SCENE I.
Plains near Rome.
5.1.1
The Goths were originally from separate ethnic groups in the land; they soon merged into one major group and was
renamed the Goths. They were fair looking with the ferocity of the warring nature. They were there before the
arrivals of the Romans, and for some time, the two groups never met for there was the main range that separated
them. Soon that was to become a past when the Romans crossed over the range and the conflict began. The
skirmishes soon developed into invasions and then the undeclared war. The wars cost both side lives but with each
war, they also gained much fame and land. Some months back, one of their enemies came to their camp.
He was Lucas Adrian; the son of Titus Adrian.
Lucas convinced the Goths why they needed a new leader. He was asked to show his worth in the arena of the
leaders. Five leaders disputed his words, and later lay dead at his feet. He stood there holding the five heads that he
had claimed; bloodied and wounded but resolved to fight on. His word to them was short; there is no honor if you
are defeated.
Soon he was their grand leader.
“Approved warriors, and my new faithful friends,” Lucas addressed the gathering of the warriors of Goth. “I have
received letters from great Rome, which signify what hate they bear their leader and how desirous of our sight they
are.”
The assembled were all the leaders of the Goths different groups with their combined command of over fifty
thousand warriors. A year ago after the defeat and death of their last King, these leaders were at each other’s throat
but with Lucas leading them, they have placed aside their differences to unite once more under their new leader.
Lucas had refused the King’ throne which he said belonged to the Goths. He will lead them to victory over the
Romans only as their appointed leader.
“Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness, imperious and impatient of your wrongs, and wherein Rome hath
done you any scath, let him make treble satisfaction.” Lucas concluded his words.
“Brave slip, sprung from the great Adrian” One of the leader spoke out; coarse and brash but with respect. “Whose
name was once our terror, now our comfort; whose high exploits and honorable deeds ingrateful Rome requites with
foul contempt.”
“Be bold in us: we'll follow where thou lead'st”, the same leader looked to his peers. “Like stinging bees in hottest
summer's day led by their master to the flowered fields, and be avenged on cursed Tamara.”
“And as he saith, so say we all with him.” The others all cheered in support for they shared one hatred; Queen
Tamara who had weakened their King.
“I humbly thank him, and I thank you all.” Lucas bowed to them. “But who comes here, led by a lusty Goth? Who is
he to interrupt the proceeding?”
Aaron was seen dragged in with a child in his arms by the warrior sentries. Aaron was dressed in the simple clothing
of the farmer with a bag to hold the child’s food and drinks. He was covered in dust with his feet bloodied from his
long trek without his sandals. One of the captor warriors stepped up and made his report. He was a lowly warrior
from the clothing he had on.
“Renowned Lucas, from our troops I stray'd to gaze upon a ruinous monastery; and, as I earnestly did fix mine eye
upon the wasted building, suddenly I heard a child cry underneath a wall.” The warrior told his tale. “I made unto
the noise; when soon I heard the crying babe controll'd with this discourse.”
“'Peace, tawny slave, half me and half thy dam! Did not thy hue bewray whose brat thou art, had nature lent thee but
thy mother's look. Villain, thou mightst have been an leader: but where the bull and cow are both milk-white, they
never do beget a coal-black calf. Peace, villain, peace!'--even thus he rates the babe,-- 'For I must bear thee to a
trusty Goth; who, when he knows thou art the Queen' babe, will hold thee dearly for thy mother's sake.” The warrior
repeated his words spoken earlier.
“ With this, my weapon drawn, I rush'd upon him, surprised him suddenly, and brought him hither, to use as you
think needful of the man.” The warrior bowed to Lucas.
Lucas stepped forth to see the captive. How in the demons would a man travel with a young child in the troubled
land. If it was a lady then she could be seeking the father of the child with every step a danger to her and the child
but it was not a lady. Lucas raised the face of the captive and was surprised by the identity. Nothing below the dust
could hide the true face of his enemy.
“O worthy Goth, this is the incarnate devil that robb'd Adrian of his good hand.” Lucas voiced out in anger. “This is
the pearl that pleased your Queen' eye.”
“And here's the base fruit of his burning lust.” Lucas could not resist the urge to kick at the other’s lower torso.
“Say, wall-eyed slave, whither wouldst thou convey this growing image of thy fiend-like face?”
Aaron had fallen to his knees but he held on to the child in his arms. The child cries out in fear at the anger
displayed by the other. The bawling of the child did not unnerved Lucas in exerting his kicks. Lucas was in display
of his savage side; the side which the Adrian had displayed in battles and earned them a name among the Goths as
the Warriors, for it was from madness in approach that bravery prevailed in action.
“Why dost not speak? What, deaf? Not a word?” Lucas shouted out for the warriors to do his task. “A halter,
soldiers! Hang him on this tree. And by his side his fruit of bastardy.”
“Touch not the boy; he is of royal blood.” Aaron reached out with his body bent low while he shield the child.
“Too like the sire for ever being good.” Lucas still in his anger called out. “First hang the child, that he may see it
sprawl a sight to vex the father's soul withal.”
That command drew a hush from the warriors there. They were all hardened to the sight of killings but to murder a
child removed their veil of bravery. It was inhumane to kill a child yet still a babe without knowledge of the evils
that its bearer had done. The warriors murmured with low whispers of disagreement while some even looked to the
leader they had appointed may be a mistake of their decisions. The warriors who left to get the rope had returned
with it and a ladder. He positioned it below a high overheard beam and slung the rope over it.
“Lucas, save the child,” Aaron appealed again. “And bear it from me to the Queen.”
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