Lucius decides that being killed by Picts is better than a sleepless night

When Lucius first joined his legion, he'd thought there was nothing worse than latrine duty.

Wrong.

Guard duty was a waking nightmare. After he'd marched until his heels bled and dug trenches until his hands blistered, he wanted to sleep. It was only natural. But his centurion decided somebody should watch over the camp.

Now, propped against his spear, Lucius tried to watch for Picts. Sleep crept up his legs and arms, dulling his muscles and inching toward his eyes. Any second now, he would topple over. He wanted to surrender to the wonderful warm heaviness settling over him. A public flogging didn't sound that bad. Just for a minute of sleep - it would be worth it.

His head was starting to sink when a shadow shifted in the darkness.

The Picts had arrived.

To read more of Lucius' story, click the label at the end of this post.