“I don’t understand,” admitted Alerio as he glanced around at the workers.
“You said it yourself,” Tomas replied.
“Said what?” asked Alerio
“Alchemy, Lance Corporal Sisera, it’s alchemy,” said Tomas. “Now I’ve got to ask the foreman which eggs have the best steel. You can tag along if you like.”
“Thank you, Master Kellerian for the lessen and the offer,” Alerio said. “But, I learned enough mysteries of the universe for one day. I think I’ll head back to the city.”
“Bring your dual rig to me when you’re finished playing with the street gang,” Tomas teased as he walked back towards the egg baking station. “So, I can get it fitted on the armor.”
Alerio waved at the armorer and took a route that hugged the stockade wall. It would keep him far away from the waves of heat. Once out of the clay ovens and steel furnaces area, he headed back towards the city.
Chapter 23 - Street Crime and The City Guard
Alerio stood transfixed at the crossroads of the north-south and the east-west boulevards. The fountain in the center of the thoroughfares’ roundabout proved to be more breathtaking up close. While the view from far down the boulevard made the statues of the horses appear spectacular, standing and craning his neck allowed for a full view of the magnificent sculptures. Adding to the experience, a spray of mist blew off the jets of water. It felt as if he were standing near a natural waterfall instead of in the center of the Capital.
After circling the fountain five times so he could gaze at every angle of the statues, Alerio headed north towards the senate building.
Inside the huge building were chambers for the Senate and the two Consuls who ran the city and, by extension, the Republic. Tree lined walks and grassy areas surrounded the building for two blocks in every direction.
Across from the Capital grounds and also two blocks long were the City Guard Headquarters. As it should be for security reasons, the guard needed only to cross the broad boulevard and the grassy area to reach the government building. There they could defend the Senators and, by default, the Republic from attack.
Alerio strolled the length of the landscaped grounds and continued on for another block. Across the boulevard were the walls of Senator Ventus’ villa. The visible part of the villa rising above the walls was constructed of brick with clay shingles on the roof. Few of the massive homes used brick for the second floor. While bricking the entire villa was impressive, it was also expensive.
A carriage gate opened onto the boulevard and two men-at-arms stood at the opening. Both guards were big and blond obviously from the northern territories.
Alerio didn’t see the Senator or, his bodyguard Gabrielus and he didn’t stay around to watch for them. The Lance Corporal simply eyed the villa as he turned off the boulevard.
A block later, he took a left on a wide street where the walls of large villas created a canyon. At the end of the street, he could see the capital grounds and the senate building.
Vendor carts occupied the roadsides at the end of the street. Some carts had braziers with roasting meats, others with bread and cakes, while others sold vino.
Alerio was half the distance to the last cart when two men began arguing with a vendor on the corner. Not wanting to get involved, he crossed to the other side of the street.
One of the men pulled an iron knife and threatened the vendor. His accomplice began calling other vendors over to witness the dishonesty of the tradesman. Five of the sellers deserted their carts to get a better look at the altercation and to hear the story. The voices of the arguing man and the vendor reached a high pitch as each got hotter and more animated. More vendors left their carts to see the show. Alerio continued his stroll down the far side of the street.
Ten youths raced from around the corner and suddenly, the empty carts had customers. Except, the kids weren’t paying. They grabbed as much food as they could carry and dashed towards Alerio. The absentee vendors began shouting and calling for the city guard.
From the manicured lawn of the Capital grounds, four-armed City Guardsmen raced to aid the vendors. But, the young thieves weren’t sticking around. Alerio didn’t want to get involved and was fine when the last lad, his hands holding the ends of a hot metal rod that ran through an entire roasted ham, ran by. Alerio laughed as the ham was bigger than the boy’s chest.
The guards crossed the street and the vendors all pointed at the retreating boys. One vendor indicated the men who were arguing. Another motioned for the guards to stop Alerio.
“He’s part of the gang,” the vendor announced. “I saw him laughing at the theft.”
The two arguing men spun, shoved aside a vendor, and raced towards Alerio. Out of instinct, he put out a foot and tripped one of them. The man sprawled face first on the brick pavers while his companion continued to flee.
“Stay there,” a guard ordered as he and two others tried to sort out the vendor’s stories. It seemed they all had different versions and each wanted to be the first to explain his. The result was unintelligible mad chatter.
The fourth guard had his gladius in hand as he approached Alerio and the man on the ground.
“Don’t move,” the guardsman ordered.
Alerio had no reason to resist. He was an innocent bystander and was sure the city guard would understand.
Then, four more guardsmen appeared on the Capital grounds. A Corporal ran beside them and suddenly Alerio had a reason to resist.
Corporal Daedalus knew Alerio’s face and name. He also knew about the bounty of seven Republic golds for Alerio, dead or alive, offered by the Cruor Syndicate. As a matter of fact, Daedalus had tried to collect the reward during a sword completion.
Alerio’s right foot shot out kicking the guard’s blade to the side. Two quick steps brought him inside the gladius tip and within elbow’s distance from the man’s chin. Alerio’s forearm connected with the guard’s jaw and the man’s head jerked back and plopped down on his backside.
Seeing the city guardsman dumped on his butt, the thief on the ground jumped to his feet and ran towards the end of the street. Alerio was right on his heels.
From behind, Alerio heard the city guardsmen yelling for the fleeing men to halt. What he couldn’t see was Corporal Daedalus shaking his head as he attempted to recall where he’d seen the young man in the quality tunic before. As he stopped to consult with his guardsmen, the Corporal recalled a snot nosed kid who, rather than die properly, had embarrassed him in an arena. And he remembered the bounty of seven Republic golds. The only drawback, he couldn’t remember the boy’s name.
“Private. Once we get this sorted out,” Daedalus directed one of his guardsmen. “I need you to go to the western Legion Transfer Post. Find Corporal Gratian. Ask him for the name of the kid I fought at the tournament.”
“The one where you were hurt?” asked the Private.
“Yes. The one where I was hurt,” Daedalus replied obviously annoyed to be reminded of the incident. “Tell him I want to send my apologies to the lad.”
“It’ll take me half a week to get there and back,” the guardsman stated.
Before the Corporal could order the man to rent a pony, three vendors descended on him. As he unwound the story of the theft, Daedalus forgot to inform the Private of the timely importance of the inquiry.
Chapter 24 - The Firebreak District
Alerio could have easily outpaced the man, but the guy seemed to have an escape route in mind. A block from the city guardsmen, he ducked into a narrow alleyway. About halfway through the alley, the man stopped, climbed a low wall, and leaped to the other side. Alerio mimicked the action and soon they were running between the back walls of villas.
Coming up fast, a delivery cart blocked their way. In three high steps, the man walked over the cart and jumped off the other side. Alerio did it in two strides and had to slow up to keep from overtaking the man. They dashed across a street and were hailed by a guardsman standing a half block away. Ignoring
the city guard, they ran into a twisting alley, jumped another wall, and continued to run.
The man was breathing heavily and beginning to slow down. Alerio changed his gait to a Legion jog, the pace Legionaries used to eat up miles while in training or heading to battle. A few alleyways later, the fugitives emerged behind a tradesman’s compound. The smell of freshly shaved oak filled the air and Alerio spotted wood shavings, slats, and completed barrels through an open gate. At the corner, they turned onto a street and Alerio saw their destination.
The Firebreak District resembled Fireguard. Buildings of raw wood haphazardly constructed with narrow streets and narrower openings between the structures. With the maze of Firebreak in sight, the man’s energy rebounded and he broke into a sprint. Alerio matched him step for step.
They were soon deep into Firebreak. As if transported from the paved streets and urban setting of the Capital City to a border town, they were now surrounded by weather beaten three story tenement buildings that loomed over crowded streets. Poorly dressed women, children, and men wandered up and down the road. Also, leaning against the buildings were hard looking men armed with iron knives.
“You shouldn’t be here,” the man leading Alerio warned. He was bent over gasping for air. Between hurried pants, he stated. “It’s not safe for a farm boy here.”
“What makes you think I’m a farm boy?” Alerio inquired.
“We see your kind all the time,” the man explained. “Grain fed, bursting with muscles, and eyes as big platters. Gawking at the buildings, fountains, and the number of people rushing about, it’s easy to spot a first-time visitor to the Capital.”
“You figured me out,” Alerio lied. “It’s my first time in the city. I need to get to the east gate and get back to the farm. But as you know, the city guard is looking for me.”
“This is the Firebreak District and not a good place for you,” the man insisted. “You’re better off taking your chances with the guard.”
Chapter25 - Following the Path to Stata Mater or Mars
As they spoke, four men separated from the building walls and stepped into the street.
“What have you got here Salvator?” asked one of the rough men as they approached. “A new convert?”
“No. Just a kid who took a wrong turn,” Salvator replied. “He’s leaving.”
“Seems to me he’s dressed nice. He must have a few coins for the needy,” another of the four observed.
“Convert to what?” Alerio inquired as if he hadn’t noticed the men.
“I am Epulone Salvator follower of Stata Mater,” he explained. “And you should run.”
An Epulone was a priest who specialized in blessing major festivals, feasts, and games. To have someone standing in the dirt street of the wooden tender box of Firebreak and claiming to be one of the exulted Priests was funny. So Alerio laughed.
“Let me guess Epulone Salvator,” Alerio said with a big grin on his face. “The stolen food was for a feast honoring the Goddess. And what gifts do Stata Mater bestow on the Republic?”
Before Salvator could reply, one of the four thugs demanded, “Give me your coin purse, farm boy.”
The farm boy rotated his head and glared at the man.
“First off, don’t say farm boy like it’s a nasty term,” Alerio instructed. “Secondly, the Priest and I are having a conversation. And you are interrupting.”
Shifting his gaze, the Legionary faced away from the man and turned his attention to Salvator.
“Is the food for a feast?” Alerio asked the priest. “To celebrate what, exactly?”
“Today we celebrate Stata Mater’s gifts to the Firebreak District,” Salvator said with pride. “She is the mother who prevents fire.”
Looking around at the raw wood of the buildings, Alerio agreed, “A Goddess who guards against fire deserves a feast. Daily wouldn’t be too often.”
“The food and wine were gathered from the brick part of the city,” stated Salvator. “Befittingly for followers of Stata Mater. Don’t you think?”
“I said give me your coins,” the thug screamed in anger.
“You are a rude man. Hold on,” Alerio said to the thug with a smile. “You’ll get your turn.” Then refocusing on Salvator, he explained, “I don’t think being chased by the City Guard shows much respect.”
“It’s all in the interpretation,” Salvator said in defense of the theft. “Stata Mater will appreciate the concept.”
The four thugs stepped in closer to appear more imposing. It worked on the Epulone as he began fidgeting nervously.
“Epulone Salvator. I believe it’s time for you to leave,” Alerio suggested taking pity on the Priest. “We’re about to see who is favored most by Mars, the God of war. These gentlemen or me?”
Salvator took a step away but a fist to his back threw him forward. He stumbled into Alerio who caught the Priest and stood him upright. The thugs pulled iron knives to further intimidate their victims.
The mugger who punched the Priest sneered, “Not so fast Salvator. I think the lads and I should get an invitation to your feast.”
“Do you know any songs?” Alerio asked Salvator.
“A song?” asked the Priest as he gazed around at the iron knives and the leering men. “You expect me to sing at a time like this?”
“A chant then, one to your goddess,” suggested Alerio. “You claim to be an Epulone. Prove it. Give us a chant.”
Chapter 26 - Chanting and Killing
Salvator swallowed, lifted his head and began to chant.
Stata Mater, Stata Mater
When embers soar
With hearths alight
And kindling scores
The heat at night
Stay the flame, Stata Mater
And guard us from the fire
Stata Mater, Stata Mater
When Lightening Claps
And the groves spark
And a branch taps
The sky fire mark
Stay the flame, Stata Mater
And guard us from the fire
Stata Mater, Stata Mater
When lanterns crash
And hot oils spread
And straw grasps
The flowing dread
Stay the flame, Stata Mater
And guard us from the fire
Stata Mater, Stata Mater
When candles fall
And flames stay bright
And parchment calls
The wicked light
Stay the flame, Stata Mater
And guard us from the fire
“Nicely sung,” Alerio said. “Now chant it again.”
As Salvator opened his mouth to chant another rendition, Alerio kicked the Priest’s legs out from under him.
“Sing Epulone,” urged Alerio as he reached to the small of his back.
The long-curved dagger whipped out from behind Alerio’s back and drew a deep red line across one of the thug’s breast. The man fell away clutching the gaping wound.
Salvator hit the ground with enough force to drive the air from his body. At first, he didn’t understand what happened. But as the first thug staggered back, he realized the farm boy had removed him from the fight by kicking his legs. He restarted the chant when the deep screeching noise of the farm boy singing, as if an iron bar were scraped across a metal plate, reached his ears.
“When embers soar, with hearths alight,” Alerio chanted while the blade continued around and downward. “And kindling scores, The heat at night.”
The knife sliced opened the skin and sinew of the second thug’s left and right wrists. It happened so fast the third mugger didn’t have time to react.
“Stay the flame, Stata Mater,” Alerio sang as the blade reached the bottom of an arc and began to curve upward. “And guard us from the fire.”
The upward sweep of the knife gutted the third mugger. From the belly button to mid chest, where the sternum deflected the blade, the man opened like a blossom. If the pale pedals p
arting revealed a blossoming blood red flower.
“When Lightening Claps, And the groves spark,” Alerio chanted before grunting.
While his three cohorts in crime fell from the farm boy’s blade, the fourth mugger lunged upward from thigh high. His blade sliced the farm boy’s side from hip to the small ribs.
“And a branch taps, the sky fire mark,” Alerio sang louder as the burning pain ripped up his side. “Stay the flame, Stata Mater.”
The fourth man controlled his blade. From the upward cut that slit Alerio’s side, he angled for a power slash that would cross the wound and open it to the bone.
In mid pivot, Alerio felt the knife’s edge open the gash in his side. His left hand held up in a guard position hovered at shoulder height. His right, holding the knife high as it finished gutting the third mugger, continued up and out of position to engage the thug. With his torso still turning away from the third man, Alerio’s flank lay undefended for the second slash.
“When lanterns crash, and hot oils spread,” Alerio chanted as he slapped the hilt from his right hand into the palm of his left. “And straw grasps, The flowing dread.”
Backhanded, Alerio drove the entire length of the blade through the fourth man’s neck. The thug’s eyes widened in surprise. He stared at the farm boy until awareness vanished from his eyes and he sank to his knees.
“Stay the flame, Stata Mater,” Alerio sang as he jerked the blade free. “And guard us from the fire.”
Salvator’s neck twisted as he followed the path of the long-curved dagger. When the farmer stepped over him, he lost the blade for a moment. When he located it again, the blade was slashing the throats of the other three muggers.
“Good song,” said Alerio as he cleaned the blade on a dead thug’s shirt.
“It’s a chant of hope and protection,” advised the Priest. As the blade vanished behind the young man’s back, he added, “You’re not a farm boy, are you?”
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