"A soldier without any political or ideological training is a potential criminal."— Thomas Sankara
A mercenary without principles or alignment with a higher ideology or cause is nothing more than a weapon at the disposal of whoever can pay.
His morality is conditioned by price, and his goal is limited to profit. Lacking ethical or social commitments, he does not see the implications of his actions beyond the currency he receives.
As such, his combat ability, without the anchor of values, makes him vulnerable to becoming an agent of indiscriminate violence and destruction, a danger to any society in which he operates.
His loyalty flutters like a flag in the wind, adjusting according to the interests of the contractor.
A mercenary can either protect the oppressed or serve as a tool of tyranny, depending only on who offers him the highest payment.
Thus, his ideological and moral neutrality is not a sign of independence, but of a fundamental flaw that makes him susceptible to involvement in atrocities and corruption.
Athanasios, someone who dreamed of a more just and developed society, understood this dilemma more deeply than most.
He had grown up in a world that had experienced the chaos of war and the insatiable machine of the arms industry.
He had witnessed with his own eyes the catastrophe that soldiers without purpose or ideals could cause, turning entire territories into deserts of desolation.
For Athanasios, soldiers devoid of ideology were not neutral, but unpredictable forces, prone to malignity.
It was with this perspective that he first saw Dagmaros, rescued by his mother's unwavering kindness.
As he watched the mercenary weakened and on the brink of death, Athanasios fought against the growing uneasiness in his chest.
His mother's kindness seemed, at that moment, excessively naive.
The mercenary's life had been spared, but for what?
So that he could once again serve the cycle of destruction of which he was a part? In his mind, the thought was inevitable.
She should have eliminated Dagmaros, a purposeless instrument, before his presence brought unforeseen consequences to them.
Dagmaros' survival was a painful reminder that moral neutrality in times of conflict was not a virtue, but a risk.
Athanasios, although he respected his mother's compassion, saw in the mercenary the personification of the danger that a soldier without ideals represented.
A fighting force without direction was like an uncontrollable fire, which does not discriminate what it consumes.
And, as he reflected on the situation, he felt torn between the desire to protect his mother from possible disappointments and the bitter acceptance that perhaps the world needed pragmatism more than compassion.
Dagmaros, found by his mother on the day that winter ended, had seen the situation as something mystical, believing that his coming was connected to Anima, the spirit of Life and Death, and also to courage.
Athanasios, as an atheist, saw this worldview as nonsense and recklessness, however, as a helpless baby, what could be done?
In the room, warmed by the fireplace and blankets, Dagmaros woke up.
Seeing that the mercenary had woken up, the woman stopped sewing and looked at the man. Despite her mercy, plan B was the dagger hidden in her dress.
"You woke up, congratulations for surviving Anima's ordeal."
Dagmaros, still confused, replied uncertainly, "I was running away, what happened?"
"I found you near the entrance to the village."
Dagmaros, understanding the situation, realized that he had returned to the settlement.
"Thank you for your help, where are Gregorius and the others?"
The woman remained silent and nervous and asked, "Are you part of the group of mercenaries that attacked me and my husband?"
Dagmaros, understanding the situation, responded actively, "I didn't do anything. I joined the group less than a year ago. I never got along with them because I was originally just a humble peasant."
His response was concise and calmed the woman. However, she knew she shouldn't trust his words completely, but she didn't argue and accepted the man's version.
"My name is Helena. I rescued you."
"My name is Dagmaros. I will be forever grateful for your rescue."
"Dagmaros, I hope you can explain your situation to me in detail."
Dagmaros, with a pained expression, began to relate his experience. After having told Helena about the events he had experienced during the winter, he felt calmer and more comfortable.
Helena, as someone who, despite not having seen the Necros directly, had experienced their intimidation, was sympathetic to his experience.
"Who would have thought that the Necros, ancient creatures from thousands of years ago, really existed."
Dagmaros sighed and agreed, "We must warn the people to prepare for conflict."
Helena agreed, but soon pointed out something that left Dagmaros helpless.
"How are you going to prove that the Necros exist?"
"I don't know, I have no idea how to do this."
Helena, knowing that there was no need to continue supervising Dagmaros, decided to leave the house.
"I'm going to leave to take care of my son."
Dagmaros nodded and began to eat the soup that Helena had prepared earlier.
"She is a very kind woman, it's a shame what happened to her. Gregorius is a bastard who deserves the most horrible death."
Dagmaros, unaware of the cruel death that Gregorius had suffered, cursed and promised to avenge Helena one day.
Helena, upon leaving the house, made sure to chain the door, and then left.
Athanasios, seeing that his mother had arrived, decided to act.
"Mother, evil man." He spoke with broken words and tried to warn his mother about the danger.
His mother Helena, surprised and not paying attention to the message in his words, was happy that her son began to speak.
"Wow, Athanasios, you are intelligent."
Hugging Athanasios tightly, he felt helpless and repeated, "Mother, evil man!"
This time, Helena paid attention to Athanasios' words and thought,
"Does my son think Dagmaros is evil?"
"Anima, you interfered in his destiny and saved him, but is it possible that my son warning me is the work of Khalion?"
Khalion is the spirit of work and honesty, and it is common to believe that he manifests himself when someone tells the truth.
Helena felt confused, could Anima and Khalion really be involved in this? She could be interpreting this situation literally and deceiving herself.
Eliminating these thoughts, she thought and concluded that Dagmaros resisting the Necros was a miracle and was certainly the work of Anima, and Khalion intervening through his son was so that she would not blindly believe in Dagmaros.
"Athanasios, I will be careful, don't worry."
Athanasios felt vulnerable once again. He knew that Dagmaros represented an unstable threat, someone whose character was uncertain and who could put them at risk at any moment.
North of Gizeria, on the border where civilization met the wilds, lay the Duchy of Spathariosen.
Theodorich Spathariosen was a man revered by his allies and enemies alike.
Considered the epitome of nobility, he embodied the ideals of honor and courage that all aspired to.
His name echoed in song and legend, a figure whose fame transcended the borders of his duchy.
Known as the "Guardian of the Realm" and "Protector of the North,"
Theodorich not only maintained peace and order in a region marked by uncertainty, but also proved himself to be a leader of unwavering character.
His titles were not just an honor, but a true representation of his mission to preserve the kingdom from threats, both external and internal.
During lunch, Theodorich Spathariosen received alarming news about the Grimwald settlement, a village in the fiefdom of his vassal, the knight Makarios, who was colonizing the area to establish his own fiefdom.
The news was troubling: the settlement had lost contact, and merchants from the influential Argyros family, Makarios' allies, had disappeared without a trace.
Makarios, Theodorich's nephew, was the son of his deceased sister and a member of the Argyros family.
Both of his parents had died when he was young, leaving him an orphan and dependent on his uncle for support.
Theodorich had encouraged the colonization of Grimwald, but the venture was being financed by Makarios.
Now the region's security was at serious risk. With his nephew's return imminent in two months, Theodorich knew time was of the essence to defend Makarios's investment.
If the village was in danger, he would need to act quickly to protect the land and the investments he had made.
Without hesitation, he took matters into his own hands and decided to send an army of 200 men to reinforce the security of the area.
Already knowing who could lead this mission, Theodorich summoned one of his vassals and ordered him to summon Thales Stefanos, a trusted and respected general.
Thales was a man of great martial skill, a formidable fencer, with fighting prowess equivalent to the strength of 40 men.
He trusted Thales completely, who had always carried out his responsibilities with honor and skill.
He was the perfect choice to lead the mission to Grimwald.
Theodorich's hall was immersed in shadows, the soft light of the torches on the walls casting golden reflections on the maps spread out on the stone table.
Thales Stefanos stood before Theodorich, awaiting his words with visible impatience, while the feudal lord stared at the map, pondering the latest news.
Theodorich stared at the map and spoke in a grave voice, "Thales, a threat is growing in the north. Grimwald, in the fiefdom of Makarios, has lost contact with the rest of the kingdom."
"Merchants from the Argyros family have disappeared without a trace, and the village is at risk. The situation is serious, and we need someone capable of handling this. I trust you."
Thales raised an eyebrow, with a tone of distrust, and his arms crossed replied.
"Grimwald, sir? A village lost in the wilds, far from any significant value. Don't get me wrong, but I didn't expect to be called for this kind of task."
"I'm a warrior, not a simple watchman of forgotten villages. I feel, underestimated."
Theodorich looked at Thales, with a slight sigh, expressing understanding. He replied.
"I understand your concerns, Thales. But, as you know, the safety of the kingdom is not restricted to great battles or known fields."
"The village of Grimwald is part of our kingdom, and the threat there may have greater implications than you imagine. I need you to investigate and protect the region until Makarios arrives. This is a task of utmost importance."
Thales with a sarcastic smile, looking at Theodorich with slight impatience, crossing his arms defiantly replied.
"Yes, I understand, sir. But what I really want to know is... what will I get for this? I'm not talking about gold, although that would be welcome too."
"What I want is something more substantial. Something worth the honor of being sent on this less prestigious mission."
Theodorich looks closely at Thales, staring at him for a moment, before answering in an authoritative tone.
"There is more than gold at stake here, Thales. Loyalty and service to the kingdom must be rewarded appropriately, of course."
"I promise you, if you fulfill your mission with the skill I know you have, 50 gold drachmas. And what's more, considering your long loyalty and what you have done for our house, I will think of a more... personal reward."
Thales, eyes shining with ambition, posture rigid and a slight tension on his face, declared.
"50 drachmas, sir? A prize that would certainly be useful. But that is not what I truly desire."
"What I want, what truly makes me feel that my loyalty and skills have been recognized, is to learn the martial technique of the Spathariosen family."
"The swordplay, and the ethereal breathing. You know what that means to a man like me."
Theodorich pauses, frowning, looking at Thales with an expression of consideration and caution, his voice firmer.
"You know that our family technique is not something that is given lightly. It is not something that is taught to just anyone."
"The breathing technique and the swordplay are ancient secrets, passed down only to chosen vassals, who were raised under our tutelage."
But he pauses again, watching Thales' expression, as if deeply considering the offer.
"If you carry out this mission exceptionally, with the zeal and skill that I know you have, then perhaps we can talk about it. I make no promises about the technique, Thales."
"But I can assure you that a reward like this will be considered, depending on your achievements and the trust you place in her."
Thales discreetly clenching his fists, but with a slight smile that tries to hide his frustration, the words come out with a tone of resignation.
"I understand, sir. I will fulfill my mission with the excellence that you expect. The monetary reward is already an honor."
"As for the technique, I will wait patiently, knowing that the reward for a job well done may come in unexpected ways."
Theodorich looked at Thales with an approving look and gave a slight nod.
"So be it, Thales. Take 50 gold drachmas, and carry out this mission with the dignity and efficiency that are characteristic of you."
"As for the technique, only time will tell. Now, leave soon. Grimwald's fate cannot wait."
Thales bows his head respectfully, his eyes still shining with contained ambition, before leaving the hall with determined steps, his mind already planning his next move.
"Yes, sir. I will go immediately."