Two months of hard and diligent work paid off after the transformation of the tribe had taken effect. What started as a simple backwater tribe living in ramshackle mudhuts quickly became the image of progress. Much of the forest that encroached the village had been cut back and taken advantage of. Buildings were made of thick lumber and stone rather than sticks and grass. I had brought progress to the tribe. The armor collected from the dead invaders was reforged into something more uniform. Lorica segmentata adorned their bodies. The weapons of our fallen enemies were also taken and were outfitted with the newest recruits. Octavian and Straden both trained them.
It would take time before the Ophidians arrived in the area, and most of my efforts were spent preparing for their arrival. Of course, one must take the time to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor, and I did so. I watched the young maidens dance for me as I sat upon a makeshift throne. Many of the tribe’s most beautiful girls moved like gently flowing rivers. My only regret at the time was that they were not dancers of Roharam. Indeed, Roharam women were all dancers. There is no hiperbole in that statement. If anything, I undersell the importance of a Roharam woman’s ability to dance. As all boys learn how to fight, all girls learn from an early age. It's often said that Roharam girls learn to dance before they walk.
Why do we have such importance on dancing? There are many reasons. First, it keeps women thin and agile. Our warriors are the first line of defense when it comes to protecting the homeland. Women —our mothers, sisters and daughters— are its last line of defense. The first and greatest mistake that anyone can make is underestimating a Roharam woman. Typically they are not as physically strong, but they are far more agile, and far more cunning. They are faster and their reaction time is just a bit faster. Any small advantage is enough to turn the tide. An invader will often try to take advantage of women. Spoils of war and all that, but they would make a fatal mistake when trying to rape a Roharam woman. She can sensually lure them in, almost inviting them. The man —too foolish and battle drunk to know any better— advances, thinking he will get an easy conquest. He gets closer to her. He’s distracted by her scent; a sweet perfume of fruits and flowers or her natural god's given scent.
He has no idea that she’s holding a ceremonial dagger from the temple, or is one of those with a special ring coated in a viper’s venom. He feels a love bite, and then falls to his knees. His lungs collapse in his body and he dies right then and there. As for the dance itself. It teaches our women discipline and control. It molds their bodies into the very pinnacle of perfection. There is no room for weakness in Roharam. Unfortunately, those girls that I watched had no such discipline.
They were out of sync. They were not agile enough to bend in the proper ways. They stuck with what was safe and sheltered. They could learn over time, but they would never have the same skill and strength as a Roharam woman in her prime. Indeed; Roharam women were more masculine than any man born in this tribe’s entire history. Yet that was the hand that I had been dealt with. To uplift those wastrels into the new instruments for my path to conquest, and the spreading of Ile’Sethak’s faith. Even the clothes of the girls dancing was not ideal. They were common cloth when they should be clad in the finest silks. The kind that caress their bodies like a lover cradling them, leaving little to the imagination as their forms are on display, glorifying the gifts bestowed upon them.
Still, their clothes were serviceable enough. Their dance was unique, and I enjoyed myself. Each girl that danced had her own allure to her. Each kept some small aspect of their tribal identity by painting themselves in exotic war paints; whatever to make them look more wild and desirable. The fairest of them all approached me with her own alluring dance. She waved her arms around her body as if they were serpents ready to strike. She ran her fingers through her curled hair and gave me the most seductive smile and wink. Her hips gyrated at me, rising and lowering like the tide that threatened to pull me in. She turned her back to me and then bent her back towards me, showing how flexible she was. I could see much of her magnificent form and I admit, I would have been tempted.
I thought that perhaps this flower hiding in a jungle would have made a perfect concubine. I could see the look in her eyes and smile that she thought the same thing. Afterall, I was the conquering hero who uplifted the tribe. It only made sense that she would want to secure her future in my good graces. Better me than any of my men. You would have to give her that at least. She knew exactly who to come to as her world changed. And to be perfectly transparent, I was tired. It seemed like every few days I fought for survival. I was either coated in the blood of my enemy or painted with fresh new scars. Why shouldn’t I want to indulge myself?
She spun on her heel and turned to face me, her hair whipping around her head. She came closer to me, moving her hips more sensually and invitingly. She closed her eyes and continued to dance as if daring me to touch her. Just a small, simple touch. I reached forward and gently brushed my knuckles against her soft, velvety skin on her belly. She continued to dance but let out a joyful little gasp and moan. I smirked and continued to trace my fingers on her. It wasn’t long before I placed my hands on her hips. She continued to dance throughout all of it. As the music became more intense, she sat on my lap to give me a more enticing dance. She threw her head back in rhythm to the drum beats and flutes whistling in the air. Her slender hands touched my cheek and embraced me as she let her desire be known.
She leaned backwards, perfectly balancing herself on my lap as she made a dramatic finishing display. It was then my eyes caught a glance at Brutus. Throughout all of that, he had sat next to me. Rather than the jovial man who would have loved to be made merry by women fawning over him, he rested his chin against his cheek and seemed dissatisfied. I thought it was all strange. When the music was done, the girl smiled. Her breath had quickened its pace as she had come out of the trance of her alluring dance. I leaned forward and whispered quietly in her ear.
“Wait for me in my tent.”
She smiled and stood up. From her tribal dress she plucked a feather and placed it just above my ear before she left. As the rest of the tribe and soldiers applauded the dance, I leaned over to Brutus and whispered to him.
“Will you stop with your brooding? I thought organizing this little festival would cheer you up.”
“Oh, is that so?” Brutus rolled his eyes at me. I thought he was like a pouting child. My hands slid to the arms of my throne and I turned toward him.
“Brutus Trikon. We have had this discussion before and quite frankly it bores me. I am trying to make amends to you. You like watching pretty girls dance? There they are. Do you want to bed any one of them? They stand waiting to be taken. Drink wine, eat until you are full, whatever it is you want to do, then do it! What’s stopping you?”
“What’s stopping me is that we are not celebrating my victory, but yours.” He leaned forward and looked me in the eye. “I want my time in the sun, Hadrian. You may be this ‘Kai’Sar’ everyone’s calling you, but we are still brothers in arms. I deserve that respect.”
I chuckled and shook my head. I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes, laughing at the entire thing. I could feel Brutus’s eyes stabbing into me.
“You’re mocking me, Hadrian?”
“Mocking you?” I repeated. “How can I not at this point? You are like a child crying out for a toy.”
Brutus looked as if he were about to strike me right then and there, but I simply raised my hand and he halted for a moment.
“And I mean that in no disrespect, brother. How long have we known each other? Years. Since I was first in the Roharam legion. You are a grown man, Brutus. You’ve killed scores of Barbarians left and right without batting an eye, yet you winge because you’re not getting enough attention?”
“I deserve my due, Hadrian. I feel as if I am overcome by your shadow now. Back when you were a Decanus, even the simple act of me breathing was enough to send chills down the enemy’s spines. Now it’s you that they want. To hell with the women. I want people to be chanting my name for once.”
I rolled my eyes and leaned back on my throne. I let my short hair grow out at that point and was able to curl my finger around a lock of my hair absentmindedly. “Like I said, Brutus. You’re a child. But I will grant you what you want. I will find a way to let the blasted lands learn of your legend. You have my word.”
He stroked his chin and paused for a moment. He breathed in deeply and let out a sigh. “Fine, Hadrian. I will play this game one more time…” There was a sense of finality in those words. A hint of a last chance. At the time, I was too preoccupied to notice it. Or maybe I did, and it’s only now that I look back at it that I understand the gravity of my own failings.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Octavian approaching. I had assigned him the task of preparing for an upcoming battle. We were preparing to march to a rival tribe. The former tribals called them the “long necks” after some of the beasts that regularly patrolled the jungles to eat trees. Lumbering lizards to be exact. Octavian was tasked with looking over a map of the area and providing me with intelligence. I stood up promptly and looked at Brutus for a moment.
“Duty calls; pick a girl, have some fun, lighten your load, whatever it is you do, do it without brooding.” I greeted Octavian. We walked and talked as I followed him to the map.
“My lord, I have the map of the tribal village as you requested.” He stood firm like a statue, waiting for my command.
“What are the pros and cons, Octavian?” I asked him simply and plainly. I wanted to have a quick rundown of the situation.
“The long necks numbers are at least seventy, not including children. We have the advantage at a hundred and fifty as well as better armor and weapons. However, the wastrels claim that the long necks have a large beast in their employ. A well placed arrow shot might be able to take it down. Either that or Cao Tzu’s magic, assuming she can muster something that could take it down.”
I peered at the map and had a solid thought on it. I felt an idea pop into my skull and my lip curled to a sly smirk.
“It would be such a waste if any of our men were to die on this relatively easy victory. Even more so if we were to slaughter the tribe. I want them to submit not to annihilate them.”
“Then what do you suggest, my lord?”
“Simple, Octavian; very simple. Brutus will be our claim to victory.”
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Brutus?” Octavian scoffed and rolled his eyes. “You mean that oaf has decided to quit his moaning and make himself useful?”
“Brutus was complaining that he is being overshadowed by me. If he wants to prove himself to the Ophidians and the men, then he’ll have his chance. I have full confidence in him.”
“Easy for you to say, my lord. Ever since I’ve met him, he’s been flipping back and forth with this strange obsession of his. I’ve seen the way he jealously looks at you when you outperform him.”
I dusted my shoulder off and cleared my throat. “Your opinion is duly noted, Octavian. Noted and ignored. I know Brutus as if he were my flesh and blood brother. Give him the means to prove himself and he’ll be able to do so with flying colors.”
Octavian grumbled and lowered his head. There was not much he could say or do otherwise. “As you wish, my lord.”
I cleared my throat again and glanced at my tent. “Now, if there's nothing else, I’d like to retire for the night before we march. I want the men to be ready by tomorrow morning.”
Octavian placed his fist on his chest and then extended his arm outward in a traditional Roharam salute. “As you command, Kai’Sar”
I turned towards my tent and entered. It was no grand palace with bed chambers, but it was a start. A wooden bed with warm furs to keep myself warm at night. I unstrapped my top armor and set it aside on a makeshift armor rack. The natives prepared a fermented berry drink not unlike wine for me. It was popular for the tribe to drink, and I needn’t waste any good hospitality from my new subjects.
I poured the container of the drink into a wooden cup. I swirled the goblet around slightly before I took a drink. It was a strong flavor, but not overpowering. I would have loved to have tasted it when it was aged. The cup met my lips and I only took a sip before I heard something.
“Kai’Sar~”
A curtain divided this living area of my tent from my bed. I remembered then the dancer I sent to wait for me. I moved the curtain aside and saw her. The cloth she wore was neatly placed beside the bed. She laid down on her side in a seductive pose. Her fingers walked down her hips and gently rested on her side. She had received many great gifts from her parents. Well endowed by the gifts her mother must have granted her at birth. She revealed herself fully to me without any shame or shyness.
It was fortunate then I had already started to remove my armor. I gently removed what little I had left. There we were in all our splendor as the Gods had made us. I walked over to the bed and I could see the excitement in her eyes; the way her breath quickened and the way she bit her lower lip.
I got into the bed with her effortlessly, moving over to greet her. Our bodies were close to each other. Without even touching her I could feel the pace of her heart quicken at my approach. The slight fear of me was outweighed by desire. I could hear the gentle panting from her lips as the waiting was killing her. My eyes scanned her body. I was eager to enjoy the perks of my new conquest. Our bodies shifted in the bed as we prepared for the inevitable. She looked into my eyes and allowed me to move just a little bit closer, my lips inching closer to hers. My hands touched her body. It was soft like silk and cream.
And there she laid before me, on her back with her legs ready to be parted. That last look of anticipation appeared as her chest heaved with every breath she took, now far quicker than before. There was that moment where we stared at each other. That moment where there was no stopping that act, and we both knew it. It had been so long since my arrival in the Blasted Lands that I would finally sink my teeth into something truly worth enjoying. The small yet very important moment came the moment just before someone dived into water. That moment of waiting before steeling oneself carrying out the deed.
She chose her mark well.
***
The next morning we trudged through the jungle clearing. Some light rain must have passed through the night. The ground was slick and wet. That didn’t dampen the hearts of the Ophidians. They sang a song in their tongue. You could call it an old hymn. It was called “The Blessed March.” An old song about their Kai’Sar marching with them to glory. The journey was long and arduous. A lesser man would have felt his legs burning at the end and felt the need to collapse. Fortunately, I was not such a man. We pushed onward, forging our path ahead the trail until we saw smoke rising from the distance. The long neck tribe’s home.
As we drew closer to the village, we noticed that there was a large force ahead of us. Most likely they heard the sound of the Ophidian’s singing and mustered their forces accordingly. I allowed them to continue to sing. Afterall, what is more frightening to an enemy than to hear your army singing in a tongue you don’t understand? That tiny trace of terror that filled their hearts was bound to be worth something.
Behind me our banners flew high in the air, resplendent in their red colors. My forces took their positions accordingly and made the proper battle formation. They knew we were a larger force, and we had to display that. It was thus: two rows of legionnaires flanking both of my sides to make us appear broad and fat, a single row of archers behind each side for long range, myself and my praetorian guard in the center, along with Octavian, Cao Tzu, and Sylithra who had insisted on documenting the battle. I had a plan and figured that it would be accepted by all. She was in no real danger. Behind our forces were our reserves where I had Brutus purposefully wait. Had I not told him my plan then he would be furious. The long necks seemed to be more advanced than the other tribe. Their armor was passable if a bit outdated. Still, it was no less dangerous.
At the side of the army was the most dangerous force these people had. They had a tamed long necked creature. It was similar to the ones I had seen before my encounter with the bull. Its massive legs were like tree trunks. Like some type of bird it had loose skin it could use to inflate its neck. The animal used that to intimidate rival males. Now it was used to intimidate us. On its back were rows of spikes that were themselves large enough to hold onto. The beast let out a trumpeting horn call that caused our entire bodies to feel like jelly. The urge to fall down was great, but we resisted. The tail could be used to whip our forces and cause massive damage. If there was to be a fight there, that beast needed to die.
I stepped forward and called out to the enemy.
“I will speak with your chieftain!” I waited for a while. I was beginning to think that they didn’t understand me when the center of their army parted and two figures approached. With Octavian by my side, I met with their chieftain. He wore a tribal helmet made of bronze that was in the shape of the long necked beast’s face. He took the helmet off and revealed the face of an older man. With tired eyes he glared at me.
“Who are you? What do you want?”
“I am Hadrian Damoclesian.” I proclaimed with my head held high. “Kai’Sar and chief of chiefs. I bring the light of civilization to you. I bring progress and salvation from the simple lives you live. Submit, or you will be made humble.”
“I don’t know your name, but I know what you are, boy.” The elder scoffed, though he was not the withered husk as the elders from the previous tribe. He was aged, but there was still a fight in him. “You are not the first to proclaim yourself as lord of this land, and like the others you will die.”
“Will I?” I questioned him. I suspected I’d hear many such speeches as I continued my conquest of this land. I sighed. “Then how about we make a deal? A wager? I trust that you don’t want your men to die in a pointless battle. You may very well win, but I will not relent and I will take as many of your people with me. On the other hand, I may win, and I lose many of my men to your beast. I’d prefer not to let that happen.”
“Then what is it that you suggest, Damoclesian?”
“Simple. My best warrior against yours. One on one. We let the Gods decide it. If your Gods prove their worth, then my best will be slain. On my oath, I will depart from your village and I will never return without righteous cause.”
“And if your man bests mine?” The old man said as he stroked his salt and pepper colored beard with his worn and wrinkled hand.
“Then you swear fealty to me. I bring order to your people; I give them more advancements from the outside world, and I make them stronger than they could possibly imagine.”
I sensed hesitation in his gaze. He was unsure. Perhaps there was that little thought in the back of his head that told him that he could beat me in a full battle. I assured him that it would be unwise.
“Or perhaps you wish to start a fight and let these brave men of yours die when they had a chance to live?”
The chieftain grumbled and looked away. I got him. He turned to face me and spoke with a heavy heart. “Very well then. Let the Gods decide the fate of this day.”
I smirked. I then let out a triumphant yell.
“Brutus!!!”
My army cheered as he arrived at the front of the battle. They cheered his name proudly and raised their weapons in the air as they prepared to watch the spectacle in front of them. Still, the long necks had their strongest man. The chief turned his head and called for him.
“Anwe!!!”
The long necked tribe cheered loudly at the approach of their man. To my surprise, he was actually larger than Brutus. Muscle bound and intimidating, Anwe was a staggering eight feet tall! One of the largest men I’ve ever seen. He looked down at Brutus and growled. With a confident smirk, the chieftain placed his fists on his hips and stood proudly.
“Anwe, tell this invader what you will do to his best man.”
Without missing a beat, the giant of a man answered. “I’m going to feed him his own heart.”
I turned to face Brutus who was absolutely elated at the idea of fighting a giant man like that. The gleam in his eyes and the brutal smile were infectious. One thing you had to admire about Brutus, he was always confident in his abilities. Both of our forces parted and let Brutus and Anwe fight. The crowds cheered loudly at the coming battle. Brutus was given a shield and a spear. Anwe’s weapons mirrored his. They circled one another like two predators locked in a cage together. All that was left was waiting for the signal to act.
“Begin!” I yelled. With that, the battle was on. Brutus charged at Anwe with the spear. Anwe swung his weapon across to slash at Brutus. Brutus dodged, sliding on the ground with his legs as the spear narrowly avoided him. Anwe was large, but too large. His movements were slow compared to Brutus. Brutus struck the first blow with a spear to Anwe’s thigh. Anwe growled and used the back of his fist to smack Brutus aside. The force of that must have felt like taking a battering ram to the face.
Brutus was knocked down on the ground. He lifted himself up and dragged his arm across his mouth and noted blood. He tongued a loose tooth in his jaw. He reached inside his mouth and yanked it out, throwing it to the side and then spat blood on the ground. Even though he was in pain from that hit, he smirked. Meanwhile Anwe snapped the spear in his leg as if it were an arrow. He ripped the spear from his leg without even flinching. He threw the broken spear aside and growled before he attempted to gore Brutus.
Brutus used his shield to block the strikes, yet the force punctured holes through the wooden protection as if it had been made out of butter. Brutus turned this into an advantage when he lifted his shield in an awkward way, twisting Anwe’s hand and forcing him to let go. Without a weapon, Brutus leapt onto Anwe, positioning himself on the giant’s back and started to punch his face repeatedly with hard blows after another. Anwe’s face turned bloody as Brutus tried to repay the warrior for the tooth.
Anwe reached back and slammed Brutus on the ground. He lifted his elbow high in the air and attempted to drop it onto Brutus’s neck. Brutus just barely dodged out of the way. The giant’s elbow made a small dent into the ground. The force of the blow hurt Anwe enough that he let out a grunt.
Brutus saw his chance to get a weapon. A broken spear was better than no spear. He rushed over to pick it up just as Anwe reclaimed his spear, forcing the shield off of it and then charging at Brutus. Brutus timed the advancement perfectly as he rolled to the side out of the spear’s path. He lunged forward and used the spear head to stab into the back of the giant. Anwe yelled and swung his weapon madly at Brutus yet again, only for Brutus to hold on to the giant as if he were a wild stallion that needed breaking. As Brutus advanced, He used the spear head as if he were climbing a mountain and stabbed Anwe higher and higher. Anwe growled and tried to once again rip Brutus off. Before he could do that, Brutus reached the giant’s head and stabbed him in the eye. Anwe screamed louder than before and threw Brutus off of him again. Anwe painfully ripped the spear head out of his eye and threw it to the ground.
Brutus crouched down with a mad glee in his eyes as he panted, taking a moment to breathe. He spat out more blood as Anwe was ready to charge. Brutus gestured for Anwe to come closer. “Come on!!!” He shouted proudly, baiting the giant to come closer. Anwe took the bait like an overly greedy fish.
Anwe charged and let out another hellish war cry. Brutus ducked and rolled away to the giant’s side, kicking him in that wounded leg of his. Anwe was brought to his knees. In that instant, Brutus leapt onto Anwe’s back and pulled him down, wrapping his arm around the giant’s throat in an attempt to strangle him. Even so, the giant was still so strong. He grabbed at Brutus’s arm and tried to pull it away from him. Losing his grip, Brutus bit down on Anwe’s hand, yet even still the giant wouldn’t relent. Brutus noticed the spear head on the ground. He reached for it with all the strength he could muster. He could barely touch the spearhead with his fingers. If he didn’t get it in time, Anwe was sure to turn the tide of the battle.
Yet Anwe tried to shake Brutus off of him, ironically moving Brutus closer to the spear. Brutus grabbed the spear and then plunged the blade down into Anwe’s chest repeatedly. Brutus let out loud yells with each thrust, burying the blade into the giant. The giant let out pained shrieks of his own as Brutus continued to stab him, over and over and over again. At last, Anwe’s arms fell limp. He still lived, though barely. He could scarcely breathe. Brutus climbed out from under Anwe and saw the giant struggling to breathe. His chest was a crimson red and spat out blood like a broken fountain. He wheezed loudly as he looked at Brutus. Brutus simply raised his foot in the air and stomped on Anwe’s skull repeatedly until he no longer twitched.
With that victory gained, he raised his fist in the air and let out a victorious war cry. Our men chanted his name with lavish praise as the long necks couldn’t even comprehend what happened. I walked over to Brutus and patted his arm, letting him revel in his victory. He was coated in Anwe’s blood, and my hand was dirtied after contact. I faced the old yet again and confidently raised my head, crossing my arms.
“It seems the Gods favor me today. I am a generous lord. You will keep your leadership of this tribe…but you answer to me.”
The chieftain stood silently, dumbfounded by the duel. I opened my hand with the palm facing down. Anwe’s blood painted my hand as I gave the old man a simple command.
“Kneel.”
A moment’s hesitation was all that it took before he knelt down. My men were able to enter the village without any fight. We would occupy the village and absorb it to our forces. Brutus was elated. It was as if he were in an arena and he won the most important fight of his life. The praise he gained from the men sated his lust for glory. With another tribe loyal to me, that success would prove to be one of my most important early victories. People would hear about Brutus of course, but they would also know of the man behind him. They would all learn about their future Kai’sar soon enough.