Roman remains

Mr Olicana, mine host at the Crown and Thorns, was clearing up after the last hiking drinkers had hiked it out of the bar. Their boots had scarred his stone floor and left behind clods of Yorkshire moor. Mr Olicana thought it strange that despite the hikers' pursuit of a healthy outdoor life they always left the ashtrays full!
Mrs Olicana shouted from the kitchen that she was 'Going up now' and the kitchen door was 'locked' and 'did he want anything?' Mr Olicana shouted back his usual 'No' and 'not to wait up for him' He waited to hear the upstairs door slam then poured himself a schooner of red wine and went outside through the bar door.
The night was full of stars and the moors were lit by a full moon. There was a chill in the air foretelling the end of summer but it was weather he loved. He sat down on a bench at the side of the pub wall and looked across the road at the blackthorn hedge silhouetted against the night sky.
'Evening' said a voice in his left ear, Mr Olicana sniffed, 'More like morning than evening' he said 'how are you Max? been a while; sit down man; fancy a glass?'
Max slumped down on the bench. 'I'm well. Been busy - and I will have a glass thanks' Mr Olicana disappeared back into the bar and reappeared with another glass and a bottle of red.
'What's up then Max you sound a bit down. Missus giving you grief?' Max sipped at his wine nodding appreciatively. 'No more than usual' he said 'No it's not the wife; more the new man throwing his weight around to impress god knows who. Now he wants to rename the place' Mr Olicana snorted 'What after all these years? What's he going to call it?' 'Its new name is to be Isis' said Max. Mr Olicana laughed. 'Not very soldierly or warlike… bit feminine' Max put his empty glass down on the arm of the bench and stood up. 'Quite' he said, with emphasis. 'I got to go, thanks for the drink'
Mr Olicana stood and smiled. 'You're welcome Max, anytime, you know that'
Max waved and set off down the road his crested helmet glinting in the moonlight and his short sword tapping against his side, Mr Olicana listened until the sounds of the hobnailed sandals had faded then collected the bottle and glasses and returned to his own time…