In another edition of, ‘What good is a blog if I can’t publish my own children’s work?,’ I’m sharing my then seventh-grade daughter’s, ”The Visigoth’s Reward,” her entry in The Hershey Story History Contest for Young Writers for 2021.
Read her 2020 entry, “My Captain.”
Audvakr roused from his sleep.
“Brother, wake up. Get your things. It’s time to go.” Vulfila stood next to him, tying a belt around his tunic.
Audvakr pushed the soft deerskin off himself and reached for his clothes and armor. He opened the tent flap. A full moon shone brightly on the camp. Men gathered in small groups, talking in low, gruff voices. Most appeared to be gravitating towards the biggest tent.
Tonight was the night. The Romans would pay for their arrogance and mistreatment of Audvakr’s people. The Visigoths had gone unnoticed far too long. It was time everyone recognized them.
Vulfila emerged from their hut.
“Come on, Audvakr. Let’s join them,” he said.
They made their way to the large, decorated tent. A big, burly man in a tunic and rough goat-fur vest emerged.
“Visigoths!” he said, “We have upheld the Roman ranks for years. We were the ones who defended the Roman borders and fought the Roman battles. Where was the appreciation? The thanks? There was none to be had. I offered Emperor Honorius the safety of his Eternal City for a place in the military and annual payments.” The man was shouting now, “And in his arrogance, he refused. So we shall give him what he deserves. We attack tonight! They will never forget us again!”
***
Audvakr and his people moved swiftly in the cool night air. The shield on his back grew heavy long before they reached Rome. Vulfila, among others, carried a flaming torch. The flickering light danced on the men’s armor.
They reached the gates of Rome, and Alaric, the big man from the tent, signaled to halt.
“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” Vulfila breathed.
Audvakr nodded. He too was ready for this.
Audvakr faced the wooden gates as they slowly creaked open. He grabbed his shield and unsheathed his sword, running a thumb over the engraving on its smooth, wooden handle. “Leader of the Knights,” it read. Audvakr’s own name.
“Visigoths! Now is the time to claim our reward!” Alaric cried, sitting atop a horse. Holding his spear high, he charged into Rome, hundreds of warriors yelling and following right behind him. Audvakr, too, followed.
Upon entering the stone city, a few dozen armed men stood before them. One of them advanced on Audvakr. Audvakr coolly held his shield on his shoulder and used it to ram into the man. The man fell backwards, obviously hurt. He recovered and tried to ram his spear into one of the weak spots in Audvakr’s armor. Audvakr’s breath quickened as he deflected the attacks with his shield. The man grabbed the shield and threw it to the ground. Audvakr kicked the enemy in his gut, knocking him down. The man’s helmet skidded across the stone street.
Standing above him, panting, Audvakr peered into the man’s face. His hair was ruddy, his face young and freckled. As he was about to strike with his sword, Audvakr caught the gaze of his emerald eyes. It held fear and sadness, yet confidence, as if his death had meaning. Audvakr hesitated. Did this man even know about the Visigoths? Or was he merely protecting his family?
What am I doing? Audvakr held his sword higher. He is a Roman. He deserves to die.
Even though the Roman leaders scorned the Visigoths, did the citizens too?
Audvakr glanced from side to side. He sheathed his sword and gave the man a look, signaling him to beat it. The man’s eyes widened. He scrambled to his feet and darted for an alley.
Audvakr pulled his helmet off and ran a hand over his eyes, then grabbed his shield and turned toward the city. Smoke curled into the sky overhead. He ran down the street, spotting a large stone house to the left. Audvakr ran inside, hoping to find valuables.
He entered the atrium and squinted into the dark room. The full moon shed light on his surroundings. A vase of flowers stood on a small table to the side. A larger table sat in the center of the room with cushioned chairs all around.
Finding nothing of worth, Audvakr looked to the walls. His eyes met a small, golden crucifix at the end of the room. Intricate lines molded the crown of thorns atop Christ’s head. His face was in agony and streams of golden Blood poured from His side. Audvakr pushed through the chairs and pulled the crucifix off its hook. The heavy, golden object brought images of other treasures to his mind. The corner of Audvakr’s mouth turned up. He placed the beautiful crucifix in a leather pouch tied to his belt.
The hairs on the back of his neck rose. Audvakr turned.
The man with red hair and green eyes stood in the doorway, glaring at him.
“I suggest you put that back,” he said.
Audvakr, a former Roman soldier, answered him in his Latin tongue, “I don’t think I shall. This house has been abandoned, and whoever lives here will surely not need this, even if they do come back.”
“But I think they have. That crucifix has been in my wife’s family for generations. She will not leave without it, nor I.”
It was Audvakr’s turn to glare.
“You owe me this. I could have killed you.”
“Yes, but you didn’t,” the man said. “You made the decision to spare me. Now please. Return my crucifix.” The man extended a rough hand.
Audvakr’s conscience pricked him. He pulled the valuable out of his pouch. The sad, loving face looked at him, beckoning him to do the right thing.
Audvakr cast his eyes to the floor and placed the golden crucifix in the man’s hand, taking one last look at the loving figure on it.
“My friend,” the man said, “there are things in this world worth more than gold or recognition.” With that, he left.
Audvakr stood in the doorway, tears springing to his eyes. Was treasure really what mattered most?
Kerrigan, Michael. “Sack of Rome.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 17 August 2020, https://www.britannica.com/event/Sack-of-Rome-410. 15 February 2021
Lasseter, Rollin A. Light to the Nations: The History of Christian Civilization – Part One. Catholic Textbook Project, 2017.
“Male Gothic Names, Visigothic Names, Ostrogothic Names.” 20000-names.com, 20000-names.com, 2 August 2008, 20000-names.com/male_gothic_names_visigothic_ostrogothic.htm. 15 February 2021.
“Visigoth: Warriors, Weapons and Armor.” Study.com, Study.com, 8 October 2017, https://study.com/academy/lesson/visigoth-warriors-weapons-armor.html. 15 February 2021
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Fantastic! What a great short story – talent obviously runs in the family!
My goodness is she talented!