Here is the last section of chapter 6. I really hope you all like it. And for the future, its about to get very very bloody and all hell is going to break loose.
North of Ariminum, Lucentius’s Home, 19 Days Prior.
Though only left with 5 minutes of brutal travel, Lucentius’s battered body was finished. His house, nearly 50 feet away, lay in a valley within sight, and was almost enough motivation to carry him that extra distance, but he was physically beaten, and began to loose his grip.
“Mommy, look.” Said Lucentius’s daughter named Cassia who was pointing in his direction, and looking back toward her mother.
“What is it dear?” His wife Prisca replied while sweeping the front step.
“It’s a man, he looks hurt mommy.” The young 8 year old replied.
Prisca cautiously edged her way to where Cassia was settled at the side of the field, next to the house, and slowly put her hand on her daughters shoulder. Instantaneously, Lucentius came into her view, but was still too far to make out. Her experience and knowledge instantly took hold like a fierce bear clenching its prey.
“Cassia! Get in the house.” She ordered.
“But mommy.”
“Now Cassia!” She frighteningly shouted.
Cassia quickly turned and stormed off toward the door, stomping her feet as she walked. Her little and un-experienced mind knew not of the possible dangers that lurked not far in their field. Prisca continued to stare at the man who was now lying face first on the horses back, almost completely unconscious. Suddenly, he fell, and his face tilted backward reviling his identity to his wife.
“LUCENTIUS!” She cried out.
“DADDY!” Cassia followed as she had stopped at the doorway for one last peek.
“Cassia, stay there.”
“But….”
“Cassia! Now!” Prisca yelled.
The moment Prisca realized that Cassia was obeying her commands; she darted off, racing through the field. The tall grass acted like blades as it ran along her legs, slicing her shins, but she cared not. As she approached Lucentius, he was motionless, and she could tell by the amount of blood and gashes that he had suffered much trouble. Tears began pouring down her face slamming into the dry blood that covered Lucentius’s skin.
“Lucentius! Lucentius. Wake up my love! I’m here, it’s Prisca, its ok.” Her comforting words had no effect.
“Cassia!” She shouted over the tall grass. “Hurry, fetch some water and a cloth!”
Cassia easily heard the request, and eagerly raced into the house to do as her mother asked. A few moments later as she ran out, she was happy to see that her mommy had carried her father almost all of the way toward the door. But she was exhausted, and could barely muster up any words.
“Here mommy!” Cassia urged.
Prisca breathed heavily. “Go…od girl.”
Cassia quickly stepped back with her hands to her side, finally noticing the blood that soaked her father’s body.
“Is daddy going to be okay mommy?” She sadly asked.
“He’ll be fine. Quick, fetch me my stitch, ok?”
“Ok mommy.”
As Cassia again rushed off, Prisca began to whisper to herself, praying to the gods while wiping Lucentius’s face.
“Dear Aesculapius, please help us, please. Heal my husband I beg you.”
A few minutes passed, and Prisca continued to cry and clean her husbands wounds, but was suddenly startled as something grabbed her arm.
“Pr..i.s..ca?”
Prisca hastily glanced down to Lucentius.
“My love? Your awake!” Prisca then closed her eyes and spoke under her breath. “Thank you.”
“Pr..isca, are y…ou …ok?” Lucentius could barely speak, but was slowly regaining his consciousness.
“Stay quiet my love, don’t worry, we’re fine. Here, drink some water.” She replied.
But Lucentius’s face wore a frightened expression, and little by little, he began to recuperate his strength as the cool, supple water soothed his thirst. Without hesitation, he had remembered that Rome’s assassins could arrive at any moment, once again bringing forth his rage. He then slowly put his hand to the ground gripping the loose dirt and tall grass stems, and carefully began to push himself up to a sitting position.
“Ugghh.”
“What are you doing? Stay down my love. You need to rest for a moment.” Instructed Prisca.
But Lucentius was stubborn, and he continued, despite his wife’s advice.
“No Prisca, you don’t understand, we’re in danger, you, Cassia, were all in danger. We must leave this place right away!” Lucentius’s voice was becoming frantic.
“But why, Lucentius, I don’t understand. Please tell me what’s going on my love.” Prisca replied.
Just then, Cassia was returning as she had finally recovered the needle and stitch.
“Mommy, here, here I got it.” She shouted. “DADDY!” Cassia quickly saw Lucentius was awake and suddenly, carelessly rapper her arms around him.
“Hello little one, miss me?” Asked Lucentius.
“So much daddy, I sang for you every day you know.” She replied.
“You did? Well, I sang for you too.”
Lucentius hugged Cassia one more time, and kissed her on the forehead.
“Cassia, let your father be for now, I need you to do something for me, can you do that you think?” Prisca was quickly coming to the realization that Lucentius was obviously speaking the truth, as he would never lie or joke about something of that matter.
“What is it mommy?” Little Cassia replied.
Prisca gently caressed Cassia’s face desperately trying to keep her young mind free from the dangers of the situation.
“That’s my girl, quick, go into the house and prepare mommy’s pack with whatever food and blankets you can fit into it, ok?”
“Why, mommy I’m scared.” Cassia replied, still unaware of what was happening.
But Lucentius suddenly stepped in as he struggled to get his armour off his chest.
“Cassia, do not fret, mommy is going to take you to visit Aunt Aurellia by the sea. You love it there, wouldn’t that be nice?” Lucentius forced another smile through his pain as he spoke, but was careful not to show the blood in his mouth and on his teeth. Secretly, he had also taken a glimpse of their surroundings, scouting for Rome’s assassins over the tall grass. But he suddenly realized that they could be anywhere, concealed amongst the vegetation, and sneaking in.
“You’re coming too right papa?” Cassia was almost in tears.
Lucentius put his lips together and formed an understanding grin. Prisca quietly watched her husband, admiring his abilities as a father.
“I can’t come right away because I have to help some friends first my young one. Daddy’s friends are in a lot of trouble Cassia, and if he doesn’t help them, they could get hurt. Do you understand?” Lucentius gently grabbed Cassia’s chin as he finished, looking at her with a comforting expression.
“Will you hurry daddy?” She cutely asked.
“Cassia, I will ride like the wind, through thick and thin. You will barely even know I’m gone.”
Both Lucentius and Prisca noticed Cassia had begun to form a small smile as he reassured her. She felt comforted.
“Now go do as your mother asked.”
“Ok daddy.” She replied.
As Cassia ran off, Prisca turned to Lucentius.
“Now tell me what is going on. Why are you hurt like this?”
“Prisca my dear wife, we don’t have time, all I can tell you is that the Emperor has sent assassins to kill you and Cassia, and me when they find me.” Lucentius’s voice was now serious and loving as Prisca’s expression was one of surprise and confusion.
“But I don’t understand, why would they do a terrible thing like that? You’ve done nothing but serve them with the best of your abilities.” Prisca’s tone was becoming angry at every word she spoke, displaying her frustration. “And, now your leaving us again!?” She asked.
“I have no choice my love, I gave my word that once you and Cassia were safe, I’d go back. Trust me wife, I love you and Cassia more than anything in this known world, and I would never let you two live alone. I will be back, I promise my love.”
Lucentius then softly grabbed Prisca’s face in a loving manner and stroked her cheek with his thumb.
“But first I have to honour my word as a soldier and friend to a man named Lucaius Decimus. He is the reason why I am here today, he let me go with pride and honour, and for that, I must help him, they’re in grave danger my love.”
Prisca sighed and glanced around coming to terms with Lucentius’s duty. Her hair swayed in the wind as its speed began picking up, and the grass appeared to flow like the sea.
“I know you must do what has to be done my brave husband, I just miss you.” She softly said.
“Shhhh my wife.” Lucentius continued to caress her face, slowly pulling her in close, and softly began to kiss her. He then stopped, peering into her colourful green eyes. Prisca lovingly smiled. “You know, after the last 2 years, I almost forgot how beautiful you were. So kind, and so understanding. Trust me Prisca, I will return. But for now, you must go to your sister’s home until I send word, ok?” Lucentius passionately kissed her one more time.
“Ok, I will go.” Tears began falling down her cheek some more. “You just promise me that you will keep safe! We need you my love, Cassia needs you, I need you.”
“Everything will be fine, I promise.” Lucentius replied.
Lucentius began to pull Prisca in one more time before he mustered the strength to get back up. As their lips collided, Lucentius suddenly felt the vibrations of armoured horseback shaking the ground. Prisca’s senses weren’t as tuned as a warrior’s, but soon she also noticed as Lucentius had abruptly stopped. She quickly whispered.
“What is it my love?”
“They’re here, quick, as fast as you can, get Cassia, and take her through the back. Stay low, move fast, and travel through the north trail until you get to your sister’s. Ok?”
Prisca’s face lit up with terror, and more tears began to fall.
“But what about you my love?”
“Prisca, Go! I’ll be fine, I’ll send word.”
Prisca quickly raised herself to a squatting position and began to move toward the front door slowly losing Lucentius’s grip as their hands slid apart. But Lucentius suddenly held her tight.
“Prisca, I love you and I will see you again, I promise.”
“And I love you.”
Lucentius pulled her in one more time and kissed her as if he would never see her again. The vibrations grew much stronger at this point, and Prisca quickly snuck into the house grabbing Cassia, running out the back door, and down the northern trail.
Lucentius slowly turned over to his knees, painfully clenching his battered rib, and yanked his armour off the ground throwing it over his shoulders. His gladius was lying next to him, so he angrily ripped it out of its sheath. Lucentius then began to concentrate, studying the air and his surroundings, just listening, but the wind continued to blow the sea like grass obstructing his ability to listen for any sounds. He then raised himself just a bit, spying over the peeks of the tall grass. Like a lion stalking its prey, he cautiously etched his way to a small patch of giant pine trees that resided near the side of his house. But the area was visibly clear; Lucentius frowned in confusion, and quietly whispered to himself.
“Come on out you cursed dogs.”
Lucentius continued so stay by the trees, just listening and scanning the area. Soon after, he felt the vibrations shake the ground again. He quickly decided that they were still on the move, and he would have enough time to hastily prepare. Remembering his hunting bow that hung on a wall in his house, he swiftly, but painfully ran in. With his bow at hand, he positioned himself in a rather large tree at the edge of his house, and again simply waited. A couple of minutes passed, and as he suspected, his fear was answered. Down his road came 6 men charging on horseback, approximately 100 yards away. Lucentius slowly pulled an arrow from his back and loosely rested it upon his thumb.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
“Men, there’s his house, on me!” Platius ordered.
_ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _
“A little closer………………………..a little closer.” Lucentius whispered to himself, still bearing the immense pain.
As Platius and the assassins reached the house, just under Lucentius’s position, he gradually pulled the bow’s string back as far as it would let him. He cautiously aimed straight for Platius’s chest as he had recognized him from his service under Galba. All of a sudden, the arrow was loose.
“Ahhh Ughhh!” Platius yelped, falling backward off his horse, smashing his head on the ground. The other men hadn’t even noticed where the attack came from, as it was too close, and too fast.
Lucentius rapidly re-loaded his bow while the sweat from his forehead mixed with the blood on his face. It was difficult to concentrate, but none the less, he was determined to keep the fight at a distance, for he would not win a hand-to-hand battle.
“Sir! It’s an ambush! Dismount, draw your swords!” Screamed one of the assassins.
Simultaneously, Lucentius’s second arrow was soaring from its bow, impaling yet another of the men through his stomach. The man screamed in agony as he hunched over holding the wound, but the dark, almost black blood poured from his liver uncontrollably, ensuring his death while he moaned. Platius struggled on the ground also whimpering and desperately trying to get back up. But the arrow through his chest numbed half his body, discarding of his normal body functions, causing him to fall on his back. The other 4 men leaped back up to their steeds afraid to hold their ground, as Lucentius’s position was still unknown. The men were confused, and 3 of them turned and retreated, but the last of them continued with his over confidence, certain he would find his culprit. The man turned frantically in every which direction as Lucentius armed yet another arrow. The assassin quickly sensed he was in danger, as he knew a third shot could easily come. He quickly ran to the tree directly under where Lucentius dwelled, placing his back against the trunk, sword in hand.
“Where are you?!?!?!!!” The man squealed.
But the tip of Lucentius’s arrow was already aimed directly for the top of the assassin’s head, ready to loose. Lucentius quietly spoke.
“Up here you spineless bastard.”
The assassin easily heard Lucentius’s angered voice and realised he was in deathly trouble. Slowly, the man raised his head back, and upward to see Lucentius sitting on a large branch about 15 feet up. Lucentius caught the man’s eyes as he glared at him, and immediately released the third arrow. With immense force and speed, the arrow landed straight between the assassin’s eyes, protruding out the back of his skull. For a moment, his nerves kept him standing as bits of brain and blood leaked out the back, and with a loud choke and gurgle sound, he fell to his demise. Lucentius skilfully climbed down and limped his way over to Platius who was still alive.
“You thi…nk y..ou saved your wife and daughter?” Platius asked struggling not to choke on his blood filled mouth.
“I have saved them from you Platius.” Lucentius slowly pulled another arrow from his back.
“Maybe so, but Nero will not rest until they are dead! Hahaha….hahaha, you fool, you actually think you have won?” Platius’s words swelled in Lucentius’s head. Lucentius then placed the arrow in its firing position, again resting it on his thumb.
“Wait! What are you doing?” Shouted Platius in terror as Lucentius pulled, and aimed the arrow directly for his foot.
“Wait! Stop you fool!” He shouted again. But Lucentius was filled with rage, and his eyes were fixed on Platius’s left foot.
Suddenly, he fired.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Platius screamed, paralysed where he lay.
As Platius continued to belch, Lucentius slowly knelt down beside him, and whispered into his ear.
“Now, you are going to do something for me.”
“Ahhhhhh, you bastard, never!” Platius persisted in his painful cries.
With out hesitation, Lucentius pulled another arrow from his back. Platius’s eyes immediately lit up, and suddenly, his crying stopped.
“Ok, wait wait, I will help. What do you want?” He asked.
But Lucentius followed through with loading the arrow, un-touched by Platius’s cries.
“Please!” Platius urged.
“Silence! Shut your mouth!” Lucentius slapped Platius’s face across his jaw. “You had you chance for an easy death, but you decided to insult me. So, I will fire this arrow into your other foot, and when I ask you the same question again, this time you will meet the terms, and I shall give you a quick and painless death. If not, I will continue to keep you alive for as long as possible.” Lucentius then grabbed Platius’s jaw with a firm grip. “Do you understand what I’m saying to you, you worthless peasant?”
“Please Lucentius, I will do anything you ask, PLEASE!”
“I know you will, I know.” Replied Lucentius with a calm and easy voice.
Again, another arrow flew through Platius’s foot.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
Lucentius kneeled down one more time as Platius screamed in horror and absolute tortuous pain. He again began to whisper into his ear.
“Now, you are going to tell me everything you know of Lucaius’s location.” Lucentius began to prepare another arrow. “Or shall I fire this into your other shoulder?” He brutally asked.
“Al…r..ight, alr..ig..ht. Nero is at..tacking Lu..saius at Sa……ugghhhh, Salona!” Platius turned his head as the pain surged through his limbs.
Lucentius paused for a moment, glaring into Platius’s cold and bloody eyes.
“I believe you.” Lucentius then reached around his back and un-sheathed his hunting knife from his belt.
“Relax Platius, relax, everything is ok now. Just sleep.” Lucentius softly said, as he felt sorry, even for an evil man as Platius. With great ease, and a bloody mess, Lucentius slid his knife across Platius’s throat. He was gone.
As time proceeded to pass, Lucentius found an opportunity to clean himself up. His wounds and broken rib were in much need of attention as to ensure there would not be an infection. Luckily, his wife kept such materials inside their home, and he hastily got to work. With the information Platius released moments before, Lucentius was eager to help his comrades in their war. With a quick and rash decision, he decided he would try to enlist the help of others near the Greek camps to the North, should he be able to convince them of his cause. The phrase he would say, “Who wants to kill Roman’s?” he thought, should easily win their allegiance.
* * *
To Be Continued In Chapter 7