Amazonia - Reavers

Lady Jhadra gave Titan a look cool and composed. "I would have dared a long time ago, had I the power and worthy warriors to bestow this upon. Now I have both."

Titan took a deep, calming breath, his fists unclenching as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You need seven total, the knight and six Chaldean's, or the enchantment will not work. I count Az, plus five."

From the corner of my eye I could see the others exchanging frantic looks as Lady Jhadra smiled. "A shame Ogri are immune to magic, or I would make you the knight and we would have seven. No matter. A mix of human and other races works just fine." She beckoned at someone beyond the small gate.

A female dressed in a slave's coarse white tunic stepped past the guards and hesitated at the doorway. She was a Daemo, crafted to appear almost human, with large, innocent looking eyes and skinnier than Lady Jhadra, her skin pale without any purple sheen. She took a timid step forward into the light. Her forehead was flawless, without any embedded purple scale or mana stone, meaning she wasn’t a magic user. But her hair was silvery-grey, not milk pale as all Daemo females have if they possess no magic. Ordinary Daemo have no hair at all.

There was also a slave collar around her neck the same as ours. That's strange. Daemo females are supposed to be the nobles of their society, but what do I know? Most Daemo were squat, man-like creatures with yellowish-green skin, who fought with armor and weapons made out of their own disgusting secretions. This female isn't one of them by several leagues, though I've never heard of a timid Daemo before. "Mistress Jhadra," she said in a light, almost child-like voice, "is it safe to enter?"

"These are gladiators, not condemned criminals. They will not touch you." The thin Daemo shrank away from Dominus and the rest of us as she hurried over to Lady Jhadra's side. "This brave soul is Ghost," Lady Jhadra said in a mocking voice, "the only known Daemo Shadow-walker in existence."

"Impossible," Titan rumbled. "Daemo cannot give birth or father a child."

Beside me, Ragnar reared his head back. "Then how do they get little Daemo?"

"There are no little Daemo," Titan replied. "Whenever one of them dies, their body dissolves into slime which the earth absorbs, and down in the Underworld an exact copy crawls out of the spawning pits that spew them out like phlegm from your throat."

"The process is far more complex than you could ever understand," Lady Jhadra said, "and where Ghost received the ability to walk the Shadowlands is a mystery to all of us."

"You are telling me she just crawled out that way?"

"With no memory of how she gained the ability, which is not surprising as none of us remember anything about our past life when we are reborn." Titan's expression grew troubled as Lady Jhadra continued. "I have the knight and her war hounds in place, so all I lack is the spirit of the sword. Antonius," she called out, glancing towards the small gate, "are you ready?"

I sucked in my breath as Antonius of House Zeno walked in. He was head shorter than I, and slender, a pretty boy with flawless olive skin, dark curly hair, and a gap toothed smile. Except right now he's grinning like a fool and his eyes are glassy. Has he been drugged? "My Lord Antonius, are you well?"

Instead of answering, Antonius stopped in front of the bench I was seated on, grabbed me by the shoulders and kissed me open mouthed. Since I didn't dare stop him, I kissed him back, but for a noble to do this publicly was wildly inappropriate. I could feel the tension coming off Dominus as he finally broke off. "Amazonia, do you remember the last time we laid together? I swore I would die for you if I could."

Hades' hairy eyeballs, he can't mean this. "My lord, we were both extremely drunk after an... energetic evening."

Antonius giggled. "Truly spoken, but excess wine finally lets me speak what lay hidden in my heart. By Lady Jhadra's hands I will become the soul of the sword, binding you to me and your men to you."

Cotus said, "Meaning what, exactly?"

Lady Jhadra gave us a sly smile. "Rune swords are created to be single minded in their purpose. Reaver Knights possess free will so long as they remain true to the mission; however, should they deviate, or abandon the quest altogether, they will become more and more heartsick until the sword feels they have returned to the right path. Then the Knight will feel happy once more."

"What if Az is asked to do something that goes against her nature?" Io asked. "Does the sword understand-"

"The sword knows nothing of morality," Titan growled, "only that its purpose must be fulfilled. Babylon used Reaver Knights in their struggle to forge an empire out of the scattered city-states, and I saw good men twisted by their weapons until little remained of the morality they once possessed."

Babylon? Wasn't that an empire a thousand years ago? "That is why it needs to be me," Lord Antonius piped up. "I will keep her pure of heart."

"So you believe," Titan rumbled. "Dominus-"

"I know, I know, but this is the express will of the emperor." Dominus opened his hands as his expression turned apologetic. "Why do you think I need your help? You understand this enchantment and its effects better than anyone save Lady Jhadra, and what is at stake for our empire." Titan's giving Dominus a dark look... I don't think he's going to do this.

Then he looked at me and his gaze softened. "Your words have truth, but I warn you," Titan's eyes narrowing as he turned his gaze on Lady Jhadra, "there are lines I will not cross."

"Speaking of lines," Cotus said, "what are these tattoos supposed to do to us? Turn us into dogs for real?"

"Wouldn't be much of a change for you," Io quipped.

Io and I flashed each other a smile as Cotus frowned, while Lady Jhadra gave us a sly smile of her own. "In ancient Babylon, when noblemen went into battle, they always had six guardian warriors, known as Chaldean Wardogs, to protect them. When Reaver Knights were introduced to their empire, the name stuck. What the tattoos will do is grant you powers, depending upon which spirit I call upon to embed itself into the tattoo."

"Spirit?" Cotus shook his head. "Don't like the sound of that-." Io elbowed him, and Cotus reddened. "Apologies, Domina."

"No offense taken. Cotus, you will like your Troll tattoo. You will gain toughness and ferocity, plus the ability to regenerate from wounds." Cotus perked up as she looked at Io. "You get a Dancer, an animal so fast and dexterous they use them to kill cobras in Palmyra. You two," Lady Jhadra pointing at the twins, "each get a Nomad, with all their advantages and honor."

I wonder if that means they'll start tearing out hearts and eating them. I hope not. "What about me?" Ragnar asked.

Lady Jhadra's sly smile returned. "I have a special tattoo in mind for you: a Fenris wolf, savage and tough to kill."

Ragnar gave her a big smile as Io asked, "What happens if one of us dies?."

"Once the spirit of the tattoo is certain you cannot be revived, it will leave and seek out another." My comrades traded troubled looks as Lady Jhadra went on. "Now, let me play Janus and show you my other face, metaphorically speaking. The sword will not bind you as it does Amazonia, and though you should remain loyal, in times past Chaldean Wardogs have decided to abandon the quest and leave. Should that happen, the tattoo will begin to eat you, and will only stop once you take upp the quest up once more."

Cotus asked, "Seriously?"

"Lady Jhadra wouldn't say this if she wasn't." Cotus subsided as I turned towards her. "What about the Daemo?"

"She gets the Fox spirit, gaining cleverness and the ability to let her body flow like water into any shape of equal size to her own. Ghost… or Fox, as you will soon know her, is not a brave soul, though she occasionally has her moments. You will be tempted to dismiss her as inferior to the others, but I tell you true: when she speaks, you would be wise to listen. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes, Domina."

Lady Jhadra chuckled. "After today, that will be your title." What in Hades is she talking about? There's no way under the sun or stars that I want that hated title of dominance. "Now, two more things before we begin. Amazonia, you will always know where the sword is at all times, and will begin to miss it should you both be separated. Should it be stolen, you will know it at once and immediately start to track it down. Should another try to wield it, he will be struck with such terror that he will try to return it, or give it to another to bring to you."

"I'll keep it with me at all times."

"That would be best. Last of all, the quest: you are specifically tasked to become Prince Timur's personal guard, and inspire him to lead the White Horde in a war against the Sasnayam empire for as long as possible. Now, this will end one of several ways. Should Timur win the war and take the capitol of Tesiphon, the sword will shatter the next time it is struck, releasing everyone. Should Timur die through no one's fault, your quest will shift to the next ruler."

"What if I let him die on purpose?" Cotus asks.

"Your Troll will eat you, then seek out a replacement." Cotus' eyes widened as she continued. "If the sword decides the quest is futile, despite your best efforts, it will shatter, as it eventually will anyway. At heart, a Reaver Sword is still transmuted Ironwood, and in time they all break. Of course, should one or several of you sabotage the quest on purpose..."

She lets the words hang, and Cotus said, "Let me guess: chomp, chomp, chomp."

Dominus' eyes narrowed. "Cotus."

"Paulus, I take no offense. Amazonia, being the Reaver Knight, will always have the quest foremost in her mind, so if the quest fails she will not be held to blame. Now, to give you some incentive, should the quest succeed, everyone who survives will be granted noble rank with lands to support you." Everyone on the bench sat up straight as she looked at me. "Amazonia, in addition to lands and nobility, you will be granted the title of Heros Imperii, and adopted into the imperial family.

"Part of..." I shook my head in disbelief. "Lady Jhadra, there's no way that could ever happen. Slaves, or even ex-slaves, don't become part of the Imperial Family."

Dominus barked out a laugh. "Tear the fangs from the Sasnayam winged lion, and the emperor might consider making you his heir instead of Arcadia."

"Paulus jests," Lady Jhadra said, "yet in truth I do believe you would be the better choice."

"Cotus would be a better choice," Dominus muttered.

Lady Jhadra raised a purple eyebrow but didn't comment as she placed a delicate hand on Antonius' shoulder. "My lord Antonius, are you ready to sacrifice yourself for the good of your empire and the woman you love?"

He stareed at her with the glassy eyed look of a child. "Can Amazonia help me?"

"Of course. Amazonia, I need you to remove his tunic, kneel down with him in front of you, and hold Lord Antonius upright as he slides the blade along the channel I created in his chest. The Ironwood sword must pierce his heart and he must be the one to do it."

Everything was going too fast, as if I stood on the edge of a dark abyss and helping Antonius kill himself would be the beginning of a long slide down into darkness. But slaves can’t say no. I hesitated, and a female voice from the shadows beyond the small gate said, "Lord Paulus, shall I use the collar?"

I knew that voice. It belonged to Amko the mage, the one who controlled the rod that activated our collars, and made us feel pain from a light tap on the wrist to being burned alive. At the sound of her voice, my right hand clenched into a fist as Dominus said, "Leave be. Az, walk with me away from the others so we may speak in private."

Without waiting for me to reply he strode out of the small gate. I followed, Dominus waving off the guards as we walked towards the massive concrete supports and arches holding up the arena. Amko, in her black robes and shaved head shimmering in the torchlight, remained close. Once we were out of earshot, Dominus stopped and turned around. "Az," he said as I halted a few feet away, "speak freely. Can you do this?"

I took a deep breath as I ordered my thoughts. "Dominus, Titan's worried, and I'm worried as well. Suicide's wrong, especially in someone like Antonius. He may be considered a man, being sixteen years old now, but at heart he's still a boy. I don't love him," I said softly so the echoing walls wouldn't betray me. "I'm fond of him, yes, but love? Dominus, my first owner made it clear to me that love is a luxury slaves never get to have."

Dominus sighed. "I never thought you loved him either. Tell me, how was he as a bed slave?"

I gave him a twisted smile. "Antonius should've been born a submissive girl. With Antonius' looks, his father would've had his pick of marriage proposals to choose from."

"Alas for Antonius he was born a boy, not that his father will let that detail stop him. A while ago, Lord Zeno put out feelers among the Daemo sorceresses to mold Antonius into the form of a female, so Lord Zeno could marry off his newly crafted daughter to the Master of Coin, in exchange for Lord Zeno becoming an official of the Imperial Tax Office."

"Eurax?" Dominus nodded, and I barely refrained from spitting. "That pervert?"

"Oh yes. Eurax wants to become part of the nobility, while Lord Zeno wants the money his appointment will bring."

"Dominus, wouldn't it cause a scandal?"

He chuckled, deep and bitter. "Oh yes, a fat, juicy scandal people will talk about for months. For Eurax, it would be just one more to add to his collection of scandals, while Lord Zeno will console himself in his counting house. As for Antonius... excuse me, Antonia, in our culture, who cares about girls?"

"But there would be no children. Lady Jhadra cannot put in what is not already there... though she can certainly take it away," I added, a note of bitterness creeping into my voice.

Dominus sighed again. "Az, tell me true: do you regret what Jhadra did to you?"

Every time I see your wife holding your son and know I'll never have one of my own. But I also learned a long time ago that slaves don't have the luxury of truth telling, either. "I knew what it would take to become a champion, not in any arena but in the Imperial Colosseum, and the price I'd have to pay. Though I admit I'll miss hoisting your son up on my shoulders when I've escorted Lady Paulus to the Grand Bazaar."

He chuckled. "The little tyrant is going to miss you. Going back to Eurax, the newly changed Antonia would not only give him an entrance into our noble society, but would give Eurax a unique play toy to practice his perversions on."

"But Lord Zeno-"

"Does not care. Why do you think he was so free with his gold, paying for his son's desire to be your bed slave?"

Is this true? Have I been unknowingly grooming Antonius for his new role as Eurax's plaything? "Dominus, no."

"I fear it is so. Lady Jhadra was one of those Eurax put a feeler out to, and told Antonius in secret what was to happen, so he could make a choice. He chose you, and the sword."

Curse Eurax to the very depths of Hades’ realm with no chance of escape! This is wrong, and Dominus knows it. No wonder he's selling the Ludus. "Ragnar was right: Konstanopolis is a very decadent place."

The smile of Dominus turned sardonic. "And her citizens would never have her any other way. Are you ready to face your destiny and shake the dust of this place off your sandals?"

I nodded, and we headed back towards the others.