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Two Days Later
The Nucerian 5th Legion had lost the battle at the fields of Vendhayana.
With its general fallen and the survivors scattered to the four winds, there was nothing left to stand in the way of Angronius and his followers. In the wake of the legion's defeat, the path to the shores of the Freelands opened. And with it, the Empire's hold upon the vassal states weakened. News of the great battle that took place at Vendhayana traveled fast, and finding the oppressive hand upon its throat grow lax, the Freelands broke free from the yoke of Nuceria.
Angronius had undone in a naught but short of a month what took near a century for an empire to accomplish.
His victory won him the favor of all who once chafed beneath the heel of the Empire, and saw his numbers swell considerably. Angronius promised vengeance, to strike back at the heart of Nuceria and destroy it, and they were more than willing to help him. But what would come next, not even the gladiator king could know.
At the end of those two days, the thought of conquest dimmed in the mind of Angronius.
For one who had the strength of a god, his heart was yet that of a man. Where there was loss, he felt despair. Everyone thought that with his triumph over the Nucerians, Angronius would join them in their celebration. But this was not a time for joy, not for him. When he had finished unearthing the rubble blocking the passageways of the city catacombs, and freeing the trapped refugees within the shelters, Angronius oversaw the burial rites of all who had fallen in battle, reserving one for him to attend to personally.
He recovered Rissio's corpse at the poisoned fields of Serusia, where he and his men fought and died at the hands of the 5th Legion. Reuniting his head with the body, Angronius prepared Rissio for a ceremonial cremation. He would not allow Rissio to be buried in a foreign land, for to do so was to bind him in death. No, he would be free even in his passing. His ashes shall he scatter to the four winds, that his brother's spirit might soar the heavens and find the peace he could never find in life.
For the Nucerian dead, he left them for the carrion-birds and beasts to devour, or for the corpse-pickers to salvage. But for the bronze armor adorning Coriolanus' headless corpse, which had been fashioned by otherworldly hands, Angronius buried it deep into the earth and forbade anyone from digging it up under pain of death.
The funeral pyre he created for his friend was bigger than what would normally serve to cremate the average man, for Rissio was a giant and deserved a giant's pyre. A large gathering of warriors came for his funeral, for Rissio was loved by many. From the stalwart freedman who sailed with him across the Sodian Sea, to the honored Stygian who fought alongside him. When Angronius set the pyre alight, songs were sung and those closest to Rissio gave testimony to his deeds.
One would think it was the funeral of a king, and as far as Angronius was concerned, it was.
Once the fire died down, and Rissio's ashes were gathered, Angronius approached Minerva and her son Ionos. He greeted his blood-brother, but took the woman aside to discuss some changes in the horde's structure of leadership. With Rissio gone, it left many warriors without a lieutenant to oversee them personally. There was much Angronius was able to do, but as far as his influence went, he had his limits. A replacement was needed, and the gladiator king felt that there was no better person to assume command of the Stygians among them than Minerva.
Naturally, the woman was apprehensive. "You're asking me to what?"
Angronius nodded, "Yes. I believe it is time you took your rightful place and command the horde at my side."
"Rightful?" Minerva protested, "With all due respect, it is far from righteous for me to take something that I do not deserve. Leading my people... such a privilege is forever denied me, and justly so. I have failed them."
Angronius considered her reply, but remained firm with his decision. Minerva had experience, she had been a good leader regardless of how her war with Acraesius ended. He would have her stand with him, one way or another. "Haven't you noticed how they looked up to you when you fought alongside me against the 5th Legion? There was no doubt in their eyes when they saw you at the helm."
"It was you they were following, not me."
"You demean yourself unjustly. You must let go of the mantle of repentance. Dwelling upon those wrongs, punishing yourself, it helps no one. Not even you."
Minerva hung her head in shame. "What else can I do? I am beyond redemption."
"I will be the judge of that." Angronius declared, "And I say you are not beyond redemption. Do what must be done, use your knowledge and years of experience as a weapon against the Nucerians. Help me put an end to their empire once and for all. If you will not do it for yourself, then do it for your people. Your voice will sway them better than mine ever could. They will follow you, just as you follow me."
He was offering her a chance to become warmother again. And oh, but to bask in the glories of such an honored position. But Minerva saw beyond the fleeting benefits of attaining leadership, she saw the wisdom in the gladiator king's words. Rissio was dead, and someone had to take his place. "The news... they would better receive it coming from you."
She accepted, although it would take some time getting used to it. A good enough answer for Angronius. "I shall speak to them on the morrow. For now, I shall retire. The days have taken their toll on me, and I have been away from my wife's arms for far too long."
Remembering well all that the sorceress and her husband have done for her, curing her blindness and rousing her from her maddening stupor, Minerva smiled in gratitude. "Give her my best regards. Farewell."
As the man turned to leave, Minerva noticed a group of crows sitting on the branches of a dying tree, which had grown overnight on the same spot Angronius had buried the cursed brass armor. Indeed, something from that mysterious metal was poisoning the roots. And the crows themselves emanated a chilling aura, as if masking a more sinister entity behind their lifeless black eyes.
When Angronius had gone, the crows started to caw and shake their wings. Soon, they fluttered off and disappeared into the wilderness.
That Night
Angronius let out a sigh of relief as he ascended the stairs leading to the balcony corridor that stretched across the palace right wing. In the battle that took place in the city, one of the bombs landed on the governor's house, reducing it to nothing but smoking ruins and forcing the gladiator king to relocate his family to one of the more intact palaces closer to the walls of Vendhayana.
Rebuilding the city would take time, time that would better serve for the mobilization of his army towards the Sodian. A dilemma, once more, but Angronius was too tired to think of a solution. It wasn't the kind of exhaustion of the body, but of the mind and soul. Hence, his need for the comforting embrace of Polgara's arms and the warmth of her thighs.
The gladiator king approached the twin brass doors with the relief depictions of foreign gods, and with a casual push he opened them and entered his wife's bedchamber. He sensed her presence, and the sleeping babe on the crib a few feet away from the entrance, which made him smile. But when he lifted his eyes to the bed, what he saw made his jaw slack.
Polgara was waiting for him, and she wasn't alone. Sonjita the Red Maiden was sitting on the bed beside her.
"Leave us." The gladiator king commanded, thinking that she lingered about to have a bit of idle chatter with his wife. "I wish to be alone with my wife now."
Sonjita bit her lip and started to move for the door, but Polgara stopped her. "No, stay."
The Red Maiden obeyed and returned to her side, Angronius threw her an inquisitive look but said nothing.
"Angron, there's something we have to tell you."
Polgara explained the things she and Sonjita have discussed in the past, things concerning her desire to be with Angron and share in his affection. And while the prospect of even considering such a thing disturbed the gladiator king, he listened to her all the same. He just didn't quite expect her, of all people, to be willing to play second party for something like this.
The sorceress rose up from the bed and took her husband's hand in hers, "I told her that if she is found worthy in your eyes, she is worthy in mine."
Sonjita drew close to him from the opposite end, then slipped a hand across the skin of his arm. "I vowed that only the man who defeats me in battle shall take me and give me children. None have succeeded, except for you. So tell me, Angronius, am I worthy of your affection?"
The corner of Angronius' lip twitched into a wry smirk. He wasn't entirely against the idea, "Eanna... you are certain?"
"I am." Polgara reassured him.
His hand squeezed her own, "But I wish to have you too this night."
"Oh Angron..." Polgara planted a kiss on his cheek, now content in the knowledge that she would always have a place in his heart. "I never said I would be absent from your side this night."
"What do you...?" Angronius began, then stopped short when it dawned on him. His eyes widened as he nodded slowly, "Oh. Ohh..."
Sonjita, now possessed by a fiery passion that she'd never felt before, seized the gladiator king by his braided locks and kissed him fiercely. She'd never kissed a man before, but when she did, it all came so naturally. She paused for a breath, staring at his face in awe as she wondered what fiendish spirit of lust took her over.
"Yes." Polgara said, as if reading her thoughts. "He has that effect."
Suddenly, Angronius lifted Sonjita off the floor and threw her onto his shoulder. He carried her to the bed and tossed her onto the soft sheets. He removed his breastplate and armguards, shrugged off the bearskin drape from his shoulders and undid his belt. When he finished undressing himself, the giant crawled on top of the Red Maiden and moved to do the same to her.
Sonjita's lips curled into a smile, but her fiery green eyes were mocking the gladiator king, which added more coals to the furnace of his passion. She made no attempt to resist as he roughly tugged at the twine holding her chainmail top together, freeing the soft mounds of her breasts to spill into his waiting hands.
The rough texture of his calloused fingers against her soft skin made her shiver, and Sonjita moaned as his warm mouth enveloped each peak. She gasped when she felt his teeth sink deep into her. The steel-bound flesh did not tear, and his bite was naught but a minor annoyance. Still, Sonjita gave him a light smack on the head to let her disapproval be known.
Angronius ignored her and went higher, leaving vicious little love-bites as he neared her mouth. When he got close enough, Sonjita latched her teeth onto his chin and scraped the edges until they clicked on empty air. Angronius went down low on her, removing the chainmail tabard and animal-skin undergarment covering the last of her nakedness. Finally, Sonjita kicked off her boots and beckoned for the giant to rejoin her among the sheets.
Angronius followed, and Polgara watched as her husband effortlessly flipped the woman over on all fours so he could take her from behind. Before joining them for a bit of fun for herself, the sorceress cast two spells. One to enhance her body's tenacity, and another to keep the noise from bothering little Lotara. While the adults had a bit of fun, the toddler slept peacefully in her crib.
Sonjita grunted as Angronius entered her and kept a tight grip on her hips. She groaned silently as her body adjusted to his inhuman girth, then cried out as he started to move. Her pleasured screams filled the air, and the Red Maiden clutched at the sheets as the gladiator king ravaged her. Polgara looked on with amusement as she disrobed and climbed aboard. She draped a loving arm around her husband's neck and whispered in his ear, "Gently now, my dear. You're going to break her."
"Hm?" Angronius grunted, drawing a hand back to smack the redheaded woman across the rear.
A delighted mewl escaped her lips, so he smacked her again. Pretty soon, her ass was almost the same shade of red as her hair. With Sonjita, Angronius wasn't afraid to get a little rough. He knew she wouldn't break, although Polgara's concern for her was commendable. If she wanted to be his, she would have to get used to a little bit of pain.
"Come here!" Angronius growled, grabbing a handful of her hair.
Sonjita moaned, eyes still firmly shut from the inexplicable pleasure the god was giving her. He was so strong, she feared he would shatter her into pieces. The Red Maiden murmured a short prayer to the Red Goddess that she would survive the night, then uttered a tiny 'ow' as she was forced to arc her back. Angronius held her tightly against his body. Their combined warmth would scald a normal human, which only served to fan the fire in the Red Maiden's loins to white heat. The gladiator king flipped her around again, this time so he could have her look upon him as he claimed her.
With his elbows resting on either side of her head, Angronius enveloped Sonjita in the warm vise of his arms. He entered her again, making her tremble with unbridled ecstasy.
And agony. Pain flared from her inner abdomen, and she did her best to endure until she could endure no more. He was just too big for her. "Stop! Please, you're hurting me!"
A comforting rumble came from Angronius' throat, and he kissed her neck apologetically. He slowed his pace, now that he realized she wasn't as unbreakable as he thought. Soon, the pain faded and Sonjita's agonized whimpers gave way to her delicate moans. Her arms snaked across his back and her long supple legs locked tightly to his waist. She was still eager for more, and this made him smile. The bed protested beneath them from the force of Angronius' exertions. For near an hour, he pleasured her to the point of exhaustion.
When he found her spent, the gladiator king let her rest then turned his attentions to his queen.
Sonjita, out of breath and drenched in sweat, turned about from where she lay and watched with growing jealousy as Angronius made love to Polgara. When he touched her, there was a palpable connection between them that was absent in her moments with Angronius. A feeling of total surrender, even as he pressed her flat on her stomach and pounded away at her like a hammer would a nail. This wasn't a dog taking his bitch, but a man loving his woman.
This was the affection she sought from the gladiator king, the kind denied to her for the moment. She hadn't earned it yet, and the thought frustrated her to no end. There was nothing else she could offer to him, she had given all that remained. If she couldn't have him after that, she would live only as an empty shell. And she didn't want to return to that kind of life, if it could even be called that. The violence of living in the battlefield was growing tedious.
In despair, Sonjita curled up and hugged her knees to her chest. Shame and self-loathing crept up her spine like an inhuman chill.
She didn't notice Angronius leave a delightfully satisfied Polgara, and she flinched when she felt his beckoning hands brush against her bare shoulders. The Red Maiden turned her head to look up into his hungry eyes, which relished in her vulnerability like a wolf would look at a cornered hare.
"W-What?" She gasped, "Again?"
"Yes..." He growled in her ear as he pressed his face into the wild nest of her hair, "Again."
Her body ached with the power of his thrusts, and bent in every way he saw fit. Like the crooked steel on the anvil, he hammered her to his desired shape. She made no sound of protest, but could not help but try to escape. Angronius held her firmly in place, his pace growing feverish as he neared his end. By then, the Red Maiden had grown weak as a newborn kitten. She emitted a barely audible whimper as she felt his hand take her by the throat and slipped its fingers into her mouth.
Horrid memories of the past came back to haunt her, only to be driven away as Angronius claimed her lips in a bruising kiss. He buried those nightmares beneath an avalanche of new memories, ones that would in turn fill Sonjita's dreams. Never again would she fear the touch of a man, for she had been touched by a god.
And soon, she would carry a god's offspring.
"What more should I give so you would have me as you would have her?" Sonjita asked after he'd finished with her and they were both now lying side by side. Polgara was lying on the opposite end of the bed, her body clinging to her husband's back as she slept.
The gladiator king's body spooned up against Sonjita's, and his massive arms coiled around her tightly. She was now his prisoner, subject to his every whim. And yet, in that warm cocoon surrounding her, Sonjita had never felt safer. This god of war read her mind as easily as he would a piece of parchment, and saw right through her. "Everything, Sonja."
She should've expected nothing less.
"I will never love you as I love her." He said honestly, which saddened Sonjita. "But the love that can be, if you remain true to me, it will be more than sufficient for you."
She wouldn't be second in his eyes, she would be unique. It would have to suffice. That kind of love won't grow in a night of heated passion, but it was a start.
Sonjita pulled up his his hand to her lips, "You've given me everything I've ever wanted. Revenge and the freedom of my people. All that I am, all that I have, my lord and master... it is yours."
Angronius pressed his head into the crook of her neck and intertwined his fingers with hers. His grief had left him, and his mind was now clear. His thoughts turned to Nuceria, the final frontier in which he and all the freedmen would sail into within a few days. "You are mine. I will give you children and more. Soon, I will give you the world."
City of Reksia
The Exalted Palace
The news of the 5th Legion's defeat at Vendhayana did not bode well for the future of the Empire.
Emperor Acraesius, who had given the task of eliminating the rebellion over to Coriolanus, was at the cusp of ushering Nuceria into a new age of scientific progression enlightenment that had been previously denied them. His past ambitions concerning the Freelands paled in comparison to his quest to gain access to the stars, and Nuceria was very well heading towards that age.
The space age.
Every empire since the dawn of time dreamed of such an age, for to traverse the vastness of the void was like ascending to godhood. There will be more territories, more enemies, and more worlds to conquer. Nuceria would become immortalized by its endless conquest of the stars. They only needed to make the first step, and such an age would be theirs.
But Acraesius was worried, vexed, by the thought of the barbarians crossing the Sodian and ruining everything he'd built. He had lost Polgara to the slave twice now, he would not let him take away his empire too.
For days, the emperor sought every strategy known to him. The use of bargains, assassins, or even more legions to send overseas to quell this threat. But for all his attempts and vexations, Acraesius realized he was getting nowhere. Angronius was more than just a rebel slave, and his legend was growing in strength even in the very heart of Nuceria itself.
His rebellion sparked more rebellions, and half the time he had to divert both men and resources to stamp out the slave revolts erupting in every city of the Empire.
And as always, in his most desperate hour, Lord Sevran Fowl was there to impart his most valued advice.
This time, Acraesius was more than ready to throw all caution to the wind. His fear of Angronius overruled his mistrust for the mystic. And since it was he who helped paved the way for his path to the throne, it should be an easy task for him to help deal with the freedmen threat. "Lord Fowl! Your timing is impeccable."
Sevran Fowl, having entered the palace through unseen paths, smiled wryly at the emperor. "Now now, what's gotten your feathers all ruffled, Your Highness?"
"It is that slave, Angronius! Coriolanus has failed me, and now the rebellion has sparked fires all over my empire. This thing, this monstrous beast of a rebel slave, he must die! I hear that the filthy heathens already worship him as a god!"
"A god, not so. He is but a man." Fowl replied nonchalantly as he walked ahead of the emperor. They were alone in the balcony bridge connecting one tower of the palace to another. No one was around to hear their discussion, and with the emperor so desperate for quick relief, Fowl was more than ready to enact his most cleverly crafted scheme yet.
Like the domino stacks, all he had to do was push the first piece and everything would fall in place.
"I have a solution."
"Well? Speak of it, man!"
Fowl nodded, "Are you yet familiar with Warmother Minerva?"
Acraesius frowned, recalling the name of his once most hated foe. "Why yes. Yes I remember her. She was the leader of the barbarian horde when I was still Legatus Legionis of the 1st Legion. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I have on good authority that Angronius now holds her as lieutenant of a vast majority of his forces."
"So? How does this help me with the man himself?"
Fowl held up a silver taloned finger, "I would like to play the messenger and deliver your words of warning to her. Your actions have left wounds on her soul, she fears you still. My advice is that you use that fear against her, make her abandon Angronius when he needs her most. Remember, this gladiator king is no more powerful than the amount of men following him. Should he make landfall at your shores, and we both know that he will, and his allies would be nowhere to aid him?"
Acraesius nodded slowly, a sly smile forming on his face. "Go on."
"He will have nowhere to run, no one to help him. You will corner him as your legionnaires did in the slums of Hyrkan from long ago, and you will have him."
"Yes... yes that would do just nicely." The emperor stroked his chin.
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Fedan Mohr, here we come...