Home to Rome
Hiccups POV:
We have been on the sea for five days now and I was sent a message informing me that we would be arriving in Rome today in the afternoon sometime. In the time we had been here I have been studying some of my gifts from the gods including Heatwave but I hadn't found anything new. It was mainly the jewel statues and crystal piece I was trying to understand since no matter what I did they didn't seem to do anything. I knew the crystal piece was a part of something but I just couldn't figure out what it was a piece of. As for the jewels I've been trying to figure out how they work but from what I can understand the statue of Sekhmet had to be set up behind Ra and that's all I've got. I was trying to figure what the inscription meant by the light of Sekhmet shines through Horus but so far, I've come up with nothing but I wasn't giving up since like all Vikings I'm too stubborn to give up. I had however been able to carve out a whistle to call Heatwave to my side should I ever need to make a fast getaway and fortunately Heatwave could hear it for miles so I wouldn't be in too much danger.
Presently I was on my top deck looking out at the sea while absentmindedly rubbing Nylene's head, which was resting next to me. I had taken off her jewelry a while ago since it felt like it was more appropriate for formal events. She seemed to like me rubbing her head especially when I scratched behind her ears if her purring was anything to go by. I then saw a light shine from the ship in front of us. This light was used using a mirror to signal me that we would be arriving in Rome soon I took out my spyglass and looked ahead of us where I saw dry land. I'd say we would arrive in a few minutes and I have to say I was looking forward to seeing what some have called the greatest empire ever to be created.
I went over the things I wanted to do while there before I left to return back to my own island. I had to say though I was looking forward to studying their architecture, inventions, and way of life, their food and meeting new people. I just hoped they weren't too much like the Greeks who treated people badly because they come from a foreign land. I figured that being an honored guest of Caesar would make the nobles back off a bit but then again, they might try to use me to get closer to Caesar for their own agendas. It was then I realized that while I was lost in my own thoughts we had begun approaching the docks and it was from the docks I got a brief glance at the city. Just from that small glance I knew this city was far greater than any other I had ever been to which meant I had a lot of exploring to do.
It didn't take us long to arrive at Caesars private dock which was connected to the palace which might I add was huge and an incredibly beautiful building. I couldn't wait to explore it and study the architecture of the building and of course check out the city to see what they sold at the stores. Once we had docked a guard approached me as I got off my ship to escort me, my dragon and Nylene to the throne room where Caesar wanted to talk to me about some things. As we walked through the halls I took note of the incredible architecture of the building from the red columns holding up the roof to the paintings on the ceilings. It gave me a lot of new ideas for my place back home. The Throne room was huge with huge white marble columns holding up the curved ceiling with small unlit torches hanging on hooks built into them, white and black tiles made up the floor, on the side of the room we just entered was a huge wooden door painted white with a half circle shaped window above it, on the opposite side of the room was a huge golden statue of an eagle with its wings spread out and perched on a black marble stand while in front of it was a white marble throne with a red drape on it where Caesar was sitting. When we were ten feet away from him I stopped and held up my hand to signal my dragons and Nylene to also stop. Caesar looked down at me from his throne as he said.
"Hiccup Haddock there is going to be a grand banquet tonight here in the palace to celebrate my safe return to Rome and I want you to be there."
"Not that I am not honored to be invited Oh Caesar but may I ask why?"
"To alert the masses of you being present and an honored guest in my city. This will also allow me to inform the nobles about your dragons."
"I understand Oh Caesar but is there anything I should know about this banquet like manners or dress code?"
"I shall have a slave bring appropriate clothing to your room where you shall rest but your dragons and serpopard will have to sleep outside in the hall as Roman bedrooms aren't very large." (AN: true fact that Roman bedrooms weren't that big and didn't have that much furniture besides a Roman bed.)
"Thank you Oh Caesar but if that is the case then I would rather sleep on my ship as the sight of dragons and a Serpopard may cause a small panic."
"I understand Hiccup Haddock."
"Thank you, Oh Caesar but may ask you something?"
"Yes, you may."
"Well I've noticed you are always staring at my dragons and please forgive me for my suspicions but I feel as if you have another reason for inviting me to Rome other than saving your life."
"You are correct Hiccup Haddock. I have another reason for requesting you come to Rome."
"May I know what your alternate reason is?"
"The assassination attempts on my life you stopped was merely the latest in recent attacks on my life."
"So, you feel that there is someone working behind the scenes?"
"Indeed, and I was hoping to ask you and your dragons a favor."
"If you wish to buy my dragons then you're wasting your time. You could offer me all of Rome and the answer would remain no!"
"Don't worry I have no intention of buying them as Cleopatra made your standing quite clear when you refused to sell her your dragon Nimla."
"Alright then what is it you want from us?"
"I wish to hire you and your dragons."
"Hire us?"
"Indeed! Cleopatra spoke highly of how you saved her life multiple times and brought the one responsible for the attacks to justice."
"And you're hoping I'll be able to do the same for you?"
"Indeed! Rest assured though your reward will be great, you need only to ask for whatever you desire and it shall be granted to you."
"With all due respect, Oh Caesar how do I know you are being honest with me and don't intend to kill me when I've discovered the one responsible?"
"I'd rather not anger the gods by slaying a man who has both met them and received their blessing."
"Understandable Oh Caesar but may ask if you have any idea on who it is that is behind these attacks?"
"I believe it to be one of my nobles who wishes to make a grab for power. All nobles will be at the banquet tonight so you may get a feel for whom it is."
"Very well Oh Caesar. I will do my best to find the one responsible for these attacks." He nodded before a guard came in and escorted us back to the ship.
Nightfall
I had arrived at the banquet wearing a white silk tunic with a saffron and purple striped toga called Toga Trabea, which was reserved for elite individuals. Don't get me wrong though I was still cautious in this new land and wore the top part of my formal armor covering my torso underneath the toga in case someone tried to stab me in the heart. As for weaponry I wore a mini arrow launcher with speed stinger filled darts as ammunition on each wrist designed to look like normal leather wristbands. They were just a precaution should there be any assassins at the event. I looked around at all the people who were each wearing different colored togas to signify their standing in the empire. I was told the type of toga I was wearing was known as Toga Trabea which is a toga reserved for elite individuals, toga's that were pure white were called Toga Candida which shows they were candidates for office or togas that were decorated with gold embroidery to show they were generals who recently claimed victory.
The banquet was being held in a large room with multiple roman nobles. The room was huge with polished marble floors that had been designed in an intricate pattern, red marble columns holding up the roof and huge white doors and sitting on a throne on the other side of the room was Caesar watching everyone socialize. There were Roman guard on either side of each columns armed with either a spear or a sword. The nobles were all on the floor in front of him socializing as servants walked around with serving trays offering either food or wine to the nobles. Toothless, Heatwave and Nylene were waiting in the back to make an appearance when Caesar announced them.
I was up against one of the pillars with a golden goblet of wine since I didn't care much for socializing with most of these people since they behaved like stuck up snobs but I did enjoy talking strategy with some of the generals who took notice of me. There was something bothering me however. One of the generals didn't socialize with anyone but the guards which I admit might be normal since they may have trained together at some point but it was the small bit of his conversation with one of the guards I heard was what made me worry. The guard told him that it was all set and the guards were just waiting for his signal which made me wonder what the signal was and what it was for. It was then the general calmly walked up to Caesar before pulling his sword out and Yelling.
"NOW!"
All the guards pulled out their weapons before they blocked all the exits and pointed their weapons at the guests. Caesar stood up before asking the general.
"What is the meaning of this." The general smirked at Caesar.
"You fool! I've been planning to take over for years now and with my tactics it was easy to convince your guards to aid me in taking control after that assassin failed in Egypt."
"You were the one responsible for that."
"I was but I admit I wasn't expecting some guest of Cleopatra to save you and as soon as I've taken over Rome I'll find him and execute him for interfering with my plans."
As he continued to gloat I moved around the nobles remaining hidden in the crowd as I hit each of the guards with a speedstinger venom filled dart leaving them paralyzed but nobody noticed since they weren't moving before and their attention was on the general. When I hit the last one with a dart I walked out of the crowd towards the general who was now holding a sword at Caesars torso. I saw him begin to walk around Caesar before he said.
"It was so simple to bribe your guards so they would betray you. Honestly with my military genius and all your nobles here taking over Rome will be so simple. It shouldn't take more than a-" I cut him off as I approached.
"Excuse me but could you just shut up. Seriously if I wanted to listen to an arrogant idiot gloat I would have gone back to the village I grew up in and talk to my cousin." The general glared at me.
"How dare you! GUARDS SEIZE HIM!" I simply smiled and crossed my arms as I waited for him to realise that nothing was happening. I smiled as he looked around seeing none of them moving. "I SAID SEIZE HIM!" I stepped forward smiling.
"Okay stop wasting your breath and everyone's time calling for the guards."
"What do you mean?"
"While you were gloating I hit each of them with a dart with a paralyzing venom using my hidden mini arrow launchers." I held up my wrist showing my mini arrow launchers. "They won't be able to move for three hours."
"WHAT?!"
"Listen why don't you just save us all some time and surrender now." He glared at me.
"I WON'T LET IT END HERE!" He then ran out of the room into the room where my dragons and Nyla were waiting. I turned to Caesar.
"Think we should have warned him about my dragons and Nylene?" He shook his head smiling.
"Let's allow him to find out for himself."
As he finished saying that we heard a roar followed by a scream before the general came running out the room. He ran to the centre of the room panting as I walked forward and said.
"I take it you've met my dragons and Serpopard."
"Those beasts are yours?"
"Yes they are but to be honest I've seen stranger things in my life." I then lifted my right arm and hit him with a dart leaving him paralyzed as Caesar walked up to me.
"Most impressive Hiccup Haddock."
"Thank you Caesar." It was then my dragons and Nylene walked out of the room curious to know what was going on. Everyone in the room backed up in fear as I walked up and put my hand Toothless' head. "Don't worry everybody they won't hurt you unless you threaten them or me." They still seemed on edge until Caesar walked up next to me saying.
"He speaks the truth my people. This young man has saved my life before and now has unmasked the one behind the attempt on my life. Along with this he has accomplished many great things in his life among them is receiving the blessing and gifts from not only the gods of Egypt but our own gods." Everyone began whispering amongst themselves hearing this. "It is for these reasons he and his beasts are to be treated with nothing but the highest respect and are to be made honorary nobles of Rome."
Everyone applauded at this before Caesar had all the paralyzed guards and the general taken away allowing the party to continue. There was a difference to the party this time however with my dragons and Nylene remaining at my sides throughout the entire party and Caesar telling them I was also Heracles or as they put it Hercules. It was during this time multiple guests came up to me wanting to ask me questions not just about my dragons and Serpopard but to ask me questions about myself like my adventures, what I enjoyed doing but mostly how I came to get my dragons and Nylene.
Morning
I was called into Caesars throne room the next day to discuss what had happened at the party last night. I wore my regular armour to my meeting knowing Caesar didn't mind what armour I wore that much. When I entered the throne room Caesar was sitting on his throne tapping his fingers against the arm rests. When he saw me he sat up and said.
"Hiccup Haddock I am glad you have arrived." I bowed to him.
"When you requested me to come Oh Caesar how could I refuse the ruler of Rome." He merely nodded.
"The reason I have summoned you here is because I wish to discuss what happened last night."
"Did some of the traitors escape?"
"No I simply wished to reward you for your heroic deed last night."
"That's not necessary Caesar. I just did what I could to prevent a power hungry man from taking over."
"Don't be so modest Hiccup Haddock. You brought down a mastermind who has been responsible for multiple attacks on my life and did so without harming any of the guests and as such I cannot let such a heroic deed go unrewarded."
"Well okay Oh Caesar if you insist."
"Good. Now I would first like to offer you a new house in the city."
"My apologies Oh Caesar but Rome is full of people and so much business's which isn't a bad thing but I prefer a peaceful place surrounded by nature."
"So you would prefer a villa outside the city?"
"I suppose so."
"Then you are in luck as the general who was arrested was having one built just outside of Rome with a private dock on a river which leads out to the ocean and it was completed two days ago."
"Thank you Oh Caesar."
"You are quite welcome and as for the other gifts you need just ask them."
"Well I've been wanting to take in some of the different forms of entertainment Rome has to offer, browse the different shops and learn more about Roman culture and achievements."
"I see you wish to learn more about Rome and I have something which shall aid you greatly in this endeavour."
He clapped his hands before a servant girl with brown hair tied back in a ponytail walked forward holding a serving tray with both hands. Resting on the plate was a golden medallion with a laurel wreath circling an eagle with its wings spread with a red ribbon used to make it a necklace. Caesar stood up and walked up to the servant who kept her head down and took the medallion by the ribbon before walking over to me and putting the medal around my neck before saying.
"This medal is a sign of honour that very few ever have the honour of receiving. This will show you are an honoured guest and not only allow you entry to any entertainment facility free of charge but also allow you to receive the best seat in the facility."
"Thank you Oh Caesar." He nodded before he snapped his fingers once more before two male servants walked forward on either side of a large chest. When they reached me they placed the chest in front of me as Caesar said.
"A little spending money for anything that catches your eye in the market place." The servants opened the chest to reveal it was filled to the brim with golden Roman solidus's.
"Thank you Oh Caesar but would it be alright to leave the chest on my ship until I'm settled into my villa?"
He nodded before he allowed me to lead the servants to my ship where they could put the chest. I had them put the chest in my room before a guard came by telling me he was there to escort me to my new Villa. I had my dragons and Nylene walk next to us as wait on the ship since people only found out about them last night and I didn't want to cause a panic. As we made our way through the city I took note of all the different shops and buildings that were around and made a mental note to come back and check them all out once I was settled in.
Half an hour later
We arrived at a large building with two floors before the guard stepped back and said.
"Your new home sir. I hope you enjoy it." I nodded at him and gave him three gold solidus's for his help before he left allowing me to check out my new house.
I walked in through the door to find a small hall but after reaching the end I found myself in an entrance hall known as an atrium. The atrium was a square room with a square pond in the centre which had four pillars painted red at the bottom and white at the top on each side, in the centre was a small statue of a young boy with water coming out of his hand and a small square hole in the ceiling to allow rain to come in and fill the pond. The walls were decorated with paintings which were both beautiful and so detailed it was amazing. I walked across the atrium to the other side where there were curtains blocking the view of the room behind them. In this room I simply found two chairs against the two walls which were decorated with amazing artwork of men discussing deals while the floor had the most amazing mosaic art I had ever seen. I was guessing this was the tablinum or study where people would discuss business deals. At the back of this room was a glass door with wooden framing which lead out to a small rectangular garden which had stone ground and in the centre were three separate flower beds with blooming rose bushes in the centre which were each surrounded by different types of flowers and on the edges were small hedges. Against the walls were pillars holding up a small portico which didn't cover the plants so there was an open roof which could allow the rain to pour down on the plants. The wall opposite to the door I was standing in was decorated with paintings of a beautiful meadow and in between each pillar was a painting of a bird bath with beautiful birds flying towards them. On either side of the garden there was a door and after checking both rooms I found them both to be exactly the same except one had more windows and each had three klines with one against the back wall and the other two against either the right or the left wall and a small table in the middle.
I walked back into the entrance hall and went through the door on the right and found myself in the kitchen of the building. Against the left wall was a stove with a pot over it and next to it hanging on the wall were a few kitchen utensils. Against the wall opposite to the door was a table with a few pots on it, a window above it and in the corner was three amphorae. I then noticed a door against the left wall but when I opened it I found it just to be a latrine made out of white marble. I left the kitchen and went up the stairs that were in a small room on the right side of the atrium so I could see what was upstairs. Upstairs wasn't much other than four bedrooms which simply had a kline against the back wall and a cupboard for clothes. I decided to use one of them to use my amulet to open up a new portal door and turn another one into a small library but before I could do that I needed to buy some books. However before I did any shopping I needed to first get my ship with my dragons and Nylene. I left the house and looked around before finding a small cliff a twenty feet away. I found a stairway leading down towards a stone dock on the river below which meant I could bring my ship hear along with my dragons if this river lead to the ocean like Caesar told me. With this in mind I made my way back through Rome towards the docks where my ship was docked.
1 hour later
I was now laying in one of the bedrooms looking up at the decorated ceiling which was painted to look like the sky. The reason was I had to get out of the city for a bit. After getting my ship to my new dock I went back to the market place so I could do a bit of shopping done. I was checking out a small shop selling books with a large bag of coins at my hip when the shop owner took notice of me. He asked if I was the man with the incredible beasts that were rumoured to appear at last night's banquet and when I told him I was it got the attention of a few nobles who were shopping. The news about what happened at the banquet spread like wild fire after that and soon enough I couldn't take five steps without someone stopping me to ask about my as they put it, 'exotic beasts'. Some wanted to know where I got them, some wanted to know what they are, some wanted to know where they were and the most annoying ones of them all wanted to buy them from me. I wasn't able to get any shopping done whatsoever so next time I went into town I was definitely bringing my dragons and Nylene so people would at least stay away from me and some would be able to see them and hopefully calm their curiosity. It was then Toothless walked into my room and lay his head on my lap before I gently pet him and said.
"Well bud we have a lot of exploring to do and even more to learn while we're here in Rome." He crooned as I rubbed his head. "Don't worry we'll just stay for a few weeks at the most before setting sail for home with hopefully a few souvenirs from our trip." He closed his eyes and let out a rumble as I stroked his head.
I continued to stare up at the ceiling lost in thought at what I'd find here in Rome since from the stories Gobber told me as a child Romans could be quit cruel in some ways. I just hoped I wouldn't be on the receiving end of their cruelty because if I was then I would be having a very difficult time getting out of Rome. Then again a little excitement in my life always leads to a valuable reward whether it be treasure, a trophy, a new animal, a new dragon or even just a new experience I always came out of it with something. I just needed to wait and see what this land had to offer me.
AN: Hey guys I have to say this chapter came out sooner than I expected but I had a lot of free time on my hands and knew how I wanted it to go so I hope you enjoyed it. I was thinking of adding more to this chapter like Hiccup exploring Rome a bit but I decided against it since that would leave nothing for the next chapter. I know this one is a little short but I promise I'll try to make the next one longer and trust me there's going to be a bit more excitement in it and we learn a little more about the brutality of Roman entertainment.