“Good, then you’ll be eligible to join the equites. All the plunder we’ve taken, you should be able to afford the fees. Now, I can’t make you legate of the Tenth; I’ll have to find some senatorial prat for that.” Trajan’s eyelid dropped in a wink. “But I can drag a bit on appointing one, eh? And I’ll give you some pliant fellow who knows how to manage the payroll and sign his name where you tell him. It’s going to get dangerous up in Dacia again, and I want a soldier in command. Not a sprig in a toga who just wants to be consul someday.”

“Caesar,” I choked.

“Don’t thank me yet. I’ll probably work you to death up there. But for saving my life just now, I hope you will take this”—my Emperor pulled a ring from his finger and put it in my hand—“and this.” He kissed me heartily on the cheek. “Now get that shoulder bandaged up and come see me for your orders.”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I had tears in my throat, blood on my arm, a kiss on my cheek, and joy in my heart. The other officers all looked at me as they filed past after Trajan, some with amusement, some with disdain, most with outright envy. If I was young to be a First Spear, how young was I to command a legion? You made a slew of enemies the minute he raised you up, I thought, but I didn’t care. I didn’t care at all. I just looked down at the ring in my hand as my Emperor moved away. A plain thing of heavy gold, carved with the word Parthicus. The title Trajan had been awarded by the Senate: “Conqueror of Parthia.” I slipped it over my middle finger, and it fit as though it had been made for me. “Parthicus,” I said, and my voice was thick.

“Glad you shouted at him,” one of Trajan’s Praetorians grumped in passing. “How many times have we told him he has to wear his helmet, but does he listen to us? He’ll get himself killed someday, the royal fool.”

“Not while I’ve got breath,” I said, and I felt no pain at all when the surgeon stitched up my torn shoulder. When he was done I had it tattooed with an X. An X for Tenth.

My Tenth.

CHAPTER 25

PLOTINA

“Apologies, Domina, but someone is requesting an audience.”