20. The Last Stretch
20
The Last Stretch
Calliste
“If you have a better idea, do share,” Captain Lykos finished, his casual stance a contrast to the king’s rigid one.
In the time the king took to calm her down on the hilltop, Captain Lykos realized something important—that she couldn’t ride into Anthemos on Rebel, with the king. What was perfectly excusable during their anonymous, rushed journey wouldn’t be now that they were about to descend to the capital’s busy main thoroughfare.
The king was a public, recognizable figure. If he rode with Leontia, this would have been different.
She remembered the casual comment made by the innkeeper in Aganeeios: I can see why you chose her. Nice figure, pretty face. Bet she knows a trick or two to make a man happy at night . Her stomach already turned at the thought of the scrutiny and comments she’d receive if she rode into the capital leaning against its ruler.
Who would draw crowds, no doubt.
But what really made her back break out with sweat was that in those crowds could be a former neighbor or someone from her husband’s family, who would recognize her.
Captain Lykos offered up his horse, his company, and a different way of reaching the Palace just for the two of them. “We’ll meet at the entrance to the Palace, Calliste. The crowds cannot go beyond that point.” He grinned at her with that casual, charming smile, amusement glimmering in his eyes, almost like he was ready for some sort of competition against the king himself. “So you’ll suffer me only until we’ve reached the gates. Not long at all. And it’s unlikely anyone will raise an eyebrow at seeing me ride with a woman in my arms in this city.”
“That couldn’t be truer.” Kassandros offered a rare, wry comment. “And unfortunately seems like a reasonable solution.”
The king looked her way. “But only if you agree.”
She let out a sigh of relief. “It’s a good idea.”
“Then let’s do it,” the king said.
His sentinels climbed the steeds again: Kassandros and Drakon flanked him, Chrysantos and Argyros rode at the front, and Philon closed the column.
Smiling, Captain Lykos brought his horse to her. Much like Rebel, the captain’s horse was glossy black, but it also sported a gorgeous, flaxen mane, in a stunning contrast to his dark coat.
Calliste could swear that the horse’s eyes glinted with mischief, similar to the one in the captain’s eyes.
“Heartbreaker and you haven’t been formally introduced.” He gently took her hand and guided it to the stallion’s nostrils. “Heartbreaker, this is Calliste.” He lowered his voice so only she could hear him. “A woman who can do miracles, as far as I can see.”
Calliste shot him a surprised look. “Captain?”
“Let me hoist you onto the saddle,” he said. “Up you go.”
He was just as efficient and competent as the king in helping her, but she couldn’t help but feel awkward in his presence when he climbed Heartbreaker, positioned himself behind her, and took the reins, effectively taking her in his arms.
When she glanced up at him, he shot her a sly look, grinning, as if he had a secret plan already.
The king leveled them with one more harsh look before hoisting himself onto Rebel. Without a parting word, he and his company trotted down the hill and into the hustle of the crowd.
“This is infinitely interesting,” the captain breathed above her head.
“What’s that?”
“My dearest friend who trusts me with his life doesn’t trust me with you. I wonder why.”
Calliste suddenly couldn’t help but smile. “It looks like you have a reputation, Captain.”
“Hmm… little does he know, Calliste.”
She turned her head so she could meet his twinkling eyes. “Don’t you?”
“No doubt.” He sent her a cheeky smile again and urged Heartbreaker to climb down the hill, trailing in the wake of the king’s retinue, but at a far distance.
“Make way for the king!” The shouts carried from the bottom of the hill, instantly halting the stream of people and making the opening.
A lot of startled and surprised faces swung the king’s retinue’s way as the citizens of Anthemos recognized their ruler. Some bowed deeply, some gaped, awed, while some crowded around him as much as possible, shouting praises and blessings.
Soon, the crowd was cheering with admiration.
The king cut through the wave of people with ease and grace, crowned by the sunlight, his purple cloak rippling in the breeze.
Calliste watched from a distance, awed at the emotions he elicited from the crowd while barely doing a thing. Then she shuddered at the thought of being in the middle of it all.
“He’s used to it, Calliste.”
“To the crowds?”
“To people desperate for his attention.”
A sense of embarrassment washed over her as she realized how much of that attention she’d received, and how she’d grown accustomed to it. But it would be different now that he was back in the capital, resuming his countless duties. Inexplicable bitterness stirred in her chest.
“He can take the heat of it. In the meanwhile, we’ll cut right through.” The captain guided Heartbreaker through the crowd, weaving between onlookers and carts. Many people seemed to part in awe at the sight of the majestic stallion, whispering as they watched him pass by.
“He doesn’t carry his name for no reason.” Captain Lykos patted his stallion’s neck with affection as Calliste shot him a questioning look. “He’s a rare beast.”
They progressed at a brisk pace past the city’s high walls and down the cobblestoned main thoroughfare lined with official buildings and the noblemen’s villas. The street bustled with excited crowds.
Trailing in the wake of the king’s passage was an odd experience. The excitement on people’s faces was almost as if they had received an unexpected gift.
All that in the full heat of noon.
Calliste swayed, the tiredness of the journey claiming her without mercy. Soon, she had to lean sideways against Captain Lykos’s breastplate, closing her eyes briefly to shut out the curious faces and the sight of the city she’d escaped so long ago.
“Tired?” Captain Lykos’ sympathetic baritone voice boomed in his chest. “You did well, Calliste.”
She didn’t reply, exhausted and lost in the buzz around them.
“So, how do you like the city?” the captain asked, probably to hold the conversation so she didn’t drift off.
She opened her eyes, scanning the white planes of shops and houses hemming the sides of the main street and picking out the figures of women watching from the garden terraces on high rooftops.
“It’s different,” she admitted. “Larger. Cleaner. Did…” She pondered on the question. “I don’t even know if the enemy stormed the city during the invasion.”
“No.” The captain’s voice hardened. “They did not.”
She didn’t ask anything else, ashamed of her ignorance. She only knew that the kingdom was attacked by the barbarians from across the sea whose massive fleet was set on striking the kingdom right in the heart.
“We stopped them before they ventured too deep into the land,” Captain Lykos said quietly. “We fought on two fronts: the mainland, and the sea. Theron led the forces that defended the land.”
He didn’t add anything else, but she guessed that it was King Amynthas, King Theron’s father, who defended the kingdom from the sea—and that was how he perished. Despite the heat, Calliste fought the coldness in her chest.
“After the invasion, we strengthened Anthemos’ defenses and gave it a long-needed overhaul. The city council hired a planner who had this fancy idea of the streets running in parallel and crossing each other at straight angles.” He sighed. “A lot of houses needed to be relocated so he could follow the plan. He also suggested adding two extra gates to reduce congestion, which worked out well. The result is improved defense, easier navigation, fresh water supply, and a new sewer system that no longer clogs so frequently.”
“I remember that,” Calliste said absently. “Every time it rained, my street was flooded.”
“Which street?” the captain asked casually.
Calliste stiffened. “The one with endless sewage problems nine years ago, Captain.”
He chuckled again. “Pardon my curiosity, but you intrigue me. Your accent tells me that you must have had proper education.”
“I’ve learned a lot at Epione’s Temple.”
“Yet, you speak with an educated Anthemousian accent.”
Calliste sighed. “Can’t help it. Now, can we please finish this interrogation?”
“You haven’t seen me carry out an interrogation yet, Calliste.” A subtle shift in his voice made her tense. As if his cheer and ease was merely a facade, and beneath it were the teeth and claws of someone who had a wolf as his namesake. “Fortunately, you’ve done nothing wrong, so you have no reason to worry.”
She froze against him, her gaze fixed on his massive, calloused hands gripping the reins, suddenly conscious of the steel of his frame behind her.
“Or have you?” he inquired, his arms tightening ever so slightly around her. “If so, now is the best time to confess. It is my duty to keep the king, and his family, safe.”
For a moment, she almost believed that he was taking her to a secluded spot for an interrogation, as allowed by the king. But the glint of the king’s ring on her finger reassured her. He wouldn’t have given it to me if he didn’t trust me. “I’ve never done anything wrong on purpose.”
Captain Lykos rode on. “Interesting phrasing. Not much, but it will do. For now, anyway. I’d like your knife, please. For safekeeping.”
“It’s a medicinal knife,” she answered slowly. “And it’s dear to me. I’ve carried it with me all this way, and it has come in handy.”
“I’m aware of that. But I’ll have to disarm you, preferably before we reach the palace.”
She clenched her teeth. “Why?”
“I don’t allow anyone to carry weapons around the prince, except for his designated guards, whom I have personally vetted. Everyone else, no matter how trustworthy they may seem, must go without any weapons.”
“Does the king know about this?”
“He has given me free rein with you. That includes taking precautions to ensure his safety.”
It was true; she had overheard it on the other side of the wall in Hellenixia. Yet it still stung that Captain Lykos didn’t trust her.
“I swore my loyalty to him. To treat me like this is petty, polemarchos .”
“Calliste,” he sighed, his voice softening. “I admire you as a woman and a healer. Am I being petty by taking away something you cherish? Perhaps. Am I aware that anyone can be killed in various ways, even with bare hands? Yes, I am. Do I live and breathe my own rules?” He snorted. “Almost certainly.” Then his voice hardened. “You don’t trust me or the king enough to tell the truth about yourself, so my trust is also limited. Please hand over your knife. I’ll keep it safe.”
She was too exhausted to argue with him, and the steel in his voice made it clear that he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Fuming, she unstrapped the sheath from her thigh. “Here. You’d better not lose it.”
“I won’t, and I appreciate it,” he replied, dropping it into his saddlebag. After a moment’s pause, he added with a hint of apology in his voice, “Kalias is like a son to me, but this isn’t everything. Theron’s line has been decimated. It’s hard to believe. So don’t be surprised if I act ruthlessly to protect the only heir to his throne.”
“I’m committed to making him better.”
“I know. And I promise to keep you safe as well,” the captain said as they rounded a corner of a tall, official-looking building. “Here’s our destination.”