The Blighted Fortress
Page 35
As they pressed into Theo he expanded in size and his fur grew thicker and warmer. His approval of their accomplishments was clear as he continued to send out strong vibrations of respect and congratulations.
Then the vibrations shifted and took on a deeper, and far more significant meaning. It was a message of his love for each of them.
FINIS
Epilogue
Attila Reflects while Rome Quivers
Attila stood high in his saddle looking down at the vast city. This was Rome, the capital of the world for six centuries. The glory of Rome was reflected off marble pillars and monuments with a blinding glare. Water glistened as it flowed into hundreds of fountains ensuring that no Roman would go thirsty.
The wealth of this city cannot be measured, thought the Hun. One Roman conqueror, Julius Caesar, had brought back the entire wealth of Gaul. It is ironic, that at the height of his benevolence and power, a handful of men had killed him in the street. Fear is the way to govern men, not charity and mercy.
Attila was in a somber mood. The Hun army had fought an epic battle at the Catalaunian Plains in Gaul and had suffered high casualties. It was not a total defeat but neither was it a victory. Now his warriors were expecting to lick their wounds by the sack of Rome.
Earlier he had studied the Roman army placed to defend the city. This army would offer no threat to his forces. The jewel below was there waiting to be seized.
Attila was not a religious or superstitious man, however he accepted there were forces stronger than his own. Many years before he had seen a great power unleashed. He had agreed to a parley and an aged man came into his tent. The old man had to be a god in disguise as he released a red demon. The demon passed through and killed all his attending guards.
Now, years later, another parley was requested and Attila felt a warning pass through him. The parley would again be with an older man described as the religious leader of Rome. The man’s title was “pope”, meaning “father”. Attila considered that his own name meant “little father” or simply “father”. Reflecting, he thought, Tomorrow we meet and decide who is the greater father.
The next day arrived and with it the man called Pope Leo. Attila observed he was a man dressed in the silk robes of a priest. Once again Attila was alone with an older priest who showed no fear.
Looking into Attila’s eyes the Pope smiled then began to talk to him in Latin. As Attila listened, he felt a power flowing out of the man. The man said he represented the one true god. He cautioned Attila that Rome could not be attacked without incurring the fury of the one god. Attila remembered a time long ago a similar man telling him to turn his army away. That man had proven to be a god.
With quiet confidence Pope Leo advised Attila to lead his army back to the east. The Pope told Attila he would create an empire that would be named after his people. Its name would be Hungary.
Attila suddenly found himself kneeling before this Pope. The man lifted him to his feet and embraced him. Attila left the tent with a feeling of great joy for his people and himself. He would turn back east and create Hungary, the empire for his people.
As for the savior of Rome, Leo became known as Leo the Great.
About the Author
Dave lives with his wife Nancy in rural Virginia. They are surrounded by large oak trees having many growth rings. Dave likens his personal growth experiences to that of the tree rings. Important early rings include being an Eagle Scout and class president.
Following graduate business school he became an actuary and a consulting mathematician. As he developed over the working years, his career led to CEO and COO responsibilities with a national consulting firm.
Following an early retirement he taught pre-algebra and algebra to middle schoolers. It was a great experience for him and he continues to enjoy connecting with today’s youth.
His current growth rings are developing as a story teller and writer.
Copyright
Published by Clink Street Publishing 2019
Copyright © 2019
First edition.
The author asserts the moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior consent of the author, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that with which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
ISBN:
978–1–912850–92–1 - paperback
978–1–912850–93–8 - ebook