Page 5 of Axios

At only twelve, Eryx was more advanced and skilled than many of the older boys. Once, he had even taken down a wild boar by himself during a hunt. He’d never once shown arrogance at his talents, however. He’d only shown grace and humility, never putting himself above anyone else.

As I ran after him, I became lost in the shrubbery. Vines reached out to grab me, bushes clawed my legs, and walls of trees stood so close together, I became confused about which direction I’d come from. I finally made a path through the undergrowth and came out into a small opening of land.

It was as if the place had appeared from nothing. Trees bordered the area on all sides—giving a view in the center of the sky above—and a stream rushed through the territory, calmly rippling. Peaceful.

Walking to the water’s edge, I squatted and used my hands to cup some water, lifting it to my lips. As the refreshing liquid hit my tongue and trickled down my dry throat, I relished in it.

The day was hot, and we’d been running for a while. Heat from the sun warmed through my tunic and to my back as I drank from the stream, but I didn’t mind, knowing that in a few months’ time, the cold would be upon us.

“Axios?” Eryx called from nearby. “Where have you gone?”

I stopped moving and remained quiet, listening for him. He called for me once again and then his footsteps all but quieted. I grinned at how he had moved in the wrong direction.

It had taken me getting lost in the woods to even stumble upon the area, so I knew he’d never find it.

Or me.My grin widened.

Cupping my hands again, I went to take another drink but was knocked to the side by something slamming into me. The water I’d held in my hands splashed down the front of my tunic, and I landed face first in the grass, momentarily stunned.

“Hah! I got you,” Eryx said, his breath tickling my ear. His weight lifted from me as he rolled to the side and onto his back.

“I knew you were there,” I lied and flipped around to lie beside him.

He turned his head and smiled. “Such a horrible liar you are, Axios. Want to know how I can tell?” Propping himself up on his elbow, he leaned in close to me and touched the edge of my mouth. “Your lip twitches right here when you lie.”

I slapped his hand away and scoffed. “You are too observant.”

“No,” he spoke, laying back and looking up at the blue sky. “I just know you.”

As he closed his eyes, letting the sun bathe him in its golden light, I studied the smooth planes of his face. His high cheekbones and his plump bottom lip… the soft point of his nose.

I know you as well.

“I have not seen this place before,” he spoke, still with his eyes shut. “It is peaceful, is it not?”

“It is.”

“We should head back,” he said and sat up. “They will be expecting us.”

Releasing a sigh, I peered up at a lone cloud. “Just a while longer.”

The longer we stayed out there, the more I could pretend we were free to do as we wanted. Not having to obey orders or be beaten.

“As you wish.” He returned to his spot, resting his arms behind his head.

A breeze rustled the grass beside me and traveled all through the trees, creating a unique song of nature as the branches swayed and the leaves danced. The stream sang, too, as it gently flowed from place to place, traveling through the land and providing nourishment.

If it were permitted, I would never leave from this spot.

“You have never spoken of your family,” Eryx said as he stared upward toward the mostly clear sky.

With our training, we hardly saw our families apart from the occasional visit. We slept in the barracks every night and had a daily schedule we had to follow. It did not leave time for much else.

“You never asked,” I answered, peering at him.

A smile touched his lips. “Consider this me asking.”

I exhaled and thought over what to say. “My mother is a woman of few words, and she worries over me. I have a sister who is two years older than I. She is called Leanna.”