"First thing is i go to the blacksmith to get all the weapons and armor needed to summon 100 Spartan Hoplites,i am afraid that my income will go to red numbers but i have so much money i could not care.Then to shrine what kind of offering could i make and then to create that elite force,sure enough life as a king is not easy" Alexios sighted but there was no time for laziness.
Alexios walked through the streets and were just as lively as always but one thing was different.Citizens were not as afraid as before even some signs of respect could be seen,Alexios was surprised it must be thanks to the fact that their king killed many pirates and even pirate captain by himself,that's the only think he could think of.Blacksmith is very close to barracks and saw building with a sign of a anvil.No door was at the entrance so Alexios took a deep breath and take his steps to the blacksmith.
The Spartan blacksmith's forge blazed with the intensity of disciplined craftsmanship. In the heart of the austere workshop, a massive anvil stood sentinel, surrounded by an array of well-worn tools. The rhythmic dance of hammer on metal echoed through the space, where Spartan emblems adorned weapons taking shape. Natural light filtered through openings, casting a glow on a workspace devoid of extravagance. Here, in the simplicity of the workshop, the blacksmith forged weapons not just of metal but of the unyielding Spartan spirit."ehm Excuse me i believe i have something to discuss with you" Alexios said as politely as he can but not too much as a sign of fear or lack of confidence after all he was his king.
The blacksmith, a figure of grit and strength, was clad in a practical ensemble befitting his trade. A leather apron, worn and stained from countless encounters with molten metal, protected his chest and thighs. Beneath it, a simple, well-worn tunic allowed for ease of movement. His arms, bearing the marks of labor, were covered by heavy, dark sleeves, shielding him from the radiant heat of the forge.
Blacksmith turn his gaze with neutral expression at Alexios and turn back to his work."How dare you to not answer your king!?" Kleon shouted in anger and approach the bald blacksmith in his forties."I am very busy as you can see,so let me do my job" the man answered coldly as he was continuing in his rhythmic dance with his hammer.Kleon aimed his spear at his throat ready to take his life,Alexios noticed dark circles under the eyes of blacksmith almost as he was begging to be released from these shackles that bound him to his work as blacksmith.
"Wait,can't you see the man is in very bad condition?" Alexios told to his hippeis Kleon who immediately pulled back his spear from blacksmiths throat."B-but my king he is-" Kleon tried to defend himself but Alexios interrupted him."Enough i will solve this matter myself" Alexios stepped forward to face the blacksmith face to face."What is your name blacksmith?" Alexios asked the man who stopped hammering and give Alexios blank expression "Hephaestus,thats my name". Said non formally Hephaestus.
"Can i ask you Hephaestus why are you looking like corpse? do you eat well?" Alexios asked with curiosity,suddenly the man's face comes to life filled with anger and started shouting."You almost worked me to death and you don't even bother to know my name!?!" Now Hephaestus started to shouting at Alexios and points his hammer towards his king.Hippeis did not hesitate and do the same with their spears at the mans head.
"Stand down hippeis i will sort this thing myself and no,what if or buts!" Hippeis started to withdrawn their spears without hesitation kings orders are absolute."I apologize for my misbehavior to you in the past,i can give you 10,000 dachmars as compensation".Now Hephaestus was in disbelief,and his face was mixed with anger and doubts but Alexios continued."Kleon send here cart with promised compensation with guards just in case,i deeply apologize" Alexios said with apologetic voice.
" W-what?! are you serious?!" Hephaestus was still in shock and lowered his hammer."Of course ,maybe i am cruel but i am man of my word,i only ask in return for the weapons and armor you made to be transferred to Spartan armory".Hephaestus was clearly trembling and sit in the corner on a wooden chair."W-weapons and a-armor a-are already in Spartan armory".Alexios was relieved that he could immediately summon Spartan Hoplites without necessary delays,Alexios approached Hephaestus and who did not dare to lift up his head and fix his gaze on the floor."Take 2 weeks off Hephaestus i am grateful you stayed and endure this misbehaviour of mine,I am proud to have blacksmith as strong and patient as you".Alexios said with comforting words to Hephaestus who stoped trembling of the thought of getting so much money was too much for old and tired blacksmith.
After a few minutes Alexios and Hephaestus stand outside for the promised coins for Hephaestus trouble,with Kleon and 4 Hoplites as the escort and 2 hellots who were pulling the wooden cart.Wooden cart stoped before Hephaestus and Alexios.Hephaestus started to slowly approaching the cart with leather bags full of dachmars,Hephaestus opened one bag and take handful of coins out of the bag witch started to shimmer in the daylight."I-i can't believe it" Hephaestus said in disbelief "As i said i am man of my word,i hope you can work for me in the future" Alexios said with a smile across his face,Alexios was impressed by the endurance and vitality of this man,it would be a real shame if he decided to leave."O-of course my king! thank you for this" Hephaestus said with a smile and knee led before his king."No i thank you Hephaestus for your service just tell my Hoplites where do you want all of the drachmas and get some good sleep,you done more than enough".
Hephaestus was touched by this,he never knew that this cruel Spartan king would reward him with anything."Y-yes my king thank you".Alexios concerns were justified,so previous owner was a cruel man,Alexios was glad that he found out sooner rather than later so he begun forming an idea which could increase his popularity with the rest of the citizens."My king it was really okay to give so much dachmars to that blacksmith?" Kleon asked."Yes it was okay,as you know i done some miss deeds to my citizens and i plan to change that,but all of this can wait now we go to barracks to do another thing in my list" Alexios simply replied to Kleon.
Alexios arrived at the barracks and with no hesitation stared to walk straight to training grounds and saw that Spartans were practicing as usual,Alexios recognized some of the man who joined Alexios quest to acquiring wealth.Hoplites after noticing their king with his escort slowly approaching to the middle of the training grounds stoped their training and all gazes were fixed on their king."Greetings my fellow Spartans i hope you enjoyed my gifts to you for your bravery" Alexios spoke in his usual mighty voice that could scare local wildlife.
"Yes my king we are very grateful of your kindness" Said hoplite with his helmet beside his hip with a warm smile across his face."That's good to hear,now i have a request for all of you who joined me on a journey to the pirate cove or are brave,courageous and fearless,all of you are welcome.As you know we are heavily outnumbered but not outmatched i need volunteers for a special unit that i want to create,don't worry the reason will be explained afterwards now its not the time". Silence was present but only temporarily as all of the spartans approached their king and kneeled before him.Alexios counted 50 Hoplites."We would be honored my king" the words of the Spartan who showed Alexios warm smile were accompanied with a war cry in approval by the rest of hoplites.
"What is your name dear warrior?" Alexios asked the man who was kneeling before him."Perseus my king" the man replied "very well,from this day and onwards you are Enomotarch of the elite force called Spartan Storm Guards carry your duties with pride" Alexios created Special unit since that day,Enomotarch is a commander of a smaller unit called an enomotia, consisting of 36 men.But Alexios bended that a little."T-thank you my king" although Perseus was little shocked,but he did not let his emotions to take advantage of Perseus,he was honored by this and was ready to give Korithinas a fight that would be hunting them in their afterlife.
"Good, now gear up and meet me at the west gate,Korinthians will soon arrive and i have a plan to discuss with you Perseus" Alexios turned backwards and his red cape followed the mighty king."Its time to summon more Hoplites,and show them the wrath of Sparta!".