Warning mentions war, death, and blood. And hints at suicide and slavery. Being torn apart from one's family.

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Two years ago:

Ana had been hearing the rumors which were circulating amongst the villagers. The Romans were eyeing their piece of the country. It was worrying and unsettling. She'd tried pushing the ugly, terrifying thoughts from her mind, but they refused to be wiped out.

Ana, herself, lived alone, in a modest hut, which held only the barest of essentials. Her parents had died years ago, from that horrific plague which had swept through the country. Ana never did understand why she'd been left alive and not taken to Elysium, like her parents. She'd spent many a day, cursing the gods or whomever was responsible for taking away her family and leaving her to suffer, alone, wallowing in her sorrow and anguish.

As she hoisted up her basket full of fresh vegetables on her hip, which she just dug up from the garden, she heard footsteps approaching, knowing it was most likely, Greer. She lifted her head and smiled as the older woman shuffled her way closer to Ana. She hurried over, offering the woman her arm.

Greer smiled, accepting Ana's arm and the two headed into Ana's hut. Ana helped the woman inside before attending to her vegetables, setting the basket on the small, wooden table in the middle of the room.

"What brings you here this morning?" Ana asked.

"I'm certain you've heard the rumors," Greer said, settling herself down on a stool. A troubled look settled over Ana's face as she nodded.

"Do you think it's possible?" Ana asked.

"I'm afraid so," Greer responded gravely. Ana sighed, moving to put the vegetables away.

"I cannot possibly see why the Romans would be so desperate for this part of the country," Ana murmured. "The majority of the villagers are farmers, not soldiers." Greer studied the young woman.

"It's not soldiers they're interested in, my dear," Greer said gently. Ana immediately understood and her entire body tensed, tears springing to her eyes. Greer hoisted herself up from the stool, moving to grasp one of Ana's hands between hers.

"I understand how troubling and frightening the idea of becoming a..slave is," Greer murmured. "Unfortunately, too, I'm all too familiar with such." Ana's damp eyes searched the older woman's.

"You mean...?" Her unspoken words hung in the air, like a dagger, waiting to be hurled. Greer nodded.

"Years ago, not long after I was married, several Roman soldiers charged into our small village. They slaughtered many. However, the majority of us were rounded up, and hauled off, to auctioned off as slaves. My husband was stubborn. He refused to allow us to separated. Unfortunately he had no say in the matter."

Ana's heart ached at the very idea of Greer and her husband being torn away from one another, all because of the greed of some foreign, power hungry emperor, keen on claiming as many countries as possible.

"What...happened?" Ana asked quietly.

"We were separated. I..never saw him again."

"Oh, Greer," Ana murmured, tears slipping down her cheeks. Greer gently squeezed Ana's hand.

"I could not say how the remainder of his life turned out. However, a kind woman purchased me. I became her personal servant. I was paid well and eventually able to buy my freedom."

"At least you were with someone who cared to show you kindness," Ana said, wiping away her tears. Greer nodded, releasing Ana's hand and moving to sit down.

"And now, you're facing the exact same thing," Ana added.

"Sadly, yes," Greer agreed. "However, should it come to it, I'm not certain anyone would be interested in an old, crippled woman." Ana's eyes widened. She refused to think such thoughts.

"Greer," she began, but Greer held up her hand, silencing Ana.

"If that's what the gods wish for me, I'll happily accept my fate."

****
Several weeks later, the villagers were preparing for the day when the Roman soldiers would appear. Word had spread like wildfire, throughout the country. It wasn't a matter of "if" now, but a matter of "when." Ana was wracked with rage and fear. She didn't want to believe that everything was about to change forever.

****

A few days later, Ana wandered down to the main building, where the village meetings were held. At the moment, several men and women were finishing up the preparations for when the Romans would arrive. She'd been jittery and anxious over the last several weeks, as many of the villagers had been. All except for Greer.

Ana knew that the woman had it in her head, should the soldiers strike, she'd be in the thick of it, she wouldn't protest, but easily allow them to take her...life. Just thinking about it made Ana's heart hurt and took her breath away. One of the village elders, Michen, spotted Ana, gesturing for her to join him. She trailed over, curious.

"I want you to be our lookout," he said gravely. Ana nodded. She was known for being fast and light on her feet.

"Whatever you need from me," Ana replied. "I shall happily comply." Michen offered a brief smile, before returning to crafting the arrows, which would be lit at the last moment, to be fastened upon the bows, fire soaring through the air, to perhaps if not halt the Romans, at least wound and stall for a few precious moments.

Ana left the large, stone structure, wandering down to the shore, the wind wasn't as strong this afternoon and the waves gently lapped at the sand, crashing against the rocks, which surrounded the village. It seemed so peaceful, that was hard to believe that several miles away, Roman ships were racing upon these very waters, getting closer with each passing day, and soon...there would be no peace, no joy, no happiness.

There would only be death, sorrow and blood.

****

Several more days passed before Ana, who'd taken up a spot upon the shore of the ocean finally spotted the first Roman ship upon the horizon. Her entire body tensed, tears threatening as she stood, seeing the massive wooden structures sailing her way.

She turned, running, the wind whipping past her, realizing to give in to her fears now. The time had come. She must fight. Not only for herself, but for those in this village that she'd come to know as her family.

***

Once the Roman soldiers advanced upon the village, Ana's hopes of holding them off were immediately dashed to pieces. There were too many of them. The villagers simply could not hold their own against well trained, battle ready soldiers.

Still, Ana fought for long as she could. She wasn't going down with trying her hardest to wipe out as many of these soldiers as possible. She wasn't certain if was dumb luck or she was just that determined, but she managed to take down several of the soldiers.

As Ana was surveying her surroundings, she heard a cry and recognized it immediately.

Greer.

Ana torn off, sword held high, willing to do whatever she must to protect the woman who'd been like a mother to her after she'd lost her own. Ana reached Greer's hut, but stopped, eyes wide. The poor woman's body, laid upon the floor of her hut, blood pooling beneath her body.

Ana stepped closer, dropping to her knees, wailing mournfully. No. This was had gone too far. With a renewed strength, fueled by her rage, Ana rose up, holding out her sword, storming into the thick of it, cutting down as many soldiers as she could.

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A/N: Thought it'd be nice to have a chapter, which showed how Ana ended up where she did, adding some more of her backstop. Hope everyone enjoyed. There's only 2 more chapters for this book, then I'll wrap it up, as I have another idea for a Marcus Acacius fanfic, which will be complete opposite of this one. Thanks for reading!