The Outpost, Scenes 1-2

THE OUTPOST

[Scene 1]
Four legionnaires, Decimus, Marcus, Romulus and Anatolius are sitting around a fire.

Decimus: Let them barbarians come! They may be brave, but that is because they don't know Decimus. Once I am finished with them, they will be tying themselves up and begging us to take them as slaves.

Marcus: Your enthusiasm is commendable, but foolish, Decimus. It will fade quickly once you face these monsters with their invisible arrows.

Decimus: Nonsense! The invisible arrows are nothing but a figment of spineless plebian imagination. Naught but treacherous rumors aimed to dishearten us in the quest for our destiny. Such things cannot be.

Marcus: Dunce. Your arrogance shall lead you to your doom.

Romulus: Imaginary they are not.

Decimus: Pardon?

Romulus: I have seen a man with the wound. One in the gut, one in the back. It pierces the flesh like no arrow of ours. And the man bled and cried, to his very demise.

Anatolius: True. I have seen one too. They say the barbarians have bows that roar like thunder. Their arrows strike from nowhere. And before you know it, a centuria is gone.

Decimus: Well, no invisible arrows will stop me from becoming a centurion.

Marcus: You should focus on keeping your head on your shoulders.

Decanus [enters]: What is this reckless talk that I hear? Hush! Unfit for legionaries of the Empire. Tomorrow we rise at dawn and march towards the outpost. To your tents, sleep. No more of this.

[End scene]

[scene 2]
At the outpost. Romulus is sharpening his gladius in a tent. A Centurion enters.

Centurion: Rise, militar!

Romulus: Ave!

Centurion: What is your name?

Romulus: Romulus, Centurio.

Centurion: Your full name, idiot.

Romulus: Romulus Septimia Dolium.

Centurion: Ha! No wonder you are slow-minded. Dolium? A jar? What kind of a name is that?

Romulus: There is a funny story about this, Centurio. You see, my father…

Centurion: Silence! You talk too much.

Romulus: But Centurio, you asked…

Centurion: Silence! I will have you lashed. Do you know where you are?

Romulus: At the outpost.

Centurion: And what lies there? [points]

Romulus: Teutoburg forest.

Centurion: Exactly! So, you have some wit in you.

Romulus: So I was told.

Centurion: Now you listen, chump! Here is our outpost. Beyond, lies the great Teutoburg forest. In it are the most ruthless barbarians the Empire ever faced. They are fierce, they are strong, and they have no intention to let us pass.

Romulus: What if we ask them nicely?

Centurion: There is no reasoning with barbarians! But they will not stop us. This forest will not stop us. Do you know why, militar?  

Romulus: Because we are Romans?

Centurion: Because we are Romans, lad! As clear as the sun would rise in the morning, our legions would cross the dark forest. Be ready to march when you are called.

Romulus: As you say, Centurio.

[Centurion leaves]

Romulus: What a mess I've gotten myself into! I can hardly lift my shield, and now I am to fight the invincible Germani? Yes, I love the Empire, but not as much as I love my neck! Calm, calm, oh heart of mine. Coward, I am not. And I will fight, yes I will, for my family, for my land! But what Fortuna holds for me? Glory or tragedy? Ah, if only I could know!

[Decimus enters]

Decimus: Who is that? Dolium? Speaking to yourself again, I recon?

Romulus: It is much more useful and dignified than speaking to you.

Decimus: You wouldn't say that once I become your Decanus.

Romulus: I'd rather eat my sandals than serve under you.

Decimus: You'd better conserve your salt, then.

[Marcus enters]

Marcus: No wine in here I'm afraid, Decimus.

Decimus: No wine but good Romulus is here.

Marcus: Ah. Then we shall be thankful.

Romulus: You both are welcome to my humble abode.

Decimus: No wine, no meat, no women. Your abode is humble indeed.

Romulus: It is good to see you in good spirits and not at the slightest concerned with the bluntness of your swords. And where is Anatolius?

Marcus: Probably reciting his Greek poetry somewhere.

Decimus: Damn Grecians! I do not trust them for a moment. First chance he gets, he'd hand us to the barbarians! Then excuse himself with some witless laconism, like "better eat the egg than sit on it".

Marcus: That makes no sense.

Decimus: Do Grecians ever do?

Romulus: It is not the Greeks that we should concern ourselves with.

Decimus: These ridiculous invisible arrows again?

[cries are heard outside]

Marcus: What is that?

[legionaries enter, carrying a wounded soldier]

Marcus: Who is this?

Legionnaire: A scout. We were marching through the forest. Then, suddenly, came the invisible arrow. Poor man was hit. Then the archer was gone.

Romulus: Look! It pierced his armor like a lance!

Decimus: Impossible! What kind of a weapon is that?

Marcus: Very soon we'd have to find out.

[End Scene]