Chapter Thirty
THE MORNING SUN peaks out from behind a few stray clouds, hinting at the coming change of seasons.
The heat is manageable, yet a bead of sweat trickles down my back standing out in the courtyard next to Helia, Bellius, and Andra.
I shrug in my armor, getting used to the heft of the bronze, my blue cloak draped behind me ready for the travel ahead.
The sweat though, has nothing to do with my attire.
No, staring out at the band assembled in full gear I steel myself for the coming moment as I recall the conversation with Helia when we woke in her bed this morning.
I blink sleep dusted eyes open to the sight of Helia’s naked body getting out of bed, black hair cascading messily to the middle of her back.
She stretches, which immediately brings me fully alert.
For her height and muscles, she’s more flexible than I thought.
Helia finishes her routine and spies me awake, tangled up in my rumpled blue dress and eying her every move.
“We’ll have plenty of time for you to see more.
” She laughs as she tosses my usual tunic at me while throwing on her own clothes.
I pout, the corner of my mouth pulling to the side, making a show of being disappointed.
I languidly get out of bed, seeing as Helia is unmoved.
The hunger in her eyes sets my pace slow, intentional; a totally innocent display with no ulterior motive.
“Itho. We need to talk about what’s next; don’t distract me. I know, I know; I’m mean.” I roll my eyes but a giggle gives up the act and soon we’re both smiling and laughing as we dress, love sowing seeds in deep soil. Finally serious, I settle back on the bed, resisting the urge to make a comment.
“We’ve laid the ground work with our ‘investigation’ yesterday.
It’ll take little to convince Pellax that our enemy is at Askepollo.
I’m heading to talk to him and if all is well, we’ll gather our cohort and set out today.
In a few weeks, we’ll reach the ruins and fulfill the destiny Lunos laid out for us. ”
Surprise stills my fingers from their idle playing with the furs on the bed. Today. We’re really doing this. I shouldn’t be that surprised though, I did push this along with the whole investigation idea.
“One other thing Itho. While we are traveling to Askepollo, try not to use your power. I see the toll it takes on you and we may need you at full strength when we reach the temple.”
I hadn’t thought about that. A worry nags at the back of my mind; I’ve never actually been in a real fight yet without using my powers.
Mulling over the impending future, Helia’s extra gift of the ocean blue cloak lays in my hands. The fabric rolls between my fingers, my mind deep in the caverns of doubt and fear. A comforting hand pulls me back to reality, green eyes giving me more strength than I ever expected.
“Helia, before we leave, there is one thing I’d like to do…”
Helia moves forward, gravel shifting under her sandals, snapping me back to the present.
Her sword sways at her hip, her new shield comfortably lashed to her back.
I’ll never not be impressed by her strength.
My eyes slip past Helia and meet Olena’s across the courtyard.
She arches an eyebrow in question but I give a small shake of my head; there’s a lot to catch my spear sister up on. It would have to wait.
“Spears!” Helia’s voice booms in the space, voluminous and commanding. “We have been under attack for the past several months. After some investigation, we’ve discovered that our jobs, the ambushes, everything has been linked to a single group.”
Murmurs crop up among the assembled cohort. Most weren’t privy to any of the details, so surprise and doubt were to be expected. Helia waits, allowing the whispers their time.
“It’s true! Thanks to the efforts of our newest recruit”—Helia gestures back toward me—“we’ve not only discovered this plot, but also their headquarters.
We will not sit back and wait for them to come to us, daggers in the night flashing for our throats.
No! We march on the ancient ruins of Askepollo to the north.
We will take the fight to them and do what the Spears do best!
” War cries erupt and spears slam against shields.
Andra and Bellius shift beside me. Helia hadn’t told them anything, but I’m not surprised. They would have seen through it, and they know to put on a unified front for the Band. Belief is power. Helia gave them half-truths and plausible lies; but enough to drive the spirit, to drive her people.
A part of me cringes at the manipulation, but having the cohort with us is the safest choice.
Looking across the faces across the courtyard, realization of the terrible weight of power weighs down my shoulders.
Safest choice for whom? Helia slams the butt of her spear on the ground, silencing the cries for glory.
“Before we leave, there is one last thing.” My heart immediately skips a beat, a jolt of adrenaline coursing through me.
It’s time. I step forward and join Helia’s side as she places a hand on my shoulder.
She squeezes, the pressure going through the leather pauldrons, her only way in that moment of saying I’m here.
I feel Andra and Bellius staring intently at my back, not understanding, but they fade to the background.
“I want to reintroduce you to our newest member. This, is Itho. You know her, and you all know that her bravery and strength have saved this band and brought us fortune. Treat her well, for she has earned it.”
Silence fills the courtyard in the wake of her words. For a moment, a spine chilling and gut-wrenching moment, I am laid out on display for all to see. The colors of my soul spill out across the gravel, true and bare; screaming to be heard.
In the space between a second, fear threatens the tiny bit of hope cowering in the corner.
And then, sweet Olena, my dearest spear sister steps forward, planting herself squarely in front of me.
Her eyes wear the warmest smile, even if her lips cannot in this moment.
She taps her fist to her chest in salute.
Nothing more, nothing less; the simple recognition of one soldier to another.
One by one, every Spear comes forth and salutes.
One by one, they help drive away the fear.
One by one, they welcome me home.