“Nero,
I gotta be honest with ya here—I,” Nero cut him off, “Don’t
say it Latner. Everyone— all of us are thinking it, but none of
us are saying it.”
He looked at Latner intently. If there was something he might be able
to say to ease the thought of death, he would have said it, but Nero
couldn’t fight the fact that he was scared too. It was quite possible
that the very ground they stood on could be their final resting place.
Latner felt Nero’s eyes on him, but he didn’t turn to look
at him. What would Nero say? He would probably scold him for not believing
in himself, which really meant that he didn’t believe in Nero.
Perhaps an anecdote would clear the air between them…
“They say that if it snows after bloodshed, it’s nature’s
way of cleanin’ the dirty lands from sin, coverin’ all the
blood n’ the dead n’ a big white blanket.”
Nero looked up at the sky which was completely grey now. The sun was
swallowed by the heavy cloud and it looked like it was getting ready
to snow. Maybe there was some truth to Latner’s words…
“I know what they say Latner… I can’t say that I believe
that old saying. I like to look evil in the eye and stare it down without
fear. Stay close to me on the front line with Ries and nothing shall
penetrate our triangle of defense.”
Latner turned back towards the troops, “Where is Ries?”
He asked. “I haven’t seen ‘er all mornin’!”
“She asked yesterday if it was alright for her to bury her brother
this morning. I didn’t deny her of it.” He paused, and waited
for Latner to speak, but he remained silent. Nero didn’t hesitate
to carry on, “go and confirm that the cannons are ready.
