"Almost three years, Caesar. I had hoped to make a career in the army. I am the youngest son of Titus Drusus. There are three older than I am. My eldest brother will follow in our father's footsteps, of course; and Gaius and Lucius are both magistrates. Another magistrate from the Drusus family, and we could easily be accused of a monopoly," Flavius Drusus finished with a small smile. Then he winced, and grew pale as the javelin was drawn from his leg.

Claudius almost groaned in sympathy with the young man's obvious pain. Although the titular second-in-command of his legion, a Tribunus Laticlavius was really an honorary post. There were six tribunes in each legion, and five of them were usually battle-hardened veterans. The Tribunus Laticlavius was always a youngster in his teens from a noble family, sent to spend two or three years with the army to shape him up, or get him out of trouble, or away from bad companions. Usually at the end of his term the Tribunus Laticlavius went home to a magistrate's position, and a rich wife.

The emperor turned to the legionary commander. "Is he a good soldier, Aulus Majesta?"

The legionary commander nodded. "The best, Caesar. He came to us like they all do-green, and wet behind the ears-but unlike the others I've had to put up with in my career, Flavius Drusus has been eager to learn. He was to stay on until one of my other tribunes retired in another year. Then I planned to move him up in the ranks." He looked down at the young man, pale with his injury. "What a pity, Caesar. He's a good officer, but I can't have a tribune with a gimpy leg, now can I." It wasn't a question.

Claudius was tempted to ask Aulus Majesta what a man's gait had to do with his ability to make good military decisions, but he refrained from it. His own limp, and stammering speech, had made him a laughingstock his whole life. He had been considered unfit for anything, even by his own family. But when his dreadful nephew, Caligula, had been murdered and deposed, the army had turned to him to rule Rome. Claudius was more aware than most of the disadvantage Flavius Drusus faced. Prejudice of any kind was difficult to overcome.