IL SIGNUM

A Change in Residence

Chapter 9

A Change in Residence

        Maximus woke up to the sound of a rooster croaking at the crack of dawn. He sat up in his hay bed and looked out the small stone window. The room he was in was dull but comfortable. It was better than sleeping on the forest floors during the dark nights. Dante snored silently on the opposite side of the small room. He too lay in a flat straw bed. In the small fireplace there were still some dying embers glowing in the shadows.

Maximus thought of everything he had left behind to come to this. In his mind he wondered once again if he had made the right decision to leave. The growing line of orange on the horizon brightened up his surroundings and Maximus saw a father walking his son on a mule through the streets. They were happy, laughing silently trying not to wake the sleeping villagers. If only his childhood had been the same. His father had always been away fighting in the war and his mother was always too busy for him. She never spent any time with Maximus and left him to grow up independent but extremely lonely.

Too encased in his thoughts Maximus did not hear Dante stir awake and sit up rubbing his sleepy eyes. “Good morning Maximus!” He almost shouted, bringing Maximus back to reality. “We have a big day ahead of us today my friend” he yawned “After breakfast you must saddle Arbus and my horse and I will go and buy you a full quiver of arrows. You will also need a sword for a man because that thing you have there is only good for stabbing mice.”

After being stuffed full of food by the stout fat wife of the chieftain Maximus made his way towards the stable. His huge meal had left him hiccuping like a puppy. The villagers began committing themselves to their daily duties and the village was soon bustling once again with life.

Finding his way to the stable Maximus fed Arbus and apple and paid the stable master for his work. He then saddled the two horses and walked the through the great wooden doors of the stable. Down the street Maximus was able to spot Dante walking around holding a large quiver and a long sword. “Here is your new equipment my friend. This sword has been sharpened very well and can cut through the hardest of leather. The Smith said it could even puncture steel!”

The duo trotted through the cobbled streets and back to the longhouse belonging to the chieftain. He was sitting on a bench in his small garden watching his grandson playing with a wooden sword. Maximus smiled “My dear friend Vorix we thank you for your high level of hospitality but unfortunately it is time for us to move on.” There was a sad expression played on his scarred face. “so be it my friends, good luck in your travels and always know that you are welcome in this humble village!”

With this statement the two friends spurred their horses onwards through the village and onto the long Roman roads. They rode for the best part of a day and finally stopped to have a meal once reaching a shallow bank. “Have some salted meat and bread, you will need it.” Maximus stated to a tired Dante. He nodded and took the food happily “we have to travel for only two more leagues till we reach our destination.” He muffled through a mouth full of food. It was past midday and though their backs were sore they had to continue onward.

The terrain suddenly began to change and the land was now uneven and hilly. “The camp is just over this hillside!” Dante finally exclaimed from atop his steed. “They may not be the friendliest folk but their intentions are good. Many of them are war torn refugees so try not to make it too obvious you are Roman.”

Bringing Arbus to a halt Maximus took in the view over the hill. There was a huge camp filled with tents and the glint of metal in the sunlight. The camp was surrounded by wooden walls of spikes coated in mossy leather to make them fireproof. There were guards everywhere, armed to their teeth and keeping a look out for intruders. Dante smiled at the shocked expression on Maximus’s face “Hey Maximus! Welcome to your new home!”