Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 6: Small men have great shadows(end)

The soft glow of moonlight filtered through the cracks in their cell, shining a bit of light on the face of Alpheo.

Alpheo's words lingered in the air like a heavy fog, his mad proposal still in the air.

''Hey Java, did he go crazy? I am sure he did '' Clio muttered to his companion as he leaned toward him.

Java said nothing he just stared, yeah he stare pityly at Alpheo, as if he was looking at a mad-man, yet Alpheo seemed unbothered by the stares his companions were giving him.

Meanwhile Egil scoffed "Take control of the camp? Are you out of your mind, Alpheo? ''

''I have never been saner, my friends'' Alpheo muttered as he put another one of that piece of hard stones, the people of that world called 'bread' inside his mouth.

"Hunger must've addled your brains Alph, take another piece''

It seemed though that he did not like the joke one bit .

Seeing no reaction, he continued '' We can't just charge in headfirst without a plan. It's a surefire way to end up swinging from the gallows.''

"That's for criminals," Clio interjected ''not for slaves''

"We'll just have our heads chopped off instead," Egil clarified. "Is it any better?''

With a sigh, Alpheo continued. "Does no one among you understand what I'm talking about?" His smile faltered as he looked at each of them. When no one answered, he made up his mind. "Alright then, let's do this."

Alpheo turned to Jarza first, his eyes probing the older man "How long have you been a slave?"

Jarza's gaze hardened at the question, a bitter edge creeping into his voice as he replied, "Six years in total, three of which were spent in this hellhole."

"And what about you two?" Alpheo asked gently,

Clio and Egil exchanged a hesitant glance, unsure of how to respond. But before they could speak, Alpheo shook his head, a sad smile playing on his lips.

"There's no need to answer," he said softly "I already know the answer."

''Are you trying to make a speech?Rallying our hearts towards a sure death?I trust you Alph, but I am not going to burn in hell without a proper 'why'. So give me a reason and a good one at that''

He said nothing and then with a heavy sigh, he continued , unbothered by Egil's word "I've been a slave for twelve years, and six of those years have been spent marching alongside these bastards." His words dripped with bitterness. "And even though I would give anything to slice off their cocks and shove them down their throats while they sleep at night, you learn not to act on such desires when you march with soldiers for half your life.On the contrary, you learn their ways"

As he spoke, Alpheo's jaw clenched with anger though his lips smiled '' I have observed how they marched and acted during campaign and there is a great flaw that I have observed time and time again.I am quite surprised of it, but still.... better for us. '' He stopped making sure the others were listening, when he saw that he had the other complete attention, he raised a finger and pointed it at his hands.

"Before every battle, they do the same thing - stuff the slaves in cages and bind their hands before leaving for war." Alpheo continued, frustration evident in his voice. "And usually, they leave some men behind on the wall , you know to look out for enemies . That's where it gets tricky. We'll have to deal with these guards first before we can take the camp and make our move. If they run to inform the emperor or whatever lord of our rebellion,that will be the end ."

He stopped as he moved his hand around him. '' After all it is here, that they hold the food and gold , and if we were to burn all the food, they would literally starve. So we would have to deal with them fast and make sure that they don't get access to the horses. ''

Each word that fell from his lips was like a gauntlet thrown down, infused with an air of determination and challenge. "We do that ," Alpheo declared, "and freedom will be within our grasp." As he spoke, he fixed each member of the group with a direct gaze, making sure to convey the depth of his conviction. After all, he needed their help if they were to have any chance of success. The others swallowed nervously, feeling their throats tighten with dryness. What he said made perfect sense - with a bit of luck , maybe they could truly do it and achieve freedom.

''There is a problem,'' the black companion of theirs said, his voice heavy with worry. ''We are currently on a campaign against Arlania, but our 'betters' are as brave as rabbits and as honest as swindlers. If you hope for battle, you should first expect the sky to fall on our heads.''

Alpheo furrowed his brow , Jarza took it as a sign to continue "It has been decades since a proper resistance was given to either the empire of Rolmia or the sultanate of Azania. They will never engage in a battle in an hundred years."

Alpheo stood still, then shook his head with a knowing smile, as if the answer was right in front of them and they had failed to see it. "That's where you are wrong, my friend," Alpheo interjected confidently. "Soon there will be a battle, and a fucking big one at that." He leaned in closer, his gaze intense and determined. "We just have to be ready for it and be sure to jump on the ship before it sail , we do that and we'll win".