Henricus

Henricus. Henricus the savior. He didn't know precisely when the name had started to circulate through the town, but it must have been one or two weeks ago. It had spread like a plague, infecting all who came in contact with it.

"Did you hear of the coming salvation? Did you hear? Did you hear of Henricus? He is coming from the north, they say. He will be here soon and stay a fortnight. Him and his followers. It's what I've heard," Daedalus had said. "They are saying salvation will come with him. Salvation and a feast."

He hadn't believed the rumors.

People were shouting, music was playing, and they were surrounded by amphoras of wine and pigs roasting on spits. His head was spinning, and walking was getting really hard. The air was thick and sticky. It reeked of drunk people, sex, and burning grease. But he didn't really mind; he was used to it.

He had been home just two weeks ago, but ever since Henricus had come and he had joined him on his quest, he had all but forgotten about his life before. Every day was a feast day with Henricus. A handful of them went hunting in the woods every day, others gathered berries, and wine and beer were taken along from the last town or village they passed through.

"Attention! Attention! Henricus wants to speak!" a small, stocky fellow shouted through the big tent.

He perked up excitedly. Henricus hadn't given a speech since he first saw him. Ever since that moment, he had known Henricus was special - destined to save the empire.

The crowd had been shouting and cheering in the village square. Almost everyone he knew was there. The only ones missing were old Mrs. Verne and the Acer family, who lived far out in the fields. Daedalus, standing next to him, was screaming in excitement. His face was as red as wine. He remembered being almost worried Daedalus would faint from his enthusiasm. It was ridiculous, all the clamor and amazement at someone none of them had even heard of a month ago.

The shoddy stage, which had been put together about two hours before, creaked and groaned. The crowd got even louder in anticipation. He stood on the tips of his toes to see - at least he was fairly tall; Daedalus was jumping up and down to catch glimpses of what was going on. Or he was jumping up and down in excitement - it was hard to tell.

The stage creaked again, and a head with long red locks and a thick red beard appeared. His nose was big and red, his eyes small and watery blue. The cheeks under his beard were flushed. His tread was determined, but slightly unsteady.

Moments later, Henricus’s gray toga appeared. It was slightly scruffy, covered with big red stains.

Henricus stood on the stage and raised his hands above his head, taking in the cheers of the crowd beneath him. After a minute of roaring, he lowered them slowly and motioned as if he were going to start his speech. Everyone went silent. He could have sworn that even the animals fell silent to listen to Henricus. Henricus took a breath and began speaking in a deep, sonorous voice.

"Friends! I am here to bring you the happy news of what is to come. We have traveled far from up north in the empire. On our way, we have seen the miracles of gods, known the hospitality of many towns and villages, and shared with thousands the merry news of the coming peace. We're on our way down to the center of the empire - a mere week away - to hold council with the emperor and install a new government in my name. It will echo through the ages as the moment that ushered in peace, prosperity, and power once again. You will have twice the grain you have now. You will suffer no robbery or theft anymore. You will live under protection, but not under the burden of the empire, and so it will be for all!"

At that, the crowd jumped up and down and cheered. He cheered now, too. After a long while, silence fell once again, the crowd waiting for the end of his speech.

"Thank you. Please, my friends, help us in our cause. Sustain us, and you'll be sustained for life; drink with us, and you'll have drink to drown in; join us, and you'll be part of the wave that turned an empire - no, the empire. Now, friends, let us feast!"

It sounded amazing. He felt a shudder go through him. What Henricus said couldn't be true. It was too good. In the fervor of the crowd, Daedalus turned to him and shouted, "We have to go along! Be part of the revolution!"

Daedalus saw the look on his face and said, "Come on. We'll be part of the revolution. Imagine how we'll be rewarded."

"Yes, but if it's not true, we'll be dead."

"Did you hear what he just said? Do you see all the people he brought along? There is no way it's not real."

Daedalus had a point. There were more people in Henricus's camp than in their village, and they all seemed thoroughly convinced.

"Alright. We'll go along."

He hadn't seen Daedalus all day. He must be lying around somewhere, eating or drinking. But he didn't really care right now. They were a day away from the seat of the empire. They were so close to the revolution, and they were going to hear Henricus speak one last time.

"F-friends!" slurred a drunk Henricus. "We're almost at our destination. It will be gl-glorious. Tomorrow, we feast because we have won. Today... today... today we feast because we are on the verge of greatn-ness!"

He cheered along with the people around him.

"A toast to tomorrow!"

They took their cups and drank.

Tomorrow will be glorious, he thought.

Henricus had told them all to spread the news while he spoke to the emperor as soon as they arrived in the city. So, they spread out. He walked merrily through the broad streets. The city was huge and glorious. People looked at him, curious about what someone like him - and all the others - were doing there. Ah, a tavern where I can spread the news. He walked in and jumped onto a table.

"People!" he announced. "Have you heard the news? Henricus is here to save us. He is talking to the emperor right now; it is a rumor no longer!"

Behind him, two guards entered the tavern.

"Did you hear? Salvation has arrived! Henricus will echo through the ages!"

"Didn't I tell you? It's one of them," one of the guards said.

He was excited; the message of their arrival had reached the lowest ranks already. "My friends, you have already heard! How glorious! You must hear what I have heard. Everything will get better now, you must know-"

He saw one of the guards raise his spear and heard him say, "Let's bring him to his leader." A moment later, looking down at his chest in agony, he saw a gaping hole.

The world went dark.