Chapter Five #2
“I move forward every day. The real trick, is never stopping.” He crouches forward using his spear to stand up, the soft soil of the hilltop moving with his weight.
“Now, I know you already trained and cooked today, but tonight will be your first night on watch.” I fail to stop a sigh; I wondered when I would learn about being on watch.
I earn another laugh and a helping hand.
“You'll learn all the duties eventually; everyone does. Besides,” Bellius says as he guides me back toward the camp where I can grab my gear, “night watch gives you a lot of time to move forward.” The teasing tone in his voice strikes an odd chord with his appearance, which quickly turns into a belly laugh.
It's going to be a long night.
***
The next afternoon we crest the last of the hills and see our destination.
Nestled at the joining of a river and the ocean, Ionos sprawls outward around the river, portions of the city extending along a half-moon bay.
Even from this distance, the city is bustling with activity.
Bright, multi-colored cloth stands out along the rooftops and sails of trade and fishing ships dot the enclosed harbor.
Most of the Athos survivors are rooted in place, as few of us have ever traveled to other villages, much less a city the size of Ionos.
Descending the final hill, the Speaker finds their way to my side.
They had not approached me during our travel for which I was grateful; I did not know what to say. I still don’t.
“Thank you Skion, for trading your future for ours.” I don’t reply as the Speaker breaks the silence.
Conflict swirls inside of me, a vortex of opposing desires, fears, and the most uncertain thing of all; hope.
The Speaker hesitates as we reach the bottom of the hill, Ionos looming ever closer.
Wiping their brow from exertion, the Speaker leans closer and lowers their voice.
“I know we haven’t talked during the journey, but now we need to; before we go our ways.
” I study the Speaker. The bruising from the attack has mostly healed, but the toll on the Speaker’s body is clear; leaning on their staff, a slight shuffle to their step, and visible wounds showing angry new skin.
At least their eye looks better and they can see out of it.
Casting a quick glance around, the Speaker continues in a hushed tone, despite the nearby villagers enraptured with the growing presence of the city.
“I performed a few divinations on the journey here to better understand your vision and—” they sigh before continuing, “your mark.” Sweat trickles down my neck, having nothing to do with the day’s journey.
“You were chosen by Lunos.” This is not news to me; luckily the Speaker doesn’t catch my lack of surprise, too busy furtively looking around.
“That mark is one she only gives to her most devout and it links her power to you.” Before I can process their words, the Speaker stops and grabs my arm, a fear overwhelming their body.
“You must learn to control it; the omens in my reading revealed catastrophe if you don’t.
There are Lunites in the capital; go there and they will find you. ”
“Cohort, full stop!” Helia’s booming voice rings out and everyone comes to a stop.
We are some distance from the white stone gates, but a small group of soldiers exit the city and make their way to us.
“Staggered double front, at ease!” I blink and break away from the Speaker, running to get into formation as Bellius taught me.
The band moves gracefully, weaving in and out of each other, quickly reaching our positions, helmets donned and ready for what may come. I manage to only stumble once before reaching my spot behind Andra and Bellius, keenly aware that I do not have a helmet.
Staggered double front is a standard formation, as Bellius had explained it.
It calls for two lines of soldiers slightly offset from each other so that the back rank can stab forward with spears or step up to provide relief for the shield wall.
However, it seems like Helia is not looking for a fight. We’re at ease; strength not aggression.
The sortie of soldiers make good time across the empty plain between Ionos and the hills. Halting just out of a spear's throw range, three soldiers split off from their group to approach us. Helia marches forward to meet them, Bellius and Andra swiftly joining her.
Even stepping forward into the front ranks of the formation replacing our captains, I’m too far away to hear the exchange between the groups.
Looking to the sides, the mercenaries next to me are comfortable, grips loose on their spears.
The one on my right, whose name I have yet to learn, glances at me, haunted eyes peering out from under their helmet.
“Don't worry bumpkin.” They jerk their chin toward the negotiations.
“This is normal. Cities, especially trade centers like this, don't exactly appreciate when an armed group shows up on their doorstep.” Thinking about it, it makes total sense. A clear reminder of the vast unknown I’m stepping into.
I watch Helia clasp arms with one of the soldiers and before long the trio return to the formation.
“Stand down, short rest!” I watch as everyone steps back and instinctively group up in a protective buffer around the villagers, despite Helia giving the order to stand down.
I stay in place, unsure where to go, watching Helia discuss calmly with the officers as the Ionian soldiers march back to their home.
The mercenary from earlier taps me on the shoulder and gestures for me to join them and a few others.
On the way over, she introduces herself as Olena.
Up to this point, I had only really met Helia, Andra, and Bellius.
It’s a little daunting to introduce myself to Olena’s group and, unfortunately for me, she already seeded the term ‘bumpkin’.
I smile, going along with the minor hazing.
It’s better than the beatings Porto gave me in the early days.
Before I can learn any names, Bellius’s voice rings out over the crowd.
“Spears! Form up, loose march! We break camp on top of the hill.” Communal groans ripple through the warriors; good food and an actual bed disappear from their grasp.
Olena and her group are especially loud.
“Well, if you have the energy to whine…double time march!” No one makes a noise after that.
I move to join the others until Helia waves me over to her and Andra.
I manage to catch the tail end of their conversation as I approach.
“These damned villagers aren’t worth it!
And you’re keeping the charity case; he can barely hold a gods-forsaken blade.
I don’t understand where your head is at Helia.
” Hooded eyes do nothing to hide the simmering contempt thrown my way.
I suppose she must think my hearing is as bad as my swordsmanship.
“Enough Andra. You were a charity case once, in case you forgot. Now shut it before he learns not to trust you.” Helia at least tries to lower her voice. They break off as I stand at attention, none the wiser that I heard their exchange.
“Skion, you’ll be coming with us. Leave your spear and shield, but take your blade.
” Helia juts her chin toward the villagers waiting to enter the city.
“Figured you may want to say goodbye.” Genuine care creases around her eyes.
It would have been easier to just leave me behind to Andra’s point, yet here is pure kindness extended.
Perhaps there is more here than a group of bloodthirsty sell swords.
“Uh, t-thank you.” Andra cocks an eyebrow at my response and folds her arms in general disgruntlement. I shrug; I already had a goodbye of sorts with the Speaker and the only other person I will miss was already dead. A searing flash Menna’s head flying plays in my head.
“Feels like more than a stammered thank you should be in order, don’t you think?
We’re taking you in and finding your damned people a place to stay.
” A frown grows along my face. What am I supposed to say to that?
Andra and I haven’t exactly gotten along, but this is a bit more hostile than I’d expect.
My hand tightens on my spear, though to do what, I’m not sure.
“Captain. That’s enough.” The iron in Helia’s voice quenches both of us with ice water. Despite addressing Andra, I see the pointed look at my spear. Satisfied we’re not going to come to blows, Helia walks as we follow her to talk with the Speaker.
“Commander, I hope your soldiers leaving us is a positive omen.” The Speaker wrings their hands, hope warring with uncertainty.
“It is indeed!” Helia proclaims with a broad smile, arms wide and comforting, as though she hadn’t just stopped a potential fight.
“The commander of the city guard has given temporary approval for your people to take refuge within Ionos.” The Speaker frowns at hearing this, their healing scars puckering with the motion.
“Worry not; I will speak with Archon Gaius on your behalf for permanent residence.”
“I wish to be there.” The Speaker's voice is steady, despite their unease. Helia pauses, before nodding in acquiescence. The Speaker turns and gathers the villagers, as I gaze at the gates of Ionos.