It was a cold dark night, the rain falling hard upon the thatched roof and the fierce wind

slamming against the stone worked walls of the “Shepherd’s Arms”. Inside enjoying the

warmth of a roaring fire, an old man sits. Though short in height he has quite a solid

frame, his face wrinkled with greying thinned hair he sits at a table drinking quietly. The

Inn Keeper standing behind the bar pours a fresh mug of ale, walks over to him and says

“Hey old man, another round before we close for the night?” The old man just holds up

his cup and the Inn Keeper pours.

Then suddenly the main door is opened and a group of strangers wander into the warm

sanctum of the Inn. They make their way to the fire seeking warmth and comfort.

“Ah evening lads, A drink for each of you?”

“Yes Innkeep, a round for us all” replies one of the men. The Inn Keeper bustles over to

the bar, grabs fresh mugs for his new customers and pours them drinks as they sigh, a

look of relief on their faces from the warmth of the fire and the prospect of an ale for their

thirsts. They make themselves comfortable at seats near the fire.

“So tell me lads, why are you out in the cold at this late hour of the night?” asks the Inn

Keeper as he hands them their mugs.

“We are on our way to the garrison stationed nearby, and we wanted to have a drink

before we join the Legions tomorrow” says one of the young men.

“Ah well then, enjoy the drinks and allow me to give you another at half price” replies

the Inn Keeper.

The old man overhearing this conversation, looks up to see four young men, dressed in

heavy cloaks, warming themselves in front of the roaring fire. Placing his mug on the

table before him he leans back slowly and says to the four “So you want to join the

Legions eh? Well I can tell you a few things about the Legions you know!”

Curious, one of the men looks to the old man and asks “Well old man, if you have the

time, and perhaps over an ale, why don’t you join us and tell us of what you know?”

The old man stands up from his seat and joins the group of men. He greets them with a

mere gesture of his hand and sits down next to the fire enjoying the warmth from the

crackling flames.

“So you want to be in the Legions eh? Well I think I have a tale that I can share with

you…”

“And what might that be old man?” asks one of the men.

The old man takes a sip of his cup, relaxes back in the seat and says, “I know of a young

boy, a boy who’s only desire was to become a Legionnaire, A boy called Nico”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It was a clear summer’s day in the Geshtei district of the Thardic Republic, where a

young boy working hard in the fields was tending to his family’s crops, a boy called

Nico. The day was coming to an end, so Nico finished off his duties, collected his tools

and headed home for dinner. He lived with his mother Lyssa, a very pretty young lass, a

widow raising three sons on her own, her beloved husband Colewin and two of her other

children had died in a tragic fire several years before. She only managed to get by with

her eldest boy Nico tending the crops and occassional help from her brother-in-law Hellic

who would check in on her and the boys from time to time.

The farming lifestyle was not exciting enough for Nico. He had a greater ambition, a

career in the Legions was his dream, to become a Legionnaire and do great deeds serving

the Republic. He knew that if he served his time in the Legions then he could spare his

mother a dreary life labour, of having to farm the land for the Lord, instead being able to

actually own land for themselves. So after each day of work, Nico would visit his

grandfather Belorn who lived with his Uncle Hellic in the nearby village of Gemelot. His

grandfather had lived most of his life in the Legions, and after 20 years service to the

Republic he had earned his own land. Belorn enjoyed the company of his grandson Nico,

and Nico was always full of excitement when he went to visit, for each night his

grandfather would tell him stories of the Legions.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Just like I am telling you boys tonight” mused the old man as he paused to take a sip of

his ale.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Months passed and the seasons went by. The harvest was a lot of work especially for two

young boys and their mother, but that hard work in the fields over time had it’s results

and Nico became quite strong and developed a solid build. The hard work coupled with

the running that Nico endured most nights back and forth to visit his grandfather, soon

saw that he was in great physical shape and very fit. In the months that passed, Belorn

taught his grandson how to read and write. It took Nico a while, but he could understand

his letters and write passably well. What really inspired the young boy however was the

training with the short sword that Belorn gave him. The sword was still in excellent

condition and still had a good edge.

From time to time, Nico would also visit the garrison at Gemelot where his grandfather

lived and he would observe the training sessions that went on in the encampment.

Belorn, was well respected among the legionaires at the garrison, and they all knew Nico

by sight, often calling out words of greeting to the young boy when he was around.

Though he was still too young to enlist, Nico only had to wait 2 years before joining the

legions and becoming a Legionnaire.

But then something unexpected happened, something that was to change Nico’s goal in

life. His mother Lyssa, had fallen in love again, the years of loneliness were too much to

bear. Lyssa was having a relationship with another local half-villein, a widower himself

of several years. As time went on, they asked for permission by Nico’s grandfather to

wed. It was a happy occasion for the family and promised a sense of stability, however

not all was as it seemed. When Nico was about to journey out to see his beloved

grandfather one night he was stopped by his new step-father who told him that he would

no longer be allowed to go and see him, and that he would now work on the farm

everyday, and stay with the family every night.

“We are your family now son, your mother does not want you to go away each night. You

are to stay here at night now and not wander off” said his step-father. This enraged

young Nico and he began to hate his new step-father. But that night he stayed home for

the sake of peace and love of his mother. His patience grew short however, and when it

was near time for the monthly day of rest, Nico planned to head out to see his

grandfather. The night before his step-father gave him a talking to, “You are not to go

out tomorrow, instead we will carry on with chores around the house and yard, and then

spend time with your mother”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“What an arrogant bastard this step-father is!” exclaimed one of the young men

listening to the old man’s tale…

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The next morning Nico got up early and did his chores around the house. He rushed

around doing all he could so that he could make time for himself. Despite the step-

father’s stern warning the night before, Nico was planning ahead, and after working in

the early hours of the morning he prepared to head off to his grandfather’s. As he

ventured off down the pathway his step-father began chasing him….“Come back here

boy!!”

With that loud yell behind him Nico sprinted off down the road with his step-father

giving chase. Nico turned sharply and ran into the woods where he knew the paths well

and easily headed away to his grandfather’s home at Gemelot. Upon arriving, Belorn

was happy to see him, after all it had been days since his last visit and Belorn asked why

he had not come as often. At that, Nico informed the old man of what had happened, his

grandfather shook his head in disbelief. They spent the rest of the day talking but Belorn

knew that Nico should return home before dark. As much as Nico didn’t want to go, he

knew his grandfather was right.

That evening as Nico walked up the roadside towards his home, he saw the new head of

the house waiting for him with a furious look upon his face. He noticed Nico and rushed

upon him. “You will listen to me boy or I will beat it into you!”

“Don’t you touch me or else!” yelled Nico, and with that statement he was grabbed by

the arm. Nico made a fist and hit back. Breaking free Nico ran for the woodpile,

grabbing a piece of timber he spun around and cracked it into his step-father’s side

dropping him to the ground with a groan. With a shocked look on her face, Nico’s

mother Lyssa came rushing out to see her husband sprawled on the ground, her son

standing over him brandishing the impromptu club.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Well that served him right then didn’t it?” spoke one of the young men. “And then what

happened? Did he finish him off?”

“Oh no…no lad” replied the old man. “Allow me to top up my drink and I will continue

on…”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Next Story.

Written by: Kane Mokomoko (a.k.a Nico of Leyon)