Emerita
by
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The fight was almost over. The Romans had systematically destroyed all centers of resistance, ruthlessly and efficiently. Having personally decreed over twenty years ago that Hispania was a part of the empire, Octavian, irritated and embarrassed by the continued opposition, would accept only complete victory. Roman authority, His authority, had to be absolute. It was from this campaign that Despina and her family were fleeing. Their village destroyed, they and their neighbors had been on the run, staying what they had hoped was a day or two’s march ahead of their pursuers. They had hoped to find sanctuary with others of their tribe north of Asturica.
Despina remembered that morning. Up before dawn, food was already being distributed while preparations were being made to depart. After three weeks the routine was familiar. Tasks that had been repeated over and over were being performed quickly and efficiently. There was no time for breakfast fires. They had to move. Now.
All was ready shortly after first light. Despina was standing next to her mother, waiting for the line in front to begin. She saw her father walking towards her from the front of the column. He was making the last minute checks. He was only a few feet in front of her when something caught his eye in the distance behind her. Despina turned and felt her body tremble. The reflection of the sun off their helmets was unmistakable. Even in the early morning you had to shield your eyes from the brightness. There would be no more running.
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About the Book
The fight was almost over. The Romans had systematically destroyed all centers of resistance ruthlessly and efficiently. Having personally decreed over twenty years ago that Hispania was a part of the empire, Octavian, irritated and embarrassed by the continued opposition, would accept only complete victory. Roman authority, his authority, had to be absolute. It was from this campaign that Despina and her family were fleeing. Their village destroyed, they and their neighbors had been on the run, staying what they had hoped was a day or two’s march ahead of their pursuers. They had hoped to find sanctuary with others of their tribe north of Asturica. Despina remembered that morning. Up before dawn, food was already being distributed while preparations were being made to depart. After three weeks, the routine was familiar. Tasks that had been repeated over and over were being performed quickly and efficiently. There was no time for breakfast fires. They had to move. Now. All was ready shortly after first light. Despina was standing next to her mother waiting for the line in front to begin. She saw her father walking towards her from the front of the column. He was making the last minute checks. He was only a few feet in front of her when something caught his eye in the distance behind her. Despina turned and felt her body tremble. The reflection of the sun off their helmets was unmistakable. Even in the early morning you had to shield your eyes from the brightness. There would be no more running.
About the Author
Richard Bronchick is an attorney. He closed his practice in 1995 to study, travel and even do a stint in radio production. He wrote Emerita drawing on his roots as a college history major, choosing the location from among those he had recently visited. He is currently at work on his second novel. He lives in Suffolk County, New York.