After a week of travel, Maximus reached the Legate's camp and entered with trepidation. She did not know how she would be received. She did not know if he was aware of her conquests or if he had any interest in her fighting under his name, since she was dismissed from her former rank. The further into the camp she walked, the more doubtful she felt about her choice to offer herself in the coming battle.
Approaching his tent in the middle of the camp, she squared her shoulders and forced herself to walk that much taller, knowing the man would dwarf her. She hadn't seen him in years, but she vividly remembered why he was given the title 'Monster of the East'. Without leaving herself time to panic, she entered his tent.
Inside, her eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim light coming through the canvas walls before landing on a single large presence sat in a corner. The sound of a whet stone being slowly dragged along metal rhythmically met her ears. As Maximus got closer, making her presence known, the noise only faltered for a moment before resuming the grating pattern. Before her sat Lanius, his armor and mask made dull by the low light. Even sat hunched over, his hulking form made her feel like a child. The blade of the East laid across his lap as he sharpened it. He did not look up at her.
"So, the foxes bitch decides he wants to play soldier?" he asked. Maximus did not humor him with a response, only puffing out her chest that much more. "Tell me, how does it feel to be a real man, now that you've left the cowards ranks?"
"I feel I've learned a lot about myself" she responded, noncommittally. "It is good to know I can serve Caesar in more than one manner."
"And now you feel you are worthy of serving me?"
"If I am unworthy of serving you, I am unworthy of serving Caesar. It is his favor that was bestowed upon me, so—"
"Pretty words will do you no good, here! Choose your next ones carefully." He paused his work, silence settling upon the tent.
"I do", she proclaimed. He did not respond immediately. He ran his finger along the edge of the blade before turning it over in a manner that could only be described as gentle, coming from such a man. He resumed his task, the sound once again offering a reprieve among the tension of silence.
"Your blood shed has not gone unnoticed, especially from a whelp such as you. But as I recall, your father was much the same and still managed to bring shame to Caesar."
"Do you carry the shame of the Hangdogs?", she dared to question. He paused his movements and slowly looked up at her. The hollow eyes of his mask too dark for her to meet his gaze properly.
"I eradicated them and any shame they could have stained me with." He stated dangerously.
"The Malpais Legate is no more, much as the Hangdogs are no more. Do not imply that his failure is my burden." He stood, dropping the whet stone to the ground and allowing his sword to swing to his side. She did not move, only allowing her eyes to follow him to his full height. He stepped before her, crowding her personal space. His hand quickly reached out to grab her arm, yanking it forward so he could get a better look at her scar.
"When I am Caesar, you will remove this either by fire or by blade. You will not tarnish my empire with the mark of a liar." He stated lowly.
"When you are Caesar?", she questioned, slowly.
"The Mighty Caesar is plagued with headaches and frequents his chambers more and more. Soon, he will return to the Gods."
"And Vulpes?"
"He is not the true heir of Caesar. The blood of Mars does not flow in his veins. When the time comes, he will die by my hand, his men exiled to the wastes. It appears the stars have aligned in your favor, for you will be spared. Fight by my side, among your brothers and earn your place in my empire."
"You speak so openly as if this is not treason." She whispers, her stomach twisting in knots.
"I am not overthrowing Caesar! I have sacrificed nearly every slave I have to appease the Gods and heal him, but he has only worsened. When he is gone, I will fuck every last one of his daughters and produce heirs that truly possess the blood of Mars and bring upon us a lasting lineage worthy of ruling the Legion. My rule will be but a brief lifetime, but I will spend it conquering the west and laying a path of blood and bone for them to walk upon." He slowly tightened his grip on her arm. She felt as if her bone would snap but did not give any indication of pain. Her eyes bore into the hollow ones of the mask until he let go and stepped back. "We attack the dam in a week's time. Prepare yourself." He said before sitting back down and hoisting his blade across his knees.
"The remaining forces along with the Khans will be here within a couple of days. Why do we wait, so long?"
"You speak too much, like the deceiver who cast you aside. Perhaps you should remedy that when you are in my presence." He growled.
"If I am to follow you, it will not be blindly. I only wish to gain insight into how you strategize. How am I to learn if you will not teach me?" she implored, playing to his ego. He considered her, for a moment.
"There is a courier Caesar employed, she is to assist in the assassination of the NCR's president. Though I wish to attack now, Caesar believes the loss will dishearten the NCR in the battle to come. Once it is done, we may move forward."
"I find it odd that a woman is working among us, how did Caesar convince her to join the legion?"
"Vulpes, for all his trickery seems to have served some purpose. He played to her weaknesses and seduced her, making her believe she can live among us as a free woman." He stated with a small chuckle. It was an unsettling sound coming from him.
"Surely, she could deduce that there is no promise of that?" she asked, trying not to let her jealousy cloud her resolve.
"She will be married off to Vulpes as a gift for his efforts in capturing New Vegas. Once he has fallen to my blade, she will warm my bed." A numbing cold settled over her body as she absorbed this information. She simply nods once in response. His attention returns to his blade. She turns to leave. "In three days, there will be a strategy meeting at dawn. Train in the meantime. Do not sully this opportunity."
"Yes, Legate." She responds evenly before leaving his tent.
Vulpes entered Caesar's private quarters, his usual façade masking his disappointment in Caesar's state. The auto doc he had scavenged parts for was unable to perform as needed and the doctor the courier had gifted him was equally unqualified. Anyone who looked upon him would know he would soon pass, so Lucius had insisted only Vulpes and himself have access to his chambers. Additional fabrics had been hung along the walls and ceiling to further darken the room. The Praetorian Guard was ordered to silence and admitted no visitors. The majority of advisors had already left for the Legates camp. All that remained were enough slaves and soldiers to defend the Fort, if needed. They were graciously undisturbed. He gently set a chair next to Caesar's bedside before sitting down, curious to his summons. Caesar lifted a cold cloth from his eyes and turned to Vulpes.
"Lucius, leave us." He called. Lucius looked to Vulpes before stepping out.
"You called for me, my lord?" Vulpes asked in a low voice as not to cause him any more pain.
"I want an update on the courier. Was she able to sway the tribals of Nellis?"
"Yes, my lord. We will have their fire power from the ground as well as function to our howitzer outside, but the plane they were working on will not be repaired in time." He made a pleased humming noise in response.
"Where is she now?"
"She and Cato are preparing for the assassination of President Kimball, as we speak."
"She really does get results…" he pondered out loud. He laid silent for a few moments lost in thought before his eye met Vulpes, once more. "I was going to wait until the fall of New Vegas, but I don't know how much longer I will be around." Vulpes did not deny his mortality, though he would not argue it, either. He sat, waiting for him to continue. "She is my gift to you." A blink, was the only sign of him faltering at the news.
"My lord?" he asked hesitantly.
"A wife, Vulpes. Soon, you will be Caesar and you will need to produce heirs. That woman has bent over backwards at your every request just to please you. She sure as hell isn't doing any of it for me. She would do well at your side and I get to keep my word in regards to not enslaving her. I've already informed her and she was more than elated to accept." He said as he managed a wolfish grin.
"My lord, I am gracious for your gift, but I don't think it necessary. I would do all of this without prize. Perhaps Lanius would be more suited?"
"Lanius?" he scoffed. "He would blind her the moment they were alone. She would be dead within the week. It would be a waste. He will be getting his pick of the surviving NCR women, instead. I had half the mind to offer her to Maximus, but I fear he may soon fall."
"What do you mean?" he asked, unable to disguise the urgency in his voice.
"The Legate has chosen him to lead the first wave on the dam."
"Surely, you must realize why?" he hissed.
"Regardless of his reasons, Maximus has proven to be a capable fighter and an adaptive leader. The devastation he can bring to the initial attack, alone is reason enough. Changing plans this close to battle would only cause chaos and compromise our efforts."
"My lord-"
"Enough. My head is fucking killing me. Win the battle, marry the girl and prepare to rule over the west. Those are your orders." Vulpes paused and sucked in a slow breath, calming himself.
"Yes, my lord." he replied, standing.
"Leave me. I need to rest." he stated before placing the damp cloth back over his eyes.
"Vale, pater."
Vulpes stepped out of Caesars chambers and into the heart of the tent, beckoning Lucius to the side, away from the guards ears.
"If he does not wake, do not alert anyone until after the fall of the dam. You will continue as you have. I trust you to run the Fort, in his stead. Send a messenger to me with word of my upcoming marriage as a signal of what has happened." Lucius nodded in understanding.
"Are you leaving so early to strike at New Vegas?"
"No. I'll be joining the Legate."