Chapter 1

Valkyn had made a long journey to Britain, all the way from Rome. It had taken him the better part of two months, traveling most of the way by ship until reaching Britain and the rest of the way on the back of his black stallion, Arion.

Valkyn recalled the meeting that had led him to this long journey. He had been in Rome, doing a job for the Roman government. It appeared that there was a man in Rome who was preaching about equality and justice for all. Valkyn smiled sardonically at the memory. Couldn't have that now could we? He thought. This man had been a source of trouble and when they government tried to arrest him he had gone into hiding. And he had hidden well apparently, for the soldiers could not find him no matter how hard they tried. So they had employed a specialist in the hunting of men, the best money could buy... Valkyn. And it didn't take long for Valkyn to find the man.

Valkyn recalled how the man had tried to appeal to him not to turn him over to the Romans.

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"Surely you must realize that the Romans are corrupt? They have no sense of justice, the rich are the only ones who matter to them." Pelagius said.

"Of course. But why should that bother me? They pay me to do my job, and pay very well. And the dog that bites the hand that feeds it is not very wise, now is it?" Valkyn replied

"But how can you sit and watch others suffer unfairly?" the old man asked.

"Quite easily, old man. Your pleas fall upon deaf ears I'm afraid." came the laconic reply.

"You're not from Rome are you, my son? Your accent betrays you, as does your dress." Pelagius said suddenly.

Valkyn did not immediately reply, this was not an area he liked to discuss. And so the old man continued, knowing he had hit upon something, though not quite sure of what.

"Tell me, were you a slave? Are you from one of the conquered provinces? How do you come to be in Rome of all places? What did you leave behind? A family? A wife perhaps?" the old man could tell he'd struck a nerve with those last few questions.

Valkyn's green eyes clouded for a moment with sorrow, pain, and grief. But it was only a momentary lapse, he face resumed its bland expression almost immediately and his eyes hardened.

"Yes, old man, I am from another country. A land far from this cursed hell you Romans call home. No, I was never a slave. I was taken from Sarmatia long ago, to serve in the military. But my… talents… were soon recognized and I was trained for more…specialized purposes." Valkyn replied his accent becoming more noticeable with his anger. "I have no family, no wife…the only thing I left behind was the land that I loved. A land which I will never see again. Now come, old man, the soldiers are waiting…"

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"Well done, knight. Rome thanks you for your great service." the Roman commander said.

"I'm no knight, Commander." Valkyn replied evenly. "And Rome can keep her thanks, I'll take the gold."

"Not a knight? But you are a Sarmatian, are you not?" the commander asked, ignoring the second half of Valkyn's statement.

"I am. But I never became a knight, Rome found my talents were suited for something else entirely. Now about the gold?" Valkyn replied.

The commander laughed. "Ahh, yes. You Sarmatians are all so touchy about what a knight really is. You most certainly do not fit the criteria." And he laughed again; it was not a pleasant sound, like rocks grating together.

"The gold, Commander? I'd like my payment so I can be on my way. I have other jobs to do, like finding a new employer for instance." Valkyn said coldly, the commander was beginning to really annoy him.

"Right, right. I forgot they were actually paying you for this. Normally Rome expects her citizens to serve without thought of reward." grumbled the commander, reluctant to give up the gold.

"I'm no citizen of Rome, Commander. And my services come at a high price." Valkyn replied as he took the gold.

He had just stepped out the door when a well-dressed servant stepped into his path.

"Domine Valkyn?" the man inquired and receiving an affirmative he continued. "Please, follow me, Domine. My Dominus wishes to speak with you on matters of business."

And so Valkyn followed the servant to a villa near the base of the Aventine Hill. They entered by a back gate into a garden, it was dark and Valkyn could see little. The man left him in a small gazebo at the center of the garden, telling him that his master would soon be there.

In the space of a few moments Valkyn was greeted by a richly dressed Roman noble.

" May God's grace shine upon you, Valkyn." he said in a silky voice.

"You realize I'm a pagan, sir. I have no belief in your God, Roman. Now your man said you wished to talk business." Valkyn replied cuttingly.

"Of course. I like a man who cuts to the chase. Yes, I require your services."

"Who is it you want taken care of? Any particular way you want it done? And of course there is the matter of my fee," Valkyn said with a slight smile.

"Yes, yes. Do not worry, you will be well paid. The man I want taken care of is a commander…in Britain," said the Roman, watching Valkyn closely for a reaction. But if the Sarmatian cared about going to Britain he showed no sign of it.

"That is a long journey, he must be very dangerous if he is troubling you from such a far distance." Valkyn replied simply, face expressionless.

"Yes, he was once the student of the man you just captured and will soon be returning to Rome once his term of duty is up." The Roman did not continue, hoping to leave it at that. Valkyn, however, had no such intentions.

"You do not expect me to believe that you wish to employ me for the cause of selflessly serving Rome do you? You have some motive private to yourself."

"Yes…He is to be sent on one last mission by the Pope. There is a boy in Britain, the favorite godchild of the Pope. The Pope wishes that this boy be brought back to Rome, to possibly succeed him as Pope. But he must never make it to Rome…" the Roman replied reluctantly.

"Why not just have me kill the boy?" Valkyn asked quietly.

"Because if the boy were to be harmed the Pope would have an investigation and I can not have an investigation. So you must kill the man who is to return the boy to Rome."

"And how will this accomplish your purpose, would Rome not simply send another man to retrieve the boy?" Valkyn asked, slightly perplexed at the Roman's logic.

"No, Rome will not send another man. The Saxons are invading Britain, if the commander is killed before he retrieves the boy, the Saxons will kill the boy and the Pope will have nothing to investigate."

"And why worry about it at all then, won't the Saxons get rid of them all for you? Why go to the trouble, it sounds as though this commander has been set an impossible task."

"You do not know who this commander is!" exclaimed the Roman.

"You're right, I don't but I assume you are going to tell me." Valkyn replied laconically.

"His name is Artorius, Arthur to the Britons. He and his band of Sarmatian knights have accomplished many impossible things. He is not a man to be underestimated. If Rome sets him a task he will do it. That is why I need you. It is said that you have no equal."

"Arthur…and a band of Sarmatian knights…I see. How much will you pay?" Valkyn said with a sardonic smile.

"Twelve bags of gold, and one in advance to cover travel expenses." The Roman answered quickly.

"Quite a sum…quite a sum. Give me the first bag, I'll leave in the morning." Valkyn said.

"Wonderful! I shall book you passage on the first ship leaving for Britain." The Roman replied, tossing Valkyn the bag.

Valkyn caught it deftly and replied, "Make sure they have plenty of room for my horse!" Then he walked away into the darkness, disappearing as he headed for the gate.

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