After the Bishop retired, the knights dispersed, each going to change for tonight's celebration. It was then that a man named Jols showed Patroclus to his room. It was simple, a bed, a fire, and a small desk. Perfect.
It was not even 10 minutes later when Jols came back, telling him that the Bishop requested an audience with him. Patroclus snorted and followed him to the Bishops quarters.
"Ah, Patroclus, come in, come in. There is much to discuss." The Bishop said while motioning to the chair on the opposite side of the desk.
"Wine?" the Bishop asked. Patroclus shook his head, and motioned for the Bishop to start speaking.
"Yes, yes, you are wondering why you are here no doubt. I wanted to commend you on a job well done today. You fought well, and will make a good commander, like I told Arthur, when you covert to the Christian faith," stated Germanius, while shooting a glance toward Patroclus.
"Bishop Germanius, we have discussed this before. I am not converting to Christianity, you know this, the Pope knows this, all of Rome knows this, and yet you still assume that by telling others I will convert, that that means I will!" Patroclus said while trying to reign in his temper. It would not be wise for him to loose it now.
"I understand that you have been brought up in the Pagan ways, but you have been given a chance, a chance to break free of your heathen heritage!" the Bishop exclaimed.
"Heathen? Says the man that condones the torture of men, women, and children who do not agree with him. If any one is a heathen it's the man I'm looking at right now!" Patroclus stated while rising from his seat.
"Maybe a good flogging will change your mind, perhaps in front of the entire village, yes?" Germanius asked, while trying to look bored.
Germanius motioned for the guards, who came forward and bound Patroclus' hands as he tried to keep the look of hatred off his face.
"Ten, should do what do you think?" The Bishop asked.
"Only ten?" was Patroclus' reply
"Thirty then. Take him away." The Bishop said while not looking up from the scroll he perusing
Patroclus' POV
As the Soldiers tied my hands in front of me, I fought back a look of hatred. I had almost mastered the expressionless mask I wore almost every moment of the day. There were few things that affected me anymore; maybe that's why my mask worked so well, because it wasn't just a mask, it was me. I shuddered at that thought, if two years under Roman command affected me this way, then how would I be after 13 more years?
As we walked toward the center of the fort we passed the tavern, and I recognized one of the women working as Bors lover, Verona. She looked up as we walked by, and I nodded to her. She smiled back, but then must have realized what was happening, for her face instantly turned worried as she rushed over to where a boy of about six stood. She spoke to him softly and as the boy rushed away I wondered where he was running off to.
I was torn out of my musings by a rough jerk on the ropes that held my hands. The Roman swine that was leading our little group look more then satisfied as to be the one to 'put me in my place.' Ha! The only person who had ever had any say in what I did or how I acted had been my mother, and with her as good as dead, I acted however the hell I wanted.
We reached the center of the fort, and there just happened to several different poles to choose from. The leader of these Roman swine chose the middle one, and before I could even utter a remark they had my hands tied above my head and the back of the tunic I wore cut open.
The first one came and it stung. The second one hurt just a little more. And as they continued I started to regret the comment I made about one of his lovers, even if it was true.
Bors' POV
When little Gilly came running up to me all out of breath, I thought he was coming to tell me about a fight he'd won.
"Mama….needs…….help…..s'pose to…..get …..Knights" Gilly said as he tried to catch his breath.
In an instant I was up and heading to the tavern with Dag and Gawain right behind me. There was no way someone was ganna go harrassin' my Verona.
Gawain's POV
When we heard what Gilly said to Bors me, Galahad, and Dag were instantly by his side making our way toward the Tavern. But when we got there it was practically empty, with the exception of Verona and a few other tavern wenches.
Bors made a bee-line for Verona, who was looking quite worried. I looked towards the direction she was pointing, only to see a massive crowd gathered in the middle of the fort.
Verona's POV
When little Gilly took off running I hoped that Bors and the others would get here quickly. I recognized the boy as the one Bors had pointed out to me when they arrived. Bors had said his name was Patroclus, and that he was stationed in Rome. Why a Sarmation Knight was wasted in Rome I don't know.
When Bors arrived soon after with Gawain, Galahad, and Dag, I was beyond relieved. I knew that at this moment the boy, Patroclus, was getting a flogging. I didn't know what Bors could do, but I had to get some one to help the boy.
End POV
After Verona finished telling Bors of what she had seen, all the knights quickly made their way through the ever growing crowd. As they pushed to the front anger had risen in each of them.
There in the middle of the crowd was Patroclus, tied up to a pole being whipped by one of the roman officers that had escorted the bishop. It looked as if this had been going on for a while if the numerous whip marks and blood were any indication.
Bors turned toward Galahad and told him to go find Arthur, while him, Dag, and Gawain made there way up to where three other Roman soldiers were standing. They were laughing and seeming to have a good time as they watched their comrade drew back his whip and crack it against Patroclus' bloodied back.
Bors and Gawain moved forward until they were positioned between Patroclus and the 4 Romans.
"What's goin' on here?" Bors asked his deep voice rumbling with anger.
Before any of the Romans could reply a voice came from behind the two knights.
"Oh, we're just finishing up some old business," Patroclus' pained, but casual voice cut through the voices of the crowd. Murmurs broke out, that was the first sound the boy had made since this all began. And the way he spoke with such casualty about what was happening surprised many, though for others it just reassured them that he was indeed crazy.
The Roman with the whip stepped forward in anger, but a raised axe from Gawain caused his steps to falter.
"What is the meaning of this!?" Arthur voice boomed, as he made his way threw the crowd with Excalibur drawn.
The Roman officers expressions had changed from miffed to a frightened, there stood Arthur and the rest of the Sarmation knights. One common thought they all shared was maybe this wasn't the best place or time for a flogging to be given; especially to a fellow Sarmation knight.