NII - A Dark Corridor of Time

'I am in a dark corridor of time, that drifts between the past and present. In the gloom of it there are rooms I visit, they hold such precious things that are lost and forgotten. That's how the curse and blessing of my memory works, its like the smell of fresh bread over market stalls.'

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The frosty dawn broke early as it was a clear bright day. Through the small square opening in the wall a shaft of light struck down on Ascoli's back, stirring him to consciousness. With bleary eyes he looked around at his slumbering comrades. He wanted to go to the washroom and get ready for the call of duty, but couldn't as number nine (Pico) and number seven were still asleep. Everything in the army had to be done by numbers, in order, which for him was infuriating. Now fully awake he sat on the wooden framed bed waiting, thats all he could do.

From the way Thamus had been talking it wouldn't be long before the big announcement. Perhaps it would be today, that was something to look forward to, that would break the monotony. Toni and Louie were also sat on their beds and looking quite morose, they were waiting too, they were numbers eleven and twelve, even lower than him. They had to wait their turn to go to the washroom. Ascoli felt depressed about them as the only reason they were below him was because of their disabilities, he was fit and healthy. Toni, the number eleven was illiterate, passed his prime at thirty-six and only had proper vision in one eye. All of these things were not to army standards. Louie, the number twelve was below the excepted height of five foot-six, overweight and had three fingers missing. Two on his left hand and one on his right. Neither men would make it through the army medical or initiation test now and both should be discharged. This made Ascoli feel low, particularly as men above him were also less able, the only way to move up was to wait for someone to die in battle or desert. Other than that you had to display exceptional ability or perform an act of heroism. Number seven got up and washed, things were moving at last.

In the parade square they stood in formation, their unit, unit nineteen stood at the back of the blocks of units numbered one to twenty. Thamus' section, section three stood third from the front of their unit and Ascoli stood tenth in that line. He felt very insignificant. He felt like nothing, all he could see were the backs of helmets and spear tips. After the inspection there was the usual address from the legion commander, but as they were at the back it was barely audible. One man whispered key words to another and gradually the message got back.

"Firstly promotions and demotions. Aureoles Tivolus of Napoli is promoted to Section Leader Four, Unit Ten, replacing Antonio Vargas who has hereby retired." The commander said in an upper class, weak voice.

'Bald Toni's gone' someone from the line in front blurted out. There was a small ripple of laughter.

"Lucius Malvio of Rome promoted to seventh Centurion and will take command during next operations" The commander said, his words slow and calm.

'Oh no loopy Lucy's got a hundred poor b*stards to kill' Ducius, the man stood next to Ascoli said quietly.

"QUIET IN THE RANKS' Thamus said in an aggressive whisper, leaning forward to see who was talking.

"Decorations and Punishments." The Commanders voice droned on. "The following will be on night duty for drunk and disorderly behaviour..."

'This is so boring, I hope we get Spania...' Ducius said, leaning on his spear, staring ahead into the distance. He had a strong middle country accent, that flattened vowels in each word, making them all sound the same. To compensate for this each sentence had a tune to it, raising the pitch at the end.

"Asti Peravalious, Unit One, Section Two,

Darius Johanson, Unit Five, Section Four..."

'...Its by far the easiest of the campaigns and were all likely to come back, then we can go on the lash lads...' Ducius said, his voice deep and laconic.

"Marcus Veto, Unit Ten, Section One,

Bob Saunders, Unit Eleven, Section Two..."

'...Its nice and hot over there and the wine is ten times better than ours and as for the women they are gorgous...'

"SILENCE IN THE RANKS" a prowling centurion barked.

'...They've got lovely long black hair and nicely tanned skin' Ducius went on oblivious to his surroundings. 'I'd hate to get Briton, it'd be like going to the ends of the earth. They're all savages you know and then there's the water, I hate boats and the gods wont protect us there.'

"Ducius you are on latrine duty until we leave, do you understand? now shut the f*ck up" Thamus said without moving from his position. There were a few whispers, but Ducius had a smile on his face. He knew that if he was on latrine duty, as disgusting as it was, he was off guard duty, which meant no more skirmishes to sort out, no danger, it meant he stayed alive.

"Sir, yes Sir" Ducius said quietly.

"Manoeuvres. On the second day of Saturn all front line troops, that means this legion, we will march to Lyon in Gaul." The Legion Commander barked. "We will receive our orders from there. Make the most of your time of relative peace as we will be involved in active duty from then on. Dismissed"

From around the parade ground an echo of Centurions repeated his last word, again and again and slowly they sauntered off back to their duties. The men had a sombre look about them as they contemplated where they would be sent.

"Ya know, I hope we don't get Briton" Ducius said trying to buddy up along side Ascoli"

"No, nor me" he replied politely

"Have I ever mentioned to yow, that I am actually half Albanian?"

"No I don't think you did" Ascoli replied beginning to loose his temper.

"Its on me mothers side"

"Right"

Reviews

[shadrach hah]

Hi BL, another wonderful chapter you have laid before us. I love the descriptive narrative and the conversations. Up to your usual high standards. Enjoying the way things are going my friend. Looking forward to reading the next part....Mike.

[Irenic]

very well done. you have described the story very well, especially in the following paragraphs

The frosty dawn broke early as it was a clear bright day. Through the small square opening in the wall a shaft of light struck down on Ascoli's back, stirring him to consciousness. With bleary eyes he looked around at his slumbering comrades. He wanted to go to the washroom and get ready for the call of duty, but couldn't as number nine (Pico) and number seven were still asleep. Everything in the army had to be done by numbers, in order, which for him was infuriating. Now fully awake he sat on the wooden framed bed waiting, thats all he could do.

From the way Thamus had been talking it wouldn't be long before the big announcement. Perhaps it would be today, that was something to look forward to, that would break the monotony. Toni and Louie were also sat on their beds and looking quite morose, they were waiting too, they were numbers eleven and twelve, even lower than him. They had to wait their turn to go to the washroom. Ascoli felt depressed about him and them as the only reason they were below him was because of their disabilities, he was fit and healthy. Toni, the number eleven was illiterate, passed his prime at thirty-six and only had proper vision in one eye. All of these things were not to army standards. Louie, the number twelve was below the excepted height of five foot-six, overweight and had three fingers missing. Two on his left hand and one on his right. Neither men would make it through the army medical or initiation test now and both should be discharged. This made Ascoli feel low, particularly as men above him were also less able, the only way to move up was to wait for someone to die in battle or desert. Other than that you had to display exceptional ability or perform an act of heroism. Number seven got up and washed, things were moving at last.
In the parade square they stood in formation, their unit, unit nineteen stood at the back of the blocks of units numbered one to twenty. Thamus' section, section three stood third from the front of their unit and Ascoli stood tenth in that line. He felt very insignificant. He felt like nothing, all he could see were the backs of helmets and spear tips. After the inspection there was the usual address from the legion commander, but as they were at the back it was barely audible. One man whispered key words to another and gradually the message got back.

very excellent piece.
thanks for sharing with all of us! :)

[BL]

Again you are welcome and thanks for being a loyal reader

[Irenic]

No problem dear...........................:)

[BryanCX]

Great Job my friend! Read from the beginning to the end. ( addicted to ) xD. Keep up the awesome work.

[BL]

Thank you, your review is inspiring and will certainly urge me on to write more.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Good dialogues. :) Rudi

[BL]

Thank You Rudi

[wordman]

this is a great chapter b it will be a book soon

[BL]

Hopefully it will - thanks

[wordman]

I`, sure it will my friend

[BL]

Thanks again

[wordman]

you are welcome b