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The next morning, Voracio and Narius passed through the Viminal Gate on the city wall and into the suburb where the Praetorian camp has been constructed during the reign of Tiberius. A light rain was falling and formed puddles in the expanse of the parade ground that stretched from the city walls to the camp. They strode across the open space to the main gate and presented themselves to the Optio on watch in the guard house, he was a short, well built man with nearly trimmed hair that had receded some way. Narius and Voracio lowered their sack and yokes as both of them stood in attention . The water dripped from the hem of their cloaks.
" Well, well what do we have here?" The Optio asked good naturedly.
Narius reached into his sack bag, drew out the scrolls of documents appointing them to the Praetorian Guard and handed it to the Optio. " Transfer from the Fourteenth Legion, Sir. Legionaries of Titus Ovadius Cicero and Caius Alea Zenious. We've been appointed to the guard."
" Oh, really? Magnus and Voracio? Sounds like a bloody lizard double act." The optio took the flattened scroll and unravelled it. He quickly scanned the document and looked up. " It say here," for meritorious conduct in field. " Did you two take on the barbarian army by yourselves then?"
Narius felt a savage desire to tear a strip off the Optio, then he suppressed the impulse. They were in the mission and needed to behave accordingly. " No, Optio."
" No, then I'd like to know what you two heroes did that warrants a transfer to the Praetorian Guard. But that'll have to wait." He looked round then and pointed to one of the men standing by the gate." You! Over here!"
The praetorian came trotting up and stood to attention, Voracio glanced at him.He was young, barely out of his teens. Like the Praetorians who had briefly appeared during the early stages of the campaign in Britannia, he wore an off - white tunic and Cape. Beneath the cape glinted a vest of scale armour of the same issue that some legionaries still favoured. The rest of his kit sword, dagger, boots, groin guard, and helmet were standard issue. Only he shield was different, oval rather than the rectangular design used in the legions. A large scorpion decorated the front. The symbol had been chosen by a previous prefect, Sejanus, to flatter his master, Emperor Tiberius, who was born under the star sign.
The optio folded the scroll, and handed it back at Narius. " Escort these two men to headquarters, See who the Centurion is in charge of recruiting. Take them to him."
" Yes, sir."
" Off you go, lads . oh, and welcome to the Praetorian. You'll find it somewhat different to life in the legions."
" Yes, thank you, Sir." Voracio nodded.
Both of them followed the Praetorian out of the guards house and into the shelter of the arched gateways waited until they had their bags comfortably positioned and then set off down the wide avenue leading into the heart of the Praetorian camp either side were two storey barracks which ran back from each side of the route for a hundred paces. The plaster covering the walls was clean and looked to have been painted recently. In the same way the paved road had no litter and was obviously swept regularly.
" You run a tidy camp." Narius said.
" Oh, that's down to Antonius." The younger Praetorian replied ." He's a stickler for high standards. Keep us on our toes all right, surprise barrack inspections, calls for arms in the middle of the night and regular kit checks are the order of the day here, mate, don't know what thing's are like in the legions, but you'd best play it his way when you're here in Rome, or else."
Narius smiled cynically at the youth ." I take it you weren't transferred from legion."
" Me? No. Many of the lads are recruited from central Italy, what with the perks of the job it ain't easy getting in, but letter of recommendation from a magistrates usually swing it. Unfortunately i was a few years too late to quote for the donative the Emperor handed out when he took power. Five years ' pay 951Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUy09HHz1jn
,that's what he gave each man! Bloody fortune. Still, Claudius ain't going to last forever and whoever comes next will have to cough up again, if they knew what's good for them."
" It's so touchy to see your loyalty to the Emperor." Narius responded calmly.
The praetorian glanced at him with a quizzical expression and then smiled when he realised that Narius was mocking him. " I'm loyal enough. Without an Emperor to protect, where would the Praetorian Guard be? Disbanded and sent to join the legions, that's where. On half of the pay, get stuck in some forsaken frontier outpost surrounded by barbarians waiting to cut our throat at the first opportunity. Not much of a life." He paused and looked at Narius hardened expression. " No offence."
" Yeah, damn right." Voracio replied as he smiled lightly.
Narius sniffed as he replied with mocking air,"Tell me, are all the Praetorian as cynical as you? No offence either, but your struck me as well, a bit mercenary. "
" Mercenary?" The Praetorian considered Narius words. " I suppose some might see it that way. It's certainly crush number for the mistake part. Generous pay, comfort, able acommodation, good seats at the games and not much chance of active service, and you're arrived at a fortunate time, as it happens, it's the accession games in the ten days ' time."
" Accession games?"
" On the anniversary of the day that Claudius became Emperor. He puts on parade here in the camp, some gladiators fights and a few other events and caps if off with a feast. He doesn't forget who put him in power Gratus and as honour him, Claudius make sure to keep relations with the Praetorian Guard so sweetly, so you can get used to the Imperial treats. That said, it ain't a a holiday, Antonius drill us hard and if we're called on, we can put up a decent fight."
" I've seen the Praetorian in battle." Said Narius," was back in Britain , they did well enough."
The praetorian's expression brightened." You were there? At Camulodunum?"
Narius grinned and nodded.
" I've heard from those who accompanied the Emperor that it was a hard battle."
" It was. But it shouldn't have been. The enemy laid a neat trap for us. If Claudius hadn't been so keen to charge in and have his great victory then we shouldn't have been caught on the hop. As it was, the Second and the Fourteenth Legion,Agusta and Gemina, saved the day, and the skins of the Praetorians and the Emperor."
" You were with the Second Legion. I take it."
Narius chuckled. " Unfortunately I'm the Fourteenth." Narius jerked his thumb at Voracio, " He's in the Second legion."
" Oooh, so how was it?" The young Praetorian asked at Voracio.
" The Second, Ninth, Fourteenth, Twentieth Legion was the best army. You should seen us, battle after battle we wore them celts apart, it wasn't easy campaign. I know some in Rome say that it was easy. But it's not that's the fact. I know what i saw and i speak the truth, ain't that right, Magnus ?"
Narius coughed loudly and glared furiously at Voracio. The Praetorian looked at Narius, then turned his attention back at Voracio. " Look here, a word of advice. I'd watch what you say about your legion in front of some other lads here. They tend to think that because we're Emperor own . It's make us the best soldiers in the army ."
" That's what you think?" Voracio raised his voice and cooked his head at the Praetorian Guard.
" I've only ever known the guard. I think it would be rash of me to offer an opinion about things I have no experience of ."
Narius and voracious throw each other look, and nodded. Then Narius clasped his hand on the Praetorian's shoulder, Squeezed tightly, and said in deep voice. " Wise boy."
Voracio and Narius almost laughing so loud to see the Praetorian's expression face . They had reached the heart of the Praetorian camp and Narius saw the colonnaded front and pillared entrance too the headquarters. Voracio made a whistle .
" Jupiter sake, look more like a temple than a military building."
Narius looked down as he smiled and give the signal at Voracio with his finger moving in the front of his throat as if the knives cut the throat. Both of them passed through gateway, looking up to marvel at the Carvings on the ceiling that arches overhead. Inside the entrance was a large open space, a hundred feet on either side. Narius estimated, which was lined by another colonnade. Directly opposite the gates was another entrance, this time to headquarters offices which formed the far side of the square. A handful of clerks, wrapped in cloaks, scurried about their duties, and a section of guardsmen stood watch outside the offices. The Praetorian explained his order to Optio in charge of the section and then lowered his shield and unbuckled his sword and dagger belts and left them with the other weapons surrendered by visitors on table inside the entrance.
The optio nodded at Voracio and Magnus." Leave your kitbag here. Any weapons on you ?"
Narius replied firmly. " No, sir."
" All right," The optio curled his upper lips as he looked over their cloaks and tunic. " In Praetorian are stickler, you must neat and clean. Is that clear?"
" Yes , sir." Voracio and Narius chorused.
" Right,lad, get these two in front of Centurion Octavinus, he smiled coldly. " I dare to say that the Centurion will be equally unimpressed by you. Go."
They followed the young Praetorian into the entrance hall and then right into a long chamber with officer on one side and long tables where clerks sat between piled of waxed slate and baskets of scrolls. Long slots high up on the walls provided barely enough illumination for the men to work and some squinting at the smaller details of the records in front of them. He was still smarting from the frosty reception that he and Voracio had received since arriving at the camp. Narius had grown to not used to the automatic deference of the lower ranks in the recent years and it was uncomfortable jolt back to the first days of his army service to be treated as a common soldier once again. No longer was he Tribune Narius in the legion, now he is merely guardsman Magnus, he must live and breathe the part he was forced to play. The same was true for Voracio. Glancing to his side as they strode past the first office doors, Narius saw that Voracio started to making the notes of area they began to entered.
"Here we are." The Praetorian announced. He indicated the nearest door. Unlike the most of the other offices in the chamber, the door to this one was closed,"Centurion Octavinus's office. "
He paused briefly to give the new arrivals a chance to composed themselves and then knocked.
A moment!" A grumbled voice called from inside. There was a long delay. " Come in!"
The young soldier lifted the latch and swung the door inwards, he stepped into the doorway, stood to attention and bowed his head. "Beg to report that the Optio of the watch on the main gate ordered me to escort two recruits to headquarters, Sir."
Narius, as the taller and well muscle build than most man, was able to see over the Praetorian's shoulder into the office. The centurion closed a waxed tablet and tidied it away into a small document chest on the side of his desk. Octavinus looked to be in his late twenties or earlier thirties, too young to have won promotion from the ranks, Narius thought. He must have been directly appointed to the centurionate. A member of a wealthy equestrian family who had relinquished his social privileged to join the Praetorian Guard. Narius knew Rome system in army so well, because he's born in aristocrat and senatorial family,and had easy ranks due his family name privilege. Unusually for Roman the officer had fair hair, he was a slender man, sinewy with a hard face, when he looked at the young Praetorian he smiled warmly . " Very well, send them in."
The youth stood aside and Voracio together with Narius marched in and stood respectful distance in front of the centurion's desk, shoulders back and chest out. The office was generously proportioned - fully fifteen feet across. A shuttered window was behind the desk and light entered from two openings higher up the wall, just underneath the eaves outside. The wall to the left was shelved and filled with carefully arranged wax tablets, sheets of papyrus and scrolls, a gleaming breastplate and an ornately decorated helmet, with a red feather plume, hung on a grant standing against the opposite wall. Octavinus glanced at the two recruits briefly and then nodded to the Praetorian." You may go. Close the door behind you."
The youth stepped out and there was a light clatter as the latch dropped back into place, Octavinus regarded the new arrivals carefully. Narius stared directly ahead, fixing his eyes on the small bust of the Emperor that stood on a pedestal next to the rear wall.
" Let's get the preliminaries over." Octavinus leant forward and held out his hand. " Your appointment documentation, please."
" Yes, Sir." Narius took out the folded papyrus and the letters of recommendation and placed them in the Centurion's hand. Octavianus read through the documents steadily, and tapped the Imperial seal at the the bottom of the transfer notice, as if to ensure that it was genuine .
" You two come highly recommended, Your former commander speaks very well of you. He and she calls you bother exemplary soldiers, that remains to been seen, as a somewhat higher standards applies in the Praetorian Guard compared to the legion, in any case, your paperwork is in order and the Imperial palace has approved your appointment, so guardsmen you are." He glanced again at the document. " So which one is Magnus ?"
" Me, Sir." Said Narius curtly.
" And Voracio. " The centurion smiled quickly at Voracio. " You're both welcome. Despite what I said about standards, the Guard can always use experienced soldiers, we are not called upon to fight very often, but when we are, the burden of expectation Weight heavily on our shoulders. In that case,the more magnificent soldiers we have in the ranks the better. The other side of coins is that you must accept that your new duties require absolute adherence to establish protocols. Your appointment specified that you are to serve in the Centurion Lucius century of the Fourth Cohort. Lucius is on leave at the moment, so you'll be reporting to the Cohort's commander ." He paused. " Apparently the Emperor was so taken by your brave example that he requested that you be assigned to protect him and his household. That's why you're in the cohort assigned to protect the palace."
" We are honoured, Sir." Voracio responded firmly.
" So you should be. Such a role is usually only conferred after some years of service in the Guard. Even then, our men have to be aware of the precise manner in which they are to perform their duties. There is very rigid hierarchy within the Imperial palace and all guardsmen are expected to know it and address members of the household strictly in accordance with their station. As the officer responsible for recruiting, training and the manning of the Guard cohorts I will do my best to prepare you, although I've only been holding this office for a little over a month now. I'll have someone who knows the ropes explain the details." He smiled. " You will have to make allowances for me, as I will have to for you, right ?"
" Yes, sir." Narius and Voracio replied.
" The palace Cohort is commanded by Prefect Burrus." Octavinus picked up a stylus and made a hurried note on a waxed tablet.
" Prefect Burrus, sir?" Lintus Voracio raised an eyebrow.
" That's what I said." Octavinus replied sharply, then suddenly his expression softened. " I understand. The prefect of the legions are staff officers, aren't they? It's different in the Guard. The cohorts adds each commanded by a Prefect or tribune who usually holds the post for one year. Before retirement. That's not the only difference. The cohorts of the Guard are twice the size of those in the legions. In fact, there are nearly ten thousand Praetorians on the rolls, some are on detached duties, but most are here in camp, giving the Emperor over nine thousand men to draw on if there's any emergency. Tends to make the mob think twice beforehand they cause any trouble." He stared at them briefly. "Of course, we're not the only ones charged either keeping order, there are urban cohorts and the vigiles, who do a decent job of patrolling the main thoroughfares and breaking up drunken brawls and so on. The Praetorians are really there as a last resort, so when we go in , the people know we mean business."
" Does that happen often, sir?" Narius asked.
" No. But trouble is brewing." Octavinus 's tone became intense and deep. " Thanks to the disruption of the Egyptian grain supplied last year the stock in the Imperial granary are running low, the door has already been cut, and people are going hungry as the price of grain rises, we've already seen some small riots. It's funny thing." He mused ." Here we are in the greatest city of the world, we have fine bathhouse, theatres, arenas, goods and luxuries from every corner of the world. The best minds toil away in our libraries and one Emperor after another has overseen the construction of vast temples and public buildings, yet we are never more than a few meals away from unrest and the collapse of order."
Octavinus sighed. " At ease, gentlemen. I've been through the formalities. Now, I'm curious to know a little more about you, I have a few questions."
The two officer whose undercover relaxed their posture, and staring ahead. Voracio cleared his throat and answered for them. " Yes, sir."
" Firstly, You've come from Britannia, is that correct?"
" Yes Sir."
" Where the campaigning continues, despite the fact that Claudius celebrated a triumph awarded by the senate for the conquest of Britannia some years ago."
" Publius Ostorius Scapula the Governor General control the heart of the island, sir. We're pushing the enemies back into the mountains bordering the new province. It's obly the matter of time before the legions finished the job."
" Really ? I have cousin who serves the Ninth Legion. He wrote to from time to time, and he rather lacks your confindence in such steady progress. According to him we're struggling against the enemy who raids our supply line constantly and fades away the moment we show our force."
" That's is their new strategic of war in manner of fighting, Sir. Forced on them after they had given up facing us in pitched of battles, they avoiding defeated, specially their druids leader and Catuvallauni (present day south Wales), all they're achieving is buying a little time before they finally respect the other ttribes whose been respected to their pack of peace with Roman."
" I hope my cousin shared your phlegmatic nature, cause he's not the only soldier who seemed to hink the campaign is not going as well as the Imperial palace would have believe, Perhaps there's a different view among the rank and file. After all, common soldier like you both, lack the wider perspective, as it were. Tell me, what are the men of legion thinking ? What their .... motivation to lift the mood ?"
Voracio coughed as he exchanged glance at Narius who seem rather to chose being silent and enjoy his new role, as unofficial agent for the General. voracio coughed so badly, until eventually Narius cocked his eyebrows he knew the Centurion of Praetorian Guards question leading to , the issue now was how to use this opportunity to test the ceturion sitting in front of him.
" There are some who are not pleased with their posting, Sir." Narius intervened in a deep tone.
"Go on."
" It's not really for me or him to speak for them."
" That I understand, Magnus. But look, this is an informal conversation. You're in the Guard now, nothing can change that. I'm just curious about the situation in Britannia. Trust me."
Narius shot a quick signal at Voracio who was certain about the direction the conversation was heading to respond. Voracio clenched his fist slowly in the back of his tunic. Narius ignored the signal. as he replied at Octavinus. " This what happened, when we left, the feeling in the ranks was that the campaign was getting nowhere. to be sure, we control the south and east island, but beyond that the tribes are in control. They hit our supply convoys and smaller outposts and run for it. They know the ground an d move fast, and we have no time to catch them, if you want to know my opinion, the new province will never be secure, we'd better off cutting our loses withdrawing, sir." Narius paused a brief moment at Centurion Octavinus as he observe , throw baiting words with the true fact's he's been well to know. " I over heard some of the officers of the legions discussing it one night, while i was on sentry duty . They're as keen as the rest of to get out, and one of 'em said that the only reason we were there in the first place was because Claudius needed to play the all conquering hero, like that Hannibal. And that once he had his triumph, the army in Britannia was forgotten ."
" Hm, interesting." Ocativius pursed his lips. " Doesn't sound like there's much love lost for the Emperor among the legions in Britannia."
" Well that's possible, but the situation may have changed."
" Yes, I understand. Thank you for being frankly with me, Magnus. Rest Assured, our little conversation will go no further than these wall."
Narius nodded," Yes, Sir."
Octivius waved a hand dismissively. " Think no more of it. Our business here is concluded. You'll need to draw your kit from the stores then join your cohort. Prefect Burrus's men are in the barracks in the south - western clerk when you sign in there, and you'll be enlisted in Centurion Lucius's century ."
" Yes, Sir." Both of the men answered at the same time.
" It just remains for me to say welcome to the Praetorian Guard. Perform your duty and keep your noses clean and you'll find this an excellent posting. The biggest challenge you are likely is to face is fighting off all the women who fancy the uniform and the pay and status that go with it. That's not just the women on the street. There's more than a few wives of senators who take fancy to Praetorians, specially like you Magnus."
Voracio could not help smiling at the prospect. The centurion paused for a moment before he continued in a lower voice. " A word to the wise. Avoid any temptation to get overly familiar with any member of the Imperial family, if you take my meaning, Magnus. You have been warned. Off you go."
The two men left the room and closed the door behind them. Centurion Octavius stared thoughtfully at the door for the moment and then opened the documents chest and took out the waxed tablet he had been examining. He picked up a stylus and made a few notes then replaced it in the chest. He rose from his desk and left headquartesr to give some instructions to one of his followers .
.
Voracio held up the plain white tunic toga and frowned. And nodded at Narius. " This is madness. How can we fight with this, we'd be trip over it and and injury long before you could take down an opponent." He bundle the toga up, tose it up on the bed. Before he glancing over the rest of the kit they had been issued from the camp.
Narius smiled and shrugged, as he looked at the dagger belt in his tight. The toga was formal uniform for the Guard when on duty in the city. A sop to those inhabitants of Rome who still clung to the values of the Old Republic when the presence of armed men on the street was held to be threat to their liberty. For similar reason, Claudius had taken to wearing an unadorned toga on many ceremonial occasions, without even the narrow purple stripe on a junior Magistrate. The display of humility played well with the mob, and the more easily impressed the member of the Senate. For political strategy reason. As far as Voracio was concerned the toga wholly impractical for those soldiers who were supposed to be guarding the Imperial palace. 951Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oncGsCjOb
" Does the Germany Bodyguards must wore these imbecile toga?"
Narius smiled and shook his head. " No, they're barbarians, it would offend public sensibilities for those batavia men, to be seen in togas."
" Juno cocks" Voracio mumbled. His gaze returned to the rest of the issues items, in additional armour, an attic helmet with decorated crown and slim cheek guards that served a little practical use , no new Guard, while there was a brass cuirass.
And pair off white tunics and light brown cloaks and pairs of short sword, oval shield and heavy javelin. Narius placed them neatly at the chest on his camp as Voracio followed suit. Narius stood up and crossed to the door, as he watched outside. They been assigned to comfotable room on the second floor, from headquater Praetorian office barrack along with three men of the fourth Century of the First Cohort, the unit presently assigned to protect the Imperial Palace and the Emperor's entourage whenever Claudius emerged on to the streets to visit the senate or go for entertainments of the arena, race track and Great Circus. In the legions the soldiers were obliged to bunk eight to aroom, or share a tent on campaign, crowded together even for the Tribune. Here in the guard there were only four men to a room, which was airy and well lit by the shuttered window on the wall. Out in the corridor Narius could see a few figures some distance away, leaning on the rail overlooking the avenue of the trees that approached the Praetorian's bathhouse. It's a grand scale compared to the ususal offering of a legionary fortress. A suite chambers was arranged to one side of a sand covered the exercise yard, whih all contained within plastered wall . The other Praetorians nods at him , a few of the doors were open along the corridor but the conversations of those within were impossible to overhear, Narius glanced back at Voracio whose watch him from his bed.
" Say Narius, Why did he draw the line about the situation in brittania? it's quite odd." He whispered from where he sat as Narius watched and glaced down at The corridor from the door.
" He's preconceived, our cover story." For a moment they stared each other ." He's makesure to be certain. He's not fool."
" Hm, Now what ?" Voracio asked Narius with frowned .
Narius glanced around as he make his finger as if crawling signal . " Some one coming ." Narius leave the door as he lay to his bed and put his head on his arm . After a brief moment the sound of foot steps approached and echoing along the corridor, and a figure appeared in the doorway. Voracio loked at him , as the man watched him coldly . Voracio stood up and offered his hand to the man . " I'm Liqintus Voracio. Late of the Second legion, before Iwas transferred to here. In Praetorians."
" Voracio," The man shake Voracio's hand and smiled coldly " Glad to see you and it happens." ' My name " Gaius Sextus. I'm Optio in charge of this Century, Second command to Centurion Lucius. Your friends there is the other new man too ?"
Voracio chuckled," Yes, he's."
Gaius Sextus sniffed . " Both of you to have start all over again to demonstrate your military knowledge to me and Perfect Burrus."
" Yes, Sir." Voracio Replied .
" Good, wake him up and better hurried get your uniform tunics on and report to the Prefect." Gaius Sextus pointed at Narius whose lay in bed and sleep. "Word of a dvice, don't discuss about those imbecile legions in front of the men , and the Perfect hates slackers." he turned away and strode off down the corridor .
After the Optio leave Narius opened his eyes and with cold voice he express his thought at Voracio " Let see if we could get 'em at their toes."
Voracio stood before Narius bed ." As much when I saw it, I bet they are." He replied flatly, for a moment Voracio stared the wall, as he continued ." So we've noticed."
Narius did not know how to proceed without respond in calamities words so he just mumbled into smething as he seat and pulled opened his chest where the uniform been kept. And pulled his white off tunic , " Better we hurry, Voracio. Let's find the Prefect. Don't give him any suspect on us, otherwise, I dispose you myself. Is that clear ?"
Voracio nodded does not replied Narius word. Voracio knew how General right hand in about the task and duty, and he remain to kept his life within his body still,even he never met the bloody general he aware enough to make some foul move specially not in front of this man, he reflected as he back to his bed, change his clothes to his new Praetorian tunic uniform.
The prefect Burrus was an aged of veteran. From the number on his arms, he seems had served a good many years in the legions before being transfered and apointed to the Praetorian Guard. He was tall and had athletic feature , he was been elevated from the equiestrian class to take administration job in Rome, that's common sense in Rome. The bureaucrats system, and mut attended in the Senate as a member . Voracio could see the prospect maybe the General already had the link in Rome for put them in this mission as the Elite Groups members. The Prefect Burrus Scruntinised them for a moment once Voracio and Narius stood in attention before him .
" A proper soldier finally, is already about the time . I've seen too many soften pretty boys joined in the ranks lately. Especially after the casualities we took it in Britannia. You both in there at that time ?" Prefect Burrus scanned at the tall muscle man features and his hardened expression.
" Yes, Sir." Narius replied curtly with firm voice.
" Those bloody celts were devious bastard, quite great war . what do you think ?"
" Yes, sir, I believe they are, because it's Caratacus strategy of war, while the Emperor Claudius there during his campaign war, and brought up some good men of the fourth legions and of course Praetorians, in rough handled."
Prefect Burrus nodded as he looked at Narius ." So which one of you ....?" he looked back at the two set of waxed tablet.
" I'm Magnus, Sir. " Narius informed firmly. " Magnus Romanius, Sir."
" Age ?"
" Twenty five, sir."
" How many years you've served in army?"
" Eight years, Sir."
" You joined in Seventeen, in the normal age ?"
" Yes, Sir. I was sent to the army by my father as soon as he thought I was ready." Narius spoke as he gave the truth reality of his own life to cover the story."
" He must be proud of you, You're done so well for yourself, a yet you alive."
" Yes, and thank you, Sir."
The Praetorian Prefect turned his eyes at Voracio." Now, How many of you been served army ?"
" Four years, Sir." Voracio answered directly.
" You're from Equistrian, I assumed ?" Burrus raised his eyebrow.
" Yes, Sir."
" A bit late, so say do you think you can cope with the demand of being Praetorian ? You will be constantly before the eyes of Senators and the mob ? There's more just for being a good soldier than killing th enemies here, if you fuck up and embarrass the Praetorian Guard then you'll embarrass the Emperor and that is worse, far more worse, you will take me drowning with you. If that happen I will jump on you like a mountain of shit, are you sure about you in here as Praetorian ?951Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfynq96sGPr
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" Yes, Sir." Liqintus Voracio replied firmly .
The Prefect scanned details at both of them, as them both stood in attention, there was a long pause while the Preect let his warning sink in the two men head, eventually he cleared his throat and continued in officialy tone. " You both joined us in a difficult of time, the Emperor is getting on and won't last forever, there's some fool of senators gets him voted in divinity, it's a lack of knowledge, because he's mortal, he is from the flesh and blood, and he will die. Our job is to make sure that is down to natural causes, I know the old joke about natural causes in the Imperial family include a host of unusual ailments such as poisoning, a knife in the back or even sword in the guts, smothered by a pillow, and many thing. I told you this, that's not going to be happen in my time in command chain of the palace cohort. So you keep your eyes open and shut your mouth when you're on duty or otherwise you're free. And one more thing don't consort or trust tose German men in the personal body guard any further than I could spit on 'em. Our job is to stop anyone getting close enough to Claudius for those Germans to have to earn their money. As far as my concerned, my men are the first and final line of defence. If either of you have to throw yourseves in front of the Assasin's knife to save the Emperor then you'll do it without hesitation. If not, then there's no place for you in my Cohort. Is that clear ?"
Voracio and Narius replied at once ." Yes, Sir."
" And as I informed you, this a difficult situation. There are various factions in the palace who are already making their plans for the sucession. Some are backing Britannicus, others at Nero. Besides that, there's a bloody freedmen who advise Emperor, Pallas, Callistus and Narcissus, they'll be looking to make an alliance with their choosen candidate, they fine by me as long as they dont do anything to try and accelarate the process, watch for threats from within as well as the dangers from without my strict order to you both, do not put yourselves in between the pool of serpent tongue . Is that clear ?"
" Yes, Sir." they replied.
" Good, then I'll have Sextus go for your basic protocols with you tomorrow. You better learn fast, as I'll have you on duty the day after that. It's a case of swim or sink, lads. Now You both dimissed!"
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