Page 93 of Axios

A shadow passed over the sun. When I glanced upward, I saw arrows descending on us. Before I could shout a warning, one of them impaled my chest. Blood sprouted from the wound.

Eryx yelled and reached for me, but was struck in his neck.

I jerked awake to see Eryx leaning over me, gently patting my face. His brow was scrunched and the alarm in his eyes told of his concern.

At the sight of him, I gasped and nearly cried with relief that it was only a dream, but I still shook from what I had seen. It had seemed too real. I touched the spot on my chest where the arrow had stuck me, shocked that I’d felt the pain of it in sleep but nothing marked my skin.

“It is time for us to leave,” he said in a tone one usually used when speaking to children. Comforting. “What did you dream? You were whimpering in your sleep.”

Looking into his green eyes, I could not speak. An image of him being impaled through the neck with an arrow flashed in my mind. I shook my head at him and sat up. After rubbing at my eyes and taking in my surroundings—trying to calm my racing heart—I stood and began gathering my weapons and supplies.

Eryx did not ask me again, but he watched me carefully for the rest of the day.

***

The farther north we progressed, the more the terrain changed. Olynthus was only miles from the coast, so the cities we passed through to reach it were near the sea. Yet, I still only saw it from a distance, just as I had the last time we had marched the path. Some of the men mentioned how we were only days away from our destination, so we would not have to walk much longer.

When we eventually reached the city and battle ensued, I knew our aching muscles from walking would be the least of our worries.

However, King Agesipolis stopped us midday and talked in private with his advisors.

“What do you believe they are saying?” Haden asked, motioning to the king who stood with the older men around him.

“Strategizing, I suppose,” Eryx answered, keeping his gaze fixated on them. “Only a fool would march into enemy territory with no plan of action. And I assume word has spread to Olynthus of our approach… so they will be expecting us.”

I smiled at him, fancying the workings of his mind.

From my position, I could see Agesipolis and the advisors, but could not hear their words. The young king focused on one of the men and nodded before raising his hand to dismiss them. He then moved his focus to where we stood and approached.

“There has been a change of plan,” he said, looking to Eryx before glancing at me. My stomach fluttered as our eyes met, and I forced the feeling away. “Olynthus is awaiting our attack with heavy forces, so I do not wish to give them the satisfaction of our defeat. We will head south to the city of Aphytis to wait out the rest of winter. Tell the men.”

Eryx nodded before walking to Felix and speaking to him. Then, Felix went to inform the others.

I believed the plan wise for it would provide us time to rest from our long travels before inciting battle. It would also give us the advantage by attacking at a later time when they were not anticipating us.

Once the rest of the army had been told, we changed course and started the trek south. The new path took us closer to the sea, and I was not prepared to actually see it.

The city of Aphytis was located in the western part of the Chalcidice peninsula and was right on the water’s edge.

Even in the dreariness of winter, it was breathtaking.

As we neared it, I observed the tall, lush mountains and the trees that I had never beheld before—ones that swooped at odd angles and looked as if made of long, pointed leaves. The sun shone that day, and the cold upon my skin was not nearly as biting as it had been days earlier. The air was almost warm.

When the breeze carried with it a whiff of the sea, I nearly burst from my delight.

Eryx touched his hand to mine, and I looked to see him watching me. He did not smile, but his eyes were creased around the edges, and I saw the elation showing through their green depths.

“You have made it to the sea at last,” he said.

“I have.” Sparta was only a little over two miles from the sea, but the mountains surrounding on three sides made for too difficult of a journey to actually reach it, which was why I’d never really been until now.

He nodded and focused on the path ahead, but the corner of his mouth was slightly lifted.

When we reached the city gates, they allowed us passage and the army entered. Homes were built atop the other along the rolling hills, and the path beneath us was made of stone. The water to the left glistened, and I yearned to approach the shoreline—to see it closer—but refrained from breaking formation.

If we were to spend time in this place as the king had indicated, I was certain I would get my chance to explore soon.

People examined us as we marched behind our king, as if they were unsure of whether we posed a threat to them.