Legolas was quiet for a few moments, Vercingetorix couldn't not see his face but could tell the elf was worried about something "I can feel the hostility of some of these people" Legolas finally said
Vercingetorix noticed that Leonidas was coming, fallowed by a man of advanced age "I have rented three room where we will spend the rest of the night. My friend David says we were lucky to find avaluable rooms". David came closer and said "Shalom" then, in a very accented Latin, he said "I bid you welcome to my humble establishment" he stared first at Vercingetorix and then at the two hooded strangers and continued with a tone of voice that denoted some distrust "Save for the roman soldiers, never before have we had foreigners in our town"
Vercingetorix understood what the man was referring to and said "We are not roman, nor do we work for the empire"
The innkeeper relaxed his features and continued "You must understand that our people has suffered much at the hands of the empire and many of my countrymen feel a profound distrust to any foreigner" then he smiled and said "My wife is preparing you something to eat. Leonidas has told me that you have traveled for five hours since the sun set, very few people dare to go out in the roads at night"
At that moment a noise came from outside the inn, it seemed as if many people were shouting a name
"What is happening??" asked Vercingetorix with curiosity
Leonidas and David just exchanged worried glances and finally Leonidas said one name "Barabbas"
After a brief moment, some ten men entered the inn. The all wore in their belts short daggers that shone in the light of the torches, some also carried short bows and slings. Their weapons, their clothings and their attitude it was obvious that these men were warriors accustomed to the reality of combat.
Who seemed to be their leader was a man of medium stature, with raven black hair, bright dark eyes that shone with ferocity. He went to the bar and asked David's wife, and after giving the proper Jewish greeting he asked something to eat for him and his men.
"Who is that man" Vercingetorix asked. Leonidas, with a worried expression answered "His name is Barabbas. He is the leader of a group of Jewish patriots that have been fighting the Romans for some years" David continued "Their goal is to expel the roman presence and restore the kingdom of Israel once again. However many of us don't agree with his methods"
At that moment, Barabbas noticed the presence of the strangers and after giving a short order to his men, they became tense, some of them unsheathing their daggers-
Barabbas made his way to the table and after looking at David for a few seconds he said "Shalom" then he addressed Leonidas in Latin "I have heard you were the guide of some foreigners" he said with a serious tone "Has the roman gold bought your collaboration… greek" he said "or yours" he turned to face David.
David answered in anger "They are not roman soldiers:; Leonidas has told me thatr they come from far away lands in the north; and even if they were Romans we should always be generous and welcome any traveler that asks for a place to stay"
Barabbas said nothing, he just stared, first at Vercingetorix and then the two hooded strangers "It's clear that the one with the hair of the color of the sun is not Roman, but what about the other two? Why are they hiding their faces?" he stopped for a moment and continued now in a threatening voice "These three could be mercenaries at the service of Rome
At the mention of this, Vercingetorix stood up and unsheathed a long sword he carried hidden, his eyes shone with indignation "My grandfather Vercingetorix, leader of the Arvenians, fought the Romans. It was he who unified all the Gaul to combat the invader. I will never join those who conquered my land and killed my grand father in a dishonorable way"
The atmosphere had turned tense; Barabbas had taken out his dagger while Vecingetorix held his long sword, a sword much bigger that the short Roman gladius the Jews were accustomed. Murmurs could be heard in all the inn and many curious stood at the entrance of the inn to see what was happening.
Until that moment the two hooded travelers hadn't done any movement, but when Barabbas men began to make their way towards them in a threatening way, they both rose up from their chairs, letting go of their long grey capes that covered all their body, and stood each holding a weapon
A profound silence reigned at that moment, even Barabbas and his men backed down
Until that moment, the Jews had shown a discrete curiosity towards that stranger of fair hair and great stature. Now they watched entranced at these two "Barbarians of the north"
Everything was strange and also wonderful; Not only their extraordinary beauty above any human measure and the light that seemed to surround them, but also the magnificent clothing and weapons.
The first one was a young man who seemed to be in his early 20's. A long flowing blond hair, longer than Vercingetorix and carried in an even stranger fashion, adorned his beautiful features. He was holding an arc of magnificent beauty and adorned with strange symbols. The pommel of two short swords could be seen at his back. His clothes seemed to be made to mingle in the somber forest of the north.
His companion was a maiden of angelic beauty; her long dark brown hair fell freely over her shoulders. She wore in her neck a jewel that shone with great intensity. Her long flowing dress were of a pale silver that seemed to be made of moonlight and she carried in her right hand a long curved sword that also had strange inscriptions in a language that no one could read
The fact that they both had pointed ears did nothing but to raise the air of mystery
There was no doubt that these two had to be princes or lords of distant lands.
After a while, Barabbas lowered his dagger and made a sign to his men to do the same