Chapter 42
NIKIAS
Nikias was grateful Konstantin hadn’t prolonged the interrogation. Not that they’d gotten much out of him. Nikias wasn’t fully recovered from the attack, and while Konstantin’s constitution had surprised Nikias, it was clear the man did not like the method he himself had chosen.
As soon as they were done, Konstantin disappeared to go find his wife, and before Nikias could start to search for Aimilia, his healer had dragged him away to take another look at him to ensure he hadn’t overexerted himself.
When the healer left, Nikias didn’t resume his search immediately.
He stayed on the cot inside of the home he and his men would be staying in that evening.
He turned over what information they did learn in his head.
It wasn’t that the Stonai were particularly adept at resisting certain means of compulsion.
It was simply that he was a foot soldier who didn’t know very much.
He’d told them if they wanted answers to their questions, they were going to have to ask someone higher up.
He did what he was told to do, and he’d been promised to be greatly rewarded for it.
The little they had learned had been about the infighting between his tribe and some of the other Stonai tribes. Why that meant now they were attacking the clan mages, Nikias couldn’t figure out. It didn’t make sense. Why go provoke another enemy if you had plenty nearby?
All these landslides… What was the purpose of them? Why had the stone mages gone from simply causing landslides to setting ambushes? Why were they escalating?
And why had both direct attacks been on Imperia and not the clan mages?
But Nikias wasn’t going to find any answers just lying there. This matter wasn’t going to be settled quickly, and there were more pressing concerns. Speaking of which, Nikias pushed himself out of the bed and headed outside.
He trusted Aimilia had stayed out of trouble and away from Hypatia, but he didn’t trust that Hypatia had stayed away from her.
Better to check on her and ensure her afternoon had gone smoothly.
As Nikias began walking closer toward the center of the town, he noticed there was an increase of activity.
More and more people were coming out of their homes and their voices were filling the air, but Nikias didn’t know what any of them were saying.
Nikias found Aimilia sitting on a bench in the town square, watching the townsfolk bustle about, setting up a banquet. There was a quiet, haunted look in her eye that Nikias had become far too familiar with the last few weeks.
Aimilia didn’t spot him immediately. She was looking down at her hand, spinning the ring he’d given her over her finger. Nikias cleared his throat as he approached, and Aimilia looked up. She shot him a smile.
Nikias took that as a good sign. He sat next to her, leaned in and said, “Do you know what all this is about?”
Aimilia nodded. “Hypatia herself is something of a big deal. Combined with the fact that she brought Konstantin with her, well, that is cause for the town to celebrate and show them the highest honor. I don’t think they care much that either of us is here.
Either way, they’re turning it into a celebration. ”
Right. Konstantin had mentioned something about that.
Nikias nodded. “I see. In that case, where is she?”
“I have no idea where she is at this moment.” Aimilia shrugged before turning to face him. “Dare I ask about what you know?”
Nikias shook his head. “What little there is to tell you, I’ll tell you later. It didn’t take long. There wasn’t much to get out of him. He doesn’t know much.”
Aimilia kept running her thumb over her ring, but then she dropped her hand and her fingertips grazed his leg before she pulled her hand back. “And what about you?”
“If you’re concerned about my state of mind, don’t be. I took no pleasure in it. And frankly, I could have done more, but when I realized just how little he knew, it wasn’t worth it.”
Nikias reached his hand out ever so slightly. To his surprise Aimilia, slid her hand into his, squeezing it. She gave him a brilliant smile. “I’m glad to hear that. I don’t ever want to lose you to that darkness again.”
Nikias squeezed her hand back. “You won’t. I hope I’ve proven at least a little bit today that I have changed.”
Aimilia nodded. “I know.”
“I’ll keep saying it and doing everything I can to prove it for the rest of my life. How sorry I am for the things I’ve done and how I’m trying to be better.”
Aimilia stared at him. “And you’re doing it for me?”
Nikias shook his head. “No. While there’s very little I wouldn’t do for you, this I’m doing for me.”
Aimilia’s lips parted, and Nikias could stay in that moment with the setting sun’s golden glow striking her face forever.
But the moment was broken as Konstantin stepped outside of a house, his eyes landing on them.
No one followed him.
Not that Nikias wanted to see her, but it was starting to put him on edge. She’d left him alone for so long. What had she been up to all day?
Nikias and Aimilia watched as Konstantin exchanged a few words with some of the townspeople as they gestured to the table. It was the makings of a rather impressive banquet, considering the small town. Braziers had been brought out and were beginning to be lit as the light continued to dim.
Soon enough, Konstantin was in front of both of them, and Nikias didn’t miss the way Konstantin and Aimilia locked eyes. Konstantin gave her a quick shake of his head before turning to Nikias and saying, “I trust you’re not going to eschew the townspeople’s hospitality tonight?”
Nikias said, “I don’t think any sane man would turn down a good meal after being on the road so long.”
Konstantin grinned and turned to Aimilia. “I take it you finished gathering the supplies and ensuring you’re ready for your departure tomorrow.”
“I just finished taking care of it before I came here.”
Konstantin said, “Then it’s settled. We’re all going to put away work for the day and focus on enjoying a beautiful night and the fact that we’re all alive to enjoy it.”
Nikias had to give it to Konstantin. It was a beautiful night.
As they moved to join the festivities, Nikias couldn’t track everything, given it wasn’t his tongue, but thankfully, he had Aimilia to relay the instructions to him.
They were seated with Konstantin, and their own men, at the head of the table.
Nikias noticed there was deliberately no place for Hypatia.
His suspicion grew with every dish that passed by.
Why would she be missing this? This was more in her honor than any of theirs.
But every time Nikias’ paranoia began to creep up his back and make his skin crawl, he looked over to his side and heard Aimilia laugh.
Then he found he didn’t really care what Hypatia was up to anymore.
Food kept being passed around and around until finally, a few people had had enough and music began to fill the air.
Nikias looked over his shoulder to see in the town square, a few people playing instruments off to the side, and couples beginning to form to dance.
The song was upbeat, and the Solitus’ movements wild and frantic to match it.
It was movement the likes of which Nikias hadn’t seen before.
The dances he was more familiar with were more measured.
Even those he didn’t participate in often at the court.
While everyone began to be distracted by watching the dancers, out of the corner of his eye, Nikias saw Konstantin start to fix a plate, but it wasn’t his own.
Konstantin looked up as he finished setting a bundle of grapes on it, catching Nikias staring at him. “I’m sure you can figure it out.”
“It’s not hard to figure out who it’s for. I suppose I’m just curious as to why it’s necessary.”
Konstantin smiled, but it was sad and exhausted. “Under normal circumstances, she would be with us, but right now she’s not at her best, and it’s important she gets enough rest. It’s also important she gets something to eat.”
“She was perfectly well enough to ride this morning. I know she hasn’t fallen ill with some strange sickness. Is she not perfectly capable of coming out here, at least to eat?”
Konstantin raised an eyebrow. “Do you want her to come out here?”
Nikias said nothing, turning back to watch the dancers, leaving Konstantin to finish Hypatia’s plate. Nikias was beginning to believe he would never understand what was going on there.
Konstantin himself didn’t seem to even want her around. If he cared so little for the creature he called his wife, why did he go to all this effort to take care of her? Was it simply to stay on her good side? Did it give him some leverage or protection against her?
Soon enough, the song changed, and it seemed this was a dance not for couples, but for groups. Aimilia leaned forward in her seat, inclining her head toward Nikias, just enough to say, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like this before.”
Nikias said, “It certainly makes things easier. You don’t have to worry about finding someone willing to dance with you if everyone is.”
Aimilia laughed, and Nikias’ heart swelled.
Konstantin said, “It’s not a hard one to pick up, Commander. If you should like to join in at any point, you should.”
Aimilia shrugged and then gave Nikias a smile. “It’s not like I’m going to get the chance again anytime soon.”
And then she was off. Nikias held his breath as he watched her join the throng of young women. Her commander’s cloak was left on her chair, and really the only thing that marked her as not being one of them was her hair. Otherwise, she might have blended right in.
Aimilia had always been a quick study of everything, and dancing proved to be no exception. Nikias watched as she quickly picked up the rhythm and the moves, throwing her head back and laughing.
The other women welcomed her into the circle without a single hesitation. They didn’t care that she was Runai, or even worse, Inimicus.