I find myself here in this place. The sound of the wind batters my ears and numbs my bones. My sandals crunch the endless white sand and in front of me is the endless sea. Who would have thought that it had come down to this? I looked up at the sky and the dull yellow sun that provided me no warmed today.

            Close to me was my white tent and I wondered what it would be used for if I did not make it. I gripped my sword hilt as I heard a noise coming from the black tent a few meters away. The flap opened and a huge man full of scars exited. All he had on was the red cloth, cape and sword customary of soldiers of the empire. He extracted a helm and smiled at me as he put it on. I gulped as I adjusted mine.

            “Breakfast?” He said as he approached me.

            I shook my head and squared my shoulders. “Do you remember when we were kids?”

            “Sure I do Marcus.” The big guy lowered himself to the ground and took some sand in his hands. “Those were happy days my friend.” There was a tremor of sadness in his heavy speech.

            “Yeap the pranks we played on the old man.” I said smiling.

            “My father was a great man Marcus.” He looked at me with anger. “He deserved better.”

            I stopped smiling. “He betrayed us to the Barbarians on the frontier.”

            “He was no traitor Marcus.” He stood up and drew his sword.

            “It doesn’t have to be this way Aurelious.” I took a few steps back and hesitated. “We are friends.”

            “Not any more Marcus.” He weighted his sword and raised it in preparation for attack. “It all ended when you killed my father.”

            He came at me suddenly and I prepared to defend myself. My the Gods have mercy on our souls.