Lexios looked across the barren 'wasteland' that was the Turantala mountains' foot, an old battlefield, village and once a quarry. It had been long abandoned, reclaimed and abandoned once more, many had tried to turn it into something worthwhile, most failed to make use of it for more than two decades. It was invaluable to whoever could gather whatever value they could spot, the same was now true for 'M', who Lexios accompanied along with Julius and four other guards. Hephaestion, the largest of the group of seven, had been assigned with carrying the food and medical equipment. Though Markus protested the need for such things, Lexios and Julius could barely back down or argue as they normally would.
"It's just common sense..."
"It is in accordance to the prerequisites."
Markus could only sigh and shake his head as he allowed them to have their 'fun', leading the small expedition to reach the mountains. Still, he had not given a glimpse of what he was planning on doing about the need for manpower or transportation. Most had assumed he would be relying on the gravely mountainside to provide with adequate stones of not such a large size, but the sight of the centuries old rubble quickly dismissed such ideas. "Trust me on this" he said, beginning to draw a circle on the ground, enough to fit a legion of men.
"Are you planning on summoning a horde of creatures? Surely you are not serious, 'M'", Lexios continued to give a befuddled look as his assigned 'mage' ignored his words of concern. Normal summons, such as lesser demons and nature spirits, would not be enough to carry out such a feat as laying down a stone path across an entire front of the empire. Even the stronger forces at a summoner's disposal would be inefficient for such work, such as golems and pit-fiends, or neither wyverns or wraiths.
"Just make sure to keep the perimeter under control, if you want something to worry about... It'll be fine, Lexios", Markus moved over along the perimeter of the circle-to-be before standing at the center.
"My will creates your form - Mof roy teark liv im", the circle ignited to life, the guards, Lexios and Julius all watched as the light climbed the air. The pressure was far exceeding that of any magic they had ever seen or heard of. "... if you honor contracts, obey my will - Liv im yebo, cutarnock rohon o' fi..." Like shadows dripping through the air, the center was filled with an ebony column that gave way to a writhing mass of... not demons.
"Devils..." Julius stared in horror, his younger companions holding him as he began to tremble by his feet. "... he summoned devils? What in Hell is he?"
"... work." The devils spoke in unison, their intent towards their summoner as the light dimmed.
"Gather these stones, lay down an ideal path across the trail from here to the capital over there, make sure to hide yourselves. I don't want to hear about a traveling band of beautiful men and women entrancing the people of every town they go through. After that, return here." Markus waited for an acknowledgement from the devils, before the two entities of a contract departed from the circle.
The guards watched, horrified at the sight, as the devils climbed from the writhing mass and continued to seemingly multiply. Julius turned to Markus, spiraling with questions before Hephaestion walked forward. "... are you a dark mage?"
"No."
"You can't just say that and not explain what we just saw!!"
Markus got up, pointing towards the neat line of devils forming up to carry large stones, turning to human form as they did. "I summoned workers, that's what I did... but if that really isn't enough for you...? Then fine, I studied various spells and the magic behind them, this is one of the many that I learned. I've always been good with projecting and recreating, one of my favorite spells is one that redirects the power a spell into many smaller counter-attacks."
"... and what, pray tell, does that have to do with... those?"
"They're devils, but each has had their ether, their magical energy, reduced in exchange for numbers... otherwise you can push a complaint to the queen herself, or the royal guardsmen and have me sent to a discreet prison while the queen and her prince wait to hear back from me. I have nothing to explain why I chose devils for this, they're just the best option."
Hephaestion looked down at his feet, his hands and then walked away, distraught. Julius was still shaken at the horrifying sight, Lexios watched as the writhing piles of bones and guts turned to human shape, while the other guards were remained in shock. Markus could only try to hide his arms under his sleeves before returning to his notebook to look over the next steps. After some time, Hephaestion took out the cooking equipment and the troupe set down camp. The devils took their leave for the night, to not arouse suspicion, leaving the guards a bit less troubled.
...
The food tasted no more than bland for the guards when all they could still think about was the earlier scene, Hephaestion sat down with Julius and Lexios, the trio the only ones who were able to at least notice the bland taste. "Are we seriously going to stay quiet about this?"
"About what, we didn't see a thing at all..."
"Yeah... haha, the workers just came out from the woodwork at the foot of the mountain..."
"Yeah, the woodwork..."
Julius looked at up, finally a bit calm, "calm yourselves, youngsters... we still have a job to do..."
"Like what? You think that... man... needs help?"
"... no, but we still have a job to do."
Lexios took a swig of a flask that Julius had earlier given to him to calm his nerves. "Finally... you said something truly reasonable."
"... yeah."
...
The meal was done and finished with for all, leading to the eventual time to rest. Markus was left to sleep in his tent with Lexios, the others pairing up in their own manner. Before Lexios fell asleep while Markus looked over the notes for the next day, he turned over to watch the mage. "... how in the world could you do that?"
"... the devils, right?"
"... they're pure evil, are they not? Does that not rot your soul to summon them?"
"No, it doesn't. The only thing they could do is whisper wishes into my ear, but that's why the first lesson in summoning them should be to establish the contract properly..."
"There are not texts of that nature."
"How would you know, are you a mage?"
"... I know a mage."
"Do tell."
Lexios grunted, before turning away, "... I think we should sleep now."
"Alright, good night."
The lights in the tents were finally extinguished, the troupe finding some solace in their dreams and nightmares. Markus' mind was not plagued by those, it was eerily empty.
Usurpe, pillage and claim.
... burn it all. Rinse the land of blood and spoils.
Forget it all, take what you can, you deserve it...
In the early morning, Markus found himself almost unable to wake-up, exhausted and baggy-eyed. The others did not say anything, either being occupied by their own thoughts or preparations for the day, for which Lexious thoughtlessly asked Markus about the time-frame. "About... two days, with some room for reorientation. After that, we'll send them off towards the wetlands... but for that to work well, three will have to remain here to watch over the excavation site. Then either I, and some others, or someone else will need to go watch over the trail to make sure the people along the path are kept in the know about the project..."
"Quite comprehensive."
"Thank you, though the thanks would need to go to those who worked on this before..."
"They did their work, you are seeing it through, that is all that is asked of you or them. Now, two days to finish this... I shall remain with the... horde, which I will need Hephaestion to carry our supplies, I will have the others go get horses for us too."
"Sounds like a plan, well done, I will take Julius with me to the capital and inform the highness of our project status."
"Am I not going to be asked for an opinion", Julius was almost insulted, if he could muster any shame for his desire to not meet with higher command.
"... No." Lexios and Markus returned to discussing the days to come. Lexios, along with his duo of guards, would survey the land ahead, informing the people in the way of the project while Markus and Julius returned to he capital. The remaining guards will stay to watch over the gathering site, swiftly returning to inform Markus of any urgent developments.
With everyone aware of their plans, the coming days and the importance of their tasks, Markus and Julius went on their way to the capital. In the soft light of the sun rising above the towering mountains of the horizon - the Avalon mountains that split the capital from the sea, the capital sits like its own world of mortar and brick, a place of 'civilization' among the low-built towns past the forests. It was utterly exaggerated, just as intended, that was one thing Markus could appreciate about it - they had managed to maintain the biggest tactical advantage the capital had. It was most noteworthy when approaching it from the opening gate left beside the Turantala mountains.
At first, Markus wondered why he would be so avoided as the first officials just asked him to pass on with Julius in-tow. They cast disgusted gazes down to the ground, the people inside were no different. The two barely avoided being arrested by the fact that they were under royal protection, but that did not cover Markus' doubts. Then when Markus saw two familiar faces, Piscus and Kassandra, he realised it as the two covered their noses.
"Did you climb through corpses?"
"No, something worse - the two of them smell like they've been dragged through sweat and...", Kassandra's gaze hardened. "Apologies... master 'M', welcome back. Would you like to take a bath before seeing their majesty?"
"... yes." Julius let out a small chuckle as he smelt his own 'pits', muttering about 'fiendish deals holding curses in them' out of Markus' earshot. "What's so funny, Julius?"
"Oh, nothing. Just thought being dragged through shit might have been more to the others' liking."
Markus could only give an exhasberated sigh as he followed Kassandra over to the baths, while Julius remained to tell Piscus about Lexios. "... don't tell her too much."
"What kind of fool do you take me for?"
"An old one..."
"Touche."
...
"What on Lord's land did you do", Yelena stared with disgusted eyes as Sonya attempted to consul her disgust or calm her down, both could have been true all the same. "... do you have no respect for our work?"
"Quite the opposite...", Markus went into the water, seeing small flakes of an unspeakable texture and smell drift off his skin. He then felt that the water had seemingly been made quite hot, assuming it must have been done the moment it was said he smelled. "... you people sure like to gossip, I have not even been here more than an hour."
"The guards said you smelled like a piss-stained corpse..."
"Sorry to dissapoint-"
"They could have never been more misleading..."
Sonya attempted to hush Yelena, to not effect as the maid continued to berate Markus over his work.