Author's Notes:

Hello, just want to point out again that I have a new story up staring Alexander once again in a completely different situation and setting.

It is titled :All in a Days work: which you can find HERE

Also consider taking a look at my Patreon as well if you wish to help me out a bit.

“Well alright, you all know what is to be expected either today or tomorrow. We will be engaging yet another foe very soon, a very unfamiliar foe on even more unfamiliar grounds. Some of you might see it as a lost cause, suicide, or a fool’s errand, but I like to personally see it more as an opportunity to test ourselves, and to see if we are truly worthy of the titles that our ancestors used to have. Being a steadfast race, being a headstrong people, bred for war, a knack for riches, and destined to rule empires. So fret not, keep your training in mind and experiences to hearth. For this is just another test for us to face, a challenge for us to pass before truly trudging towards the road of glory and everlasting fame and respect. We are the offsprings of a might culture, so let us go out there and proof it. Both to ourselves and the enemies we shall face. For Zebrica and it’s future.” Bakuss screamed like the good little propaganda machine that he is while also sounding damn good in doing so.

If he keeps this up, I might actually consider hiring him to do just that. Spreading and shouting never ending waves of “in your face” with Joseph Goebbels’ style of propaganda for any future plans and war efforts. Pinning a prime enemy for the people to hate collectively does go a long way for any potential youths who will inevitably decide to in joining the military. Though then again, I probably don’t need to resort to such an extreme strategy of propaganda anyway, as simple words and wave of my hand are enough for these Zebra’s as a whole to start picking up pitchforks and crudely made shanks to march right towards whatever enemy I have pointed them at.

That and the also ever present dedication and tenacity they expel in regards to their lost legacy. Who knew that convincing a nation to build an empire is so damn easy? If it were so easy back in my world I could have easily succeeded in rallying up a bunch of school kids and hot tittied cheerleaders to start following me with crudely made paintball shooters and snatched chainsaws as weapons, to march against the common evil that is the government, and to only replace it with another. BUT, with the added benefits of providing free cheese and free coffee for anyone under the age of 21. So it really can’t be that.

Either way, besides that little mental derailing of usual never-ending nonsense that I am known for, the entire barracks ground immediately erupted into undeniable approval and war cries from every guard around us. Primarily being the same barracks right next to the Palace where I personally introduced them with the concept of the Sarissa and the Phalanx that goes with it a couple of…I don’t know, weeks back or something.

I am very terrible with the passage of time, so don’t judge me.

I on the other hand, just casually sat on my parasol provided seat and table, fanning myself off with Penelope on my lap and Susi herself standing to my side with little care in the world. Who which, was holding a rather prideful smile on her face as the unavoidable display or dedication and fearlessness that the gathered guards rubbed off of her. All thanks to a little speech from a certain Joseph Goebbels in Zebra form. Who is also very damn good in fighting. So basically an even better version of Joseph Goebbels.

I let the cries for war play out uninterrupted in the background as I was personally more focused on the idea of who to essentially demonize in the case of a propaganda needed for an emergency.

“Well the Minotaur seemed to be the best prime target so far. Being the first aggressors of my reign while also being the most hostile and arrogant towards the Zebras. Hmm, arrogant, look who’s talking.” I mused to myself while scratching my chin for no good reason.

There are seriously a lot of things that I simply do just for added effect. I always dreamed of becoming an actor oneday, which is sorta, kinda fulfilled in the end, as I have basically taken up the biggest and most important role an actor could possible receive.

The role of a nation’s leader. Yes, I am considering all of the world leaders and politicians as actors. Because it’s kinda true and everybody knows it. Well, almost everybody.

Looking at the tinfoil wearing wankers and newborns.

Either way, the shouting eventually stopped, which in turn caused a certain someone to suddenly tap me on the shoulder afterwards. I turned my head to look at the offender and found none other then Liu and a random dude who I was told was the local blacksmith of this barracks waiting behind me.

“Was diese baracke alles nicht hat. Es ist schon erstaunlich” I thought to myself before giving the pair a welcome smile.

Liu on the other hand, just stayed professional as she always does despite my constant teasing. Which I can respect, most people would have long given up or just stopped giving a damn at some point.

But she will break, like all of them. How do I know? Well, because my own tenacity knows no bound. Or at least, that’s what my physiatrist once told me.

She just nods before gesturing over to mister hammer and anvil himself, and frankly, he does kinda look the part in how wide the dude is, and that is not even including the obvious sweaty nature that his fur displayed on the open sun.

Quite sticky and disgusting. Wait, can horses actually sweat? Would be quite the annoying body function to have thanks to all that damned fur. The good thing about MAN is that we just have skin, so it doesn’t end up to be that sticky, but still smells just the same.

Either way, with the very important subject of bodily leakage out of the way, I just focused back at mister T in front of me, giving him a hand gesture that he can speak.

He responded with a quick bow before opening his snout. “The nethicite stone are all flawlessly integrated into the guards shield as requested. I even did a couple of test hits against them to make sure that they are all as robust as can be inside their housing. The shields are now ready for use and distribution your highness.” He reported, giving me another courtesy bow after he finished.

Don’t even want to imagine how drenched his rear must be. Those poor guards behind him.

Siming, I gave him a thumbs up. “Great, that should certainly increase the survivability of those poor chops down there…don’t tell them that though.” I leaned in and whispered at the end, which in turn just caused him to raise a brow in confusion.

Not so much for Susi though, as she did what she always do. Open her mouth like pretty much everybody here.

“You know your highness, the guard’s moral alongside their performance could increase if you would stop criticizing them so much on a daily basis. You would be surprised with the results.” She criticized. The irony of her suggestion is as thick as a Wiener bockwurst from Frankfurt.

Now I am hungry again, but anyway, back on topic.

I gave Susi a strange look. “I was? What are you talking about? I wasn’t criticizing them. I was simply pointing out the flaws just like all good critics do.“ I sat up straight and pointed a finger up to the air. “Where will this society be without someone pointing out the flaws and dumbass ideas that someone makes? Criticism is part of our development. Without it, we could all die dumb without having made any improvements at all, it’s criticisms like these that help us to evolve and improve on our standards. Why being such a well educated individual yourself, you should know this type of logic and thinking. Once more…you disappointed me there susi.” I explained, trying to look and sound as disappointed as possible.

This time though, it didn’t work. She simply rolled her eyes before shaking her head. “Well, I do know that your highness, but I was just suggesting that a little spirit towards your guards would go along way for them. You are the king after all. Bakuss might be their captain, but you…” She pointed a hoof at me. ”…are the very figure of hope and believe that these Zebras hold onto. You are the very future of this nation, and any generation that will proceed them.” She added.

This caused my mask to break for the first time. “Well shit, seems like Susi is actually starting to take her job more seriously. Or at least, trying to.” I thought to myself.

“You know what Susi? I think you are right.” I openly announced which made her smile. Good for her, because I just grinned. “Which is why I shall give Bakuss these personally, so that he can handle the distributing of these new toys by himself. I think it was like…a hundred and fifty shields or something?” I trailed off before looking over at the smithy for any conformations.

I noticed Susi lost her smile. but I of course, just ignored it for the moment.

The stud just nodded, which in turn, made me look back at the mare next to me. ”… Oh and of course, to openly show myself to the guards for their spirits and shit. I will still take the giant Parasol with me though. Can’t have my white, Caucasian skin be exposed to the ever glaring sun, now can I?” I added.

She simply responded with a face hoof, while the stud behind me just scratched his head in mild confusion. Liu on the other hand, has been quiet this entire time, staring at Bakuss the whole time with a certain level of trance to her.

I woke her up by throwing a tiny piece of cheese that Penelo couldn’t finish at her. Because I was certainly not going to eat that anymore. I find eating something that has already been eaten disgusting, even when it involves cheese…sadly.

She blinked after the cheese related assault glanced off of her armored muzzle.

“Liu, could you please go and inform Bakuss down there of the new toys he just received? He was quite impatient about them when the news of enemy activities underground were brought to him this morning.” I casually requested.

This again, forced Susi to butt in. “But you just stated that you were going to do that yourself and not her.” She pointed out.

I just sighted. “Fine, just let me get off from this chair so I can go down there and do it myself. But I am taking both the fan and Parasol with me, so don’t start complaining about me making myself look ridiculous. It also obviously means that you will be taking Penelope off of me for a while.” I stated.

She just nods. I quickly got up afterwards, placing Penelope from my lap and onto Susi’s back and grabbing both my swatter and sun shield before making my way down the platform.

Liu and smithy of course followed. Once there, I quickly tapped Bakuss on his back with my fan to get his attention. Which it did.

He turned around to look up at me expectantly, only somewhat raising a brown as he noted the huge ass Parasol I was carrying above my shoulder. You know, the ones that you see in front of bier gardens or even on outdoor café’s and restaurants.

But hey, comfortability has no price in my eyes, especially when it means keeping the bloody sun away from my skin. I might have originated from a tropical region before getting here, but even there it doesn’t compare to the blade piercing heat of the dry desert sun. There is a reason as to why these areas are so void of any vegetation or water in the first place, and I am not talking about, climate changes, the differentiation of air humidity, or geological reasons. Because that would just be silly. I am trying to keep this explanation on the layman’s side of things. Not trying to write a damned essay for college. Been there, done that.

Either way, after another awkward look and tap from Bakuss, I was once again just standing there like a tree and creepily staring off into nothing. I cleared my throat to get to the point.

“Anyway, I just personally came down here because I made a promise to Susi up there, that I would do that.” I stated, much to the added confusion of Bakuss.

But I quickly added. “And to also tell you that the nethicite incrusted shields are all finally finished and ready for use. Ready to be distributed to those who are ready for the job, or rather, ready in your eyes to be honest. The point is, it’s done. We are finally ready to go down there with the Rebels and to personally take the fight to the enemy ourselves. Or so I was told. ”I added while scratching my chin.

This immediately caused Bakuss to perk up. “Perfect, and not a moment too soon as well. The faster we can land a hoof, the better. According to Cyrus, it won’t be long until the changelings be loyal, or rather, affected by the queen’s control, we will get wind of the operations that he and the lings were conducting. Timing is of the essence as far as I am personally concerned.” Bakuss stated before switching his gaze over at the stud behind me with great expectations.

“Where are the badges of nethicite infused shields stored?” He asked the stud.

“Already sent them off to the local armory up here. All cleaned up and polished, and ready for use, Sir Bakuss.” He answered with a nod.

Bakuss nodded too. “Excellent, you shall be perfectly compensated for your services then. In fact…” He looked over at Lui. “Sergeant Liu, I think that that this is your field of dutie and expertise? Would you kindly take some of your time to offer this stallion the payment that he was promise? I will take care of the rest.” He added.

Liu nods. ”Of course, I shall personally make sure that he gets fairly paid for his work.” She responded before looking over at the stallion. ”If you would follow me please?” She requested, which he nods before moving out of the scene with her.

Leaving pretty much Bakuss and I standing alone in front of the eager looking guardsman, or guard-studs with a decent number of mares sprinkled in between.

I looked over at him after a few moments have passed, fanning myself with my fan as the heat forced me too. “So, it’s once again time isn’t it?” I asked him nonchalantly.

He just nods. “Yes, your highness. Once more, another problem to deal with force. But then again, this is just how it is and the world we are living in. It’s always either you or him in the end. The rules of the sand, as they like to say.” He sighed, a little tip bit of real life philosophy that I can quite easily get behind by.

The world can truly be one ugly looking son of a bitch when it really wants to. Which is why I have personally been staring it down all throughout my life, and giving it my own sets of mental and physical middle finger the same way it does to me. An eye for an eye mentality, which strangely does kinda work when you just ignore its own antics with your own.

Why bother, when you can join the fray.

Either way, I just hummed to his answer while keeping my fan doing its job. If this keeps up, I might eventually start getting some muscle build up around my right arm, which certainly would be useful for a lot of ‘other things’ in the future. As I said, comfortability has no price for me. Even when I am required to start fapping with a fan as if they was no tomorrow. Today was especially hot for whatever reason.

Or I could easily just find myself some mares to do it for me, and save the bodybuilding act on my right stinger. I know for a fact that they will most likely send me a bunch of mares to do this job instead of studs. Because I am a dude, so I must like having females around me at all times to stroke my dick and ego, which would be true, if the’re wasn’t the very obvious problem that these females were actually not the females that I wanted, they are mares and not women. My morals were once again, putting a huge wall over they otherwise good intended offers.

With that little thought process out of the way, I just nod. Somewhat late but better late than never, I guess. Also, the giant ass Parasol I had over my shoulders was starting to become somewhat heavy as well. Reminiscent to my lack of obvious exercise.

I looked over at the still collected collection of guards standing at the ready in front of me. Noting some of their faces and equipments, knowing that it might be quite possible for these faces to never be seen again for obvious reasons.

This is once again, the obvious consequence of war, something that can’t really be avoided, only minimized as much as possible.

“Well, better get over to this elusive armory of yours…where ever that is, and get the distribution done and finished. As you said, time is money here.” I announced in which Bakuss nodded.

He then led the way, but before I could even get a foot moving from my spot, a sudden random encounter appeared. An encounter that took the immediate shape of a certain doe as she suddenly came galloping down the stairs that I just came from.

Huffing and panting as she skidded to a stop. She was followed by a bunch of guards, probably thinking that she was here to cause some kind of trouble one way or another before I quickly fanned them off to avoid any more issues. Quite literally in fact, I waved my fan at them. Stopping them and allowing Little steppes over here to explain herself for the interruption.

Well, the guards think it’s an interruption, but I am just happy to always have something else to distract me. No internet, remember?

She huffed and puffed for a few more moments before starting. “Have…have you seen my sister anywhere your highness? I…I haven’t really seen her since yesterday. She hasn’t even came back to the room after she said she was just taking a little stroll down into town. I know for a fact that she can handle herself quite well in a serious situation…but still, I worry for her regardless because…well, she is my sister.” She explained, taking a couple more air breaks in between.

I just shook my head at her question. “Nope, haven’t seen, or rather, seen her never ending frown all this morning. If she really was just taking a stroll through the city below, I can only imagine three things that could have happened.” I emphasized that by rising three fingers.

“ONE, she got lost and somehow still hasn’t managed to swallow up her pride to go ask someone for directions. Even though the Palace itself is quite impossible to miss, simply because it is literally visible from every angle of the city thanks to its location. But hey, no one is perfect after all.”

“TWO, she might have actually went out to get herself smashed in one of those pubs down there to drown her Idol related woes or has either ended up in some alley with the worst…or best hangover moment given the aftermath she went through when getting smashed in the first place. You might bring more than just the two of you back home if that is the case.“ I added that last one with a crazed grin before dropping the second finger, leaving the third and last finger.

”THREE, she actually went over to the changelings and somehow managed to convince them to take her along with their crazy plans while also getting a chance of retrieving the Idol herself. Something that she has been constantly quacking about, ever since the previous meeting. She just couldn’t shut up about it. We all heard it, even from the bloody kitchen and the dining hall.” I finalized, dropping the least finger before letting my whole arm flop down against my side.

This long response caused the doe in front of me to change into many expressions during my explanation. The first was, confusion, followed by surprise, then shock from the hangover part, before finally settling down to confusion, and eventually morphing to a look of realization in the end.

Horrible, horrible realization.

The last one was actually kind of funny to be honest. Mostly because it was just a guess of mine which actually in turned out to be true in the end.

I always knew that I was a “Seher”. Genau wie bei Asterix und Obelix.

“Yeah…the last one actually sounds like something my sister would do.” She responded with wide, but still casually looking eyes before quickly starting to panic instead.

Sweet, sweet panic, and much to my amusement too as she started to circle me in a frantic fit. Much to the guard’s nervous, watchful eyes.

Again, that is what I am paying them for to begin with. And yes, I am paying thanks to Susi’s and Liu’s insight with the matter.

“Oh dear ancestors above, she did it, she actually did it. She finally allowed her stubborn pride to get the best of her, and now she might actually be sticking her hoof into something that she has obviously no knowledge off. She is going to go down there, with a bunch of changelings. Somewhat good, but mostly very bad, in an environment that basically favors these changeling’s natural affinity to the underground damp and darkness on every turn. It would be like sending a fire golem to take on a fight with a bunch of sirens, underwater no less. What in our forefathers’ names was she thinking? How in Steppe’s names, am I going to explain this to our mother when the worst becomes THE worst? Why did I even allow her to leave the room in the first place?” She ranted, circling my standing, fanning, and parasol carrying form a few times as she did so.

Did I ever mentioned that the fan was costume made? Well it is, and it even sported the very same color patterns and logo that my mug has. They even managed to get the slogan underneath the logo right.

Quite impressive when you consider the fact that these Zebras have their own alphabetical system. But I am just getting distracted again as I always do.

“Back to reality Alex, back to reality despite how “stressful” it can be.”

I quickly stopped the fawning doe by grabbing her horn and forcing her to somewhat bend over. She yelped, a very curious looking blush adorning her face afterwards.

This of course, caused me to raise a curious eyebrow as she just stood there. Her horn in my hands and all.

Bakuss too seemed to be somewhat curious, though, also clearly impatient.

I quickly noted his impatient nature, before quickly letting go of the now flustered girl. Why is she now flustered? I have no idea. But I do have the feeling that I will eventually find out about it sooner than later. Until then, we very much have much more important things to worry about. Like getting the party geared up and shit while I comfortably wait on the throne room for the inevitable news of our victory.

Why victory? Because failure is not an option.

Bakuss again, took the lead as I followed. Leaving the still entranced Steppes standing on her spot with a bunch of lined up guard Zebras still copying the ever-vigilant looking soldiers of the old soviet union.

Why them? because picking the queen’s royal guard in England would have been to obvious of a pick.

“Say Bakuss, what about your dudes and gals still standing ‘STRAMM’? Certainly would be a lot more comfortable for them to stand in the shadows instead of an open field where their tincan outfit is most likely boiling them alive. Those poor, poor soldiers.” I questioned, as I followed double S over here towards a building that I have seen, but never entered before personally.

Just like every other building here in the barrack grounds really.

He kept his gaze fixed forward as he replied. “We Zebra’s are a bit more heat tolerant than you might think, your highness. What might be hot for you, could just be simply warm for us. We are generally a desert folk after all.” He answered.

I just scratched my chin in understanding of this new information. Fanning my fan into oblivion. As I did so, the topic of heat just reminded me just how dry and warm today’s day really is.

“Either it’s slowly getting close to summer, or they might be suffering from their own version of global warming. Who knows? Or maybe just a simple dry front?” With these thought out of the way, I didn’t realize that Bakuss and I finally ended up at the place he was leading me.

A large, rectangular block of a building with just a simple level of carving and paint colors adorning it’s outside walls. Quite bland looking, especially in comparison to everything else around the barracks. Even more so with the Palace nearby and all of its architectural luxury and glory.

Either way, Bakuss just casually opened the front gate with a key that I didn’t knew he had on his form. Stepping in first before ushering me to follow. If I didn’t knew him as being one of my closest guards, I might have took this gesture as a big no factor given in just how dark the interior seemed from outside.

That, and the obviously dirty fantasies that were going through my head at the sight of this situation. But then again, he is my guard captain and this is just the armory after all. Well at least that what he says, still need to step in myself and see it with my own eyes.

And step in I did, didn’t took that long for my eyes to adjust to the more depressing looking light levels in here before allowing myself a first good look on everything that was in display here, and really, there was a lot.

This place was every murderer and weapon fanatic’ dreams.

The large storage space had everything. From the previously introduced Sarissas and shield combo from yours truly, to you more basic looking spear and sword the simple city guard down below like to carry around. There were even a large set of Palace and city guard armor pieces all neatly stacked on shelves. There were even a couple of bows and quivers here and there with fully loaded arrows.

Why I haven’t personally seen any of the equipments themselves? I don’t know. But then again, I just kinda get the vibe that every tribe in these lands pretty much have their own specializations when it comes to fighting styles and preferred weapons. Like the sand hunters being superb archers for example. With that knowledge I would guess that the Zebras of Achaemidia have a natural affinity with preferred melee weapons instead of ranged once, and acting as simple foot, or rather, hoof soldiers as well.

The basic grunts of any strategy game I have ever played.

Pretty much turning this whole situation into a video game itself. Something I have stated before. But still within my field of expertise, which is good.

I like Video games.

Either way, Bakuss himself began looking around while I was busy once again, wasting everyone’s time in a mental level. Probably trying to find exactly where the smith has sent all of his magic resistant shields to. It was at that moment, when another guard suddenly came galloping in, giving me a quick short bow before beelining towards the captain afterwards.

He saluted. “Sir, I have been personally instructed by Sir Sephon the smith to inform you of the shields location and lead you to them. Something he forgot to add to you which is why he requested me to message that instead.” He announced.

Bakuss nods, before allowing the guard to lower his hoof. “Well, fair enough. Where are they then? Because I sure as hell can’t see them here.” Bakuss responded, sounding somewhat irritated and impatient at the same time.

The guard just nods before trotting off towards a far corner of the large storage space. He ushered for us to follow. We did, before he eventually stopped in front of a curious looking rag filled with rather old looking swords and wooden shields.

I turned back towards us with a bit of hesitation. “Normally, someone like me shouldn’t be allowed to know this, but I pretty much swore life oath to keep this a secret from both Sephon and High priest Akadar’s requests. But…” He place his hood behind one of the wooden shield and began to feel for something. ”…there is actually another hidden storage compartment within these walls which used to house some of the magically enchanted weapons and gear that our ancestors made heavy use off during the glory days. It’s empty right now, but still very much intact, and the place where the smith hauled over the finished shields under High priest Akadar’s orders just to make use of it once more.” He pulled on something which produced and audible click. Some hidden gears could be heard spinning and grinding from behind the wall before the entire thing started to buckle, kicking off dust, sand and debris as it did so.

The guard stepped back, looking up at his handy work before the entire rag suddenly moved away alongside with the wall behind it. Causing me to raise a curious eyebrow and fan away some of the kicked-up dust and dirt that where send my way thanks to this procedure.

“Quite the paranoia driven ancestors you have there. Having build secret doors leading to even more secret vaults, or leading to some underground tunnels and sewers systems that were used more than just transporting shit from A to B. I have to say, I quite like your ancestor’s mentally. Truly keeps away all of the nasty people from playing around with all with the illegal toys and dildos that your old folks like to use.” I commented, smiling a bit to myself at what Mystic managed to find down in the vaults.

Bakuss ignored my comments, as his eyes were primarily fixed at the newly exposed passageway in front of him.

“Huh, even I wasn’t aware of this. I have came in and came out of this armory many times over my years, and not even once noticed anything odd or out of the ordinary within all this clutter. I was at least aware of the treasure vaults under the Palace, but not this.” He stated.

The newcomer nods to his comment. “Well, with all due respect sir, there wasn’t really much need for this to be known by anyone, simply because It hasn’t been in use for many decades. The very purpose of THIS vault used to have been lost the moment when more and more of the ancient weapon and artifacts that were stored down there had either been lost or stolen during the passing of generations. It’s location only having been preserved in carefully kept records and scrolls from way back. Which is why High priest Akadar knew about them in the first place. Being one of the keeper of the ancient past.” The guard explained.

Bakuss simply hummed to this information before finally being the first to boldly go where no one has gone before in decades. At least stated by this unnamed stud over here.

I looked over at him and nodded, before pulling out a small notepad and pencil and jutting him down as “unknown guard number 1324” for reference. Much to the stallion’s intrigue.

“Uhm…your highness?” Bakuss called out from inside the open passageway.

I looked up from my pad before quickly stashing it back in my pocket, wasting no time in following him. Another surge of the Indiana jones theme song played inside my head as I entered the curiously looking passageway that was perfectly sized for someone my size.

Again, solidifying the constantly brought up topic that my predecessors were all pretty much humans, just like me. Or maybe I am just pulling random assumptions out of my ass just to find something.

I tend to do that for no real reason.

Once inside, Bakuss quickly lit up a torch with a piece of flint that he must have be carrying inside his armor, before doing the same with another torch. He grabbed the first one, offering the other torch to me which I quickly decline. Showing him the Parasol that I was still holding on to with one hand while fapping the fan with the other.

In fact, I should obviously close this thing to prevent myself any future complications related to it. The passage way might be tall enough for me to go through, but sadly, was just as wide as it’s height. The bloody thing could barely fit inside, and that’s not even accounting for the two torch rags mounted on either side of the walls.

So I did just that, with Bakuss just placing the torch back where it belonged and leading the way. You would think that they would actually try and keep the light on after the first adventurers made it down here. But no, even though it was stated that it would be in use once more. So why not keep it illuminated to prevent any unnecessary issues and flint related problems? Just like how they did it back down in the treasure vaults.

Consistencies is the word here, something that seems to be lacking with some of these Zebras. But hey, that’s what I am here for, to try and fix it. A thousand years of just sitting on your ass and doing absolutely nothing at that time while being busy pointing the blame on each other, can do that on a nation. Or in this case, a whole race.

Either way, we eventually ended up at another steel door that pretty much mimics all the others I have seen so far. Only a lot smaller and a lot less bombastic compared to the others.

The guard from before quickly joined us, before casually handing Bakuss a large silver key tied to an equally silver looking necklace around his neck. Bakuss took it and nods before looking around the door for a spot to place the key in, finding it rather swiftly. He placed the key into the keyhole and turned it. Causing another chain reaction of hidden mechanism to sprung to life with the door shaking a bit. Soon, the door unlocked and creaked open, though not as much as expected, which pretty much forced both Bakuss and the random guard to do the rest instead.

I just watched them, carrying to most important burden of them all. The responsibility. That, and I already had my hands full anyway.

It didn’t took long for these two to finish the deed, despite how thick and heavy the metal door looked.

Once opened the pair huffed and wheezed a bit on the side after their duty was done. I on the other hand, took this opportunity to be the first to step into the unknown and see what this new hidden chamber had to offer, and to my NOT surprise, it was mostly void and empty with the exception of the mentioned shields which were piled up against and empty standing pedestal on the far left side of the room.

In fact, the entire chamber had nothing but empty standing and quite dusty looking pedestals, basins, podiums, shelves, rags, and so on. All carved out of white marble or stone. The rest of the chamber was simply made of the same sandstone like material as the rest of the building above.

Only less decorative, with most of the chiseled markings and artistic depictions have long been eroded away at some point.

Either way, the entire hall was comparably disappointing in comparison to the ones I have visited before. Bland, empty, dirty, and pretty much run down for the most part.

Well then again, you can’t really have everything now can you?

Bakuss was not too short in taking his time his time though, as I soon found himself standing right next to me before a moments notice. He too, quickly spotted the shields to the far left side, which also drew the unnamed guard’s attention as well.

“Well, finally.” Bakuss muttered as he made his way towards the shields. The newly added nethicite crystals and somewhat refreshed paint job is easily noticeable from my spot. The limited light inside this room easily reflecting upon the surfaces of the crystals. The guy even went as far as to add some silver lining and trimmings along the edges of the shields, which was a nice touch.

Just because for the silver’s sake really. Silver aesthetically always looked a lot more clean than gold in my opinion.

Bakuss quickly picked up one of the shields with his hoof and began to expect its handiworks. Taking a closer look at the linings, both on the metal and the leather beneath it, and also testing out the straps that came with it. Hauling it over his left foreleg and holding it out front of him. Testing if it is just as functional as it is comfortable to hold.

Man, those are a lot of observation I am making here. I would be immediately flagged as a stalker if I was acting like this over at the Internet. Which I did, and which already happened. So why bother?

Online confusion and trolling are my specialties after all. That and shit posting on forums.

I heard Bakuss hummed to himself, which pretty much brought me back from my never ending antics of self-monologues and momentary stillness. He continued to inspect the shield before laying it back down with the rest of them. Nodding to himself afterwards.

“Perfect, with these nethicite infused shields. Magic shouldn’t really be that much of an issue so long as the zebras holding them make sure that the crystal is always pointing at the enemy at all times. Better safe than sorry I would say” Bakuss stated, while rubbing his armored chin with his equally armored hoof.

The random guard nods to this as he stood beside me. “Very true, sir. At least now we will have a much better fighting chance against those born with a high natural affinity to magic. Something that our kind is weak against.” He pointlessly added.

Seriously, what is it with these Zebras, and pretty much everyone else around here constantly spouting out expositions or the obvious? It was as if we are in story or something. Simply following a script that has been laid out by some poor, jobless asshole that is invisibly dictating everything that happened, or will happen to me and my ongoing quest for world domination.

That surely doesn’t sound too crazy of a theory does it?

Nah, I am most likely just thinking way too ahead of myself or just spouting a bunch of random nonsense. Anybody that ever said that madness should be considered sane in first place.

Now that, that’s true and unadulterated madness right there.

Either way, I was once again brought back to the confines of sweet, sweet reality when a certain bucket head of a captain suddenly tapped against my chin to get my attention. I shook myself off of my dream-like state and casually looked down at him as if nothing was wrong. Interestingly so did he.

I would guess waking me up from my self-induced mini coma, have somewhat become of a mandatory job for this little stud here.

Which I could see to be either a good thing or a bad thing given my moods and situations. But for now, I will just let this slide as it is, and focus back at the task at hand.

Beating the cogs before repairing them and adding them to my overall grand machine to becoming the most successful leader in history…well in this history at least.

I began to look around myself afterwards, swiftly noting that the stud from before was strangely missing. I immediately looked back down at Bakuss for answers, which he provided before I even had the chance to assert myself with asking.

“I send off the private to go fetch up some more of his division so that we can all get these shields out to their respected guard stallions and mares at once. Again, the faster we can start drafting those who volunteer, the better.” Bakuss answered.

I again, just nodded. Not really needing or knowing of anything that I can add to his statement. We just waited for a while afterwards, a rather normal, but still somewhat awkward silence dominating the chamber around us. Thankfully though, it didn’t took too much time for a decent number of guards to finally arrive into the room and start picking up all of the shields in a neatly mannered fashion.

I did kind of remembered that unnamed guard’s number, 1324 wasn’t supposed to be telling the location of the vault to anyone, which he kind of did when he brought some of his friends to come alone and bring those shields back up to the surface. Something that should have registered to Bakuss, which it obviously didn’t.

But then again, what really is the point of keeping a chamber that is meant to house enchanted weapons armor still a secret at this point? The treasure and artifacts vault I can kind of understand, but why also for something that a guard would kind off need to have access to in an almost regular basis. Or maybe not THAT regular, but at least common enough that would make such a hassle to keep it secret in the first place simply down and void pointless.

“Well let’s go then, I guess. Time determines who gets to go and who gets to stay. Hope you know your guards just as well as you claim to be. Your fellow Zebras will be fighting in a completely unnatural environment after all. A place no other Zebra, as far as I know, will walk in. I can still remember the mass funeral ritual that took place after the first battle. All of those poor crying Zebras.” I commented, watching the last guards disappear with the shields.

Bakuss nods. “I know your highness, I know. I will personally make sure to only pick those who truly qualify for this task. Those I personally served with and more.” Bakuss responded.

“Well, better go up there then. Let’s see if your claims are as worthy as you say. Time to get this show on the road. Terminator style.” I announced.

Bakuss again simply nods before following me back up the stairs to ground level to get the job done.

Let’s hope that this will truly be the last military involved situation in a row. Because all of this back and forth is really hitting me in the Mojo.

Can’t even have my single moment of Zen while trying to build up the city a bit.

Well, let THEM build up the city’s new infrastructure while I simply do all of the drawing and sketching.

I am obviously no engineer or mathematician here. Never really paid that much attention in school to begin with. But at least I became very good in drawing because of it. Doodling and what not.