Part III: Death's Sworn Swords – Axes and Bows
As Actaeon began to regain his composure, he let go of Nex and Tazan, then stared at Nex's white, angelic hair and said between sniffles, "That color suits you more than golden brown, my prince." He let out a small laugh before returning to holding back his tears and wiping them away.
Tazan added quickly, "I also think white suits you. And I think you're the only one who should wear white hair, Your Majesty."
"Do not put titles before my name or instead of my name you deserve to be given the highest honor even higher than that of a knight for what both of you have survived and saved me from." Nex said as he wiped his watery eyes and smiled.
"I would love to stay with you all and witness this happy reuinoin but my father has called for me." Sao added as he placed his frist step towards the stairs then he bowed to Nex and started going up towards his father.
"Who is that Nex how did you meet him." Actaeon asked and Tazan followed quickly without giving any time for Nex to answer "And can we trust him or should we flee here as well."
"Calm down both of you he is to be trusted... he swore his allegince to me as a knight he is my sworn sword."
Actaeon and Tazan exchanged glances and at each other and before they could speak anything Nex reached out to the child behing held by Tazan and looked it in the eyes "How are you holding up little one are you allright."
Tazan looked back to Nex and answered "She was famished just a couple nights ago on the way from the village but now she has had her full of breast milk."
"And where exactly were you guys able to find someone who is willing to breast feed a random child why would they even help you." Nex said with a hint of confusion
"And you why did you pick up the child from the bodies of its parents." Actaeon asked
"I... I felt like i had to... and you Actaeon how is your leg."
"Your observation skills are trully terriffiying did anyone tell you that Nex? you knew about my leg not fully healing and you said nothing?"
"Well i knew you can walk on it and i knew you did not want to talk about it so i kept it a secret like you wanted."
Tazan and Actaeon glanced at each other one more time before both speaking at the same time "Your majesty." Both said then Tazan started "We would like to swear our allegince to you as well like Sao." Then Actaeon conuinted "We know we are not knights but there must be some way we can swear our allegince to you and help you become the next emperor."
Nex locked eyes with each of them reading them trying then he answerd "You need to be a knight to have a sword to swear to me that is how you become a sworn sword of me there is no way around it if you wish to become my sword you need to be a knight."
"What about your axe." Tazan asked then followed by Actaeon "And your bow. we want to become your sworn axe and sword bow you can have many knights become your sword swords but you shall never find a bow or an axe as loyal as us to swear allegince to you."
azan added, "And you said so yourself—we deserve an honor higher than that of a knight. Then grant us this: the honor of being in your allegiance."
Nex pondered quietly, his gaze shifting between the two men kneeling before him. As Tazan and Actaeon stole glances upward, searching his expression, he finally spoke:
"Very well. You shall become my Axe and my Bow. Not as knights—but as my brothers. Not by blood, but by oath. Oath-sworn brothers. That is how I will accept your allegiance."
"Tell us what to say, Your Majesty," Actaeon responded, his voice steady. "And we will."
Nex nodded. "Repeat after me—word for word. For now, we'll speak it in the common tongue. Later, we will officiate it in Vethari, for both of you—and for Sao as well."
The two men straightened slightly, heads bowed, ready.
Nex began:
"We, Actaeon and Tazan."
They echoed:
"We, Actaeon and Tazan."
"Brother and soldier."
"Brother and soldier."
"Swear our allegiance, brotherhood, and life to Prince Nex Augustus of the Imperial Family."
"Swear our allegiance, brotherhood, and life to Prince Nex Augustus of the Imperial Family."
"We swear to follow you through life and death, and raise our axe and bow only to defend you—and strike only those you deem enemies."
"We swear to follow you through life and death, and raise our axe and bow only to defend you—and strike only those you deem enemies."
"We will obey your commands as if they are the word of God—even if they stand against the word of the Emperor himself."
"We will obey your commands as if they are the word of God—even if they stand against the word of the Emperor himself."
"Will you accept us into your service, Your Majesty?"
"Will you accept us into your service, Your Majesty?"
Nex drew in a breath, then raised his voice—not in command, but in solemn affirmation:
"Yes, Actaeon and Tazan. I, Nex Augustus, son of Aurora the Sword Princess and Aurelian Augustus, Emperor of Augustus—accept you as two of my own."
"Any insult to your honor shall be an insult to mine. Your deaths will be my deaths. And your loyalty will be met with gratitude, respect, and honor."
"I accept you."
Nex smiled with quiet pride, then leaned forward and said gently, "Now rise… my brothers."
Just then, a voice rang from the top of the stairs—sharp and unmistakably agitated.
"That was wonderful, Your Majesty. It reminded me of my own sworn oath—the one you told me to keep hidden." Sao's voice was loud enough to echo through the corridor as he descended quickly toward Nex. "And now you just accept their sworn allegiance in front of guards and servants?!"
A quiet stir moved through the hall. The gathered guards and servants had been watching in silence—some with awe, others exchanging wary glances. A few smirked, while others looked genuinely moved by the moment.
"What were you thinking?" Sao pressed, drawing near. "You could have done that in your chambers, in private. Why here—and why now?"
Nex sighed, still composed. "I wanted your father to suspect your allegiance… to question it. But now… I don't think that's possible anymore."
"Well… it wasn't going to work anyway," Sao said with a faint grimace. "My father has other plans for you. I can't say more—not here. But… he wishes to see you."
He stepped in close, whispered something into Nex's ear, then turned his gaze to the others.
"You two—Actaeon, Tazan—come with me."
Nex stood still for a moment, his back straight, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word or a glance back, he began ascending the stairs—ready to face Tywin's curiosity… and whatever decisions awaited him at the top.