Home Before the Harvest

By Hazel B. West

Now a centurion in the Roman army, Viggo Aulus Callias and now his younger foster brother, Hector, find themselves in Germania on duty. He's looking forward to his leave to go back to his wife and see his son for the first time that autumn, but that hope becomes more desperate when he finds that his old enemy, Tribune Amatus, is serving his military term in the same legion.

Old rivalries spring up between them, even more deadly than they had been before, and with his and Hector's lives threatened by Amatus, Viggo begins to wonder whether he will make it back to Rome alive at all, let alone before the harvest.

This is the third and final story is a series of backstories for Hazel West's upcoming novel "By Blood or By Bond" about one of many of Viggo and Hector's adventures with the Roman legions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hazel B. West
• Release date: Nov 6, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301147328

Hazel B. West

I spend a good bit of my time writing historical fiction about brave men and women who have graced the pages of history, trying to bring more light to their legacies so readers of all ages will enjoy them.My favorite things/hobbies: Writing obviously, listening to and playing Irish and Scottish folk music, practicing with all eras and types of historical weaponry, GOOD COFFEE, reading of course, dark (dark) chocolate, sketching/painting, hats and boots, collecting little old-fashioned things of all kinds, buying books, and don't forget dressing in period clothing!My favorite kinds of books: Good adventure (sometimes with a little romance), Epic historical series, anything having to do with brotherhood or camaraderie--I'll read anything if it has a strong brotherly bond between two or more guys, time travel novels as long as they are traveling back in time (and not in their own lifetime), good steampunk novels (heavy on the clankers and none of the weird things), military adventure, historical fiction that's either well-written or has unique twists, meaningful or bittersweet war novels, occasionally a good funny book especially ones that are spoofs off old stories or fairy tales, and classics--always the classics!

Book preview

Home Before the Harvest

A Backstory from ‘By Blood or By Bond’

By Hazel West

Home Before the Harvest

Published by Hazel B. West

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 by Hazel B. West

All characters and events portrayed in this novel are either fictitious or are used fictitiously

ISBN: 9781301147328

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Before you read this story, check out these other titles by Hazel West:

To Save a Life:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/219634

Wolf Hunt:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/245682

Home Before the Harvest

Viggo, the legate wishes to see you. Viggo?

Hm? Viggo looked up with a glazed, dreamy expression at the young man who stood in front of his desk, impatient, with his helmet tucked under one arm. Did you say something, Hector?

The young man sighed in a longsuffering manner. It’s no time to be dreaming of home and Galene, Viggo. The legate wishes to see you.

Viggo sighed as he set aside his quill and stood; folding the letter he had been working on under the pillow of his cot, away from prying eyes. When you are married and expecting to be a father, Hector, you will know my state of mind.

I’m sure, Hector replied, trying to hide his amusement. However, right now, I’m just trying to be a soldier, and the legate is asking whether you have finished your reports.

Viggo rolled his eyes. Yes, I’m going to take them to him right now. He gathered an armful of tablets and papers and exited the tent while Hector went back to the barracks to join the other soldiers who gambled and talked in their off times.

Viggo made his way to the legate’s quarters. He hated the deskwork that came with his newly appointed rank, but the legate, Marcellus Kaius, was a man he was proud to serve under. He was a strong man in his late thirties and had taken the young Viggo under his wing when he had first joined the army, four years ago now, at eighteen. He had seen much potential in the young man who had a natural gift of leadership and had quickly promoted him to optio and two months ago to centurion. Viggo had been overjoyed, for now on a centurion’s pay, he would have to worry less about his wife back in Rome and their child who was just months away from being born. It would be a harvest baby, and Viggo was determined to be there for the birth, for the legate had already promised him leave to go to his villa to see in the harvest that autumn.

Viggo was still dreaming pleasantly of home as he nodded to the guard who stood outside Kaius’s door and let him in to see the legate in his office.

Kaius looked up as Viggo entered and saluted his superior, who gave him a nod of approval.

Ah, Callias. Finally got those reports finished? Let me see, if you would.

Viggo handed over his paperwork and sat at the legate’s bidding as Kaius shuffled through the things with a cursory glance.

Help yourself to a drink, Callias—it’s good wine, imported from Rome. None of that vile native stuff.

Viggo grinned and poured himself a glass as he listened to Kaius mutter to himself as he looked through the pile, pulling one paper out with a frown and sniffing it slightly before handing it to Viggo.

I believe you will want to keep this one for yourself, Centurion, he said, his mouth twitching as if he were trying not to smile.

Viggo blushed as he saw it was his last letter from Galene and that it still smelled lightly of her perfume. He tucked it away into his tunic. Sorry sir, I didn’t mean for that to get mixed up in there.

No harm done, Callias. There’s no shame in a man getting a letter from a woman as long as it’s his wife. How is she then? In good health?

She is most well, sir. Very excited as I am about our child. I am glad that she has my sister-in-law to keep her company. Lavinia’s mother was a midwife, so she knows what to do—whatever that may be.

I would advise you not to ask too many question on the subject of women’s matters, Kaius told him with a laugh. I have been married long enough to know that.

Viggo grinned and then turned as the door to the room opened and an optio came in.

Sir, the new tribune has arrived and wishes to present himself to you. Shall I show him in now?

Yes, bring him here, Kaius said. Viggo made to leave, regretfully putting aside his half finished wine. "No need to leave, Callias, you’ll need to meet