Chapter 8 (the parade)

"One who bathes willingly with cold water barely feels the cold, it's a different experience for one who does unwillingly,"

He sat deep on his cold bed as the dawn of the day drew in slowly, his eyes were barely open as if he was up all night.

with his whole weight sinking into his body, Severus stayed unlively, whispering a monologue about freedom and slavery to himself.

"Motivated by struggle and survival, I became the arena's most lethal killer, untamed, gore and blood the only satisfiable of my cravings, I mame my challengers, as a replacement for the satisfaction I would get from being free."

His doors went clanking, all of a sudden, Severus walked into the living room, he found a good number of soldiers unbolting his cell, one of them had shackles.

One amongst the soldiers pushed the cell door open,

"It's time for the parade Vir bellica, we leave for Asis at 8 am."

Severus felt a sharp pain in his heart, the parade proves, the Governor had resolved to not letting him become a free-man, one of the soldiers came at Severus and bound his hand with shackles.

The soldiers walked away with Severus to put him in a carriage, to be taken to Assisi and paraded in streets as Vir bellica, the arguable greatest gladiator of all time.

The soldiers preceded Severus out of his Chambers, they walked into the castle's compound, a carriage was ready just near the gate, Man servants were dusting the carriages, tightening the wheels as Severus and the soldiers approached the carriage.

"Vir bellica!." A familiar voice came from behind.

Severus held his movement, he turned behind to find Governor Bianchi, standing a few meters away from him and the soldiers.

"I assure you a safe journey Severus, for you are indeed a national treasure, Venice wouldn't bear losing you," Bianchi spoke in a lordly manner, prancing about as he spoke.

Severus kept evilly gazes at him, his hands kept as If he wanted to grip on something, an ever freighting posture.

"There is no need for those freighting gazes this early morning, mornings should be full of smiles," Bianchi stated, his lips drew wide afterward for a smile.

Severus never replied, he turned away and headed to the horse carriage.

A soldier sat with Severus inside the horse carriage while a soldier drove one, another carriage full of soldiers was to follow Severus's carriage behind.

Many minutes went by, yet the carriage hadn't left the Castle, the sun had already emerged.

"What's with the delay?" Severus asked the soldier sitting beside him in the carriage.

"The man assigned to take care of this journey hasn't arrived yet, I heard he came home late last night, and he is still asleep."

The soldier replied and scoffed a bit. he sounded servile, his voice seemed soft and respectful to Severus, he felt a little familiar to him.

"Who was that, assigned to take care of my journey?" Severus inquired.

"Bianchi chose the best steward soldier for this journey, Lorenzo Ambrosio, he needs to be sure you go and return safely." The soldier said.

"You sound familiar to me, where have we met before?" Severus asked the soldier.

The soldier gave a slight laugh, "you caught me gaping at you in the hallway," he said.

"I do remember, you were the one holding my mace in the hallway."

Severus said.

"Am Marchisio, I heard what happened to you, about your freedom."

"Water will eventually find its way out," Severus assured Marchisio

"I heard Assisi would pay hundred tons of gold to Venice after you are paraded in their streets,

Am sure Assisi would make a lot from parading you on their streets, am sorry to say you have become an instrument for making money." Marchisio revealed.

Severus had no reply for that, Marchisio stared at him in wait for a reply, he let go of staring at him after he didn't get a reply.

It didn't take long after that Lorenzo arrived at the compound, he made his way to the horse carriage in a hurry.

"Ready the horses!" One of the soldiers announced, after seeing Lorenzo approaching.

"Lorenzo is here, better not talk to me anymore."

Marchisio told Severus, Lorenzo's appearance brought in order, the five soldiers turned servile at his presence.

Lorenzo approached Severus's horse carriage, he drew the curtains apart, Lorenzo took a look at Severus, "Vir bellica" Lorenzo said softly, Severus looked up at him confidently.

"You wife hopes you return soon and safe," Lorenzo mentioned, it got a grip on Severus's attention.

"Did you see my wife Martina?" Said, Severus.

"I was with her throughout last night, it was all the reason I woke up a little late today," Lorenzo said, he yawned afterward, and stretched his arms out in the air, Severus heard the cracking sounds of his bones, showing how long and satisfying his sleep was.

Lorenzo left, leaving Severus with a lot of fuss, had Lorenzo been going after his wife - Severus thought.

His two hands joined together, as he sank deep into thought.

The carriages drove off, away from the Castle, they followed a smooth plain East-Ward.

It would be a long journey, Assisi could be said to be pretty far from Venice.