The Demons of Rome

I - Army of One

10 years later...

The two guards stood on their wall, looking out on the desert glumly. Their boots had long been filled with sand and they shifted uncomfortably in the heat. The vast flats appeared to stretch on forever, merging seamlessly into the night sky.

"It's too damn hot," the shorter of the two said bitterly.

"Will you shut up already," replied the other, harshly.

"It's difficult enough sleeping here as it is without it getting even hotter. And to top it off, last night one of the goatherds woke me at 3 in the morning, shouting about how his goat had been murdered!" he continued, undeterred.

"Weren't you supposed to be on one of the watchtowers last night?"

"That's not the point. The point is the people here are all crazy."

The words hung in the air for a moment until the infinite silence of the desert washed back in.

"Why are we even guarding this place? If I was in charge I would give it away to the first petty warlord who wanted it," the first man began again.

The other man sighed, "Thankfully for the Republic, you are not in charge."

"I can't even pronounce the name."

"You can't pronounce Jerusalem?"

"Nope, comes out Jereseleem."

The two men stood watching in silence again.

"Who are we even guarding against? There's no-one out there, it's a desert... That's probably why they posted the governor here."

"You are moving from insubordination to treason, legionary."

"What?! He's useless, a magi who can't summon a single demon?"

"I am sure he can."

"Have you seen one? Well, have you? The officers don't respect him, if anyone did try and take this place..."

"I'm an officer and I respect him, and anyway, you just said no-one would try to take this place."

The shorter man snorted but didn't say anything else.

Footsteps sounded in the quiet, coming up the stairs behind them. The guards turned around to see two legionaries coming up the stairs.

"Evening, our turn on the watch."

"Thank the Gods for that, Terbulus was just getting on my nerves."

Three men laughed and the newcomers handed over their torches.

"What? Was he badmouthing the Governor again? You know, despite what you say, I hear he does have a demon. A single one. A monster so powerful that it is worth an army all by itself!"

The other men laughed.

"What? That's what I heard! They say it prowls the night and any dissenters are eaten alive, bones and all!"

"I think you spend too much time with the locals, superstitious to the bone this lot."

"Well, you say that, but there are things in this desert, unnatural things. You mark my words."

The officer shook his head, wished them goodnight and led Terbulus down the stairs.

They headed into town, past market places and shops and back towards the barracks. The barracks was a simple affair, two stories: first floor as a mess, second floor for sleeping. Inside the mess a legionary was talking with a boy of perhaps 12 years and gesturing to a plate of bread and hard cheese.