For the next few months, Athos distanced himself from Seekra. Whether it was humiliation or anger on account of her rejection, she didn't know.
Despite Athos' ostracizing of her, his influence on her treatment by the other Legionaries hadn't gone unnoticed. Ever since the incident with Squeaker, rumours circulated of Athos' brutality. It was even speculated that he was a spy infiltrating the ranks for Caesar to detect traitors. His low rank in the grand hierarchy didn't seem to hold him back from going on some of the more advance raids or missions. Decanus Sipher took a special liking to Athos and kept him close for nearly every operation.
Athos was feared. He continued to spend most of his off time training and conditioning his body. He was becoming proficient with some of the more advance weapons like power fists and even small arms that Decanus Sipher permitted him to train with.
As Seekra would make her rounds checking on the well being of the ranks, she'd often catch a glimpse of him training. If she didn't know the soft, kind young boy that was kept well hidden inside him, she'd be afraid of him too. Even Titus developed a slightly apprehensive demeanor when it came to dealing with Athos. In the beginning, Athos had shown great interest in Seekra and anyone with common sense knew to stay away from her or one day suffer Athos' wrath. It was only a matter of time before he would be promoted to Prime and there was no doubt in anyone's mind he'd be a Decanus if he stayed on his current path.
Seekra began to wonder if Athos would ever regain the confidence to speak to her again. His blatant avoidance of her was starting to become more hurtful. He even stayed away when she gave birth to a healthy baby boy Caesar named Alexus.
Seekra didn't mind the name. A boy needed a strong name to survive in Flagstaff and Alexus was just fine. She was just thankful her child had been a boy. He had the best chance for a good life in The Legion.
The birth had been a joyous occasion celebrated by many in Flagstaff. Another absent individual had been the child's father, Titus much to the satisfaction of Seekra. The infant had been the first to be born in over a year. It gave new hope that The Legion would be self sustaining if Caesar continued to allow basic prenatal care.
Alexus would be permitted to stay with his mother for the first four years. After that he would be separated from her and raised in a common nursery. At five, training would begin with Lion and all ties to one's mother were completely cut off. That's just the way it was.
Seekra certainly had her hands full. She already had the responsibility of raising Dead Sea who was now three years old. With a brand new infant, she barely had time to dwell on the finicky friendship between her and Athos.
The days were growing shorter. Winter was coming and the capital was making the necessary preparations for the long cold months. It never snowed in Flagstaff but the temperature would drop to just above freezing at night. Come the month of November, it rained for nearly three days straight and all of Flagstaff was flooded under a few inches of water. The Decanii had no choice but to cease training for those few days while the water issue was sorted out. All Legionnaires were ordered to start sandbagging the higher officer's quarters and dig small trenches to drain the worst hit areas.
Luckily for Athos and his group, they were once again on another raiding mission far from Flagstaff leaving Aramis and her Centuraie behind to deal with the capital's failing infrastructure. It was miserable work. Many of the men were falling sick with afflictions from over exertion, weather, and exposure all mixed with the poor sanitary conditions that came with so much water like mold and bacteria.
Aramis, along with Brash, Leaf, and Deegan were tasked with filling sandbags around the main Headquarters tent.
"Will it just stop fucking raining!" Leaf spat angrily as he dug his shovel into the soft clay and scooped another load into the burlap bag. Leaf, had always remained a grey man in the ranks even as a Veteran. Neither overtly skilled in any one tactic nor inherently keen, he blended well with the Legionaries. Regardless of his lack of prominence, he was liked but just about everyone. Leaf had lost all his hair in his teens. His eyes were very dark which often made his pupils look gigantic. His first fight in the Bull Ring resulted in a blow to his face and the loss of teeth in the right side of his mouth. It also left his nose permanently canted to the left. Even if he shaved that morning, his face would be covered with stubble by noon. Despite his beaten appearance, Leaf was still quite attractive.
Deegan had been one of Lion's trainees alongside Aramis. He was a few years older then Aramis and they were never partnered with one another back when they were kids. Deegan was a smart young man. He never spoke unless he could contribute something intelligent to the conversation. He was never overly kind but he didn't go out of his way to be cruel either. He spoke in monotone and Aramis often joked with the others he was one of those rumored cyborgs. He'd interject with sound logic that a cyborg couldn't grow or age, which led to more chuckles from the group that Deegan couldn't just let things brush off the shoulder.
Deegan had grown into a handsome man of twenty with sandy blonde hair well-groomed and tamed and pale hazel eyes. He rarely smiled which was a shame cause he had a nice smile with perfect teeth. Unlike like comrades he wasn't riddled with scars or any other battle blemishes. He was tall, toned and lean. Even with Aramis' relentless badgering, the two got along seemingly well like they balanced each other out.
Suddenly a familiar face emerged from the headquarters tent. Aramis looked up to see the stern yet calm soft smile of the Legate.
It had been quite some time since Aramis had any contact with the Legate. Her integration into the ranks made their casual encounters rather rare. The passage of books had to cease as well in case her leaders caught her with the contraband. Aramis missed the days when she'd sneak off as a child and go through his stash of literature picking works well beyond her years.
At sixteen, Aramis was not a child anymore yet that didn't stop her from testing the waters a little with him. So long as no one witnessed her actions, she'd often make funny faces from across the training area at him or sometimes a throwing knife would find it's way a little too close but never intended as a malicious action. He'd often shake his head or even chuckle slightly at the youth's upbeat playfulness. It was something he wished he still had at times.
As the Legate drew near the Legionaries snapped to attention crossing their fists over their chest.
"Legate," they all spoke in unison except Aramis who was a fraction behind them.
"Aramis, glad to see you're skills being put to good use," the Legate mused sarcastically as he came to stand with the group filling sandbags.
"Gotta keep the higher's feet dry," Aramis spoke back with mild teasing. She couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth rise into a spirited grin.
"I see they have even the Veterans out shoveling mud," the Legate added seeing Brash and Leaf. His brow raised and he folded his arms across his chest. Despite the heavy rain still coming down, the Legate did not seem to mind standing in the open, getting drenched.
"There's more raindrops then manpower at the moment, my Legate," Brash spoke up respectfully. "Every man is needed right now to keep the camp from becoming a sea."
The Legate nodded and eyed Aramis, who was now making obscene gestures involving her mouth and her shovel handle from behind the group, with a coy sneer.
"Carry on then," the Legate said casually walking passed the group trying to keep from snickering.
Aramis watched him continue on towards the War Tent. The full moon would be in a couple days and she'd finished the last book he'd given her. She eagerly anticipated the next one.
Being in the ranks meant their transition of literature was much easier. No one seemed to care that she read so long as she kept up with her training. Everyone knew reading anything that wasn't tactics was not allowed but no one actually enforced it.
"I think that's the most that man has even spoken to me," Leaf spoke up with a childish grin.
"Shut up and keep digging," Brash barked good-humoredly and the Legionaries went back to filling their sandbags without further interruption as the rain cratered the ground all around them.
When spring arrived, Caesar sent out wave after wave of raiding parties. It had been a cold winter and many had been lost from illness and exposure. The ranks needed to grow and the assimilation of a tribe in Utah brought with it the largest amount of Captures to be taken in years.
Athos and Aramis had been in Flagstaff waiting for their turn to be sent out again when a group was led into the capital by another one of Brutus' Decanus'.
"Wow, that's a lot," Athos murmured from beside his sister.
"Apparently they didn't put up much of a fight. Many of the tribes out in the wastes aren't even trying to defend themselves. Many just give up and let us waltz in and take over," Aramis informed.
"What's the fun unless a bit of blood can be spilled," Athos groaned fidgeting with the machete on his hip.
"Not everything requires a slit throat," Aramis teased.
"It sure is more fun though," Athos countered.
Aramis let her brother have his sick thrills and watched the Captures be sorted into their respected positions when she suddenly caught eyes with a young boy. He was frail and weak. Clearly the march to Flagstaff had taken a toll on him. He stood alone while many of the children brought in clung to mothers.
The boy's feet were in shoes too small for his feet and several toes popped out the end. His face was blistered from sun exposure and he looked as though he would keel over at any second.
Without hesitation Aramis approached the boy and handed him her water bladder.
"Here," she said calmly.
The boy's eyes shot up at hers and he glared with unsubtle hatred. He shifted his head away, ignoring her gesture of offering.
"Aramis…." Athos' voice called to her with a warning tone.
Aramis ignored her brother and took a knee in front of the boy.
"You've proved your tough to have survived the march here. Don't prove you're stupid now and reject water when you clearly need it," Aramis spoke in a friendly nurturing manner.
The boy didn't waver. He continued to look off, starring at nothing so long as he didn't bring his eyes back to the Legionary in front of him.
Aramis held out the bladder once more and shook it letting the water splash around so he could hear it.
"You sure?" she asked.
"Get away from me you pedophile faggot," the boy suddenly jeered harshly not letting his voice carry beyond her ears.
This shocked Aramis and she stood suddenly. She was in her right to beat the child to death but the repercussions would be severe.
It took every ounce of moral fiber to restrain her aggression. After several drawn out seconds she stood and glared at the boy letting her anger slip away and pity take over.
"One kind gesture in a place like this is as common as a flower growing from a rock. You'll be wise to lose the attitude. The next person you try that tone with will crush your skull without leniency," she spoke sharply before turning and leaving the boy to whatever fate this place had install for him.
"You could have gotten in a lot of trouble for the stunt," Athos warned as his sister came over.
"Remember how terrified we were when we got here? Had just one person came up to me and said one nice thing it may have made a lot of the pain melt away," Aramis told him.
"Geez, you sound like a girl," Athos mocked.
Aramis shot him a cold glare and the two of them strode back to the Fly Trap.
"You going on another mission?" Aramis asked.
Athos sighed.
"We leave in a few hours," he told her.
Aramis stopped and glowered at her brother. Her fists tightened up and she turned a brilliant hue of red.
"When were you going to tell me?!" she barked.
"I just did!"
"You haven't even been back three days," Aramis groaned.
"This is a big one. Decanus Wynn and Sipher are taking charge together. Some gang has been picking off the smaller parties heading towards New Reno and Caesar wants them completely eliminated," Athos informed.
"And two sections will be enough?" Aramis questioned folding her arms over her chest. "Those gangs aren't just mindless tribals and I'm pretty sure they are supplied by some of the families of New Reno.
"When have we encountered anything we haven't been able to handle?" Athos rebutted but he looked slightly perplexed. He raised a brow and scratched the stubble on his chin.
"What makes you think the families are supplying the gangs?" he asked inquisitively.
"Common sense," she teased. "And it's not all the families. It must be the ones that have opposed Caesar from the start. They have it pretty good on their little strip. They are the lawmen and the criminals. They don't want some super power coming in and taking a cut of their profit."
Everyone in the Western Wastes knew of the criminal families of New Reno, the Mordinos, the Bishops, the Wrights, and the new aggressors, the Van Graffs. The feuds and corruption spilling into the streets of New Reno had been going on for decades. The power shifted as frequently as the changing of the seasons. New Reno was a festering cesspool of gambling, drinking and prostitution. Caesar ensured his ranks never ventured too close to the city. It was a place of sin that could draw out desertion in even the strongest willed legionary.
"But the gangs give the families just as much trouble," Athos pointed out.
"Hardly. They are the lesser of two evils in the eyes of whoever is fronting the attacks. By siding with the gangs, they are ensuring they keep the power with much less cuts to their revenue. Sixty percent of something is better than zero percent of nothing," Aramis informed.
Athos thought about this for a while. It made sense even if it seemed impossible. The petty gangs had always been a thorn in the family's side but surely the threat of a hostile take over by Caesar was enough for the families to put bygones aside, team up and turn to the real threat on their doorstep.
"So who do you think is supplying the gangs?" Athos asked,
"Fuck if I know. I'm sure Caesar will find out in time and we'll eliminate them once the truth is uncovered," Aramis muttered nonchalant.
Athos could never figure how Aramis came up with these theories but he was curious to see if her logic was sound. Only time would tell.
"Just watch yourself out there, ok?" Aramis tried. "Is Reed going with you?"
Athos nodded.
"I watch his back now!"
Aramis didn't look entirely convinced. She knew Athos was making quite the name for himself but he was still her twin brother and she was allowed to worry.
"I'll be fine," he assured her.
Aramis watched as her brother ascended up the step of his shelter and disappeared inside. With a heavy sigh she too went to her sleeping quarters to prepare for her day's tasks.
Small party raids kept Aramis busy for the next few weeks but when she returned to Flagstaff, she was determined to see how Lion's new hopefuls were doing. It had been ages since she ventured down to The Den for a visit.
The children were already out in the training area with their makeshift weapons beating on each other with little mercy. Zen walked around the group watching the younger ones do battle and provided criticism when his trained eye called for it.
When he saw Aramis strolling towards him his face lit up and he abandoned the developing killers.
The two embraced in a firm hug and pats on the back.
"It's been a while!" Zen exclaimed.
Aramis was pleased to see her friend and fellow tribal. He was just a few months away from his own trials. This concerned Aramis cause Zen was still one of the weakest recruits to come from Lion's training but she had hope he'd find his place.
"How have things been?" she asked.
"Training hard. There are a lot more children training now so I have a lot of new meat to practice on," he told her with optimism.
Aramis forced an uneasy smile. Zen was older then most of the children by a lot and she could only assume they did little to prepare him for real combat.
"Is Lion around?" she asked.
"He's in the tent. The sun takes its toll on him more and more each day," Zen told her letting his concern show through. His mouth pulled to the left and his eyebrows furrowed.
She placed a hand on Zen's shoulder and gave him one last firm pat before moving on towards the tent. As she moved passed the training area she caught sight of the boy she had offered water to some weeks ago. He was small for his age and skinnier then the other children. He wasn't fairing to well in his one on one training with a partner nearly double his size. The bigger boy was relentless with his barrages on the smaller boy. The small boy was bleeding from his nose and lip and both eyes were swollen, puffy, and black.
Aramis sighed and changed direction heading towards the training area.
When she stepped into the ring all training ceased and little heads bowed respectfully as the Recruit made her way across to the small boy.
The larger boy grinned from ear to ear seemingly pleased with his brutal assault on the child. He was certain Aramis wouls condone his strength but Aramis simply moved him to the side so she could be closer to the small boy.
Behind his bruised face she could make out the fear and pain in his light brown eyes. His short and nappy dark brown hair was crusted with dry blood.
Aramis shook her head and extended her hand.
Reluctantly, the small boy placed his fighting stick in her hand. It weighed nearly as much as he did. No wonder he couldn't defend himself.
"Why go for this weapon?" she asked examining the poor craftsmanship in such a simple weapon.
"It's all I know how to make," the child murmured not letting his eyes meet hers.
Aramis smirked and looked around at all the gawking faces staring at them.
"Back to training!" Aramis snapped and all the boys went back to fighting one another ignoring the activity going on between Aramis and the small boy.
"You proved you can take a beating but now you need to prove you can fight back. You're not going to beat anybody up with a heavy, piece of crap stick," she told him.
She unsheathed her machete that had been clinging to her waste and began to unravel the bands that held the scrap metal to the hilt. Once the piece of metal was free she broke his stick and attached it to the hilt. With the same bands, she tied the wooden fragment to the hilt and created a small dagger like weapon.
"This should fair better," she told him handing the object over to the small boy who accepted the gift wearily.
"Will I get in trouble?" he asked.
At that moment Aramis caught movement behind her and turned coming face to chest with the mammoth man behind her. Lion stood with arms crossed and face glowering.
With a playful smirk, Aramis turned back to the boy.
"Let me deal with the animal," she told him with a kind smile. She then turned and wrapped her arms around her mentor who pulled her in tight.
"I was wondering when you'd have time to come down and pay me a visit!" his voice boomed in Aramis' ear. "How you been kiddo? I see you installing your wisdom onto my boys."
"I don't even have time to take a shit," Aramis began cheerfully. "You're youngins' have a long way to go if they think they'll hack it with the big boys."
"I use to think the same of you," Lion teased.
The two left the training area to continue their conversation with more privacy.
"Who's the runt?" she asked.
"That one? I called him Vulpes. Reminds me a lot of you actually. First night I caught him sitting up in bed eating stolen food from the mess tent. He's a sly one but he just can't hold his own in a fight," Lion informed. "Doesn't talk much. The others seem to pick on him too. His parents were killed in the assimilation and it seems he is the lowest on the totem pole but that little stunt you just pulled may have done him some good."
"Hope so," Aramis muttered feeling pity for the boy.
"How's your brother doing? Stories of his actions make their way even out here," Lion told her.
"He's the super Legionary," Aramis grunted.
"You'll make your mark your own way, you'll see," Lion assured her. "No problems with anything else?"
"Nothing. It's all too easy," Aramis informed with a smirk.
"Don't be cocky. One slip and…."
"I know Lion. I'm always careful," she guaranteed.
Lion snorted and punched her in the shoulder sending her writhing backwards.
"Don't be a smart ass," he joked.
Aramis rubbed her shoulder and chuckled.
"How's the leg?" she asked.
Lion tapped his knee and gave her a thumbs up.
"Attached," he mused.
Aramis rolled her eyes letting her smile grow.
"I better head back. Brash always has me doing random things for him around this time. I'll see you again soon, ok?" she promised.
Lion pulled her into a tight bear hug once more.
"Look after yourself, kiddo."
Something was wrong.
Aramis rose from her cot looking around the dimly lit shelter. Dawn's light cast an eerie glow that painted haunting shadows on the pine wood walls. The air was stale and choked with dust. Aramis kicked off her light, animal skin throw blanket and laced up her boots. She always slept in the sleeve that pressed in her chest and a loose T-shirt. She threw on her training armour and hurried out of the tent. There was a lot of commotion going on around the camp for such a casual morning.
The moment she left the shelter she knew something was up. Too many people were awake for this time of morning. Small groups clustered together and whispers combed through the air. Aramis looked around but she couldn't see what was drawing so much attention.
"What's going on?" she asked as she approached a few Legionaries in her cohort.
"Decanus Wynn was killed. Raiders ambushed the raiding party before they got even close to New Reno. Decanus Orion and Bedic went to the Headquarters to receive a Sit-Rep. We're hoping they will pass on some info," one of the Legionaries spoke up.
Aramis was stunned. Decanii rarely fell in combat especially one as battle hardened as Wynn.
"What of the two sections?" Aramis asked getting slightly more anxious knowing that Athos was part of that group.
"There were some injuries but they retreated before casualties mounted I heard," the Legionary replied.
Aramis nodded and took off frantically towards Decanus Siphers' housing unit for his section. Suddenly there was a grab for her arm but she was running too quickly to be grasped fully. Feeling the fingers slide over her skin she stopped and spun around.
"Aramis! You need to come with me!" Reed ordered, his voice trembling. He was covered in blood and his armour was cracked down the middle. He looked as though he hadn't slept in days and Aramis was sure he had more grey hair now then he did before he left despite being so young.
"What? Why? Where is Athos!?" she ordered.
"He's alive but you need to come with me," he told her trying to ease her mind a bit.
"How bad is it?!" she demanded to know as the two of them weaved through the shelters towards the medical tent.
"It's not good," Reed spoke honestly.
Aramis said nothing more, focusing only on getting to her brother's side as quickly as possible.
She threw back the tent flap and shielded her eyes from the blinding white lamps that shone brightly while slave women dashed back and forth barking out orders at one another.
Aramis looked around the med tent trying to spot her brother. Each makeshift gurney had a body lying on top of it. Some had sheets draped over completely, hiding the face of those who were already gone. Some of the sheets still moved or voices called out in agony from beneath them but the slave women here had their hands full with the ones they knew they had the best chances to save. Some would just have to be ignored until they too joined the motionless ones.
There were a large group of women huddled around a young man with dark ashen blonde hair crusted with blood.
"Athos!" Aramis cried out and pushed some of the slaves out of the way so she could see her brother. His eyes were closed but Aramis could feel the warmth in his hand when she held it. His chest rose and fell with shallow gasps and Aramis could see clearly what had done this.
A massive laceration carved its way down his chest from his left shoulder to his right hipbone. Aramis didn't know how deep the wound went. It had already been stitched and the slave women were now applying sterile dressings.
"Aramis," came the soft gentle voice of Seekra who stood across from Aramis looking at her with empathetic and tear filled eyes.
Aramis looked up at her and felt her own eyes begin to well up.
"I'm doing everything I can, alright?" Seekra assured her.
Aramis nodded slowly. She didn't want to release her brother's hand but she knew she was in the way of the medical attention he desperately needed.
She backed away and felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Reed still offering his support.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Come outside," Reed told her leading her out of the medical tent so the two could engage in their conversation in peace.
"It had been an ambush right from the start. We travelled along the main road a few miles East of New Reno when we took on heavy fire. They used bombed out cars they had pushed off the road for cover. Took a lot of us down before our close range weapons could be utilized. There were too many of them for us to pick off. They had weird facial tattoos. Nothing I've ever seen before. Athos took an axe to the chest. He must have jumped back as the guy swung because it slashed him rather then bit in deep. The group that hit us took off back into the desert. That was about five days ago. We would have been here sooner but Decanus Sipher wanted us to pursuit. We never did catch up though. Decanus Sipher thought it best to leave the severely wounded but I knew you'd have killed me if I left your brother there so the guys and I took turns carry him home," Reed informed.
Aramis felt her blood boil. Her brother lay there for five days with an open wound and Decanus Sipher gave chase to a group when they had mounting casualties and were clearly outgunned and outmanned.
"What was he thinking?!" Aramis snapped.
"Huh?" Who?"Reed questioned.
"Sipher! What if they had been leading you into another trap?! What if ….."
"Aramis, lower your voice!" Reed warned but Aramis looked as though she was about to blow a gasket.
"He gives chase all the while my brother is clinging to life but he doesn't give a shit even though Athos has been following that man around like a good little dog obeying his every wish and he just disposes of him as if he were damaged goods!" Aramis howled, panting from her run on words.
"None of us expected him to make it all the way here, Aramis," Reed tried but there was no coaxing her down.
Aramis was pacing aggressively stirring up dust with each pounding step.
"Where is he?!" she demanded.
"What?!" Reed retorted anxiously.
"Where is Sipher!" Aramis spat.
"Aramis, no! Don't be so stupid!" Reed warned but Aramis was already making her way for the Headquarters tent where she knew Sipher would be conducting his debrief.
Reed wrapped and hand around her wrist and tried to pull her back but she yanked her arm free and took off full tilt for the tent.
Reed gave chase begging her to stop.
"They'll crucify you!" he called out but she ignored his counsel.
Without hesitation she pushed open the flap of the tent and glared at the faces inside. The men all stood around a rectangular table with a large-scale map in the center. To her surprise there were far less bodies in here then she had expected. Decanus Sipher was surrounded by various other Decanii and Centurions Brutus and Thoros. The Legate stood at the head of the table leaning over the map with arms outstretched to take his weight. His head shot up when he saw her and his brows raised in alarm.
She held her eyes on the Legate for only a second before she fixated on Decanus Sipher.
"You heedless, pathetic excuse of a man!" Aramis began. "How injudicious do you have to be before you realize what common logic is?! I am astounded that some one, such as myself, a lowly recruit has enough sagacity to know that what you did was completely reprehensible and reckless!"
The men stood in silent disbelief that this Legionary had the audacity to enter this tent and spew such … slander, if it was slander. None of them knew what she was really saying.
"Aramis!" Centurion Brutus roared but stood firmly in place. Aramis was after all, a part of his Centuria and for one of his members to show such blatant insubordination to another Centurion's Decanus was to directly humiliate the man who led her.
"I'm going to slit this little cocksucker's throat!" Decanus Sipher bellowed and he came at Aramis with premeditated malice.
"Hold," The Legate's words chimed in subtly. Instantly there was a shift in the room and all eyes were on The Malpais Legate whose own eyes were locked on Aramis. He was always on her side. Surely he would understand. He had groomed her to be a free thinker in a place that only condoned obedience.
"With Caesar indisposed for the next few days and not wishing to be disturbed, I am in charge of his affairs and that carries over to punishment," the Legate mused. "It has been many years since an act of blatant defiance has prompted such drastic reprimand but I think in a case such as the one we have all just observed, Decimatio is fitting. Let Aramis be cause and witness to what his shameful display brings unto his brethren."
Aramis' hostility was shattered when she heard the word. She had never seen the act carried out but she had heard horror stories of its use.
Centurion Brutus lowered his head. He too was being punished for allowing one of his own to have the boldness to come forward and harass the highers.
Aramis took a step back. This was a whole new extreme. There was no way the Legate would do this, would he? Suddenly Aramis wished Decanus Sipher had slit her throat because what was about to follow was far worse then anything they could ever do to her.
"Make the necessary preparations, Brutus. I think Aramis will enjoy watching from The Post, don't you?" he added and simply lowered his attention back to the map. "You may deal with your soldier now, Brutus."
Brutus came forward and grabbed Aramis by the neck of her armour and ushered her out of the tent.
"You'll wish you were dead by the time this is over. I give it three days before you hang yourself with your bootlaces for causing this!" Brutus spat in her ear.
He led her to a large wooden post sticking out of the ground with a short leather strap tied to it. He put her to her knees and bound her hands with the leather leaving just over a foot of distance between her and the post.
"The flies are bad this time of year," he grumbled and left her there to await the horror that was sure to follow in the coming hours.
It took all day for the order to come down and the necessary provisions be put in place.
A hundred men or so, all from Brutus' Centuria lined up in four ranks, twenty-five men across. They all stood facing Aramis and the highers who were present for the act. Brutus walked down each file counting to ten each time and ordering the tenth man to step forward. By the time he was done, ten men stood in front of the group.
What came next was something Aramis could have never prepared herself for. Each man was then sectioned off while other members of Brutus' Centuria beat him until they were dead. The screams and pleas for mercy were deafening. Bones crunched, skulls cracked and blood splattered the ground leaving no rock unpainted with deep sticky crimson. By the time it was over, ten bodies lay in a crumpled heap, their limbs in positions unnatural to the human form. Brains and other bodily matter lay strewn about the sand, baking in the sun, rallying flies to the putrid stench that wafted in the air.
Aramis looked upon the faces of the men she had just condemned to carry out the heinous deed. Their eyes listless and faces gaunt with suppressed sorrow. No one was proud of what they had just done. No one felt the sick thrill of beating his comrades to death. She would forever be blamed for committing them to this pain.
When it was all over they left her there, tied to the pole, letting the sun burn at her skin until it blistered and cracked. When the sun fell, she shivered as night brought cold air that nipped at her exposed flesh. For days she remained tied to the pole with no food or water. She lay at the base tucked in a ball trying to shield her body from the elements.
By day four she was certain she was going to die, that was until Reed snuck out to see her in the middle of the night and brought with her a canteen of warm water.
"Everyone must hate me," she croaked through cracked dry lips.
"Pretty much," Reed spoke softly bringing the canteen up for her to drink.
"Athos?" she asked fearing the worst.
"He's awake and they think he'll make a full recovery. He digs the scar," Reed told her with a waning smile.
The news seemed to lift what spirits she had left.
"I don't hate you," Reed spoke up letting her drink again.
"One ally in a sea of enemies isn't enough to keep me afloat," she jested.
"Give it some time, they may come around," Reed said, trying to sound optimistic.
"I'm going to be tied up here till I am nothing but a skeleton," Aramis informed.
"I'll bring you what I can. For now, hang in there," he promised. He let her take one last big gulp of water before closing the lid and left her to her isolation.
She lay on the ground, hands still bound with leather that cut into her skin thinking about the man that sentenced her to The Post. A man she had come to trust, respect, if not idolize from child to young adulthood.
How fickle his mercy was that he could pass his judgment without even showing the faintness glimpse of human decency. He truly didn't care that his words put the worst chastisement of all on her.
As she lay there she promised herself that if she lived through this, she would never allow herself to believe she was special. She was after all, just a lowly Legionary with nothing to gain and everything to lose. It was time to accept that she was nothing but a slave and slaves were above all else, obedient.
Had it not been for Reed keeping his promise to return to her side each night with just a little bit to get her through the following day, she would have died. By the time Decanus Bedic untied her from The Post she had the body of an elderly person. She had lost nearly fifteen pounds and her skin looked as though it was melting off her bones. She wasn't permitted to go to the medical tent. Training continued as though nothing had changed the very next day but everything had changed.
No one wanted to be partnered with her. When they spared, her comrades didn't hold back. She was beaten violently each time she stepped into the training area with them. Only Reed showed her blatant kindness when no one else did.
She was thankful to still carry his favour and knew he was harassed about it daily by the other Legionaries. Still, he remained on her side.
Every day that passed seemed to be one step forward, two steps back. She wasn't putting on the weight fast enough and each sparring session in the training area aggravated the injuries from the day before. No one was letting up or showing her any kindness or pity.
The day finally came when Zen passed his trials and was collected into Brutus' Centuria much to the delight of Aramis and Reed.
His inauguration meant another ally for Aramis and the chance that she could actually survive a few more weeks. Zen's presence was a blessing. He was delighted to be with his friends and was especially thrilled to be partnered with Aramis each day.
He ignored all the slander the other Legionaries spread and focused on bettering himself and getting her back into top form. Aramis was thankful to have him most of all. He was gentle with her and never took advantage of her shortcomings. Zen was thankful he had some one to spar with who wouldn't put him in the clinic after each session.
After a few long months, Zen was a noticeably improved fighter and Aramis had gained back most of her weight and her skin had its elasticity again.
What hadn't changed was her sections ostracizing of her. She wasn't taken on any raids or shown any favour. She was always given the worst tasking around the capital, which usually meant cleaning the latrines or shoveling sandbags on her own.
Athos on the other hand was greeted back into his Centuria like a war hero. He was promoted to Prime as everyone expected and bounced back fully from his nearly fatal injury. Every day his expectant words of encouragement left Aramis feeling more defeated and she wondered if he received any flak for being the brother of the shitpump.
Aramis reached her breaking point the day she came in from training and some on had stuck a rattlesnake in her bedspread. Now her so-called comrades really were trying to kill her. She knew something had to be done to gain back what favour she could but she didn't know how.
That night she lay in bed, minus one rattlesnake, when the thought came to her. She rose silently and swung her legs off the side. She dressed in nothing more then a ratty T-Shirt, her boxers and boots. She took the small trench knife from under her pillow and tucked it into her left boot. She stepped cautiously along the floor so not to wake anyone. She slipped unnoticed out the door, greeted by the night sky and lack of moon aiding in her concealment.
If there was one thing she was good at, it was sneaking about and she knew just how to go about this plan.
The next morning the section was a buzz of rumours. Everyone had their own story of what happened to Aramis. No one had seen her disappear in the night. Athos was called in for questioning but even he was unaware of her whereabouts, which made many question if she had been the first person to ever truly escape.
Days went by and it became clear the highers were chomping at the bit to answer the question of her absence. They could admit she escaped or lie and claim they killed the recruit and disposed of the body before anyone knew she was gone.
No story was ever affirmed right until the day a small figure appeared on the horizon. As if drew closer, the guard manning the observation tower on the wall reported a figure coming towards the gate dragging something behind them.
When the figure was in clear sight, and in range of the snipers, she raised her hands and got down on her knees waiting to be collected.
Decanii's Bedic, Orion, Sipher and the newly promoted Reed since the slaying of Wynn were all sitting down to breakfast when news spread like wildfire that Aramis had returned. All four rushed out of the tent.
"Get the Centurion!" Bedic suggested to his fellow Decanus, Orion.
Orion hurried off to find Brutus while the remaining three ascended up the tower to see what the guards had reported.
Sure enough Aramis remained off in the distance kneeling with her hands on her head, unwavering.
"What the …. hell is he … doing?!" Bedic stammered.
"Looks like he's brought something back," Reed pointed out trying to conceal his joy that she returned.
In an instant Centurion Brutus, who had brought Thoros along with him, joined the Decanii.
"You've got to be kidding me," Brutus groaned. "I thought we wrote that one off. Go out and see what he's got there and bring him into the camp. This time we'll make sure to cut off his legs before we tie him to The Post and really leave him there to die!" he ordered looking to Bedic.
Bedic exited the main gate making his way across the hot sand towards his deserter. As he drew near he was stunned to see what Aramis had been dragging behind her.
In the makeshift net she constructed from various debris, were the heads of nearly a dozen men all marked with facial tattoos.
"What are these!?" Bedic ordered.
"Heads," Aramis replied cheekly.
"I can see that! Whose heads?!" he demanded.
"The leaders of those Raiders responsible for the ambush on Decanus Wynn and Sipher's section on the road to New Reno," she informed.
Decanus Bedic was stunned.
"How did you….?" He questioned with his mouth gapping.
"I hunted them down like the vermin they are. They weren't hard to find and once I found them, then I separated their heads from their shoulders," she explained nonchalantly.
Bedic looked over his shoulder at the tower where the others remained waiting for his action.
"Come inside," Bedic ordered leading her into the capital allowing her to drag the net of heads in too.
"What the fuck is this!?" Brutus demanded when he approached Aramis.
"The heads of those Raiders who killed Decanus Wynn, my Centurion," Bedic informed.
Even Brutus looked taken aback.
"You killed them all?" he asked.
"Eight in total," she spoke back casually.
"And their parties?" he went on.
I killed who I could while getting to each leader but some were able to evade my knife," she answered.
"How many?" he asked.
"Thirty-one" she replied like it was nothing.
"How did you….."
"I'm patient and I'm good at hiding I guess," she said with a shrug. If they were going to kill her, at least she went out with some integrity claimed back. Surely this deed was quite remarkable.
"You are lying. You have to be lying," Orion accused.
Aramis shot him an icy stare.
"Can you think of a single raiding party whose leader isn't guarded by at least half a dozen jacked up dope fiends?" she asked with a snippet of arrogance.
Orion didn't object again.
Brutus eyed the young recruit with uncertainty.
"Deal with this," he said to Bedic as he collected the net of heads from Aramis and handed it to him. "Come with me," he spoke to Aramis ushering her forwards towards the Headquarters tent. "We are going to have a little chat….."