Marcus packed his things in his tent into a small bundle, took his kit and left his tent. He gave some orders to a slave to fetch his horse though he probably would march first. They had to leave according the formalities at least pretending like it was a legion, Marcus thought with a smirk. He turned to the other Optio. "So how are things with Agenthree then? Also being bothered by the rebels?"

---

Levi followed the example of the newcomer to get some food for he had been unaware of his empty stomach and he thought it would be good to eat something before a long march. He knew that the soldiers used to complain about the filthy food in the army but to Levi it seemed like heaven opened for he was used to twice a day a lump of bread. Now he could even get some bacon or wine.
Outside the sun had started shining and Levi watched the sky as he waited on a distance on the rest of the soldiers gathering. Not even the sky resembled with his country.. his past and the earth seemed cold here.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Titus nodded to Artorius.
"Uh, thank you sir, and I will," he said, bowing his head and turning to grab his kit. He asked a slave to get his horse, and said it had better had been cared for well lastnight, before going to stand in his rightfull place.

The Optio turned to Marcus when he spoke to him.
"No, we haven't had any problems in the last few months. It's strange really. Agenthree says they may have given up where we're station, but I think they're planning for a big attack," he said...

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(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

"Peculiar how he was informed about the orders." Marcus muttered. "But aye, I think you're right. These da-mned rebels do not give up until we subdue them again. Artorius said that in London we are to receive orders for a special mission.. so I'm eager to learn more of that."

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Artorius scanned the ranks, pleased to see that all were accounted for "Century" he called, lifting his spear "Move out!"

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On Artorius' command the Century left off in neat rows. They walked in a slow and steady rhythm and the only thing Levi heard on their path were the monotonous footsteps of the soldiers. Slowly his body surrendered toi the rhythm and his thoughts wandered on other things, like he was floating above his own body. Just like old times.

Focus he told himself. But for what purpose? he questioned himself. Why try to escape? Only to be hunted down and crucified? No.. he concluded, he had to watch every moment and study the Romans their weakness. And then perhaps, with the help of God, an oppurtunity would come by which he would grab and exploit.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

The century had ben marching fo only couple hours when a shaft zipped from the trees and struck a man, "Celts!" Artorius shouted, drawing his sword as a party of blue-painted, pale haired men charged from the trees, shouting battle cries.

Artorius launched his spear into a natives, chest, goading them in thier own language "Tuigainn is faigh, Britani!" he shouted, decapitaing a spearman

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Marcus lifted his shield when the man next to him was hit by an arrow. Blood spat on Marcus' tunic and the man sunk on his knees while he suffocated in his blood. But Marcus had little time to register the horrible death of this man. On Artorius' cry he ran forwards, drawing his sword and shouting: "For Rome!" He dug his sword in the body of these blue man, killing him in an instant and a most strange feeling overtook him. It was a feeling of euphory. Adrenaline ran through his veins and he was overwhelmed by the sensation of the fight.

----

Levi watched in shock while the Century scattered like frightened ducks and then regrouped and attacked. He was petrified and didn't even bother to draw his sword for the moment. Within he hesitated about the choice he had to make. How easy it would be to sneak away now, in the confusion of the fight. Wasn't this his moment of revenge? Could he now, finally, turn against these Romans and fight with the Celts?
Anger boiled up within Levi. Anger he'd felt and controlled for long and bitter years but now it all seemed to spill. Blinded by this hate he drew his sword but still didn't mingle in the fight as he hadn't chosen sides yet.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Titus marched along with the Century, lost in his own thoughts. He was pulled out of it with the sound of a body hitting the ground and Artorious's cry of Celts.

Drawing his sword, he charged forward to the nearest light-haired figure, and plunged his weapon into his stomach without much hesitation or trouble...

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(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Artorius twisted his wrist, disarming his Briton opponent, before decapitating him. Blood sprayed his crimson tunic, and he turned to parry a blow from an axe wielding warrior. Kicking the man in the stomach, he snatched up a spear from the ground, and ran the Celt through. Yanking the spear out with a squelch, he turned to see a warrior sneak up behind Levi with a garotte. Hurling the weapon, he caught the man in the throat, and surged forward to shake the man, "focus", he snarled, charging back into the fray. "Ad Victoriam!" he shouted, "for Victory!"

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Levi turned to see Artorius kill a blue painted man who was to stab him in the back. He was not terrified like any other man would be when he stood on the brink to be killed. He registered the Centurion's command yet did not obey. He would not kill these blue men who hadn't harmed him.. yet. Levi avoided the man-to-man combat but when suddenly a Celt jumped in front of him, Levi jammed his sword in his body within an eyeblink. With horror he watched the man die, realising he had just killed another human who was fighting for his country and freedom.

---

Marcus watched a Clet running towards him, yelling in a strange language and dagger high above his head. After stepping aside quickly Marcus was able to stab the Celt in the side. The Celt's battle cry became a cry of pain which soon diminished.
"for victory!" he repeated when he noticed that the Romans were the ones to win this fight. He spied around him like an eagle to find another opponent, another Celt to kill.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Artorius ripped his sword from a writhing man, and delivered a coupe de grace, decapitating him. Turning to see Levi run a Celt through, he moved forward again. He ducked an arrow, and motioned for his archers to return fire. Blue tinged bodies dropped from the trees, arrows protruding from them like pincushions. One of the last Celts charged forward, and Atrorius disarmed him deftly and held his sword to his throat, forcing him to his knees. Silence fell as the blue painted men's comrades were finally slain. "Give my regards to Boudicca. And tell her that Artorius Britanicca fights for the lives of his men." he said, shoving a sword into the Celt's hand and hauling him up. The blue painted man dashed for the treeline wordlessly. "Let him live" he ordered his men.

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"Five deaths and six wounded sir." Marcus reported officially to Artorius. "We have to take them with us.." He gazed at the Celt who was running tpwards the trees where probably more of his kind were hidden. "You understand that he will inform them of our troop now you let him go, do you?" he asked Artorius more quietly.
-----

Levi looked at his sword and hands which were covered with blood. Quickly he swept his sword through the sand and cleaned his hands with grass. Yet he knew, that this killing, this murder he committed couldn't be erased nor forgiven. He looked with disgust at Artorius who decided to spare one man. Only one.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

"Aye" Artorius said, nodding "But what will he tell? A century headed for Londinium will seem as reinforcements. Boudicca is to preoccupied with the 9th Legion to heed us." he said "Get the Agenthree's horse. Mont as many wounded as we can. Bury the dead. Kill any wounded who will die. If he is mortally wounded, give a mercy blow. It's not worth living in agony for a day or two" he said sadly, wiping his hands and sword, and sheathing it. Then, he plucked up a wave-bladed spear from the limp grasp of a Celt, and shouldered it. "They make useful spears" he said, shrugging.

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"I don't know what he will tell but we should be wary of retributions." He looked around and to his relief he found that the other Optio had survived also. "Everything will be taken care of but just one thing.." He tabbed the Centurion on the shoulder who was gazing a bit languid at a spear of a Celt. "Artorius.." Marcus said to get the atention of his friend. "I don't know whether you noticed Ben-Aharon but his behaviour confirmed my worst fears."
Marcus left Artorius to deal with this message alone and walked over to the other Optio. "We need to use your horse and mine for the wounded" he remarked.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Artorius scowled, Ben-Aharon's behaviour had disturbed him as well. At first, he thought he had simply frozen in his first taste of battle, but once he had been shaken out of it... Artorius scowled. He needed men to fight and defend. Not stand on the sidelines and let others defend them. He slung the spear across his back, and picked up a wounded man, gis arm cut open by a celt sword "Come on he said to the man "Let's get you some help"

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Levi heard the cries of the wounded men, they were now being tended but what help could they give them? He didn't feel like offering this help. Wounded or not they were still Romans and Levi didn't detest them any less just because they were dying. So he gathered the supplies from the died bodies: weapons, food supplies and blankets. He realised that his isolation towards the others would become conspicuous and that others would be suspicious yet he didn't care. Now Levi was outside these walls where he had been surrounded by thousands of Romans he felt more stubborn and decided than ever.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.