Lord of the Red Sands

Polgara woke up from a nightmare and flung the furs from her bed.

The fever had long since been broken, leaving her drenched in sweat and weakened from many sleepless nights. And yet, it did not rob her fully of her senses. It was midday, she could tell with the way the sun's rays had turned from bright gold to baleful brass. The heat, the faint salt in the air wafting out of the Sodian Sea, was all she needed to know that she was yet again at the coast of Hyrkan.

Far far away from Desh'ea, far from all she held dear.

It was gone, though, all gone. Everything she had known and loved, killed or burned in the sack of Palace Praxica by her family's sworn enemy, set to purpose by Emperor Acraesius. Her ancestral home, her slaves, she remembered every sordid detail of that fateful night. Her father and mother, butchered and defiled by the dogs of House Ashtura.

The memory of Meslim's mocking smile as his pet sank its fangs into her breast, and the unwelcome caress of his man as he touched her.

And yet, she was still alive

A small comfort amidst the pain of all she had lost, but a comfort nonetheless. Polgara gathered her strength and rose up to meet the day. She emerged from the tent that served as her shelter from the harsh weather of the coast, and stood on weakened feet like a newborn calf. She found herself in the midst of an encampment, filled with former gladiators and other fugitive slaves, most of whom came from House Thal'kyr.

Vaguely, she recalled hearing all the noises of their goings-on. Their temporary settlement provided enough respite in preparation for the impending move further out of the empire's reach. How long they've stayed there on the crest of that hill, she hadn't the slightest idea, but she knew it wasn't going to last any longer.

Seeing their mistress walking among the living once more, many of the former slaves still loyal to her helped Polgara get some food in her belly before she collapsed from hunger. The rich bounty of supplies they liberated from merchant caravan trains on the way to Hyrkan provided enough to sustain the large horde of fugitives, and there proved to be some good treats to cater to Polgara's tastes.

However, fine food and drink were the last things she needed at the moment. Polgara remembered, out of everything that's happened to her life, that something good came out of it all.

She searched the whole camp for him, finding her way to the edge of a cliff where the leaders of the horde gathered to discuss their next course of action. There, she finally met the heart of all her deepest desires and the herald of all her family's sorrows.

Angronius sat on a rock jutting out of the ground like the horn on a rhino's head, mashing his fist against the palm of his other hand as he argued with Rissio and Lucretia. The storm in his head threatened to spill out of his eyes, like a flood pushing hard against a dam. He was trying very hard to rein it all in, she could tell, but the struggle against the rage appeared to be an unwinnable fight. Lucretia and Rissio raising their voices did not help in any way.

But just as it seemed like the argument was about to come to blows, Angronius spotted Polgara out of the corner of his eye.

It was like a switch in his head flipped, and the storm faded away to let the sun shine back into his soul. Angronius' face softened, and the firm lines on his cheek and jaw smoothened out to let a smile into his lips.

Caught off-guard by the sudden change in his demeanor, the other two gladiators turned to look at Polgara. There, they realized that the discussion was best left for another time, when tempers were cooled and everyone was of a better disposition.

"Leave us." Angronius said.

Rissio and Lucretia both nodded, then left their friend to speak alone with the love of his life. Polgara approached him and sat down beside the gladiator king when he invited her over to the rock. The physician Ohn provided him with had done an excellent job of curing her affliction, and it was a favor Angronius intended to repay.

That same intention sparked the same heated disagreement between him and his fellow gladiators, but for the moment he would let the matter rest for another time.

Polgara was all he wished to concern himself with. "At last, you've awoken. How are you feeling?"

"My head is light and I shiver in spite of the heat." Polgara replied, letting herself be drawn closer to his body as Angronius put his arm over her shoulder. "But I will manage."

When she saw his transformation in the arena, from a valiant fighter of House Thal'kyr to a bloodthirsty beast born from the pits of hell, Polgara couldn't believe it was the same Angronius she'd come to know so intimately. She looked up at him, worry worming its way into her brow as she saw clearly for the first time the marks of Acraesius' vengeance on her lover's body. The Butcher's Nails, hammered deep into the crown of his head, stuck out like obscene stubs from his skin. Ugly surgical scars traced the bones of his temples, stretching from the corners of his brows to the nape of his neck.

His soul was still bound to hers, and through that connection she could feel a measure of the crippling agony he felt with every passing moment he wasn't in battle. She knew he was in a battle right then and there, a battle fought against the murderous urges brought upon by the Nails.

Angronius knew what she was thinking and gently reassured her that the pain was nothing. "Worry not for me, Eanna. I am not made of glass."

The despair, the grief and all the sorrows of the tragedy that came upon her house, came back. Polgara felt as though a great burden chained itself to her heart, and the weight crushed her soul as though she had sunk deep into the depths of the Sodian Sea. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she gazed out unseeing into the wilderness, and her body began to tremble like a sapling in a hurricane.

With quivering lips, she lamented. "I fear that I am the one here who is made of glass."

Lifting her gaze to the sky, Polgara cried out in an angry voice, cursing the gods for abandoning her and her family. She didn't care if Mars, Lilith or any of the silent pantheon would strike her down for her blasphemous tirade. None of them came to House Thal'kyr's defense, and certainly none would care for a desolate sorceress' sorrow. She cursed them and cursed them, until her throat went raw and her voice failed her.

Weakened, she collapsed to the dust, wishing that she was dead.

"Eanna..." Angronius said, letting her finish with her keening wails, only moving to help her up when she fell. He picked her up and held her close to his chest, comforting her in her most vulnerable of moments.

As he embraced her, the Nails ceased in their incessant noise. Through his touch, he lent her strength and Polgara drank deep from the boundless fortitude of her fortress of flesh and biting steel. Angronius' calloused fingers wiped away her tears, and she opened her eyes to gaze into his own.

He was all she had left.

"Woe unto me, the sins of my house have finally caught up with us." Polgara said quietly, "We deserved this... the gods have deemed it so."

"It was Acraesius who did this to you!" Angronius growled, "As for the gods, they can go fuck themselves."

Polgara fell silent, for she hadn't the strength to argue.

"But fear not, my love. Before this day ends, I will take us far away to a place where all this- where Acraesius and his legions- will become a distant memory. We will live in the Freelands, and together we will begin anew."

"The... The Freelands?"

Angronius nodded, "Yes, The Freelands."

Polgara heard stories about the mythical land beyond the sea, a vast and largely unexplored territory that was the stuff of dreams of her forefathers, and the stuff of nightmares. "But that place is horrid! It's a land of barbarians, beasts and otherworldly creatures!"

"Barbarians, eh?" Angronius laughed, "I'll fit right in."

Polgara still wasn't convinced, "The republi- the Empire has outposts in that land. Even if they're a long distance from the rest of Nuceria, they won't take kindly to fugitives like us."

"Then we won't live close to the outposts, we'll live far away from them even if it's in the middle of nowhere. And don't you worry about the local wildlife." Angronius kissed her forehead, "I'll protect you."

Grateful for the hope instilled in her broken heart, the sorceress placed her weary head against his chest. "When will we leave?"

"Tonight." The gladiator king replied, setting her aside so he could rise to resume his discussion with Rissio and Lucretia. "I just need to do something first."

Together, they descended to meet the pair back in camp. Polgara had yet to realize it, but Angronius planned to do more than just seize the ports of Hyrkan to gain him and the rest of the gladiators their means of sailing across the Sodian Sea. He planned to liberate all the slaves in Hyrkan as well. From the mines to the quarries, from the fighting pits to the brothels- every slave that wished to break free from bondage, Angronius would set free and take with him on the voyage across the waters.

Understandably, such an ambitious undertaking promised more risk than reward. It was a fact that Angronius' peers advised him to consider time and time again.

The fugitive slaves had a lot of fighting men, to balance the helpless slaves among them and were just enough to tip the odds in their favor when attacking the port. To drag hundreds, if not thousands, more to flock to their ranks would invite disaster as it would burden them rather than aid in their goal. The slaves in Hyrkan were either kept weak from malnutrition or soft from easy living in their masters' pleasure dens.

These facts, Angronius considered but remained adamantly fixed in his decision. He had no plans to return to Nucerian shores, and while he remained on them for a little longer he would see as many slaves freed as his strength would allow.

And his strength was vast. "Hear me, brothers and sisters!"

His voice carried across the whole camp like a peal of thunder, and everyone who heard him speak took pause to listen. Angronius regarded the faces of each man, woman and child present. Many of them fought alongside him in the sands of the arena, and many more haven't touched a weapon in their whole lives. What he would have them do, what they were willing to do for him, he wanted them to understand the why of it.

Angronius declared, "You've followed me out of bondage, clinging to the promise of a life beyond the chains of Nuceria- to a new beginning. There are many more here, in the coastal city of Hyrkan, who remain in bondage as you once did. I would see them free, and I would have them join us in our exodus."

Rissio covered his face with his hand and rubbed his palm against his cheek in frustration. In his opinion, if they were to attack Hyrkan, it would be to sack the city not to delay their departure by striking the chains from every single slave in the coast. They simply couldn't take that many slaves without becoming overburdened, rendering them an easy target for the legions of Nuceria. This same opinion was something Lucretia and many other gladiators shared, which drove them to oppose Angronius' plans.

Unfortunately for them, many more sided with the gladiator king. They were confident that he'd gotten them that far, and he would yet see them to victory with this endeavor.

And so, it was agreed. The horde would attack the mines, the quarries, the lumberyards and fighting pits. Before the next morning came, they would cut their way into Hyrkan and take the ships of the Imperial Fleet. With these, they would finally see themselves out of Nuceria's shores and into the Freelands. Many lives will be lost in the attempt, but it was a sacrifice everyone was willing to make.

They will be free, or they will die.

Angronius summoned Ohn, who remained at the edge of the camp at his request. The former gladiator champion overheard his announcement, and was greatly displeased with what he learned.

"Why? Why would you do this?" He demanded, not in the least bit intimidated by the other gladiators pressing around in preparation to strike. Ohn drew closer to Angronius and bellowed in his face, "I did not help you in your time of need just so you could return it by encroaching upon the city of my birth! Does honor mean so little to you when it's most convenient?"

"No." Angronius succeeded in reining his temper in, "And this matter does not concern honor."

Ohn's face grew pale, "You've gone mad!"

"Listen to me, Son of Hyrkan." The gladiator king said, "The lives of your beloved countrymen depend on it."

Ohn, left with little choice, fell silent.

Seeing him in an agreeable condition, Angronius continued. "You will return to the city, and you will speak to its citizens. Tell them that death will come to their fair city. Tell them to mark their doorposts with the blood from their hands, have very slave in their care set free and sent to the port. Tell them that if they wish to live, that they must do these things. Only then will death pass them over. Under no circumstance must they emerge from their homes, lest they be caught in the bloodshed."

"And...and what if they refuse?"

"Then they will be caught in the bloodshed."

Ohn couldn't believe his ears. "You can't do this!"

"It will happen, and it will happen soon." Angronius assured him grimly, "Consider this warning a courtesy I extend on your behalf. Now go."

The man faltered in his step, knowing well the savagery of the gladiators especially against their former masters. He had to warn his people of the coming storm, perhaps even the legionnaires stationed in Hyrkan. Whatever it took to save the lives of the common folk, he would have to do. Once he emerged from the hill refuge, Ohn made quickly for the city.

"It was unwise to give him a warning." Lucretia said in disapproval, "Now we've lost the element of surprise."

"Hyrkan would see us coming a mile away with or without Ohn's intervention." Angronius replied, foregoing wrath as he knew the coastland city was not Reksia and that good people lived within her walls. "This way, no one can say we didn't give the people a chance to save their skin. If I can spare needless deaths in our pursuit for freedom, I can at the very least try."

"What're we going to do if the Nucerians don't give up their slaves?" Rissio asked, "And what's to stop the people from keeping their slaves, then marking their homes to make fools out of us?"

"They will either take the threat seriously or they will not. It's a gamble, one that I will have to make." The gladiator king stood by his decision firmly, "Enough talk, we must make preparations. At nightfall, we make our move and finally break free from Nuceria."

Nightfall

City of Hyrkan

Several hours later, Ohn entered the gates of the coastal city and proclaimed the warning. He ran from street to street, from the gates of Hyrkan to the port, declaring that death was coming to the city. His warnings told of the gladiator horde, led by the Lord of the Red Sands himself, and of the only way to avoid its wrath.

Very few, however, took the warnings seriously. Those few were the city's watchmen, and the legionnaires who remained with the Imperial Fleet docked at Hyrkan's ports. Slaves took to heart the promise of Angronius' liberation, but kept silent for their own sakes.

Ohn had no home to call his own in the city, but he had many friends who he would see live through the carnage. He begged them to free their slaves, to mark their doors to show Angronius and his horde that they were to be spared the bloodshed, but they would not listen. With his warnings left unheeded, a god of war came to Hyrkan's doorstep, and he would not leave until everyone was dead.

Angronius started his attack on the quarries and mines that lay just a few meters away from their hidden encampment. He and his warriors fell upon the wardens within the hour, and struck free the chains that bound the slaves in the next. They shattered the kennels and tore open the cages, springing out the captives who were condemned to die for their defiance.

Here, Angronius learned that there were more than just mere worker slaves in Hyrkan's mines or quarries. Nuceria had conquered many peoples, tribes and cultures. Most of them wounded up there as slaves, and many of them were men of war.

Many of them were Stygians.

"Calm yourselves and give ear!" Angronius declared, stilling the frightened whimpers and whispers of the uncertain slaves. "Our quarrel is not with you, but with those who hold themselves as your masters! See now, we have struck your chains free! Yet the hour of a grand exodus is upon us!"

The gladiators gave emphasis to his words by finishing off the dying slave-drivers, hacking them to pieces in front of the amassed crowd of liberated slaves. Rissio and the others were still uncertain of Angronius' plan, but the blood of more slain Nucerians bolstered their courage and silenced their doubts.

"We are for the ports of Hyrkan!" The gladiator king pointed his grumbling chain-axe to the city lying just shy of a mile away from where they all stood. "And to seize the ships moored in her harbor! You are welcome to join us on our journey towards freedom, to sail away far from the claws of Nuceria- to the Freelands of Stygia!"

The tallest among the Stygians, a dirty and disheveled man with a dozen scars borne from the agoniser whips of his captors, stepped forward from the murmuring throng. "Who are you to make such a bold promise?"

At this, the gladiator tipped his chin up and proudly shouted his name. "I am Angronius!"

Hearing his name, and knowing well the growing legend that came with it, the eyes of all those who stood before Angronius Thal'kyr lit up with the flickering flames of hope.

"I am Ionos." The Stygian said in turn, "Son of Minerva, Warmother of the Horde. I speak for all Stygians in this hellhole, and I will follow you to Hyrkan!"

The Stygians in the crowd roared in agreement, and with them the spirits of all the liberated souls soared. Ionos grinned as he grasped the arm of the gladiator king, "Lead on, Lord of the Red Sands. Take us home!"

With the mines and quarries taken, and all their slaves with them, the horde moved for the lumberyards and vineyards. The villas came next, and then the garrisons outside the coastal city. The horde swelled in numbers, as did the strength of its fighting arm. Angronius and the gladiators brought with them hundreds of warriors from all the conquered peoples of the Freelands, and they had just the right amount of bloodlust to see them through the day.

Angronius' spirit was contagious, and through his strength every man and woman became stronger. It didn't matter if the slaves were tired, hungry or thirsty. They only had to look to the giant, and their vitality was restored.

When there was nothing left to liberate, the horde turned their wrath finally upon Hyrkan itself.

The walls of the city were not as impressive as Reksia, and its watchers even less remarkable. A few dozen heavy-stubber turrets, to deter brigands or troublemakers, not enough to pose a significant threat against Angronius' warriors. When they came, they smashed through their defenses like a tidal wave and spilled into the streets of Hyrkan just as the rampaging gladiators did to Reksia when Angronius sparked the first fires of rebellion.

"STOP FOR NOTHING!" He roared as he led the horde through the breach, "FREE EVERY SLAVE, BUT MAKE FOR THE HARBOR!"

Ever hour that passed saw the ground grow slick with the blood of the fallen. As every Nucerian did in Reksia the day the servile uprising began, the people of Hyrkan feasted and fornicated till the late hours of the night. When death finally came for them, their cries of mirth transformed into cries of terror.

Their slaves turned on them at the sight of the gladiators pouring into every front door and window. They were given a chance, and they didn't take it. Angronius' warriors mercilessly massacred the Hyrkan cityfolk, indiscriminately rending man, woman and child until the corpses piled up into flesh mounds all over the city. The slaves, just as they did with the quarries and mines outside, were removed from every home and cage.

Cutting their way into the harbor was the easy part, the hard one came when they had to face the legion guarding the fleet.

Nucerians were a proud people, but they weren't stupid. Once they heard Angronius was coming, they knew exactly what he and all the rebellious slaves were coming to Hyrkan for. As quickly as their massive ships could move, they left the harbor and headed for open sea.

By the time the horde arrived, the last ship lifted anchor and began a slow headway to join the fleet already sailing out of Hyrkan. It was a dilemma for Angronius, but one that he quickly thought to be solvable if he could gain the deck of the last ship. In their haste to depart from Hyrkan, the ships of the Imperial Fleet were aligned in such a way that each ship's stern was in close proximity to the next ship's bow. There were six transport cruisers left to dock in Hyrkan by the Fleet, with their escorts remaining out to conduct manuevers.

All of them, within leaping distance for an ascendente.

Angronius quickly shared his idea to the best of his warriors, including Rissio and Lucretia. Left without much time, they made their way to the edge of the tallest quay and prepared to jump.

The sudden flash of distant naval artillery-fire stopped them momentarily as the gladiators realized that the Fleet was firing upon Hyrkan in an attempt to crush the rebellion right there and then.

"Move!" Angronius roared, making a running jump to cross the chasm between them and the last cruiser. Only he, Rissio, Lucretia and two other gladiators made it before the divide grew too wide for anyone else to cross over.

As soon as they landed on deck, the alarm summoned the imperial sailors to move in and prepare to repel boarders. Angronius didn't worry about them, he worried more about the thousands of slaves remaining trapped in the coastland city while the Imperial Fleet rained death from above. He steeled himself, knowing that if they faltered right there, it would be all for nothing.

"Four gladiators against a hundred sailors of the Empire's finest." Lucretia muttered, brandishing her trident alongside Rissio. The other gladiators stood behind their leaders and stood strong.

"Pity the poor sailors." Angronius crossed the shafts of Gorefather and Gorechild together, "They are outnumbered."