The Lightning Count

THE LIGHTNING COUNT​
Volume II
Chapter I: Batavi




The darkness brought its own fears. It made cowards of men and made corpses of cowards and yet they stood there looking into the very darkness that they feared for something. Anything. The Batavi had waited for hours, their men, young and old, protected the innocent and those that could not fight. Their ships now brought shore and broken, for them this was it, there was no turning back..

The banners of the Batavi flew in the breeze as the sea breeze swirled around them, they huddled around the fires to keep themselves warm whilst they awaited the response to their messenger. They were not here to raid, nor to conquer, just to flee. The women and children amongst the refugees kept away from their men, this was not their day to die should that be the response that Rome gives them.

From the darkness of the land a feint flicker emerged, an orange glow that flickered furiously against the wind. The flame grew and multiplied. They had come. Rome had its answer for the Batavi.

“They come with an army when we send a messenger boy. Typical”

“I would do the very same... but let us hope they show restraint”

The winding fire snaked towards the Batavi through the darkness, the light of the fire now revealing the faces of men, Romans, Britons and those with banners familiar to the refugees. The Batavi foederati had come with the natives. Seemingly a cruel twist of fate that should they perish here it would be at the hands of their own kin.

“They look not as frightened as I would have thought ” Theodosius muttered gazing at the Batavi who formed themselves into a shield wall. The sight of worn and weary men openly ready for a fight was of much intrigue to the Dux but this was not his intent. “You think they will treat with us? You know them more than I could Chariovalda”

“I think they will. You are Dux... but they need the words of their own to make this go well. Not all Batavi are alike I will warn you. If you think we are wild in your eyes then you may be in for a surprise” replied Chariovalda, his blonde hair now reaching down to his shoulders, gone was the worried young man thrust into leadership by chance and now stood a confident and defiantly non-Roman man.

Chariovalda rode out first alongside the Batavi messenger sent by the refugees. His head held up high as he wanted to be the man that the deceased Theodosius had seen in him. The darkness seemed to surround them as though it was alive, with every step away from his men the light was swallowed by the insatiable void. He swallowed deep and kept his eyes firmly on the Batavi refugees.

“Your leader...what is his name?”

“We have no one leader...”

“Then who amongst you speaks for you?” Asked Chariovalda, the messenger’s answer had piqued his interest, someone must be in charge, there was always someone.

“There are two of us who hold equal footing, Audovacar and Chlodovech. They are the sons of our late chieftain, they are the ones who will speak to you. I will give you one piece of advice Chariovalda.”

“And what would that be?”

“Keep your hand close to your sword. You may need it...”


The ominous tone and words of the messenger filled Chariovalda with trepidation. He was heading into the midst of desperate men with no idea what lay before him. They stood there, shields facing forward and armed as though this one man was a great wave ready to smash upon them, he could taste their fear, it was hard not to, it overwhelmed all the senses. These were not the Batavi he knew, he knew men trained and indoctrinated to fight, these were the opposite.

“You think us weak don't you Roman? We would appear so to your civilized eyes”

Chariovalda gazed where the voice emanated from, a tall slender man, thick pale red hair and cold blue eyes, beside him stood another man the very image of him save for a head shaved entirely.

“I am no Roman, I am Chariovalda of the Batavi. And you?”

“Batavi... no you are a diluted Batavi, more Roman than Batavi. I am Chlodovech and this is my brother Audovacar, we are the chieftains of what remains of our people. “ scoffed and remarked Chlodovech as he sized up Chariovalda, the words having the desired effect as he could see his guest turn his neck slightly in annoyance, the upper hand belonged to Chlodovech.

“Your first words are to assume we look down on you and then you insult my line and my upbringing. Diluted or not to you, I am still Batavi, except unlike you I don’t shit in the woods or fuck the first pig I see...or my own brother”

Chlodovech stepped forward, his face burning red as Audovacar held him back. Muttering in his ear to keep his calm. The words had their desired effect as he calmed down, Audovacar released his hands from his brother and turned to his guest,

“You have a butter tongue when needed. I appreciate that. We are of the same people you and I, granted our way of life may seem different to yours in many respects but as you say, you are Batavi and as fellow kin we ask of you to help us. We are broken, we are scattered and we are few. There are only but a thousand of us left now. We have nowhere to return and as you see we have burned our only means of transport. We came here because we had heard that there were Batavi stationed on this rock. We came to join you.”

“That is not my decision to make. I do not grant asylum to anyone. I cannot. Despite the greeting I had I wish you to stay and make new lives but I cannot make that choice”

“Then who can, fucking tell me who can and I will beg the cunt” Chlodovech barked in annoyance.

“I can” spoke Theodosius as he walked towards the Batavi shield wall, no sword, no shield, unarmed and defenceless. “I can make that decision and I have come here with nothing but the clothes on my back to speak with you”

“You are this man’s general?” asked Audovacar, his eyes trying to figure out who the Dux was, Theodosius slowly walked forward more and more until he came directly at the wall of men.

“I am. I am also Dux Britanniarum, Dux Theodosius. I am also the only person here with any real kind of power so it would be very nice of you if you could tell these men to drop their stance and allow me to speak with you face to face. Is that fair?”

“It is...”

“Very well. All I have to say tonight to you men is this. Gather your belongings and all with you, you shall follow us back to the nearest Colonia. Tomorrow we will speak more. These are my terms, the only other alternatives are stay here surrounded by the sea and by my men and starve or fight and die. The choice is ultimately yours. What will you say?”


The twins looked at each other and at their men and at the women and children cowering and shivering, they knew the alternatives were tantamount to committing suicide. Chlodovech stood forward and extended his hand,

“We accept your offer. Lead the way...”
 
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