Chapter 2
Every Legionary knew to return to The Fort after the battle was over completely. The trip was long and awkward due to Sennia's complete dismissal of my presence. She even avoided looking in my direction. Lucius, Lucullus, and I spoke of the plans once we got to The Fort. Malum rested in my lap the entire trip.
The water was restless and flowed freely with trails of blood. Hoover Dam was a mess of a battlefield. Bodies floated down the river like an old movie. The second order of business would be to have recruits clean up this river.
The sand crunched under our feet as we docked. Legionaries passing by halted all activity to solute me.
"At ease." My chest puffed out as I straightened to full height.
"Yes sir." They turned and took off to announce our arrival.
I sighed. I would have to get used to the attention. The stairs up to the tent were no longer littered with our fallen brothers, much to my satisfaction. Children don't need to see that.
Slaves eyed me with fear and uncertainty as we passed. Their eyes lingered on Sennia. The gates screeched and we walked in.
Siri glared daggers at me as I walked up the hill to my tent. She backed down when I glared back. The tent flap opened and I stepped in to see the throne sat untouched for me. A smile broke out on my face as I strutted up to it.
Edward's blood stained the furs at the bottom. It seemed fitting. I savored the moment as much as possible.
I sat down slowly. My back straightened with pride. For years, I stood by the throne obediently near that prick and listened to his arrogant speeches. Today, I was in his seat. The biggest fuck you I can ever give him.
Sennia bit her lip and placed a hand on my shoulder, besides her plans on ignoring me earlier.
"What happened to being pissed off at me?" I whispered with a smile.
"I am still very pissed. Just touching you is pissing me off. This is just for image, love." She forced a smile.
"Love you, too." I tilted my head and batted my eyes.
She plucked my ear painfully. She desperately tried to hide her real smile. "You're such an asshole. I'm supposed to be mad at you."
"How can you be mad at little old me?" I clasped my hands together and held them under my chin as I poked my lip out.
She laughed but tried to cover it up with a cough. "God, you're such a dick."
"But I'm your dick." I closed my eyes and smiled as much as possible. It hurt my cheeks but if I wanted to get Sennia in a better mood, I would have to make her laugh.
She snorted and blushed. "You sure as hell were this morning."
"You know it, love." The familiar burst of lust had arisen once again. "And maybe later, if I play my cards right and manage to make you forget you're mad at me."
"Easy, love. Someone's getting ahead of themselves."
I looked away from her for a moment and finally noticed the men standing uncomfortably awaiting orders. "Hold on one second, Sennia."
The first mad spoke up nervously. "Sir, everyone is expecting you outside. We were under the impression that there was a new treaty we were to follow."
"Ah, yes. Right away."
Sennia squeezed my shoulder before letting go. I stood up and followed the men out to to stand at the top of the arena in front of the tent. A large crowd had formed in my absence.
I cleared my throat. "Ave, soldiers."
The soldiers saluted in unison.
"It appears that we won the Battle at Hoover Dam."
The crowd erupted in a roar of victorious shouts and celebratory whooping.
"Tonight, we will celebrate our victory. But first, there is a matter of business we need to take care of."
The crowd settled down quickly.
I pulled the treaty out of my pouch. I opened it with slightly shaky hands. Sennia's hand landed on my back and she smiled.
"There is going to be a change in how things are run here. No more being an asshole." The crowd started whispering amongst themselves.
"What I'm going to do is introduce a new law in the treaty on the first Friday of every month in order. There is going to be a big difference between me and Edward, the man you all know as Caesar. To start off, he wasn't the Son of Mars. He was a man with a superiority complex."
The crowd was now bustling with chatter. I held my hand up and it ceased.
"Before I start with the treaty, I will inform you all that I changed these rules in order to create the most efficient army known to man. Just try to look at all the new things that will happen."
The slaves had halted their business and swapped duty for listening.
"Alright, the first change that will be happening is abolitionism of slavery. Before you all start riots like barbaric profligates, understand that these are human beings. And this actually benefits the Legion. Slaves are very weak from the treatment. It's common knowledge that when people are paid for work, they'll do a better job than if they were forced. There will be a lot of work that needs done. Also, the biggest reason women didn't willingly join the Legion was due to enslavement. Think on that."
The men scowled but kept their mouths shut. The freed women cried into each others arms. Old women were in utter shock.
"This is an order. If I hear of anyone hitting the women or resorting back to the old ways, expect to spend your last days on a cross, naked and spilling out of yourself. Hopefully, everyone remembers what I did with Otho."
The men shook their heads angrily but remained silent. The women were cheering quietly amongst themselves.
"Enough of acting like children, grow up and learn the difference between a human and sack to be tossed around."
Sennia sniffled behind me. "Thank you" she muttered.
"This month's law has been announced. The rest will be revealed in due time. Women, if you don't mind, we would need some help building the women's barracks. You will be given new clothes and a new start if you want to stay here. I understand that many of you have families you want to find. If that is the case, I shall order my most trusted men to accompany you on your journeys home."
The women filed up one by one up the hill. Melody was amongst them.
"Hello, ladies. I trust that you are having a good day?" I asked.
"Whores!" A man shouted.
I dug a knife out of my boot and threw it. It struck him in between the eyes. "Any more outbursts like that will not be granted a death as quick and painless. His death is a warning. Now shut the hell up, I am not speaking to the men."
The men cowered together. Good.
"We don't know how to thank you, sir." A women cried.
"Don't thank me. Thank her." I motioned to Sennia.
Sennia yelped as the women lifted her up on their shoulders. They were all laughing and tossing her up gently in celebration.
I chuckled and waved as they carried her away to the kitchen. They caught glares from the men but didn't give a damn any longer.
"Now, I expect all of you to follow the rules as they are given. I will see you all tonight at dinner. Ave."
The crowd grumbled but I noticed just how many were keeping quietly. They were faking their looks of anger.
I had won the favors of the silent majority.