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XXI - Midas

[Beowulf's POV]

I shined my moldy green orcish shield as I sat on a couch. I watched the door in front of me. Boss Midas was waiting on information that one of the other members of this campaign was searching out for. I stole a small glance over at Boss Midas as he sat in a dragon leathered chair and a smooth desk out in front. There was a small pile of gold coins that Midas liked to jiggle in his hands, however it seemed like Boss Midas was in his scheming phase. Next to Boss Midas was an end table with a chessboard. Boss Midas was fiddling with a pawn.

I couldn't help but smile. In public he seems like a man that you would invite to your best man at your wedding, but in truth Boss Midas used everyone like tools until they were broken or they weren't fit for the job. I only found this out the day he recruited me to work under him. It was the only reason why I didn't have my head on a spike. As my bandit group and I were quite trouble for Boss Midas' trading company. I only worked for the bandit group because all my life I've been rejected by everyone just because I am an orc. One of the suppressed races in The Kingdom Of Sela. I wasn't lucky enough to be born into the middle class because at least those orcs have a chance in life.

It was my 3rd time raiding one of Midas' caravans when Midas himself came to greet me and my group mid raid. He told us,

“I feel bad for all of you today because unfortunately today, I'm not feeling merciful to bandits today.”

Of course we all stupidly barked with laughter, we didn't know what was about to happen to all of us in just a few minutes.

One of my comrades at the time jeered at Midas, “What ya gonna do?”

Midas kept a cold stare on us, and didn’t even flinch when the body of my comrade suddenly got decapitated by a flying flash of light from behind us. My comrade’s body slumped forward blood gushing from where his head used to be. I could still see the look on his face. It was still a grin from when he taunted Midas. The flash of light slowed down and stopped in mid air, it was a sword.

“Shit. They got a royal armament!” I shouted to the rest of the group. I was sure that this was a royal armament. I remember studying all 20 of them when I was a kid. I was fascinated by the ancient heroes of The Kingdom Of Sela and their weapons that were given to them. But I never came across one in battle before nor did I thought I would ever. This had to be the Volant Sword, the sword looked silver but I knew it was made out of some godly material. It had a golden handle with a blood red ruby at the pommel of the sword. If it was Volant I reasoned that the one who is orchestrating the sword had to be close.

I quickly turned around and saw a man in a full royal knight’s outfit. This was definitely the man that inherited Volant. He had a sharp as a knife jawline with smooth brown hair that was long enough to go down to his chin. He held up one hand and like a conductor he swiftly and elegantly swooped his arm down and the sword followed in command. If I hadn't acted, more of my comrades would have died. I jumped in front of the blade right before it would have striked another man’s throat and raised my shield.

The force of the sword hitting my shield felt like a dragon hitting me with its tail. Any normal person would have gone flying but I was considered a shieldmaster, I can block almost anything. My feet sunk into the snow around me as I held my ground against the weight and force of the sword, my shield started to warp.

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“CUT THE MAN’S ARM OFF IT’LL STOP THE SWORD.” I screamed. The other bandits quickly surrounded the royal knight. Even though it looked like we were going to win, Midas laughed at me and stood dangerously close to me. If I wasn’t focused on not getting Volant from killing anyone I would have slashed Midas to pieces.

“You may think you have won by outnumbering my knight and stopping Volant, which I must say I am impressed about, my knight isn’t a one trick pony.” Midas said smiling, “I’ll tell you this, your talent is being wasted at the bandits, join me instead, I’ll spare everyone here and you’ll be doing good for the world instead of being apart of the problem”

The sword dug deeper into my shield, it was only going to last a few more seconds before my head got chopped off. I looked back and saw the knight using magic with his other free hand.

“Okay fine. Stand down boys, I’ll be leaving. Tell the boss I died.” Volant stopped pursuing my shield and the bandits looked at me in shock. I looked down at my fallen comrade I failed to protect. I prayed he found peace in the afterlife. I looked at the knight who walked towards Midas and I. He gave me the hardest left hook I have ever felt because the next thing I knew I was in a carriage with Midas and the Knight, who I soon learned the name of, it was Marshal. I was surprised to see I wasn’t tied up or anything.

“That life didn’t seem like it suited you, what is your name?” Midas asked.

“Beowulf.”

“Ah, Beowulf. I like that name. Well I am going to make you one of my underlings until I can trust you, I would love to make you one of my personal bodyguards with your skills.”

From that point forward I showed loyalty to Midas, even though I hated what he did to my comrade, I was happy to be out of the bandit lifestyle. In the first few weeks of working for Midas I thought of so many plans to assassinate Midas but I couldn’t. Midas treated me better than almost anyone I had ever ment.

One of the spies that Boss Midas had sent out had returned and walked into Boss Midas’ room. I knew this spy personally, her name was Larisa. She and I worked together a lot when I was an underling. I had a feeling she hated me though because of my loud nature. She gave me an annoyed glare as she entered the room. Maybe she was actually mad that I got promoted to be one of Midas’ bodyguards so quickly.

“I have found out why Elwen’s camp had gone to Alexander’s Villa.” Larisa bowed in the presence of Midas while I casually laid on the couch, my shield guarding my stomach.

“Speak.” Boss Midas said.

“Elwen has the location of Calatemps and some members of the cult. It looks like they want to take it down with Alexander. Elwen’s camp has also grown quite a bit, she now has a high elf, lizardfolk, two humans and a half elf.”

“Interesting. Guess I’ll join in on the fun too.” Boss Midas grinned and moved a pawn forward on his chessboard, “I’ll send a message to Alexander and mobilize some of the Trading Guild’s troops. I basically own the Trading Guild after becoming their best patron. I also like to do one more thing with both of you two.”

I stuck my head up and Larisa gulped, “What do you need?”

“I want you to learn more about the new members of Elwen’s camp. What are they like? Who are they?” Midas said.

“Wait!” I shouted, “I have to watch people who are serving the last place runner in the election? Hell Elwen is even below that tyrant, D’Arc! Come on Midas this seems below me and you!”

“Don’t question Midas!” Larisa growled.

Midas put his hand up at Larisa, “I understand your frustration Beowulf, but you must never underestimate the underdog even if you are sure they have no chance of winning.”

I nodded and looked over at Larisa, guess I have to work with her again.