Hammer beat against metal as the blacksmith rounded out the rough edges of the armor to get it into the perfect shape. The bronze armor was heated and forged to look perfect. While the general shape of an anatomically correct chest piece of armor was being made, another craftsman carved decorations that would be fitted to the armor. These decorations —when my armor would be finally completed— would depict my slaying of the great dragon that the Ophidians feared. A lot of care was put into the creation of the musculata, and would be eye catching as well as protective.
The Ophidians ensured that every one of my needs was taken care of as we spent a few days in the city to create a plan. We ate and drank well, we were entertained with song and dance. The most beautiful Ophidian females —at least what could be considered beautiful to Ophidians versus what I could find, but to their credit they weren’t bad on the eyes— brought forth wine and fruits they had grown. Apparently they had hidden groves on the surface that allowed them to harvest grain and other produce. While my armor was being prepared by the crafters, I and the rest of my group were considering our options.
I spoke with their chieftain about all manner of strategies. The Ophidians wanted to move all their people to join me in a mass migration that would see them join the surface world with their “Kai’Sar.” Naturally, I used that to my advantage, yet there was trouble. Obviously the entire city could not be moved in a single day. There were simply too many Ophidians to move and the effort would take longer than I had wished to stay. The freed slaves were still out there somewhere, and they needed our help. Double that with the fact that I had no idea where we would settle. Thankfully there was a much simpler option.
“Moving the Ophidians away requires more effort than we have at the present time.” I said as I stood over a war table that depicted a map of the Blasted Lands that were known to the Ophidians. I traced my finger from the capital city of the Ophidians to where the freedmen were most likely to be.
“We’ll take a Century of the best fighting Ophidians. They will be adorned in the best armor that you can craft for them, as well as the finest weapons. My people will improve them. Have your people fought in many battles?”
Their chieftain meekly rubbed his hands together as he explained. “Yes, Kai’Sar. We have experienced many battles with the great beast that you have slain. We’ve also had our encounters with the many wastrels that were not as benevolent as you, your grace. My people know how to fight.
“But do they know how to conquer?” I smiled and raised my eyebrow at him, giving him a knowing glance. I wanted to improve the Ophidians and give them the means to become the building blocks to my conquest.
The chieftain bowed his head again while Sylithra poked her head around the table, fascinated with everything we were doing. Her serpentine eyes glittered in the candlelight as she wanted to experience everything there was about humans. She picked up a stone figurine on the table that was made to represent a warrior.
“Is this how the surface world wages war?”
“This is how we plan for war, yes.” I clarified and smiled. I felt like a teacher at that point, and was all too happy to impart my knowledge to the girl. “Your people know how to defend themselves. I will teach them how to take land.” I reached down to pet Sweetroll who was rubbing her face against my leg as I spoke. The curiosity of Sylithra fascinated me, and I would oblige her. Afterall, the greatest sign of intelligence is asking many questions.
Brutus was leaning on a wall and eating some fruit. Since our arrival in the Ophidian’s city, he had returned to his malaise and his envious glares. I could sense that he wanted to say something to me but refrained from it at that moment. He was content to bottle it up and leave it right down in the pit he had made for it. I was distracted for a moment before Sylithra retook my attention with yet another line of questions.
When the topic of human weapons came into the conversation, I remembered something. When I last spoke with Ile’Sethak, he mentioned that the Ophidians would grant me a weapon. “One that knows no equal” as he described it. I raised my hand to Sylithra to stop her from talking for a moment before speaking to the chieftain.
“Chieftain, when I spoke with Ile’Sethak in my dreams, he mentioned that you had something for me. A sword. A blade that knows no equal. Do you have such a weapon?”
He looked puzzled for a moment before his eyes widened with realization. In the same amount of time it takes to snap one’s fingers, he understood what I was talking about.
“Yes, Kai’Sar. In all this excitement of having you here with us, I forgot about the sword. Come.”
He gestured for me to follow and I did as he bade me. Sweetroll never left my side as we walked the streets. Brutus also followed, though not blindly so. He went beside me and whispered in my ear.
“Might I ask if you have a moment to spare? I want to speak with you.”
“First I want to see this sword.” I said in a hushed tone, not wanting to disturb the chieftain and delay him. “After that we can talk. What is on your mind?”
“Not here. Alone.” He clarified. Before I asked him what the matter was, he pulled back behind me. I thought it strange but paid no mind to it.
We walked down the streets of the great Ophidian city —bobbing and weaving through the many stalls in the marketplace and the citizens that populated it— until we came across the temple where this artifact was —I presumed— laying in wait. The temple was a ziggurat that was carved into the rock side. It was one of the only other structures in the city that was around the same height as the palace where the chieftain resided. Climbing up the treacherous stairs, we arrived at the top of the mighty structure. There in the chamber was a great statue of Ile’Sethak. It stood as high as the tall ceiling would allow with its head nearly scraping it. At the base of the great serpent was an altar. Resting on that altar was a magnificent weapon.
It was a longsword unlike any I had ever seen before. It had a crossguard and a rounded pommel. The blade was a blackened metal that was strangely reflective. The head of the blade and the fuller was a shining golden color. It didn’t appear to be two separate metals but instead the same piece, like a gold vein in the rock. Yet the veins did now seem to be randomly placed. It was uniform; symmetrical even.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Upon the guard of the sword was a language I had never seen before. I recognized it from the writings of the Ophidians that this was their language. I couldn’t understand it at the time, so I asked the chieftain to translate. The words on the ornate sword translated to a simple phrase. “With this sword, conquer.” The chieftain stepped back from the sword and bowed his head. I turned to face him and questioned him.
“I’ve never seen any blade like this. Where did it come from? How did you forge it?”
The chieftain stared at me for a moment as he recollected the tale. “When our people were young, some of those who tended to the crops above watched a star fall out of the sky and crash beyond the valley. They reported it and a small group of warriors found the crater it had left. The rock that we found inside was unlike anything we had ever seen. Still hot, the warriors waited until it cooled before returning home. They presented the strange metal. The weapon took months to forge. When the work was completed, the words appeared as if by magic. It has been used by many Venkra’Thral before me. We’ve only used it for dire situations, for my people fear the power locked inside this blessed blade.”
I peered at the blade for a moment, my eyes lingering upon it for some time before I found my hand reaching for the hilt. I pulled my hand back and turned to the chieftain.
“Is there some test I’d need to complete before taking the blade?”
The chieftain smiled happily and shook his head. “You are the Kai’Sar. There is no more qualification needed. And even if you were not Kai’Sar, then killing the great beast was more than enough.”
Reassured, I looked at the blade and reached for the hilt. I grasped it in my hands and lifted the blade up. I marveled at its craftsmanship and stepped away from the others so I could do some practice swings with it. A little flourish of the blade and I could see why it was so revered. The blade was perfectly balanced. Without missing a beat I placed the sword on my hip, securing it on my belt. I’d have to have someone make a scabbard for it later.
Brutus leaned in and whispered in my ear. “Can I speak with you now?”
Without any more delays, I bid the chieftain to wait a moment while I spoke to Brutus in private. Immediately he spoke first.
“I want that sword.”
I stared at him flabbergasted. “What?”
“You heard me. I want that sword.”
“These people see me as their messiah, I am their Kai’Sar.”
“You wouldn’t get this far if not for me.” Brutus said as he crossed his arms and puffed his chest up.
“And what exactly do you mean by that?”
“You know damn well what I mean. When we fought for Roharim, you and I always had each other’s backs. I pull my weight, you pull yours. When Tempest was in command, we were a team. Now that you’re in charge I feel like I’m just another one of your lackeys like Octavian.”
“Brother, you’re not-”
Brutus interrupted me, clenching his fists tightly. “Do not call me brother. Not now. I want recognition for my achievements. I helped you this far, but you make me feel like I am just some dumb ape who tags along with you so I can crush your enemies. We are not brothers. I am simply a tool to you.”
“Brutus, that's not true and you know it.”
“Then give me the sword, Hadrian.”
The Venkra’Thral stepped between us and looked at Brutus.
“The Sword belongs to the Kai’Sar. He has been chosen by Ile’Sethak, and to take that away from him would bring down the wrath of the serpent upon you!”
Brutus stamped his foot on the ground and yelled loud enough to echo in the chambers. “Then I will slay the serpent if I have to!”
His words hung in the air as silence prevailed against everything else. The old chieftain stared him down with the last embers of strength being stoked in his heart. He stepped closer to Brutus and glared.
“Sacrilege…The sword will never be yours.”
The chieftain angrily stepped out of the chamber and I turned to join him. Brutus blinked. He didn’t say a word. I took one more look at him. The conversation was done. Jealousy had reared its ugly head and Brutus was its victim. Perhaps I should have talked to him more, but I was angry and disappointed with my friend. My brother. I figured we would have more glorious adventures as we made our way to the Freemen, but as I look back upon it now, that was one of the last times I could salvage our friendship.
Once I stepped out to the city, the people saw me pass by and recognized the blade. Upon the very sight of the holy weapon they knelt down and bowed their heads. Some reached out to try to touch the blade in a gesture of reverence and awe. Many believed that if they could touch the blade while I wielded it then their illnesses would be cured; their fortunes changed, their wealth increased, and their lives in general made all the better. I turned back to see Brutus staring down at us, the envy being all to clear in him. I looked away and returned my gaze to the palace.
***
Out in the crater near the lake, a hidden door that had not been touched since ages long past finally began to open. Millennia’s worth of dust shook off as it slid apart. I was the first to greet the new day. I shielded my eyes from the sun’s blinding brilliance. It shone down upon me like the lights of a stage as I made my exit from the Ophidian’s world. I was in my new armor. My lorica musculata. I wore a bright red cape to go beside it as my fellows joined me, each with new armor fitting their station.
Behind them, I had a Century of Ophidians that marched out of the entrance to see the sun. Some were blinded by its brilliance while others kept a stern face as they marched out and moved past us. Their uniforms were modeled after my instructions. Under their armor they were their thick desert like robes, though the hems were shortened to give them more mobility. My contribution was that now they were fitted with lorica segmentata: segmented armor that gave them defense and flexibility. They carried their spears proudly with them. Their shields were held at their sides and their swords rested in their scabbards.
From the small detachment were additional Ophidians. Two scouts who would go to the Uchanti and inform them of what happened to their fallen brethren, and present them with several fangs taken from the mighty beast that the Ophidians swam down to collect from the bottom of the immense lake as well as the remains of those that could be salvaged from the beast’s lair. With the Uchanti being informed, my list of Allies would only grow. With Sweetroll beside me as well, I could one day harness the power of such a beast if I kept her alive and trained her well. That day, I was full of limitless potential.
I pulled the blade from my side and pointed it to where we were supposed to go, and my small army marched forward. It felt good to be in command of a Century again. I placed my sword in my scabbard again and marched along with them. Brutus lagged behind. I could sense that he was still angry, but I didn’t know how angry he truly was. He watched me and the Century with envious eyes and several thoughts dancing in his head. I had no idea at that moment… that my best friend had dark thoughts dancing around in his head like a thief in the night. Worse still, I had no idea how he would act on those thoughts.