IL SIGNUM

The Inscription

Chapter 2

The Inscription

            The footsteps of the servants echoed around the hallways of the great villa that was now busting with activity. Maximus’s mother was arranging a party in order to welcome home her husband who had been gone for two months. Maximus himself was stealthily making his way to his father’s large tablinum of which he knew there would contain a book on the translation of Gaul to Latin.

            Hiding behind a near pillar he heard the heavy chink of armour as the some of the houses personal guards walked past wearing their best uniform. “I would look so good in that” Maximus whispered to himself in awe. After managing to do a forward role past the laundry room that was full of women trying to make all the clothes look as clean as possible Maximus put his back against the wall and looked around.

            The next room would be Archimedes’s room so he must creep quietly. He managed to pluck up enough courage to poke his head out of the door frame and check if the terrible scholar was about. To Maximus’s surprise Archimedes was nowhere to be seen. As fast as lightning Maximus sped past his room and ran into his father’s study.

            The room was covered by books on each wall. None of the plaster could be seen besides the decorated gold leaf ceiling. The windows were facing the courtyard with the fountain, which was used to Titus’s advantage for he could watch over everyone who entered the fortified villa from the main gate.

            On the desk there lay a few strips of papyrus surrounded by some neatly stacked scrolls. The books on the walls were all set out neatly, covered in dust. Maximus set himself the task of ring through the shelves in order to unveil a book that could translate Gaulish to Latin. Books on physics, history, weather, siege weapons and battle tactics were everywhere, each one handwritten just for his father.

            Finally, Maximus came to an area that seemed to be covered in books of translation. Hispanic to Latin, English to Latin and just the one Maximus was looking for, Gaulish to Latin.

            Without noticing the man standing at the door watching silently Maximus opened the book. The dust exploded into his face and he was left drowning in a fit of cough like sneezes that echoed around the large room. The voice took Maximus by surprise and he jumped to his feet with an ecstasy of fumbling. “I never knew you were a fan of books. What are you looking for, boy!” the evil grin on his face told Maximus that he was going to get another beating.

            “Your father wouldn’t be happy to find you invading his privacy, would he?” Archimedes walked towards the young boy who was now staring darkly at the demonic figure. The warrior blood rushed through his veins, fuelling his reply, “my father will not be happy to see the beatings you have given me. Soon he will arrive and you will pay for every time you have inflicted pain on my skin, demon!”

            This brave reply took the scholar by surprise, seeing the blood lust that now clouded the misty eyes of the young boy he turned to leave and said mysteriously, “we will see about that, boy!” The laughter echoed throughout the villa as the old man gained distance from the small study.

            Seeing his chance Maximus took off with the book under his shoulder, smiling at the feeling of bravery flowing through his veins. He hastily shut the door and sat at his table where the clean bow lay, exposed. One by one Maximus began to translate the words until he finally accomplished his task.

The bow said:

« Crodio segos gnatos con ardus marvos di uiro,

Unos iouin uiro dal sud con la arcos de Odin serait le re »

When he translates it he was quite surprised to find it making even less sense:

“Great victory is born with the high death of men,

A young man of the south with the bow of Odin will be king.”

So! What is this mysterious scripture? Could this lead Maximus on the quest he has so long desired to venture on?

I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as i did writing it. Leave me some feedback if you can and have a good day. :)