior centurion told me- no he ordered me- to get to Rome to tell them what had happend. I took ten men out through the postern gate and fled into the desert to hide." Titus held his head in his hands breifly. "I should have remained and died with my men. Once the fight was over and the rebels had left the fort I returned to find just one survivor. He admitted he had hid during the last stand and watched as the remaining men of my legion died with sword in hand to the last man. The rebels killed all wounded where they had fallen. I led the last remnant towards Alexandria. It took us several weeks, we lived off what we could scavenge. By the time we reached Alexandria there were only three off us left. We managed to get a ship to Rome. Once we reached Rome I returned to my house here in Rome and then started a long correspondence with the Senate."

Titus slowly righted himself. "I will serve Rome wherever and whenever I am needed sire."

Tacitus looked into Titus's eyes without blinking, or showing anything other than true sympathy. A less emphatic man would interpet the story to show Titus as a coward, and dismiss his ordeal and story as nothing more than a coward's excuse to live. Tacitus remembered too many civil wars, and the stories relayed to him in this last one from his brother Lucius Titus, and cousin Marcus Annius Sabaco added weight in his mind to what Tarquinus Titus Gracchus just told him. He reached out slightly, instinctively wanting to grip the man's shoulder and say what he had to say, but he pulled his hand back and remained stoic.

"What of those men who slipped out of Alexandria with you?" He asked, expecting to hear they too were in Rome. In his mind he wanted to utilize them, tap their veteran potential. "Your ordeal should have been recognized by others, and you should have made yourself known to Reconcilius, who could have used a man like you back in the East. Are you ready to assume command again? To head East and take a leadership role?"

Titus heard the note of sympathy in the Emperors voice. He remained stiff. "They currently work for me as my bodyguards, as they to are waiting for re-employment by the army." He stretched a little, cracking his shoulder blades. "Sire, if you wish, I would be willing to serve Rome in the East. One thing Imperator, I still have the legion's eagle." He grinned, surprised he only remembered just then, and excited to reveal it to the new Emperor. "I have never lost an Eagle of Rome, neither in Germania or against the Persians."

Tacitus's mind whirled with the propaganda possibilities. He didn't sink too far into fantasy though, instead finding a perfect act for the man before him. An act that would at the very least keep the other possibilities open while Tacitus finished other work. He smiled at Titus, and said, "Consider yourself Legate of Nova Heraclea. Since the Eagle is still within your possession, as are ten of the original soldiers, I task you with raising the new legion. I also order you to turn those men into your Tribunes, as the very least of a reward for their loyalty to Rome."

Titus saluted with a smile.


=== One Weeks Later ===

Titus awoke; he stretched over and gently caressed Maria’s cheek without waking her. He slid quietly out from under the silk sheet. He tiptoed over to the door, stopped and turned back to catch one last glimpse of his wife. He smiled at remembrance of last nights goodbyes. He walked into his study, washed himself quickly in the water and then strode up to his uniform and allowed the house slave to dress him. Once dressed he quickly ate breakfast. He finished the last morsel, stood and walked out into the small courtyard where a handful of legionnaires waited. He greeted each one personally. He turned to a tall, thin man standing in the shadows.

“Greetings Philemon, have they learned to your satisfaction?”

“Yes Sire, each of them can now read and write.”

“Good.” Titus shook the hand of the Greek tutor and then turned back to the group. “Follow me.”

Titus left the courtyard and exited out into the street. He led the group down the hill towards the forum but just before they entered the forum he turned into a small building tucked away down an alley. Inside were ten sets of armour. Each set was for a centurion. Titus turned to the men.

“Gentlemen, I have been asked personally by the Emperor to raise a legion. This legion will be legio XXII Nova Heraclea, the Emperor will assign most of the Tribunes to the legion and will hand pick the senior centurion but the rest of the centurions I will select.” The men gasped at the implication. Titus carried on. “Therefore I make each and everyone of you a centurion in Legio XXII; in fact you will all be in the first cohort.”

“Sir, I speak for all here, thank you- but why?”

Titus smiled. “You all deserve this reward. Now, gentlemen, down to business. We must make our way to Ostia where boats are waiting for us. They will take us and some recruits to Africa where we will recruit to bring the legion up to full strength within months.”

One or two of the new centurions whistled whilst the rest looked askance at each other. “How long sir?”

“You heard, just two months. Now I suggest you extract your digits and get moving before I bust you all back to the ranks.”

=== Later at Ostia ===

Titus moved up and down the wharf keeping an eye on the apparent chaos around him, however, he knew that almost all military departures looked chaotic. The centurions called out orders and the small group of new recruits eventually were sorted out and embarked. Titus turned at the sound of horses galloping up. Two horsemen arrived. The men dismounted, one was tall, thin and with short cropped hair, the other was short and stockily built, also with close cropped hair. They both marched up and saluted Titus who returned the salute.

“Sir, Tribunes Marius Antonius Castus and Tiberius Decius Macro reporting for duty,” reported the taller of the two.

“Welcome gentlemen, please load your personal items aboard the flagship and then report back to me.”

The two tribunes obeyed. Titus turned and smiled quietly to himself. He guessed that these two young men had been sent to him by fathers who wished for their sons to gain military experience as a first step on the political ladder. He turned back to the ship as the two tribunes returned.

“Ah gentlemen, welcome to legio XXII. I hope you will enjoy your stay with us. You will be glad to hear that our first port of call is Africa to train this legion up to full strength. Once we are fully operational I am sure we will be sent to where the Emperor requires us.”

“Sir?” the taller one asked.

“Yes...” Titus strained for the name. “Castus?”

Castus swallowed. “I heard we were to remain in Rome for the training.”

“Sorry Castus but we have our orders and Africa is our destination. Oh do not worry Castus I am sure Africa does have the odd public bath.” Titus grinned at the young Tribune. “No need to worry, I am sure you will be fine.”

Titus walked up to the ship and called for the captain. A heavy set bearded man leaned over the gunwale. “Not long now Legate, may I suggest you and yours get on board.”

Titus waved in acknowledgement. He signalled to his men to board the ships. He watched quietly as his men filed aboard their assigned transports. He looked out to sea, sighed and offered a short pray to Neptune for an easy crossing. Titus looked back briefly back towards Rome and then climbed with trepidation up the gangplank and on to the ship.

=== Two Days out from Ostia ===

Titus lay in his bunk feeling seasick despite the fact the sea was calm, almost flat. He forced himself to stand and lurched as another wave of nausea swept over him. He retched but with an empty stomach nothing came out. He forced himself to the door of his cabin and made his way shakily on deck. Once on deck he felt slightly better but not much. The ship’s captain strode over to him.

“Well legate, feeling better?”

“To put it bluntly Captain no, but I have never travelled well on the ocean.”

The Captain laughed. “It is a good job that you are a soldier and not a sailor.”

Titus returned the laugh. “My first posting was with the Classis Alexandrina.”

The Captain stopped laughing and looked at Titus. Titus continued. “I served in the fleet on board the flagship. Spent most of my time hanging over the side watching my previous meal drift away. The only time I did not feel seasick was whilst I was engaged against pirates.”

“Kill any?”

“Oh yes, killed at least ten during the one action I took part in. My men killed several more. We sank three ships, captured four more but unfortunately one got away.”

The Captain whistled softly. “Congratulates legate I am glad you killed several of those bastards. I have lost many friends to those devils and am delighted to meet a man that has sent that scum to Hades.”

“Thank you Captain, I have just one question, when do we get to Carthage?”

The Captain sniffed the air, looked up at the clouds and checked the wind direction. “At this rate we will be there morning after next.”

=== Two days later ===

Titus stood on the deck watching as the crew threw ropes across to the waiting harbour hands. The ropes were soon secured and the ship safely docked. Titus turned back to his men and ordered them off the ship. He glanced fore and aft of the ship and watched as the other ships began to disgorge their cargos. He saluted the ship’s captain and then turned and followed the last of his men down the gang plank and on to terra firma.

“Form the men up Castus and begin the march to the training grounds.”

Castus saluted, “Yes sir.”

It wasn’t but a short hour later than Tarquinus Titus Gracchus was met by an entourage of well dressed men, and a few armed guards. They filled the main thoroughfare to the marina and faced the group of men Titus led head on. Without words from either side, an even better dressed man stepped out from within the group of men and introduced himself. He was a short man, with wrinkled eyes and a friendly, weary smile. His hair was grayed- eyebrows included- but his eyes and charisma belied his appearance.

“I am Proconsul Publius Tacitus Julianus,” the man said firmly. He reached out his right hand for the Legate to take. Emperor Lucius Tacitus Vitellius had written the Proconsul the very day after granting Tarquinus Titus Gracchus the assignment of raising a legion in Africa, to let him know what and who to expect. “I have been expecting you. Here to raise Nova Heraclea, are you?”

Titus nodded, and took the Proconul’s hand with vigor. His men aside and behind him looked a tad confused, but held their ground in silence. They knew so far that their Legate was a good soldier with experience of all sorts, and it was their understanding that it was his cue they would follow. He said to Tacitus Julianus, “I am Legate Tarquinus Titus Gracchus, sent directly from the Imperator in Rome to return to legionary command and yes, raise a new legion. I was once Legate of XI Heraclea, and survived with but a small handful of men, hence the nomen Nova for the reincarnation. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Proconsul.”


“Very well,” Tacitus smiled and pulled his hand back. “I suppose you would be heading for the fortress to begin training and recruitment.”

“Yes sir,” Titus said briskly. “Though, it seems I am fortunate to have you greet me here—“

“The Emperor wrote me and asked me to meet you, and give you reign to complete your task. This is no coincidence,” Tacitus smiled and with a flick of his wrist had his men turn about to head into the city. “I will gladly lead you to the citadel. You will find space to have your administrative office there, but as for training grounds you will be forced to use a new set up on the outskirts of the city... I have the city garrisoned at the moment, but already willing men are pouring in to the camp outside the city to join your legion.”

“Excellent!” Titus exclaimed, pleased to have such an auspicious beginning upon landing. “I will be here just long enough to get the legion trained to the Emperor’s standards, and then i’ll be out of your hair. A few months, tops.”

“Nonsense, take your time—“

Titus shook his head, following the Proconsul who was just a step ahead as they walked toward the city center. “No, seriously. My orders are to get this legion raised and shipped out East, to help in maintaining control next to the Persians. I couldn’t dilly dally.”

Tacitus slowed a step and looked over to Titus, frowning with a nod. “I understand. I simply meant, but didn’t get to finish, that there are numerous things your legion could be useful for- and could gain training experience from. If you’re willing.”

Titus looked ahead, taking in the skyline looming before him. Domes, arches, timber and brick buildings- even marble- mingled as a mess together in the hot sun. The road ahead was filled with carts, livestock and people, not unlike Rome. He thought about the Proconsul’s words, and his mission, and figured if what the Proconsul needed done was in the Empire’s best interest, and would give his legion the necessary skills he was tasked with providing anyway, there shouldn’t be any real reason to sit back and not oblige. Glancing back quickly at the small gaggle of men behind him, he said, “We won’t be ready for some time, Proconsul, but ask me again when we are.”

Though he was facing away from Titus, the smile on Tacitus’s face could be heard in his words. “I won’t forget to, Legate.”

Titus laughed. He hadn’t known the Proconsul but five minutes and already could tell he was a man of lists and tasks. He liked that. A breeze kicked up behind them, cooling their backs as they walked. Titus relaxed slightly and let his legs carry him loosely onward. “Well then Proconsul Julianus, what’s the situation here regarding possible recruitment and supplies? What may I expect as I begin?”

“This province, and those nearby, have churned out more than a few legions in the past three years,” Tacitus said matter-of-factly. “Some for Marcus Annius Sabaco, some for Hadrianos Sylivios, some for the rebel Valenii Juliani and even one for an exile Eastern Roman commander. The situation is ready, so you will be coming into an area eager for the money pouring from your purse.”

“Easy pickings then, eh...” Titus jested, garnering a few chuckles from his soldiers behind him. The Proconsul scoffed, and shook his head. Titus sneezed. “Excuse me.”

“You’ll get used to the dust,” Tacitus said.

“I hope so. I’ll be here a while. What about armories, smithies, tailors, all that?”

“All barely idled down from the last legion raised. You’ll find the imperial armory stocked with the latest designs of armor and weaponry, woodsmiths, ironsmiths and all the necessary artisans.” Tacitus seemed to know what he was talking about. “I can even hand select a Tribune or two, or Centurion, for your legion from a respected family of former commanders and, between you and I, Emperors. If you need one.”

“I’ve already chosen the Centurions of the first cohort, who are following us currently,” Titus looked briefly over his shoulder and Tacitus did too, counting out the men as he did so. He locked eyes with Titus briefly as he looked ahead. Titus looked serious. “The Emperor has already appointed the five Tribunes, as well as other positions.I am only the Legate, one who wouldn’t second guess the Emperor- but any name you suggest I will forward on to him. He seems to have confidence in my judgement, though I couldn’t tell you if that’s good or bad.”

Tacitus laughed, squinting his eyes as he did so. “Imperator Lucius Tacitus Vitellius is a sound judge of character. I merely wish to help facilitate the speedy creation of Nova Heraclea. I have already garrisoned I Senatrix Commitum in the citadel, they can help you train. They are veterans of the Sicilian rebellion, and were garrsioned for most of the past rebellions in Gallia Cisalpina in preparation for the expected invasion by Decius Lucius Verus... that never game.”

“Interesting.” Titus said, picking up the pace. He was gaining interest in the Proconsul, seeing into the man’s words that perhaps there were some people he either wanted to see elevated in position, or removed from his sight. “Who is it you wish to see appointed, if you know?”

“Vitellius Sarius Agrippa,” Tacitus said quickly. As soon as the name left his lips he regretted bringing up the subject. He knew how Sarius was viewed around the Empire by those aware of him, and even he didn’t much care for the man... but he owed the man’s family something, as he was technically part of it too. He waited for Titus’s response.

It took a minute. “I don’t know of him,” Titus said much to Tacitus’s relief. “I will do what I can, if you want to start trading favors. I’m sure i’ll need something from you later.”

Tacitus huffed, almost laughing. There was a politican inside Titus somewhere. “I think that’s fine.”

Titus changed the subject. “I was told you have two legions in the region, II Senatrix Commitum- where is that?”

“Septem, or it should be soon. I handed command over to Procurator Marcus Horatius Polybius of Marutiania Tingitana after he was elected Senator- legal procedure, you see- to help deal with a growing problem of resistance from the Mogadians,” Tacitus sighed. “The rebels, damn their acts on one hand, but bless them on another, secured a section of the southern province that has turned out to be worth more than the trouble it’s caused me.”

Titus actually gasped in surprise. He had heard about the Mogador expeditions, the insula Canaria Floriana and all the other details while he was in Rome after his legion was destroyed. It was all fascinating to him, and he was surprised to hear it was more or less a success for the Senatorial province. “Though you need a legion over there in Septem?”

“Ah, yes... well, letting the former rebel forces deal with the minor problems that arise in the new strip of land is one thing, but letting them garrison and control an important town like Septem is another.” Tacitus frowned, and nudged Titus to their right down another wide avenue toward the West. “The legion of Romulus Tiberius Maxus there, while doing a fine job I suppose, isn’t Consular, and isn’t in a position to be doing that job. I need men I can trust there. No orders are given to instigate anything problematic with the existing legion, and I doubt the former rebel who they’re loyal to wouldn’t let it come to that. He was—“

“Given a command in the North, the Emperor told me,” Titus mused. He had never met Romulus Tiberius Maxus, but heard enough about him that he couldn’t form a judgement either way. “Well, no worries Proconsul. Between I Senatrix Commitum, Nova Heraclea and our two minds, Carthage is safe- and Septem will be watched.”

“If you say so, Legate.” Tacitus said, smirking. “Tell you what... If you continue down this road, you’ll head right to the citadel. Ask for Legate Tacitus Cassius Vitellius, he’s a local- and the eldest son of the Emperor- so he should be of some use to you. I’ll let you get on your own way. If you need me for anything, the administrative building isn’t hard to find- just head to the forum, and you’ll see it. Good?”

Titus was a little confused, but he smiled and nodded. They both stopped in the street and shook hands. “Okay, Proconsul. Thanks for greeting me at the pier, I am sure I can get my men and I settled in.”

“Of course you can. Mars guide you, soldier.” Tacitus said, nodding his head once before turning about with his guard. Titus stood there with his men and watched the Proconsul walk back the way they came and then turn right, likely for the city center. After a minute of standing in the middle of the busy street, Titus looked to his men. They looked back, waiting for anything.

“What now, sir?” Tribune Marcus Livius asked, his steely eyes piercing into Titus’s softer gaze. The other’s seemed to line up behind Marcus, and Titus could clearly see that the new Tribune was a born leader.

“You heard the Proconsul, we head on down the road...” Titus turned away and began walking to the West, as directed. He said loudly, above the clamor around them, “And then we get to work!”

As they walked off together, the first fraction of a new legion, Titus thought of his wife back in Rome. He was lucky to know there was love somewhere waiting for him should he ever return home, and while he should be sad at being away from her once again for an undetermined amount of time, he was moreso excited. He was in command again, raising and eventually training a unit of men to defend the Empire and the will of the Emperor. It was honor at it’s highest, and he yearned for it. He listened to the slap of feet on the street aside and behind him, and he used his imagination to turn the sounds into thousands of sandaled feet stomping the dirt roads of the East, where they would eventually end up- and he sighed with a smile. He was a Legate, and soon he would wield an awesome weapon of war.


Written By: Tarquinus Titus Gracchus and Ferus Juventas
Edited By: Ferus Juventas
138 AD