by Jez Cajiao
“Hah, no. We have spares still, and I have asked the tailors to make some basic leather armor for them. The tailors are excited to experiment, and a former slave has joined them, as he was a tailor himself in the past, apparently.”
“The pool!” I exclaimed, shaking my head. “Dammit, I almost forgot. What were you saying about the volunteer pool?” I asked, and Romanus stepped in to answer the question.
“The vast majority of the freed slaves have been volunteering to help, as have the formerly crippled dock and ship workers. Clan Mother Hellenica and Mistress Nerin have been working until exhaustion to heal them, and the people were thankful. Your little display of power, though? That made the difference. People who’d given up and were essentially along for the ride, simply hoping today would be a little better than yesterday as they sat waiting for orders, have now begun to actively seek out ways to improve their lot in life. They crowded the ships before; now, they are organized into work gangs. Those who wish to learn a trade are apprenticing themselves to the Legion’s crafters and makers, or are helping where they can until they find the role that calls to them.”
“That’s fantastic!” I said, genuinely pleased.
“It is,” Thorn agreed. “The former slaves might not have the skills, or at least most don’t, as they’ve been common workers, but there are a few gifted former apprentices or workers who fell afoul of the laws. The rest? Well, they’re used to working from dawn till dusk, for virtually no food, no comfort, and no breaks. For the Legion, you can consider them as having already served half their year of physical training. They obey with speed, they work until they drop, and they don’t give in. Add into that mix some heavy physical training and good food? They’ll make fine auxiliaries for battles, and in a few years, they’ll be Legionnaires to be proud of. Those who choose to learn to craft are… well, they’re dedicated!” she said earnestly, shaking her head in wonder. “Most of the former slaves who fled to the Enclave were either newly captured or broken by life. These citizens, they’ve been given a reason to live.”
“We just have to stoke the flames, Jax,” Romanus commented proudly. “They’re already strong. We just need to guide and train them.”
“Good,” I said simply. “Let me know if they need anything.”
“I will.” He inclined his head respectfully, and I looked around at the rest of the group.
“Okay, people, listen up. There’s a need for us to get our arses down there fast so we can start to explore. As usual, I’ve done something without realizing it. When I released the spirits trapped here, I probably stripped a lot of the Prax’s natural defenders away, so those knobs from the other camps are frantically searching for the gear Jenae wants US to have. I’m not disappointing her, and neither are you! You’ve got an hour to get anything you need; then meet me at the front of the ship, because we’re going in!
“Romanus, I grabbed a LOT of potions from the Skyking’s lair, so gather everyone in as close as possible before we all go our separate ways. It’s time to perform the Oath,” I insisted.
“Yes, Lord Jax,” he responded formally, complete with a sharp salute, and I grinned at him.
“Also, I’ve got an honest-to-god robot frigging horse somewhere. We need to find it and unload it of all the random shit, and see what we can pass around that will be helpful. Then I need to dump some of my gear somewhere safe so I’ve got space for loot.”
“The Gnomish machine?” Thorn interrupted, wide eyed, and I looked at her in surprise. “Might I… I mean… could I…”
“You want to look it over?” I asked, and she nodded enthusiastically.
“Then lead the way to it. I’ve no idea where the damn thing is.” I set off to follow her as she tore away into the ship, half a dozen of her fellow armorers and smiths following along.
“You’ll never get any peace from them now; you know that, right?” Restun murmured quietly, and I shrugged as I jogged up the gangplank and back into the ship.
“I don’t mind, really. Besides, she might learn something!” I called to him as he turned off and jogged away down a corridor, shouting out to those he passed to gather at the front of the ship in the clearing.
The escort I’d picked up since waking followed me, and I shook my head, well aware that this wasn’t going to work when we actually had things to do.
I gave a few quick orders, and most of them peeled off, all but one Legionnaire and Bane. The others began spreading the word and searching for some fliers to spread the message to those on the ships overhead.
I ran down corridors and jumped over crates and stacks of gear, always fighting to keep the armorers in sight, until I finally burst out into the main hold of the Battleship, took a left and then two rights, racing past the piles of boxes and gear, and then finally, I found it.
Fenris.
Oracle had been silent for a while, content to simply be present while I did things. I’d felt her working on a spell, so I hadn’t interrupted, but when she saw Fenris, she flew forward at speed, flipping over to land elegantly atop its head, her diminutive size meaning she managed to look comfortable as she perched on its forelock and stroked one ear.
“Isn’t he gorgeous?” she squealed, grinning at Thorn and the rest of the armorers and blacksmiths. They were slowly circling the enormous horse, checking the build and commenting quietly to each other as they went.
“Uh, Lord Jax…” Thorn said slowly. “Do you think you could make it move? We’d love to see how it works…”
“Yeah, look, I really haven’t got the time to fuck about, so… Fenris, follow the commands of Thornapple to move around inside this location. Do not leave this area without orders from Oracle or myself,” I commanded, then gestured to the armorer. “To be clear, this is Thornapple.” Fenris swung his head with a smooth whirring of gears and inspected her, making her take a step back before she let out a gasp.
“He’s beautiful…” she groaned. “Oh, to be able to make such magnificence…”
“Yeah, well, he’s useful, and a bastard of a thing to fight, I’ll say that.” I rubbed involuntarily at my chest , and she nodded absently. “Anyway… Inventory.” I concentrated, and the inventory opened before me, a grid system that was ten slots by ten, and was half full still. I looked over all the random crap that was still inside; the Jumna skins especially were just… weird-looking. I pulled one out and passed it to Thorn, who examined it curiously, then stared at me.
“What is this?” she asked, and I shrugged.
“Jumna skin, apparently. No idea what that is,” I admitted. She frowned in surprise, looking at it more closely.
“Really? Never thought I’d see one. Beats me how they do it, though…” she said and I looked at her questioningly. “They’re a luxury item, sir, nothing we’d get intentionally. They need to be processed somehow, not something I know how to do, but they make, uh, interesting underwear out of them? For the noble ladies?” she hinted, then smiled with amusement. “And the men, occasionally. I used to have a friend, Matt… who swore his old lover wore them for him. Said they took turns with them, but then Matt died. I had to tell his boyfriend about the death, and he... well, he didn’t take it well. Punched me in the face and stormed off, said if Matt couldn’t be bothered to admit he didn’t want to be with him anymore, he could burn in hell.”
“So, his boyfriend died, and he didn’t believe you?” I asked, and she nodded. “Huh. Had that happen to me once.” I frowned and rubbed my cheek. “Well, I say that… her friend told me it was over because she didn’t want to do it herself. Not quite the same, I know.”
“What did you do?” Thorn asked.
“Slept with her sister the next night. She came home early and interrupted us; I got a hell of a slap for that one…” I admitted, grinning absently as I remembered the argument and her sister’s point that if she didn’t want me, it shouldn’t be an issue.
“Really?” She stared at me, shocked.
“What?” I asked. “I had a life before a
ll this, you know.”
“Okay… just seems a bit... well, weird to hear about your sex life. More than the entire ship already has, I mean.”
“What?” I asked slowly.
“Ah, forget I said anything, Lord Jax!” She quickly backed away as I tried to keep my cheeks from setting fire to my hair.
“Oracle…” I said, very quietly.
“Yes, Jax?” she asked sweetly, flying over to me.
“We need to soundproof our room. And the rest of the goddamn ship. As soon as possible, okay?”
“Oh, okay!” she said, totally unconcerned. “Are you done with Fenris?”
“Dammit, no.” I strode irritably back to the mechanical horse’s head, pulling the inventory back up, as it had closed when I got distracted. I was too flustered by thoughts of how many people had heard Oracle and I boinking to really concentrate, so I pulled up my bags alongside the Fenris storage. and started swapping things around. I started by dumping as much as I could, filling one bag with metals, then other trade goods and the various cooking and camp equipment I’d accumulated in my travels. I kept going until all I had remaining in storage was a few days’ worth of food, just in case, a first aid kit, a bedroll, my alchemy kit and the necessary reagents, and a dozen Health, Mana, and Stamina potions. I made a point of keeping four of each level available, which gave me four Common, four Greater, and four Special grade. Curious, I ‘Examined’ the Greater and Special, respectively, to see what the difference was.
Greater Health Infusion
Further Description Yes/No
Details:
This potion will restore 250 health points over 10 seconds
Rarity
Magical
Durability
Potency
Uncommon
No
100/100
7/10
Special: Potion of Restore Health
Further Description Yes/No
Details:
This is a ‘Special’ Grade potion, and as such has a secondary effect above and beyond the standard. This potion will restore 300 points of health to the imbiber, as well as granting a temporary increase in reaction speed of 10% for up to three minutes.
Rarity
Magical
Durability
Potency
Uncommon
No
100/100
8/10
“Sweet.” I muttered, lifting the potion up and swirling it around as I gazed into its depths, wondering how they’d managed to get that effect. After all, if I could just do that alone, an increase in my reaction speed would be amazing in a fight. “Time to get a move on,” I told myself, stowing the potions back in my bag. I’d managed to strip the bag’s weight down significantly and now had seventy slots available.
Pleased with the change, I left Thorn and the others to examine Fenris. Oracle and I hurried off down the bay, out into the crossing corridor, and wandered around a bit, getting more and more confused, until Bane took pity on me and gave me directions.
Two minutes later, I was strolling out onto the upper deck, and I could see the ‘Command Team’ waiting for me. The other ships dipped in closer and hovered, ready for the next part of my plan.
I hurried over to them, carefully crossing a few sections that were merely scaffolding, and jumping across a section that had no deck at all, to reach them.
“Athena, Romanus, Elise,” I said, nodding to each of them, before turning to the person I least expected to be present. “Mal? What are you doing here?” He grunted noncommittally, looking at me, then turning away, so I turned to his companion. “Soween?”
“We had a discussion, Jax… Lord Jax…” Soween calmly stated, taking the time to use my title. “We agreed that we have a deal to get you to the Tower, and then we can look at the future, and how we can make this work.”
“We’re not swearin’ an Oath,” Mal said sullenly, and I grinned at him.
“Aren’t we?” Josh asked, looking confused. “I thought you said we would if the price was right?”
“Soween…” Mal sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “You gonna stop your husband’s tongue yourself, or do I gotta rip it out by its roots?” he grumbled, before looking back at me. “So, we’re NOT givin’ you an Oath, not now. We’re happy bein’ smugglers, and havin’ an Airship as pretty as mine, not to mention fast, means we don’t have to do anythin’ we don’t want to. That bein’ said…”
“Yeah?” I prompted, and he held his hand out flat and wobbled it from side to side.
“Maybe… maybe… we could come to a deal in the future, do some jobs for you. On occasion. If the price is right,” Mal offered, and I tried not to laugh.
“And what would the price be?” I asked.
“Spells!” Josh replied helpfully.
“Gold,” Mal demanded, glaring at Josh.
“Supplies and upgrades,” Soween spoke over both of them, clearly fighting the urge to roll her eyes.
“So, you all have separate prices, then?” I asked, confused.
“No,” Mal snapped, at the same time Soween covered her husband’s mouth with one hand and spoke up.
“Yes,” she countered, and Mal turned and glared at them both.
“I told you I’d handle this. What the hell’s with all this goddamn interruptin’?”
“Just making sure you remember everything, sir,” Soween replied calmly.
“Well, I do, okay? This is a deal I’m tryin’ to make, and you keep interruptin’!” Mal growled, then seeing the totally unrepentant look on Soween’s face, he shook his head and turned back to me. “Anyhow, just so’s you know, we’re available…”
“And can be bought,” Josh added helpfully around Soween’s hand.
I chuckled and excused myself from them, turning and walking to the edge of the deck to look out over the clearing, where everyone was gathering.
“Ready to make a speech?” Oracle whispered to me.
“Hell no,” I muttered, staring nervously out over the sea of expectant faces. “You know I hate doing that, right? And that I’m shit at it?”
“You’re getting better…” Oracle patted my cheek, smiling reassurance at me.
“Going from sodding terrible to bloody awful isn’t much of an improvement, in my book.” I grimaced, already wanting it to be over.
“It’s still an improvement, and besides, you’re not that bad,” she insisted, but I just shook my head.
“Nope. I’ll make something up, but that’s as good as it’ll be. You okay to try to string out the Oaths as long as you can while I guzzle the potions?”
“I’ll make sure you’re not overwhelmed, don’t worry. And remember, this isn’t like the Imperial Oaths; you’re not binding them to the Empire and creating a full link to you. This is a simpler Oathbinding, less than a third of the cost.”
“Good thing, that, considering how many of the buggers there are,” I muttered.
“You’ll be fine,” Oracle reassured me as I took in a deep breath. “Romanus? We’re ready,” she called, and Romanus stepped forward to stand at the edge, gazing out over the upturned faces, before glancing up at those that lined the rails of the ships cruising slowly around us.
“Prospective citizens of the Empire!” he boomed, his voice almost echoing as it carrying clear to the waiting people on all sides. “I bring glad tidings! The Empire is reborn. High Lord Jax has assumed the mantle of Imperial Scion and has been recognized as the Heir! We live in momentous times, days where all hands are turned against us, but never despair! For the Legion stands with you, and we shall face the darkness together! I give you, High Lord Jax! Scion of the Empire, Lord of Dravith!” He gestured to me, then stepped back.
“Thanks for that…” I muttered dryly, stepping up to the railing and catching his grin out of the corner of my eye. I took a deep breath and deliberately straightened up, projecting my voice as far as I could.
“You all know of me; those who’ve been around longer know I’m
not one for speeches, so I’ll make this simple. I came to Himnel for two reasons: I needed to find my brother, and I needed you. You who agreed, who volunteered, and who took the risk to join me, will never be taken for granted. I have freed those of you who were enslaved, and I will never force anyone to take the Oaths against their will, but in order to know that we are all able to rely on each other, to enter the Great Tower, you must be sworn to me and to your fellow citizens. The Legion has already sworn their allegiance to me, and now it’s your turn. Again, if you choose not to, that’s fine. We will set you down in a village on the continent and leave you there, but you must choose now.” With that, I felt my mana start to dip as Oracle sent out the Oath, and I took the time to swig down a mana potion before describing the benefits of the Oath.
“As a citizen of the Empire, I will feed you all and house you for the next year for free, as well as pay a fair wage, based solely on your skills and abilities, not on your species.” I drank a second potion. “You will be required to work for the greater good of the Tower and ultimately the Empire, but you will be given training, protection, and opportunities you have never had before. Some of you, those who show themselves to be exceptional workers, highly skilled, or simply dedicated enough, will be given more. You will be given opportunities to earn Spellbooks, Skillbooks, or even occasionally, Memory Crystals that contain the memories of master craftsmen of the past.” I could feel more and more invitations being pushed out, and the mana drain kept rising, causing me to breathe deeply as I tried to ignore the draining feeling, and the incoming mana migraine.
“I ask you now to join with me in rebuilding the Empire, and take the Oath of the Great Tower.” I chugged the last potion I could manage, feeling myself shaking from the speed of mana regeneration and drain combatting each other.