"...However."
Alexios drawled after a moment, but the word came to Commius like a rope to a man dangling at the edge of a cliff.
"Centurio Vibius, my esteemed Centurio Princeps, would have hated for me to enact the 'penalty of the sack' on his Optio. It would also be a waste to lose your talent for battle..." He noted with a difficult, pondering expression.
"Finally, given that my—slave still draws breath, I will have your punishment voided."
Commius sucked in a breath of fresh air feeling rejuvenated. It felt like he had just fled the blazing sun into the cool shade of a tent.
Alexios glanced at him. Seeing his smile, he smirked faintly.
"On one condition."
Commius' growing smile halted, and Alexios picked up a parchment, perusing it while speaking.
"You must be first on that wall tomorrow. I do not wish to free the slave on the off-chance he truly is the son of Mars, and survives. Having such a figure as a slave would be extremely beneficial to my name, even if he is known as a daemon."
Commius understood his line of thinking and smiled darkly before nodding.
Seeing this, Alexios relaxed with a look of content.
"Now that you owe me your life, I believe I can trust you with my secrets. But firstly, depending on your performance tomorrow a promotion can be assured." He coolly informed, and Commius' eyes widened in delight.
"My friend, a patrician should arrive after noon. If your feats tomorrow make me proud, I may even coax him to grant you the Corona Muralis, the illustrious Golden Mural Crown, one of the highest military decorations for valor."
Commius found himself drooling at this but he quickly composed himself.
"A...patrician, Lord Praefect?"
A smug smile cracked Alexios' near-impassive expression.
"The new Provincial Governor of the eastern province."
Commius' eyes widened in disbelief.
"You don't mean...of the rumored province of the gods beyond the Golden Gate—"
"Lord Praefect!" The tent guard suddenly yelled, and they both jolted, turning toward the tent's flaps.
"The Pedite, Kotys, son of Medokos, seeks an audience!"
Alexios glanced at Commius before answering with a wave of his hand.
"Allow him!"
Kotys walked in, looked around and greeted the officers.
"Lord Praefect, Optio Commius."
Alexios nodded his acknowledgement while Commius lightly grunted.
"How is the—Son of Mars, Kotys?" Alexios lightly inquired as if tasting the words with a doubtful wave of a hand in the air.
"I sent you to him because you are smart, and should be able to discern the truth. Also, you two seem to have formed a kinship—of sorts, given your sparring of his life today." He noted, gazing up at him with curiosity in his eyes.
"So tell me... Is he what he claims?"
Kotys remained calm and thoughtful under both scrutinizing gazes. But then he gazed at the Praefect.
"He is certainly not the slave who died, nor a daemon...like what Chief Centurio Vibius turned into—"
Alexios grunted sadly at the memory, momentarily giving Kotys pause, but he dutifully pressed on.
"As for his identity as a god, I cannot say. However, he has displayed a willingness to fight with us tomorrow. He even requested for my arms, so that he might train through the night."
Commius' eyes widened, and then his face morphed into alarm, seeing Kotys without his weapons.
"Did you give him?!?" He all but yelled out his query.
Kotys begrudgingly wiped spit from his face, glancing at him.
"No. As Lord Praefect just said, I am smart. I thought I would first request permission from Lord Praefect for this."
Commius looked away, letting out an audible sigh of relief which made Kotys raise a curious brow at him.
Alexios seemed thoughtful.
"Did he have any other requests?"
Kotys nodded.
"He sought food, he seemed starved."
Alexios smiled faintly.
"He has human needs, good. Give him what he needs."
Kotys seemed perplexed. "The food or my weapons?"
"Both."
The reply came so quickly it hit Commius in the gut like a punch.
"B-but L-lord Praefect!" Commius stammered, looking at Alexios with pleading eyes. "Is that wise?"
Alexios smirked at this, then his gaze shifted to Kotys.
"Do you trust him, Kotys?"
Kotys frowned in such an uncertain manner that it may have well been a grimace, but then he shrugged.
"I do not think he would hurt us with them."
Alexios nodded.
"Good. But have my first cavalry commander, Decurio Segimerus, be on guard in case he tries to flee. He has the night shift."
Kotys' eyes widened.
"Horse master Segi?" He blurted out in shock and awe before he could stop himself.
"I-I mean, yes, Lord Praefect!" Kotys quickly amended.
Alexios waved him off.
"You may go."
Kotys bowed slightly, turned and walked out under both their gazes; Alexios' deep and calculating; and Commius' hesitant and uncertain.
With Kotys gone, Alexios' gaze shifted toward Commius.
"Do not fret, Commius. He will be second on that wall, and if he dies, he dies. If he lives and his aid is instrumental, it is great for all of us; he remains my slave and does not have the right to avenge the death of the body he now possesses." Alexios solemnly stated and reached for a scroll. "I need every advantage I can afford, the governor must not arrive while that garrison fort remains under rebel control."
Commius's eyes flitted back and forth in thought and he couldn't help but question.
"Is there a special reason, Lord Praefect?" Commius tested, and Alexios threw him a glance while going through the scroll.
"The Chieftain of the rebel forces has something the Governor wants, a scroll. You must retrieve it if you can. I assure you there will be a great reward for this. But do not read it!" He warned with a stern gaze and looked away. "That is all I can tell you. Now, you should get some sleep. It's been a busy day, and a difficult morning awaits you tomorrow, Commius."
Hearing this, Commius bowed lightly.
"Thank you, Lord Praefect. I am in your eternal debt."
Alexios lightly grunted without looking at him and Commius turned before heading out of the tent.