He woke the next morning still feeling tired, He had not been able to get as much sleep as he wanted. He dressed and headed down to the dining area with his guards in tow. Apon entering the hall he was greeted by the king.
"Glad to see our conquer has survived his nigh in our midst." he said with a laugh.
Markus laughed along then settled down to eat. While they ate they talked and exchanged stories about how they had each grown up. How Markus had spent years in the training schools and how Cian had spent his life fighting, even if his life of fighting was spent fighting his brothers over the inheritance of the throne.
"The envoy says you will be leaving us soon and only a few military members will remain and some government officials in order to get all the official things sorted and sealed four our addition into the Impire."
"If they say it then it is likely so. I would like to get back home soon, we may stay a few more nights to refill out supplies but all of us want to get back to our own city to our homes and families. You see most of us grew up in the same city, the city tasked with raising this army and that alone has been the focus of the city for many years now"
" A city dedicated to war?" the king huffed "a novel idea"
"Maybe now it will become a more peaceful place." Markus said genuine hope for the future carried in his tone.
The rest of the day was spent by both sides discussing the papers that had to be signed and treaties that needed agreeing to. Lots of tedious things for two men of war in their 20s to fight their way through. After dinner that night Markus returned to the room he had spent the night in before and he posted his guards just as he had before. For what good it did.
It was the next morning and he awoke still feeling tired. He went to breakfast with the king. By now all the ceremony had fallen away. They converses as friends. They both talked much about their culture with the other. After the meal Markus left the king with one of the envoys and decided he would head out into town. It was a living breathing city again all the townspeople who had fled before the battle had returned and resumed the same lives they had before with very little change from the change in governing entity. They were a diverse culture that loved battle almost as much as those in the warrior classes of his own country. He stopped in a smith shop to see their wares and to compare their methods to that of his land. Even this small shops techniques and product were comparable to the great forges of New Pompeii if smaller and without the some of the grandeur. The weapons were just as strong if a different design than he was used to. He asked the man working the forge if he would take payment in Imperial gold.
"Gold is Gold, we take coin from any country as long as it is pure we just use the scales." the man responded, getting up from his wooden stool next to the furnace. He wiped his brow with his large leather glove covered hands, and asked, " Getting something for yourself or has one of our lovely women caught the eye of the conqueror of our city?"
Markus tried to laugh it off, " What makes you think I am the conqueror of anything?"
"I have heard you described, apparently you a sight to behold in battle," the smith said returning to his work, " the stories of your acts are quiet well known." he said as he did he plunged a piece of hot metal into a barrel of water. The steam shooting up and surrounding the man.
"I would buy a gift for a woman." Markus said quietly now that he was certain his identity was found out.
"Wouldn't the jeweler next door would serve you better then?" the smith said. "I am not one to turn down a sale but glittering things catch a woman's heart much better than steel."
"Not the woman I have in mind for it. For her I think steel would serve me better." Markus said half lost in thought.
"I have a great many swords and axes of various designs but none to suit a woman's taste, my work here is meant for purpose not form."
"What if I were to commission a work from you?"
" I can make pretty much anything you would wish." the smith said in as humble a voice as he could muster.
"Work with the jeweler if you think it necessary. I would have a dagger made, same in form as an Imperial sword only smaller, spare no expense in its material or construction. The golden eagle of New Pompeii on its handle and a few gold embellishments here and there. She would not wish a decoration piece however it needs to be a lethal weapon and a thing of beauty both, do you understand?" Markus queried the man.
"I have no other jobs I can have it finished in two days, I can make a good piece and it will cost a fair bit or I can create a masterwork but the cost will be great." the smith said. Trying to gauge his customer.
"I would have the best blade you have ever made and for it you will receive what is a fair price." Markus stated definitively.
Markus left the shop and continued around the town checking out the markets and shops. As night fell he returned to the tower. Another night in the giant room. It had begun to feel familiar like home and less like a conquered capital. The red stains still left on the stones of the first floor told a different story.
The next several days flew by in a blur. Breakfast with the king and then work on the treaties and then he would wander the city. Today he knew the dagger he had ordered would be ready. He hurried to the shop now navigating the city street with ease. He entered the shop and greeted the smith. The smith pulled a wooden box from the shelf and gave it to Markus. He opened it and examined his order then negotiated the price with the man and after a fair bit of haggling they agreed. Markus would have easily had to pay four times as much for such a piece back in the Impire. Latching the box shut he then placed it in his bag and was on his way.
When he returned to the tower he met with the king and the last of the treaties were signed, everything was complete and Markus knew it would be his last night in this once foreign place that was now feeling so familiar.
He arose the next morning and ate with thing king one last time. A grand meal was set out and all of the kings immediate family was in attendance. As the meal came to an end the king stood. He motioned over to a servant that had been standing on the side the whole of the meal.
"Markus, I have a gift for you." Cian stated "You did what your whole army could not, you conquered the lands of O'Donovan. Just as it was foretold. You may not believe in out ways but we do. It was foretold one would come and conquer us in the name of the Impire. On the day of the foretelling work started on this." and the king lifted from the box the servant held a chain. A thick golden chain with a pendant on it. The pendant was gold with a few semiprecious stones in it. It was the Imperial eagle clutching and surrounded by the traditional O'Donovan crest of innate swirls and interlocking circles.
"It is for you, that everyone in this land and also in yours may know what it is you have accomplished."
"My thanks, Cian for such a gift. I do not know of your foretellings nor do I claim to be who you are claiming I am. But I will accept it as a friend who was once an enemy." Mark said in his best try-not-to-offend-anyone voice. He knelt and the king placed it around his neck. Markus stood and he started going around giving his goodbyes. Once finished he gathered all his belongings from his room in the tower and headed to the outskirts of the city were his army waited, well what was left of his army waited. He climbed into a horse drawn cart and they were on their way. It was not the rough wooden box he had arrived in as the commander of a single unit this was a well crafted and cushioned coach only he and a few others shared it.
On the long journey home there was much talk amongst the men of the ones they left behind and the adventures they had experienced. By now the stories of Markus' acts in battle had grown as most stories told by men of war tend to do. It now portrayed Markus as a giant of a man slaying whole armies with a single stroke of his blade. It had become so grandiose that people would be telling Markus the story of his deeds and not recognize him as the one who did them. It always made Markus laugh to hear the story told that way. He would do his best to correct glaring errors in the story when they cropped up, but it was all he could do to stem the tide.
As they got closer to New Pompeii and their beloved homes word came by messenger that the city had been alerted of their impending arrival and a festival had been called. All the men roared with excitement at the news, they were to be treated to a hero's welcome.
As they got within a couple days of the city wagon started to meet them. Family members and loved ones coming to find their warrior. The excitement of the men was brought down by the thoughts of all they had lost. An army well over 20,000 strong reduced to less than 2,500. Most of the families that came to meet them were met with nothing but bitter disappointment and utter sadness at being told that their son, brother, or father was gone forever. As the column of carts met the wagons, on every side all that could be heard was the screaming and crying of women and children. As Markus looked out the window in the side of the cart all that could be seen was desolate landscape and women on their knees surrounded by their children crying. Every now and again he would see a happy face. A man surrounded by his family hugging them. The flow of people out of the city became so great the carts stopped for the night even though it was only midday. The camp was set up and families went about finding the remnants of their loved ones units to find out their fates. As Markus moved about the camp he gave words of consolation to families he knew. No one got much sleep that night. All of the women crying and yet some families rejoicing at the reunions.
The next couple days on the way home went just about the same. Each day herds of people would meet the caravan of warriors. When they finally arrived at New Pompeii the city was decorated for the occasion. Unlike the days of travel now was a time of celebration for the living and for their victory. The great and insurmountable goal of the empire had been accomplished the whole world now fell under the rule of the Impire. There would be celebrations in all the cities of the Impire none more so than here in New Pompeii the city that had been the source of the army that finally defeated the O'Donovans. There was partying in the streets, musicians were everywhere playing glad songs about battles and victory. Everywhere you looked were smiling faces and people making toasts to their returning warriors. Markus had received an invitation to one of the more exclusive parties going on that night. All the high level politicians and command level warriors were going to be there. Markus returned to his humble little house to prepare for the occasion he had no idea what to wear for the occasion. He had asked his commander what he was to wear. He had seen that the politicians would all wear their richest robes, most of the commanders were going to wear fancier versions of their battle armor. More ornate versions decorated with gold trim and etchings. Markus didn't have one of those sets of armor he had left for the invasion as a simple unit leader and was returning a vice-commander something like this was so very unheard of, he was told to carry the papers that showed his promotion. So he just decided to wear the same battle armor he had been issued at his promotion. After all he had worn it before a king. He set himself to cleaning it an polishing it before the party. He got himself as ready as he thought he could be then strapped on the armor and his swords and started walking.
As he neared the governors villa he saw chariot after chariot pass him each carrying a guest to the party important politicians and their wives and teenage sons and daughters. Command level warriors were also arriving by chariot. Markus even saw his own commander pass by him on a chariot. The commander nodded it acknowledge him as he passed. Markus laughed to himself.
"Looks like I am going to be the only one walking."
As they arrived servants were rushing out to put the horses in the stables and show the guests to thier seats inside. Markus marched up to one of the servants that looked to be in charge.
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"Hello vice-commander" the man said as he gaze swept up and down Markus, his rank was made clear by the design of the armor. "Once all of the primary guests have been seated we will start letting some of the other guests who found themselves with invitations sit." The man finished with a condescending tone. Markus was unfamiliar with the way these parties worked. And decided he should make sure he understood.
"This is the governor's villa, The Victor's banquet, right?"
"Yes it is young man I am certain your commander told you all about it and told you that you could come."
"Yes he did how did you know?" Markus queried the man.
"Around the side of the villa we have some benches, there are several others waiting. When all the properly invited people guests are here and accounted for the party will start and you and the others will be able to fill any available seats." the servant now showing signs of aggravation with Markus as a line was forming behind him. Markus went around the corner and sat on the benches there were several other vice commanders and some centurions all of them dressed up in their best, waiting.
"Wait a minute " one of them said " I know you , you are Markus Verotis we trained together and the advanced warrior school."
"The Markus Verotis?" anther chimed in." the one everyone had been talking about?"
"My name is Markus Verotis, yes." he said not denying and not yet fully acknowledging he was the one stories were being told about.
"It must be one heck of a guest list if you can't get right in" said the one who had originally recognized him.
They all then started asking him questions about the stories they had heard about him. Again just like before alot of the stories had grown out of proportion. After correcting what he could from their stories they all made small talk and were just waiting to be told they could enter.
They had been waiting out there for an hour or so when a servant moved past them nervously to the storage area behind the house. "Any idea when they are gonna be letting us in?" one of the men asked the servant as he passed by again carrying a wine jug.
"Everyone has arrived except on of the guests of honor. A hero for the war they are waiting for him and once he arrives we will be letting you in."
"Any chance they are talking about you, Markus?" said the one of the group
"Markus Verotis?" the servant questioned enunciating the ending to be sure it was the right man.
"Yes that is me" Markus declared
"We have been looking for you"
"I was told to come wait back here."
"Don't you have an written invitation?"
"Yes I do the man up front never asked me for it"
"Oh well they are waiting for you inside. Come right this way"
Markus followed the servant around front and in the front door. As he entered he handed in his invitation then he was told he was able to choose who he wanted to sit with, when he got inside most of the tables had kept a seat open for him. He stepped inside to the site of dozens of tables overflowing with roasted meats, exotic fruits, and other expensive looking foods. Musicians quietly playing music were seated in one corner. A low rumble of conversation filled the room as he stood in the entryway just looking over the room.
As he stepping into the room a hush settled over the room. Markus scanned over the faces in the crowd of people. He recognized his commander and a few of the other faces from the invasion itself. He also saw the owner of the advanced warrior training school sitting over to one of the sides. He was a high ranking politician so it made sense that he would have been in attendance. Markus made his way over and sat down next to him, there were several open seats at that table. The whole room seemed to be holding its breath trying to see who Markus would choose to sit with. Once he had taken his seat the voices picked back up and everyone pretty much went back to their conversations. Markus grabbed some food from the display in the center and began eating.
"It has been awhile since you left my school"
"Just past a year now I think"
"And quite a name you have made for yourself in that time"
"I take it you know about what happened in the Lands of O'Donovan?"
"Of course I do, most of the conversations going on at these tables are about you and what you did there. You singlehandedly turned what could have been another failure into a success. And from what I hear you made it look easy."
"It wasn't easy." Markus said "So many men paid the price for that victory."
"Now is not to be sad at their loss. Tonight we celebrate the victory they fought for."
" Of course of course, ha ha" Markus forced a laugh trying to push away those painful thoughts for his mind.
"Here," he said as he beckoned someone over. "Let me introduce you to my daughter." he said as he finished the sentence Jullianna sat down next to Markus she was looking at her father. When she realized he was talking to the other person at the table she turned to see who she was being introduced to. When she turned and saw Markus they both froze. Neither one spoke. It had been awhile since he had been that close to her. Since the night when they had sparred in the dark.
"Well say hello, introduce yourself" her father prodded
"Umm." She said shaking herself loose of the shock. "Jullianna Cacious very nice to meet you, and you are?"
"Vice Commander Markus Verotis" he said trying to sound as military as possible.
"Ah very nice to meet you Markus" Jullianna said being sure to give no hint she and he had met before.
"He is the Markus Verotis" her father said, "surely you know of him, my daughter."
"Yes father, I know who he is" sounding very unimpressed.
"Well I am going to give my regards to some of my friends you two get acquainted." he said with the obvious setup. He stood up and walked off to one of the other tables. Markus nervously played with the food on his plate. He looked over at Jullianna she smiled at him, " Looks like you managed to survive even with your sword skills." she said teasing him.
"Looks like I did and I have improved since that night, I might even be able to win now." He laughed.
"That isn't going to happen Markus, you are never going to be better ha ha" she taunted.
"We are going to have to test that aren't we." he said
"Maybe we will."
"So what have you been doing since I graduated? Still hiding you skill with the sword or have you decided to join the warrior class?" he said
"I could never do that, my father would be so very upset with me if I ever came out about that"
"A politician with a warrior daughter." Markus said
"you don't seem to mind that I can fight, as good as anyone who is inducted into your precious warrior class."
"Your right, I don't mind, I like it," Markus replied
"You would be the first" she said in a huff obviously not believing him.
"why do you say that?"
"Because every other guy who found out my secret didn't want to talk to me anymore once they found out."
"Likely just scared of you" Markus said jokingly
"Why would they be scared?"
"Cause you are better than them at something they are proud of." Markus said
"I don't know why that would cause them to now longer speak with me." she said
Just as Markus prepared to answer her father returned.
"Hey there Markus I hate to tear you away from my daughter's affections but there are so many people here that want to meet you."
He then held his arm out directing Markus to one of the other tables. Markus rose and followed him. He introduced himself to the group at the table then began answering their barrage of questions about the invasion and his participation in it. They asked him about the hows and whys of why he did certain things and why he had used certain strategies. Some of the questions he had no real answer for. They also showed particular interest in his swords. They wanted to see them, to hold them in their own hands. Soon a small group had started to form around him as he had talked about the battles. Several of them from the political class made effort when they could to pry him away from the group and began introducing him to their friends and families, especially their single daughters. Their efforts amused Markus but he could learn one of their names before someone else would take him by the arm and pull him aside to ask him more questions or to introduce him to someone else.
As he was shuffled around he kept track of Jullianna, she had stayed seated where he had left her every now and again their eyes would meet and then he would see a smile flash across her face and one of the two would suddenly look away. He liked to see her smile and just as much as he enjoyed seeing her face when a politician or commander introduced their daughter to him. This look of distain not so much directed at Markus or the young lady but more toward the father that was trying to match up his daughter with someone he himself just met.
After being introduced to practically the whole room Markus was happy to be able to just sit down and get back to enjoying the party versus being the focus of so much attention. He was able to make it over to where Jullianna was sitting.
" You looked like you were having fun" she poked at him.
"Meeting 30 new people in as many minutes is hardly fun at all." he said in a huff.
"It isn't all that bad." she responded.
" I am starting to think that my job might have been easier during the invasion, at least in that I knew what was expected of me. I led my men and I defeated my enemy, now there is no one else to defeat, no more lands to conquer." he said with an obvious sadness in his voice.
"You have yet to conquer yourself a wife, Oh mighty hero." she said sarcastically
"A woman like you does not require conquering. Something as strong and as beautiful as you would lose so much if you were ever to be conquered. I could only hope to ally myself with you." he said trying to make it seem as poetic as a warrior such as himself could muster.
"That was atrocious."
" I know it was but it deserved an attempt."
As the night progressed he made several more attempts at gaining her affections it was obvious she was familiar with guys chasing after her and she was skilled at making them give up the chase. She was as strong willed a woman as there ever was with a secret that drove men away. She wasn't about to take Markus' word and let him inside her defenses. And yet he wasn't about to give up, much to the chagrin of some of the other politicians, he spent his evening talking with Julianna and not the other young ladies they had so diligently introduced him to.
" I understand that you don't like all those politicians introducing me around to their daughters,"
"It is not that I would simply prefer if they didn't treat their own daughters like bait for a famous person just to bolster their own prestige."
"Are you saying those young ladies couldn't be genuinely interested in me themselves?"
"If such a thing were to happen, as unlikely as this is, then I say you should go for it. What good is it to be a war hero if it doesn't get you some women. " She said both insulting him and giving him an opening.
"And it wouldn't offend you? if I used my status to get one of these young ladies in my bed for the night?"
"You and I hold nothing together so it wouldn't offend me, but even if we did it wouldn't bother me, and you are only young once." she said playing along with his "what if" game for the first time.
"What if I took home a girl prettier than you, would you get mad?"
"Two things, first off you seem very unable to convince me to go home with you so what makes you think you could take home someone better looking. Second there is no one better looking at this party so it seem you are out of luck."