Windicta Longa Pascerewis

Incendam in Cor Eorum

Justinius was glad to step off the boat and was looking forward to resting at the inn before contacting Lumina. He hoped she could find time to sit down to the meal they had planned before he left for Aquilla. As he slung his pack over his shoulder and made for the stairs up the Carxandrian dockside, Laurentius called out, “Father?!”

Justinius looked around, confused. Then he spotted an older man in a toga with the purple trim of an Aquillan senator walking forward, arms outstretched to hug Laurentius. “My son! How was your journey? I heard you had come. I had hoped to meet you before you left but-”

“We were forced to leave immediately,” Laurentius cut in. “What of you? How have negotiations been?”

His father, Catonus Conditius, was well known. He took Laurentius by the arm and steered him away. “Not as well as I would have hoped.”

His voice trailed into a murmur and Justinius wondered if he should be involved in the conversation. He was, after all, an Aquillan senator. He dismissed the thought, too tired to care. He would ask later.

Ardellius pushed past Justinius and turned around to face him as he walked backward. “How do you plan to spend the night? We could go find a tavern?”

“I know a place,” said Lowellus, “My father always frequents it when he’s away from the family. It’s just outside the city walls and is supposed to be a mixture of gardens and fine rooms. I could go for cushioned seating in the night air with drinks, women, and games of chance.”

Matthius stepped in. “Shouldn’t we be careful h-”

“Not this time Matthius!” said Ardellius, punching him playfully in the chest. “You shall not dissuade us with reason!”

“Ow! What’s your-”

“Hush!”

“I won’t be joining,” said Justinius. “I have other plans.”

“You mean a woman?” said Ardellius, raising his eyebrows. “Is it that Carxandrian Humilius woman?”

Laurentius moved into the group, yelling at the entire party. “We are leaving within the hour for Aquilla. Don’t get comfortable.”

There were shouts of protest, Aquillan’s whining about the lack of rest and how they wanted to get a good meal, bed, and other entertainment. Justinius stiffened and turned on his fellow Consul. “What? Surely it can wait until tomorrow? It's already almost midday! Aquilla will be there when we return.”

“We are not the only ones with news to bring to the Senate,” was the curt response. “Summon the soldiers, Matthius. We are leaving as soon as we saddle the horses.”

“Why do I have to-” started Matthius before Justinius pushed in.

“But, I promised…I need to see someone before we leave.”

Laurentius stared at him, his mouth twisted in a frown of annoyance. “Who could you possibly need to see?”

“It’s a woman,” said Ardellius, “And I will take you to see her. We can catch up to the main party as they leave the city if we hurry.”

Justinius was quick to agree with his plan, even if he was annoyed at the simpering look Ardellius gave him. “That would work. I won’t be long. We will join you on the main path. It isn’t far from it…I think.”

Laurentius didn’t look eager to argue the point. He waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t be late. We aren’t stopping for you.”

Ardellius put an arm around Justinius’s shoulders and squeezed. “Don’t worry. We won’t be long. Come on, lover, let's get our horses.”

“You know, I don’t really need you to come along with me.”

“What?! That is entirely unsafe! We need to stick together…and meet who it is that attracts your undivided attention.”

Justinius gave him a deadpan stare while Ardellius smiled. Justinius sighed. “Fine. Let’s go.”

***

It took some time for Justinius to find where he was going. Lumina had shown him where her house was, but that was from a hill and only once. Justinius was struggling to recall it and panicking at the thought of passing it and becoming lost, when Ardellius handily solved the problem for him. “Why don’t we ask someone where they live?”

They spotted a young woman in a field, picking flowers, and Ardellius called out to her. “Hello there! Can you give us directions please, we appear to be lost.”

“I’m not sure she will understand you fully,” said Jusitinius. “Aquillan isn’t quite like Carth.”

“Of course!” the young girl responded in perfect Aquillan. “I would be happy to help! It’s good to meet more Aquillans! I have only known the soldiers at the camp down the road.”

“Yet you speak Aquillan perfectly,” said Justinius.

“My family are diplomats to Aquilla,” the young, blond haired woman responded. “Besides, most Carxandrian’s of any standing learn Aquillan as a second language.”

Justinius was staring at her, thinking how familiar she seemed. “Excuse me but…are you related to the Humilius family?”

Her face brightened with a smile so cheerful that Justinius couldn’t help but smile back. “I am a Humilius! Veronica Humilius. Are you…Justinius?”

“I am. How did you-”

“My sister Lumina has spoken of you quite often!” she said. “Are you looking for her? She should be at the house right now!”

“We were hoping you could tell us where that was,” said Ardellius, nudging Justinius repeatedly till he was acknowledged. He gave Justinius a wink and a ridiculous smile.

“I can show you the way,” said Veronica. “I was on my way to see the Aquillan soldiers but it can wait. Come! It's not far, just over the ridge.”

As they followed her quickened pace, Ardellius nodded. “She’s been talking about you, huh? Veronica, what does she say about Justinius. Does she say he is so handsome?”

“Stop it!” said Justinius. “Ignore him, he’s an idiot.”

“But by choice!” said Ardellius. “It's an important distinction.”

Veronica laughed. “No, but she would never admit that to me. She just says you are intelligent and aren’t like other Aquillans’ she has met.”

Ardellius wiggled his eyebrows. “Not like other Aquillans. He most certainly isn't. He’s half Aquillan.”

“Ardellius…if you can help it, be quiet please.”

“Sorry, I can’t help it.”

“Then you are staying right here till I return.”

“Alright, I can control it for a while.”

They soon arrived at the picturesque house Lumina had shown him when he first arrived. Veronica ran to the door and opened it wide, calling within. “Lumina! Justinius is here to see you! You understated his looks, just like I said.”

“Veronica? What are you talking about,” came the voice of Lumina before appearing in the doorway, her hair tousled and holding a wet stone and sword. She glanced up at the pair of riders and blushed, dropping her wet stone and turning back into the doorway, struggling to pull her wayward hair back into its ribbon while still holding the sword. It waved dangerously about her head before she took notice and shoved it back into its scabbard. She spoke quickly, her speech stilted. “Oh! Justinius, good to see you! How are you? You are back sooner than expected.”

He struggled not to burst out laughing as he dismounted and picked up the wet stone, returning it to her. “Yes, things didn’t go quite as expected.”

“We were attacked by a demon then got blamed for it and kicked out,” said Ardellius.

Justinius glared at him while both women looked astonished, curious glances shifting between the two men.

Ardellius put his hands up. “Right…silent observer here. Can we be invited in for some water and refreshments before we continue on our journey to Aquilla?”

“Of course,” said Lumina. “I will have the cook fetch something from the pantry. We may have some cold meat, cheese, and bread for you. I will have the servants look after your horses while you tell us everything.”

***

The time spent with Lumina and her siblings went by too quickly. Justinius knew they should be on the road and meeting with Laurentius but he didn’t want to leave. They were supposed to have dinner together and talk long hours into the night. This small meal and brief discussion was a paltry replacement. Yet, he treasured every second of it. He told her of his time with the Aequendar and found in her and her siblings a captivated audience. They wanted every detail but didn’t interrupt unless he had paused for breath or to sample the meal. Lumina recounted her adventure in the cult's villa and the monsters within, telling her siblings they weren’t allowed to repeat a word of it to their brother, Orin.

Justinius found not only Lumina charming as ever but her siblings enjoyable company. Ignatius was strange but not unfriendly. He hardly spoke but, on one occasion, did stop him to say, “I like you. You look rich and wise…like a king.”

Veronica, meanwhile, was all smiles and charm. She never had a negative word to say about anything or anyone, even tempering Lumina’s stories with cautionary warnings to not be “unjust” to others. Lumina’s attention never wavered for more than a few seconds from Justinius, only to call for more food and wine when Ardellius asked for it. “So,” she said as they finished their tales, “Daemones and men who look like Daemones. We have seen some troubling things.”

“It doesn’t bode well,” said Justinius. “If what you say is true, then something is happening in the world. Falehiem mentioned strange magical events happening across the nations and that your cult was looking for it. Maybe you should alert the king?”

“The king is part of the problem,” she said. “He fully endorses the worship of the cult.”

“But if they knew the full extent of what was going on-”

“I don’t think they would care,” said Lumina. “My brother might care if he believed me, but the king? He wouldn’t. Not much keeps his attention these days except his drink and entertainment.”

Justinius stared at her, concerned. “So…what do we do?”

“Be wary, I suppose,” she said. “What else can we do at the moment? There was an Aquillan senator with the cult, that is something you should be concerned with.”

“Believe me, I am,” he said. “I wonder if it was Catonus Conditius? I don’t know him well. Regardless, I’ll keep an eye on him. You should warn your brother about the cult.”

“There isn’t much he can do,” said Lumina. “Not at the moment, anyway. They’ve probably cleared all the evidence away by now.”

“All the same, please be careful,” said Justinius, reaching out to grasp her hand. “These people are dangerous, especially if they are tampering with magic.”

She smiled and patted his hand with her other. “I will. You too.”

The others at the table took notice as an awkward silence filled the room. Ignatius stared at their hands in bewilderment while Veronica struggled and failed to suppress a smile. Ardellius didn’t bother hiding his pleasure as he chuckled. “We can leave you two if you want?”

His comment broke the moment and they pulled their hands back. “We should be going,” said Justinius. “Much as I hate to admit it, we probably already missed the rest of the party.”

Ardellius shook his head and stood up. “Show me to the horses you two,” he said to Veronica and Ignatius.

Veronica looked to Lumina for confirmation. She nodded and Veronica took her brother by the hand. “Let’s go, Ignatius.”

Justinius and Lumina were left alone to wander to the front door. They stood there in a beam of sunlight, staring out at the garden in front of the house. The warmth of the sun suffused through him and filled Justinius with some measure of courage. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to speak the words within. “I’ll be honest, I’m afraid.”

She looked him in the eyes. “Why?”

“I don’t know what's going to happen. I don’t know when we will see each other again. There is too much uncertainty in my life…and I can’t figure out how to face it.”

He took a deep breath and she let him continue, waiting for him to finish his thought. He closed his eyes and heard Falehiem once again. You know truth. “But I do know that I have… feelings for you. And…I worry that, if our nations go to war, it will end in some tragedy. Or some cult will murder you. Or I will become like the rest of the corrupt senators. I don’t know. I just know that…I don’t want this to end between us.”

“This?”

“How I feel about you,” he said. “I don’t want this time with you to end. I want to give shape to what I’m feeling but not jump to conclusions.” He flushed, feeling how painfully obvious yet unclear his words were. “Am I making any sense?”

Her smile had only grown wider and she nodded. “I believe so. In light of a wise middle ground, might I suggest we write to one another and see how things go from there?”

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“I would like that,” he said.

He heard the sound of voices and horse hooves coming from around the house. Their private time alone was almost finished. His emotions swelled, an impulse filled him, and before he could give his mind a moment to process fully, he acted. He leaned in for a kiss.

Maybe it was too soon. Too forward. He didn’t know how healthy relationships worked. She tilted her head up and to the side to receive it willingly. Her lips were soft and warm, and gave just the right amount of contact. He felt his heart beat wildly and his body grow pleasantly warm and tingle with a thousand pinpricks. It lasted for only a brief moment before they both pulled away and stood facing one another, flushed, and the horses came around the corner.

Justinius mounted his horse and they stared at one another one last time. “Be safe,” he said.

“And you,” she responded. “Cause be with you in your journey.”

“Thank you. Cause be with you as well.”

He turned his horse and rode up the road. He looked back more than once to wave as she stood by the gate watching him go. Justinius could only avoid glancing at Ardellius and the ridiculous looks he was getting for so long before he turned to acknowledge him. “Yes?”

“Did you?”

Justinius sighed and looked ahead, reliving the moment. In the case of first kisses in his life, he imagined he couldn’t have done much better. “You know Ardellius, if you have to ask…”

Ardellius bobbed his head and smiled. He didn’t need to say anything. He merely hummed a cheerful tune as they went their way.

***

Lumina was receiving a look from her sister. She finally gave in and asked, irritated, “Yes?”

“Was it nice?”

Lumina gave her a bug-eyed stare before a laugh choked out. “You are entirely too invested in romance for your own good.”

Lumina stomped back inside, before popping her head out and saying quickly, “And yes it was.”

***

The road back to Aquilla was not as terrible as the trip in for Justinius. The days were becoming more clouded over and rain plagued them for much of their travels but he didn’t mind. He could ignore the insults of the Aquillans’ who seemed less interested this time in harassing him. Perhaps his encounter with a daemones or his position of authority among the Aequendar had landed home. More likely than not, they were simply too tired, wet, and irritated to talk very much.

Justinius was composing his first letter, planning on delivering it as soon as they made it to Aquilla. He made sure to mention that it was, in no way, comparable to speaking with her in person and that he wished he was with her at that moment to tell her everything in his letter.

The first sign of trouble came to Justinius when they passed through the small hamlet previously visited in their travels. At that time, it had been filled with unpleasant looks, men who appeared hostile and might attack. The camp was still there. The men, however, were gone. Now it was populated only with hungry, desperate people looking at them with pale gazes and hollow eyes.

The next day, as they rode through a forested track of road, Justinius received his second warning of trouble. He was riding among his group of miscreants. Ardellius was once more teasing Matthius and Lowellus was making commentary and, thus, sport of the two at the same time. Justinius was trying to hide his smile at Ardellius’s antics when a sense of dread came upon him. At first, he assumed the breeze that swept along the road had caused him to shiver with the chill, but there was more to it than that. He listened to its passing and it spoke to him in a language only he seemed to understand. He saw images in his mind rather than heard any words. Men. Iron. Beast.

He pulled his horse up and nearly caused several others behind him to crash into him. “What are you doing?!” yelled Matthius.

The sensation left him as the breeze passed and Justinius shook his head. “Sorry. I just…it was nothing.”

They kept riding and Justinius felt on edge. That sensation had been so intense and real. He wasn’t sure his imagination could be that strong. Then another breeze came, stirring the wet and dying leaves in the trees, causing many to burst free and flurry about in a race to the ground. Now, even these spoke with the breeze. Men. Iron. A beast. Their hearts are full of murder.

Justinus could almost envision it. It was a monster that was half-man. Long hair. Long fangs and claws, quickened heartbeat. It wants human blood. It wants you.

Justinius pulled his horse to a stop and it reared, almost throwing him. The line was thrown into confusion as the nobles behind him stopped and those ahead turned around to see what the problem was. “You idiot!” said Matthius, struggling to control his horse. “You almost injured me!”

“Justinius? What is it?” asked Ardellius, seeing the pale look on his face.

Justinius shook his head. “We can’t go further. There’s…something there.”

“What’s going on?” asked Laurentius, pushing his horse through the throng from the front. He was followed closely by his father, the senator Catonus.

“Justinius is having a panic over nothing,” said Matthius.

“It sure seems like something,” said Lowellus, looking at the trees ahead. “And now that he speaks, I don’t like it either.”

Another breeze came which spoke of more things. Worry. Fear. Anger. Water dripping from iron. The beast. It was running through the trees. Pushing. Smelling. Almost there.

Justinius pulled away from Ardellius’s calming hand. Panic filled him as he heard speak of whatever was coming closer.“We need to go, now!”

“What is this?” asked Catonus. “What is wrong with the man?”

“I don’t know,” said Laurentius. “What are you panicking about, Justinius?”

“There is something ahead,” said Justinius. “Something coming.”

“Something? What something?” asked Catonus.

Laurentius eyed the path ahead with skepticism. “How can you be sure?”

Soldiers were looking nervously about, drawing weapons and pulling up shields. “By the gods,” said Ardellius, “He’s panicking. Speak sense, Justinius. What are you talking about? What’s coming?”

A howl broke the silence and a figure hurled itself from a rock outcrop in the trees onto the nearest soldier. The man was knocked from his horse and tumbled to the ground with the creature's mouth around his neck, cutting off the scream that began. The hairy beast yanked and blood splattered. The man writhed on the ground in his death throes and the beast lifted its head. It was indeed a man with an elongated face and hair all over. He licked his fangs dripping with blood and made smacking sounds, tasting the blood. When it spoke, it was in a harsh, grating voice, deep and unnatural as it spoke through its misshapen maw. “Finally…a taste.” His gaze turned to the party. “More.”

Panic reigned. Men screamed. The guards drew their swords and advanced to the front. Laurentius was calling out orders. Arrows began to fly from the trees followed closely by armed fighters who leapt into the road to block the riders. They wore ragged clothes and old pieces of armor, faded and rusty with no coherent sigil or markings. Some began firing small, hunting arrows at the Aquillans while others advanced with an assortment of weapons and tools. The Aquillan guards threw up their shields to protect the party from the arrows as they formed a wall in front of their horses. “We must escape or they will box us in!” shouted Laurentius over the noise of combat. “Get ready to charge!”

Justinius had not expected the sense of immediate death so soon after his last encounter. The daemones attack hadn’t been that long ago. Now, as an arrow flew past his head, he felt the stench of fear fill his nostrils and bile rise in his throat once more. He had to get away.

“Charge!” called Laurentius.

The guards spurred their horses forward, advancing in an arrow-tip formation while the young Aquillan nobles followed from within. The monster hurled itself at the nearest horse, knocking it and its rider screaming to the ground. He leapt upon the man and went for his neck. The rest of the rebels charged forward, screaming in their native tongue which was very akin to Carth. Justinius could make out some cries which called for the end of “Aquillan tyranny.”

The charge was short-lived. The attackers broke ranks, faltering before the thundering hooves of the horses. The guards swung left and right, cutting into the skulls and chests of men who fell back writhing. Then the riders were halted by a wall of spears, pitchfork, and pikes, jabbing and skewering horses and men. Several guards were pulled from their horses to be hacked by the crude weapons.

The monster rose from its kill, its wild eyes searching the crowd of young Aquillan nobles. Justinius saw its eyes alight on him and his vision began to tunnel, seeing only the monster before him.

“Justinius!”

Justinius jerked away from Ardellius who was pulling at his arm. “We have to get out of here! Off the path!”

Justinius followed him and several others off the path. The young noblemen scattered off the road and into the woods, searching for a way around the attack. Justinius was beside Ardellius and his three friends, including Laurentius. Their charge led them through the trees, away from the battle

“Damn them!” shouted Laurentius. “Damn them to all hells!”

“Where are we going?” shouted Matthius.

“Away,” responded Lowellus, his voice higher pitched than normal. “Anywhere else!”

The party emerged onto a creek bed and the horses pulled up sharply. “Follow it!” said Laurentius. “We can retake the road upstream!”

They rode on as fast as they dared. Justinius almost missed the impending threat ahead. His terror and concentration to stay on the horse were such distractions that he barely registered that the river was speaking to him, its soft voice gurgling. Beast. Feral. Blood.

Justinius looked around, searching for the beast he knew was approaching. As they rode around a bend, it was there, standing tensed in the shallow water. It sprang forward and Justinius reacted first.

“Move!”

He pushed Laurentius and threw himself the other way. Their horses were hit by the creature and screamed as they toppled. The creature howled in anger and turned to Laurentius, approaching the prone and stunned senator.

“Hey!” Ardellius drew his sword and charged the creature, spurring his horse forward. The beast turned to face him and ducked under the blow, shoving the horse in the flank. It reared, throwing Ardellius from its back to splash into the river where he lay, stunned.

The creature ignored him and turned back to Laurentius, approaching the man who was scrambling to his feet. He drew his sword and waited for the inevitable attack.

Justinius stood, unarmed and without a horse. Lowellus and Matthius were nowhere to be seen, having fled in terror. Laurentius dodged a swipe from the beast and struck out with his sword. He was too slow as the creature avoided the blow and then knocked the sword from his hand. Laurentius dove to the side as the monster lunged at him. He brought his fists crashing into its back causing it to stumble onto all fours. His opponent was incredibly fast and animalistic. Even from its position, a leg lashed out and landed a savage kick in the ribs.

Laurentius barely kept his feet, grunting in pain. The creature stood and smashed him in the torso, raking him with its claws, and sending him flying several feet. Laurentius crashed to the ground stunned and bleeding. His opponent approached, licking its lips and smiling with unadulterated delight.

Justinius knew his foolish plan would end in his death. He hoped Ardellius would snap out of his stupor in time to save him so all three could take on the monster together. Falehiem had spoken in Aequendar when addressing the daemones and that had held a great deal of power and truth. Perhaps he could do the same. He stepped forward, his hands balled into fists and screamed, “Valeo, ova magicae! Relinquere Pretium Stipendium!” Begone, spawn of magic! Leave or pay the price!

As he spoke, he felt a thrum behind him and a warmth. It was as if he physically could feel the truth in the words. The creature halted in its tracks and stared at him with baleful eyes. Then it hesitated, standing upright and looking about in confusion. Justinius became aware that a noise was coming from behind him. He wasn’t sure what was there but didn’t feel safe to turn away from his opponent. It backed up, glaring with such hatred and fear that Justinius had to turn to look. He gasped in astonishment.

The air around him was swarming with Fatae, buzzing angrily about and waving needles and small bows. Their light pulsed in flashes and the hum of their voices shook Justinius to his core. He felt his body filling with dread at their discordant harmony and he would have cowered in fear if they were focused on him.

The half-man, half-monster backed away, his gaze lingering for only a moment at Laurentius, then Justinius. The hatred in his eyes caused Justinius to back toward the hovering fatae, having just enough sense to pull Laurentius’ stunned and bleeding body with him. The creature howled in fury. The fatae broke the impasse and swarmed toward him en masse, arrows flew and it covered its face, roaring in pain and rage. It didn’t stay and fight but fled down the river. It stumbled over rocks in the riverbed and fell as the fatae swarmed it, slashing with tiny swords to cut into its thick hair.

It screamed in pain, picking itself up from the water and fleeing in the woods at top speed, pursued by fatae. Justinius stared after them, still stunned. A fatae flew in his face and he jerked back. He recognized the face. “Whisper?”

The fatae bowed and flew up into the trees, disappearing into the canopy above. Justinius looked around. The fatae were gone as were their horses. There was only the wounded Laurentius, groaning on the ground, and Ardellius, who stood in the river in complete shock. He turned to Justinius. “What was that? What just happened?”

Justinius looked at him, then back to the heavens. “I don’t know.”

“You did that.”

“What? No I didn’t.” Yet, he was unsure himself. Was it the Aequenda or was it a coincidence?

“You summoned them,” said Ardellius. “They gathered around you. They were helping you.”

“It was just Falehiem, looking out for me,” said Justinius. “I didn’t do any of that.”

“Then how did you know the enemy was waiting for us?”

Justinius shook his head. He was tired and didn’t have answers. “I can’t explain it. I just…felt it. Or heard them. But they are going to find us again unless we get moving.”

Ardellius shook his head. “We aren’t done with this conversation.”

Laurentius was in terrible shape. His clothes were bloodied, the cuts looked deep, and he was only partially conscious. It was a struggle to drag him to the bank of the stream where they stripped the top of his tunic and cleaned the cuts. Neither had bandages so they were forced to tear strips of their tunic’s off to dress the wounds. He became conscious for only a moment while they were cleaning. “What? What happened? Get away.”

“You’re bleeding,” said Justinius. “We need to clean the wounds.”

“Hold still or I’ll knock you out again,” said Ardellius, his normally humorous tone subdued.

It didn’t matter. Laurentius struggled feebly for only a moment before blacking out again. It took both men to carry him down the river in a seated carry. They walked quietly, listening for the sounds of battle or beasts. Though they had left the battle behind, they never let their guard down.

***

It wasn’t till dusk that they reunited with the rest of their party. Some ways down the river, they ran into Lowellus and Matthius who had snagged their horses and returned back cautiously. Guilt clearly showed on their faces at having left them behind but they had every excuse in the world ready. “We thought you would follow!” said Matthius from his horse.

“Hells you did,” said Ardellius. “Come help us!”

Lowellus was already beside them, helping to lift. “It was every man for himself. Everyone panicked.”

“Just help us get him on his horse,” said Justinius.

The five of them continued to follow the river and didn’t dare return to the road until the tree line began to thin. The rest of the party was already two miles down the road, camped for the night out in the open. As they approached the camp, Senator Catonus Conditius rushed through the crowd of onlookers and, when he saw them, pulled up sharply. “My son?”

Laurentius was strapped to his horse's back, in terrible condition. The senator stood stunned for only a moment before he cried out, “My son! By the gods! You are alive! Help me!”

Several guards helped to pull him off the horse and rushed him to the center where a large fire raged. The camp doctor pulled out his bag and began working on him.

Justinus was weary and ready to collapse but he still had enough wits to become aware of their situation. Of their sixty guards, only nineteen remained. Every single one of the young noblemen were there and miraculously unscathed. Justinius found the captain of the guard to learn the specifics.

“It was the damndest thing,” the man said. “We charged their ranks and they put up a hell of a fight. The noblemen scattered left and right but the barbarians didn’t seem interested in chasing them. I even saw several of the young men charge through enemies and they were still ignored. It’s like they wanted to kill our men alone. Senator Laurentius has been the only one injured thus far. His father had already given up on him. He sent a message ahead to Aquilla. The Senate should know within a week.”

“Who were those men?”

“I don’t know, sir. Senator Catonus tells me they were Carxandrian mercenaries, that there were some bearing the sigil or cheering for Carxandria.”

“Really? I don’t remember that.”

“I don’t really either. But it was chaotic. I was busy instructing my men and trying to survive. I trust he knows what he’s doing.”

Justinius frowned.“That can’t be. It shouldn’t.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me. There is bad blood between our men,” said the captain.

“How did you escape them?” asked Justinius, still concerned.

“Well, when we saw them ignore the noblemen and focus on us, we pulled back down the road then flanked them. Our charge routed a good number of them but we continued our flight down the road for several miles before we stopped. We’ve had guards posted but they haven’t given chase. We didn’t feel it was right to move on until we could recover the noblemen in our charge.”

“You did well, Captain,” said Justinius. “Thank you. Are we in danger?”

“That depends if that monster is lurking out in the night,” said the captain, shuddering. “He was like a daemones from the hells. Once we patch up the senator, we figure we should move out. The road might be dangerous in the dark but I don’t think waiting here to be attacked again by overwhelming numbers is safe.”

“And all the noblemen are here?”

“All are accounted for.”

“Good. Then, I think that would be best too.”

Justinius had much to think about as he rode through the night. He was exhausted and his mind wanted to rest but he was plagued by questions. Who were these rebels? What was that creature, so clearly infected by magic, that attacked them. Why was he only interested in Laurentius?

None of these questions could be answered at the moment. He feared what the reaction of the senate would be when they heard this news. If they believed Carxandria was to blame, this would only escalate the tensions between the nations. There could be war. His mind leaped to Lumina, brave and strong with her sword in hand. She had told him months ago that she would rather die fighting then become a slave.

What would become of her and her people if there was war?