The Battle Against Rome

That Harsh Night

It was a bitter, cold night, I was in the mead hall feasting with my brothers and sisters on beer, ham and cheese. Suddenly my close friend and priest of the village, Adalwin, came bursting through the doors, rushing to me in a state of panic. "Adalbern, Adalbern!! The gods have brought me dire news! Men with scales and mail on their bodies, and giant shields! they're coming! They will bring great treasures from their home to bestow upon us and befriend us with, though their goal is to not befriend us but to take us over and take away our freedom!" Now usually Adalwin was greatly respected and he always knew what he was talking about, but really? We are the only ones here for miles! I and the others at the table began to taunt and mock him; although he keeps repeating what is "soon to come".

"You're mad Adalwin! Have you been trying psilocybin mushrooms again?" He looks at me with a haughty sneer and flicks his cloak, turning to the exit. "You'll regret not listening to me when they come!" That night at our home I see my wife Alba crying near the loom of the home, I rest a hand on her fair shoulder and look at her with concern, "Alba my dear, what's wrong..?" her words slurred from her sobbing, she tries speaking.

"W.. What if what Adalwin said was true.. W-whoever "they" is.. What if t-t-they do really come..? What shall we do..?" I reply confidently: "Darling you are just overthinking, it's been a long, hard day; you're probably just tired. Come, let's rest." And with that, we rested peacefully, oblivious of what was to come.