Roma Mater Read Online Free

of the Wall, from sea to sea, within a mile or a few of each other. But nearly two hundred years had passed since Caledonic invaders laid the Borcovicium region waste while Rome writhed at war with itself. After Severus restored things, rebuilding was done farther uphill, next to the military base. Perhaps in awe, the reavers had spared the Mithraeum. Thus it stood alone on a knoll near the ditch, only brush surrounding its temenos. Northward, darkness rose like a tide towards the battlemented horizon the Wall made; southward, the ground rolled off in ridges which the setting sun reddened. Frost creaked underfoot, voices mumbled through smoke signals of breath, silence everywhere else deepened with cold.
    Arriving early for the service, Gratillonius found Parnesius among those who waited outside. His friend was wrapped in a cloak but had not drawn the hood over his black hair. It curled back from his forehead to show the tiny brand of initiation which Gratillonius also bore, both now faint; hot iron had made larger and deeper marks on their bodies when they first entered the army. Beneath the religious sign, Parnesius’s eyebrows formed a single bar over his jutting nose. ‘Hail,’ he said, more cheerfully than might be suitable at this hour. ‘How went it with the Old Man today?’
    They clasped forearms in the Roman manner. ‘Lad, you’re all aquiver,’ Parnesius exclaimed.
    ‘How I wish I could tell you,’ Gratillonius replied. ‘It’s –oh, wonderful – but he made me vow secrecy for the time being. When I can talk, when actual operations are in train, then I’ll be far from here.’
    ‘Well, I’m glad to see you’re glad. Although – Come.’ Parnesius plucked at the other’s mantle. ‘Step aside for a bit, shall we?’
    More men were climbing the trail hither. While they numbered under a score, they were of many sorts, not only soldiers but workmen, serfs, slaves. Rank on earth counted for nothing before Ahura-Mazda.
    As it did not before the Lord of the Christians … but they welcomed women to their services, passed fleetingly through Gratillonius. His father, his brother, himself followed Mithras; but his mother had been Christian and so, by amicable agreement, were his sisters raised. Could that alone be the reason why Christ was triumphing?
    He thrust the thought away and followed Parnesius off as he had followed this comrade in arms, and the still more experienced Pertinax, on days when they could ‘take the heather’ – fare off with a native guide to hunt, fish, be at ease in clean and lonesome country. ‘What have you to say?’ he asked. ‘Time’s short.’ Because the service was conducted on sufferance, military members had better be in their quarters by curfew.
    Parnesius looked off and beat fist in palm. ‘I’m not sure,’ he answered roughly. ‘Except … I couldn’t help getting hints when he quizzed me about you. And … Pertinax and I have had an offer … but we’ll stay on the Wall, we two. You’re going south, aren’t you? Not just back to Isca, but on to Gallia.’
    Gratillonius swallowed. ‘I’m not supposed to say.’
    ‘Nevertheless –’ Parnesius swung about and seized him by the shoulders. His gaze probed and pleaded. ‘He wouldn’t have told you outright, but you must have a fairidea of what he intends. You must be aware you’re to guard his back while – Well, what do you think about it? The next war will mean a great deal more than this last one, you know. Don’t you?’
    ‘I am … a soldier,’ Gratillonius answered most carefully. ‘I follow my orders. But … an Emperor who is a soldier too might be what we all need.’
    ‘Good!’ cried Parnesius, and pummelled him lightly on the back. ‘And here in the North, Pertinax and I’ll hold fast. Ho, I see him coming. Hail, Pertinax!’
    But then the Father appeared, and men ranked themselves for the ceremony.
    The Mithraeum was plain and low. It could not hold even as many as the remnant who