The sun dawned on the shores of what is now the British Isles. The morning mists of spring hung over the soft moors, as delicate as lace of a spider web. The day had dawned chilly, but the temperature was gradually warming up as befitted the spring weather. The buds of the trees were coaxing out into full bloom, the increasing greenery promising a beautiful and rich summer. The Roman Legion was enjoying the warm morning, after the harsh winter they had endured, many soldiers were bathing in the near by river, or just enjoying the peace of the morning's stillness.
A stillness that was shattered by an all too familiar voice screaming a profanity which put every man on edge, "BLOODY HELL"
General Aurelius Spictorous was a hardened soldier who had seen thirty two winters and summers, seventeen of them having been a soldier, twelve as an officer and seven as a general.
The general had a fierce reputation as a tough commander and prowess on the battlefield; his many victories against the Picts were living proof. The general was also a man of control, he rarely shouted; instead speaking in a deadly voice which scared even the most seasoned officers.
Now, however, the general paced in his tent in front of senior officers, screaming and cursing in seven different languages.
The senior officers Antonious Osbornious and Alexanderous Severious stood patiently watching their leader slam and throw objects, while the scroll they had brought to him remained tossed on his desk.
General Spiectorous, known to his senior officials in private, as "spike" , stopped his pacing and turned to confront his officers once more.
" How in the name of the gods did Angelous' men get over Handrian's wall? Are the sentries so stupid that they can't see a bloody bunch of tribesman picts coming and send us a message before they bloody well attack? Now we have no time to recall the reserve legions in the South and our men are too few to fight even if they were in top condition. I didn't spend the last seven years of my life and that frozen hell last winter destroying rebels and driving them over the wall, for Angelous to come and destory us in a few days!" Spike paused for breath, glaring at his officers.
Osbornious, know as "Oz", spoke in his quiet monotone. " An alliance with the tribe clans are the only way, General."
Spike shouted, " In the seven years I've been a general I have never made alliances with the tribe clans and I'm not about to start now!"
"But-" began Alexanderous, known as "Xander".
"NO," shouted Spike, " I'll kill Picts, sleep in trenches for Rome, give my life, my sword, but no way in bloody hell for the empire, for glory, or the gods, am I making an alliance through marriage!"
Oz spoke quietly, “Would you like to tell the emperor that when we lose the battle?”
Spike snarled, but didn’t make a coherent reply. Xander and Oz exchanged looks; they knew Spike would fight and scream, but in the end there was no other option.
Across the river, not far from the Roman camp, a young woman of about nineteen winters was laughing, as her horse galloped faster, and faster. “Buffy!”, screeched her lifelong companion and body guard, Willow. Rolling her eyes, Buffy slowed her horse down as Willow approached her. “In the name of the Goddess, how am I supposed to protect you, when you continually run off?” sighed Willow in an exasperated tone.
Buffy shrugged her shoulders and gave her friend an apologetic smile. “ I’m sorry Wills, but every time I’m outside, I feel like I can fly away, you know? No responsibilities, no pushy father, just freedom.”
“ You are the chosen one of our people, a slayer, a woman warrior born to lead our tribe, you know that Buffy. You also know that as your father’s only living child you are essential to the alliance your father will make with the Romans.”
Buffy’s eyes narrowed until they were thin slits of emerald fire. “ I am a princess of my people, high priestess to the Blessed Goddess, and I WILL NOT be sold to the highest bidder, or to a Roman who would take me far from my beloved home. Any man who wishes to come to my bed, must fight for the privilege!” Upon uttering these words, Buffy drew her sword, looking every bit the lethal warrior she was.
Willow felt a jolt of fear run through her as she saw her friend don the regal mask of a Chosen one. Then in an instant, the warrior was gone and only an apologetic Buffy remained.
“I’m sorry, Wills. I just hate feeling helpless, let me take Gordo for one last gallop and then we can return to the settlement.” Willow nodded and watched as her friend galloped to a tree on the far end of the river. But as Buffy was returning to where Willow was, several men on horseback wearing the symbols of the tribe of the Picts, began chasing after Buffy.
“BUFFY!” Willow screamed.
“ Willow, get out of here!” Buffy shouted as she drew her sword.
“ As the princess of the tribe, I command you to return to my father and tell him what happened. You can’t help me if you’re dead!”
Helpless to do anything but obey, Willow urged her horse into a fast gallop up the hill. Oh Goddess, let her be alright! Willow silently prayed as she escaped.
As Willow escaped, Buffy turned her horse Gordo around so she could charge her attackers. As the first one drew near, Buffy sliced his head off.
“Angelus must be hard up for help if he thinks such idiots can take me down.” She commented aloud. One of the minions, jumped at her, knocking her off of her horse and on the ground. Both the minion and Buffy fought for several minutes. The minion slashed her deeply on the arm, and Buffy gritted her teeth, trying to ignore the pain. Her efforts were rewarded when she wrestled a dagger from the minion and slit his throat. Gasping for breath and trying to not pass out, Buffy staggered to her feet , looking for the other three minions only to see men in silver armor and red cloaks killing them.
It registered in Buffy’s exhausted brain that these men might be enemies as well. Thinking quickly, she grabbed her dagger and launched at the silver-headed man who had dismounted and was walking toward her. Her loss of blood made extremely sloppy and the man easily grabbed the dagger from her hand, which caused her to fall on the ground. The last thing she saw before she succumbed to the darkness was the azure color of the man’s eyes.
Spike had still been pouting in his tent when his guards had informed him of a commotion across the river. Eager for a spot of violence, Spike had led several men out to investigate. He had then laid eyes on the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. A slender nymph, with golden hair and emerald eyes was fighting with all the fire of Fury from Hades. After preventing the escape of the other three minions, Spike had approached the girl who seemed extremely weak, but potentially dangerous none the less. As soon as she had collapsed, Spike bent down gathering her into his arms. He turned mounting his horse. “ Marcus!” He ordered the young lieutenant. “Get back to camp and tell the surgeon to be ready to operate!” The youth nodded and sped off on his horse.
Spike slowed his horse’s speed to a walk, not wanting to jilt the wounded girl. Spike turned to his other men. “ Search those Pict warriors’ belongings, see if you can find anything that might be of use, then burn the bodies. We don’t want vultures here.”
Arriving back at camp, Spike instantly headed for his tent where the surgeon of the camp was waiting.
Casius Cleminus had known Spike since boyhood; he had become a successful doctor treating senators and patricians while Spike entered the army. ‘Clem’ as he was called, by Spike anyway, had joined a few years earlier out of his own free will. Spike trusted his opinion and regarded him as a doctor of the mind as well as of the body.
“Clem,” Spike said by way of greeting.
“So, who’s the patient: officer or legionnaire?” Clem inquired. Spike lay the young woman down on his own bed and then stepped back to allow Clem to examine her. “By the body of Jupiter, Spike have you seen this?” Clem asked in surprise.
“Seen her wound? Yeah, doesn’t look that bad, what’s all the fuss about?”
Clem turned to him with raised eyebrows. “I wasn’t talking about the wound Spike, well not the current wound anyway; I meant all these scars on her body.” Spike leaned over to see what had caught Clem’s eyes. The young woman lay sprawled out, her clothes having been removed so Clem could examine her better. Spike did see her numerous scars and his admiration swelled for her, however, another part of his anatomy swelled upon seeing her naked perfection of tan skin and gold hair. Spike longed to reach out and sate his hunger for her, but Clem’s voice broke through his thoughts. “I’d be willing to bet my entire fortune that this girl has seen more battles than half your legion. Probably a very lethal warrior..."
squawks
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!