Page 80 of Axios

“Spartans!” Teleutias roared above the noise of battle. “Forward!”

He and his men had remained at the rear as we’d attacked first and were now advancing. His charge did nothing for those of us in our flank, however. Our phalanx was close to breaking, and once it did, we’d be exposed and susceptible to defeat.

Blood speckled my cheek as the man directly in front of me had a sword shoved through his neck. My stomach jolted, but I did not surrender to being ill. I felt it in my gut, though, that my breaths were numbered.

Any moment and I’d join the dead that piled upon the ground, but I would not allow them to take me so easily. I’d fight with every ounce of strength within myself.

Our formation broke and the Olynthians stormed within our lines, killing the men around me. And with the breaking of our ranks, I lost Eryx. A man stumbled into me, and I was pushed to the side, falling to the dirt. I knew any amount of time on the ground could result in me being trampled, so I hurriedly jumped to my feet.

When a man aimed his sword to strike, I deflected the blow right before it hit its intended mark. There was not a moment to think or do anything except fight for my life and the lives of the men around me.

The place Theon and Quill had been a moment earlier was now overcome with battling men as the enemy’s phalanx pushed forward and struck them down one by one.

No!

Even though I longed to see Eryx, there was no time to seek him out. A man in the first row thrust his spear forward, and I blocked it with my shield. But more followed, and I would not be able to hold them back for much longer.

Haden fought by my side, and when more of the hoplites attacked, we both raised our shields to create a protective wall. Just when I believed we were to be slain, two other shields joined the fray. Theon and Quill.

Thank the gods.

We formed a line and defended as best as we could. Sweat, dirt, and blood caked on my face and all down my torso, and my arms ached, but my adrenaline was high.

Where is Eryx?It was difficult to conceal my panic at not having him in my sight.

Then, a hand brushed against my side, and I knew he was with me. He took a stance on my right and together, the five of us deflected the blows.

A sword breached the gap between us and struck my right shoulder. The wound was not too deep, but it was deep enough for me to struggle with keeping my arm upright. Blood ran down my bicep and gathered in the crease of my elbow as I strained to hold my sword. I felt little pain. It was only a slight discomfort, but the longer it went unattended, the worse it would be become.

Eryx—who’d growled at my being hurt—aimed at the man who had stabbed me and thrust his weapon into the man’s eye, instantly killing him.

Other Spartans regrouped around us. Some of the Spartiates had retreated when the flank of allies had fled—going against the very values we’d based our lives around—but most had stayed. Win or die. There was no surrender.

Men fell on both sides, but we stood our ground, even while outnumbered.

I prepared myself for death. If I died, I would die with the man I loved and my brothers at my side.

But death did not come that day.

The Olynthian commander suddenly called his contingent back, and the army withdrew back to the gates.

I stared after them, bewildered. They’d been weakening our defenses and had clearly been about to triumph and swarm us. Yet, they had retreated.

Why?

“Ery, what’s happening?”

Eryx looked just as confused as me.

I soon received my answer. Derdas had taken his force and charged directly at the city gates. Teleutias had followed his lead and led his infantry men behind them. Having been preoccupied with counterattacking strikes and ensuring my head remained attached to my shoulders, I had not seen his maneuver, but now with the diminishing threat, I was able to see.

His army had threatened to cut off the opponent’s cavalry and prevent them from leaving—and re-entering—the city.

I supposed the fear of being barred from the safety of their city walls and trapped between two armies had caused them to retreat.

As they withdrew, Derdas inflicted heavy losses, killing many of them as they passed him to reach the protection of the city walls. After that, Teleutias gathered the surviving men and claimed the battle as a triumph. He boasted of Spartan prowess and gave no recognition to the allies who had helped.

There was no glory to be had when so many had lost their lives, and especially when we had not even achieved our goal for the battle. We had not been successful in invading Olynthus and they had crushed our army, nearly slaying us all.