Leviticus - A Novel of the Old Republic

Introduction

The sun shimmered lazily around the villa courtyard. A middle aged female slave was humming as she washed clothes, bent over a large pot. A young brown haired boy, twelve, crept stealthily past her and out of the courtyard. At the wall he stopped, looked back at the woman to make sure she had not noticed. For a second she stopped and he saw her shoulders tense, as if she knew she was being watched. He held his breath, but a moment later the woman was humming again. Leviticus exhaled and relaxed. Now he turned away from the complex of the villa and began jogging.Leviticus was away, and free to roam, until dusk perhaps. He could skip away for a couple of hours with some light punishment, but to be out after dark in the woods would surely bring more trouble than it was worth. After sprinting down the valley, he rounded the small rise and entered the dark hush of the forest.For a moment he paused and inhaled, closed his eyes, focused on the smells and sounds. A few birds sang, but otherwise the forest was quiet, almost eerily so. And yet he knew of the things that lurked in here. It was why he came. At first he crept, but as his senses attuned to the dark green quiet, he relaxed and broke into a light run, ducking under branches and around the trees. It was then that he heard the roar. It reverberated throughout the forest, passed through his chest like a great drum beat and made his hairs stand on end. So, He was here then. Leviticus now ran hard, his young body careening wildly through the woods, flying between tree trunks, leaping over small depressions, slowing slightly as he skirted around small hills, yet desperately trying to move as fast as possible. His heart thudded rapidly in his chest and seemed to fill his ears. The woods themselves were still quiet apart from the boys hard ragged breathing, and of course the occasional roar that the boy now ran toward. At last, as he reached the top of a rise, he found the clearing below and the source of all the noise. There, seeming almost to fill his vision, stood a gigantic bear, on its hind legs and towering over the pack of wolves that surrounded it. It roared its defiance and seemed clearly aware of its own might. Leviticus's eyes fell to the bloodied ,brown pile at the feet of the bear, probably a deer. So he was defending a kill then , or had perhaps even chased these wolves off their kill. Whatever had happened, the bear was in it's prime and there was little even this full pack could do. They snapped ineffectually at the great beasts feet, but knew one blow from their massive opponent would be fatal. Leviticus stood completely still, mouth gaping at the spectacle below. One wolf rushed in only to be bumped forward accidentally by it's mate, and the bear caught it with a surprisingly fast, huge swipe that arced into the air. Leviticus watched awestruck as the wolf's head snapped round, its entire body was lifted into the air and crashed limply some distance away. The pack bayed even louder with frustration at this indignity, but could do little against the titan. A kind of lull fell, and Leviticus saw the pack leader, distinguished by it's coloured back, lower its head and reluctantly step backwards. The pack followed, circling their enemy at a distance. The bear dropped back to it's four legs, the ground seeming to shake as its front legs thudded to the floor. and almost contemptuously turned back to its meal. The wolves slunk off, melting into the woods with only the occasional defiant snarl, snapping at each other now in their humiliation and anger. The bear was already eating contentedly, snuffling and pulling at the carcass. Leviticus dropped to his knees and studied the bear intently, absorbing the detail of it's fur, the lines of it's powerful humped shoulders. Then it raised its head in one swift moment and looked up at him, sniffing inquisitively.Both boy and bear froze, and the hairs on the back of Levitivus's neck stood up as the bear's brown eyes met his own. For a moment Levitiucs considered running, but then something strange happened. The bear's gaze seemed to hypnotise him and Leviticus calmed down. In the eyes of the bear Leviticus saw some intelligence, analysing him, thinking about him. It was not just an animal. Not any more. Astonished, he could only sit in awe. Then the moment was gone, and the bear looked down and returned to it's meal. It seemed again to be only a bear. Puzzled, Leviticus watched a little more, then reluctantly rose and turned his back. As the years advanced he would dream often of the great bear, a young man tossing uneasily on his bed as manhood and the dawn approached. In his dreams the bear filled the clearing, a gigantic force of nature that defied its enemies with sheer size and ferocity. Leviticus would awake from these dreams as the bear held his eyes, just as he felt he was beginning to understand its meaning. But the meaning did always elude him, and he awoke to a depressing reality and familiarity ; a world of routine in which all expectations were known. Duties, responsibilities. Roles. As he came to manhood his native Rome continued to consolidate its hold on the known world and Leviticus heard ever more tales of its' victories and expansion, though he could do little but fantasize about taking some role in this growing drama.

Chapter One - Some years later

The news from Gaul was disturbing. The tribesmen were uniting, into a huge army of half a million men that threatened to flatten everything in it' s path and even march on Italy itself. Caesar it seemed had only succeeded in stirring up a huge hornets nest rather than calming the great province that loomed over Italy. Mothers were once again telling their children of the savage Celtic monsters, that hundreds of years before has sacked Rome in it's infancy, almost strangled it at birth. Brennus and his Celts has been the stuff of Legend ever since. Alone on the balcony, a young the man looked out into the night, across the Rubicon. He was Leviticus ; tall, brown haired and powerfully built, but with a face perhaps a little too grim and stern to be called handsome. The nose was a little to sharp and the chin too jutting. But the features were strong and belied his determination.On the far bank, a single torch flickered and made steady progress from west to east. A sentry. Leviticus already felt some solidarity with the lone soldier. He would be joining them soon, donning the uniform. He sighed and then drew himself up to his full height, pulled his shoulders back. All his life he had been brought up with tales of Rome's enemies, the savage barbarians ; those who refused civilisation, laws, morals and respected only the sword. Dogs. The battle between Rome and her enemies was no less than the battle for the civilisation of the world. Now at last he had come of age and would have a chance to participate, to do something, to be somebody. He would no longer have to stand around at parties listening to the tales of heroism of other men. In time he would be one of those men that people talked of. And he would push the boundaries of Rome further and bring more of Rome's light, laws and culture into the world.There was a sound behind him. His uncle Caius stepped onto the balcony ; followed Leviticus's gaze. ' Ah, Leviticus the warrior.' He mused, half ironically. Leviticus's shoulders drooped a little in response to the sarcasm, yet he turned with a half smile and challenged his elder with his growing arrogance of youth. That slightly awkward year had come when a young man is so obviously become more physically powerful than his elders. Leviticus wore his pride a little awkwardly ; he was sensitive to the fact that his Uncle had used to physically discipline him, but now the old man seemed increasingly small in comparison to his strapping young nephew. ' Still haven't accepted it Uncle ? Still wishing I would follow you into the drudgery of politics ?'Caius, a short ,stocky man, smiled wistfully and looked down into his mug of wine. When he looked up he held Leviticus with a piercing gaze. The ageing face was sagging and the hair white now, yet the eyes were still a bright ice blue and were yet full of keen intelligence. He stepped toward his nephew, almost threateningly. He was short but his shoulders were still wide, and he carried himself with confidence and authority. ' Anybody can swing a sword Leviticus, but it takes real courage to lower your sword and compromise with one's enemies ; to do what is best for the long term..'Leviticus snorted. ' Like our ancestors tried to compromise with Brennus ?( footnote :Brennus of the Gauls sacked Rome in it's infant years ; something the Romans never forgot. Brennus became somewhat of a bogeyman for young Roman children)Caius cocked an eyebrow, and smiled mischievously ; ' Leviticus, it was precisely the machinations of politicians, who stalled Brennus and allowed Camillus to save the city.'As usual Caius held the edge in history, so Leviticus did not try and debate him. 'Both politics and the Army have their uses, Uncle' murmured Leviticus, looking down at his sandals. ' But I have chosen my path now.'There was an uncomfortable silence and both men looked out into the darkness and followed the light of the sentry. The distance between them seemed almost unbridgable now, though a young Leviticus had once been ever at Caius's side, following his uncle around on trips across the city to meet great men ; politicians and officials. Now however Leviticus was at that difficult age when a man realises the idols he once looked up to are indeed but men, flawed and all (The scandals involving several older senators had been unfortunate of late) . It is a dangerous age, because a man at this point may latch on to an unorthodox idol, a new hero who stands out from the crowd. And such men are often very seductive indeed. Caius knew this, and without wanting to drive Leviticus away, was trying to steer him away from his latest hero ; Julius Gaius Caesar. As if reading his Uncles mind, Levticus placed his hands on the railings and exhaled. ' Caesar will be both politican and general one day, uncle.'' I know my boy' Caius now looked sad ; ' That is precisely what I am afraid of. Look at what Pompey, Crassus and Caesar have already done against democracy.'

Leviticus swiveled and glared at his uncle. When would the old man understand ? The old ways were broken, the politicians were failing Rome. A new way was needed to renew the Republic. When Caesar was done with Gaul, perhaps he would rebuild the Republic and usher in an age that would be looked back upon as the true turning point in Rome's history. He had already spoken in the courts of the need to redress the needs of all, not just the rich. There was nothing more to be said now, except that the situation in Gaul required a firm hand. Perhaps his uncle would at least accept that.' Whatever you believe about Caesar, Uncle, we do need him now to settle down Gaul.'Caius grunted. ' The tribes of Gaul are numerous and powerful it is true, but I wonder if we are but stirring up a hornets nest un-necessarily.And I wonder if the Gauls are quite the monsters we make them out to be. Indeed, I wonder if Rome is quite as superior as she thinks.'Leviticus bristled at this :' The might of Rome need not fear hornets nests , Uncle !' . The statement reverberated awkwardly on the balcony. As soon as he uttered this, he felt foolish and coloured up a little. His uncle said nothing, only studied Leviticus's face carefully. Leviticus hated that now, it made him feel like a small boy again, instead of the soldier he was now. But then his uncle broke into a grin, imitating his nephew in a shrill nasal tone : ' The might of Rome does not fear hornets nests ! ' Suddenly they were both laughing, and were but uncle and nephew again, looking at each other almost fondly.Yet,as it must, the moment passed and the distance between them grew again. Caius again fixed his nephew with an enquiring look. ' Do you really think it is a good idea to have these generals increasing their power over the senate, Leviticus ? Crassus, buying his way into politics so crudely ? What of the virtues of the heroes of old ? Men like Cincinnatus ? Who served the state, and did not use it for their own ends ?( footnote : Despite his son being betrayed and executed by the state, Cincinnatus accepted the title of temporary dictator to save Rome from invading tribes. After his victory, Cincinnatus resigned and lived as a humble farmer. He later saved Rome again when it was threatened by one its own Generals ) ' . Leviticus stiffened ; Crassus and his closeness to Caesar sat awkwardly with him. Seeing his irritation, Caius turned away , but placed a hand on his nephews shoulder, almost gingerly. The young man did not yet tense at the touch though ; the bonds between them were still strong enough. ' You should come back to the party Leviticus. It is your farewell after all'.Caius lingered a moment , struggling for more to say. Finding nothing in the awkward silence he left, and Levitivus stood alone.Later Leviticus entered the subdued party and stood awkwardly, trying to smile and be polite to the guests whilst his mother and sister looked on ; his mother sternly, and his young sister sympathetically. At one point his stocky mother sidled up to him and pointed out Julia, the young woman he was arranged to be married to after the war. She was pretty ; a dark young thing with black coils of hair that framed a dazzling smile and big brown eyes. But Leviticus was not interested now. He resisted his mothers urgings to talk and instead sloped away pretending to get another drink. The room was now but a blur of flickering candles, moving bodies and soft murmurings as Leviticus stood lost in thought. It was at times like these that he felt the loss of his father keenly ; a soldier himself and killed by treacherous Germanic allies some years before.Despite the various cousins and friends that had turned out, Leviticus found it hard to socialise and found himself pondering the floor whilst guests talked around him.The next morning the entire city had turned out to see the Legions off. Leviticus rode proudly in the ranks as one of the tribunal knights, and nodded to his cheering yet weeping family as he passed, trying to appear cool rather than moved. As they rounded the final corner and made for the main gate, he willed himself not to look back one last time at his family ; it would appear weak. Later he would regret that for the rest of his life. After they had left the town, they headed north on the road to Gaul. At one point Caesar rode back from the front to view the Legion. Accompanied by only a single staff officer, he trotted briskly up and down the line, looking keenly at his men as an Arab would his horses. He was an athletic, intense looking man with impenetrable black eyes and thinning blond hair. As he passed Leviticus he nodded and smiled thinly. Levitcus's heart skipped a beat. For a brief moment he was convinced somehow that this impressive man, more than any other would decide his destiny. The clacking of hoofs brought him back to reality and the back of Caesar as he rode on looked mundane. Perhaps all such moments and feelings are but our inventions and imagination. But then what is reality but the sum of our feelings ?As the day drew on the Alps finally loomed ahead in the distance, and Leviticus felt a twinge of fear at their sight. He had never crossed before. Over those mountains, the influence of Rome diminished. There were men over there who lived to kill Romans. Over that hill had once come barbarians such as Hannibal, who had spread terror across Italy, crushed the legions at Cannae, and threatened the great city itself. Leviticus looked around him at the army, the great metal serpent that marched onwards, strung out over the horizon even. They seemed invincible, with their numbers, their siege weapons, their supplies. And yet, when he peered closer, he saw his own face among them many times, young and frightened, hiding their apprehension with a practised grim stare. Boys in helmets, that sometimes looked ridiculous and out of place. Only the occasional veteran centurion striding confidently amongst them seemed to hold the whole enterprise together.It was a two day march over the Alps, tough and slow, but pleasant in the waning summer air. They wound slowly up rocky paths and through tiny scattered woods. When they finally began to descend the next evening Leviticus saw more of the people he had heard of. They were in Gallia Cisalpina, and the ginger and blonde haired Celts were more numerous now. He had seen Celts before ; the odd trader bringing crafts to Rome,. But he had never seen them in their own element. They were big athletic men, bearded and in bright clothing of oranges and yellows and adorned with gold jewelry . The confidence with which they gazed upon Leviticus was unnerving. They stood idly around, chatting by the roadside whilst their children tended herds of cattle by the nearby huts. These particular Celts at least were allies of Rome now, a semi-conquered people, but they were undoubtedly closer to their brother Gauls in the north than they were to Rome. If the campaign was to go badly, and the whole province to become unsettled, then their loyalty might be put in question. As Leviticus passed by a roadside group of them, they looked up at him and laughed. In their green eyes and bearded mouths, with their swagger, Leviticus saw something threatening, unknown. These men did not play by the same rules, the same code of conduct. His hand wavered automatically for his sword, but he regained control and looked ahead. He muttered something insulting about men in trousers and rode on.( footnote : Celts wore trousers and were mocked by the Romans for doing so. The Romans of course wore loose dress.) He wasn't quite sure if he wanted them to hear or not. Legion or no, Leviticus could not deny that he was a little frightened of these men. Instinctively, he looked around for a Centurion, and his eye caught Quintus, marching briskly behind him. Quintus was probably one of the toughest men in the Army. The middle aged seargent looked like he was made of leather, yet still he strode lithely, slinking and bobbing along the ground easily like an old wolf. There were stories about Quintus ; about how he had single handedly saved centuries by rallying his men when all seemed lost, how he always managed to seek out the greatest warriors on the other side and slay them neatly as if he was dispatching cattle. He was not a big man, but they say he had that cool headedness, that gravitas that every great Roman aspired to. Quintus was fast, skilled , but above all moved with utter surity and precision. Leviticus vowed to watch him, learn from him. Later that night he saw Quintus putting up his tent, and the utter control and practised nature of his every movement fascinated Leviticus. Even eating his dinner, there was a tranquillity to his movements and yet a power that lurked beneath the surface, betrayed sometimes by a rippling muscle as he grasped his spoon. That might the army fortified their camp with ditches and palisades ; standard procedure outside Italy, and one that let Leviticus sleep easier in his small tent. The next morning they headed towards forests, something that made the city loving Romans nervous. As dusk approached the Army had drawn to the edge of a great green wood, and here they camped one last night on the grasslands before they would enter truly the world of the barbarians.