A Butcher's Wilderness (2014 re-draft)

This is the diary of a Roman soldier around the time of Emperor Trajan’s second Dacian war at the beginning of the 2nd Century AD, when Rome is a violent and superstitious place at the height of its powers. Romans cherish many virtues and the pinnacle of them all is Pax Romana – but to those who fall under its shadow, Roman Peace is a wilderness - the remnants of their raped, stolen and butchered cultures. Vederius Ligustus is a sacred instrument of Pax Romana. He is a leader and must take any step necessary, including deception and murder, to ensure his orders are obeyed, virtue is maintained and the gods are worshiped. His Commanding Officer, directly appointed by Emperor Trajan, demands the severest punishment for Vederius’s most recent act - but then he would as they’ve never seen eye to eye. Normally the Roman army doesn’t hesitate to punish an errant soldier except Trajan has problems and it is said that Vederius is a lucky man. The question is, is he lucky enough for Trajan. Let’s hope so since he’ll have to survive a war if the Emperor’s problems are to be solved.