A Legion Reborn

"It was a complete hogwash Stone, no one beats someone that many times in a row if they're playing fair. She had to be cheating, I'm sure of it." I ran a hand through my hair and rubbed my head as I sighed. As I had expected, Master Jotham had summoned me back to duty, but not before Deborah had bested me seven times in our chess games. I hadn't expected to claim victory in every match, but I did think I would beat her at least once. The summons came before I could request another, much to my frustration. Deborah's taunting wave was still playing in my mind…

"Have you ever considered that you're just terrible at chess?" Stone joked, taking off a pot from the fire. I glared at him as he set the pot on the table beside us, before quickly adjusting two cups before us. Stone and I had been assigned to night watch, one of many tasks we'd been given since our agreement with the Lords and Ladies. I was happy to complete their tasks, though their frequency was wearing on me, especially when stationed in a barracks with no proper door.

"I'm not terrible at chess. I've bested you before, haven't I?" I replied. Stone laughed as he began pouring the drink, a strange brown liquid flowing out of the pot. Supposedly, it was something that would help us get through the night as alert and able as though we'd had a good night's sleep. I was skeptical of such a claim.

"And I can't play to save my life! What does that prove, Liam?" He retorted. I certainly didn't think Stone was awful at the game, though I admit I struggled to recall a time he ever won. Thinking even further, I realized he'd never initiated play, only accepted offers. I shook my head and sloshed around the brown liquid, a trail of steam rising gently from it as Stone poured himself a cup of it.

"What did you say this was called, again?" I asked. I hoped he would accept my non-answer and be done with the previous conversation. I was glad to see he had complied.

"The guy who taught me about it says it's called coffee. I'm telling you, it's a miracle worker, Liam." Stone said. Enthusiasm practically dripped from every word he spoke, and an eager grin had spread across his lips. I only hoped it was at least half as good as he claimed. I raised the cup to my mouth, only to feel Stone dragging my hands back down to the table.

"Woah, hey, give it a second, brother! It just came off the pot, let it cool a bit first." He urged. I simply nodded and set the cup aside for the time being. Leaning forward, I clasped my hands together and observed my friend, trying to read his expression. He seemed amused, and somewhat thoughtful.

"So, a brand new Iron Legion, eh?" He mused, setting aside his own cup. I'd made no secret of my eagerness to press on once Deborah had recovered, but this was the first time I'd revealed my most recent oath to Stone. I'd expected him to laugh or try to talk me out of it. Instead, he'd prepared the coffee, and asked me to explain how this happened. Even after that, he hadn't outright dismissed it. I shook my head and relaxed a bit.

"Not brand new, reborn. The Iron Legion once inspired hope within Ashfeld. They were a beacon of protection and devotion, I would see that restored." I explained. Stone nodded along with my explanation, periodically tapping the table as I spoke. He sat quietly and pursed his lips as he seemed to think. It didn't surprise me that he wasn't immediately convinced, I was well aware of how outrageous it was at first glance. Blackstone's influence was vast, second only to its manpower. Taking them on in any capacity would be risky, if not outright hazardous.

"It's bold, Liam, very bold." He began, pausing a bit to sigh before continuing; "But it's also a fool's errand. Without any authority, you wouldn't be recognized as the real thing." He pointed out. I had suspected such an argument.

"That's why I need your help. You held leadership within the Legion, you could serve as the new Warlord. All you would need is followers, and you already have one." I explained. Stone and I first met during the defense of an Iron Legion stronghold, of which he'd held command. True, the position fell onto him rather than being gifted to him, but he proved his bravery and his dedication as its commander, I knew he had it in him. Stone, unfortunately, disagreed.

"I'm not cut out for leadership Liam. That fort would have fallen had it not been for Blackstone. Besides, I wouldn't even want it if I were." He rebutted.

"You're a capable warrior, Stone, soldiers would flock to you if you made the call. I could help you!" I tried explaining. Without him, this would all fall apart, I had to convince him. Stone simply smiled and shook his head.

"I may be a warrior, but I'm no leader. I'm no good with people, you know that. I'd be in charge for a week or two before the men would be calling for my head." I didn't believe him for a second. Stone wasn't a liar, but I felt he was cutting himself far too short. He was loyal, strong, and efficient, all good qualities for a Warlord. More importantly, he was a good man. The reborn Iron Legion would respect that, wouldn't they? I opened my mouth to speak again, but Stone spoke first.

"That said, I can think of someone who is both a warrior and a proper people person. Someone I could truly call 'Master'." I squinted a bit and sat a bit straighter. I had no idea who he could be referring to, at first. That's when I realized he'd never broken eye contact with me, and his previously guarded posture had relaxed, it almost seemed welcoming. Me, he was referring to me. I had to refuse, naturally. Experience was perhaps the most important aspect in leadership, and I hadn't even reached my 30's yet. I was too young for such a position by several years.

"I can't, Stone. I'm not worthy of leading any legion, much less the Iron Legion. Besides it's like you said, I have no authority." I argued. Stone chuckled and sat forward, taking his cup in his hand as he did.

"Liam, you just came to me with the idea of rebuilding the greatest legion Ashfeld has ever known, and your first instinct was to hand leadership over to someone else. Can you name me another knight that would do that?" He asked. My thoughts failed me as I pondered that question. Stone would have been my first answer, but I considered the odds of him asking me to lead if it were his idea. He wouldn't, I realized. He would lead well, and he would almost certainly appoint me as his second, but he would claim leadership for himself. After him, I couldn't think of another name. Before I could answer, Stone spoke again.

"On top of that, the men of Blackstone loved you. The people of Ashfeld STILL love you. You wouldn't believe some of the songs I've heard of you. And as for the authority problem…" With one quick jerking of his arm, he reached for, then pulled something from around his neck. A pendant of some sort, which he gently set between the two of us. When he pulled his hand away, I was stunned to find an iron, shield shaped trinket. A black sword ran into a green hillside, and a golden horizon lay behind them both, bits of green and white in the far corner of the pendant. This was an original Iron Legion pendant, a sign of leadership, and a symbol of dominion. How long had Stone been holding onto this?

"If I proclaim you as the new Warlord, you'll have it. You just need the proper items." He said. For a time, I was too stunned to speak, let alone move. The idea of leading the Iron Legion was both terrifying and exhilarating. Frankly, I wasn't sure I wanted that kind of power. It was a daunting reality, one made all the more imposing by that pendant.

"What if I'm not ready? Am I really worthy of this?" I asked, finally taking my attention away from it. When I looked back up at Stone, he simply smirked.

"Well, was Moses ready when he spoke with the Burning Bush? Was Esther ready when she was anointed queen? Fate rarely calls upon us when we're ready, Liam. You're more worthy than you think." He said. Again, I was stunned into silence. I wasn't sure I was worthy enough to be compared to such biblical heroes, but Stone's words did make sense to a degree. I looked back at the pendant, its chipped and scratched colors seemed dull, but ever distinct. With careful hands, I picked up the pendant and observed it closely.

It felt heavier than it looked, as though I were holding onto a fist sized stone. I wasn't sure if that was due to the pendant itself, or my nerves. Again, ideas of leadership and command entered my mind, to my surprise they seemed a bit less overwhelming this time. If Stone could truly put his trust in me, perhaps I was more ready than I'd thought, regardless of my faults. Besides, was this not my vision, my hope for the future? Didn't I have a responsibility to take ownership over it?

My resolve seemed to harden as my hand clenched into a fist, the pendant clasped tightly inside. I still wasn't sure I was ready, but I swore an oath to the people of Ashfeld. To my companions and my brother Stone. And to Deborah. This was my responsibility, my duty. If I had to be at the forefront to honor that, then so be it. Still, I could not do it alone.

"I'd still need a second." I said, looking up. Stone raised an eyebrow and leaned back a bit. This proposition seemed to amuse him, more than anything. With a chuckle he held up his cup, but did not drink from it.

"You could find a much better fit, brother." He said. I allowed myself to smile and placed the pendant inside a pouch at my side. With the other hand, I grabbed the cup of coffee Stone had made for me.

"No. I couldn't." I simply said. All I needed was a look, a look of genuine, simple pride on Stone's face. And I knew he was in. Softly, he raised the cup to me, silent approval radiating from his very being.

"To the Iron Legion reborn, then." He said. I raised my own cup, leaning only an inch between them.

"To the Iron Legion reborn." I echoed, both of us clinking the cops together in a toast. Anxiety seemed to swim through me, but so too did conviction, an intense desire to see the Iron Legion brought back to its former glory. And so, we both raised our glasses to our lips. Stone merely sipped from his, while I took a heart swig, a mistake, I now realize. The drink was strong, VERY strong, and bitter. A wave of boiling energy seemed to slam into me like a bull as I lurched forward, catching myself before I spit the drink out. Swallowing sent ripples of burning pain down my throat as I leaned forward, eyes clenched.

"Oh, did I mention you're supposed to drink this slowly?" Stone's voice mockingly called out. I glared at him as he sat with an entertained look. I tried to call out to him, but was wracked by a fit of coughs as he began laughing hysterically. If I hadn't been so busy coughing, I could have slugged him. Instead, I turned away, covered my mouth the best I could…

…and coughed.