Soldier of Rome: The Centurion (The Artorian Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF

replied with a shrug while trying to maintain a positive outlook. In truth, he hated the idea of losing Centurion Macro for some upstart who had never served in the ranks and was suddenly placed in power. “It is part of the world we live in and can’t be helped.”
    “Thing is, I know Fulvius, at least enough to know that he is everything that is wrong with the system,” the Centurion responded. “He has never served in a major battle and probably has never even drawn his sword against the enemy. His father has powerful friends in the Senate who owe him a number of favors; perhaps he’s blackmailing them after they got caught fucking each other’s wives or something. So unless Fulvius does something blatantly criminal, and believe me he walks the line on this, nothing ever happens to him. He simply gets moved to another assignment.”
    “And becomes someone else’s problem,” Artorius observed with a sigh.
    “The good news is that he rarely stays in one assignment for more than a year, so hopefully we will be rid of him soon enough and can get a Centurion of quality into the Second.”
    “Well , at least we know Proculus won’t put up with any stupid bullshit,” Artorius said with satisfaction. His demeanor soured when he saw the look of consternation on Macro’s face.
    “ I guess you haven’t heard,” he replied as they exited the gate. A pair of legionaries on duty saluted the Centurion as they passed. “Proculus is moving on to the First Cohort, too.”
    “Well , you can’t tell me we are getting a lackluster Pilus Prior as well to replace him,” the Optio reasoned. When Macro did not reply Artorius stopped walking and stared at his Centurion. “Oh, come on! Don’t tell me we get some weak-willed limp-dick as our Cohort Commander!”
    “That is exactly what you are getting,” Macro said, his face full of sympathy. “Lincinius means well enough, but to be quite honest, he has no balls. He got his position because his father has even better friends than Fulvius. Artorius, I tell you these things not to try to discourage you. I’ve spent too many years making this Century what it is, and I don’t plan on sitting back from a comfortable billet in the First Cohort and watching it all fall apart. You need to know what to expect. You know I’m always here for you, but once I leave and take the promotion to Primus Ordo, I cannot directly interfere.”
     
    Artorius decided to vent his frustrations the best way he knew how. Under normal circumstances, those in his position would head to the tavern to get slobbering drunk and waste their coin on wine and prostitutes. While the idea of a few hours of uninhibited sex with a delicate young maiden sounded good, he was not going to do so under the conditions brought on by too much drink. He preferred to be in control of his senses when he violated a willing, supple woman. Instead he walked over to a small walled-in courtyard that his good friend, Centurion Vitruvius, had built. It was a microcosm of the gymnasium they had used during their three years in Lugdunum. Artorius had a passion for the gymnasium; it allowed him to exert all his frustrations in the purity of brutal power.
    Vitruvius had taken boulders of various weights and had them sculpted into perfect spheres for lifting. He had the metal smiths cast heavy balls with handles that could be used for other strength building exercises. An iron bar was held up by wooden supports at a height of a normal man’s arm stretched above his head. He wanted to set up some climbing ropes as well, but was waiting on the materials to build the scaffolding necessary.
    Artorius removed his tunic, revealing a mountainous, powerful body beneath. Though he was of average height, his muscular frame was out of proportion and made him look inhuman. His forearms were larger than a normal man’s biceps, and his biceps looked like they belonged on someone’s legs. His neck was thick with the muscles that came out of his