Chapter Three.

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In the middle of the village the large party was starting to burn down to more of a gathering as women disappeared to put their children to bed and the animals to shelter. The Roman visitors were stirring and shaking the hands of the new friends made in the small village, while another was already atop his horse waiting to leave.

“It really is time to go now.” Albus laughed as the chieftain offered to open another barrel of the local beer. “We want to be back inside the fortress before it locks down.”

“If you say so.” Aethelwald laughed shrugging his shoulders, “Wulf, open this I’ll need to drown my sorrows when Esma’s actually gone.”

“She’ll be well looked after.” Albus stated putting a hand on the older man’s shoulder.

“Not by her husband though.” He stated glaring at the Senior Centurion.

“No, but she’s married into one hell of a band of brother’s.” he stated making him laugh and nod his head. “I’ll hold you responsible for her, him I have no faith in.”

“Me either.” Albus stated wrapping his cloak further around him as the cool air sank in. “Esma, have you packed?”

“Yes.” She stated shrugging as she walked over to them, the youngest brother clinging to her waist. “Ed, I’ve got to go now, I’ll see you soon enough.”

“I’ll miss you.” He whispered, Albus turned and left the young boy with his sister to ready his horse and collect his armour, which had been disguarded a few hours ago.

“Are you going to take her?” I asked Blandus as he settled his cloak around himself upon his horse; a smirk crossed his lips before he bent down to look Albus in the eye.

“Why the hell would I want to do that? You can take her on your horse, you’re used to sharing.”

“Very well.” Albus shrugged, the cold night was settling in and well the thought of having another body beneath his cloak sounded quite nice.

“Who am I riding with?” Esma asked in Latin as she came to stand within the group.

“Albus.” Blandus stated without even a pause. “He’ll be your . . . protector from now on, don’t bother me with silly questions go to him.”

Esma bit back a retort that sat on the tip of her tongue and turned to look at the giant roman beside her; he rolled his eyes at the higher ranking man and offered her his hand after swinging onto the horse himself.

“Joke’s on him, we’ll be much warmer.” He whispered as the leaders of the group headed along the old road out of the village.

Soon the darkness fell about them so Esma could no longer see where they were heading or what they were passing, so there was only one option of entertainment.

“When did you join the legion?” she asked the large warm man behind her.

“When I was fifteen, my father left me no other option.” He shrugged as a man beside him laughed.

“He left you one other option Al, don’t skip the stories.” The Spaniard laughed coming closer and looking Esma in the eyes. “He was very nearly a gladiator.”

“Really?!” she asked in awe, “I’ve heard about those.”

“That’s where we met actually.” The Spaniard continued with a grin, “We were due to fight each other to the death when a centurion came in and ordered the master give him his best three fighters.”

“I’m glad he did!” she exclaimed tucking his cloak beneath her chin to stop the draft. “No wonder the two of you are so large.”

Albus didn’t even try and stop the laugh erupting from his chest, and neither did Juan for that case, until Esma’s cheeks were burning and laughter fell from her lips.

“We’re not that big, you just happen to be small.” Albus stated.

“And you’ve not seen some of the giant’s we have.” Juan smirked. “You’d have run away.”

“I’ve wrestled my father to the ground to get Brice’s neck out of his hands.” Esma laughed, “I don’t run.”

“We’re nearly there.” Albus stated in a low voice that Esma fought a shiver that ran the length of her spine. “See those hills, that’s the outer defences.”

“Impressive.” She whispered back, “I wish I could see it in the day.”

“You will; you’re home now.”

The earthen embankments rose and fell in rises as the horses climbed towards the gate which emerged from the darkness swathed in lights from the sconces. Esma’s eyes widened in awe as the huge gate opened before them and greetings rained down.

“You’ll be living right in the centre of it all.” He stated and she nodded, “I’ll be right next door in the barracks with the others.”

“I’ll see you in the morning then?” she asked as they pulled to a stop outside a huge white building, Blandus was already halfway up the stairs.

“Some time.” He nodded handing her down and passing her bags to the servant who ran out to greet her. “You’ll be fine, just relax.”

Esma nodded and ran up the stairs into the unknown.