Hell on Earth (Boyxboy)

Chapter 14: The Object

14

17 BCE

Cassius slowly crept down the darkened streets. He kept to the shadows, carefully pulling down his cloak hood as the warm Mediterranean air played with his hair. The moonlight glinted off of the dull, clay roof shingles as Cassius rushed to the houses near the edge of the village.

He kept his eyes open and alert for any of the god's guards.

Of current it was curfew, and any found out upon the streets after dusk was to be immediately sent to the arenas.

Though considering what Cassius was currently doing, it would probably be much worse a punishment.

In the cold night, Cassius shivered. To think of something worse than the arenas-!

The murmur of armor and steel crept up on Cassius, who quickly darted into the shadows of an old olive tree, clutching his cloak tightly around his precious cargo.

Soldiers with stern faces tramped past Cassius, not noticing the young man as he dug his slim body further into the contours of the tree. Then they were past.

Cassius waited a moment, then began his fast pace again, keeping his eyes peeled for a blue light. They had told him that the signal would be a burning blue candle in the window of the chosen abode.

A cool sweat began to break out upon Cassius's forehead as he reached the end of the village, no light in sight. Scared, he moved faster.

I can't be caught with this, the gods will surely have me put to death- or worse!

Just as Cassius felt his heart drop, the flicker of a blue wick caught his eye.

The light! Thank the gods!

The candle slowly flickered in the window of a small home, barely a one room shanty. it had plastered walls and clay roof stones just as all the others in the village, but for some reason gave off an eerie aurora.

Drawing up to the door, Cassius hesitated before knocking.

What if it's the wrong house....

Before he could summon the courage within to knock, the door silently crept open to reveal a large one room shanty.

The room was dark save for a few dripping candles. Cassius hesitated at the door, until a musty old voice whispered, "who are you, who wanders so late?"

Cassius gulped. "I'm Cassius of Artheron. I come in search of the Wizened. Are you perhaps him?"

There was a shuffling at the end of the room, and then, appearing in the soft light of the still opened doorway, an old man. His skin was a brazened color, wrinkled and white washed beyond recognition of youth. He peered at the dark haired man before him, then shuffled behind Cassius and closed the door.

"How is such a youth the one they sent me?"

"Pardon...?" said Cassius, his brow wrinkling as he peered into the gloom of the hut.

"Why such a youth? Did you volunteer for this? If so, you are a fool." Cassius felt more than saw the old man pass him.

"I know well what I am doing-" started Cassius.

"The wraths of the gods will fall upon you if you are found out!" the wizened interrupted.

Cassius took a step back with a start.

"I-I understand... I've made that choice long ago..."

"Ah yet you seem so uncertain if yourself." the Wizened said, a crooked smile wrinkling his leathery face. "If you are sure of the decision, then shall we start?"