Author's Note: I hope everyone enjoyed the first chapter and hope it wasn't too confusing for you all.

It should have been pretty obvious that Garrétt is Garrett (duh), Carlislé is Carlisle and so on, so forth. Kátia is Kate for those who thought she was a random character.

Just PM me if you get confused or have any questions.

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THE DAY OF DECISION

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62 AD

When dawn broke the next day, Edward was already awake and prepared, his attack plans drawn up and tucked away in his armour, his hair tamed and freshly washed. He had polished his sword himself and seen to his horse - Hannibal - and made certain everything was ready to set off.

There was a quiet knock at his door as he was double checking his plan of action and his mother entered when he had asked whom wished to enter.

"Edward," She whispered mournfully as she saw his attire. He looked down, feeling guilt prick at his stomach.

"I am so sorry Mama, but I must go today," He sighed wearily, running a single hand through his tangle of hair. Esmé merely nodded sadly and made her way over to her son, her thoughts of possibly never seeing him again after he rode off overwhelming her with sadness.

Edward pulled her into his arms and held her while she sobbed, her fingers latching onto his broad shoulders almost painfully. She barely came up to his chin and he smiled softly at her motherly nature as she pulled away and cupped his cheek sweetly before she brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes.

"You promise to return to me?" She all but croaked.

Edward paused.

"I give you my word."

There was no turning back now, he had made a promise to Esmé and he could not afford to lose this battle and fail his Mother now.

Esmé left quickly after that, clamping her hands over her mouth to stifle her sobs as she fled past Carlislé's sleeping chambers towards her own.

She may never see her baby again and it killed her inside as she was powerless to stop him or his father. She laid down on her bed of straw and cloth and let her sorrow consume her.

Edward refused to break his fast and went straight to his stables. Every soldier he took charge of was lined up in the courtyard, their horses beside them ready to be mounted at Edward's command. The soldiers were split up into large groups and assembled in large squares. They bowed as Edward walked past, each group of fifty warriors getting to their knees as they paid their respects to their master.

Not one of them cared for his father. To them, Edward was the real King.

"Here boy," Edward clucked his tongue to his stallion as he strode into the stables and Hannibal walked over obediently. Edward ran his fingers through Hannibal's groomed mane and received a lick to the ear as a reward.

He chuckled softly, "I hope one day I find a woman as lovely as yourself my boy,"

Hannibal nickered, oblivious to his masters words, eager to get going.

Edward mounted swiftly and was handed his shield and skinned water casket by a male thrall who gave his master his regards.

Edward rounded up his army and stood to attention in the courtyard as his father made his way out to see them off.

Carlislé was shocked, to say the least, at his son's efforts. He had not know his son to initiate the first move in battle before.

Not that he has ever been in a real battle, Carlislé sneered to himself.

"Well son," Carlislé boomed out from the front steps of his palace, "Do not return home until Pompeii is mine. If you do, you will not have a penny to your name and nor will your aging whore of a mother,"

Edward fought the urge to jump from his steed and maul his pathetic excuse for a father, but refrained as he looked up to see his mother gazing out of her bedroom window, a forlorn look upon her face.

Edward swallowed and fingered his sword for comfort.

"I will not disappoint - I am no failure, father." He retorted, biting back his seething anger, his chest puffing out to bring him to his broadest upon his saddle.

Carlislé snorted. "We shall see. Now be off," He waved his hand and turned to Garrétt who was standing beside him.

"He had better not fail, or the burden of it will fall upon your shoulders also," He gritted out with a sinister sneer.

"Yes sire," Garrétt nodded meekly.

Edward turned to face his soldiers and patted Hannibal's mane.

"Order out!" He shouted firmly, clutching the reins and breaking Hannibal into a trot as his soldiers followed, group by group. The soft clattering tempo of many hooves upon the sandstone ground was soothing to Edward's ears as he collected his thoughts and concentrated on the days ahead.

Once they were out of the palace gates, the soldiers could relax as they were not under the scrutiny of Emperor Carlislé.

Edward rode out front, slowing Hannibal down a little so he would not become weary too quickly.

He wondered what the next few days held and whether he would be triumphant and rise to glory of conquering Pompeii. He wanted to show his father he was no worthless child.

On the other hand, he felt a little bad about plundering innocent people's homes and lives, but he could not turn back now. It was his destiny to become a warrior, to be a part of his father's army and to lead them into battle.

He decided that he would remain diligent in his task and urged Hannibal into a quick trot once again, heading directly for Pompeii.

…

End Note's: I know I said this would be a Drabble-ish fic, so don't be alarmed that the chapters will vary in length. Some days short, other days long.