Page 160 of Eryx

“Perhaps they were only a distraction?” Axios suggested, surveying the range.

I observed the area as well, searching for signs of another attack. None came. We continued through the terrain for hours before the army changed course, heading farther south.

“Where are we going?” Axios asked.

“I’m not sure,” I answered, annoyed. As an officer, I should’ve been informed of any change in the plan. “Wherever we go, remember to stay by my side.”

After an hour of walking, the orders were finally passed down. Instead of going to Thespiae, the king had decided to head toward Creusis, a port city in Boeotia. The spontaneous decision worked in our favor, for the city was not expecting us. The city fell shortly after the fighting began.

Two divisions of men stormed the harbor and captured twelvetriremes, while the rest of us battled the defensive forces. Once the city was ours, we were relieved of duty and told to rest.

Corpses littered the streets and blood stained the stone they lay upon. Axios looked at the bodies and averted his eyes, his hand tightening into a fist. He knew their deaths were necessary, yet it made it no easier for him to witness.

“Eryx,” Sphodrias said, gently slapping my shoulder. Strands of his dark hair had fallen free of the strap he’d tied it back with. “We have you to thank for this.”

“In what way?” I asked. “I wasn’t even informed of this decision until we were nearly here.”

“The king remembered your words about Thebes being one move ahead of us,” he responded, wiping the blood from his sword before sheathing it. “So we made a move they hadn’t anticipated.”

The commander then left to join King Cleombrotus at the harbor. I looked at the bodies, seeing men so young their beards hadn’t even started to grow. I shoved aside sympathy and forced myself to remember it was the price of war. No man was above it.

Soldiers walked past, voicing their plans to find women to warm their beds for the night.

“What if she doesn’t want your ugly prick anywhere near her?” one asked.

“I never said she had to like it,” the other responded with a cruel smile. “I’ll stick it in her anyway.”

Axios glared at them, his jaw tight. Confronting the soldiers would solve nothing. Rape was barbaric, but denying a man his prize after battle would only cause more bloodshed.

“There is nothing you can do, my warrior,” I said, taking hold of his hand. “Put it from your mind and come sit with me.”

Knowing how the sea calmed him, I led Axios to the shore and sat on the sand. He breathed in the air, closing his eyes. The breeze ruffled his hair while he sat frozen in place, and I couldn’t look away.

“The army should be here soon,” an officer said behind us, speaking to another. “Last word received put them just outside of Phocis, and that was days ago.”

“Did one of our envoys tell them of our change of plans?” the other asked. “That we are moving toward Leuctra next?”

“I believe so.”

Axios opened his eyes and peered at me. I knew he was thinking of Quill. So was I. It had been too long since we’d seen our companion.

“Should’ve known I’d find you two here,” Haden said, plopping down on the other side of Axios. “Like two fish drawn to the water.”

And then the three of us sat on the shore, watching the waves gently roll in.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Our camp overlooked the flat plain of Leuctra. After leaving Creusis days ago, we had traveled southeast and stopped when we reached the Asopus river. The king had positioned us on a ridge and told us to await further orders. The army from Orchomenus was expected to arrive soon, and our men grew restless as we waited for them.

Shields were polished, swords were sharpened, and meat was cooked over the fire.

“They’re here!” Haden exclaimed, standing from the grass to look at the army moving into our camp.

Axios dropped his shield and ran forward a few steps, his gaze searching the clusters of men. Friends greeted each other and the commanders stepped to the side to speak in private. I saw many faces but one was absent.

“Where is he, Ery?” Axios asked impatiently. “He must be here.”

“Ax! Eryx!”