Nico stood there armed with the piece of wood as his stepfather rolled around on the

ground in pain. He simply threw the timber back down and went inside the house. A few

minutes later his stepfather enter the house under the aide of his wife Lyssa. “That’s it

Boy, you are banished from this house and family. I want you to pack your things and

leave, never return to darken our door again. When I return you had better be gone”

declared his stepfather.

“No!!!” screamed Lyssa. “You can’t do this, he is only a boy” as tears begin to roll down

her cheeks. “He has nowhere to go. Please my love, I beg you not to do this, please!” but

her husband merely turned and walked out the door. With that, Nico quietly started to

collect his things.

“It is alright mother. It is for the best. I can not live under his rule”. Walking to his

sleeping area he gathered his spare clothes and blanket. His younger brothers Tarek and

Ronan overhearing the conversation also yelled their disbelief in support of their mother,

but Nico simply embraced them both with a hug. “You must now look after mother, my

little brothers” he said to them as he hugged them both, perhaps for the last time. He

then stood and moved over to his mother. “I will be fine mother. I will make my way to

grandfather’s tonight, as for tomorrow? Well who knows”.

Lyssa rushed off to her bedside and returned with a bag of coins. “Take this my son. You

will need all the help you can get” Even though Nico didn’t want the money, he knew his

mother was right and placed it within his bundle of possessions. He then simply hugged

her and walked to the door. Hearing her crying in the background, Nico simply walked

down the path and onto the road without looking back.

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

“What a bloody brave young lad” responded one of the men,

“And what a real bastard that stepfather is” spoke another.

“Indeed!” said the old man, “Perhaps I will tell later on what happens to the stepfather,

but for now I will continue on with Nico.”

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

That night, Nico made his way to his Uncle’s hamlet in Gemelot, where his grandfather

Belorn lived. He made his way along the dirt-tracked road in the twilight reaching the

farmhouse at an unexpected hour. His Uncle and family were startled to see Nico at such

a late hour, but were used to his visits for he came over regularly to see his grandfather

Belorn, though not at such a late hour in the night. With hot soup still on the fire, Nico

sat down with Belorn and Hellic and informed them both of what had happened.

Needless to say they were both very shocked.

“You know you shouldn’t have retaliated like that Nico, he is the new head of your family

you know!” said Hellic. “You are my family Uncle, you and Grandpa, I am a Leyon”

replied Nico. “Well then boy, what do you plan to do now? I can offer you to stay with

us, butI cannot feed you forever, you need to pay your way” said Hellic. “I thank you

dearly Uncle and will indeed try to pay my own way. If I am unable to pay my own way,

then I will move on”. Nico took a sip of his hot soup and settled back to take some

comfort from the warmth of the fire. “In the morning I will go searching for work to

earn my way. I hope that is alright with you Uncle?”. “That is fine boy, just fine. You can

only but try. There is room up in the loft. I will leave you to finish your soup” said Hellic

as he stood up and headed off to his bed.

That morning, as the sun was rising, Nico was already on his way down the road, in

search of work. He went from house to house, hamlet to hamlet, farm to farm asking

everyone if they had work or needed labour. As luck would have it, a local farmer

nearby offered Nico some work clearing his fields.

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

“Well, this kid has a lot of luck old man” spoke one of the young men.

“Yes indeed lad!” chuckled the old man.

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

And for a few months, Nico worked for money as a farmhand whilst staying with his

relatives. To Nico, it was good being close to his grandfather, who told him more about

the Legions and continued training Nico in the use of a shortsword. But Nico soon

realised that he was not making enough money for him to cope and if he stayed on, he

would eventually become a burden on his Uncle. He made inquires around the area for

better work, but to no avail.

Time came when Nico had to move on. He had heard that there would be more profitable

work in the provincial capital, so he informed his Uncle of his plans to travel the next

day. That morning Nico packed his things and set himself for a journey to Geshtei. He

went around the household saying goodbye to his extended family, particularly his

grandfather whom he admired very much, and he thanked his uncle for taking him in.

“Here boy” his uncle said as he threw a bag of coins to him. “Take this, it will help you in

your travels, you will need it”. “I can’t uncle, you can’t afford to!” replied Nico. “Just

go boy and do be careful” Hellic said as they shook hands warmly. As Nico turned

away, his grandfather stood in the doorway. “Take care son, be ever watchful”. “Thank

you grandpa, I will” said Nico as they embraced goodbye. Picking up his belongings,

Nico headed off into the distance, along the road to Geshtei.

It took Nico two days to reach the township of Geshtei, which he found very exciting.

Along his travels, the road became more well travelled. He spent the night in an Inn that

was on the road, nothing impressive, but a warm and sheltered room from the cold night.

Nothing however had prepared him for Geshtei. There were so many buildings, even

some with another level on top, wonderfully picturesque farmlands, gardens and orchards

surrounding the town. But the main attraction was the impressive castle that sat upon a

hilltop overlooking the township. While travelling he had found out from other travellers

that the docks had plenty of work available, so he made his way to the rivers edge. A site

that Nico had never seen before, a wooden structure stretching out over the land and into

the river. With large floating platforms in the water tied up alongside, hundreds of boxes

and crates stacked in high piles all the way down and lots of people rushing around

everywhere.

“Excuse me sir, where can I get a job?” asked Nico. “Don’t bother me boy! I have

errands to do” spoke a burly man. Having no luck with this man, Nico approached

another and asked the same question. “Excuse me sir, where can I get a job?” “You have

to ask that man over there, he may be able to help” replied the man. Nico thanked him

and headed off in the direction indicated.

There standing on a box, holding a tablet and writing down notes was a small and weary

man yelling out at people as they rushed by. “And make sure that load gets put on in

time” shouted the man. “Excuse me sir, do you have any work? Or room for a worker?”

asked Nico. Looking at Nico, he thought for awhile, “See those boxes?, put them on that

boat. You have one hour to do so. If you finish in time, you can stay” replied the man.

Wasting no time, Nico rushed over and started to move the load. Finishing well within

time he went back to the same man who was still standing in the same spot. “Good work

boy, carry on with that load over there, those other men will show which boat. You get

paid at the end of the day. Now go!” he bawled.

That night Nico followed a group of the men back to a local hostel where he gained food

and lodging for the night. It was certainly a lot more comfortable than his straw bed back

on the farm, but cost him most of his days wage.

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

“Time for another ale there boys. Throat is getting a bit raspy” spoke the old man.

“Here old man” said one of the travellers. “Innkeeper! Another jug of ale, and how

about some hot grub too?”. “On it’s way kind sir. You just say so if you need anything!”

replied the Innkeeper.

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

And for six long months, Nico worked on the docks. Whenever he had time to himself he

made trips up to the castle. This is where the Legion was stationed and for the first time,

he saw soldiers riding on horseback, Cavalry. The township itself had a local market and

several craftsmen. Though working on the docks was good, it was only enough to cover

his living costs so he asked around the town for any better work. Asking the local

merchants and craftsmen whether they had work he was invariably told that they had no

need for another apprentice.

Even the Garrison had no work for Nico and he was still too young to join the Legion.

So he decided to ask one of the barge masters that he loaded for passage so that he could

sail further up the river to look for bigger and better prospects. He had heard that work in

Coranan was plentiful. That night, he made his farewells to the few friends he had in

town, paid his passage and boarded the barge as it set off down river the following

morning.

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

“Food gents, food, nice and hot with a fresh jug of ale” announced the Innkeeper as he

bustled up to the table. “C’mon lads, grubs up. Are you hungry old man?” asked one of

the men. “Why I don’t mind if I do. I’ll grab something now and then I can continue

on…”

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

Nico enjoyed the scenery, as the barge moved up the Thard, with cultivated lands on the

Thardic side, farms, hamlets and the odd small town, then quite the opposite with wild

untouched forest on the other. As the day and night passed, Nico awoke to a most

amazing site that astounded him, the City of Coranan in all its magnificence. A great city

with large stone walls stretching out of sight, tall buildings everywhere, and the largest

castle that Nico had seen, 4 to 5 times the size of Caer Geshtei, standing high and mighty.

The barge pulled up alongside the docks, ropes were thrown to longshoreman who tied it

to the moorings, then jumped on board and began unloading. Nico stood on the docks

and gazed with amazement upon the huge city. People everywhere, massive buildings all

over the place, this place was huge. Nico thanked the barge owner and wandered up the

docks walking towards what appeared to be a marketplace. Just the main street itself was

over 50 feet wide and the market stretched as far as he could see.

From the throng a boy approached Nico, “Hey mister, I can tell that you are lost, I can

happily show you around for a small fee?” “Why thanks boy, but how about I buy you a

meal instead?” replied Nico. “Done!” replied the lad as he led Nico off up the road. “I

know a place that serves great meals, follow me,” exclaimed the lad.

They walked through the marketplace to the main road of the city. At one end was Caer

Coranan; up close the castle was gigantic, standing seven storeys high in places. As Nico

followed his guide, the road stretched beyond his sight, with people everywhere. The

boy led him down the road, jabbering constantly, as Nico took in the sights. Craftsmen’s

shops along both sides, tall buildings in some places, temples everywhere, tenements

stretching to the sky, and then a building that caught Nico’s attention, with large red

domes on top. At the gates stood guards, on duty, finely dressed, appointed with long red

cloaks, the Red Guard that Nico knew about from the stories of his grandfather, the elite

of the elite.

“Make way citizens! Make way” shouted a Legionaire, as four Red Guard members

marched past, shoving people out of the way. In their midst was a man, finely dressed in

a purple cloak, the guards sheltering him from the crowd as they travelled down the road.

Until now, Nico had only heard of these men dressed in purple, the members of the

Senate, the men that governed the Republic. The journey seemed to go on forever as the

young boy finally led Nico to an Inn. “Here we are, The Stake, a mighty fine place for a

meal” said the boy as the two of them entered.

The Inn was huge, with stairways leading upstairs to many rooms, lots of people eating

and drinking. Nico was shown to a table as the boy rushed over to get the Innkeeper.

“Here we are master, another customer!” announced the young lad. “Ah! welcome

young man, I am Umen of Ewesar, what can I fetch you?” he asked. “A meal, for me

and the boy for his hospitality today” Replied Nico. “Why of course. You there, hot

meals for two and ale, quickly!” the Innkeeper yelled to one of his serving girls.

Moments later a steaming hot meal arrived. The boy wasting no time, began scoffing his

food down, Nico, also began to eat. “So what do you plan to do now?” asked the boy

between mouthfuls. “I came to Coranan to join the Legions, so I think that’s what I will

do tomorrow morning.” “And you have somewhere to stay for the night?” mumbled the

boy with a full mouth of food. “Well, no I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. I’m still

coming to grips with the size of the city” With that, the boy stood and yelled “He needs a

room for the night too master. There we are sir, you can stay here for tonight”

In the morning, Nico gathered his things and got himself ready, checking his sack and his

money purse, both still intact after spending a night in the common dormitory. He made

his way outside and once again, people were everywhere, markets opening before dawn,

life in the city was busy. Across the road from the Inn was one of the main city gates.

Nico could see legionnaires collecting tolls from everyone entering the city, so he headed

over to the gate. Nico stood waiting to catch the eye of one of the guards. Eventually

one of them turned to him “What do you want?” grumbled the guard, ”I’m here to join

the Legions” replied Nico. “Stand aside then and wait over there, soldier get the

Sergeant” ordered the guard.

Nico waited patiently for quite a while before another Legionnaire came out and asked,

“What do you want?” “I want to join the Legions” said Nico. Looking at Nico, the

Sergeant asked, “And just how old are you boy? you are a bit short to be a Legionnaire!”

“I am sixteen sir, and so what if I am a bit short? what does that matter?” replied Nico.

“Hmm, Okay then boy, what is your name and where are you from?” asked the Sergeant.

“I am Nico of Leyon, from Gemelot”. The Sergeant dutifully wrote down Nico’s details.

“Be back here at the end of day and you will be told what to do. Now get out of here” as

the commander turned away and went back inside the gatehouse leaving Nico somewhat

surprised.

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

“Gee I reckon, seems to me that the Red Guards are a bunch of wankers?” said one of the

young men, eating his hot meal. “Perhaps lad, but then being a member of the Red

Guard is the highest honour for a Legionnaire, remember that” replied the old man.

“Innkeeper more ale, or my throat will go dry from all this storytelling…”

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

With a whole day to wait, Nico explored the city; his first stop was at the largest complex

in the city, the Pamesani Arena. The thought had crossed Nico’s mind that he could train

as a Gladiator and enter the games, the boy had given him a contact that he could speak

to. As Nico approached it, the shadow of the building was so huge that it could have

covered one of the fields back home. Only the main gates were open, with a pair of

guards posted at the entryway, not Red Guardsmen, but members of the Order of Demon

Pameshlu the Insatiable, the Agrikan fighting Order that controlled the Pamesani.

“Greetings, are there games on today?” asked Nico. One guard turned his head slightly

and simply said, “No! Games are in two days” “Oh okay, thanks” replied Nico as he

walked on minding his own business.

He travelled down towards Kotros Square where the marketplace was packed with

people. Nico took time to look for a weaponsmith as he wandered through the crowd,

however he soon got lost and found himself inside the Coranan Bonding house. “You

want to buy a what?” exclaimed a clerk. “Get out of here you idiot, this isn’t a shop” he

shouted as Nico was escorted rather roughly out the door by a guardsman. Though Nico

did eventually find a weaponsmith and enquired about the price of a shortsword he found

that the price was beyond his means. So he spent the rest of the day casually walking

around, admiring the greatness of the city.

As evening approached, Nico presented himself at the Impaler’s Gate. He approached

the Legionnaires on guard as people passed by, mainly leaving the city for the evening.

“I’m here to see the Sergeant” declared Nico. He stepped aside as one of the guardsmen

went to fetch the gate commander. “Yes boy, what do you want?” The question startling

Nico out of his idle observation of the passing citizens. “I am here to join the Legions”

replied Nico. “How old are you?” the Sergeant asked. “I am sixteen” responded Nico.

“So you are Nico from…Gemelot?…Right then, follow this soldier” announced the

Sergeant without bothering to see if Nico obeyed. Nico followed the legionnaire down

the road, heading towards the castle at the other end of the city. Nico followed the

legionnaire, eventually reaching the Quilon Gate and passing over the drawbridge into

the massive courtyard of Caer Coranan. In the courtyard was a massive wooden building

that Nico was led to, the guard gesturing him inside. “Wait in here!” ordered the soldier

before exiting and leaving Nico to enter the building. Inside the barracks, Nico

discovered a lot of other men, playing dice, sleeping, lounging about. He was directed to

a bunk bed by one of the men and settled himself in.

As the days passed, Nico kept himself fit by exercising. He kept to himself, though some

of the men introduced themselves trying to strike up conversation. Finally, early one

morning the whole barracks was woken up, with guards yelling and screaming, “Get up

and get outside” As all of the men including Nico rushed out into the warm summer

dawn, some half asleep, some half dressed they were formed into lines. “Come on!

Move, move, move!” screamed a guard right in Nico’s ear. As they all stood there in lines

waiting Nico was aware of what was happening. His grandfather had warned him of

what to expect on the first days of his boot camp. As the assembled men, Nico in their

midst, waited, time dragged on. Several hours passed, anyone fidgeting was set upon by

guardsmen who appeared as if by magic, beating the offending recruit until he stood

ramrod still. Finally, ten men shackled by chains at their ankles were marched into the

courtyard. They were released and then placed at random into the rest of the crowd of

recruits by the guards. Finally, a huge Sergeant stepped forward and yelled

“COMPANY…ATTENTION!”

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

“Mmmm boy, that food was wonderful. Compliments to you Innkeeper” declared one of

the young men. “And so Nico made it into the Legions then?” “Oh he made it in

alright!” replied the old man, “But wait till I tell you what happens next…”

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

Next Story.

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