NOVEL WEB Chapter 233: 232
As Julius and his 'date' Yuri continued to scour the Arcadian markets, Yuri in particular seemed to be drawn to one stall.
As Julius followed after the young woman, he could see a sort of glass gars filled with a viscous yellowish substance.
The seller was an older Ephyran woman with a lined face and sharp eye, not seeming to care about the rumors running about as she spoke.
"So, the conquering king comes to my petty stall for honey?"
Her provocation caused him to raise an eyebrow, but smiled nonetheless at her bluntness.
"I've been told Ephyran honey is some of the best."
Inclining his head a little in respect,
"We'd like to sample some if you don't mind?"
The woman was somewhat take aback by his own demenour, but nodded herself and with a pair of wooden scoops took out just a tiny bit from one of her jars before holding them out to the pair.
Yuri accepted the spoon and without hesitation popped it into her mouth.
To quick for him to declare the need to possibly poison test it first, but the look on her face was one of pure bliss.
Figuring just to trust in her judgement he did the same and the rich flavor flowed over his tongue, floral sweetness melting away as it permeated more and more throughout his mouth.
"Delicious."
The word spilling out from his mouth without him meaning too.
Quickly he collected himself and followed up his uttered word.
"This is well worth buying up a jar how much?"
As he held up a couple of Roman Denarii the woman could only chuckle as she got to work getting up the goods he wanted.
Yuri meanwhile was still scanning the area but less so for dangers.
As the transaction was coming to a close, the woman chose to speak again.
"You're not what I expected from a foreign commander."
He himself then glanced around quickly to the market seeing many eyes on him.
"Nor was this city what I expected from the stories we've heard off in our far land. I look forward to seeing more of it."
Seeing his companion distracted Julius reached out and took her hand before walking off deeper into the market.
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With the tour of the markets stalls completed and having made a few simple purchases mostly for luxury goods that neither could think of finding right now back in Romanus or even Roserun for that matter.
The two made their way on to the second stop this one also was chosen by Yuri, as they took the winding city streets we arrived at last at one of the cities various temples but this was the largest of the lot and surrounding the temple was a series of gardens bearing all manner of plant life.
Temple gardens - a place where priests and priestesses toiled away to grow in the grace of the gods benevolence meanwhile the townsfolk were also present coming here for reflection and solace.
Here the ornate stone statues of the Greecian gods towered over the surrounding area a constant reminder of the cities storied past and of a time even before the Greecian's had first fallen under the Roman Empire, back when the lands were still developing and Rome itself had only just begun to come into it's own as a nation.
As they walked through the gardens many people took notice of the strange pair, who'd joined them.
None it seems had expected to see the Romanus Commander and King taking such a leisurely stroll about.
A priestess noticed them and approached here robes dyed a deep blue, and her arms wrapped in woven garlands.
"This is a place of peace."
She said with a touch of reverence and worry.
"Do not worry sister, we come in peace as well, we come not as soldiers but as guests in your city and wished only to marvel upon the gifts the gods have bestowed upon your city."
The priest seemed to study his response for a moment before she gave a subtle nod.
"May the gods blessings watch of your rule, Roman,"
She offered up a small woven charm along with her simple blessing which he happily accepted.
"And may peace continue to reign over Ephyra even after we have gone."
Yuri by his side felt a surge of satisfaction so much so she failed to reign it in and actually squeezed Julius's hand still holding her own which cause him to look over, causing the poor girl to blush quite profusely at her own blunder.
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Last on her chosen docket of 'inspection' targets for the day, Yuri led Julius to one of the many inn's that blanketed the streets within the city.
Having interrogated the legionaires for answers before she made the proposition to Julius she'd found out the best possible place to take him to.
As they entered they were greeted with a cacophony of racous laughter and Arcadians and offduty Romans had gathered over wine, music and many a tall tale spawning laughter from all.
As the soldier noticed their king some braver than most waved him over, offering to seat their own king at their table.
Which pleased him it was far less formal and way closer to what he was used to, like he was sitting for a beer after work with his coworkers.
Before long after having joined their table Julius was drawn into many conversations as the soldiers and locals dove back into their tellings.
The stories travelled all over from local customs and folklore to the wars of Lunan and the rising of the Romanus Kingdom, to the far flung legends about the rest of the nations of the continent.
His own reputation as an undefeated commander was greatly taughted at length but rather than cowering the crowd simply laughed as the man himself could not help but blush to be spoke about at length to his own face.
One particularly brave Arcadian even toasted the young King.
As he and all the men present did the same and many a tankard were hoisted high.
While the soldiers offered a slightly different toast.
"May he lead ever with honor as he does conquering with mercy!"
Cheers erupted from both sides as they all began to guzzle down their drink.
It hadn't even been long now but it seemed to matter little the tension had all but disappeared between the two sides, and slowly mutual respect was being fostered.
Perhaps from the ale, and wine he'd drunk Julius got himself up from his seat and after approaching the playing bardsman took up the mans instrument which looked not much different than a guitar of a far distant past.
The murmurs of the crowd grew as all eyes locked onto him, as Julius adjusted his grip.
Fingers doing a light brushing of the chords to search out the right tune.
And then for all to witness he began to play out a slow mournful melody that humed like the waves of the ocean.
After a few bars of just playing the melody, he began to sing, his voice only still deepening due to his young age but the tone was solemn, evoking evoking tears in all who heard.
His song was of the friendship once shared by peoples everywhere under the age of the empire.
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Once upon Ionian tides,
Rome and Greecia sailed side by side,
Golden shores and open seas,
Bound by oathes and memories.
We raised our hands, both fierce and free,
Brothers in arms, one destiny.
Mountains high and rivers wide,
No wallto keep us each aside.
From Hesperia's reach to Sparta's sprawling shore,
Our bond was forged in days of yore.
Not conquerors, but allies sworn,
In battles fought and peace reborn.
Oh, Greecia, cradle of wisdom so bright,
Rome found strength in your guiding light.
Our peoples walked as noble friends,
Before the path began to bend.
Let not the winds of war divide
What heroes' hearts once did confide.
May we in honor stand as one -
As friends and kin, till days are done.
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The hall was hushed, each word striking a chord deep within the Ephyran hearts and stirring the Romans, who shared the pride and longing for those ancient ties to come again in this more modern time.
The final notes of Julius's song lingered in the air, and for a moment, there was silence, as if the room itself was absorbing the echo of Rome and Greecia's shared history.
But it was just then the tune changed and from the mournful past came a new vibrant tune.
For as he played his own heart grew sad for the lore of the game was real history but if he could he'd change that fate.
and so he struck up a different chord and changed the record all together for another round.
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Rise, oh friends, from days long gone,
A new day breaks, a brighter dawn!
From marble hills to Roman plains,
The bond of kinship once again reigns.
Oh, Greecia and Rome, lift up your eyes!
Together we shall touch the skies.
For in our hearts, the embers glow,
The fire of peace we both shall sow.
Raise a glass, let voices cheer,
For friends and allies gathered here!
No wall nor sword shall keep us bound;
In strength and peace, our kin is found.
Now hand in hand, the fates entwine,
Our roads converge, our stars align.
Together bold, our banners fly,
Through ancient lands and bright blue sky.
We'll build anew on trust and pride,
With Greecia and Rome there side by side.
From city walls to fields afar,
Our shared resolve a guiding star.
So sing aloud and lift the cheer—
A new Rome and Greecia are gathered here!
With hearts as one, we pave the way,
A boundless future come what may.
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The crowd, having been drawn in with the first song was now fully immersed as they all laughed and clapped along as one.
Julius's words seemed to echo through the hall as the patrons began to parrot his own song back at him.
The music from within spilled out onto the streets, and enticed those passersby to come and see what was going on.
As his song came to a final end, even amid many a call for an encore Julius rejoined his table but not before raising his own glass high in a toast.
"To new friends!"
And every patron declared the same before downing their drink once more.