William Watson
Clavius sat
by himself in the tent, staring at the ground and sweating in fear. He had
already heard the charges against him and was now waiting for the captain to come
get him and bring him before the tribunal to hear their formal verdict. He knew
why he was considered a possible suspect, after all, how could they not? He had
a history of contention with Gauis Artulius, he was young and a new recruit to
the army, he was poor and stood a lot to gain financially from doing such a
thing, the list went on and on. The more he thought about it the more terrified
and pessimistic he became. His fate seemed certain. He was no longer even
furious as he first was when he was arrested for the assassination of Gauis, he
was now simply resigned to his impending doom. A part of him cried out to the
gods in plea, how could something like this happen to him? He knew how
perfectly he fit the profile, yet surely someone could see the truth! Surely
there was someone out there who could recognize his innocence. It was just
sheer lunacy that he was about to die (at this moment he had already given up
all hope of salvation, he knew that the Fates had already decided that today
was his day to die) for something that he had taken absolutely no part in
His thoughts were interrupted by
the entrance to the tent billowing open. The captain stood there with a stony
impression, as he had maintained throughout Clavius’ ordeal. Clavius rose, his
limbs feeling like they each weighed as much as his shield. He knew the
verdict, and the captain did as well. Oddly enough, there was no longer any
feeling of trepidation. He felt an odd sense of calmness, a serenity that could
even in a twisted way be called happiness. With all heaviness in his heart
gone, he set his stance and marched out, true to his military training, and
still proud to be a Roman soldier. His thoughts turned to home, and he was
transported back to Palantine Hill. He could see the bright grass and the blue
sky, and he maintained this image as he marched towards his death.
