The Army of One

Chapter 2: Darius Versus Everyone

The word has spread about Charnabon's death. Many people took to his tent to tried and find out who killed him. Leading this cause is a man by the name of Thiamarkos. Growing up, Darius and the Thiamarkos were always enemies. This theme carrying on into the present. Whether if it's who is faster, or who has more sheep, both cannot stand losing to one another. Although ever since Darius took his father's old land, Thiamarko's hate for him grew deeper.

"I must address the town about Charnabon's death," Darius remarks Digging in the plate of food in front of him.

"Yes. You need to. Thaimarkos has started a new rumor about you." Biliki says.

"Ha, Thiamarkos? That land obsessed fool? No one will believe him. Everyone knows he hates me cause I have more land." He chuckles sipping on his wine. "Say, what is the rumor?" he asks.

"Well let's just say he has a theory. His theory is you killed Charnabon. He claims you got mad at him as a result of losing your sheep."

"How foolish!" Darius yells slamming his fist on the table. "I'll talk to the town first thing in the morning," he says. "I need to clear this up before things get out of hand."

The sun rises; a new day begins. The loud clang of the bell in the town center signals an assembly. The town center slowly filling up.

"Are you ready?" Biliki asks.

"Yes," Darius says fixing his wool coat.

The bell rings one more time, telling the people to settle down as the Darius starts.

"People of Arcidava! I am here to tell you that Charnabon has been killed. No one knows who's done it..."

"It was you!" Thiamarkos shouts from the crowd. "I saw what happened! I saw it all!" Thiamarkos claims. "You killed him because he lost your sheep. The morning after your herd was attacked, I went to feed my sheep. You were there by his hut arguing with him.

"Nonsense!" he hollers back.

 "Let me finish! How come you came into town through the back entrance? he says. Everyone knows that way was abandoned long ago."

"How foolish of you to say this. Why would I kill someone so important to me!" Darius shouts back. "And, who told you I came that way?"

"Duccidava told me all the details, especially how you didn't even show any emotions whatsoever discussing it!" Thiamarkos shouts. "You killed such a good man all because of your selfishness. A man with the likes of you ... doesn't deserve all of ... that precious land."

"You deserve it? No one has more land than you do in this village." Darius says, a fierce anger in his voice.

"You know how it is, Darius. The more land the more business," he spat out.

Darius saw the arrogance in his eyes. "You don't care about who killed Charnabon. You just want more and more land! That is what this it's about!" he cries back.

"This isn't over, Darius," Thiamarkos says backing into the crowd.

The noise level of the crowd slowly starts to increase, discussing what they just saw. Darius leaves the stage with a face of anger.

"Don't let him get to your head, Darius. You know the real reason he's doing this." Biliki says.  

Tensions in Arcidava are high as Charnabon's death sparked lots of debate over who may have done it. Darius falling victim to many of these accusations.

"People actually believe him," Darius says staring down at the ground. "What am I supposed to do now."

"He has a group of people. They want to put him the leader of Arcidava," Biliki says. "If you don't let them, he claims he will 'use force.'

"How? How does he have people?" he says.

"Remember, Darius. Good looks and money can get you a long way here," she says. "That of which is not a problem for him."

Out of nowhere a loud squeal, one of a horse comes from ahead in the distance.

"Darius? What was that!" Biliki shouts in concern.

"Quick! It's coming from the main entrance," Darius says with a frantic look on his face.

There it was. A red litter carried by slaves, guarded with two horse led chariots and a group of soldiers on either side.

"The emblems on their shields. Who could they be?" Biliki says.

"Whoever they are, they have no right to be here."

Darius and Biliki walk over. Both with a confused look on their faces.

"Who are you, people? What are you doing here?" Darius asks with an anger in his voice.

A tall olive-skinned man, with sharp facial features, gets off of his horse. "The real question is, who are you?" The man says.

"I'm Darius Komozai. I lead this village," he says looking up at the man. "Who are you? I won't ask again," he demands.

"Servius Pinarius Esdras is my name. I'm a commander in the Roman Army. My job is to neutralize the Bânat area of Dacia," he responds with an elegant tone to his voice. "We are the greatest military power on earth, I would be careful how you talk to us."

"Romans? Neutralize? What do you..."

Out of nowhere a sound comes from the litter. "Oh, how beautiful it is here!" the man in the litter exalting in joy. "I can't wait until I can claim this land," he says.

"He cannot wait 'till what?" Biliki says as she moves closer to the box. "Who is in there?"

Biliki lifts the curtain to the box. Her face is one of disgust. A large round man, sitting there while being fanned by two slaves.

"The grapes! I demand, feed me grapes now!" the man shouts. One slave puts down his fan and quickly grabs a vine of peeled grapes, dangling them in his mouth.

It's like feeding a pig, Biliki thinks to herself.

"That's enough. Take them away. I want to get out and see this beautiful place." he says. "You! Get over here and help me get out!" he says, pointing to a slave standing outside the box.

The slave quickly rushes over to his service. He bows down as the man steps over on his back.

Biliki backs away and heads back to Darius.

"You people are not allowed to just barge in here!" Darius yells. "Get out!"