“Raze the world and bring it upside down,” Hessian repeated those words like a mantra as he was dragged away by the soldiers.

How he would accomplish his goal, he didn’t know yet. It was a stupid goal and very much impossible.

After the raid on Nippur he felt empty inside. Hungry for both food and something exciting to feel. When the smell of food hit his nose Hessian looked up to his owner, Third Elite Macnaught.

He was less than pleased to see Hessian. In fact, he rarely was.

“Youuuuu-” Macnaught foamed from the mere presence of Hessian. “Kneel down.”

Hessian was already kneeling but didn’t correct him. Folding his arms behind his back and placing his forehead on the ground, Hessian straightened his back, exposing his back and neck.

“I can’t believe we’ve lost 1/4 of our soldiers to capture stragglers and your group of slaves came out unscathed.”

“What can I say? We are better than you think,” Hessian bit his lip bloody, smiling as he tried to hold back saying things that might end badly when anyone heard it.

“No matter, a few casualties won’t hinder my ascension to become Second Elite. Get out,” Macnaught grabbed a bag filled with idarien gold coins and threw it at Hessian. Spilling the contents upon contact, each gold coin reflected by the light and forming a dotted carpentry of light, highlighting Hessian’s stern face. “You are lucky I am letting this slight. So get out of my sight and return to the rest, you hear me?”

“Oh I hear you,” Hessian held his jaw, stopping his urge to grind with his teeth, and control his thoughts. Rather he concentrated on his aching bones and grumbling stomach or the pain in his leg.

The only real injuries he had received from the raid on Nippur and from a cowardly boy nonetheless.

Strutting with his limp through the camps he received angry glares of every soldier, but he didn’t care. He didn’t care for any of these soldiers but only for his group that received him wholeheartedly upon his return.

“Hessian!” Their malnourished faces lit up from the arrival of the one person who was leading their group and taking care of them. He was no king or any kind of royalty.

In fact, Hessian was a nobody but managed to build his own trusted group of slave warriors that were loyal to him. To the dismay and fortune of Macnaught who owned them and controlled Hessian.

A delicate balance to say the least.

“How are you all? You all have seen better days,” commented Hessian with the bare minimum of a smile and limped past his comrades to the small bonfire where another reiszer was situated.

His name was Bjorn. Tall and lean but quite robust despite how thin he was like the rest. “Hessian,” Bjorn stood up before Hessian, towering over him by more than a head. “Come sit down and have a bite.”

Back in the day the two of them couldn’t stand each other. Bjorn was the leader of one slave faction and Hessian an outsider who was competitive and dangerous at the same time.

He was uninvited trouble and trouble needed to be put in line.

“How’s the food?”

“As bad as always,” after taking a bite Hessian passed on the undercooked bovine leg to another hungry reiszer. “After that raid I would have imagined our food situation to be improving but I guess not.”

“That was to be expected,” commented Bjorn, holding his grumbling stomach. Not enough to satiate the tall reiszer. “I hope Nertha, and Lovis were lucky.”

Unfortunately, Hessian wasn’t someone to be controlled easily and instead he was the one to change the power hierarchy of the slaves.

Before that they would quarrel between each other just to survive. The powerful would lead their own groups and they would all answer to their master so anyone else would listen in hopes to get by.

It was an awful structure. Between the infights, abuse by soldiers and unjustly orders with little to no food or hope to go by Hessian somehow managed to relay them all behind him.

Despite his lack of charisma and anti-social attitude.

“Speaking off, where are the two?”

So, when Bjorn was defeated by Hessian he expected to be subjugated below him but instead became Hessian’s ally and friend alongside the other former leaders.

“Procuring extra provisions for us from the tents. Do you suspect trouble?”

Hessian grumbled in thought, inspected his new sword, coming to the conclusion he could use another. “Wouldn’t be the first time, would it? Let’s make sure we get what we deserve.”

—☀—

“Do as you are told.”

“Who cares how you feel?”

“Slaves don’t need to eat well. Obey and work till death.”

As slaves Hessian and the rest have their mindsets set on something bad to happen almost every day. They learned to disregard expectations and embraced the cold and harsh reality.

“If you listen to us, you will get twice- no, thrice the amount of provisions. We can promise you that.”

Hearing that Hessian and Bjorn quickened their gate to see their friend Nertha and the other female slaves getting pressed by the soldiers. Standing still they endured as the soldier’s slimy hands went over their girls’ dark, messy hairs and exposed skin.

Some even daring to go as close as the collarbone or the thighs.

Pulling on her auburn hair of the female slave leader she tried hard to appear unfaced and not having the crate of food she was carrying getting taken away.

She was the only one composed enough to not show emotions even though her twitching eye showed otherwise. Nertha was once a slave faction leader like Bjorn was until she met Hessian.

“This girl has spunk, let’s get her as the main event-”

“Hey people!” Bjorn called up to the soldiers buoyantly with open arms, feigning an amused grin. “Thank you for looking out for our girls. We will take it from here, friends.”

The soldiers were immediately confused by Hessian’s and Bjorn’s entrance while the girls were more than grateful, letting out visible sighs in relief. “We were worried they were running late so thank you very much for-”

Bjorn’s talk was cut short when a soldier slugged him across the chin, not able to reach the face. “Shut it, who do you think you are?”

“Ha ha, that hurt,” Bjorn grinned, wiping away the blood dripping from his nose with his dirty hand.

“Is this how we will do it?” Hessian approached the soldiers now, coming so close to one of them that their noses were almost touching. “Hit me too if you dare, this is how we will settle your tedium, right?”

“Hit us as much as you want.” Bjorn opened himself up to the other soldiers, startling them by his friendly approach and height. “But don’t forget to pay us for our performance. Some proper compensation for it would be nice.”

Provocatively the two men almost surrounded the soldiers with their overwhelming presence despite their nonchalant attitude. Glancing at the weapons the two carried, the soldiers thought it was a trap.

Until one of the soldiers actually hit Hessian. Seeing as nothing happened, he hit him again. Then a different one hit Bjorn before it became a free for all against the two male slaves

“Is that all?” Asked Hessian, deadpan, standing unwavering by the assault.

“What’s wrong with you two?” The soldiers wondered, noticing too late how all the rest of the soldiers in the camps had mastered up behind Bjorn and Hessian. Held back by none other than Nertha the slaves’ hands were shaking to grip their weapons.

Ready to escalate the situation if needed to.

“L-let’s go, I don’t feel like it anymore.”

“I-I agree, nothing but madmen,” the soldiers hurried away, getting as far away from them as possible.

Seconds after the soldiers were out of sight Hessian and Bjorn collapsed to their knees. They were completely exhausted, beat and swarmed with their worried comrades with admiration thrown at them.

“You should have killed them,” commented Nertha, wiping away the blood on Hessian’s face with her remaining sleeve.

“And get us into more trouble? No thank you,” Hessian looked past the other slaves who were taking care of Bjorn, spotting a little blond figure behind him. “Did you catch their faces, Lovis?”

Smaller than the rest of the slaves with the weakest seeming stature was Lovis. Hair so long and dirty that the wild strands covered their face entirely. Underneath it Hessian could see them smile wickedly with a finger on their lips.

It was the last leader Hessian had brought underneath his command and the most unhinged one of them all.

After all, Hessian would never allow someone to trample on him or anyone in his group and let them get away with no consequences.

—☀—

Nertha

“Open up and eat.”

“Stop it, I won’t- Gah-” When Hessian’s wounds were acting up again he had a spoiling fruit shoved into his mouth by Nertha. Swallowing it fully he hoped the taste would go away quicker, but it didn’t. “Stop feeding me, woman!”

“Stop complaining, bonehead!” Slapping Hessian on his head, Nertha shut him up with another spoiled fruit.

“You should enjoy the attention, it’s not as bad as you think it is,” suggested Bjorn while he was taken care of the female slaves. Tending to his wounds or combing his short blond hair.

“He makes me sick,” groaned Hessian and Nertha in response to Bjorn’s unbridled behaviour.

Nertha couldn’t believe they were enemies not long before Hessian appeared.

Before that she had led an all-female slave group and protecting each and every one of them on her own. It was fairly common for women to be abused or exploited unless you were strong. Something Nertha knew all too well herself and didn’t want to accept it anymore. She took it upon herself to be the strong one and protect them as best as she could.

When Hessian came along she had hated him like any other of the male leaders she had faced prior, but grew to understand him. He didn’t show it openly, but he cared for them all. Regardless of their strength or usefulness.

“Here, have some grapes too-” then Hessian suddenly slapped away the bowl he was presented with. His facade cracking into anger, showing his true colour underneath his cold exterior.

“My appetite is lost, I will go for a walk,” growled Hessian and limped away from the camp.

Discontent by it Nertha and Bjorn shared glances, not knowing what to do. “For your information, it was your fault.”

“Quiet blockhead, I know that,” answered Nertha, having forgotten how much Hessian hated the sight of grapes. “They are still fresh,” Nertha cleaned up one of them and popped it into her mouth before going after Hessian.

“Ah, what to do,” Hessian planted his hand on his face as he walked through the camp. “I am so upset, I need to vent.”

He couldn’t help it. Something about those fruits triggered in him an uncontrollable amount of aggression. It was nauseating and making him feel sick whenever he simply smelled the otherwise juicy fruits.

The mere sight or smell made him want to squash them in his dirt caked hands. Hessian couldn’t explain it, nor did he want to. Getting away was the only option and venting his anger was all he could think right now.

Then a strange smell entered his nostrils.

It was invisible and not detectable for anyone but him. The smell of opportunity if he knew how to follow it.

Tracking down the trail it led him to two different people.

One of them was a soldier from before, drunk and red to his ears. He was harassing a slave but not one of Hessian’s people. She was a labourer.

“Tch, what a waste of time,” Hessian clicked with his tongue on being led to somewhere useless. Yet he didn’t go away.

“Girl, you seem awfully quick on your feet. Where are you going? Let’s go together, my friends are nowhere to be found, I am quite lonely.”

“None of your business,” the slave returned sharply. Hessian whistled silently and continued watching from a hiding place. The girl tried to go past the soldier but was obviously stopped. “Let me go or you will regret it.”

A grin formed on Hessian’s face. “Oh she will regret it,” he held back a snicker and leaned closer to watch.

She was no one special. Thin and malnourished as any other slave. Unkempt with ragged clothes. Hessian wondered, what was so special about her?

Her fierceness? Her boldness? No, nothing of that sort, it would get her killed in the future. “So what gives, what’s so special about you?” he wondered, biting on his bruised lip.

“What’s that in your hand?” The soldier snatched something from the girl’s hands. “A letter? What does it say?”

“Give it back!” the girl cried out, pouncing at the soldier to get it back.

“She will die, should I help her or not?” wondered Hessian, inspecting the new sword he got from a soldier who didn’t need it anymore. “Thinking off, I didn’t get my new sword today-”

“Gah, you cur,” Hessian’s attention turned back to the soldier, cursing when the slave girl scratched his face with her broken nails. It was about to get violent, and Hessian didn’t intend on missing out on this.

“I will kill you for this,” the soldier pinned the girl down, holding her by her throat. “Though not until I had my fun with-”

Then the girl moved her legs around the soldier's arms and kicked him in his face. “Over my cold body.”

The soldier huffed, holding his bloody nose. “So be it.”

“Exactly,” said Hessian in return, stabbing his sword into the soldier’s shoulder and dislocating it. He then snatched the soldier’s old sword. “I will take this with me. You won’t need it anyway.”

The soldier was flabbergasted, pulling himself free and holding his bleeding shoulder. “W-who are you?”

“Name is Hessian, no surname since I am a slave,” responded Hessian coolly, picking up the piece of parchment. “Don’t wear it out. Can’t afford another.”

“Y-you’re insane, I will make you pay!” The soldier bolted away, leaving a trail of blood behind with Hessian waving goodbye.

“Was that really smart?” asked the girl, holding her bruised arm. “Telling him your name will end badly.”

“I am not worried, it’s well under control,” snickered Hessian, sensing Lovis following after the soldier. Their hands caked with old blood. “Let’s read what the letter says.”

“Wha- stop!” protested the girl but was held away by Hessian with one arm. His face scrunched up on the content of the letter and allowed the girl to regain it.

“This letter,” Hessian gained the attention of the frightened girl, fearing the worst on what the man with the wolf-like presence would say. “I have no idea what it says, good day.”

“Huh?” returned the girl, baffled on Hessian’s sudden leave. “Wait, where are you-”

“Listen, I thought this might be interesting but turns out it was a waste of time. I can’t even read the letter-”

“Have you seen someone with golden hair?”

His heart stopped. The mere mention of someone with golden hair made his body shiver in excitement. What was that feeling? It was exhilarating.

“No, not here at least.”

“Grr,” the girl gritted her teeth. “I see, thank you for your help. I will get going.”

“See you around,” responded Hessian, watching her leave into the direction of the caged wagons. The smell had returned, the very invisible and undetectable smell.

It was not the girl but the mere letter. It was a spark waiting to light up a tinder box. “I guess I will make sure she finds her destination,” laughed Hessian, tailing like a wolf for greater prey.

—☀—

“Do you know where Hessian is?” inquired Nertha on Bjorn who was training with the other slaves.

“I wonder,” he knocked back one of the slaves and prepared for the next one. “Haven’t seen him staying here for some days now. Didn’t you say you would stalk him.”

“Wha- I never said that!” retorted Nertha and picked up a random rock to haul at Bjorn. It hit a different slave. “I am worried he is getting himself into trouble-”

“Gossiping about me?”

Bjorn and Nertha alongside the other slaves jumped back in surprise upon Hessian’s return. He was splattered with blood on his face and rags. “What happened? Are you alright?”

“Not my blood, I need a break,” huffed Hessian, walking past everyone to take a breather.

“Where have you been?”

“On a mission?”

“What kind of mission?” Nertha’s eye was twitching again. Impatient and annoyed by not getting an answer.

“I wonder,” yawned Hessian, barely able to stay awake until Nertha slapped him. “What was that for!?”

“I wonder,” she responded and left.

“Women…” Hessian let out a sigh. “I don’t understand them.”

“Oh, Lovis, you’re back,” Bjorn hastily greeted the short person. “Take some bread, you must be starving,” said Bjorn in sign language, being one of the only people to be able to communicate with Lovis. “Where have you been?”

Accepting the bread Lovis replied by making signs with their hands, engaging in a silent conversation with Bjorn. What he told Bjorn surprised the tall man. “Are you serious? Hessian was following a girl all week?”

Eavesdropping, Nertha and the other slaves were curious. “A labourer? What did she look like? You must tell me everything, let’s gossip.”

“Yes, tell us everything,” the other slaves joined in, listening to Bjorn’s translations except for Nertha who sat down besides Hessian.

“What girl are they talking about?”

“Ergh,” groaned Hessian, turning away. “What does a man have to do to get some sleep?”

Nertha narrowed her eyes at Hessian. The fine hair on her arms standing on all ends. “Answer my question, who was she?”

Nearby walking slaves flinched and backed away from Nertha, fearing the once faction leader.

Hessian on the other hand only gave her a glance before turning away. “None of your business.”

“Alright,” Nertha let out a sigh, trying to calm them. “I know better than to argue. Instead,” retrieving an item from underneath her clothes, Nertha held it before Hessian. “But I will smash that thing if you don’t answer me.”

“What thing?” Eventually Hessian turned around, his eyes snapped wide open and violently he snatched the item back from Nertha’s hands. She stumbled backwards, frightened by Hessian’s sudden behaviour. “Don’t joke about this. I got this trophy from an important fight. Apologise, now.”

Nertha averted her face from Hessian, feeling his hot breath against her neck as he let out an angry breath. “I’m sorry,” managed Nertha to say out loud and make Hessian back away.

“You should be,” Hessian walked away. “My mood is sour again. I will go back and make sure-”

“Wait.”

“What is it now?” Hessian grew annoyed of Nertha’s constant pestering towards him.

“What are you up to?” she asked sheepishly, “We are a bit worried about what you are trying to accomplish. It’s not something dangerous, is it?”

Hessian didn’t immediately answer her question. The other slaves eavesdropped on the conversation, but Hessian merely gave Nertha a scheming smile. “Something great, just wait for it.”

Yes, something was brewing, it was swelling up in the air by the minute and Hessian planned to be right in the middle of it.

Character Profiles

Name: Hessian

Age: 20 ; Gender: Male ; Race: Human

Magic: Reiszer?

Hessian is a slave warrior for the Reiszer Nations. Serving under Macnaught he took part in the raid on Nippur and is an important anchor to keep the other slaves in check. No one knows what his agenda is, where he comes from or what his ambition are other than forming his group of slaves and growing their strength.

Likes: Fights, getting new weapons (especially swords), retribution against those who wronged him or his allies, Cereals with Water

Hates: Grapes, Kiur, mistreatment of his group

Hessian’s allies:

Bjorn, a former slave faction leader and the tallest and most robust one of the group. Is a human, loves fishing and dislikes mistreatment. Respects fierce and strong people like Hessian. A rumour about him says that he once strangled a bear with his own hands, but no one seems to be believing it. He’s a good friend of Lovis, almost like brothers.

Age: 21

Nertha, a former slave faction leader of a group of only female slaves. A therianthrope with unknown blood. Overprotective of the female slaves as she knows how bad it can be to be a slave and a woman at the same time. Has some interest in Hessian, is good with the axe.

Age: 19

Lovis, a former slave faction leader who was also known to be a shadow leader. His inconspicuous and mellow appearance makes others underestimate him. Gender, age, and race is unknown, wields two weapons at the same time. Known to be very brutal. Cannot hear and mostly talks with Bjorn via sign language but can also read lips.