Chapter Sixteen
IT’S MIDDAY, SUN blaring high in the sky, and I find myself entering Ionos alongside Helia, Bellius, and Andra to collect our pay from the Archon.
We come armed only with our blades, leaving our spears and shields back at the camp.
Helia brings along a pack for some reason; perhaps proof of our deeds.
Marching quietly down the center path in the city, she leads us directly to the manor of the Archon.
Sweat plasters my hair to my forehead as we make it down to the end of the road, the cool breeze wafting in from the harbor a welcome reprieve from the fall heat.
Despite being so close to winter, anywhere south of Athos is warm by comparison.
Helia motions for us to stay outside, prompting immediate protests from Bellius and Andra.
Protests that fall on deaf ears. Bellius posts up with the Archon’s guards, ostensibly making small talk, but keeping an ear open for trouble.
I doubt he expects anything underhanded coming from an Archon, but as he explained during training, money holds great power over hearts and minds.
Andra stands close to Bellius, an eternal glare carved on her face.
For my part, I walk across the road to gaze out on the ocean.
Last visit, I had no time to genuinely appreciate the vastness stretching out in front of me.
Pale blue runs to the edge of the world, gently moving back and forth, constantly changing yet always the same.
Inhaling deeply, salt-tinged air breathes calm into me, motes of tension dissolving from my shoulders.
“Still alive?”
I turn to see a familiar smiling visage, the midday sun bringing a slight beading of sweat on an olive-skinned brow.
“Captain Artes! Still alive, indeed.” The smile on my face matches hers as we clasp forearms, a look of pleasant surprise emerging on her face. She must be off duty; a simple tunic and a small knife are all the adornment she has.
“Getting strong there! Seems like mercenary life is agreeing with you.” Artes looks me up and down, her eyes flicker along my tanned arms up to my mark. An anxious chuckle escapes me as I go back to watching the sea. “Or perhaps, it agrees with you but, you don’t agree with it.”
I grunt noncommittally without looking back to her, my smile fading. Artes seems to pick up on my feelings as she joins me in taking solace by the water, the salt truly a balm.
“You’ve been through it already, haven’t you?” Artes finally breaks the silence. My head bobs in confirmation. “You know, the city guard could always use more strong arms. I’m sure the refugees would appreciate seeing you back here.” I turn in surprise, her brown eyes filled with compassion.
“You were a mercenary once, weren’t you?” Now it is the captain’s turn to look away and avoid my gaze. Silence descends again, though not unpleasant; the cozy silence shared between the rock and the mountain.
“Thank you for the offer Captain. But for now, I have no choice but to continue my journey.” My hand traces the mark; a motion that Artes picks up out of the corner of her eye.
“Perhaps I’ll take you up on that offer in time.
” A small commotion behind us pulls our attention.
Helia exits the manor, laughing and beaming, drawing a small smile from me.
Artes notices, a wistful look on her face.
“I doubt that, bumpkin. Luck and the pantheons be with you.” With that, she clasps my forearm a final time. As Helia and the others approach, Artes nods to them and walks off. My gaze follows her, watching as a branch on my tree of fate falls away.
“Befriending the locals?” Bellius needles, smile brightening his scar, clearly glad that Helia had quickly rejoined the group.
Helia matches his spirit, laughter dancing in her eyes.
She brings us all in close with Andra shooting me a sidelong look before stepping in.
She hasn’t spoken to me much since Nolphi.
When we start training again, I need to bridge the widening gap between us.
“The Archon generously paid us a bonus for wiping out the bandits in addition to safely bringing the merchants to Nolphi.” At that, Helia shakes her pack and the cacophony of coins catches the rest of us by surprise.
“Of course, I didn’t tell him the merchant guild in Nolphi already paid us extra.
” She pulls me in and wraps her muscled and scarred arms around my shoulders.
“Skion, this is all thanks to you! If not for you, I don’t know how we would have fared in that damned forest.” Ha! This coming from the Aspect of Lunos with unknown power. Though, the captains don’t know that.
“Bellius!” Helia roars, releasing me from her embrace, a mixture of emotions coursing through me. She opens the pack and quickly throws a purse in his direction. Bellius catches it in one hand, a wry smile on his face, enjoying the child-like joy from his commander.
“You’re on resupply. We need enough to make it to Hecalon; plus emergencies.
Also, swing by the blacksmith and see what’s available; you know what we need.
” Without waiting for a response, Helia hurls another purse at Andra who was expecting the move, a hand already up before the throw even started.
“Let me guess,” Andra drawls in a bored tone easily catching the purse.
“Repairs?” Helia smiles broadly and nods.
The cohort had been operating outside of the main force for a few months and the tears in bedding, bent blades, and cracked spear hafts were proof.
Andra casts an annoyed look my way. “Why not send, Skion? He has to learn this part too, regardless of his powers or relationship with you.” Iron snaps into Helia’s eyes, her joy squashed in a blink.
Color drains from Bellius’s face as we watch our commander stand to her full imposing height.
“You cross a line, Captain. I told you not to mention his abilities in public and, you do not have grounds to judge any relationship I have.” Andra quakes at the iron in Helia’s voice, yet holds her chin up defiantly. They exchange looks, neither backing down until Helia sighs, stepping away.
“You’re not wrong Andra. He will learn in time.
However”—Helia shoots me a sly smile before continuing, her joy creeping back—“I have other plans for Skion.” Andra’s gaze darkens and she spins on her heel, marching after Bellius who had taken the opportunity to start leaving.
Helia wraps a muscled arm around my shoulder again.
“You do need to learn all of the roles, but you told me something back in Nolphi that we have to correct here.” I can’t help but smile as Helia leads me over to the more open market street, no idea what her goal is.
We pass street vendors hawking their wares from behind wooden stalls, trying to pull the attention of any and all. Multicolored cloth awnings give shade and a nice break from the sun, pleasantly accompanying the ocean breeze coming from the westerly harbor.
Eventually, the transitory street vendors give way to more permanent vendors.
Stone buildings line the street with much larger fabric awnings; wide enough to connect buildings across the streets together.
Vendors take full advantage of the atmosphere and the resulting agora, with storefronts spilling out into the common area and creating a lively, yet welcoming chaos.
Hired help expertly navigates the crowd to find potential customers and gently guide them toward the main stores.
Helia takes point, her presence cutting through the crowd, a sickle through wheat.
I easily slide in behind her, matching her stride as best I can.
Sticking this close to her, I can’t help but notice the way her back muscles shift under her tunic as she saunters through the crowd, her pack over one shoulder.
Yes, she’s physically stunning, but it’s the way she commands attention, the confidence in every step parting the crowd. The muscles are a bonus. Maybe one day—
I slam face first into Helia’s back, my thoughts blown out of my mind. Stammering an apology, heat rushes to my face. Paying no attention to my distress, Helia turns and pulls me forward, that same grin wide on her face, arm wide to present our destination.
“Oh.” Nothing else comes to mind in light of the view in front of me.
Women and men flow effortlessly among a wide area in front of an establishment, weaving between patrons lounging on cushions.
All wear variations of draped tunics, some shorter, some longer, colors as varied as wildflowers.
Each one accentuates the natural beauty of each person, though my eyes are drawn to the women; the gowns and tunics hugging generous curves here, slits to show flashes of long bronzed legs there, scooped necklines hinting in the distance.
I swallow, my mouth mysteriously bone dry. Helia chuckles, her grin wider than before. Athos was small compared to Ionos and Nolphi; my naivety is on full display.
A piercing pair of blue eyes lock with mine through the crowd, and I swallow again.
Caught in a trance, I soak in as much as I can of the woman dominating my vision.
Blonde, shoulder length hair with a braid running down from one temple; a deep blue tunic cascading down her body, tied at each shoulder, pooling across her chest; a thin silver belt at her waist, causing the gown to hug her hips.
But most of all, I am pulled in by her icy blue eyes contrasting the warm, alluring smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Her hips sway as she saunters toward us revealing side slits in the gown, showing a hint of slightly muscled thigh and shin wrap sandals.
“Welcome back, Commander.” Her voice sweeps over me like a babbling brook, her eyes not leaving mine despite addressing Helia. “Who is this wonderful person with you?” My emotions run in several directions at the same time.
Thankfully Helia answers her for me. “This, is Skion. He’s from the country so this is all new to him.”