The Falling Sickness is an old term for epilepsy...Just for future reference. :)
Here ya go Midnight, Its Sat, at 7 pm:D
I was diagnosed with the falling sickness when I was four.
Mother would keep me under her wing constantly, afraid that I would somehow have an episode near a cliff and fall to my death. I found it wonderful in the beginning, being mothers' special girl that is. She would teach me so many things, like sewing and drawing. Wherever she went, I was close behind. My older siblings would all make fun of me because I was mothers baby. But it didn't bother me any…It was when I turned six that I was replaced.
She had another child in her body so she couldn't play with me as much, which was what she told me. I didn't understand it at first, but I soon did.
Father, as much as he loved me, thought of it as a burden. He always brought me to a specialist, trying to find a cure. But I couldn't help it any, they asked me to explain what happens so they could write it down in a journal, but it was hard to speak out…Sometimes I would smell something right before it happens, like tangerines and peppermint. It was an oddly wonderful scent, and it made the whole thing less terrifying, then my mind would go blank, as if I was sleeping. And when I woke up, I couldn't remember anything.
Besides my family and doctors knowing, the only other soul who knew was Markus. And the day he found out, was also the day he saved me.
The sun trickled through the clouds lamely, and the birds could be heard for miles. All in all, it was a beautiful day. We were out by the grasslands of the city, hoping to catch a glimpse of the soldiers riding heroically on horseback. The both of us were hidden in the tall grass, knowing full well if we were caught so far from the city, our fathers would kill us both.
"When are they coming?" I asked impatiently, we have been laying here for over an hour.
"I overheard my father say that they will be here when the sun is at its highest."
"How could you even tell today? We can't even see it through the clouds!" I laughed back at his idiotic tendencies.
"Be quiet woman." He stuck his tongue out.
It became silent once more, only the soft whistling of when the wind went through the grass could be heard. It was playing a lullaby in our minds. I swore Markus began to nod off, so to keep him awake, I did what I always did. I shoved him with my hand, making him roll over on his side.
"What was that for?" He asked annoyed.
"What was what?" I said, like all the times before.
"You do that all the ti-" I quieted him with a hand over his mouth, he looked at me wildly.
"They are coming." I whispered excitedly, moving his face in the direction the horses were galloping.
"Whoa…" We both said in unison, they looked so amazing…Their armor was immaculate, and their faces stern our crimson colors showed bravely.
It was then that I began to smell the sweet scent of citrus….
MARKUS POV:
That's what my father was, and that was what I was going to be someday, a hero of Rome. Someone men would respect, and woman would admire…No matter what, that was what I was going to be. They veered left, and then right, going at full speed on the powerful horses. The roar of their hoofs overpowered my eardrums.
My eyes than widened in shock, those soldiers that we admired so much, were heading straight at us. Didn't they see us? I stood up, but it was useless, I was too short for the towering grass.
"We have to get out of here!" I yelled, looking down at my friend. While the horses kept coming closer each second. Something was wrong, her body jerked wildly…She wasn't responding to my urging shakes. "Cornelia!" I yelled at her, while salvia spilled out of her mouth. Oh gods, what was happening? They were approaching…
I began to pull at her arms, dragging her through the grass, trying my hardest. "Come oonnn!" I yelled frantically. With one last pull, I collapsed in a huff. We were out of harm's way.
CORNELIA POV:
My eyes fluttered open, and the first thing I saw was Markus holding me down. I head-butted him, but soon regretted it.
"Ow!" We yelled, and grabbed our heads.
"Why did you do that?" He yelled, rubbing his head.
"You were on top of me!" I said, now looking down at my clothes…They looked ruined. "What happen to my dress?" I asked, picking up a tattered piece of cloth.
"Never mind that, what was that back there?"
I looked at him with confused eyes.
"You just didn't respond to anything, and the horses were coming to run us both over! I had to drag you!" He yelled frantically.
I got up, and then hugged him. "Thank you Markus." I tried to say.
I was in his debt; hopefully I can repay him someday…
We were both ten now, and walking the streets of the lower districts.
"Did you hear the Ninth Legion will be going over Hadrian's Wall?"
"They carry The Roman Eagle Standard do they not?"
We listened to two old men talk, drinking wine. I turned to Marcus "Why are they moving out?" I questioned him, but it wasn't he who answered
"My dear, our army is going in search for more land to conquer!" One of the old man boasted loudly.
"Why? Don't we already have enough?" I asked confused.
"Well…That is beside the point! If we want it, we'll take it." He gulped down some more wine.
"Bu-" I was cut off by Marcus dragging me away.
"Cornelia, you should watch your tongue around people, especially when you talk about our army." Marcus scolded me.
"We sound very selfish though…I mean what if it was somebodies else's land?"
"So? Now come on…We have to go back home now."
We began to weave through the market, until we got to my home.
"Ah, there you are Marcus, Cornelia…" His father said with a smile.
"You two are inseparable." My mother smiled sadly, taking her delicate hands and running them through our hair.
"Now Cornelia, say good bye to Marcus." My mother urged me…She was acting strange.
"Bye." We both blandly said, knowing that in a few weeks, we'll see each other again.
She looked up to the man on the horse, and then smiled. "May the gods shine down on you, and your journey."
I quirked an eyebrow as I watched Marcus being lifted up on the brown horse. Mother put her hands on my shoulders, and we watched them trot away.
"Now, go get ready for sleep." She said, pushing me up the stairs.
"Alright." I laughed, before she could touch me again I ran up the rest.
/
I sat in front of the mirror and brushed through the wavy locks of hair.
"You could just tell Calista to do that." My sister said, getting into bed.
Calista was our slave; she has been in this family for as long as I can remember, she took care of us when mother couldn't. Other than talking a little funny, and having fiery red hair, she was very nice. I would talk to her about many things, things that I could not talk to mother about.
"I can do things on my own." I said, now putting down the bronzed brush.
"Did you wish Marcus's father well?"
"No, why?" I asked, now getting into bed.
She looked at me with wide eyes, as if surprised by something. "You of all nosey people should have known."
"What?" I squeaked, wanting to know.
"Well, the Ninth Legion is leaving our walls."
My giddy smile faltered…"I already know that."
"Marcus's father is leading that legion." She said, now propping her pillow up.
"Does Marcus know?" I asked.
"How would I know, I am not his friend…" She than closed her eyes, ending the conversation.
What was going to happen to him if his father left? I knew his mother died a long time ago so…Was he going to be left alone? I got up, and began to walk out the door.
"Where are you going?" She asked.
"To see father." I said, and walked down the hall and up the ten steps to their room. I knocked lightly on their wooden door.
My mother opened up, and was surprised to see me. "Why are you still up dear?"
I walked past her, and up to father who was on the bed. He looked up, face stern.
"Marcus has to stay with us father." I said, almost demanded.
He laughed, "Why would we do such a thing?"
"Because, when his father is leaving…He'll be alone." I began to cry, my mother came over and ushered for me to leave.
"I'll talk to your father Cornelia…Now please go sleep." She kissed me on the head, and scooted me off to bed.
When I climbed into bed that night, I prayed to the gods that he wouldn't be alone….And that Sir Aquila will travel safely with his men and our Eagle Standard.
Hoped you like it. It was a fun write. :) It's still going to be a few more chapters before Esca shows up. Sorry:3
Thank you all who reviewed, favorited and alerted.
-Ashland
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