Tale of a Hedonistic wizard

"I do not know the true nature of those...monstrosities," she admitted at last. "But I intend to find out. And whoever - or whatever - is responsible for unleashing them shall face the fullest extent of our combined retribution." Her words carried a tone of such grim finality that a heavy pall fell over the gathered lords.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

They had all been witnesses to the primal fury exhibited by those giants of battle. And if that was but a foreshadowing of the true horrors yet to be unveiled, their path towards victory had just become irrevocably shrouded in shadow.

While the other lords filtered out to attend to their respective duties, Kimon lingered behind, his brow furrowed in contemplation. "I did not bear witness to these...monstrosities you spoke of," he admitted once they were relatively alone. "But from your descriptions, they sound like nothing born of this world."

Kyra nodded solemnly. On the first day of the campaign, they had already confronted such an inexplicable threat. If they hoped to overcome Daikrimore's forces, fresh strategies would need to be devised to counter these giants.

Though the day had ended with Drasus' armies scoring a much-needed advancement, the harrowing visions of those rampaging brutes had cast an unmistakable pall over any sense of victory.

Drasus had been busy with his own tasks, explaining why he wasn't around Kaeso or Jaegar.

As the other nobles departed to seek what rest they could, Kyra motioned for Kaeso to remain behind.

"There is another matter I wish to discuss," she stated once they were alone. "This soldier who fought with such...unconventional power. That young man in your company, where is he?"

Kaeso's features assumed a guarded aspect, as if weighing how much truth to reveal. "He was a gladiator in my pits," he began carefully. "When I witnessed his remarkable abilities firsthand, I sought to conscript his skills for our cause."

Kyra held his gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Lord Kaeso, why do I sense there are depths to his story you yet omit? Do not take me for a fool. I noticed your behaviour around him, it's rather obvious there is more to your connection with this gladiator than meets the eye."

The accusation hit its mark, and Kaeso seemed to wilt beneath the princess's imperious stare.

Fear and reluctance played over his features before he finally nodded. "Yes...Princess. He is… somewhat special, not like others. So, I had to tread carefully around him. He deserves my respect."

Lifting her chin defiantly, Kyra fixed him with a hard look. "Is that so. Bring him to my tent, and I want to see how special he is."

With those words, she turned and took her leave, her mind arraying a litany of ambiguous suspicions. As the tent flap fell closed behind her, Kaeso could only scratch his head and curse his fortunes. He had not expected the princess to insist upon involving herself so directly in Jaegar.

Now that she had borne witness to the warrior's capabilities, however, there would be no preventing her curiosity from being sated.

Steeling himself, Kaeso made his way through the organised bedlam of the camp towards Jaegar's humble bivouac.

He found the warrior in the familiar throes of meditative repose, eyes closed but exuding a watchful tranquility. "Jaegar," Kaeso called out, watching as the young man's eyes flicked open almost instantly.

Wasting no time, Kaeso relayed the princess's words, watching as Jaegar's expression remained impassive even as the implications sank in. When he had finished, the young man fixed him with a measured look. "And why should I meet with her?" he asked levelly. "If she wishes to make demands, tell her to meet me here."

Kaeso's shoulders slumped as he shook his head slowly. "You know I cannot. The princess does not make requests, she gives orders. Ones that cannot be defied without...consequences."

Running a hand over his thinning pate, he could only regard Jaegar with naked pleading. "For my sake, I urge you - do not resist her summoning. Please, my friend."

Perhaps it was the unmistakable strain of desperation in Kaeso's voice that swayed Jaegar's decision. Or maybe the taciturn warrior had already resigned himself to this eventuality. Whatever the case, after several moments thick with tension, Jaegar gave a curt nod of acquiescence.

As they made their way through the encampment towards the princess's pavilion, Kaeso could not help but wonder if he had just set in motion a course of events that would ultimately lead to utter cataclysm.

*

As they made their way through the winding paths between the ordered rows of tents, a tense silence fell between the two men. It was Jaegar who finally broke it, his words carrying more weight than their casual tone might imply.

"It seems your princess wishes to... utilise me for her own purposes, is that correct?" Though phrased as a question, there was an undercurrent of statement in his words.

Kaeso stared as if struck, his steps faltering for a moment as he frantically tried to formulate a response. "Uh...no, no, of course not! You are my gladiator, sworn to my company's banner. She cannot simply command you."

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than Kaeso realized his fumbled phrasing.

Jaegar had stopped in his tracks, one eyebrow arched quizzically as he fixed him with an inscrutable look.

Grimacing, Kaeso quickly backpedalled. "Forgive me, I misspoke. You are far more than just some conscripted warrior to me. A most treasured...benefactor, let's say."

The words rang hollow even to his own ears, and he was unsurprised to see Jaegar's lips quirk in an amused half-smile. As they resumed their walk, the young man gave a short chuckle. "How fickle the tides of status ebb and flow. Just yesterday, I was little more than a pit fighter in your employ.

Today, I am elevated to the ranks of your esteemed 'benefactors.'"

Though his tone remained light, there was an undeniable edge to Jaegar's words that caused Kaeso's shoulders to tighten imperceptibly. He could practically feel the young man's piercing stare burning into the back of his skull as he struggled to find an adequate reply.

Inwardly, Kaeso sighed. 'Because even a blind man could see you were never what you first appeared to be,' he thought to himself. 'Were it not for those...abilities of yours, you would have remained a mere curiosity, never arising beyond the status of hired sword.'