A Most Dangerous Weapon

Chapter 64: Standing a Chance

"Make sure to count our stock as you work. I want to ensure that every fighter has at least two weapons before they head into battle, if not more." I instructed Evander, who was currently working on sharpening and fortifying a couple dozen blades that Quintus' group of gladiators brought with them. Most of them were lifted from their Dominus' training grounds during liberation, while others were obtained along the way when they ran into trouble. Apparently things didn't go as smoothly as Quintus led on. Marching a small army across Romallia had its own difficulties, primarily in the form of vengeful owners. Dominus' that weren't killed during liberation started to send their guards after their missing gladiators, thinking that they would take them back from the Galacians who supposedly took them. Quintus played his part well, silencing anyone who came after them to keep the truth about our army and war plans a secret. I'm sure word has reached Maximus by now about the stolen gladiators, fueling his rage further against his brother, our patsy.

"If we don't have enough then we'll have to gather more along the way." I continued as I organized the readied weapons into piles on the side counter.

A loud hiss radiated in the boiling room as Evander placed a red hot sword blade into water to cool. He rubbed the sweat from his forehead before it could dribble into his eyes.

"Can you bring someone else to count the inventory? I don't have time to do both jobs if you still intend to leave Kent by nightfall..." He pleaded in a somewhat irritated way. It was then that I realized I was pushing him too hard.

I let out a heavy sigh in regret. "I'm sorry, Evander. You're right. I'll get Newt and Theo to assist."

"Theo's already helping me with the arrows." Kilgorian barks as he steps into the smelting shop hurriedly. He drops an armful of old arrowheads onto the center table, and then proceeds to shape them with the heat and stones that he'd been commandeering all day. "I've got him on the hunt with Camilla for acceptable sticks for the arrow shafts. They'll start carving shortly."

I place a shaking hand on my forehead to message away the headache that was looming over me. There was just too much to be done in such a short period of time.

Kilgorian can feel my apprehension. "Don't worry too much about it. We can carve and put them together along the way. The only thing that needs finishing while in Kent is the arrowheads. Can't take this shop on the road with us, after all..." He jokes in a surprisingly light manner. "I'll get it done."

"I just wish we had more people to help you guys in here." I feel exasperated by the lack of trade skills that our people seem to have.

Evander shakes his head defiantly as he tosses the finished blade aside to grab another. "They'll just get in our way. This shop is too small, and I don't have enough time to teach others what to do. Things will go by faster if everyone just leaves us in peace." This statement was partially directed at me, but Evander said it in such a way as to not hurt my feelings. I expected nothing less from a man whose feelings of love outweighed his anxiety for the task at hand.

I nodded as I grabbed an armful of finished blades. "I'll take these outside to organize. Newt and Rowan can count and distribute them accordingly."

"Sounds like a plan." Evander offered a smile before I left the two of them to their work.

I dropped the blades just outside the smelting shop on top of a couple of empty barrels before moving along to find Newt and Rowan.

Despite the urgency that surrounded the day, I found myself moving at a somewhat leisurely pace as I soaked up the sun. Now that my cover had ultimately been blown amongst the gladiators, I no longer needed to wear my heavy cloak or sash as a disguise. My arms, neck and face were exposed to the familiar sensation of tanning. I could feel the sun's heat bubbling over my skin as I took in the fresh air of the day, no longer filtered through a sweaty, dirty piece of cloth over my mouth. I had to enjoy these sorts of moments when they so rarely presented themselves. If not then what was the point? I closed my eyes and tilted my head up towards the open sky, stopping in my tracks in the middle of town.