Page 8 of Eryx

“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.”

I held out my hand. The moment he accepted it sent an odd sensation through my chest, as if lightning had struck the earth and entered my bloodstream.

“I would appreciate that greatly. I am Axios.”

“Axios,” I repeated, appreciating the way the word sounded on my tongue. I would very much like to say it more often. “Finish your bread. Morning comes early and you need your rest.”

A soft, almost shy, smile touched his lips. “Will you stay beside me?”

“Yes.”

I had a feeling I’d never leave.

Chapter Two

394 BC

Axios came into my life like a star that’d fallen from the night sky: beautiful amongst the chaos.

Fortune had smiled down on us in the barracks all those years ago. Our fates became entwined that night. Where one went, the other followed. For two years, we’d been inseparable. We grew together. I had taught him all I knew about fighting and defensive training, but I was the one who’d learned.

He made me better. Stronger. Perhaps not physically, for I was already strong, but he strengthened my spirit. So easy it was to become victim to hubris. My skills outshined all the youths in our herd and even the boys older than us. I took down full-grown boars by myself and far surpassed every challenge thrown my way. Yes, hubris would be easy.

But Axios kept my feet planted on the earth. He kept me humble.

“You are too slow, Axios,” I called over my shoulder, running ahead of him in the tall grass.

He chuckled from behind me, and I grinned when I heard him stumble.

After training that midday, we were allowed time to ourselves. Where many of the boys had chosen to walk around the city or return to the barracks to rest, Axios and I had ventured to the surrounding valley. Games of chase were common between us. No matter how hard he tried, he could never catch me. Oftentimes, I wondered if I should let him catch me, mainly to see how he’d react if he did.

I didn’t believe in making it easy for him, though.

Smiling, I ran faster, shooting through the field of grass and into the woods.

“Ery!” he said with a laugh, regaining his footing after stumbling again.

“Faster, Axios!”

Perhaps I had some wickedness in me, but I knew how easily he became lost in the walls of trees, multitude of shrubs, and tangle of vines. What impressed me was no matter how many times he lost, he still tried. He still pursued me with the intent to beat me one day.

His refusal to surrender was admirable.

When I felt him begin to gain on me, I moved even faster, cutting through the trees. I knew every spot to place my foot and every limb to avoid. I had mentally mapped the area and had it memorized… much like I had Axios’ laugh and grumbles of frustration stored to memory as well.

The sounds of him chasing me silenced. I no longer heard twigs snapping and vines catching on his tunic. I turned around, not seeing him following me anymore. At first, I believed it to be a trick. If he couldn’t catch me with speed alone, setting a trap would be a good strategy. The silence drew on, however, and an odd prickling happened in my chest.

“Axios? Where have you gone?”

Sweat beaded on the back of my neck from the heat of day, and my tunic stuck to my skin. When I received no response from my companion, I closed my eyes and listened. A breeze ruffled the tops of the trees, one I couldn’t feel from my spot down below. And then I heard it. Though it was barely audible, I heard running water.

A stream?

“Axios?” I called again.

I advanced to the right, still listening for any signs of him. The sound of water grew louder. Coming upon a snapped vine, I studied it before dropping my gaze to the dirt. A footprint. I followed it into a tight enclosure of trees and shrubs. The undergrowth was so thick it was nearly impossible to see the path waiting behind it.

I kept my steps light as I found my way through the vegetation, eventually walking out into the sun. Trees bordered the area, leaving an opening at the top that showed the clear blue sky. The rippling of the stream was calming as I examined the open area. A secret place.