Ursus In Caveam: A Short Story

Ursus in Caveam

The wind gusted and rain drizzled as Ursus buffed his bronze chestplate until he could see his pale face in the reflection. Illuminated only by shifty candlelight, he hated that he had procrastinated so much; he should have finished his polishing yesterday. Tomorrow, the legios he was in would be deployed to the town of Cestia, where they would defend it from siege by the invading Tejai force. Battle or no battle, the legios commander was viscously strict when it came to keeping armour polished. Finally he finished his chestplate. Ursus sighed. Now came the greaves. Then the armguards, and lastly the helmet. The candle slowly receded, and Ursus faded away into thought. He remembered how his parents’ “cups ran over” with joy when they saw him standing in his armour alongside his legion. It was his first day in the army. His parents were poor tailors, and they didn’t want him to suffer the same way they had to. …show more content…
He had been proud to be able to support his family like a true man. However, now he felt like a “young bear inside his cage”. He was trapped as a soldier he realized he never wanted to be. Everyday, he knew he didn’t belong in the midst of warriors. One look at his comrades brutal “axe-hewn” hands convinced him he was in the wrong company. His hands were tailor’s hands; tender and precise, not made for hefting blades and shields. Miserable, he was, with the way he failed at everything. Always coming last in races. Always losing when he sparred. Always the