Domain of Power-The Dreamer (Book 3)

Chapter 1: Dark Rider

A/N: This is the sequel to my previous story "Roman Identity," which is also uploaded on Wattpad. This story takes place about a year after the previous story ends. A prelude has been added for new readers to the series.

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It was almost impossible to tell time without shadows. The sun was still hanging on to the clouds when class was dismissed by late afternoon. Customarily, I would go home, study my lessons, wash up, and prepare for the evening meal. But today my friend made a tempting proposition. He wanted to meet at the cliffs instead. He must be itching to show off his new horse. Itching to escape the long hours spent discussing dead Greek poets and grammar rules inside the four walls of our classroom. Part of me itched for excitement because I scratched at his offer. I now sighed at the looming gray clouds, painting the already dull landscape into a sea of gray. I did not need a sundial to know our time to romp about was dwindling.

"Troy!"

The sudden cry sent my horse scrambling to the precipice. Without thinking, I pulled tight on the reins to stop him from sending both of us flying over the cliff.

His legs skidded to a halt, sending bits of gravel flying over the ledge. The steep drop to the sea sent my head in a dizzying blur. That was close. Too close.

"Sorry, did not mean to startle your horse there." I recognized the upbeat cadence in his voice. Even with my back to him, I could picture him grinning while my horse almost died from fright.

I must have taken too long to respond because he followed with, "Are you still in that head of yours?"

If it were anyone else I would be livid now.

"I know what you are thinking," he continued. "Yes, my timing and execution to get your attention are terrible."

I exhaled a breathy sigh. "You know me too well." A stiff cool breeze punctuated the silence.

Without warning, Romeus' horse sniffed my horse's underbelly.

"I think my Claudia likes your horse," Romeus said with a smirk. "My horse should mate with Sagrus and make some babies!" Spit came spraying out of my mouth. He could hardly face me without bursting into laughter himself. My eyes teared up as I slapped my knee. I took several deep breaths to compose myself. Only Romeus could manage to get me from being frightened, to aggravated, to hysterical in rapid succession. It was impossible to stay mad at him.

"You want to race down the hill?" he asked, after several failed attempts to form a coherent statement. I followed his finger to the rolling hills to the east. The same mischievous glint in his eyes returned. Everything seemed to be a game to him. After befriending him a year ago, I was used to it. But one of the few things he tried to be serious about was doing well so he could attend the rhetoric school with his twin Julius and me. It would be the three of us going.

While lower in status than the ruling class, the twins still came from wealth thanks to their father's merchant trade. So naturally, they were expected to attend the highest level of education the island offered. He and Julius, who just turned sixteen, would be starting in less than a month. Everything now hinged on the day that I turned sixteen, which was in a few months. That was also when I would be considered a man. Until then, I still had to answer to the highest man on the island who just so happened to be my father. And as long as he lived, I would always have to answer him.

"I should be heading back. My father would kill me," I said, averting my friend's gaze.

"If your father scares you, I understand. I would be scared too," he teased. "Do not fret. We will be done before dark. Promise. Besides should not your brother start coming back by now? Who knows, maybe he could join us," he said, shrugging.