Free Sicarius by Enrique R. Rodriguez Page A

from, to pass the time.” Gytha hugs her knees, rocking back and forth while looking at Ambrose with suspense. “What’s it called? The Scarus?” 
    “The Sicarius,” Aida said, correcting her daughter. 
    Gytha squints at her mother, still mad. “Yes. The Sicarius.” 
    “Oh. Okay. Well, I guess I can tell you what the group of Sicarius was made for since I already told you almost everything else.” 
    Gytha intertwines her fingers and places them under her chin. “All right!” 
    “It is quite easy to explain why we were, or the group, was made. The grandfather of the king of Fraudule needed men to go kill important people in different places where an invasion would take too much time and effort and would be too loud.” Ambrose situates himself in the chair. “With so much noise, the single enemy the king was after would hear the invasion and already be gone. So the king decided to make a group of highly skilled men to move in a small group, to move as one, swiftly, quietly, to attack with accuracy, and never fail.” 
    “Wow. So you must have many good stories to tell. My father told the best stories, and they all were real too.” 
    “Sadly, they all are war stories that deal with death and pain.” 
    Not being able to sit still from the excitement, Gytha lies on her stomach and faces Ambrose. “Excellent. Can you tell me?” 
    “I will, but only if your mom says it’s okay.” Ambrose looks at Aida, trying to settle the mother-daughter feud. 
    Gytha gives her mother a mean look. “She does not matter. I will make all my decisions from now on.” 
    “I am not your father or ever will be, but since I am taking you and your mother to the land of Pacem, you both will stop this.” Ambrose looks at the two girls and stands. “I do not care if you understand your mother or not. I do not care if you are beating yourself up from your daughter not forgiving you. You two might have it rough now, but you two are alive. That is all that matters. Your lives. Now you two will move on. Am I understood?” 
    The two girls look at each other and then at Ambrose to nod their heads in understanding. When Ambrose turns to situate his body in the chair once again, Gytha pokes her tongue at Ambrose as children will do at their parents after a lecture. “Well, is it okay for Ambrose to tell me?” 
    Aida stops sewing and places the robe on her lap. “Now you are going to have a long day ahead of you. It is best if you get some good rest tonight. That goes for me as well.” 
    “Okay.” Gytha rolls over facing the wall in the fetal position, upset. 
    Aida covers up Gytha and herself. “If you will, Ambrose, blow out the candle.” 
    Ambrose walks over to the candle. “Good night, you two.” 
    “Good night.” Aida yawns and tosses Ambrose his repaired robe. 
    “Good night, Ambrose. I’m glad I got to meet you and become your friend,” Gytha said, still facing the wall. 
    “As am I.” Ambrose blows out the candle, looking at his robe with joy. 
    The next morning, they arrive in the land of Pacem as Ambrose promised. The three walk out the room, and Gytha stretches, embracing the morning sun. As they walk the deck to gather their horses, the sailors stare the three down in disgust. Ambrose unlocks the two cages, not making any eye contact and trying to avoid an unnecessary fight. He hands one of the horses to Aida. 
    They walk off the ship, and Aida and Ambrose climb on the horses. Gytha chooses to ride with her mother. After much rest, Gytha is beginning to forgive her mother and understand. They ride into the depths of the island. Ambrose is filled with hope and relaxes his defenses. Ambrose knows there is no threat at this island. 
    Gytha looks at Ambrose. “I know we are on an island, so the ride will not be long, but I just cannot help asking how long this ride will take?” 
    “You might know this is an island, but do not let it fool you. It is quite big. They actually have their own