That said, he went into work mode, smacking his lips as his arms went akimbo.
"Alright! So what are you so afraid of, old man?"
Alexios froze at the sudden question and cleared his throat.
"I am not afraid of anything—"
"Rainer. Call me Rainer." He preemptively offered with a faint smile.
"...Rainer."
Alexios repeated and Rainer nodded, shifting his feet before questioning some more.
"Do you expect to be assassinated?"
Alexios frowned thoughtfully to himself.
"No... But you should be on guard for that as well."
Rainer looked at a loss, but he sighed and nodded.
"Alright. So what is the problem then?"
Rainer knew there had to be a reason for a fairly powerful man like Alexios to go through all this stress, seeking out extra security.
Alexios looked away, out the window toward the east and his mouth worked as if contemplating what to say.
Rainer let out a tired groan.
"Look, old man! You're my boss now. I need to know what I'm protecting you against! If you can't discuss it before the soldiers then send them away!"
Alexios sighed as if deciding to himself and looked back at him.
"I have reason to believe that the Provincial governor's province is a highly dangerous and untamed region... That is all I can tell you now."
Rainer didn't know what to make of that statement.
'What? Were there lions roaming about?'
He wondered with a weird expression, but then he shrugged, figuring he would work it out along the way.
"So what now?"
"We march on."
Alexios said, gesturing with a hand to his soldiers before looking at him again.
"But first, you are my guard now, and I would have you dress accordingly. I shall gift you the finest of armors looted here today and have you choose your preferred arms. It is necessary that you are properly protected and aesthetically appropriate, as you are to ride always by my side—"
Rainer nodded, pleased at what he was hearing until he heard "ride always by my side".
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Hold on there, Boss. That's a line crossed!"
Alexios frowned. "How so?"
"No orders remember?" Rainer pointed out with a dissatisfied huff. "We aren't even moments into our new deal and you're already testing how loosely the arrangements are binding!"
The Prefect's face pinched in frustration.
"How do you intend to fulfill your duty then?!"
Rainer's brows furrowed mildly in annoyance.
"Oh, don't play with me. I've lived so long, I know the trick already!"
He exclaimed before speaking in a childish tone, gesturing around mockingly.
"This moment I'm subtly ordered to always ride by your side, the next moment I'm discreetly ordered into battle whenever you deem it convenient!"
The officers and soldiers' faces were getting ugly with the way their Prefect was spoken to without due respect.
Driven to the brink, Agricola drew his gladius and pointed it at him, arm trembling with rage.
"You will address our Lord Praefect with due respect, or your blood shall be washed off the stones of this very hall!"
Rainer carefreely waved.
"Fine. I apologize. But you gotta understand, Boss."
He rubbed his nose, thinking briefly before looking at Alexios with understanding.
"Look, don't worry! I'm better at protecting people my way. If you're in mortal danger, I'll know and come to your rescue. Heh! Cheesy, I know, but trust me!"
Although, Rainer was partly right about Alexios' concerns, he didn't hit the heart of the matter. The truth was that Alexios wanted to show him off wherever he went.
He wanted to be known as the Camp Prefect who tamed a demon, significantly bolstering his name, reputation and infamy, which was helpful in battle against his enemies. If Rainer had agreed, then this would have become significantly easier.
Alexios looked at him for a moment with a heart-weighing gaze and finally spoke.
"I fear that the excellent armor set I've reserved for you shall be given to another—if you do not obey me in this regard..."
Rainer gave a noncommittal shrug.
"That's fine. I doubt I'll need it anyway."
Alexios let out a vexed sigh and added.
"As for your arms—I shall retract your privilege of choice, reserving that honor to my best fighter's adept judgment."
He stated, gesturing at Commius.
Rainer glanced at Commius who now had a sadistic grin forming, and grimaced, expression turning pensive.
His eyes then went back to Alexios, who waited patiently for his decision.
He was left in a conundrum.
Rainer let out a low, contemplative, groan.
If he agreed to this, that would mean the arrangement made was no longer binding, relegated as suggestions to be tugged looser whenever the situation called for it. Soon, the freedom and leisure to do as he wished would be at risk.
But in turn, he would have great armor and his preferred weapons of choice.
On the other hand, if he refused this role his terms would be assured, but the promised armor would be requited.
Also, Commius, being the irksome Germanic soldier he was, would likely hand him horrible weapons which would leave him at a disadvantage—if not vulnerable, in the event of an attack.
There was also the factor of favor.
Refusing now would decrease his relationship with the Prefect, affecting his chances of claiming good loot in the future.
Rainer folded his arms, frowning in contemplation.
He didn't like being put in a tight spot; he felt it was supposed to be him putting others in uncomfortable situations...or so he preferred.
After some thought, he decided to stick to his original decision. He guessed that he would be alright regardless. After all, if there was one thing he was—he was resourceful.
Rainer believed he would thrive no matter the situation.
"Alright!" He finally announced
"You...agree to my request?"
Alexios inquired with a tint of hope in his eyes.
"No."
Rainer's reply was immediate, like a mace to the heart, souring Alexios' mood.
"Keep your armor. Let Commius do his worst. My choice remains."
That said, Rainer tried to place his hands in his pockets but then he realized his damned archaic calf-length trousers didn't have those. So he awkwardly placed his arms akimbo again, shifting his weight slightly.
"I will guard on my own terms! I am sure that my role here will be performed spectacularly well for the next twelve months. So fear not."
He winked.
Alexios' expression hardened, and then he turned away.
"So be it."
With that concluded, he looked to his soldiers.
"We've tarried here long enough! We march on!"
"Ho!!!" The soldier yelled in unison.