Page 4 of Axios

Forgive me.

Darius’ eyes widened and he choked out a sob right before I smashed in his skull. I screamed as I hit him, feeling warmth flow between my fingers and splatter on my face with each strike.

His body slumped, and his head lolled to the side as a puddle of blood formed in the dirt. And his eyes watched me.

***

Laying in the barracks that night, the expression on Darius’ face refused to leave me. The exclamation of fear before I’d crushed his skull with the rock and how he became still afterward, completely lifeless, haunted me.

I had killed him, taken a life that shouldn’t have been mine to take.

I tightly closed my eyes and tried to imagine something else—anything other than his lifeless form in the dirt. Other boys slept on rough mats around me, and I heard them occasionally shuffle and move.

All of a sudden, I felt the presence of someone beside me.

Lifting my head, I turned it to the side and my breath escaped me as I peered into the haunting green eyes of the beautiful blond haired boy whom I had seen earlier.

He had moved his mat beside mine and he leaned forward, our faces only inches apart.

“I know today was not easy,” he whispered. “You had no other alternative. It was either you or him.”

“I didn’t know it would be like that. Death.” My eyes stung at the recollection. I was unsure why the boy had approached me, but I was thankful for the distraction from my thoughts.

“You were not at evening meal.” With a small smile on his lips, he brought something forward from his cloak and placed it in my hand. A large piece of bread.

My eyes flashed back up to his, confused.

In a whispered tone, he said, “You need to eat and rebuild your strength.”

I sat up, careful of my sore muscles and bruises from the fight, and examined the bread in my hand. After splitting it in two, I handed him the other half.

“We shall share it.”

His green eyes lit up, and he took the offered bread with a smile still in place.

I ate my piece slowly, savoring the taste of it on my tongue. My gaze moved back to him. “Thank you. I shall not forget this kindness.”

“You are welcome. I could teach you how to fight, if you wish. It matters not that you won today. Gaius and Felix will keep a close watch on you from this day forth, so you would do well to improve your defense. I am called Eryx.”

He held his hand out to me. Eryx. The name suited him well.

Reaching out, I clasped it. “I would appreciate that greatly. I am Axios.”

“Axios,” he repeated, and his voice had a nice quality to it, flowing like the sweetest of melodies. “Finish your bread. Morning comes early and you need your rest.”

Chapter Two

394 BC

“You are too slow, Axios,” Eryx called over his shoulder, running several paces ahead of me.

I laughed and picked up speed, chasing him through the tall grass.

Almost two years had passed since the night in the barracks when he’d offered me food. Our fates were sealed by that one act of kindness. From that moment on, we’d been inseparable. He had kept his word and had taught me all he knew about being a stronger fighter and had practiced with me on defending blows and striking them as well.

In the span of those two years, he had become my best friend. The only person I could confide in.

That midday we had time to ourselves, so we decided to venture into the surrounding valley. We also took it as a time to compete. Not that there was much to compete with—he was much faster than me, but my will was strong, and I loved the rush.