Vatrez quickly became yet another boon for our cause. His genius could only be rivaled by his unorthodox methods. Using the same methods that he employed so long ago, he supplied us with more of that flammable brew. We had several artisans craft and prepare clay pots to contain the putrid gunk. There were plenty of soldiers who started out making pots, urns, vases and other earthly items as their trade before they were pressed into service.

  However the most revolting task still laid in front of us. We had to gather ingredients —a task that would, though not extremely difficult, prove to be dirty— and combine them into one thick homogeneous sludge. To the west of our encampment was a field of sulfur that was one of the ingredients. The putrid area was toxic. A thin layer of poisonous gas flooded the air. Fortunately for us, Vatrez had us covered. While we stood there at the edge of the field, He reached into his bags and pulled out strange masks. They looked like they belonged to some gnarled bird. They came attached with some hoods to drape over our heads, and the inside had the strong odor of wildflowers.

  “Put these on. I designed them myself.” Vatrez said as he handed myself, and one of my praetorian guards each a mask. “I’ll need to make more of these for more workers. We can’t stay in there for too long. The gasses will suffocate us. I only need a few samples.”

  Reluctantly I put my mask on and followed Vatrez. What followed was the most toxic, putrid, awful stench that had ever invaded my nose. Slogging through the difficult ground, I could feel the hairs in my nose curl as the overpowering scent of rotting eggs entered the mask, despite the protection. If that's what I could smell with the mask, then I shuddered to think what it would have been like if I ventured off into the fields without any protection. Soon, I found the result of something that was less fortunate than I.

  I tripped, my foot having been caught by something my mask prevented me from seeing clearly. My Guard caught me before I fell and I saw the obstacle that caused me to nearly fall. A dead animal was left to decay. Its nose was filled with a thick, white mucus while its eyes were almost pure white. Vatrez found a suitable place to mine for Sulfur and chipped away at it with a tiny pick and collected it in a small container. When we finally left that dismal area, I had to find some sort of water, or else I would have been stained with that smell for gods know how long.

  ***

  Later, Vatrez studied, ensuring that the particular sulfur could be used in his brew. After having been cleaned, I wandered around the camp. I took the time to check on the Uchanti refugees. My soldiers were preparing for the journey back home so that the Uchanti would have a chance to grow and be integrated into our society. With her culture left in ruins, Jes’Talali had the difficult obligation to lead her people and help them to adapt.

  As her people gathered supplies and loaded them into wagons, She stood on the sidelines with a defeated look on her face. Uncertainty flooded her eyes and she did very little to hide it. Her mixed feelings hung in the air prominently as if she were standing in a field of flowers. I walked over to her and stood beside her.

  “Your people will recover. Not as they once were, but as something more.”

  She jolted slightly at the sound of my voice. Her mind had been a thousand miles somewhere else. She placed her hand on her chest to calm her heart. It took a few moments, but soon she spoke to me.

  “Hadrian. You startled me. I’m sorry, I was…elsewhere.”

  I crossed my arms behind my back and tilted my head to the side as I spoke. “I apologize for disturbing you. I only meant to give you some reassurance.”

  She nodded once again, but did not speak. There was that look once more. That look of uncertainty. I watched her for a moment and breathed in deeply before I turned directly to face her.

  “You are not fully on board with your people evolving.”

  “What gave that away?” She said with a deflated tone. She looked at me and finally spoke her mind. “Our people have lived the same way since time in memorial. Since our ancestors first came to this land when it was still green and vibrant. Even as the very lands changed right under our feet, we were as constant and as immovable as a mountain. And in only a few short days, all of that history and culture is ruined. It's something that should have been impossible to have happened at all.”

  “And yet, here we are.” I said as I gestured my right hand over to the wagon as her people packed their things. Everything that they could salvage.

  “It doesn’t make sense though. Our gods have always protected us, even when the worst came. They would not just abandon us like filth.”

  “Gods are fickle creatures, Jess’Talali. They play with mortals as long as they like, weaving fate like tangled webs only to forget about us at the worst possible moment.”

  She turned to face me, her eyes peering into mine as she spoke. “I do not believe that. They have always been a constant. A fact. Why abandon us now?”

  “I do not know. But Ile’Sethak has come to do what they did not. Your people are safe under the serpent god’s sight.”

  Her eyes traced downward and turned to face the wagon. Her hands wrapped around her shoulders to embrace herself, trying to comfort herself where my words had obviously failed to. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

  “And if your god decided to abandon us, what then?”

  Before I could attempt to give an answer, she walked to the wagon to help her people. I don’t believe I could have answered her even if she had stayed and listened. I said it myself, that the gods were fickle creatures. Even I had my doubts. But Ile’Sethak had not abandoned me…not yet. Still, I made a mental note to prepare myself for that event.

  I was about to leave when I saw Mil’Tuk working on his own steed while absentmindedly looking at the Uchanti people. He lightened the creature’s load but his mind focused on other matters. He was a younger man who was at that age where women were a constant thought. I could tell that he was relieved that Jess’Talali had managed to survive, and in one piece. Who could blame him? She was a beautiful woman with raven black hair and skin that was loved by the sun rather than simply kissed by it.

  He reminded me when I was barely reaching my twenties, and I figured I would do him a solid favor. I approached him as he was focused on working.

  “Mil’Tuk!” I shouted with a thunderous voice filled with authority, and Mil’Tuk snapped into attention and stood as firm and rigid as an oak.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “K-Kai’Sar!” his blissful look on his face turned into that of a frightened child.

  “Just what do you think you are doing idly standing about when you could be making yourself useful.”

  “M-My lord, I was just-”

  “I think that there's only one course of action. One that ensures that you keep your eyes focused and that you’re not slacking.”

  “My Kai’Sar, please. I was only-”

  “My decision is final. You will accompany Jess’Talali and guard her very closely. Keep your men close to her at all times, and you will act as her personal guard.”

  Mil’Tuk was about to protest again, yet before he could even speak he realized what I had done. Rather than some overboard punishment, I had granted him a chance to be alone with Jess’Talali. I knew that he fancied her, and I figured that the opportunity was too perfect to pass up. He stood there stunned, his mouth agape, hanging open as if his jaw had locked.

  I gave him a coy, mischievous smirk as I let the fact sink in. Instantly he jabbed my right arm and shook his head.

  “If I may speak freely, Kai’Sar.”

  “You may.”

  “You are an ass.”

  I opened my arms wide, guilty as charged as I smirked.

  “Perhaps I am, and yet I am a generous ass, am I not? Go. Take your chance with her. She is troubled and in need of comfort. It would do her well to have someone to cling to.”

  Mil’Tuk sighed and shook his head before he marched over to Jess’Talali and spoke to her. My gift to my young hunter. A chance at love.

  ***

  When Mil’Tuk and his men made their journey out of the camp, I found a position on some high rocks. They were a short distance away from the encampment. When night came, the lights of the tents glittered like stars in the night. Conquest was on my mind. Conquest and revenge. I pictured the Bull lying broken on the ground at my feet —his tribal raiders scattered aimlessly—.

  My bloody daydreaming was interrupted when I heard someone approach from behind. It was Kallista.

  “My lord.” Business as usual filled her tone. She stood by my side overlooking the camp while I sat down.

  “Kallista. I assume you have some news to tell me?”

  She gave a slight nod before speaking. “Scouts have reported back with some information. There's a village not too far from here. Tribals by the look of them. They appeared to be gathering riches to pay homage to the Bull. I recommend that we raid the village by morning, leaving the Bull with nothing. With the siege weapons your mystic Vatrez constructed, we will make quick work of them. Our own casualties will most likely be minimal if any.”

  I leaned back and stroked my beard in thought. I hummed to myself, acknowledging her suggestion.

  “A village’s baptism by fire being the debut of our fire jars. A little overkill, but undoubtedly effective. You would think that the siege of the broken wall would be enough to spread fear to our enemies. Still, I see no harm in increasing the level of terror. Make it so.”

  Kallista nodded. She turned around and was about to leave, but before she could take another step, I called her name. She stopped and focused on me again.

  “Sit with me, just for a moment if you would.”

  She said nothing. She looked confused for a moment before she obliged me. She sat down next to me and looked at the camp.

  “Where does your mind wander tonight, Kallista?”

  “My lord?”

  “A simple question. I wish to pry for a moment. Let me indulge. I admire you in many ways; your strength, your tenacity, your willpower. You are what a true woman of Roharam should be. Yet I must ask, who is the woman behind the armor?

  She was taken aback by my questions. “My lord, I don’t understand.”

  “Please.” I sighed deeply, trying to break through the shield she crafted for herself. “Lets have none of that. There is no one up here besides the two of us. Hadrian will do just fine.”

  She paused for a moment, uncertain as to what I was doing. We had spared before and interacted, yes. But that was the first time I had ever had a direct one on one conversation with her since we met.

  “Very well…Hadrian.” She nodded slightly before she looked out at the encampment. “My thoughts lie on our goals for the future. Let's say that tomorrow —or some time soon— you slay the bull. What then? Where will your sword strike next?”

  I pondered for a brief moment and then smiled. “Akari. I believe Akari will be my next goal.”

  “Akari? But Ka- H-Hadrian. Akari is a client state to Lak’Ashara! Ankarama-”

  I cut her off. “Is a puppet. A useful one at that. I have every intention of letting her live, keep her throne and all that. She would only be trading masters.”

  “Still…” Kallista pondered and bit her lip lightly. “It won’t be easy. You would need to prove to her why she should bend the knee to you and not to Lak’Ashara. Lak’Ashara is a powerful sorceress; more powerful than Cora herself. She watches all within her domain and her presence is felt even in lands where she does not directly rule. Not even the Bull is mad enough to attack her directly.”

  “You are correct. Her name is on the lips and dreaded thoughts of people everywhere. If I am to unite the Blasted Lands, then I need to be the better alternative. She brings decadence, debauchery and filth to her kingdom, I bring order, security and strength. I’ve been to her ‘city of pleasure’ and saw how she governs it. The things I’ve seen…it sickens me. Every debased act that you can imagine was out there, publicly in the streets.”

  “Cora never showed me what the city was like.” Kallista spoke as she stared out to the camps. The fires of the camps flickered brightly in those soft blue eyes of hers and made them sparkle like diamonds.

  “You would be sick to your stomach.” I said, feeling nauseated at the very idea. “Orgies rampant in the streets, people fornicating with animals, and far worse things you can imagine. I truly mean it when I say that the city is nothing more than a gigantic whore house. A den of twisted, hideous, perverted fantasies of which the very thought turns my stomach. Should I visit the city again, I wouldn’t know if I should spare it or raze it to the ground.”

  She stared at me as I ranted. She could see that I was very passionate. Even so, I could see a question forming from behind her eyes. A question that burned in her heart. I had a sinking feeling as to what it was. Unconsciously she looked at me with pleading eyes as if to get my permission to ask her question, of which I nodded and consented silently.

  “The…child. The one from the broken wall. Why did he deserve death? He was no degenerate; no pervert who whored himself out. He was an innocent child, unable to talk. Why did you kill him?”

  I felt a cold twist in my heart as she asked. I swallowed hard and would give her an answer. “Ile’Sethak spoke to me. He said that if the child were to live, he would be destined to destroy the empire we are building.”

  “That…is cold. But what else can you expect from a serpent? Why do you serve him? Why are you his champion?”

  “I searched for him because I believed that Roharam was becoming stagnant. The gods of our people are said to squabble with each other like angry hens. I wanted to bring order. I am his champion because He chose me. He saw that I could survive being crucified with nothing but my will, and he uses me as his greatest tool. I am burdened with a great and terrible destiny. Was this entirely of my own will or has Ile’Sethak guided me all my life so I could fulfil this purpose? Seeing the statue of myself at the Ophidian city has given me reason to pause.”

  She nodded and looked up at the night sky for a moment. She leaned back and pondered.

  “Be very careful, Hadrian. You may be the serpent god’s chosen, but you and I both know that gods can be fickle creatures. You are their favorite one minute, and the next you are forsaken.”

  She looked at my wrists. I had my arm bands on so she couldn’t see my scars. She leaned closer to me.

  “Hadrian…show me your scars.”

  I looked at her with a confused look, but I relented. I took off my bracers and showed her my scars. They had healed well since I was nailed to the cross. I felt her hands exploring my wrist. Despite being a warrior through and through, her hands were still that of a woman: soft, comforting, sweet to the touch. I couldn’t help but treble lightly at her touch. My scars were sensitive. She explored my wounds front and back.

  “I’ve never met anyone who survived crucifixion before I met you. I had no idea the extent of the damage. It's a miracle that you’re able to hold a sword at all.”

  I tightened my fist and flexed my fingers. The memory of the hammer falling down on the long sharp spike haunted me still. The burning pain of the cold iron being driven into my flesh.

  “Sometimes I still feel it, especially when I am waking up. Legatus Tempest barking orders and the hammer driving the nail deeper, pinning me to that death tree like a proclamation. Even when I fight, I can almost feel the nails still dug inside me.”

  I had never seen her be tender before, but tenderness is what I got from her. She stroked my scars with those electrifying fingers of hers and soothed my pain. She brought the scars up to her lips and kissed my wrist. I was surprised, and she was too after the deed was done. She stood up and cleared her throat.

  “I…should leave you alone for now. We have a big day. There will be blood that needs to be spilt, and we can not afford to have you lose any sleep.”

  “It's quite alright. Thank you…this was very…enlightening.”

  She was about to walk away again when I stopped her for the final time.

  “I would love to talk again soon.”

  She paused for a moment. She didn’t turn to face me, but I could swear that I saw a glimmer of a smile.

  “…Perhaps.”

  Without any further delay she left. I was alone again, but I felt…strangely warmer.