Kanuro5: I would say that 85% of this chapter was finished a month ago, but it was tuning up the last 15% that took the longest time. Enjoy!
IX
The Challenge
In this small tent of theirs, the four of them slept in the corners, with the Iceni boys on the left side, and the Caledonian siblings on the right. They woke up today from an uneventful night after the eventful day they previously had in which Lugo took the siblings as his prisoners. At this moment, Ermanox was out of the tent to retrieve breakfast, whilst Sulis was out in order to relieve herself.
The Heir of the Iceni and the Heir of the Caledonians were in the tent. Nemux was bitterly staring at Lugo from across the tent.
"So, uh, did you sleep well?" Lugo asked him.
Nemux didn't reply.
"Right…"
Nemux growled lowly as if a beast.
"You know you can speak to me as if a man, not a beast."
Nemux growled louder.
Lugo started tapping on his knees awkwardly, inhaling through his nose.
Sulis wordlessly came back in the tent and sat beside her brother, not even bothering to look Lugo in the eyes.
"Any problems out there?" he asked her.
She shook her head, "No."
"Oh, uh, good."
The gap of silence filled the air once more. Lugo's eyes awkwardly wandered the interior of the tent.
Please Andrasta, let Ermanox hurry up.
The foot of a teenager jutted between the tent flaps, kicking one of them open. Ermanox came through, inelegantly carrying four bowls of stew. The aroma of the food graced the nostrils of the tent's occupants. Bless you Andrasta, Lugo thought.
Ermanox passed the bowls to each one, "Here you go!" he said with a genial smirk.
"What is this?" Nemux asked.
"Goat stew, with vegetables. Your breakfast."
The siblings stared at the food.
Ermanox sat beside Lugo. "Any trouble getting the food?" Lugo asked him.
"None, I knew the man who was preparing the meal for his men. A friend of my father's. I asked him for four bowls, and he provided them eagerly."
Lugo chuckled, "Good to have friends…"
"Well… I am here, right?"
Lugo nodded softly, "Yeah, you are. Gratitude, Lugo."
The goat stew was in fine form this morning, the soaked meat was so tender and juicy. Lugo swallowed a mouthful, yet his eyes noticed the siblings had not touched their food. The brother was grimacing at his meal, while the sister was not as apprehensive looking.
"Here, eat," Lugo motioned to her with the bowl.
"We are not hungry," said the boy.
Lugo sighed, "Do you speak for your sister? This is goat, you shall enjoy it, you have my word."
"The word of you Iceni. And the words of the disgraced."
Ermanox growled irritably, "Do be aware that you are out of your cage and being fed because of this Iceni prince here."
"We are the Caledonians, and we shall not be subject to—"
His sister slapped him in the back of the head, much to the surprise of Lugo and Ermanox.
"Stop being a pain in their ass and just take the food."
"But they—"
"Be silent, Nemux. Would you prefer being fed with your hands behind your back with everyone to gawk? So, eat, and stow that pride of yours."
"But what if they poison it?"
"They would not have gone through so much effort in attaining us yesterday, just to poison us today, fool," she said with the roll of the eyes.
"And besides, I was present when the food was prepared, nothing vile was added, not poison nor spit," Ermanox assured.
"See, this one said it is all right, now eat, Nemux," his sister commanded.
He took an uneasy gulp from the bowl but started chewing normally.
Lugo smirked at the sight. He turned to the sister, "For what reason do you not eat?"
"I was… upon looking at this bowl, I was lost in a memory…" she said softly.
"Oh? Memory of what?"
Her lips parted slightly, as if words would escape her mouth. But she closed them firmly, before taking the spoon and eating her meal. Lugo sighed, all four of them ate their meals in silence.
Upon finishing, the siblings placed their bowls aside, and locked their stares upon Lugo. No sounds came from them, they continued to gaze upon the Iceni Prince in discontentment. Lugo raised his hands up in a shrug, "For what reason do you two stare at me?"
Nemux growled once more. Sulis spoke, "We are your prisoners, we have nothing else to do but stare at you."
"Right…"
"I have an idea, my Prince."
"What is it, Ermanox?"
"How about we all leave the confines of the tent and breathe in the air, it is a nice day, perhaps we take them to the woods for a bit. You said it yourself that they couldn't escape, why not leave the camp for a little bit?"
Nemux chuckled, "I like this plan, I need to stretch my legs."
Sulis smirked, "As do I, away from the eyes of this army."
Lugo stood to his feet, "Very well, you siblings wait outside for now, allow me to speak to Ermanox."
The siblings promptly left.
"What do you wish to speak, my Prince?"
Lugo breathed uneasily, "What is your secret?"
"My Prince?"
"Neither of the siblings have graced me with a smile. Yet you can draw amicable responses and grins from them. How is that?"
"Well, you did deceive and humiliate them yesterday, my Prince. I do not believe they shall grant you smiles on that accord."
"Well, you are right about that…"
"Honestly, my Prince, I would not have thought you would have cared about their affinity towards you."
"Normally, I wouldn't. But misery is contagious. How can one be in full sharpness of mind if they are exposed to the misery of those who sleep right across from them? Also, they are in my care, I want to show the rest of the army that I treat my prisoners better than Caragun, that they are more compliant if you offer the sweets instead of the stick."
"Admirable goals. I recommend you be honest with them, not to force it."
"I am. I speak plainly to them."
"Well, you're going to have to be more sincere. Think of it from their perspective, you are better than Caragun, but has their situation changed? They are still hostages."
"You are right, I know that feeling."
"My Prince?"
"Oh, uh, come now, Lugo, they're waiting on us."
It was a ten-minute walk for the four of them to leave the camp and pass the tree lines into the woods of Germania. Lugo led the group with Ermanox in the back. They walked in silence for five minutes, taking in the scenery of the tall trees that existed for centuries, the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects, to the coloring flowers that were not present on the island of Britani.
Nemux broke the silence, "For what reason are we out here? Is this where you plan to cut our throats?"
That question made Lugo turned around with the most confused expression, even Ermanox shared such a look. Both Iceni looked at one another.
Ermanox was stammering, "Wh-Wh-What makes you ask such an odd question?! The prince has done much to grant you freedoms and you believe him to kill you?"
Nemux sucked his teeth and mumbled, "Never trust an Iceni."
"You are aware that your value as a prisoner is in your life, correct? For what purpose would I have you killed?" Lugo exhaled with a headshake.
"I do not know what to make of you. You expect us to trust you? An Iceni prince who come to us with words of honey and reveals deceptions of ice! Just to prove a point to the camp!"
I guess Ermanox was right. Lugo spun around and pointed a finger in Nemux's face, "Let us not forget that such occurred because you sought to escape! I never planned to humiliate you; it was your rashness that forced me to remind you of your place!"
"Get out of my face!" Nemux suddenly shoved Lugo back. "You seek to establish placement?! Fine, fight me and we shall see who is the dominant one?!" he shot his arms up in a fighting stance.
Ermanox jumped in front of him, "Caledonian, we are not quarreling with one another, and you shall not lay a hand on the prince!"
"What are you to do about it, continue to suck your Princeling's cock? How about you go—"
A flung rock bounced off the side of Nemux's head. He grunted in pain and covered the spot that got hit with his hand. The three boys looked out to the left where the glaring Sulis was standing, juggling stones in her hand.
"Nemux," she curtly whispered, "Damn your yelling! Would silence be so unbearable for you?"
"But Sulis, the Prince and his slave are—"
She clenched a stone in her hand and cocked her arm back. He submitted instantly.
The brother harrumphed and planted himself beneath the shade of a tree, his arms crossed. The sister sighed. Her eyes caught something in the woods, and she ventured off to the left. Lugo motioned for Ermanox to stay with the boy, while he went after the girl.
She didn't get far. Her steps were gentle, and her movements were slow, as if her body was absorbing the environment around her in careful delicateness. Her head slowly swiveled, her eyes scanning every little thing around her.
Lugo spoke softly, "I have noticed you have quite the habit of silencing your brother."
She did not look back, "Well would you feel at ease hearing someone screaming and whining every so often?"
He chuckled lightly. "No. Your brother has a nature of fire."
"That he does, and for the love of the Gods, he does not know how to temper such. It is enough to drive one to madness."
"And I guess you are the water to his fire?"
"My father would jest in such a manner, claiming that calming my brother was my 'destiny'." She was smirking in recollection. She turned to the direction of where her brother was, her smile grew. "Nemux often holds fire in his soul, but you have never seen such flame turn into an inferno of passion that he has for what he loves."
"That little shit can love?"
She laughed at that, "Indeed, 'that little shit' holds the heart to love things that interest him."
She walked a few paces ahead of him, he followed. Her eyes were locked on the trees above, her palms graced the bark, her eyes grew. Lugo noted her mouth parting in a breathy exhale as she took in the surroundings.
"Does something trouble you?" he asked her.
She shook her head, her eyes gazing on the trees and the undergrowth, "If I was to have slumbered in Caledonia and awakened here, I would still believe I was home."
Lugo looked to the trees, "You would be surprised how much the world can look exactly like home."
"The way my people described the forests of Germania, it was bleak and grey, with trees thick enough to blot out the sun, humidity is thick enough to drown in the miserable swamps where beasts reproduce in the cadavers of Man… yet I look here, and I do not see that. I can look at the trees and still see the sun, I can still feel the cool breeze on my cheeks."
"Well, in fairness, my father told me such black forests exists more to the south of Germania. But I am surprised, you have forests in Caledonia? I was told your lands are nothing but endless rolling mountains that were derived of excessive vegetation."
She giggled at that, turning around with a raised eyebrow and impish smirk, "Oh yes, we eat naught but stones and bones on the barren mountaintops, we drink our piss because we are absent flowing water, and we cook our meals with dung from our anim—"
"All right, all right," he was chuckling.
"We have many highlands in our regions, and plenty of forests as well."
"You seem to love nature; did you ever dream of coming to the mainland?"
"No. Quite the opposite. I never imagined nor cared to have ventured to the mainland."
"You did not?"
"I was born in Caledonia, and it is beautiful. Where else can one witness the plentiful highlands that roll endlessly onto the horizon? Where else on Britani can one gaze upon the lights in the northern sky that shine with multitudes of colors that we hold no words for? When the stars are endless, and we see the champions of Andrasta gaze back down on us?"
"Hmm… I do not, but you may discover such in some other places in the world."
"Perhaps you are correct, Iceni. But I never desired to leave my home. I was happy there. Here? I am in a strange land in the hands of my captors, and we are surrounded by enemies, and I do not know when my own life shall be expendable. And if so, shall they kill me quick? Or shall they take their pleasures…"
Lugo rubbed his jaw, the silence between them grew.
She spoke again, "I desire to return to my homeland, Iceni. Here, I am a prisoner bounded by your people."
He smirks, "You could at least admit it feels good walking around freely, right?"
"If it was, 'freely', then you would not be present," she said.
He forced an awkward chuckle. At least this one was easier to speak with than the brother.
She was walking deeper into the woods, "I truly detested being in that cage and leered by lustful eyes by those dogs. I heard things said of me that I did not even believe men could do to women. We endured such for months. But… if I have to admit something, then I shall admit that—"
"Careful!" he said, pulling Sulis away.
"What is it?!"
"Ivy stalks, there," Lugo pointed. Behind Sulis against a tree were thick vines covered with palm-shaped leaves whose lobes jutted out into fine points. The leaves were thick and were easily concealed among the foliage.
"What happened, my Prince?" Ermanox and Nemux came running, hearing the shout.
Lugo walked up to the foliage and examined the leaves. "Yes, these are indeed ivy stalks. You almost walked into them."
She leaned in to take a better look at it, "What is that?"
"They grow every now and then in the mainland with temperate weather. Contact with the flesh causes rashes with terrible itching and burning. Too long an exposure to it can rend a man unconscious, or so they say."
The siblings were surprised, the brother said, "Truly? That is possible?"
"It is. Care must be given when around these things. One can cure the rash by grinding it with another root and a few herbs, along with water that is cool." He looked to her, "If you walked into this, you would have been scratching your legs for hours."
"How do you know this?" Sulis asked.
"When I was in Rome, my domi—" Lugo bit his bottom lip and looked towards the sky, most irritably. Sulis and Nemux looked at one another confused, but Ermanox frowned at the sight.
"My Prince—" Ermanox began.
"Forget about it," Lugo groaned curtly.
The four heard the trampling of grass from behind them, coming around the tree was Cynan, panting, "Lugo! There you are! Father has called a war council with the chieftains, and he has instructed us to be there! Hurry, it is about to start."
Lugo acknowledged it with a dip of his head. He then looked to the siblings, "You two, just—I would— you two just stay away from this area, all right? Ermanox, see to their needs, I—I have to go attend my father's council."
Lugo turned and left with Cynan.
"What was that about?" Nemux asked.
"I cannot go into it," Ermanox told them somewhat reluctantly.
"He mentioned Rome…" her eyes shot open. "I remember it. That's what everyone said about him. That he was a prisoner of Rome, for three years… Ermanox, is such true?"
Ermanox played with his hands as he eyed the grass below, "He was in Rome for three years, yes, rumors have it as a prisoner."
"Wait, was he a prisoner, or not?" the brother asked.
"And if he wasn't, then for what purpose did he dawdle in Rome?" the sister followed up.
"You two, remember that you are not the only one who was a stranger in foreign lands. Prince Lugo twists words to convince others, but in knowing the plight of your capture, he spoke from the heart."
The Tent of War had a spacious interior. It could fit up to thirty people within, and that number seemed appropriate for the men inside. A good number of distinguished warriors were present in the tent, from varying tribes. There was the hardy Trinovantes tribe which historically bordered the Iceni to the South, but now resided west of Londinium. The Coritanii and the Parisii were speaking as equals by the left side of the tent. The Silures tribes skulked by the opening of the tent, his mother told Lugo that the Silures were known for their deceit and his father affirmed that they were talented in raids and could melt into the night as a fog. The redhaired and ruddy-faced Atrebates tribesmen glared menacingly at their rivals, the black-haired Durotriges. By the end of the tent, Lugo could spot the 2nd largest tribe of Britani, the Brigantes. The Brigantes were fierce warriors in their own right, and their warriors served as shock infantry in the Britonnic Army. They were rowdy folk; able to consume food and drink at the twice the quantity than a normal person. The men were often tall, and their women very endowed. They were raucous folks not to be taken lightly.
Cynan was giddy. "I cannot believe we are actually in a war council, Lugo."
"The first of many, I hope," he admitted.
"So where do we stand?"
"I do not know."
"Should it be next to Father?"
"No, that will be for his Council, which we are not a part of."
"Oh, look, there is Caragun!"
Near the back of the tent resided four of the five members of the King's Council, the Lawmaster was absent. Along with the four was Caragun breaking words with the councilmembers. Standing a few meters behind him were his friends the quiet Epaticcus, and the loud Manduo. Lugo was quite pleased that they didn't know he was there, he didn't feel like having more drama.
"Come, Lugo, let us meet with Caragun!" Cynan said.
Lugo stopped him with a hand on the shoulder, "Whoa, uh, Caragun looks busy, best not disturb him."
Cynan sucked on his bottom lip before speaking, "Lugo, you do get along with Caragun, right?"
"For what purpose do you say that?"
"Since you've come back, I have heard rumors of rivalry between you two. But… Caragun is our cousin. The herd does not turn on themselves, that's what Father says."
Lugo sighed, "Cynan, such is true, we are a herd, we are a family… And with that comes—"
"The King is present!" the Lawmaster's voice bellowed in the tent.
All eyes turned to the entrance of the tent; silence was their overlord. The Lawmaster entered stoically, his eyes scanning the interior at everyone present. King Lugotorix entered secondly, followed by two bodyguards who stood three feet behind him. Lugotorix was wearing his armor and ringlet around his golden hair, Lugo was elated to see the color of his skin had returned and he could actually stand without coughing.
The King of Britani walked forward, accompanied by the Lawmaster, the commanders and chieftains parted the king's way. The father passed the sons, but he did not look at them, his dignity and authority superseded everything, even familial bonds, but the sons knew he had to act like that. He had done so all his life, in this, the sons were delighted. They saw two sides to the Lugotorix that very few knew he had, the King and the Father.
Lugotorix made his way to the end of the tent with the sea of Britons closing as he passed. He eyed his council and gave a nod to each member: the Warmaster, the Coinmaster, the Spymaster, and the Shaman. He turned and gave a final nod to the Lawmaster. The king took a seat on his chair.
Lugotorix looked at the men gathered before him in the tent. "I am known as a man of secrets and schemes; you all know that of me. But here, honesty shall grace your ears. I was struck with illness from wounds of battle, but I have recovered my strength. My illness was severe, but Andrasta delivered me from such an undoing. In my illness, the Queen brought forth my sons, Lugo and Cynan from Britani in case I should pass. I am here, as are they. They are growing men and shall be privy to the talks of war."
The eyes of everyone descended on the sons, but Lugo knew they all were truly looking at him alone. Lugo slowly turned his head to look over the face of everybody, he would not buckle under their stares.
Once again, Lugo was impressed with his father. The only reason Cynan was present was so that the warriors and tribal leaders would not question Lugo's presence. If Lugo was there by himself, this would raise too many questions on the matters of succession and divide the army, something which the king could not afford. So, what best to show unity than by having the sons and the nephew within the same tent? Once again, Lugo was proud of his clever father.
Lugotorix continued, "The army has stalled because of me, but we are moving back on course to our objective, the settlement of Trier. We need to destroy these Germanians, and taking this settlement shall crush all hopes they may hold. I instructed the Warmaster to take command in preparations. Warmaster, report."
The king took a seat. The Warmaster stepped up, bowing his head before his ruler, "Gratitude, my King. I have taken freedom to alter our original strategy if you would hear it?"
Lugotorix nodded, "I would."
The Warmaster faced everyone. "Listen well, we have scored several key victories against the Germanians, but total victory is still at hand. We moved as one. One army, one purpose, for Trier. We have driven through Germania at the north, to maintain our supplies with our island by the coasts. If we seek the city of Trier, we shall march diagonal through the Germanic lands, straight to its heart.
"But alas, as the King said, we have stalled for a week's time. Such a time we allowed the Germanians to recover. As of now, I most likely believe they shall be reforming another massive army to stop us, and this week has given them such time. Our momentum may be lost, but in our position, we amassed vast resources and supplies from Britani.
"We once moved as one, yet not anymore. We have been receiving new men from our island, and our numbers boast at 12,000. Our war has been strong, but now, it must be total. To seize Germania as quick as we can, I propose a new stratagem. We shall split our army in two: the Northern Group and the Southern Group.
"I see the looks on your faces, and I can explain my thoughts. As I stated before, we kept our fighting to the north to sustain supplies with Britani. But as we advance from the northwest, the Germanians retreat to the east and to the south to escape our wrath. We send scouts and horsemen to raid a few miles away from our army, but I suggest a full invasion of Southern Germania! As our Northern Group fights from settlement to settlement, our Southern Group pillages their way to more densely forested part of Germania, living off the land by plundering villages and cutting off escape from the bested Germanian curs. We strike everywhere against them; our terror shall be never-ending. One group advances from the north, the second to the south, and both groups meet up and attack Trier as one. We consume this entire land in one giant fist. With both the north and south pillaged, Trier captured, our victory shall not only be swift, but it shall be total."
The chieftains and their commanders were applauding. Cynan was clapping his hands hard. Lugo applauded conservatively. Such was a good plan, but could this execution truly go off without a hitch? The leader of the Southern Group would have to be quite skilled to pull of this endeavor.
The Warmaster continued, "Since the Southern Group will have to move quicker and without reliable supplies, the army will have to be smaller. They will be required to live off the land, a feat easier with fewer men. I suggest that with permission from the king, the Southern Group, holds four to five thousand men. The majority of our army shall consist in the Northern Group. And as for the leader of the Southern Group, I can think of no man better than the Champion himself."
The chieftains and their commanders cheered in accordance. Caragun smiled humbly as he approached the Warmaster, "If the king shall allow me the command, then I shall accept."
King Lugotorix nodded, "I grant you command, Caragun the Champion. And I acknowledge the stratagem of the Warmaster, we shall make our plans, and we shall move tomorrow."
"Gratitude, my king."
The tent roared with a cheer. Epaticcus patted his friend's back, Manduo roared in chanting Caragun's name. Cynan was also cheering, the only one not was Lugo. The young Prince exhaled, Of course it would be him chosen… he thought. But… in all honesty, Caragun may be the best option for a role like this. To move quickly and ruthlessly, that fits the mold of Caragun. If such is the case, then this may be my chance…
"That was so exciting, wasn't it, Lugo?" Cynan smiled.
"It was, actually. I enjoy learning more about strategy."
The council had ended, and men were pouring out. Exiting the tent was the Warmaster, speaking with other chieftains in what Lugo imagined were further details about his grand strategy.
Lugo looked to his brother, "Go speak to Mother about what you learned today, I need to speak to the Warmaster about something."
Cynan nodded with a smile before walking back to the tent of the Queen. Lugo patiently waited for a few minutes as the Warmaster finished up his conversations with other men. He couldn't just butt in when the King's Council speaks with other chieftains, it wasn't his place to do so, even if he was the prince. Once the last man left the Warmaster, Lugo quickly approached him. Unfortunately, it was at that time when Manduo left the tent and rejoined his father. Lugo faltered at the sight of Manduo, but he regained himself. He was the Heir of Britani, for who should he fear?
"Warmaster! A word if I may?"
The Warmaster recoiled slightly, but he nodded, "Oh, Prince Lugo, uh, to what do you need?"
Lugo inhaled through his nose, and exhaled out his mouth, "I stand aware that your stratagem is close to completion. You only seek to wonder on what roles to assign for those who are subordinate under the commands. I understand that Caragun shall lead the southern force, and you and my father shall lead the northern. I have a request."
The Warmaster raised a brow. Manduo sniggered, "I imagine it involves surrendering."
Lugo fought all inclinations to glare at the simpleton, fortunately, the father said something. "Manduo, you will be silent!"
"Oh, uh, yes, Father."
"Now, Prince Lugo, what was your request?"
"May I have a place of command and worth under you when you lead your forces north?"
"You desire command?"
"Well, yes. I ask not for something major; I have not earned such, but if I could have a command of something in order to prove myself."
"Father, you cannot give this little shit command!" Manduo reared again. "What shall he do with our warriors, surrender once more? He cannot get such a command."
The Warmaster spun around with alacrity, slapping his son in the mouth, "Mind your tongue, Manduo!"
He recovered, covering his mouth, "But Father, we cannot allow a man of disgrace to take command up under you! It is demeaning! I only seek to aid you!"
"You seek to aggrandize yourself in the most crude and pathetic way, Manduo," Lugo sneered.
"Such foolhardy words coming from an ant that believes himself a wolf!"
"Such a comparison is hilarious from someone who is nothing but howls, but absent bite!"
His face reddened, "You want to see my bite, you pampered little shit?!"
The Warmaster pushed his son back, "Enough! You will cease in this quarreling!"
But Lugo continued, "You embarrass yourself, Manduo. Every word you break shows the lack of intelligence."
Manduo was fuming as his father held him back, "As embarrassing as your banishment? We all know why your father banished you, you are a failure as a son and a Briton! Your place belongs at the foot of the Romans!"
The air escaped his chest, only to be replaced by burning fire. "Fuck you, Manduo! I shall not suffer from such indignities, from the likes of you! If you believe me to be inferior, then a challenge! I offer you a challenge of strength, you and I, Manduo! Prove yourself before me!"
Manduo blurted out in laughter, "Are you truly serious?"
"I shall not take this disrespect from a man who believes strength and authority comes from disparagement and hubris. Since my arrival on the mainland, you have done nothing but utter juvenile provocations. I am years younger than you and yet those in the camp say I hold more maturity."
"What makes you mature? Is it the lack of a spine?! I accept your challenge, and I will send your face into the fucking dirt!"
The Warmaster seized his son by the throat, "Manduo! You shall cease—"
"ENOUGH!" came a harsh shout from the Lawmaster.
They looked to the man who screamed it, only to shrink when they realized he was standing next to the king, the tent flap wide open. Joined by the king and Lawmaster, were the Spymaster, the Coinmaster, and the Shaman. The king's eyes were narrowed, sharper than a spear and focused on the culprits of this commotion.
The Warmaster shivered, he forced his son to bow his head as he prostrated himself in front of the king. The man's face was red, out of anger or embarrassment, Lugo could not decipher. Lugo prostrated himself as well. He was feeling mortified, how long was his father watching?
Such a question would be answered as the Warmaster spoke up, "We have offended you, King Lugotorix. No apologies can make up for our disrespect."
Lugotorix craned his neck up, his nose touching the sky, "You are correct in that regard. I may have been ill, but I am not deaf… and judging by the size of this crowd, neither is the camp. I hear shouting, you calling your son's name, and my son responding in fierce temper. You have been so enraptured in your arguments that you failed to recognize me as I was watching!"
Lugo finally took a look around to have seen a crowd had grown considerably, watching him act a fool as he squabbled with Manduo.
The Warmaster lowered his head deeper, "I apologize, I could not control my son."
Lugotorix's leer burned through Manduo, the son gulped guiltily. "Clearly, you couldn't," Lugotorix added. "Neither could my son control himself."
Lugo lowered his head in a quick bow, then looked back at his father.
Lugotorix raised his eyebrow, "You have something to say? Speak."
"I seek to protect my honor against those who seek to tarnish it. I have done wrong against you, Father. But I seek a challenge against Manduo in a fight of honor. Father, my King, I ask if you would allow it?"
All eyes were on the king. The Lawmaster began to whisper something into his ear, but the king held out a hand and stopped him before a second syllable could be uttered. Lugotorix's eyes peered at his son's face.
The king's voice reverberated, "I shall allow it. Tonight. The victor shall emerge in contest."
Manduo smiled, crookedly and brazenly, "Easy enough."
Lugo said nothing, his glare spoke all the words he needed to say.
Lugotorix cleared his throat, "You two should leave. You best prepare tonight to regain the honor that you lost today."
Lugo fully expected this reaction from Ermanox, "A f-fight? That cannot be true."
"Oh, it is. By Andrasta, what did I say to do this…?" Lugo shook his head.
"And against Manduo? That man is bigger than Caragun!"
"Yes, I am aware of that, Ermanox!"
"He makes Yorgonic look as a woman!"
Lugo held out a hand and closed his eyes, "Okay, Ermanox, you are shit at consoling your friends, has anyone told you such?"
After the dismissal, Lugo tracked down Ermanox, who was still with the siblings in the forests. He explained the situation. The siblings were hanging on every word to the prince's dilemma, this drama was quite interesting to them.
"For what purpose would you challenge, Manduo?" Ermanox asked, sitting beside the prince.
"I didn't plan on it, he fucking irritated me. I don't know, I… he said something, and I just… snapped."
"What did he say?"
"It's not worth repeating, Ermanox." He then sighed, "Oh, Andrasta, I am fighting this man… wait, this could be benefit, yes, it could be. If I beat him in front of everyone, they cannot deny my strength then. My standing could rise if I beat this man."
"But how are you going to do so?"
Nemux mused on it, "Your father allowed you to fight with fists? I had the mind that he would have you fight with blades."
"To what end? How would it do for the Warmaster to lose his son in a contest of honor based on a petty dispute?" Ermanox explained.
"Or the king to lose his son in the same manner," Lugo added, somewhat grimly.
"Not even to first blood?" Nemux asked.
Sulis patted his shoulder, "Manduo is a beast. Do you truly believe him to honor 'first blood'?"
"Exactly," Lugo nodded, "Fighting with our fists is the best chance I have against him without getting killed."
"Ha! You shall get killed regardless; do you know the size of that man?"
All three of them stared at Nemux.
"What?"
Sulis slapped him in the back of the head, "Fool! You are not helping."
"Ow! For what purpose do you side with the Princeling?"
"We've known this man for two days now, and for how long have we had the 'fortune' of knowing Manduo?"
"Months…"
"Yes, he is the worst of the Champion's companions, I would cherish to see anyone defeat him."
Nemux sighed, placing both hands behind his head, "All right, so Princeling, how do you suppose you can best this man?"
"I have a strategy of how to beat him. But you two Caledonians, I shall need your help for this."
"What do you require?" Sulis asked.
"A few things. Listen carefully, fetch a bowl filled with water, three cloths, and a place to boil the water. Also, wool. This will take a while to prepare…"
The siblings looked at each other before looking back to him. " 'Prepare' what?"
"Do not worry about that, just, please, hurry and do so."
"You trust us?" the brother asked disbelievingly.
"Oddly enough, with most of this camp hostile to me, yes I do."
Once more, the siblings exchanged looks, but the sister nodded for her brother to get up, and they left.
"What would you have me do, my Prince?" Ermanox asked.
"The most important thing. I share this with you privately. This is important, and I desire you to do exactly what I tell you. Do you have faith in me?"
"I do."
Lugo smiled. "Gratitude, Ermanox. This is what you shall do…"
The moon shone brightly this night, and the warm air descended on the entire camp who turned out for this. From the grizzled of chieftains to the raw and young warriors, they came in droves and formed a great circle. The news spread like the wind hours ago, now the result was evident to all that was present. Wagering was rampant, alcohol was flowing, everyone there was expecting a spectacle: the son of the King versus the son of the Warmaster.
Sitting on a pedestal was the King and Queen of Britani who looked composed as they were placed directly in front of the ring. They stood regally on their stools, their faces betraying no emotion. In front of them, and off the pedestal, sat Cynan on his own stool, eyes large and filled with wonder at the spectacle he was going to witness.
A tall warrior emerged in the middle of the ring, the crowd exploded with cheering, it was time.
"Warriors, come out!" the tall man bellowed.
Manduo came out first from the throng. The man was shirtless, and his body mass had the pristine definition of muscles from his neck to his abdomen. He swaggered out to the middle of the ring, feeling the air of those who cheered for him.
Lugo came out next. He wore a simple white shirt with his hair wetted from water. He could hear the taunts and laughter from some in the audience, they spoke of his size against the bigger Manduo and how he would not last a minute with the man. Lugo was stoic, he dared not looked at the crowd, or his family on the pedestal in front of the ring, his sights were only on Manduo before him.
Behind Lugo came his retinue of his loyal attainer and his two unbounded sibling prisoners. Ermanox brought forth a bowl of water that had milky texture to it. Lugo stared at the water and back at Ermanox, who nodded uneasily to him. The prince dipped his hand and arms in the bowl and rubbed it in good on his flesh.
Ermanox stared at Lugo's opponent, and said to the prince, "I truly hope you know what you are doing."
Lugo looked over his shoulder at Manduo flexing his muscles to the crowd. "Well, such is too late to back out now. I need to do this, Ermanox. For the tribes to begin to respect me, I need to do this."
Lugo dipped his arms into the milky water once more and inhaled sharply and as he pulled them out, he began shaking his arms rapidly and winced a bit. He nodded to Ermanox, "I just need to land two good hits to his face… Pray for me that I shall emerge victorious, I need all the help I can gain in such an endeavor."
"I shall, my Prince."
The prince turned to the siblings, "I know you do not care for me, but… I do ask for you to offer any prayers of my victory."
Nemux exhaled, "It is between you and him. Both of you had humiliated us, and I desire you both battered and bruised. Yet he was cruder in his acts, so I would desire him beaten… even more so. Cherish this moment that I side with you, Iceni."
Lugo nodded at him. He then turned to Sulis. She spoke flatly to him without a twitch of the eye, "That brute once fondled my tits… Kick his ass."
Lugo smirked, "Both of you, gratitude for your words."
Lugo was bounding on the balls of his feet with forceful exhales, his heart was beginning to beat faster, he spun around and walked towards his opponent.
Sulis approached Ermanox from behind, her eyes not leaving Lugo. She asked his friend, "That Lugo, is he a fighter with his hands?"
"I have only seen him fight once for real, and I was by his side. We were against three others; one of them was as tall as Manduo there, but not as bulky. I… don't remember much, but he fought three of them at once and was valiant, but the numbers took him down. But I have faith in Lugo."
She turned to him, "For what purpose do you have faith in a result as that?"
Ermanox turned to her, a smile creasing his face, "Because there is more to Lugo than brawn."
The tall man officiating the match spoke the rules to the crowd, "One man may emerge victor, if he beats the other man into unconsciousness, or if his opponent submits. Uh, Prince Lugo, in these matches, the shirt must be removed."
"I need not remove my garment in order to best this man," Lugo said loudly.
The crowd unleashed a torrent of "oohs".
Manduo laughed, "What is the matter? Afraid all these true men shall see your tits?"
The crowd laughed.
Lugo's smile showed his teeth, "This coming from a man who's only tit he grabbed was from his own mother!"
The crowd laughed harder. The king and the younger prince were chortling, the queen recoiled at the sudden coarse language, the Warmaster was turning red at the comment, but the king told him to not take such personally. The official looked to the king for direction, the king gave him a nod.
"Prince Lugo, you may keep your shirt on," the official told him.
"Good."
"Are both men ready?"
"Yes!" Lugo said quickly.
Manduo roared his answer.
"Begin!"
Manduo charged at him like a bull. Lugo was surprised that a man of his size could move so swiftly. Manduo closed the distance within a second, dipped his shoulder low, grabbed Lugo by the waist with both arms, hoisted him up in the air and viciously slammed him to the ground.
The crowd "oohed" in reaction, Sulis and Ermanox winced with a sharp inhale through their teeth, Nemux cursed at the sight, Epaticcus began to laugh, Caragun shook his head in expected disappointment, Cynan's jaw fell, Queen Rioda looked away with closed eyes, and King Lugotorix's mouth tightened subtly.
Lugo writhed slowly in the dirt, groaning loudly. Manduo raised both hands in the air and cheerfully roared to the crowd with a large smile on his face, and the crowd roared back. Lugo slowly rose to his feet, gasping hard and fighting the urge to clutch his torso. Manduo spotted him and tackled him again back into the dirt.
The prince's sides were singing. His soreness still remained since Ennor Island. Manduo got on top of him, he brought his hands up to pummel Lugo into the dirt. Lugo brought his arms together to protect his face, careful to not let his arms touch his eyes or nose. Manduo's fists were heavy as they crashed into Lugo's guard in order for penetration. The bones in his arms were reverberating from each blow.
Lugo growled to himself, I have to get out of this and get him off of me! Through the gap in his guard, Lugo spotted Manduo winding up for a brutal right hook. Lugo timed it well, as Manduo brought his fist down, Lugo used both of his arms to wrap around Manduo's, then wrenched his body off of him and into the dirt.
Such was a quick motion and it caught Manduo off guard. He was off! Now Lugo just had to get to his feet! When Lugo was on his hands and knees, the prince noticed that Manduo was already on his feet and charging at him. In that split second, Lugo faltered, lost in how a big bastard like Manduo could be this quick.
Manduo drew his leg back and punted Lugo in the face. The prince collapsed on the ground.
"Oooohhh!" the crowd went.
He wasn't stirring for a few seconds. He felt like he was kicked by a mule, his entire left side of his face was in pain. He could feel a tear falling down his cheek, his head was ringing, he could taste the inside of his cheek was split open, blood was thick in his mouth, and he felt like the earth was spinning. He then began to think that challenging Manduo was possibly a bad decision.
His hand went to rub his battered face, but at the last second, he forced it down into the dirt. No! Do not touch your own face, he told himself.
The official rushed to the prince, "Can you continue to fight? Do you submit?"
"I… I-I still f-f-f-fight," he stammered, a wad of blood ran down his chin. He pressed both of his hands into the dirt, he begged the muscles in his arm to force himself up. His muscles obliged and he stood to his feet. What a banging he felt on the side of his skull.
"Look at him wobble!" he heard someone in the crowd roar.
"One more blow, Manduo!" another shouted.
Manduo was shuffling around as if he was the victor. He turned his sights on the battered royal. Manduo brought his arms up with a brazen grin, challenging Lugo to approach.
"Manduo, cease in your boasting and finish this!" it came from the crowd.
Manduo faced where that command originated, "Be silent, Epaticcus, he is already beaten! Do not tell me how I should be victorious."
Lugo kept moving closer, his arms were up. Two hits to the face… that's all I need… just two hits… Lugo kept telling himself.
Manduo swaggered closer, leaning his own face out in front of Lugo.
He's expecting a swing… he'll block it and lay me out with a final blow…
"Come on, fledgling! Hit me! Right in my cheek!"
Oh, you desire a hit, eh?
Lugo dug deep within himself and threw a solid and sudden right jab to Manduo's eye. The crowd exploded from that swift hit.
Manduo stumbled back, rubbing his eye.
Yes! One hit, and next time to the left eye! Lugo smirked, blood was in his mouth, "You did not expect that, did you?"
Manduo then snickered as he moved forward, "Is that all you got?!"
He lifted his leg and kicked Lugo square in the stomach. The prince bent over in a jerk, gasping for air. Manduo raised his arm, and he swung it with lumbering force. Lugo shot both arms up to protect his face, the blow sent him to the dirt. Lugo looked up, Manduo was rubbing his right eye for two seconds. He recovered, then lunged towards the ground to deliver a falling fist, allowing gravity to magnify the intensity of the blow.
Move, Lugo! He found some energy in his legs, and he scooted back to his feet, narrowly dodging the blow. Now Lugo was on his feet, as Manduo was on his hands and knees in the dirt after he had missed. Manduo's right hand shot to his face, rubbing his right eye again.
Now! Lugo kicked off the balls of his feet and dashed forward, his opponent was a meter away from him. Lugo cocked his left arm back and dove at Manduo, driving his left fist into Manduo's left eye. Manduo fell on his back with Lugo on top of him.
Manduo tried to scramble to get back up, but Lugo got on top of Manduo's torso. The prince used both hands to press against Manduo's face: the left hand was forced down on Manduo's eyes, as the right hand was forced down on Manduo's mouth. Lugo tried to summon all his strength to push down on Manduo's face. As he did so, he vigorously rubbed his left hand across Manduo's eyes. Lugo could hear Manduo growling in agony through his hand. He began to smirk, it was working.
Manduo frantically felt up Lugo's body with his hands, firmly grasping the armpits. He flung Lugo off of him. Lugo rolled back to his feet. Manduo lurched up to a knee, he was rubbing both of his eyes.
Lugo chambered both of his arms into his chest, then unleashed in a quick combo: Left-Right-Left. His target? The eyes. All three blows landed consecutively on target, yet without the full power he desired on account of his fatigue. Manduo roared, in frustration and pain, and in his reflex, he lunged his closed fist like a javelin, striking hard against Lugo's sternum. The wind left the prince's lungs.
The son of the King was gasping for air on the ground, his spasming feet kicking up dirt. The son of the Warmaster stumbled to his feet, his teeth gnashing together as he grunted profusely. Both of his hands were rubbing his eyes.
"Gods, my eyes!" Manduo sneered.
Epaticcus called out, "Fight through the pain, press your advantage!"
Manduo tried to open his eyes, but they partially broke open, he quickly closed them in irritation. Lugo was slowly regaining his breath.
"Come on, Prince Lugo, get up!"
"Get up, you damn, Iceni! Get up and kick his ass!"
"You are doing it, come on!"
He looked in the crowd. Ermanox, Nemux, and Sulis were cheering for him.
Come on, Lugo! Come on, Lugo! He told himself, he forced himself to his feet. I need to finish this now!
Lugo lunged for Manduo and socked him under the jaw, and as Manduo buckled backwards, Lugo crouched low and scurried behind the brutal fighter and leapt onto his back. He wrapped his right arm around the beefy neck of his opponent and locked both legs around his sternum.
Manduo was struggling for air, roaring as if a predator caught in a trap. The prince timed the breaths Manduo was taking, every time he drew air, Lugo wrapped his arms tighter around the throat. His teeth were gritted, he had to use all of his strength! Right here and now!
Fall, you bastard! Fall!
Then Manduo came up with a plan, it wasn't brilliant, but he knew it would work. Manduo dipped back, Lugo's eyes went wide as Manduo used gravity to his advantage. With his weight on his back, Manduo fell backwards slowly like a chopped tree. Both men slammed into the dirt, but Lugo's head bounced off the ground, and his body was sandwiched between the earth and the heavy Manduo. Lugo closed his eyes in agony and nearly on instinct released his grasp to clutch his head. But he then felt that Manduo was about to escape, and so he fought his instincts and grabbed Manduo again in a sleeper hold.
"You shall not escape me, bastard!"
Manduo viciously threw elbows behind him, each shot landing solidly in Lugo's ribs. Lugo yelped with each sharp blow he received, it felt like his own bones were being driven into his organs. But he still held on, he didn't care, he would rather die than lose now! He tightened his lock around Manduo's neck and torso and unleashed his bestial howl. Manduo's face was turning red, and his elbows were slowing down and were beginning to miss Lugo entirely. The crowd began to murmur, many of the warrior's stunned about what was transpiring.
Then, Lugo decided that vengeance must be dealt. He swiftly switched arms, replacing his strong right arm with his weaker left arm to wrap around Manduo's neck. Lugo raised his right arm high in the air and clenched his fist firmly and drove his elbow straight down on Manduo's right temple. The crowd gasped from the violent hit, each man feeling the blow on the side of their faces.
Then Lugo raised his arm up and drove his elbow back into Manduo's temple for the second time. Then he raised his arm again and did it again for the third time. Then the fourth—the fifth—the sixth—the seventh—he kept going and his adrenaline had sped up each strike he was giving.
"Yes! Yes! Do it, Lugo!" Ermanox cheered with a smile.
A good number of the Britons began cheering the prince on as well. Many said to keep hitting him, others were just shouting in time with each blow to the temple, and few were chanting Lugo's name as the onslaught continued.
Then on the twelfth blow, a gash broke out on Manduo's temple and blood fell down his face. Manduo's arms went limp, and his eyes rolled in the back of his head. Lugo cocked his arm back for a fifteenth blow, but his arm was seized by a hand. Lugo looked up, instead of the official, it was his own father, holding his wrist up in the air. Lugo noticed his father softly grinning at him. The prince thought he was dreaming.
The king let his voice be heard, "Lugo! Enough, you are victorious. Manduo cannot continue, now rise a victor."
Lugo released his grip and he slowly stood up on his wobbly legs and roared in triumph like a lion.
Many in the crowd cheered with adulation. Lugo looked around and could see many confused faces and disappointed gazes from those who lost their wagers. So many of them were clapping and pointing at him with smiles and proud nods, these same men and women who spat on his trail and cursed him behind his back. Here they were, treating him as he was, a victorious prince.
Ermanox ran to his side and held him up straight so that he would not collapse. He was laughing as if he was half-crazed, "That was amazing, my Prince, you have done it!"
Nemux came to his other side. The prince was surprised, he didn't know this one could smile. "I half-expected Manduo to beat you with one blow, but you did it! Incredible!"
Sulis came in front of him, "C-Can you understand us? Your eyes look glazed!"
"I ca-can… I do understand you." It was painful to talk, the left side of his face was swelling. He showed her his bloody smile, "It t-takes more t-than t-this t-to incapacitate t-the Prince of Britani."
She chuckled softly, "Clearly. I am glad you triumphed over that decadent dullard."
He laughed, but stopped as the pain set in, "As am I."
He turned around to gaze at his defeated foe. The Warmaster, Epaticcus, and Caragun were looking over the vanquished Manduo. He was groaning and babbling incoherently, his face was puffy and red marks were showing on his face. Epaticcus and Caragun placed Manduo's arm over their shoulders and brought him to his feet. Manduo couldn't tell where he was.
The Warmaster's fierce eyes lunged at the prince, who gulped in response, before steeling himself once more. "W-Warmaster, I offer apologies for earlier, about your wife and Manduo…"
"I accept your apology, that was the bravado of youth speaking, but do not do so again, my Prince."
"I understand. And I extend further apologies t-to your son, he—"
The Warmaster raised his hand, "I do not accept your apologies, for you did nothing wrong, my Prince. This match was sanctioned by all parties, and he got himself into this by disrespecting you and me. I pray that this experience shall humble him. Accept your victory and be proud, my Prince."
"Oh, uh, g-gratitude, Warmaster."
He bowed, then walked away.
Through his puffy eye, Lugo noticed Caragun staring at him. The Champion had no smile on his face, but his eyes met Lugo.
And then Caragun nodded at him. And turned to leave with Epaticcus and the battered Manduo.
Did… Did he just—
"Come my, Prince, you are getting heavier, and we need to take you to your tent!" Ermanox mentioned.
"Yes, good idea, I can't really feel my legs…"
"I shall send for the healer to assist you," Lugotorix offered his son.
"Gratitude, Father, but allow me t-ten minutes alone, t-then send him. I need privacy to rest."
With Ermanox helping him up, Lugo left the ring with the siblings following close behind, the crowd parting the ways with applause, claps, and laughter. Others shouted out comments of encouragement and surprise that the "Roman-Lover" fought like a true Briton.
Lugotorix looked on with pride, he started scratching his right palm. Queen Rioda approached him from behind, "Was Lugo all right when you spoke to him?"
"Battered, but triumphant. He goes to rest."
"I must admit, the contest was brutal."
"I am aware, I could hear you sucking air every moment Lugo was hit." He scratched his palm.
"But he had the fire of a king as he fought."
"Yes, he did."
"Lugotorix, you keep scratching your hand."
"I know… it's itching."
He looked at his right palm, spotting small red marks forming. Rioda clutched his forearm, "It looks like a rash. Did you touch a plant?"
"No, I have been in no contact with such. I only grabbed…"
His eyes grew larger. He then began to laugh.
The three teenagers brought the thrashed prince back to his tent. They gently placed him on his cot, he groaned sharply, it looked as if everything was hurting.
"Iceni, why did you deny your father a healer when you clearly need one?!" Sulis inquired.
"N-Not yet. I need t-to wash this off of me," he answered back. He was fairly sure bloody drool leaked outside the left side of his mouth.
"Wash what off of you?"
Ermanox picked up a large bowl of cream-colored liquid and handed it to the prince. Lugo sat up and began to bath his arms vigorously in the bowl, wincing as he did so. Ermanox gave him a cloth of wool to dry his arms and knuckles.
Nemux whistled, "I must admit, Iceni, I earlier believed Manduo would have bested you. How did you turn it around?"
"Simple, I used his flaw t-to gain victory against him."
"He was tall, strong, and swift. What was his flaw?"
Lugo spat blood onto the grass, and then smiled with his teeth coated in crimson, "H-Hubris. He believed he was t-the better fighter, and he was. I admit t-that, I knew t-that, and I exploited t-that. If he fought me seriously, I wouldn't have lasted half a minute. But he wanted to toy with me, to prove me inferior and him superior to a king's son, and thus he put on a show to the crowd and decide to drag out the fight. As I suspected he would. And alas, that proved to be his undoing. All I needed were two good hits to the face, I knew I would win. His hubris allowed me to do just that."
Sulis mused openly, "Yes, once you hit him, he did seem to slow. His eyes turned red; he was moaning as if they burned. What did you do?"
"I used what nature provided to cause burning and irritation."
Her eyes opened, "The ivy?!"
Lugo chuckled, "Exactly. When I asked you and your brother to fetch the supplies, I had Ermanox get the stacks from the forests. I grounded them up and mixed it in the water, and—"
Nemux's mouth was open, "—that was what you rubbed on your arms and hands before the fight. Your arms are red now, I did not even notice that in the ring, it was too dark to see your arms clearly…"
"Yes."
"And that water you are soaking it in now is a cure?"
"Recall how I said you could remove ivy? Find more herbs with cool water and rub it on your arms. My arms shall burn throughout the night, but the rash that I have shall vanish within a day, much quicker than it would normally. Cloths of wool also help soak up the ivy. Hopefully, Manduo shall not realize what it is, perhaps his bruises shall hide the extent of the rash."
Ermanox chuckled softly, "That was quite a plan, my Prince. And it worked."
Nemux laughed, "You damn, Iceni."
Sulis reclined back against the tent. She crossed her arms and smirked at him and said, "Clever, Lugo. Very clever."
He gave her a look and smirked back bloodily, "Oh, I do what I can."