ã€ŠThe Rider with the Golden Torcã€‹


 Chapter 1: A Time of War

    There are moments in life that make men of boys. I recall the exact moment I had become a man. The Battle of Lenaeus Beach is a famous story for good reason, but it was on the journey there that changed my life. This golden, horseshoe shaped ornament resting around my neck is what¡¯s known to the barbarian tribes in the north as a torc. I took it from the battlefield when I was much younger, in that defining moment. This is the story of The Rider with the Golden Torc.

    I was of seventeen years at the time. My younger brother Estrianes and I sat high in the branches of a tree overlooking the Eastern gate of Demepolis. In that day, you would not have recognized it. Back then, it was more of a large town surrounded by wooden walls rather than the city it is today. It took dangerous times and the fall of a city to make Demepolis what it is today.

    My brother and I frequently raced to the top of this tree in most mornings, after our chores had been completed, if we did them at all. The cool morning breeze refreshed us as we sat looking at the sunlight slowly warming whatever it touched. ¡°All I¡¯m saying,¡± said Estrianes, ¡°is that there will come a day where we will be proved as warriors. Our names will ring out in songs telling of our bravery.¡±

    I smiled. ¡°Gods willing, that day will be soon. I grow tired of practice.¡±

    ¡°And yet you always require more,¡± he laughed. I raised my eyebrow at him.

    While I tried to think of something witty, a shout from the city¡¯s gate distracted me. Both straining our eyes, we peered through the leaves at the guard on top of the wooden gatehouse. He shouted down to the others for the gate to be opened. Typically all the gates of the city would be opened for traders and travelers soon, this seemed like an exception.

    The gates were pulled opened slightly and a single man emerged into the city. He hunched over and was collecting his breath as the gates were pushed shut. ¡°It looks like a runner,¡± I said. ¡°I wonder where from.¡±

    ¡°Leoniki perhaps?¡± offered Estrianes. ¡°Perhaps they¡¯re being raided by brigands. We may finally be called on to fight.¡± I liked the prospect of that. Both of us yearned to test our skills in the heat of combat. Youth makes fools of us all.

    One of the guards at the gate offered the man a cup and bread. After hearing the runner out, a group of guards spread out in different directions, running with messages. ¡°I think they¡¯re going to call the council!¡± the words left my mouth excitedly ¡°Come on!¡± I hastily climbed down the tree with my brother close behind.

    If we were right, the nobles would be summoned from their homes within the city and would meet in the council chambers within the palace. We ran toward our town¡¯s acropolis where our tyrant, Ankarithesos, resided in limited luxury. I was told his palace was modeled after the fashion of larger cities by his father¡¯s father, having the tyrant¡¯s citadel and dwelling on the highest point in the city. Our acropolis was merely a large man-made pile of dirt the height of two men, on which was a small but nice palace. At least by my standards it was nice. At that time, I had little to compare it to.

    The dirt road leading to the palace split from the main road and lead up to the front pillars of the tyrant¡¯s dwelling, which we were keen to avoid. Estrianes and I ran around to the back of the large structure. In years past, Estrianes and I worked hard to create footholds in the packed earth that allowed us to climb up to the back of the palace. From where we would climb to the roof using scars that the weather had created in one specific pillar. Due to lots of practice, we knew the safest way up.

    Hauling ourselves onto the palace roof, we walked over to the skylights in the roof of the council chamber within a wing of the palace. In addition to help illuminate the chamber on sunny days, they also allowed Estrianes and I to spy on council meetings and listen to our father speak.

    The council chamber was built in a circle with stone, amphitheater seating where the town¡¯s nobles and elders would sit. The town elders were responsible for creating laws but it was the nobles who ruled the town and the land surrounding it, much more fun to eavesdrop on. They were the ones who talked about war, where it was and who to make it on.

    We did not have to wait long before Ankarithesos entered with a stream of men, all of noble birth. We watched the seating fill and took note of those we recognized. Clytomedes was easy to spot with is full red beard, also a political rival of our father.

    Klysestes was the next to be recognized by us. He was well-built, had short cropped blonde hair and had sharp blue eyes that made me feel as if I were being pricked by pins when he looked at me in town. He wore a tunic of higher quality than most others in attendance, one of the many symbols of his wealth.

    Finally, the chamber had filled with the near sixty nobles of our town and the occasional firstborn son. My brother and I both smiled when our father, Estriadamos, enter the room. He was the patriarch of the once influential Estrii Tribe, from which our noble family names are derived. Close on his heels was our eldest brother, Estriadites. Being the firstborn and having five more years than I, Estriadites was our father¡¯s favorite. He was being groomed to take father¡¯s place as our tribe¡¯s future patriarch.

    The seats of the chamber were filled when Ankarithesos strode to the short orator¡¯s platform at the front of the room, next to a wooden desk where the scribe sat patiently. As our tyrant, he inherited sole rule of our town from his father, now the third in the dynastic line. He was meant to be a warrior from birth. Standing at least a head taller than most citizens, his towering presence cast an intimidating shadow. ¡°We have a message from our allies in Lektrios, across the mountains,¡± he said in a booming voice and motioned for the runner we had seen at the Eastern gate.

    The runner nodded respectively and walked up to the orator¡¯s platform while Ankarithesos sat. He was a young man, likely a few years older than me at the time. His light blue tunic was cinched at the waist by a belt and was discolored by dust from the road. ¡°My name is Delios, and I¡¯ve come from the great city of Lektrios bearing a message of great importance.¡±

    Clearing his throat, Delios continued. ¡°Long have our cities been allies, since we came at your request to stand by your sides against the Kalocean incursion into your lands fourteen years prior,¡± a poignant reminder. Estrianes and I tried to divine what course the message was to take. ¡°At this time a new threat casts its shadow over our lands. Our merchants have reported a buildup of forces and supplies across the sea in the Elahkarian Empire. They¡¯ve made it no secret that they mean to cross the sea and subjugate us. All of us.¡±Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    Murmurs from the nobles spread through the chamber. ¡°What if that¡¯s not the case?¡± replied a voice from the audience. Clytomedes stood up in the amphitheater seating. ¡°It¡¯s also not a secret Lektrios supported the uprising of Myclaetta and our other sister cities across the sea. What if the Elahkarians only come for revenge on Lektrios for their hand in the rebellion?¡± He turned to face his peers, ¡°We are far enough from the coast. Should we not look to our own wellbeing rather than affairs not of our own creation?¡±

    The patriarchs considered this warily. ¡°One doesn¡¯t honor alliances merely when it¡¯s convenient,¡± a voice boomed through the silence. Father rose and looked down at Clytomedes from a few rows behind. Their eyes met. ¡°We are in the Lektrians¡¯ debt. In fifteen years, how many times have they called upon us for aid?¡± There was silence. ¡°None. They¡¯ve bled for us. Standing by them now is the honorable thing to do. Not that I would expect you to know anything about honor.¡± Clytomedes bristled and the color of his face began to match his beard.

    Father turned his attention to Delios, ¡°How long do we have, if we were to march?¡±

    ¡°Our spies tell us that the Elahkarians are expecting the first of their fleet to meet the coast within three days,¡± replied Delios.

    ¡°You expect us to cross two mountain ranges, on foot, and make it to Lektrios in three days?¡± scoffed Clytomedes.

    ¡°With the Lektrian navy in its home port, the only suitable location for them to land is Lenaeus Beach, a short ways up the coast,¡± explained Delios. ¡°If they cannot be stopped there, it won¡¯t be long before Lektrios itself falls.¡±

    ¡°I say we put it to a vote,¡± voiced Clytomedes. Those around him nodded.

    Though the final decision rested solely with Ankarithesos, even he had to be wary of making unpopular decisions. ¡°Let it be put to vote,¡± declared our Tyrant.

    ¡°Before the vote begins, you should know,¡± Delios hesitated. ¡°We also have news of an enemy force already in the land. There are reports of raids on country estates and farms. We don¡¯t know their numbers or when they arrived.¡±

    ¡°More proof we should keep the phalanx here and protect our own!¡± Clytomedes shouted above the argumentative voices of fellow patriarchs.

    ¡°It should also be said,¡± continued the Lektrian ambassador in a loud voice to regain their attention, ¡°If the phalanx of Demepolis does not march, and we prevail on our own, our alliance will be dissolved. If that happens, the Kaloceans may feel encouraged to invade. It would be only a matter of time before their phalanx marches down from the north.¡±

    ¡°Let us vote then,¡± said Klysestes. His harsh blue eyes scanned the nobles. ¡°Marching to aid Lektrios is in our best interest. Who here votes to march?¡± I counted forty-two hands raised, the majority vote.

    Klysestes held an open hand toward our seated tyrant. Ankarithesos stood, ¡°It¡¯s settled. Make your preparations quickly. We march within the hour.¡±

    ****

    Estrianes and I were all smiles and boyish excitement as we ran down the street toward home. We weren¡¯t just going to war. We were going on an adventure. Running through the market, we slipped between merchant stalls and morning patrons, in the center of town, many of which who hurled insults at us for being reckless.

    ¡°This way!¡± cried Estrianes.

    I stopped in the middle of the street, ¡°This way is quicker.¡±

    My younger brother looked warily down the road I was on. I could see him thinking of an excuse to avoid the road passing Klysestes¡¯ estate. ¡°I¡¯ll race you to prove my way is quicker.¡± I could tell he wanted it to be true.

    ¡°Fine,¡± I said and jogged down the road only looking back for a moment to see Estrianes shake his head and take his own path.

    Not far down the road came the familiar bend, where the road veered to the left in front of the estate. Klysestes himself had the road moved to accommodate the size of his new home. Being the richest man in the city does have its privileges.  Architects measured Ankarithesos¡¯ palace before construction began so that Klysestes would be sure his home did not overshadow their tyrant¡¯s.

    Calculated luxury was the hallmark of Klysestes. He made sure that even though his home was made from fine marble that it wasn¡¯t too white or opulent to make the jealous angry enough to move against him. He was also the only patriarch I knew of in the city that actually armed his estate slaves and used them to guard his property. One could say he was using his property to protect his property.

    I trotted past the stone wall surrounding the estate, taking in the sight. The wall was taller than an average man and only allowed you to see the second floor of the large house. I was spellbound until a shove almost made me fall backward. Regaining my footing, I looked up, and my fists closed tight.

    Klysestes¡¯ son, Kyron, stood in front of me with his usual four friends, sons of other nobles. He had the same blonde hair and piercing blue eyes as his father. ¡°Do you make a habit of walking blindly into pedestrians?¡± he asked snidely.

    ¡°I was too busy noting the eyesore behind me to notice the likes of you,¡± I replied, frustrated I could not think of anything better to say.

    ¡°It figures,¡± Kyron replied smugly. ¡°I can understand how the sight of a manse like mine could make jealous eyes sore.¡± I stood still, waiting for inspiration that never came. ¡°I¡¯m glad to see you¡¯ve learned not to talk back to your betters.¡±

    That made my blood burn. I shoved Kyron back a couple steps and his face darkened. ¡°Touch me again, and I promise you, it will be the last mistake you ever make.¡±

    I stepped forward and spit on his tunic. Kyron charged bearing his teeth, arms extended, ready to tackle. I braced for the tackle and sent my arms out low to reach for his. Kyron halted before impact, planted his feet and delivered his right fist into my cheek.

    Stumbling back, I held my fists up defensively. As soon as he walked within range, I launched a blow at his face, which he easily parried. His right fist drove itself into my stomach. I hunched over and felt his left fist hook into the side of my head. When my head shot up, his fist slammed into my brow, and I fell flat on my back.

    Before I could regain my footing, Kyron tried to stomp on my stomach. I evaded the full force of the blow by rolling on my side and curling up defensively, which was exactly what he wanted. He jumped down onto me, driving his knee into my back, and pinning me to the ground with his full weight. I couldn¡¯t move or even strike back.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to leave you a reminder to respect those of real nobility,¡± said Kyron, motioning to a friend for a knife. With a bronze dagger in hand, he pressed the blade to my cheek. My heart was racing, and I coughed from breathing in dust from the road. I wanted to say anything to make him stop but with my nerves as they were, I couldn¡¯t manage a sound.

    ¡°Kyron!¡± a sharp voice cut through the morning air. I did my best to look over and saw Klysestes standing by the stone wall in front of his dwelling. ¡°Leave him in the dirt and come inside,¡± ordered Kyron¡¯s father.

    Kyron obeyed, handing the dagger back to his friend. ¡°Our business is far from over,¡± he said then spat on my face. He and his friends followed Klysestes into the house while I pushed myself to my feet, standing glowering with impotent rage. I looked up at the house, a young woman stood at a second story window briefly before hurrying away.

    I turned and walked away knowing I had been humiliated and that Kyron¡¯s beautiful sister, Kythenes, had seen everything. What made things worse was that I had not attacked by five men of my own age. Kyron was more than enough to put me into the dirt.

    A short jog brought me in view of home, our family¡¯s modest and outdated estate. Walking up to the whitewashed mud-brick wall that surrounded our home, Estrianes waited with his arms folded. He wore a concerned yet relieved look on his face. ¡°See, that¡¯s exactly why I did not want to take that route.¡± He pointed to my tunic. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to get dirty.¡± We both smiled.

    I rubbed the side of my head, feeling what was sure to become a bruise. ¡°You won.¡±

    My younger brother walked up to me. ¡°Let¡¯s vow to the gods that you and I will always protect each other and stand side to side against any that would do us harm.¡±

    ¡°With the gods as my witness,¡± I said boldly, ¡°I accept this vow.¡±

    ¡°And I too,¡± he replied. A grin took over his face. His hands grabbed my shoulders and shook me. ¡°We¡¯re going to war, brother!¡±

 Chapter 2: The Temple of Arresus

    Inside our home, Estrianes helped me fasten the straps of my linothorax armor around my chest. It was lighter than a solid bronze thorax, made from gluing layers of linen together with animal fat and metal scales sewn on to protect the stomach, but it did not offer the same protection. This is not to say that it was of poor quality or cheaply made but rather a far cheaper alternative to bronze. My appreciation for its weight grew the more I wore it.

    I looked at the bronze helmet I had selected merely because of the green horsehair crest running from the back to its peak. Green was a color I have always favored. Though not being a new piece, the helmet was new to me. It bore scars of battle which probably led to father acquiring it for a cheap price. When I mentioned the crest would make me easy to spot on the battlefield, father said that most men would have crests and that I¡¯d be lost in a sea of them. He explained they were to make warriors seem taller and more intimidating to their foes.

    With my leather vambraces and bronze greaves on, I pulled the helmet over my head. I couldn¡¯t help but grin, imagining how imposing I must look in full armor. I smiled and rotated my arms. Everything felt right.

    I turned and held my arms out, ¡°Do I look like the warrior that I feel?¡±

    ¡°Probably not,¡± we exchanged smiles. He bent over and picked up a leather thorax from the floor. Dusting it off, he tossed it to me, ¡°Help me with mine.¡±

    I removed my helmet, slid the thorax over his head and began to fasten the sides. ¡°You know,¡± I began, ¡°this might be the day of my life? This day begins the legend of Estrios and Estrianes.¡± A big smile grew on his face. ¡°Now that you¡¯re of sixteen years and have armor, you¡¯ll get the honor of standing in the phalanx.¡±

    He cocked his head to the side, ¡°Please, brother, tell me about all the times you¡¯ve stood in a phalanx.¡± He was right. I had never been in battle, though I often imagined its glory.

    Father had instructed us with spear and sword from the time we had reached fourteen years of age. Now having only been a man for a year, I had been allowed to practice the war dances of our town, training us to advance, fall back, and wheel in different directions as one in the phalanx. Until now, we had never been called to war. Looking back, it made sense trying to avoid filling your ranks with men barely of age who possessed no real experience in warfare, at least for a couple years.

    Being younger, Estrianes had less experience practicing the war dances with the others that just recently came of age, though he was blessed with a great memory. My little brother picked up the movements quickly and executed them flawlessly, time and again.

    ¡°Do you think everyone else is as ready as we are?¡± he asked as I fastened the cheap greaves, fashioned from bull¡¯s hide, to his shins.

    ¡°I think our warriors are up to the task,¡± I replied. ¡°If not, we must show them what real courage looks like.¡± My fingers trembled with excitement. I longed to do was run out into the street wearing my armor, letting it be seen to all that I was a warrior and would be marching off to battle with our town¡¯s finest.

    ¡°There, you¡¯re set.¡± I stood and looked at him. He looked proud in his cheap leather armor. I¡¯m not ashamed to admit that the sight of it made me feel superior. His thorax was of brown, cracked leather with a dented bronze sheet of metal covering the center of his chest. In theory, it should stop a spear to the heart but it looked rather thin to my eyes. The only thing that made me jealous was the fact his beard came in quicker and fuller than mine. It usually led others to believe he was older.

    Estrianes grabbed his crestless bronze helmet and I grabbed mine as we made our way to the bronze mirror. It was a thin sheet of bronze an arm¡¯s length and a forearm¡¯s width, polished bright so one¡¯s reflection could be seen.

    We stood proud and gazed at ourselves in the bronze. My thorax was stained and fraying in a couple places. The metal scales over my stomach were unpolished and a few were missing here and there, having either fallen off from battle or years of wear. Though it was expected that land owning citizens would provide armor for their sons once they were of age, nobles typically bought their sons full bronze panoplies. My thorax had come from a dead man. Father told me he took it off a Kalocean he had speared during a cattle raid.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    I loved my armor for the simple fact it was mine. After presenting me with a new thorax, father made it clear that it was up to me to collect the rest. My father always seemed like a man who valued his sons proving themselves on their own merits, even though we were of noble birth. It wasn¡¯t until later I found out just how tight the purse strings of our family were.

    I looked at Estrianes¡¯ armor, ¡°We look like a fearsome pair. Tell me, how is it you came by that armor?¡±

    ¡°I never asked how yours was acquired.¡± It was hard to tell if it was pride or shame, but I had a feeling what he didn¡¯t win in some kind of wager. Pieces of armor sometimes go missing if one isn¡¯t careful. That was his danger growing up.  He always had a swift mind and swifter hands. ¡°I bet I spear more men than you,¡± he said with a smug look.

    ¡°You¡¯re free to try,¡± I said.

    We walked into the common room to find our family slave, Leandros, helping father into his bronze thorax. Leandros was of a similar age as me though he didn¡¯t look it. He was taller and well-muscled, one of our last slaves father had not sold in a failing effort to stem the debts of his youth. It took me longer than I¡¯d like to admit to figure out why he had father¡¯s eyes.

    Estriadites was already in his panoply, father¡¯s old armor. That panoply had seen many battles, but still caught the eye when polished. He was busy braiding some of his long hair to cushion the bare bronze inside of his helmet when the time came to wear it. I never had the foresight to try that, having always fancied shorter hair.

    Father¡¯s armor was the newest set in the house, though it had dents and scrapes from combat. His thorax was shaped to look like a muscled chest. Not every man that wears such armor looks natural in it, but father looked sincerely malevolent in full armor. I pitied whoever faced is spear on the battlefield.

    Walking proudly into the room Leandros was the only one who offered any kind of greeting. He smiled in approval at us while, fastening the leather straps of father¡¯s thorax. Estriadites and father were too wrapped up in a discussion of politics to notice us. ¡°I have no doubt the gesture alone will endear us to the Lektrians but throwing in our lot with them threatens our polis,¡± stated father.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we always strive to minimize risk to our people?¡± questioned Estriadites.

    ¡°Consider the alternative,¡± replied father. ¡°Losing our alliance with the Lektrians would be more dangerous to our people. I would rather afford united front rather than inviting the enemy to pick us off in singular strokes.¡±

    Estrianes and I stood at the threshold of the room as confident as we could. I cleared my throat, ¡°The warriors of Demepolis have finally arrived.¡±

    Father turned and looked at the two of us, his face unchanging. ¡°Good, make sure you have what provisions you need. We¡¯ll meet you outside presently.¡± He turned back to Estriadites, ¡°So you can see, the decision is removed from our hands.¡±

    I cannot speak for Estrianes, but I stood there wanting. A dejected sigh left my lips as Leandros walked over. ¡°I¡¯ve laid bags by the door, packed with salted pork and bread for you. The water skins in them are full.¡± His head was held low while he talked, as slaves are trained to do. I nodded in response. My brother and I collected our supplies and walked outside.

    Within the whitewashed mud brick wall that surrounded our house, laid our spears and shields that I assumed Leandros had placed for us. I removed my helmet to slide the leather strap on my shield over my head so the shield hung over my back and picked up my spear. Estrianes mimicked my movements with his own equipment. Both of our shields were made of wood and bull¡¯s hide, which made them an ease to carry, as opposed to our older brother and father¡¯s shields, which were made of oak layered with bronze.

    Without much delay, Estriadites emerged with his newly painted bronze shield. Its face depicted three crows flying in a circle. With his helmet pushed back on his head, he stood proudly with the shield on his arm, as one tends to do when hoping that someone will compliment how great their shield looks. He certainly would not brooch the topic himself. Estrianes and I quickly found our equipment extremely interesting in that moment.

    Estrianes finally looked at our brother¡¯s shield and raised an eyebrow, ¡°You look very fierce with your birds.¡±

    Estriadites¡¯ air of superiority faded, ¡°They¡¯re crows.¡±

    ¡°Well, they¡¯re black. That would be my guess,¡± Estrianes said disinterestedly examining his sandals.

    ¡°Crows are a death omen,¡± Estriadites elaborated. ¡°It¡¯s so anyone facing me knows what they can expect if we cross spears.¡±

    ¡°So, if they fight you they should expect to see birds?¡± Estrianes winked at me while my older brother¡¯s face flushed with frustration, like someone trying to educate a stubborn child. I could barely contain my laughter.

    Father and Leandros walked out of the front doorway and motioned us on. ¡°We¡¯re to join Tyochenes at his house before going to the temple. Estriadites, make sure your farewells leave a favorable impression on his daughter. Now let¡¯s be on our way, the sooner we reach the temple, the better.¡±

 Chapter 2: The Fate of Leoniki

    We were in the middle of the column towards the front. Women, children, and men who were too old stood on the rooftops of houses we passed, cheering us on. The procession culminated with us passing under the eastern gate. Petals of purple, yellow, white, and blue rained down on us from those standing on the wooden gatehouse. It was a beautiful sight to behold. It made me think that the fields and gardens around our town must have been completely barren of flowers now.

    There were about twenty lightly equipped horsemen that we saw waiting outside on the plain just outside of the town. Further ahead in the line, Klysestes shouted something to them and the men rode off ahead of the column.

    Estrianes nudged me with his elbow. ¡°Do you think we will be rich enough to afford horses some day?¡± he asked. It¡¯s not as uncommon to see horses in Demepolis today but at the time, few noble families could bear the cost of keeping them. With how rocky and mountainous our land is, there would not be much of a point for keeping many horses. The fact that Klysestes had over twenty sent a message.

    I looked over. ¡°If the gods favor our endeavor, maybe you can own some of the spoils are divided,¡± I said to my brother. ¡°Besides, you¡¯re a man now. You can purchase some.¡±

    He was quiet for a moment. ¡°Purchase?¡± The word was said as if he failed to remember its meaning. ¡°I¡¯d sooner claim one in a wager with that arrogant fuck, Kyron. Gods know he has enough of them.¡± I grinned when he told me that. I always had a tendency to feel wiser because of my slight advantage in age but he would always be quick to remind me of the shrewd mind he carried on his shoulders.

    The entire column marched on and eventually cleared the gate. The younger men around me were in high spirits and spoke to each other about how many men they would kill and how women would beg them to tell the stories of their battle glory. The faces of the older men around me were more resolute, not unhappy but set to purpose. They tended to be more stoic in nature. It almost felt as if we were expecting to travel to two different destinations.

    Not all of the older men were of dour disposition. Some laughed and joked. Others contented themselves by having wine from a skin they brought. Father and Estriadites marched closer to the front of the column while Estrianes and I slowed our pace to sink back into the column, looking for others near our own age we might want to talk to.

    Life in Demepolis, being only a large town depending on who you asked, meant that many faces were familiar. I recognized many sons of the nobility from my brief time at The Academy back in town. I still hold firm in my belief that Kyron threw the first punch that led to the end of my days there, in the end, it mattered not.

    The stonemason that helped repair our mill marched nearby with two of his sons, both older than us by many years. Kamenes, the disgraced acolyte of Arresus marched solemnly with his helmet pushed back on his head, drinking from a wineskin with downcast eyes. Hastaeaphus, the local wine merchant, cracked jokes and was surrounded by intermitted laughter while we walked. I wondered if it was too late to purchase wine from him.

    Finally, we found Helion marching with his father, Heliodoras the potter, who had been my friend since I had first taken steps. His father was a friend of our family whom we hadn¡¯t seen in what seemed like years. He would usually come to our estate outside of the city, when we were young and still lived outside of the city, and work on various items father had commissioned. Our family¡¯s descent into hard times had prevented such commissions from being placed. Years of war took their toll on Heliodoras¡¯ hands leading to Helion spending most of his time learning the intricacies of his family''s trade.

    ¡°Helion!¡± I shouted across the stream of hoplites and slaves. Estrianes and I took our helmets off and held them in the air so he could find us. Helion took is off and raised it signaling he heard the call. Pushing his way through the line of annoyed men, he squeezed in next to Estrianes.

    ¡°Estrios!¡± he called to me. ¡°Can you believe this? We finally get to march with our fathers into a great battle!¡± His voice was elated and his eyes soaked in the sights around us, the mass of men moving towards a single purpose. ¡°I¡¯ve seen this moment in my dreams.¡±

    ¡°So this begins the legend of Helion the Spear of the West?¡± said Estrianes. We all laughed and imagined our glory to come.

    ¡°I make no joke,¡± replied Helion. ¡°For every Elahkarian I fell, I¡¯ll remove one ear. That way I¡¯ll prove how many men I kill. I bet you anything that number will be greater than yours.¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Without hesitation, Estrianes replied, ¡°Do you have any horses?¡± He and I laughed while Helion looked on with a raised eyebrow.

    ****

    We marched for another hour, discussing the various ways we would kill our enemies and about how we would spend our earnings after taking their loot and selling prisoners into slavery. It was around this time when I noticed Kyron looking back at us from further in the line. He had the same short dirty blonde hair and blue eyes of his father, only his beard was a mockery of his father¡¯s, though still somehow superior to mine.

    Kyron looked back at us and made a comment to the boys next to him who boomed with laughter. Only later did it occur to me that he may not even have noticed us, but I took it as a slight in that moment. ¡°That cock-eater mocks us,¡± I observed in protest.

    ¡°He fights for the same cause,¡± replied Estrianes. ¡°Give pause to your hatred and see the score settled when we return.¡± Helion nodded in begrudging agreement.

    ¡°It matters not,¡± I replied with a wink. ¡°Kythenes favors me.¡±

    That comment took a moment to sink in but when it did, both their faces lit up. ¡°Kythenes? As in Kyron¡¯s sister, Kythenes?!¡±

    ¡°The very one.¡±

    ¡°How do you know she favors you?¡± asked Estrianes.

    ¡°Yeah, what would a beautiful girl see in a fuck like you?¡± asked Helion.

    I did little to contain my smile, ¡°How does any man know a woman favors him¡­when her lips are wrapped around his cock?¡±

    We all laughed wildly and when Kyron looked back, I met his eyes defiantly. The grown men around us didn¡¯t seem to take much notice of us. ¡°Stand clear of Estrios¡¯ mouth,¡± said Estrianes, ¡°lest the smell of horseshit turns your stomach.¡±

    ¡°You accuse me of lying?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Naturally,¡± replied Estrianes. ¡°What would such a beauty see in you when the worthy brother stands beside you,¡± he pointed to himself. An older man walking next to us scoffed.

    ¡°Something to add?¡± I questioned.

    The man remained quiet like he was figuring out how to word something. ¡°You¡¯re young. In your mind there¡¯s no possibility of failure,¡± he said. ¡°Enjoy the memory of a girl¡¯s mouth while you have the time. We¡¯re all going to die the day after next.

    I almost ran into the men in front of me, not realizing the column was stopping. I looked up and saw plumes of dark smoke rising into the air. All three of us stood on our toes to see but could not make out what was ahead through the forest of horsehair crests on polished helmets. After a few minutes, the chatter around me grew deafening but the line started moving again.

    The column moved forward and the smell of smoke got stronger. Helion, Estrianes, and I made our way closer to the edge of our column to get a better view. We approached the small village of Leoniki. It was a smoldering wreck of buildings and bodies. Marching through the village center, corpses were strewn about, their blood discoloring the ground beneath them.

    A man lay in front of a freshly burnt house, with two arrows sticking out of his chest. A woman and little boy were collapsed in the doorway. Both had arrows sticking out of them. A beautiful woman lay on her back with her dress ripped and bearing both breasts. Her throat was cut. I quickly averted my eyes.

    We had to walk over several more brutalized corpses as we passed through the village, most of which had arrows stuck in them. The roof of a house collapsed and made everyone near it jump and level their spears towards it. I stood there, shield raised and spear ready in hand as the house fire smoldered. Estrianes, Helion, and I traded glances and moved on with the column.

    At the other end of the town, there was a pile of around twenty bodies in an arrow ridden pile. All were armed as hoplites. I gawked as we marched past them. All of their heads had been taken, though the helmets remained, and a large pool of blood stained the ground under the pile. Their shields reminded me of the spiked backs of porcupines, each one having no less than five shafts in it. Tracks from the horses circled the pile of corpses.

    I remember my hands feeling cold shaky despite the sweat on my brow. Someone in the line shouted. I looked up and saw a few men run out of the column. Father and Klysestes stood next to our tyrant, Ankarithesos. They all looked to the hill about three-four hundred paces from us. Four horsemen were observing us from the hill. Too far away to hear, I saw my father point to the hill with his spear. Ten of our scouts rode off towards the hill at a good speed and the four enemy riders calmly rode away. Moments later I could hear more shouting.

    A man was running down the line yelling for skirmishers. Men squeezed their way out of various points in the line after the man passed. Slingers, archers, and javelin throwers gathered into a group next to our line. They seemed over two hundred strong. They stood our opposite. Where our hoplites were heavily armored, they were not. Where they were highly mobile, we were not.

    ¡°Follow me,¡± I ordered. Helion and Estrianes jogged with me to where my father had been standing. ¡°How can we be of service?¡±

    My father looked at us like one might look at a child that is slow in the head, ¡°Return to the line. They¡¯re on horseback, you¡¯d never catch them,¡± he admonished with a wave of his hand. We slowly moved back into the line nearest to us.

    ¡°We should send the riders out in front of us,¡± father said to the nobles.

    ¡°To what end?¡± replied Klysestes. ¡°It¡¯s open country until we reach the mountains. They can come from any direction. We¡¯ll send the remaining riders in groups of two towards different directions ahead and keep the skirmishers as a vanguard.¡± The rest of the nobles nodded, some begrudgingly.

    The Tyrant of Demepolis stood almost a head taller than those in his presence. He looked around carefully at the faces of his nobles. ¡°Then that is what we will do,¡± said Ankarithesos. ¡°My decision is made.¡±

    ¡°Very well,¡± replied father. ¡°Let us not waste more time. If we arrive late, that means death for all.¡±

 Chapter 3: The Enemys Face

    Our scouts on horseback had returned to the column, from their pursuit of the four enemy horsemen. Two had been killed by arrows and the remaining nineteen scouts were divided into small groups. The group of five was sent ahead while smaller groups of two went out in different directions. Klysestes made it clear that if they found the enemy, they were to make for the column immediately and report.

    Our two hundred slingers, archers, and javelin throwers marched a good distance ahead of the column to serve as a scouting vanguard. The column marched down the dirt road leading towards the mountains east of Demepolis. We had yet a good march to reach the Cythadia Mountains, which held the pass to Lektrios.

    Helion, Estrianes, and I were now towards the front of the line or at least closer to the front than the middle. I noticed the slave in front of me was struggling to carry his masters bronze shield, spear, and food. I wanted to help but instead saw the foolish sentiment from my mind. Helion was the first to speak up, ¡°You know, in all famous stories of war,¡± he panted slightly, ¡°no one ever speaks of the march.¡±

    ¡°Or the fucking summer heat,¡± I added, wiping sweat from my brow. My helmet still rested on the crown of my head, and slight breeze felt like a blessing.

    ¡°You both complain like children,¡± chimed Estrianes. ¡°We¡¯ll likely stop for rest soon.¡±

    ¡°Who among us is complaining?¡± asked Helion. ¡°Are we not permitted to make observations?¡± He and I snickered.

    ¡°I observe women marching beside me.¡± All three of us had to laugh at that. Such is the talk of young men.

    ¡°Well, which are we, women or children?¡±

    Estrianes smiled, ¡°Whichever offends you more.¡±

    A murmur passed through the line, though no one prepared for battle. Many crested helmets ahead of me were looking off to the side of the column. We could not see by standing on our toes so we had to wait until we were closer. Excitement ran through me, though dread was not far behind. I swallowed hard as we approached.

    For a moment, I almost did not recognize the bodies. Three of our horsemen lay dead in the grass, arrows sticking out of their chests and their horses missing. The three of us kept our calm, even when we word made its way back that two more were found in the same state on the other side. Five dead men were not enough to give us pause, yet we got a sense of what we were likely to find the closer we marched to our destination.

    ¡°Our enemies fight like cowards,¡± said Helion. ¡°Why don¡¯t they face us in the field, with honor?¡±

    I nudged him, ¡°Because they fear they¡¯d lose.¡± An older man looked back at us and rolled his eyes. ¡°Once we arrive at the beach and augment the Lektrian phalanx, the army will be too big for them to ignore and they will have to face us directly.¡±

    The order to halt trickled back through the line followed by sighs of relief. The men spread out a little and set their shields and helmets down. Some sat while others stretched. I took a long pull on my water skin and dumped some of it on the back of my neck. The water running down my back, under my linothorax, felt good. The slave in front of me set his master¡¯s belongings on the ground and lay next to them panting. His master dropped a water skin next to him and ordered him to drink but not too much.

    I saw past a number of men to see my father and the other nobles stepping from the line and forming a circle. ¡°Come, let¡¯s stretch our legs,¡± I motioned my companions to follow me.

    ¡°To eavesdrop on father?¡± asked Estrianes plainly.

    ¡°When was it ruled a crime for sons to be near their father?¡± I replied with a wink. The three of us walked from the line, dropped the shields previously slung over our backs, and sat within earshot of the nobles, careful not to look their direction. Father and Ankarithesos looked at us and returned to the conversation. Thinking back, the nobles weren¡¯t trying to be sneaky. I think there¡¯s just something exciting about eavesdropping when you¡¯re young.

    ¡°This doesn¡¯t sit well with me. They seek to blind us by killing our scouts,¡± said Ankarithesos. ¡°One can only hope the rest still live.¡±

    ¡°If they don¡¯t come back, it matters not if they live,¡± replied father.

    A noble with a finely groomed red hair, whose name I could not recall, scratched his beard, ¡°What if all the skirmishers are sent further ahead of the line to scout? Surely the enemy¡¯s scouts won¡¯t have the strength to contend with two hundred missile throwers.¡±

    Klysestes rubbed his hands over his face, ¡°You propose we leave our column undefended? Is that it?¡±

    The redheaded noble looked offended. ¡°You call one thousand hoplites undefended?¡±

    ¡°If the enemy can simply ride up, fill part of our line with arrows and ride away without reprisal, yes.¡± The other nobles nearby watched the men debate. ¡°I propose we send eighty ahead of the line and keep the rest to guard our flanks.¡±

    ¡°There is wisdom in this,¡± father said reluctantly.

    ¡°Very well,¡± announced Ankarithesos as he looked at the uncertain nobles. ¡°Send them out now. We resume the march after a moment¡¯s rest.¡±

    ****

    After a brief rest, we continued the march. Overhearing the plan, we stayed at the edge of the column so we could spring into action if needed. We watched the skirmisher vanguard move ahead quickly. My eyes scanned for our scouts returning as we walked along. The mountains on the horizon were much taller now. I figured we had only another hour before reaching them. At that rate, we would be in the mountains and make camp just before the sunset. Helion seemed quieter. ¡°Deep in thought?¡± I asked.Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°I was just thinking about the pile of hoplites back in Leoniki,¡± he replied after a moment. ¡°What if that was an omen?¡±

    ¡°What if it wasn¡¯t?¡± answered Estrianes. ¡°The priests who read the goat livers before we left told us the gods favored our cause.¡±

    ¡°See those thoughts from your head,¡± I told Helion. ¡°Father always said, ¡®those who seek to save their own lives in battle find only death. Those who accept their own death, return home victorious.¡¯¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t expect any of you cunts to return,¡± I looked to find Kyron and his friends closer to my group as I realized. ¡°What makes you think you can march up front with the nobility?¡±

    That made my blood boil. I could feel my face redden with anger. ¡°Nobility like my father? I think we stand in the right place, you arrogant fuck.¡±

    ¡°Is he a noble? I hadn¡¯t realized,¡± Kyron replied snidely. The other noble sons laughed with him. ¡°We all but own your family.¡±

    ¡°The fuck did you say?!¡± I roared. Estrianes moved to hold me back and Helion wrenched my spear from my hand. ¡°Kyron! I all but own your sister!¡± I said, making an obscene gesture.

    Now Kyron¡¯s face flushed with anger and his friends restrained him. A particularly tall hoplite, with an air of nobility, walked between our two groups. ¡°You!¡± he pointed to Kyron¡¯s friends, ¡°Move your friend further up the line.¡± He turned to us and pointed, ¡°You shut the fuck up and march. Save it for the real enemy.¡±

    I did the best to calm and snatched my spear back. We walked in silence for a while after. Helion made a joke that fell on deaf ears. There was something Kyron had said that made no sense to me. ¡°What meaning did Kyron have when he claimed to own our family?¡± I finally asked my brother.

    It was not clear if Estrianes was being stoic or ignoring me. He swallowed hard looked down. ¡°Put that shit from your mind. Kyron is a liar.¡±

    I shoved my brother, ¡°You want to tell me or will I have to beat it from you?¡±

    After a long pause, Estrianes answered, ¡°Estriadites told me that Klysestes purchased father¡¯s debt and now holds it over him when it¡¯s convenient.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s my brother too, why did he not tell me?!¡± I asked angrily.

    Estrianes raised an eyebrow, ¡°Likely because of your temper.¡±

    ¡°What meaning is that supposed to have?!¡± Helion and Estrianes stared at me.

    ¡°Do you even realize your voice is raised?¡± replied Estrianes. That gave me pause.

    We marched on quietly, listening to the conversations around us. The men in front of us were talking about crows that they saw. I was still fuming about what Kyron had said. When they wouldn¡¯t stop talking about crows, I finally looked up. ¡°Who gives a fu-¡± A large number of crows were circling in the sky. We walked closer and I could see the men in front of me gawking at something.

    Just off of our path was a dead man lying crumpled in the grass with a javelin in his lower back. He wore a bright blue shirt and trousers. That was the first time I had seen trousers. Everyone I had ever known wore some variant of the almost knee-length tunics I had worn.

    The corpse had a wispy black beard to match his long black hair. His short bow lay beside him and a quiver was strapped to his hip. His clothes seemed somewhat ratty and no shield was present. The closer I looked, the more it seemed the corpse was similar in age to Estriadites.

    Everyone around me pressed and pushed in with excited faces as word came back to them about the exotic corpse. I looked around to see which direction he may have come from. To the south rose distant plumes of smoke, likely another village that was sacked. I looked back to the corpse before moving on and notice the eyes were different. His were thinner, maybe? There was a slant to them that I¡¯d never seen before.

    I had not long to think before we were displaced by more hoplites with curious faces. ¡°He seems like a farmer or a herdsman,¡± I said, deep in thought as we walked. ¡°Did you see the eyes?¡±

    ¡°Estriadites told me tales of horse nomads from the plains beyond the Narcius Sea to the north,¡± replied Estrianes. ¡°He said they are fond of bows and ride chariots or single horses in great number. I remember this because he spoke of the shape of their eyes.¡±

    I had long been jealous of my older brother. At five years my senior, he got to experience what father was able to provide when he yet held coin, not yet bled dry by debts. That meant he had been tutored by both a scholar and a warrior as is what is expected of the sons of nobility. By the time Estrianes and I were of an age to be tutored, father could no longer afford it. Estriadites did his best to teach us. It would be a lie to say I didn¡¯t learn, but he wasn¡¯t a good teacher. Perhaps I wasn¡¯t a good student. Learning always came easier to Estrianes.

    ¡°Do you think the Elahkarians conquered his tribe?¡± I asked. Crows hung heavier in the air as we continued closer towards the mountains.

    Estrianes walked in silence, contemplating the question. Finally, Helion nudged him. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I think-¡± he replied. ¡°I think they are probably mercenaries. I wouldn¡¯t imagine it takes too much to bribe barbarians, at least compared to civilized folk. They¡¯re also said to be horse nomads, meaning they¡¯re practically a village on horseback. Try catching them. Try forcing them to fight.¡±

    The men in front of us start moving at a jog. I looked up and a large flock of crows is almost above us. The order comes back through the line to halt. Walking out of the line, not far ahead of us were the nobles, themselves leaving the front of the line and walking towards bodies that lay before us. Estrianes and Helion follow me as I jog to see what had happened. Kyron and his friends also emerged from the line.

    Some of our slingers and javelin throwers were stooped over bodies that they were looting. I saw them tug gold rings off dead hands. Others picked stripped bows and armor from the fallen. I ran ahead to get a better look, my companions lagged behind me. There had to be around fifty men lying motionless in the grass, more than half were our skirmishers, with some dead horses. A few had wounds being tended to, but one cried out in pain, holding his bloody stomach.

    Two of our slingers ran up to the group of nobles and bowed. ¡°We were scouting and were attacked by twenty horsemen,¡± said their leader. ¡°I think they thought we were a group of farmers. We ran so they would follow us and then attacked when they were close.¡±

    ¡°Did any escape?¡± asked Klysestes.

    ¡°Three, one had a javelin in his back, so it¡¯s unlikely he made it far.¡±

    ¡°You did well,¡± stated Ankarithesos. ¡°You and your men have first claim to what can be found among their dead.¡± The two slingers bowed and then walked back to their men.

    My father nodded, ¡°It¡¯s good the men march past the bodies. This will let them know our enemy can be beaten.¡±

    ¡°Agreed,¡± said Klysestes. He looked up to the mountains, ¡°We¡¯ve finally reached the safety of the mountains.¡±

    Father looked over at me, ¡°Spread word. Tell the men to drink water.¡± He held his hand sideways up to the sun and then lowered it a little. ¡°We have less than two hours before sunset. We should reach a point where we can make camp.¡±

    A surge of importance flew through my head. My father entrusted me with a task, and I set my mind to purpose. With a bow, I turned and promptly tripped over a body who groaned loudly. The counterweight of my spear jammed into the ground, and I managed only to fall to my knees. I got up quickly and aimed my spear at the man, my face turning a hot red.

 Chapter 4: Threading the Narrows

    Helion and Estrianes quickly moved in and leveled their spears at the groaning man. I looked around at the nobles, unsure of what they expected me to do. A group of nobles walked around us to get a better look. Klysestes pushed past the others. He bent down, took a knife from the man¡¯s belt, and dragged him a few paces where he propped the man against a large rock so that he was sitting up.

    Our prisoner had a leather thorax covered in small, metallic disks sewn closely together. His small bronze helmet was strapped under his chin and had a prominent dent in the right side. I cringed when I saw bone piercing the skin of his broken arm. It seemed to me his helmet was hit with a slinger¡¯s stone and the fall from his horse broke his arm. Looking at his eyes, they were the same shape as the corpse in the blue shirt we had passed.

    Klysestes held the knife up, ¡°How many others are with you?¡± The man groaned and spoke in a tongue I had never heard. The blow to the head may have knocked something loose. Nobles spoke amongst themselves while Klysestes asked again. Still, the man did not understand and repeated himself unintelligibly.

    ¡°What is he saying?¡± asks another noble.

    ¡°Is there no common tongue?¡± inquires a third.

    Klysestes repeats his questions, and the man seemingly gives the same answers that no one can understand. ¡°Get me some water,¡± he orders to the group of men nearest him.

    Finally, father pushes past and walks next to Klysestes. ¡°We¡¯re squandering time we don¡¯t have.¡± Klysestes looked on helplessly while father speared the man in his chest. ¡°We need to keep moving,¡± he said calmly twisting his spearhead free.

    Klysestes backed up, disgusted. ¡°So you know there was nothing we could have learned from that man?¡± he asked angrily.

    ¡°Nothing we wouldn¡¯t find out later anyway,¡± replied father as he walked back to the column.

    ****

    Our column marched up the path that led us up the mountain in a jagged pattern so that at irregular intervals we would reverse direction but still be ascending the heights. Though this was the quickest path to Lektrios, if one had a cart full of wares, the preferred trade route went south and added another day to the journey. The mountains were tall and jagged. From a distance, you could see the snow-covered peaks of the seven largest ones, in between were a dense series of smaller peaks and ranges.

    I had traveled the route we were on twice before this with my father. To say that I knew our path already would be a far cry. I knew that eventually the path leveled out and would take us deep into the mountains but there were many twists and turns that lead to other smaller paths throughout the mountains.

    Frequently I would look at the skirmishers, sent from our line to help with the wounded on the grassy plain, get smaller and smaller as the elevation rose. When I no longer saw the serpent¡¯s tail of our column on the plain is when I heard the horns blow. Looking out into the plain I saw a group of about fifty horsemen gather on one side of the skirmishers and a group of one hundred on the other side. They were still out of range but they could close that distance with ease.

    The skirmishers grouped together and readied their weapons. I could hear them yelling at each other in the distance. Archers drew arrows. Slingers readied their missiles. The enemy cavalry moved in slowly from both sides but picked up speed. Most of our men ran west towards the way we had come, where there would be patches of forest to run into. A smaller group ran east towards where we were.

    We all watched helplessly as the enemy cavalry swooped in from both sides, filling unarmored men with arrows and galloping away. The skirmishers fired missiles back but after the second pass, there were too few to be effective. That was when the cavalry charged in and cut them down with swords and axes.

    ¡°We have to aid them!¡± I screamed to no one in particular.

    ¡°To what end?¡± replied father in a cold tone. ¡°Would you forsake Lektrios to go back and save a handful of freed slaves and paupers?¡± I didn¡¯t like that. These were still men from Demepolis, as we were. Deep down though, I knew it had to be this way. Not all who march off to war return home. There are times when you are not in a position to help others.

    The slingers that ran towards us were cut down just within earshot. We heard their screaming and watched impotently as they were all put to grass by arrow or hacked down with swords. The horsemen rode closer to the mountains and stopped. One of them in the lead did not appear dressed in the same style as the rest. We were a ways up on the path, and it was hard to see them clearly, but it was noticeable. He pointed up to us and made a motion with arm and another man nodded then barked an order. The group rode off the way they came. I marched up the path bitterly with the rest of our men. I was angry that I was unable to do anything while men from our city were cut down. Men around me muttered and complained.

    The top of the path leveled and became straighter, flanked by two angled walls of jagged rock that formed the bases of two small mountains. I followed the men in front of me into the pass. It was wide enough for our column to march at a width of eight men. I felt blessed because it was a reprieve from the sun beating down on us. The temperature was noticeably cooler in the mountain shade. My helmet was pushed back on my head so my face was exposed but sweat still dripped down the back of my neck.

    My legs had started to feel tight when we ascended the path, made worse by an order from Ankarithesos that worked its way down the line, for us to move as rapidly as the terrain would allow. I had to distract myself. ¡°What do you think will happen if they beat us around the mountains?¡± I asked my companions.

    ¡°I suppose we¡¯ll prepare for a fight then,¡± replied Helion with fatigue in his voice.

    ¡°Now that is something I¡¯ll gladly give them,¡± I stated. Estrianes snickered. ¡°Something to say?¡±

    ¡°Only that they¡¯re foreigners.¡±

    ¡°Estrios, did you hear that?¡± mocked Helion. ¡°We¡¯re fighting foreigners.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.

    ¡°Being foreigners,¡± continued my brother in an annoyed tone, ¡°they don¡¯t know these passes like we do. You can barely bring any horses through up here.¡± Some small rocks skittered down the cliff next to us. Looking up, we saw an ibex bounding from one boulder to the next.

    Helion dismissed the notion, ¡°Well, I still welcome battle.¡±

    ¡°From what rumors say, there will be no shortage of enemies where we are going,¡± I offered. ¡°Plenty of chances for us to wet our spears.¡±

    The army and its slaves followed the winding path through the mountains, occasionally passing openings to different mountain passes. Most traders, craftsmen, and nobles know the way because of their trips to Lektrios. Were we without men who personally travel this route, I would fear the prospect of never emerging.

    The conversation between us and men around us kept us occupied until we came to The Narrows, which is where the pass is the most confined. Leading up to The Narrows, our column had filed down to six and then down to a width of four men abreast. Ankarithesos was right to rush us through the pass, filing a thousand warriors and almost as many slaves down to half the original width took more time than one would think. Fortunately, the constriction of the path is short lived.

    I didn¡¯t notice until our part of the line was through The Narrows but there wasn¡¯t much sunlight left in the day. In the course of a quarter hour, we were able to spread the line back to a width of six men, with ease.

    A turn in the pass allowed us to receive the last sunrays of the day. The mountain pass was very wide at this part, by far the widest part of the trail. This small plain was wide enough to make a long camp on a layer of grass as thin as an elder¡¯s hair. I say camp but what it really offered was space enough for men to sleep. Because of the urgent nature of the journey, tents and anything else that would slow us were left behind.

    Helion, Estrianes, and I found a nice patch in the waning light, dropped our spears, and slid our shields off our backs. Our helmets made a soft thud as they hit the ground. It felt good to sit, even better to lie down. I unfastened my cloak to use as a blanket. Many men walked past us, finding places to lay their belongings.

    I watched our slave, Leandros, help Estriadites out of his thorax. Though Estriadites had been a man for many years, only now did he seem to adequately a sense of nobility. He clearly had spent time studying how father spoke, moved, and carried himself. He seemed every bit the man that father wanted him to be.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    I pulled some bread from a small bag slung over my shoulder and drank from my water skin. Many men, including me, ate and drank while we marched. Growing up when I heard tales of war they were either heroic epics or day to day stories. From both, I look a lesson. Eat and drink whenever you feel the need or have the opportunity. You might not get the chance later.

    ****

    We all relaxed on the ground, happy for the day to come to an end. My whole life, I¡¯ve worked towards goals that were given to me, large and small. Without purpose, I find myself anxious and in need of something I can put my hands to. My stomach was content and my mood was better, but my mind was uneasy.

    ¡°We should go on a hunt,¡± I stood up, spear in hand.

    ¡°A hunt? What would we hunt in the mountains, at night?¡± replied Estrianes.

    ¡°Any poor creature that crosses our path,¡± I replied with a smile. ¡°We did see an ibex on the march.¡±

    ¡°Count me at your side,¡± said Helion, grabbing his spear cheerfully.

    ¡°Even if we were ordered not to make cooking fires, no one has any wood for one. What would we do with an animal?¡± asked Estrianes.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I suppose we¡¯d just salt what we can and take it along with us,¡± I replied with a shrug.

    ¡°Assuming anyone has salt.¡± Estrianes looked strained, ¡°I¡¯ll come only to make sure you fools don¡¯t fall to your deaths.¡± He stood up reluctantly then grabbed his shield and spear.

    ¡°That¡¯s just going to be dead weight,¡± I said of his shield.

    ¡°What concern is it of yours, if I¡¯m the one carrying it?¡± he said while sliding the makeshift sling he had tied to the shield over his head. The shield hung on his back, and he let out a sigh.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want the extra weight to cause you to fall to your death,¡± I winked. Estrianes glared at me, unamused.

    We found a small path away from our camp that looked like a path I had imagined animals might go down. I¡¯ve never been too gifted at hunting, lacking the patience. This was the night before battle, and we were too excited to fall asleep. If I¡¯m being honest, I think we wanted to kill something.

    The path didn¡¯t take us too far from camp but we traveled a good ways down it, laughing and singing crude little songs until we came to an opening that amounted to flat, rocky ground bordered by a chasm.

    ¡°So I told them, ¡®Hand to the gods, I have no idea what happened to your goat!¡¯¡± exclaimed Helion. We all roared with laughter at his absurd story.

    ¡°You truly are a blessed idiot,¡± declared Estrianes as we walked.

    The sound of rocks sliding drew our attention. ¡°You idiots!¡± Kyron skidded down the rocky slope from a concealed position behind us. With the exception of his helmet, he was in full armor. Three of his friends emerged from hiding spots and moved to where Kyron stood. They all were armed and armored similarly.

    We all brought our spears up defensively. Helion and I had both left our shields at camp. We were outnumbered and under-equipped for a fight. ¡°Trying to settle accounts away from the army, Kyron?¡± I asked, trying to sound defiant and not to show how afraid I really was.

    ¡°What?¡± he replied, he regarded us with annoyance. ¡°We were on a hunt and about to trap our quarry when you noisy fucks scared it off!¡± That gave me some joy, both in the thought that Kyron wasn¡¯t looking for a fight and that we had still inconvenienced him.

    ¡°Now that we are here, why don¡¯t we revisit that comment from earlier?¡± continued Kyron. ¡°What was that about my beloved sister?¡± I knew I shouldn¡¯t have mentioned his sister.

    ¡°I don¡¯t remember any comment, only the sweetness of her lips,¡± I replied defensively, my hand making a lewd gesture.

    Kyron took a step forward aggressively, his face flushed, and then laughed humorlessly. ¡°Heh, speaking lies of a noblewoman, I should expect this of your family. You are not so far removed from your grandfather, the very reason everyone looks down on your family.¡±

    This time I flushed with anger, ¡°It would be something if I had been lying, wouldn¡¯t it? Have you even considered the possibility that I¡¯m not? Can you account for all your sister¡¯s actions? I would think not.¡±

    Kyron brushed the comment off, ¡°Do you ever notice the nobility looking down on your father with disdain, knowing the sins of his father plague you still? I can¡¯t imagine what that must be like. I guess I would spread lies too, were I as lacking in honor as you.¡±

    Stifling the urge to hurl my spear, I looked to my side. Estrianes was noticeable measuring Kyron¡¯s companions, trying to decide who he would attack first if it came to blows. I looked to my other side and did not find Helion. ¡°Fuck. Shit!¡± said Helion behind me.

    I turned to find Helion with his back to us, his spear pointed at five wolves appearing from around the bend, gaunt but dangerous. One of them foamed at the mouth as it snarled. No one moved. The wolves ears went back slowly and they exposed teeth. Estrianes slowly reached for his shield. ¡°Move back slowly,¡± said Kyron in a commanding tone. ¡°Helion, you and Estrios get behind us. We¡¯ll form a phalanx to protect those without a shield.¡±

    Immediately my companions and I backed up slowly, careful not to turn our backs to the wolves that were now creeping forward. All of them growled and snarled. Helion and I passed between Kyron and his friends. They locked their shields with Estrianes, their spears protruding over their tops, forming a five-man phalanx. Helion and I guarded their flanks with spears.

    The snarling beasts edged closer, the foam sprayed from the sick wolf¡¯s mouth when it barked at us. ¡°We¡¯re going to move back a step when-¡± Kyron was cut off as the wolves charged us. Spears thrust forward to keep them at bay. The sick wolf tried to run around my side of the line, but I thrust my spear at it, causing it to leap back.

    ¡°One step back, now!¡± yelled Kyron. Our line moved back in unison. If we could make it back a short distance, we could hold in the pass we walked through, with ease. The wolves would have no room to get around our sides. ¡°Another step back, now!¡± The line moved back. The sick wolf tried to bite me and the legs of Kyron¡¯s friend. Both times I kept the beast at bay with my spear. Finally, I cut its side with my spearhead. The sickly wolf yelped and backed up, bearing its teeth.

    ¡°Step back, now!¡± ordered Kyron. The line moved back, now only about ten paces from the opening of the pass. The others kept the other wolves busy. One worked its way between the spears but Estrianes rammed it with his shield, causing to fall over and run out of our reach. Another ran in and bit Kyron¡¯s spear shaft and refused to let go. Running over, I placed one hand on Kyron¡¯s shoulder and lurched my arm up and over his shield, driving the spearhead into the wolf¡¯s flank. The sound it made was hard to forget.

    The spearhead emerged bloody and the wolf cried out and fell over. The other wolves backed up. ¡°If they¡¯re so hungry, I did them a favor,¡± I said. Our line backed up to the opening of the pass. The remaining wolves circled their whimpering brother.

    We walked single file through the pass with Estrianes carefully walking backward, protecting the rear. We heard the wolves tear into their fallen friend. We felt safer but moved at speed our camp. Moving in silence, listening for following wolves, we wound up the path until we could hear soft echoes of talking and laughing. Our pace slowed, knowing safety was near.

    It was a welcome sight when we walked among our resting army. I examined my bloody spearhead. The moon was full and bright, illuminating our camp. Part of me wanted to wipe the spear clean and another part wanted to leave it bloody.

    Before we split ways, I tapped the arm in front of me, ¡°Kyron.¡± He turned. ¡°Gratitude, for we would be far worse off had we not had your help.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t a smile that crossed his lips but something like it. He addressed me in a far less contemptuous tone than earlier, ¡°Nothing has changed between us.¡± Kyron paused, ¡°Your blow was well struck.¡± He nodded to me and parted company with his friends. Before leaving his friend, whose flank I had protected, smiled and nodded in gratitude. This is one of my fondest memories of the expedition because it was when I learned that even between hated enemies can respect be found. In the brotherhood created by marching to war, enmities can soften as you must rely on a rival to help defeat a greater enemy.

    I walked back over to where I laid my cloak and the rest of my kit. My father walked up to me, ¡°Where have you been?¡± he asked, more curious than upset. He saw the blood on my spear in the moonlight. ¡°I trust you haven¡¯t been up settling scores.¡±

    I smiled as I dropped my spear, ¡°Estrianes, Helion, and I settled accounts with a pack of wolves intent on seeing us devoured.¡± My father¡¯s face was hard to read.

    Suddenly next to me, Leandros wore a welcoming smile, ¡°Is there anything you would have at the moment?¡± I dismissed him with a wave and looked back at father.

    Estrianes nodded, ¡°It¡¯s strange. I want to sleep but find it impossible to keep my eyes shut.¡± All of us sat on the ground. Estrianes and I were full of excitement. Helion lay back on the grass and was sleeping within a few breaths.

    Finally, father broke the silence, ¡°I¡¯m glad you two are unharmed. It¡¯s good that you had some excitement.¡± He looked uneasy in the pale moonlight. I hadn¡¯t noticed it until now, but in his hand was a small wooden bowl. I could smell the wine on his breath. Rarely had I seen father drink as of late, though he did not seem out of sorts. ¡°We may have to fight tomorrow if the enemy has any scouts on the other side of the mountains.¡±

    ¡°Then we¡¯ll fight,¡± I said plainly.

    ¡°A father always worries he hasn¡¯t done enough for his sons before battle,¡± he said, ¡°hasn¡¯t done enough to prepare them.¡±

    ¡°We always find time to practice with our spears and swords,¡± said Estrianes. ¡°Estriadites instructs us well on technique.¡±

    ¡°There are some things that cannot be prepared for,¡± replied father. ¡°Little things. They must be experienced to be understood. That is what I think about now. How one will fatigue after trading blows. How men can be trampled if they fall in the line.¡± My brother and I were silent. Father stared up at the stars and sipped from the wooden bowl. ¡°I know you both will make me proud. All I ask is that you both stay near me.¡±

    We both smiled. ¡°An easy enough request,¡± said Estrianes. I nodded.

    Father looked up at the stars again. ¡°There were times I wondered about the stars. Some say they can foretell our fates.¡± He sipped from the bowl again. ¡°It makes one wonder if our fates can be changed.¡±

    It may have been the wine, but I had rarely heard father talk in such a way. ¡°It may sound foolish,¡± he continued, ¡°but for a time, I actually wanted to be a carpenter.¡± He laughed at nothing in particular. ¡°That is actually how I began to court your mother.¡± Estrianes and I exchanged glances. Father held the now empty wooden bowl in front of us. ¡°Though it¡¯s worn from years of age, I made this for your mother.¡± He bit his lower lip and reluctantly smiled. ¡°Rest well. I¡¯m off to find your brother. Be ready in the morning. You both will be tested soon, and I want you to ready.¡±

    I watched father walk off into the darkness. Truth be told, I did not know how to react. Father and I did not share words often. Moments like that gave me hope that more would follow. Seeing him in the moonlight, his likeness was that of a titan. Looking over to Estrianes, I found him lying on his back, beginning to sink into sleep.

    It occurred to me as I yawned that father may have wanted to talk to us with the goal of calming us so we can sleep. The thought was soon fleeting and I lay back on my cloak, looking up at the stars. Soon my eyes grew heavy and sleep finally came. Tomorrow would be chance to prove myself, and not fully realizing it at the time, I would give anything for a reason to make father proud.

 Chapter 5: The Rider with the Golden Torc

    I woke to rays of light on my face. Wiping the drool from my face, I waited for my eyes to adjust to the light. Men were waking up to get ready for the day before us but few were talking. I rubbed my face drowsily. I had almost been too excited to fall asleep the last night. Rising and walking over to the rocky cliff, I relieved myself on the wall of stone. The cool morning air blew across the camp. The faint smell of wildflowers was a welcome addition to the morning.

    When I had finished watering the rock, Estrianes rose and put an end to Helion¡¯s snoring with a swift elbow. The three of us were excited for this day, we were one day closer to glory. More warriors were waking and arming themselves when commanders came through shouting for everyone to rise and ready themselves for the march. I gnawed on a piece of dried meat I had from my bag, while I donned my cloak, shield, and helmet. Father and Estriadites seemed to have left for the front of the line.

    Everyone around us was in various stages of readiness. Some complained while others were drowsily collecting their belongings and barking orders at their slaves. Others took their time and stretched or made conversation before doing anything of worth. Space within the pass was rapidly filling with warm bodies, yawning and scratching themselves.

    Leandros squeezed his way back to us. ¡°Father requests you and Estrianes to join him,¡± he said with his head slightly bowed to me. In that moment, I actually felt envy. It was unclear if it was a dream or if it was the way the sun struck him, but I envied him for inheriting father¡¯s imposing physique, while I took after my mother.

    I looked back to find Helion pissing. ¡°Tell father we will join him presently.¡± Leandros nodded. He turned to leave I called to him, ¡°Wait!¡± He turned back. ¡°Does father-¡± I paused trying to find the right words.

    Shouts trickled up to us along with a rumbling noise. ¡°Is that a rock slide?¡± I asked ignorantly. The rumbling got closer with the sound of metal striking metal. Looking around, I saw a dust cloud behind us. Where we stood was close to the back end of our line, closer to The Narrows.

    ¡°That almost sounds like horse hooves,¡± stated Helion. ¡°That can¡¯t be right.¡±

    ¡°Come with me, quickly,¡± pleaded Leandros as he placed his hand on my shoulder.

    With all the men around us, there wasn¡¯t much space to move. We squeezed through a group of hoplites and slaves, only to get stuck pressed against more men beyond them. ¡°Please make way. Please make way for my master!¡± pleaded Leandros.

    A big hoplite in front of him was pressed against other men, ¡°I can¡¯t move.¡±

    ¡°Please, make way!¡±

    Removing his helmet, ¡°I don¡¯t take orders from slaves,¡± he said and pushed Leandros back into me. I hadn¡¯t been paying attention because I was trying to see what was happening behind us. Knocked off balance, I turned. The large hoplite in front of Leandros made a fist but an arrow pierced through his eye and the big man fell back into others.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± I yelled. We turned to see enemy horsemen riding through our disorganized line, chopping and slashing at unready hoplites. ¡°How the fuck did they get up here with horses?!¡± Everyone tried to run in different directions but either tripped over equipment or got stuck in the mass of soldiers. Many, regardless of how ready, grabbed spears and turned to face the enemy.

    That was the first time I saw him. I will never forget that moment. A rider emerged and the sun glinted off the silver scales of his lamellar thorax. His redshirt was brighter than blood and the sleeves were embroidered with gold. Around his neck was a torc made of gold. The helmet he wore was engraved with a screaming face, above the brow line. When he leaned forward in pursuit, the howling face of bronze stared down at his prey.

    I had never seen an enemy warrior, of any kind. The horse trampled a hoplite and knocked another to the ground. He quickly drew from his hip quiver and loosed a shaft into a slave, killing him instantly. The speed with which he drew and fired was astounding. By the time the second hoplite regained his footing, the rider loosed a shaft into an unarmored hoplite and another slave. Both were fatal shots.

    By the time it was realized he was only one man, more of his men rode up and began loosing arrows. One struck my shield and shook my body. I fell back into Leandros, who helped me regain footing. ¡°The line¡¯s starting to m-¡± an arrow flew over m shoulder.

    I looked behind me to find Leandros collapsing with an arrow sticking from his throat. His eyes were wide and watery, blood ran like a stream from his wound. The men around us backed away. I stood there stunned, watching Leandros cough and choke on his own blood. Estrianes grabbed me by the shoulder. ¡°The column moves!¡± he shouted. ¡°Keep your shield up!¡±

    Chaos reigned. Leandros was kicking and writhing on the ground, turning the dirt beneath him red. Some men in front of me began throwing spears at the horsemen, causing them to turn back the way they came. The rider with the golden torc turned away, rotated around on his horse, and fired a parting shot which struck a hoplite in the groin.

    There was shouting behind me. I could see our men making way for someone. Emerging from the chaos behind us was Kyron and Klysestes, fully armored, desire for blood in their eyes. ¡°Fall to fucking formation!¡± Klysestes barked. ¡°We¡¯re now the rearguard. The phalanx forms here.¡± Men who lacked them quickly grabbed shields. ¡°Form up four ranks deep. Anyone else goes with the army!¡±

    Helion, Estrianes, and I fell in with the first rank, ten paces from Klysestes. Our shields locked together and our spears were ready. In front of us, the riders had ridden back to deal with the groups of our men that they had first attacked, killing the survivors. Their screams echoed through the pass. Seeing this, Kysestes craned his head back, ¡°Turn back and set feet to purpose! Reform two hundred paces back, now!¡±This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Our two hundred hoplites turned and ran back towards our advancing column as quickly as we could. Around one hundred paces, keeping as much order in the ranks as possible, we stopped and the last row running turned and became the first rank facing the enemy. Everyone panted in their armor. Our shields locked and a bead of sweat rand down under my helmet. No sooner did the sweat fall to the ground when our enemies came down upon us.

    Riders with swords and axes were galloping towards us. They reared their horses and stopped the charge when presented with our armored forest of spears. The lead rider stopped his horse ten paces in front of us, only to take a spear through his chest. He toppled backward off his horse. I looked over and saw Klysestes with his throwing arm still outstretched. He looked over his shoulder at the man behind him, ¡°Spear!¡± The man eagerly supplied him.

    The other riders steered their horses back in the other direction to get out of range. Arrows dropped in front of us as their horse archers made their way towards us. ¡°Spread word!¡± shouted Klysestes. ¡°We move back a step on my command!¡± The order was echoed by other men, to spread the order throughout the line. More arrows fell on the ground at our feet. ¡°Shield wall!¡±

    At Klysestes¡¯ command, our second rank pressed in and held their shields above ours, theirs leaning back at an angle. Our third rank moved in closer and used their shields to support the weight of the second rank and cover their own heads. The flanks of our line bent in so that the line formed a very shallow C shape. The spears we held protruded through the small spaces between shields.

    Arrows made loud thuds as they struck our shields. I couldn¡¯t tell how many archers there were. Looking out between a small space between shields, it sounded like rainfall. ¡°Back!¡± yelled Klysestes. In one movement, as close to unison as we could manage, our shield wall moved back a step. Again and again, the command was issued.

    ¡°Someone¡¯s behind us!¡± shouted a man behind me.

    A cold sweat formed on my brow. My hands that strained to keep my shield up grew cold as ice. My teeth clenched as the third arrow struck my shield. Voices behind us yelled ¡°Cover them!¡± said one.

    ¡°Aim for the horses if you have to!¡± shouted another.

    I exhaled in relief. The man behind me clapped me on the shoulder. ¡°Our archers will over our retreat!¡± he said excitedly.

    I couldn¡¯t see how many archers had joined us, but the enemy horsemen withdrew quickly in small groups, still firing as they fled. ¡°Withdraw!¡± ordered Klysestes. Our shield wall broke apart and we began our rush to regroup with the army began. The hoplites jogged while the sixty archers escorting us kept up with ease, often turning quickly to loose shafts to keep the horsemen at bay.

    Arrows landed behind us while we ran. Nearing the end of the pass which held the path down to the plain below, our enemies¡¯ arrows fell even closer to our heels. I looked behind us. The enemy cavalry was rapidly closing the distance between us. The archer running to my side took an arrow to the chest as he turned to fire. Another had his foot pinned to the ground, screaming in pain. I could see the sparse trees that marked the end of the path. Around the bend would be the start of the path down. There was a very loud noise from behind my helmet, and I fell forward onto my face. The world turned black.

    ****

    I couldn¡¯t tell what was happening or how long I had been out. Though I was awake, I couldn¡¯t move my body. My feet dragged over the ground. Someone was trying to carry me or at least pull me forward. Slowly, I got my feet under me and mumbled something. Looking up, I saw it was Kyron dragging me. ¡°Start running you useless fuck!¡± Behind us were Helion and Estrianes with their shields taking arrows.

    I got my legs working and pushed Kyron off. ¡°Cock eater,¡± I think I mumbled.

    He cracked a smile I could barely see through the cheek guards of his helmet. ¡°Perhaps someday you may actually become a man.¡± I attributed my lack of retort to my throbbing head.

    The hoplites made it through the pass. One of the last ones in line, I ran around the bend and was caught by Klysestes, pulling me to a stop. ¡°We¡¯re ambushing these cunts,¡± he said with a grin. Still stunned, I didn¡¯t pretend to know what was happening. I just followed Kyron, taking up position just around the bend that led downhill. The rest of our hoplites were further along the path down. Our ambush party of thirty hoplites hunkered down while what remained of the archers in the pass held the enemy off and began to fall back, retreating past us.

    We formed a diagonal line so that if horses bolted around the corner they wouldn¡¯t crash into our men and be vulnerable on their flank nearest the cliff at the edge of the path. I took my helmet off and looked at its back. There was a sizable dent. I rubbed the back of my head. ¡°They¡¯re coming!¡± cried an archer as he ran by us. I put my helmet back on and readied my spear. Galloping hooves thundered towards us, crows cried above us, a death omen. I raised my shield.

    Horsemen swiftly rounded the corner, right into our trap. The startled riders reared their horses in front of our line. Our men set their hands to purpose. Spears thrust into the bellies of horses. Riders fell to the ground and were themselves speared. The cavalry charge had stopped and the ones in front shouted in their savage tongue to those behind.

    I plunged my spear into the belly of a horseman to my side. The bloody spearhead ripped out of him and the man fell from his horse. ¡°Push them back!¡± roared Klysestes. ¡°Kill the horses!¡± The rider-less horses that panicked looked desperately for a way out. They turned and galloped back into other riders, forcing a few off the cliff, who fells screaming. Those in back retreated as quickly as possible.

    We broke rank while closing on our foes. I stayed out of reach while striking a horse in the neck. It fell and Kyron thrust his spear into the rider¡¯s side, toppling him from his mount. My spear planted in the man¡¯s unarmored chest. I looked at Kyron and nodded.

    Klysestes felled two riders, his spear moving quickly like a serpent¡¯s tongue. Whatever was keeping them from leaving seemed to have been sorted and the remaining riders and panicking horses in the back fled into the mountain pass. I found a wounded man and with a roar, plunged my spear so hard I felt it pierce the dirt beneath him. At first, he grabbed the shaft of my spear but then his grip slackened and his eyes grew distant and still.

    Beneath us on the grass were about fourteen bodies and none of them ours. Peering around the corner, I could see many more horsemen regrouping. The redshirt stood out from the rest. The rider with the golden torc shouted at his men and pointed in my direction. ¡°We need to leave,¡± I said.

    When I turned around I saw everyone else already moving down the path to the plains below. Jogging after them, I saw what stirred their flight. Our army had made it down onto the plains but a large body of cavalry appeared and suddenly engaged them. Under arrow fire, I saw a wedge of horsemen speed toward the back of the line. I set my feet to purpose.

 Chapter 5: The Rider with the Golden Torc

    I woke to rays of light on my face. Wiping the drool from my face, I waited for my eyes to adjust to the light. Men were waking up to get ready for the day before us but few were talking. I rubbed my face drowsily. I had almost been too excited to fall asleep the last night. Rising and walking over to the rocky cliff, I relieved myself on the wall of stone. The cool morning air blew across the camp. The faint smell of wildflowers was a welcome addition to the morning.

    When I had finished watering the rock, Estrianes rose and put an end to Helion¡¯s snoring with a swift elbow. The three of us were excited for this day, we were one day closer to glory. More warriors were waking and arming themselves when commanders came through shouting for everyone to rise and ready themselves for the march. I gnawed on a piece of dried meat I had from my bag, while I donned my cloak, shield, and helmet. Father and Estriadites seemed to have left for the front of the line.

    Everyone around us were in various stages of readiness. Some complained while others were drowsily collecting their belongings and barking orders at their slaves. Others took their time and stretched or made conversation before doing anything of worth. Space within the pass was rapidly filling with warm bodies, yawning and scratching themselves.

    Leandros squeezed his way back to us. ¡°Father requests you and Estrianes to join him,¡± he said with his head slightly bowed to me. In that moment, I actually felt envy. It was unclear if it was from a dream or if it was the way the sun struck him, but I envied him for inheriting father¡¯s imposing physique, while I took after my mother.

    I looked back to find Helion pissing. ¡°Tell father we will join him presently.¡± Leandros nodded. He turned to leave I called to him, ¡°Wait!¡± He turned back. ¡°Does father-¡± I paused trying to find the right words.

    Shouts trickled up to us along with a rumbling noise. ¡°Is that a rock slide?¡± I asked ignorantly. The rumbling got closer with the sound of metal striking metal. Looking around, I saw a dust cloud behind us. Where we stood was close to the back end of our line, closer to The Narrows.

    ¡°That almost sounds like horse hooves,¡± stated Helion. ¡°That can¡¯t be right.¡±

    ¡°Come with me, quickly,¡± pleaded Leandros as he placed his hand on my shoulder.

    With all the men around us, there wasn¡¯t much space to move. We squeezed through a group of hoplites and slaves, only to get stuck pressed against more men beyond them. ¡°Please make way. Please make way for my master!¡± pleaded Leandros.

    A big hoplite in front of him was pressed against other men, ¡°I can¡¯t move.¡±

    ¡°Please, make way!¡±

    Removing his helmet, ¡°I don¡¯t take orders from slaves,¡± he said and pushed Leandros back into me. I hadn¡¯t been paying attention because I was trying to see what was happening behind us. Knocked off balance, I turned. The large hoplite in front of Leandros made a fist but an arrow pierced through his eye and the big man fell back into others.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± I yelled. We turned to see enemy horsemen riding through our disorganized line, chopping and slashing at unready hoplites. ¡°How the fuck did they get up here with horses?!¡± Everyone tried to run in different directions but either tripped over equipment or got stuck in the mass of soldiers. Many, regardless of how ready, grabbed spears and turned to face the enemy.

    That was the first time I saw him. I will never forget that moment. A rider emerged and the sun glinted off the silver scales of his lamellar thorax. His red shirt was brighter than blood and the sleeves were embroidered with gold. Around his neck was a torc made of gold. The helmet he wore was engraved with a screaming face, above the brow line. When he leaned forwarded in pursuit, the howling face of bronze stared down at his prey.

    I had never seen an enemy warrior, of any kind. The horse trampled a hoplite and knocked another to the ground. He quickly drew from his hip quiver and loosed a shaft into a slave, killing him instantly. The speed with which he drew and fired was astounding. By the time the second hoplite regained his footing, the rider loosed a shaft into an unarmored hoplite and another slave. Both were fatal shots.

    By the time it was realized he was only one man, more of his men rode up and began loosing arrows. One struck my shield and shook my body. I fell back into Leandros, who helped me regain footing. ¡°The line¡¯s starting to m-¡± an arrow flew over m shoulder.

    I looked behind me to find Leandros collapsing with an arrow sticking from his throat. His eyes were wide and watery, blood ran like a stream from his wound. The men around us backed away. I stood there stunned, watching Leandros cough and choke on his own blood. Estrianes grabbed me by the shoulder. ¡°The column moves!¡± he shouted. ¡°Keep your shield up!¡±

    Chaos reigned. Leandros was kicking and writhing on the ground, turning the dirt beneath him red. Some men in front of me began throwing spears at the horsemen, causing them to turn back the way they came. The rider with the golden torc turned away, rotated around on his horse, and fired a parting shot which struck a hoplite in the groin.

    There was shouting behind me. I could see our men making way for someone. Emerging from the chaos behind us was Kyron and Klysestes, fully armored, desire for blood in their eyes. ¡°Fall to fucking formation!¡± Klysestes barked. ¡°We¡¯re now the rearguard. The phalanx forms here.¡± Men who lacked them quickly grabbed shields. ¡°Form up four ranks deep. Anyone else goes with the army!¡±

    Helion, Estrianes, and I fell in with the first rank, ten paces from Klysestes. Our shields locked together and our spears were ready. In front of us, the riders had rode back to deal with the groups of our men that they had first attacked, killing the survivors. Their screams echoed through the pass. Seeing this, Kysestes craned his head back, ¡°Turn back and set feet to purpose! Reform two hundred paces back, now!¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Our two hundred hoplites turned and ran back towards our advancing column as quickly as we could. Around one hundred paces, keeping as much order in the ranks as possible, we stopped and the last row running turned and became the first rank facing the enemy. Everyone panted in their armor. Our shields locked, a bead of sweat rand down under my helmet. No sooner did the sweat fall to the ground when our enemies came down upon us.

    Riders with swords and axes were galloping towards us. They reared their horses and stopped the charge when presented with our armored forest of spears. The lead rider stopped his horse ten paces in front of us, only to take a spear through his chest. He toppled backward off his horse. I looked over and saw Klysestes with his throwing arm still outstretched. He looked over his shoulder to the man behind him, ¡°Spear!¡± The man eagerly supplied him.

    The other riders steered their horses back in the other direction to get out of range. Arrows dropped in front of us as their horse archers made their way towards us. ¡°Spread word!¡± shouted Klysestes. ¡°We move back a step on my command!¡± The order was echoed by other men, to spread the order throughout the line. More arrows fell on the ground at our feet. ¡°Shield wall!¡±

    At Klysestes¡¯ command our second rank pressed in and held their shields above ours, theirs leaning back at an angle. Our third rank move in closer and used their shields to support the weight of the second rank and cover their own heads. The flanks of our line bent in so that the line formed a very shallow C shape. The spears we held protruded through the small spaces between shields.

    Arrows made loud thuds as they struck our shields. I couldn¡¯t tell how many archers there were. Looking out between a small space between shields, it sounded like rainfall. ¡°Back!¡± yelled Klysestes. In one movement, as close to unison as we could manage, our shield wall moved back a step. Again and again the command was issued.

    ¡°Someone¡¯s behind us!¡± shouted a man behind me.

    A cold sweat formed on my brow. My hands that strained to keep my shield up grew cold as ice. My teeth clenched as the third arrow struck my shield. Voices behind us yelled ¡°Cover them!¡± said one.

    ¡°Aim for the horses if you have to!¡± shouted another.

    I exhaled in relief. The man behind me clapped me on the shoulder. ¡°Our archers will over our retreat!¡± he said excitedly.

    I couldn¡¯t see how many archers had joined us, but the enemy horsemen withdrew quickly in small groups, still firing as they fled. ¡°Withdraw!¡± ordered Klysestes. Our shield wall broke apart and we began our rush to regroup with the army began. The hoplites jogged while the sixty archers escorting us kept up with ease, often turning quickly to loose shafts to keep the horsemen at bay.

    Arrows landed behind us while we ran. Nearing the end of the pass which held the path down to the plain below, our enemies¡¯ arrows fell even closer to our heels. I looked behind us. The enemy cavalry was rapidly closing the distance between us. The archer running to my side took an arrow to the chest as he turned to fire. Another had his foot pinned to the ground, screaming in pain. I could see the sparse trees that marked the end of the path. Around the bend would be the start of the path down. There was a very loud noise from behind my helmet, and I fell forward onto my face. The world turned black.

    I couldn¡¯t tell what was happening or how long I had been out. Though I was awake, I couldn¡¯t move my body. My feet dragged over the ground. Someone was trying to carry me or at least pull my forward. Slowly, I got my feet under me and mumbled something. Looking up, I saw it was Kyron dragging me. ¡°Start running you useless fuck!¡± Behind us were Helion and Estrianes with their shields taking arrows.

    I got my legs working and pushed Kyron off. ¡°Cock eater,¡± I think I mumbled.

    He cracked a smile I could barely see though the cheek guards of his helmet. ¡°Perhaps someday you may actually become a man.¡± I attributed my lack of retort to my throbbing head.

    The hoplites made it through the pass. One of the last ones in line, I ran around the bend and was caught by Klysestes, pulling me to a stop. ¡°We¡¯re ambushing these cunts,¡± he said with a grin. Still stunned, I didn¡¯t pretend to know what was happening. I just followed Kyron, taking up position just around the bend that led downhill. The rest of our hoplites were further along the path down. Our ambush party of thirty hoplites hunkered down while what remained of the archers in the pass held the enemy off and began to fall back, retreating past us.

    We formed a diagonal line so that if horses bolted around the corner they wouldn¡¯t crash into our men and be vulnerable on their flank nearest the cliff at the edge of the path. I took my helmet off and looked at its back. There was a sizable dent. I rubbed the back of my head. ¡°They¡¯re coming!¡± cried an archer as he ran by us. I put my helmet back on and readied my spear. Galloping hooves thundered towards us, crows cried above us, a death omen. I raised my shield.

    Horsemen swiftly rounded the corner, right into our trap. The startled riders reared their horses in front of our line. Our men set their hands to purpose. Spears thrust into the bellies of horses. Riders fell to the ground and were themselves speared. The cavalry charge had stopped and the ones in front shouted in their savage tongue to those behind.

    I plunged my spear into the belly of a horseman to my side. The bloody spearhead ripped out of him and the man fell from his horse. ¡°Push them back!¡± roared Klysestes. ¡°Kill the horses!¡± The rider-less horses that panicked looked desperately for a way out. They turned and galloped back into other riders, forcing a few off the cliff, who fells screaming. Those in back retreated as quickly as possible.

    We broke rank while closing on our foes. I stayed out of reach while striking a horse in the neck. It fell and Kyron thrust his spear into the rider¡¯s side, toppling him from his mount. My spear planted in the man¡¯s unarmored chest. I looked to Kyron and nodded.

    Klysestes felled two riders, his spear moving quickly like a serpent¡¯s tongue. Whatever was keeping them from leaving seemed to have been sorted and the remaining riders and panicking horses in the back fled into the mountain pass. I found a wounded man and with a roar, plunged my spear so hard I felt it pierce the dirt beneath him. At first he grabbed the shaft of my spear but then his grip slackened and his eyes grew distant and still.

    Beneath us on the grass were about fourteen bodies and none of them ours. Peering around the corner, I could see many more horsemen regrouping. The red shirt stood out from the rest. The rider with the golden torc shouted at his men and pointed in my direction. ¡°We need to leave,¡± I said.

    When I turned around I saw everyone else already moving down the path to the plains below. Jogging after them, I saw what stirred their flight. Our army had made it down onto the plains but a large body of cavalry appeared and suddenly engaged them. Under arrow fire, I saw a wedge of horsemen speed toward the back of the line. I set my feet to purpose.

 Chapter 6: Loss of All Kinds

    We sped down the wide path leading to the plains. More than halfway down was a thicket of small trees on the mountain side of the path, opposite a sheer cliff. An archer ran out and Klysestes stopped, urging us to keep going. While I moved on, I saw about twenty archers concealing themselves in the thicket, preparing their ambush.

    Our contingent slowed when we all reached the grass and I fell to formation. We drank quickly from water skins. Helion and Estrianes made motions to join them further up in the line. The main army seemed only about three hundred paces away but the distance was growing. Sounds of combat filled the air. Horses galloped and arrows soared through the air. Sweat dripped down the inside of my helmet.

    ¡°Right then,¡± bellowed Klysestes. ¡°Rejoin with the army! No man stops till we¡¯re all together.¡± I barely had the stopper in my water skin before everyone advanced at speed. We all were breathing heavily, especially those in full bronze panoplies. I struggled to keep my sweaty grip on my spear so that it did not slide from my grasp. Memories of father entered my head, reminding me to wrap a leather cord around the middle of the shaft to make a grip for such a purpose, one of many things that would have to be experienced rather than taught, I supposed. The small things of warfare.

    Shouts and battle cries echoed behind us. Looking over my shoulder, I saw enemy cavalry coming down the path, coming to launch arrows into our backs. The archers and slingers Klysestes had positioned in the thicket now made their presence known, at close range, and felled both riders and horses alike, halting their progress.

    Pushing forward, I knew that small thicket was the only thing standing between the archers and the enemy riding through them. They could not hold for long, only delay the enemy until they have no missiles left and be killed. We were close to our men now.

    A nagging pain entered my side while I ran. Running had never been something I valued. Simply, hoplites don¡¯t run in battle. But here we were, running, another small thing. What distracted me was the face down bodies of a pair of slaves. Both had arrows in them. The further we jogged the more bodies we saw. Most were slaves but some were hoplites. All were pierced with arrows. Some cried out in pain as they lay in the field¡¯s grass, but we had not the time to help, lest we share their condition.

    Only twenty paces. A few horsemen engaged in a melee with some of our hoplites. They stood between us and the rest of the army. As we approached, I gathered air in my lungs for a battle cry and noticed we were not running towards the main army but that the army had split into smaller groups along the field. Klysestes shouted something and took half of the men with us and ran off to aid a group of hoplites on the verge of collapse.

    We gave voice to our bloodlust with a roar as we charged. When the horsemen in front of us realized what was happening, it was too late. Encircled, they were stabbed from all sides. The rider in front of me fell from his horse. I pushed through to skewer him. Though it was embarrassing to admit at the time, I paused with brief curiosity, like seeing an exotic bird for the first time. The man was not like the others I¡¯d seen that day. His shiny conical helmet laid on the ground next to him, exposing his black hair and the tan completion of his face. It was the first time I laid eyes on an Elahkarian noble.

    His black and gold embroidered cape whirled about as he rose, slashing with a curved sword. Fierce eyes darted around defensively. A drop of blood from his nose fell from his beard down to his radiant white tunic. We hesitated because he was an impressive sight. His clothes were above any quality I had yet seen. Fingers wore rings of gold, matching the gold pendant and his sword¡¯s pommel. The man moved with the ferocity of a cornered lion.

    The noble slashed his sword at us, knocking our spears away and making us step back, shouting some words I couldn¡¯t understand. The sounds of his men dying around him seem to only infuriate him more. ¡°So let¡¯s kill him already,¡± said Estrianes and lurched forward thrusting his spear. The Elahkarian swiftly moved to the side and cut the head off the spear.

    Estrianes drew back and pulled his sword from its scabbard. ¡°Strike as one!¡± yelled Kyron. Helion, Estrianes, Kyron, and I rushed in, shields held high. The Elahkarian¡¯s curved sword deflected the two higher thrusts but mine struck home. I pinned his foot to the ground. The man howled and the other two spears struck his chest but didn¡¯t pierce him.

    The Elahkarian fell down and I freed my spear. Coming up to his knees, he regained balance and lashed out at us with his sword, clinking across our spear shafts, across and then back. I struck his chest which only made him grunt. Kyron again struck a perfect blow but no blood emerged.

    ¡°What fucking magic is this?!¡± cried Kyron.

    I waited for his strike and when it came, I slipped it and struck a blow at his face. My spear went through his clenched teeth, breaking them and piercing his cheek. The man¡¯s scream was horrific as he grabbed the spear shaft. It was a moment of pure suffering. My triumph soured as I realized just how painful a death would take him to the afterlife. I tried to remove my spear but the man gripped it tight with panic.

    Kyron ended it with a spear through the man¡¯s eye. We pulled our spears from the dead man. The hoplites around us finished dispatching their enemies to the next life. Kyron kneeled down and pulled the neckline of the fallen Elahkarian¡¯s tunic revealing exquisite thorax made of small golden scales. ¡°If I only had time to take this,¡± he said, quickly pulling the golden rings off the man¡¯s fingers. Estrianes grabbed the corpses other hand and with one sword strike, severed the fingers. He collected the fingers which still wore golden rings and hastily stuck them into a bag.

    Small battles were raging close to us. We all started moving to aid the closest group of hoplites. It looked like most groups were keeping horsemen at bay with spears, locking shields and forming circular schiltrons which protected the slaves and skirmishers at their centers. Horse archers rode between the groups, loosing arrows at any exposed targets they could find.

    This was when I realized that this was only less than half our army, at best. The closest group of hoplites banded tightly together. They stood around wounded men. Elahkarians rode close and fired arrows at them. Most bounced off or stuck in the faces of their bronze shields. Turning to fall back, the riders walked right into us. My spear dug into a rider¡¯s arm, and he rode away as quickly as possible. Kyron¡¯s spear collapsed a horse and Estrianes decapitated the rider with a mighty blow from his sword, turning to his next enemy. Blood from the decapitation painted his armor.

    The schiltron opened and hoplites ran to encircle our enemies. Our spearmen made quick work of our mounted foes. Our group was now almost twice as large. Cheers went up as hoplites stabbed the dead Elahkarians for good measure, after stripping the corpses of easy gold. The wounded men they had been protecting had only minor wounds and seemed to move fine.

    On the other side of the field, we saw Klysestes had taken his men and combined with another schiltron and were now moving on. ¡°A few more and we¡¯re united!¡± cried Kyron. Slaves helped the wounded get on their feet and also dressed any wounds they could. A few slaves saw the chaos in that moment and ran off towards some nearby woods, not looking back. One hoplite yelled at the fleeing slaves, readied to throw his spear, and then halted. He knew how useless a gesture it would be.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    Two schiltrons were ahead, one almost a hundred paces in front of us and another over double the distance to the right. In front of us, the hoplites were holding their ground. The other group seemed to have twice the enemy cavalry attacking them. It made sense to aid the men already in our path, but as we got closer to both groups, I thought I heard something familiar.

    We prepared to charge. I began to feel the pain in my side again and slowed my pace. That¡¯s when I heard the familiar voice booming. A few of us straggled behind a few paces behind, trying to catch our breath. The voice came from the other schiltron. It sounded like an orator both shouting encouragement and barking orders. I slowed my gait and strained my eyes.

    We were now about eighty paces from the group to our right. Their schiltron was slowly crumbling. One shield caught my eye. My father¡¯s white owl in a circle of black he had freshly painted on his shield the day before. I stopped completely. Enemy cavalry regrouped and charged the crumbling formation. ¡°Father!¡± I yelled. ¡°Estrianes, with me!¡±

    I ran towards my father, ignoring the pain in my side. Looking behind, I saw another hoplite break and run after me. My smile quickly faded when I realized instead of Estrianes, Kyron now ran toward me, ¡°Come back, coward!¡±

    Thinking I couldn¡¯t persuade him to help, I ran faster. Again, most of my armor was not made of bronze, which gave me an advantage in speed. It didn¡¯t help that Kyron was a better athlete though. He pursued me at impressive speed. The question wasn¡¯t if he could catch up but rather when.

    He was shouting something at me that I chose to ignore. Fear that he would catch up and spear me, not a logical fear, drove me to near panic. When he got closer, I saw him point his spear in another direction. My eyes followed the spear, I saw a rider closing the distance to us with haste. Two more were further behind him. I was halfway to my father¡¯s men when I stopped running and collected my breath and readied to receive their charge.

    Raising my shield, I watched the rider bare down on me. I could see that the rider wore only leather armor, which would be meaningful if I had not missed my strike. When the moment came, I struck out with my spear, which the rider parried. He struck where my helmet met its horsehair crest with an ax, sending me tumbling to the ground.

    I got up as quickly as I could, to see the rider already on another pass. My shield shot up and took the blow head on, with a loud cracking sound. Another hit like that might break my shield. It took a moment to realize my spear was still on the ground. Collecting it quickly, I wheeled to face my attacker. The rider had stopped and turned his horse for another pass. He laughed loudly, as one might after hearing a joke absent of humor, and shouted something at me.

    The rider faced me and kicked his heels into the horse for another charge when he was struck in the back with the spear Kyron hurled. He fell from his mount with the spearhead slightly protruding from his chest. Kyron caught up to the rider, placing a foot on his back, he ripped the spear free and planted the head into the base of the man¡¯s neck.

    ¡°Behind you!¡± I tried to warn him.

    An arrow flew into Kyron¡¯s hip. He roared rather than screamed as if the arrow merely angered him. Trying to stand straight, he left the spear and drew his sword. Balancing on the opposite leg, banged the flat of the sword on his shield twice. ¡°Come on then!¡± he shouted to the approaching riders.

    I looked at Kyron and then back at my father¡¯s men, who were doing their best to hold strong despite their dwindling number. The decision was made. I bolted towards Kyron, only to be stopped by an arrow striking my shield. The arrowhead actually pierced through my shield above my arm. I looked up and saw the rider with the golden torc riding towards Kyron, curved sword in hand.

    The rider¡¯s head bore down, showing the engraving of the screaming face on his helmet. He leaned over on the horse to get a better slash when Kyron struck. In an instant, the rider pulled himself up straight, slipping Kyron¡¯s strike and slashed over the large bronze shield. I barely saw what happened before Kyron fell to the grass, squirming and holding his neck.

    The second rider came at me ready to strike. I ducked below the swing of his curved sword and watched him gallop by. My fury was directed at Golden Torc. With a war cry, I ran towards him, my silent prayer demanding blood from the war god. Golden Torc didn¡¯t move. He merely turned his horse to face me and watched me charge him, waiving the other rider off.

    Now within striking range, I planted my feet and thrust my spear point as hard as I could. Golden Torc leaned slightly and lopped off my spearhead with ease. It took me a heartbeat or two to register what had happened. I turned my spear in my hand and thrust the butt-spike at his chest. He swatted the blow away and brought his sword into the side of my helmet, hard.

    I laid on my back staring at the blue sky while the sun baked me. Ears rang and my head felt as though a bell were placed over me and rung. For a brief moment, nothing mattered. Not life, not death. I lay there unable to move. Another small thing, unable to know unless experienced. My wits returned to me as Golden Torc cast a shadow over me. His sword was ready in hand. Golden Torc only laughed and spit on me.

    In that moment, it would not be long for me to meet my ancestors. Instead of striking me down, he merely he rode away. My hands were shaking and my breathing was rushed. I often wondered why he did not end my life on that field. Perhaps it was merely the fact I was on the ground, out of reach. Perhaps he figured I was not worth the time when better warriors than I still walked the field.

    I dropped what remained of my spear and slid my shield off my arm. Grabbing the horsehair crest, I flung my helmet to the grass. Kyron lay near me, forever still. Helion and Estrianes were nowhere to be seen. I rubbed my face with both hands and tried to slow my breathing.

    There weren¡¯t more than thirty paces separating me from father¡¯s schiltron. I stood and collected my shield and picked up Kyron¡¯s spear. I turned to find father, standing amidst a pile of dying men, with an arrow in his thigh. Encircled by their enemies, those that could stand did so together with each of their shields having many arrows lodged in the designs painted on their face. Most were barely standing.

    Father swung his sword with labored breath, missing a horseman. Golden Torc drew an arrow. I heard the release of the arrow as if I was next to him. The arrow flew into the muscle father¡¯s sword arm. My heart fell with father¡¯s sword. The other hoplites were in worse shape and slowly being finished off with well-placed arrows from a direction they could not defend.

    A rider dressed in long blue Elahkarian tunic rode up to father, now struggling to keep on two legs. With a flourish, he drew a polished straight sword with a golden hilt and stabbed the blade into father¡¯s neck, pushing it further down into his chest. I was absolutely still as he quickly withdrew the bloodstained blade and watched the body fall, not able to put belief into what I witnessed.

    The Elahkarian smiled and thrust his bloody sword in the air, the other horsemen roared with victory. The hoplites around father lay in a small pile where they were had died. I rose quickly with my shield and ran toward the noble. The Elahkarian had spotted me and seemed to regard me with about as much fear as a lion gazing at a house cat.

    Something struck the Elahkarian noble with a hard thump of impact. He dropped his sword and gripped his chest. There was the sound of something striking metal and another rider fell from his horse. I looked over saw about twenty hoplites and ten slingers running towards them. Golden Torc shouted and rode off leading the horsemen away. The Elahkarian swiftly rode after them, gripping his chest with one hand.

    I ran over to father¡¯s body and slumped to my knees, releasing both shield and spear. The other hoplites gathered around me, also looking at the dead. There was father, staring at the grass with half open eyes, slowly turning the green grass red.

    I felt that I should cry but for some reason was unable to form tears. I pulled my sword from its scabbard on the inside of my shield and threw it away from me, picking up the Elahkarian¡¯s beautiful straight sword. It was too long for my scabbard. I fit the bloody sword in and tied the hilt to the scabbard to make sure it didn¡¯t fall out.

    ¡°We have to leave,¡± someone shouted at me. ¡°They¡¯ll be back presently, with more horsemen.¡± I took a final look at father. Beyond him, horsemen gathered in the distance. I turned and joined the hoplites as we left to rejoin the army. In my head, I vowed that with the Elahkarian¡¯s own sword would I reap a trail of blood as an offering for the war god if he would grant me vengeance. Regardless, I would shed as much blood as I was able.

 Chapter 7: Hunted

    The walk was silently tense after we left the battlefield. We moved with purpose, our heads constantly turning to check for any hint of pursuers. The main road was not hard to miss. It was trampled by more than a thousand men. Their tracks would escape no one¡¯s eye. Men around me finally began to talk and complain.

    My head jumped from memory to memory, from father to Kyron to the Elahkarian I speared in the mouth. Occasionally someone tried to talk to me, but I remained confined to my own thoughts. The longer we walked, the more I thought, trying to wrap my head around everything that had happened. My first battle was over and now came feelings of exhaustion, hunger, and other small things that have to be experienced, not taught. My stomach ached, my arms trembled, and I felt clumsy in a way that I might trip over my own feet or walk into someone without realizing.

    I broke the arrow shafts off my shield and slung it over my back. Drinking greedily from my waterskin, I found it was almost empty. I replaced its stopper and looked over my shoulder for enemy cavalry, my nerves on a knife¡¯s edge. My stomach growled for food. Reaching for my bag, I noticed it was lighter than it had been that morning. Pulling it around, I saw a large slit had cut into it and that everything had fallen out at some point during the battle.

    That was the first word I had spoken since we left the field, ¡°Fuck.¡± I took the bag off and threw it to the ground with anger. I saw fellow hoplites stare at me. My stomach begged me to ask for food but pride demanded I suffer.

    ¡°There!¡± someone shouted at the front. Standing on my toes, I looked over shoulders of those ahead of me and saw another group of about twenty hoplites standing next to a patch of trees and waving spears in salutation. We moved in haste to join them.

    ¡°Estrios?!¡± my head stuck up. I searched the crowd to find who had called my name. Estriadites pushed his way past the men, ¡°Brother! Good to lay eyes on you.¡± For the first time in a long time, my older brother genuinely seemed happy with my presence. ¡°When the rearguard pulled back, I noticed father were not among them.¡± It was not lost on me that he searched only for father.

    The words stuck in my dry mouth. ¡°I¡­father fell.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re mistaken.¡± It would seem it is always the eldest brother¡¯s right to tell the younger what they do or do not know.

    ¡°I was there. He,¡± I let out a breath, ¡°has been put to grass.¡±

    Estriadites¡¯ face sobered, and he cleared his throat. His face bore a determined look, ¡°News made worse by uninvited guests.¡± I looked behind me. Down the road were two horsemen slowing to a stop before turning back and galloping back the way they came.

    ¡°They know our position now. Everyone, with me!¡± ordered Estriadites. Our band of forty hoplites and ten slingers moved at a quick pace, unsure of how long we had until the enemy cavalry bore down us in strength. ¡°There is a path off the main road up ahead we can take.¡±

    ****

    After moving at speed for longer than I was used to, the path was on our right. The grass was tall now and the path was noted only by the fact the tall grass was parted and trampled down by infrequent use. Moving single file, we got off the dirt road. I did my best to follow the man in front of me, Estriadites leading our line. The grass became smaller as we moved on and the path clearer to the eye. It took us through a small patch of woods, wound up and over a short but rocky ridge and led us up a slightly wooded hill.

    At the hill¡¯s crest, we stopped to catch our breath and take a moment¡¯s rest. Some of the hoplites with us had minor wounds they tended and the rest of us took time to eat or drink. I could feel all the dust caked on my legs from the road. The view from where I stood was beautiful, but my stomach quickly reminded me of its need.

    I sought distraction and walked over to where Estriadites sat on a patch of moss beneath a tree. ¡°How is it that the enemy fell upon us in the mountains, brother? I¡¯ve never seen trails wide enough for horses.¡±

    Estriadites looked up and laughed without humor. ¡°Yes. We ran down some Kalocean guides when the fighting broke out on the plain. Those godless cock eaters threw in their lot with the Elahkarians.¡±

    My mind barely comprehend what I had heard, ¡°To what end?¡±

    ¡°To see Demepolis and Lektrios removed from the fucking map.¡± Estriadites spit on the ground in anger. ¡°There are so many paths through the mountains, it should surprise no one.¡±

    We both looked down the path we had marched up. ¡°How do we find the army?¡±

    ¡°When the enemy attacked us on the plains, the line broke into groups. Ankarithesos led most down the road but a couple hundred stayed as rearguard so most of our men could continue.¡± He closed his eyes as a nice cool breeze came by. ¡°Father said the army would stop at the Eurabates shrine. We can regroup with them there.¡±

    ¡°And you are sure they will be there?¡±

    Estriadites arched an eyebrow, ¡°There is only one spring that I know of on the way to Lektrios, little brother. Can you guess where it is?¡±

    ¡°Eurabates,¡± I said dryly.

    ¡°That¡¯s where they¡¯ll be,¡± he said with a wink.

    I looked around at our surroundings. The grass was very green that day and the sun bright. In the distance, I could faintly make out some glints on the ridge behind us. Straining my eyes, I watched them move. A cluster of horsemen gathered on the ridge, sunlight glinting off their bronze helmets. ¡°There,¡± I said.

    Estriadites turned and his eyes followed my extended finger. ¡°Move with purpose!¡± he commanded. ¡°We have a ways yet to go.¡±

    We were off as quickly as our feet would carry us, down the other side of the hill. The summer heat beat down on us as we moved on. My throat was as dry as the dust caked on my legs. I had not wanted to ask anyone for water, but now I was unsure how much farther I could go before succumbing to thirst.

    Before long the path wound around a field of barley, and we were suddenly upon a burnt out village of thirty ruined houses. The men stopped at the outskirt of the village. There was no movement from within. No smoke rose to the heavens. No noise at all. My dry throat and grumbling stomach kept me from thinking of much else. We carefully walked into the village and noticed there weren¡¯t any bodies. Patches of ground looked as though they were stained with blood, but the bodies were nowhere to be found.

    While everyone made their way directly through the village to the stone well at its center, I ducked into one of the wrecked houses. The roof had collapsed and I saw charred limbs sticking out under blackened rubble. An amphora of water sat next to the wall.

    Part of it looked scorched but the amphora itself was a welcome sight. I praised the gods. My spear and shield fell from my hands and grabbed the amphora by both ceramic handles. Raising it up to my mouth, one of the handles broke off and the weight of the water within caused me to lose my grip. The amphora fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.

    I stood there silently, with the handle of the clay pot in one hand, watching the water disappear into the dirt. ¡°Fuck. Fuuuuuuck!¡± I threw the broken handle into a pile of debris, grabbed my spear and beat the broken pieces with the shaft. Walking outside, the rest of the men were already cursing loudly. ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°Elahkarians chopped off some poor fuck¡¯s head and dropped it down the well. Now the water¡¯s tainted,¡± replied a hoplite. The times when you want to curse the gods most are the times when relief seems within grasp but is just beyond your reach.

    ¡°Whoever has water or food, share it with those who are without,¡± ordered Estriadites. ¡°We won¡¯t reach shrine if half of us collapse of hunger or thirst.¡± My brother walked over to me, ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you eat all morning, here.¡± He handed me some stale bread, which I begrudgingly took. Some ran around to the burnt out houses looking for any amphorae of water, but none were found.

    Looking behind us when we left the ruined village, I could faintly see the cavalry moving down from the top of the hill. It would not be long before they were on our heels. If we were to fight, it would have to be on the ground of our choosing. My legs began to feel tight and the nagging pain returned to my side. I kept looking over my shoulder as we ran. The problem was that if we left the path, we would likely be lost. It was difficult to guess how well my brother knew the area and it was a chance I would rather not take, being lost, only to be found by the enemy.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    We ran past the decaying bodies of villagers as we cut through a wheat field. It looked as though they had lain in the sun for days. Shouts from behind us drew our attention. Twenty riders slowed to a trot and watched us. We readied for a fight but it never came. They only watched us.

    ¡°Back to the road!¡± shouted Estriadites. We all followed at speed. I pulled my helmet down firmly and prepared to cast my spear at a moment¡¯s notice. A short distance had been traveled before I realized no arrows were falling near us.

    ¡°They¡¯re not attacking!¡± I shouted. Our group slowed to a walk and looked back. The horsemen were slowly following us, careful to stay out of distance from our archers. Most of us were panting. ¡°We¡­ don¡¯t need¡­to run.¡±

    ¡°When¡­their friends come¡­we¡¯ll have to,¡± panted Estriadites. ¡°All the better¡­to move now.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll not run any farther,¡± stated the short hoplite. He looked around, ¡°Why should we not find water then seek cover, to return home in the cover of darkness?¡±

    ¡°What more can thirty men add?¡± asked another. ¡°The army is already gone. Why should we not return home?¡±

    ¡°You have us hide like scared children?¡± Estriadites turns to the rest of the men. ¡°Let¡¯s hold it to a vote. Who here votes to abandon our polis? Who among you would shame their ancestors and family in favor of living another day?¡±

    Many looked down at what I believed was embarrassment or shame. None held their hands up. ¡°Right then,¡± continued Estriadites, ¡°Let¡¯s be on our way.¡±

    We continued down the road with the riders following, crossing a field of wheat and passed a few burned out houses. The riders moved up and rode parallel to us, still out of range. For a time, they acted like our escort, making sure we got to our destination safely.

    ¡°Up ahead is the Hard Lands,¡± said Estriadites, ¡°Leaving the road, we can make our way to the shrine through the forest, and the horsemen won¡¯t be able to follow.¡±

    ¡°What if they follow us into the Hard Lands?¡±

    ¡°If they¡¯re that foolish and we¡¯re that lucky, we¡¯ll kill them,¡± he said with a wink, which was punctuated by a pained scream. Everyone turned to see one of our slingers fall with an arrow in him. More arrows fell between our feet and killed an archer standing at my side.

    The slingers loosed their missiles and drove the riders back. ¡°To the Hard Lands!¡± ordered Estriadites. The Hard Lands are just that, rocky patches of land that lead up to a cluster of hills. They are not ideal for horses, but men can traverse them easy enough. It just takes time. The road pierces these lands where the rocky terrain it¡¯s at its narrowest and continues on the other side where the terrain levels out into grassy terrain.

    We ran. The Hard Lands was just ahead. I sprinted to catch up with Estriadites when I felt the wind of an arrow on my neck when it struck him in the back plate of his bronze thorax. The arrow made a loud clang and bounced away leaving a noticeable dent in the armor. Estriadites toppled over and used his spear to regain footing.

    ¡°Are you hurt?!¡±

    ¡°No,¡± he replied. The grey boulders of the Hard Lands were only fifty paces further. ¡°All for themselves! Regroup in the forest!¡± he shouted to everyone.

    The hoplites ran off in small groups, with what was left of our slingers and archers. Large boulders were scattered over the ground with smaller rocks protruded from the grass between them. Estriadites, two other hoplites, and I ran up and over a boulder. When I landed on the ground behind it, I felt a chord in my sandal break. The more I ran, the looser its grip became on my foot.

    It took every effort within me not to curse the gods and lose their protection. My loose sandal caused me to trip, the butt spike of my spear planted in the ground, catching my fall. ¡°Brother, wait!¡± The three hoplites stopped and looked back.

    I was trying to fix my sandal when he circled around me. ¡°They can¡¯t see us, nor I them,¡± said one.

    ¡°Abantes, climb that boulder and give warning if enemies approach,¡± ordered my brother. He then bent down and took out a dagger and cut a length from his cloak. ¡°Give me your foot.¡± I held my leg out. He tied the fabric around my foot tightly so that the sandal was held in place. ¡°That will work for now.¡±

    Abantes climbed back down. ¡°Three horsemen approach. They¡¯re trying to guide their horses through the boulders, easy targets.¡±

    Estriadites smiled, ¡°Shall we?¡±

    ****

    The three horsemen were carefully riding their horses between boulders, their heads like squirrels, darting around to look for danger on their approach, bows ready and arrows nocked. I held my breath and lay as flat as I could on top of a boulder, only a bit taller than a man seated on horseback. I looked at Estriadites, also laid flat on top of a nearby boulder. He looked at me and shook his head.

    The clopping of horseshoes was next to us, though they were hidden from sight. We knew they wouldn¡¯t see us until they reached higher ground, so long as we remained flat. The horses snorted and clopped along between the boulders my brother and I lay on.

    Abantes emerged further up the hill, shouted at them and raised his shield and spear high in the air. ¡°Hey!¡± he shouted, ¡°Fuck you!¡± or something equally compelling. Bowstrings groaned and we heard the release of three arrows. Abantes caught all three in the face of his shield.

    Estriadites nodded and we both stood tall and cast our spears down, perfect throws. My brother¡¯s spear landed in one rider¡¯s neck and mine lodged between where the neck meets the shoulder. Both riders fell from their mounts. The final rider turned, startled, and our fourth hoplite speared him through the stomach and pushed him off the horse onto the ground, where he died after more holes were added to his chest.

    Abantes pulled one shaft from his shield face and broke the other two off. We all grinned like children after our first hunt. We ran down to claim anything of value on the corpses. Quickly searching the bodies, no gold was found. More horse nomads. More of Golden Torc¡¯s men with the same shaped eyes.

    We were careful not to spend much time lingering over the bodies. Ahead, we saw some scattered hoplites making their way into the woods. No riders were in pursuit. We ran up and regrouped amongst the trees with almost all that we set out with. Only two were unaccounted for.

    The forest began near the Hard Lands and spread for a large distance. Hills rolled into it the further you traveled. Estriadites and I walked at the head of the group. I wanted to say something about father but my thirst robbed me of words. I tried not to trip over my feet while we walked.

    ¡°Did you see father fall?¡± asked my brother.

    I cleared my throat, ¡°I did.¡±

    Estriadites grunted. ¡°Did he¡­die well?¡±

    I wasn¡¯t sure if that was something I could have judged at the time, but I knew what he wanted to hear. ¡°He died with honor. It was quick,¡± even as I spoke the words, it felt like I was carrying a weight in my chest. I now realize it was the feeling that something significant had happened, and I was uncertain about how it made me feel, like receiving bad news but leaving halfway through the explanation. That memory rattled around in my head, only to revisit later.

    ¡°You should have seen him fight,¡± stated Estriadites. ¡°We were¡­he fought like a lion amongst sheep.¡± I remembered father fighting off attackers while the rest of his men were dying. He moved with precision and measured ferocity.

    ¡°He stood his ground like a man should.¡± My brother smiled. I knew he imagined father in a heroic last stand, striking down barbarian after barbarian until his final breath. Some could call it that, but I saw him fall. It was the futile struggle of a tired, wounded man. We walked a while longer in silence.

    ¡°Remember when father became drunk at the harvest festival and gave the silver cup he inherited from grandfather to a stranger? It was the one with satyrs engraved on it?¡± he laughed. ¡°He lost track of the man during the festivities and never saw him again.¡±

    He noted my blank stare. ¡°It may have been when you were still an infant,¡± he continued to laugh. ¡°That cup might have been worth¡­half a silver talent?¡±

    I remembered father being far stricter, a man I could never imagine allowing himself to have an excess of wine. ¡°That hardly sounds like the man I knew.¡±

    ¡°Well, there are a lot of things you might not know about father,¡± he said solemnly. ¡°It was just after grandfather had died and before father lost our fortune.¡±

    I¡¯m not sure if he expected me to laugh or ask questions, but I had nothing to offer. The truth is that I never really knew what to say in the moment. Whenever my father was the subject, words left me. As someone who I was never wholly familiar with, I would just fall silent.

    ****

    Estriadites halted our group and looked around. ¡°What is it?¡± I asked.

    He pointed uphill. ¡°This way,¡± Estriadites called to the men as he led the way.

    ¡°I thought the shrine would straight ahead,¡± I stated.

    ¡°It is but the stream that waters the shrine comes from uphill. If we head uphill, we should find the stream and follow it. I would sooner quench my thirst rather than wait.¡±

    It made sense to me and after a short hike, we began to hear it. The sound of running water created a mad dash which culminated with some men tripping over eager feet. Cupping our hands, we drank just short of vomiting. After drinking our fill, all of us filled whatever we had to carry water and sat under the shade of the trees for a brief moment, listening to the water.

    A slight breeze came through and I closed my eyes, pretending I was somewhere else. My eyes opened. I remembered the sword. Drawing my Elahkarian straight sword, I looked at the dried blood on the blade, father¡¯s blood. Moving over to the stream, I dipped the edge of my cloak in the water and scrubbed the sword clean. Inspecting my work, I caught my reflection. My throat tightened, and I dropped the weapon.

    Suddenly I felt overheated and short of breath. A hand touched my back. I looked over to see my brother standing over me. He knelt down next to me, ¡°Just breathe.¡± My eyes closed and I took deep, slow breaths.

    ****

    We followed the stream downhill. Soon we heard voices echoing in the forest. A few hoplites found us by accident and gave us a warm welcome. I assumed they were sentries, but rather they wandered from camp to shit in the woods. One ran back to announce more survivors.

    After a short hike, we arrived at the back of the sacred grounds. The shrine itself was not elaborate. It consisted of a small temple that would struggle to fit thirty men inside it. Though not an abundance of trade came through this way, as it once had, it had long been an important waypoint between our city and Lektrios because of the water.

    Travelers and merchants come and sacrifice or pay the priests to sacrifice for them to appease the hero for which the temple was dedicated. What I knew about the hero at the time, whose name I struggle to recall, is that he fought and won great honor in an ancient war. If you appease him with offerings of blood, his spirit will protect you on your journey. Some of the less pious have suggested that they merely paying the priests for water.

    We barely stumbled out of the woods before seeing a multitude of hoplites covering an entire field. Those near us greeted us with smiles and welcoming words. Behind the shrine were the bodies of those who died from their wounds on the way, about fifty men. The priests were stripping the men of their armor and washing their bodies before preparing a large pyre.

    I strained my eyes at the last row of bodies. The face at the end was known to me. I walked closer to be sure. Helion lay on his back, eyes closed. I dropped my shield and spear and ran over. A sob lurched from my throat as I touched his forehead, the body twitched. One eye opened and Helion laughed hard and pointed up at me, ¡°Happy to see-¡± was all he could say before my fist collided with his cheek.

 Chapter 8: Forward or Flee

    Helion balled up while I brought my fist down on him again and again. ¡°It was a jest!¡± he managed to shout. I stopped punching and backed off. Helion rubbed his cheek. He slowly stood, still on guard, ¡°Good to lay eyes on you as well.¡±

    I calmed myself and rubbed my knuckles, ¡°A welcome sight, to be sure.¡±

    ¡°Estrios!¡± called my brother. ¡°Come find me before we march.¡± I nodded as he walked by.

    ¡°What of Estrianes?¡± asked Helion. ¡°I have yet to see him.¡±

    My head shook abruptly, ¡°Last I saw, he was with you.¡±

    ¡°After we killed the enemies we came to grips with, we realized you weren¡¯t with us. The rest of our rearguard started moving off the field, and we started down the road when Estrianes ran off, probably to seek you out.¡± My blank look stated how much I knew about the situation. ¡°I¡¯d have gone with but as the men moved, but I saw not which direction he had run. Not long after, more riders harassed us, and forced us to withdraw.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve not seen him since?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± he replied. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t worry. More survivors like you have been wandering into the shrine. He¡¯ll turn up.¡± He looked down at my broken sandal, ¡°Let¡¯s get you some new equipment.¡± Until that moment, I had forgotten that I left my dented helmet back on the plains, that my shield was cracked, and that my sandal was becoming loose again.

    Helion picked up his spear and shield and walked me over to a pile of sandals belonging to the dead hoplites. Others were gathered around replacing missing or damaged equipment as well. I found a sandal that was roughly the size I needed and tied it tight.

    There were many fine bronze shields on the ground in a separate pile. I discarded my broken one and looked them over. Anyone of those would have done well, but I searched through the pile for another made from wood and bull¡¯s hide. Considering how accustomed I was to its light weight and how long we had yet to march, I was relieved to find one under the pile of bronze. Its face was plain, other than a spatter of dried blood.

    I untied the Elahkarian straight sword from my cracked shield and fixed the sheath to the inside of my new one. Slinging the new shield over my back, I walked over to the pile of bronze helmets. After trying a few, I found one with a red horsehair crest that fit almost as well as the last. I pushed the helmet back on my head to expose my face. I felt whole again, physically.

    ¡°Do you I have time to rest before we move out?¡±

    ¡°I know not when we are departing,¡± replied Helion. ¡°Let¡¯s find Estriadites and see the answer known.¡±

    We walked amongst the throng of hoplites by the temple. We could hear a heated discussion from the temple windows. Many pressed around them to hear what they could. ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can find out.¡± Helion nodded and sat next to the building.

    I walked up to the doorway. A large hoplite moved into my path until my brother called my name and waved me in. The nobles were gathered in the center of the temple. Actually, they were pressed together in the tight space, with not much space to spare. A stone temple should be cooler than outside but with this crowd, everyone was sweaty and uncomfortable.

    My brother and I stood at the edge of the war council, level with the doorway. The floor dipped down at the temple¡¯s center so that once inside, you would have to walk down five steps or walk around the sides by the stone columns.

    ¡°The longer we wait, the more survivors find us. If we then draw the enemy into battle, a decisive victory will clear the way to the beach,¡± announced the noble with the red beard. ¡°We need to draw them into open ground.¡± Some applauded and shouted in affirmation. ¡°At least let us wait for Estriadamos to rejoin us with his men.¡±

    ¡°Well Clytomedes, what would you have us do?¡± replied Klysestes with crossed arms. ¡°Would you send them an invitation for battle on the ground of our choice? I¡¯m not sure if this has escaped your grasp, but we are not fighting another polis.¡±

    ¡°You think me a fool then?¡±

    ¡°Long before today.¡±

    Clytomedes¡¯ face turned hot with anger. ¡°And I suppose you have all the answers!¡± Friends of his shouted at Klysestes and were answered by those who supported him.

    The temple erupted in incoherent noise. I looked the side to find our tyrant, Ankarithesos. His eyes darting between different nobles caught up in the argument, biting a fingernail. I thought it strange at the time because I knew not what kind of man he was. Hindsight being what it is, it became clear that Ankarithesos, though our leader, did not lead in times of war.

    If you looked at our tyrant, he had a formidable presence. He was tall and well muscled. When you saw him for the first time, he commanded respect. In battle, he was one of the best warriors you could ask for. His fault was the crippling fear he had of making the wrong decision leading up to a battle. Once committed, staring down an enemy over the rim of his shield, he was a lion. Ask him which route we should march to battle, where we should procure water, or how we should array our men, his confidence crumbled and he called for his council.

    ¡°Seize your tongues!¡± a voice boomed, echoing off the temple walls. Ankarithesos¡¯ hands were cupped around his mouth. ¡°I would hear all ideas before my decision is made. Klysestes, you have the floor.¡±

    Klysestes let out a deep breath, ¡°We need only remember two facts, the first of which being time. We have not the time to wait around in hope that more stragglers will arrive. The journey ahead of us will take the rest of the day, and we must be ready to aid the Lektrians in the battle to come, which may be the following morning.¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Frustrated sighs and quiet grumbling swept through the group of nobles. ¡°Secondly,¡± continued Klysestes. ¡°We are ill provisioned to stay here for longer than we have to. If we wait too long, it won¡¯t matter how many men we have, we will have missed the battle. The Lektrians will likely think us cowards, dragging our feet when answering their call. They will see our alliance dissolved if they survive. Facing the full might of Kalocea alone would be overwhelming at best.¡±

    ¡°I have something to say,¡± announced a voice from the back. Estriadites leaned over and whispered that it was Abaenaxes the Elder as if that was supposed to mean something to me. Abaenaxes pushed his way into the group so we could see him. His gray-white hair was short, save for a thin braid coiled around the top of his head for extra padding when wearing a helmet. His beard was longer than most but not shaggy. A deep scar underlined his eye.

    ¡°I have fought with honor for Demepolis for more than thirty-eight years,¡± he continued. ¡°Why is it that we need this war? We can defend our home from the safety of our walls. Why should we not see to our own protection and let the Lektrians do the same? Are we not only fighting now so that we may only fight the next day? If they¡¯re fifteen thousand hoplites fall, of what use is a thousand more? ¡±

    The volume of the room rose with murmurs and hushed tones. Looking around, it was not hard to see the room was conflicted. Many shared the view we should go back the way we came. It seemed that fewer were of a mind to see the journey to its end. Estriadites closed his eyes.

    Klysestes did not flinch. He held Abaenaxes gaze and remained silent. Other men were looking around, gauging reactions of their peers. Klysestes cleared his throat, ¡°Our word means nothing.¡± That held the attention of every man. ¡°We made an honor pact with the Lektrians and they¡¯ve bled for us. It comes to a choice. When Demepolis is surrounded and starved by the barbarian king, how many of you would wish to face them in a field of our choosing?¡± Whispers and muffled voices were traded. ¡°You really think Cassephernes would be content to sack Lektrios and leave the rest of these lands in peace?¡±

    ¡°Those who prefer to abandon fair Lektrios are short-sighted.¡± Estriadites and I listened intently. ¡°I will continue on this path with whoever is willing to join me,¡± he paused, ¡°willing to share the glory, loot, and slaves with them.¡± Abaenaxes¡¯ face remained unyielding despite many other¡¯s nodding in affirmation. The tide of the room was in motion, and I could feel its turning.

    ¡°From what we have all seen today,¡± continued Klysestes, ¡°the Elahkarians seem like walking gold mines.¡± Muffled laughter emerges from the group. ¡°I would see us reap such a golden harvest that every man walks away rich. The more enemies take the field, the richer they¡¯ll make us!¡± Cheers and applause erupt from the crowd and echo in the temple.

    Klysestes was good. He always seemed to know how to change someone¡¯s mind. When wealth is in the picture, stubborn men will find as many ways as needed to circumvent logic. Now they applauded him, motivated by gold he didn¡¯t even have. There are times when the suggestion of becoming rich is all the motivation needed, even if it¡¯s not true.

    The applause faded before long. ¡°It is settled,¡± said Ankarithesos. ¡°We leave in the next quarter hour. See that your men are ready to move.¡± With that, the council concluded and began to disperse.

    Estriadites grabbed my shoulder and shoved me out the door. Once outside, I shrugged his hand off, ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t stand the heat in there,¡± he closed his eyes and savored the cool breeze. ¡°I¡¯ll not be stuck between sweaty men for longer than required. Find me at the front of the line when you¡¯re ready to march.¡±

    I almost watched him leave before I remembered, ¡°What about Estrianes?¡±

    ¡°What about him?¡±

    ¡°I was told he¡¯s not among us. We need to find him before we leave.¡±

    Estriadites shook his head and sighed, ¡°We¡¯ll leave in a quarter hour. Fuck, if he can¡¯t find the tracks of our army on the road as you did, he deserves to be wandering in the countryside.¡± The grip on my spear tightened as he walked away.

    I was annoyed, but what could I do? Desert the army? Wander the countryside evading enemy cavalry to find one man? The fact was that Estrianes was safer wherever he was. Estrianes wouldn¡¯t be far behind and could catch up without difficulty.

    ****

    Helion walked up to me, ¡°We march?¡± I was lying down in the grass. My body ached but I found the breeze soothing. Helion lay down next to me. Though I didn¡¯t think I was tired, I found myself suddenly approaching sleep.

    My thoughts faded away until a shadow loomed over me. ¡°Estrios.¡± I sat up abruptly to find Klysestes looming over me in his magnificent armor, helmet, and spear in hand. ¡°Might we have words?¡± I nodded.

    Klysestes looked at Helion who slowly got up and grabbed his spear, ¡°I think I¡¯ll¡­go do something else.¡± He nodded to Klysestes and walked off.

    ¡°Have you any news of your father?¡±

    I stood up but looked down, ¡°I-I watched him fall.¡±

    ¡°Why did you not tell us in the temple?¡± My mind went blank, and I felt like a cornered animal. Klysestes exhaled slowly. He jammed the butt-spike of his spear in the ground and put his hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him. ¡°He and I¡­he was,¡± he looked at the ground, ¡°He was a good man.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for kind words. He and his men¡­they stood their ground,¡± was all I could think of to say.

    Klysestes posture straightened and his hand returned to his spear. He bit his lip, his eyes distant before looking back at me. ¡°You and Kyron took the field together. Have you any news of my son?¡±

    I looked into his eyes and mine began to well up. ¡°H-He,¡± I stammered, fighting the lump in my throat. ¡°He fell¡­protecting me.¡± The words choked me. My teeth clenched my lip tight so that I would not openly weep.

    Klysestes blue eyes welled up, and he took a series of deep breathes. Nodding his head, he flashed a quick smile at me, ¡°He died well then. I would not have demanded less of him.¡± Without another word, he turned, grabbed his spear and walked away, disappearing into the mass of hoplites.

    Hot tears streamed down my face. Helion was walking back so I dropped my helmet, and used my water skin to splash water on my face. My hands wiped the water off, and my eyes looked to the sky. Carrion birds were flying in circles in the distance.

    ¡°Looks like everyone¡¯s ready to march. What did Klysestes have to say?¡± My eyes were fixed on the circling birds. ¡°Estrios, are you alright?¡±

    ¡°I just told him his son died.¡±

    ¡°Kyron¡¯s dead?¡±

    ¡°And my father,¡± I could feel my hands trembling. ¡°What if¡­I¡¯m taken next?¡± I looked into Helion¡¯s eyes. ¡°What if I die next?¡± He walked over to embrace me, and I pushed him away with both arms. My breath became rapid and shallow, my vision blurred with tears.

    Helion pulled my shoulder to face him and hit me as hard as he could. I fell on my back, rubbing my cheek. Wiping tears from my eyes, I looked up to see my friend rubbing his knuckles. ¡°I need you to calm yourself,¡± he said. ¡°We never know when we are chosen to join the afterlife and we only live until that moment. No good will come from fearing it.¡±

    I grabbed his extended hand and Helion pulled me to my feet. ¡°Remember what you told me yesterday, that those who fear death are most likely to find it.¡± I smiled, remembering my father¡¯s words. ¡°Or something like that,¡± continued Helion. ¡°I¡¯m sure Estriadites waits for you.¡±

    The mass of hoplites began to slowly move to rejoin the road ahead. I grabbed my helmet and spear, ¡°Gratitude.¡±

    Helion smiled and looked at his red knuckles. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

 Chapter 9: Battle Lines

    Helion and I caught up to Estriadites on the dirt road. My brother acknowledged us with a nod and we continued on together. We walked in silence for some time. I tried to bar any thoughts of Kyron or the Elahkarian noble we had brutally killed, whose screams echoed in my head. I wondered if Kyron might have lived had I not broke and ran to aid father. What could I have hoped to do that would have saved father¡¯s life? My mind then reminded me that I may be taken from this world next.

    My mind cleared when notes of cheerful music filled the air around us. Many around us smiled at the tune. Though many heard it, no one seemed to know who played that flute or where the music was coming from. Many held firm that it was Alayesene, the goddess of wisdom, soothing us before our battle. I can¡¯t say that it wasn¡¯t, but I had seen a few men with flutes back at the shrine.

    For half the hour that music stayed with us before fading. When it stopped, I felt calmer and no longer clung to unfortunate thoughts. Seeking distraction from, I nudged Helion, ¡°Ever traveled to Lektrios?¡±

    ¡°Never. You?¡±

    ¡°One time, long ago,¡± I smiled at the memory, ¡°I traveled with my father and Estriadites to seek a warrior of note to mentor my brother in the arts of war.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s it like, the city?¡±

    I paused, trying to describe my memory, ¡°Ten times as large as Demepolis, perhaps bigger. They have large buildings made of white marble.¡± I looked over at my brother expecting him to happily share his memory of the trip, but Estriadites looked distant and concerned, eyes staring forward blankly. ¡°What bothers you?¡±

    It took him a moment to realize I was speaking to him. ¡°What? Nothing.¡±

    I looked at Helion then back to my brother, ¡°Nothing¡¯s bothering you? Explain that to your face.¡±

    Estriadites raised an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯ve been to Lektrios a few times in recent years.¡±

    I waited for more, ¡°And this gives you pause?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a short ridge on this road. The pass isn¡¯t long, but if I were trying to stop someone from reaching the city, I¡¯d put warriors there. Unless I¡¯ve missed my guess, that¡¯s where I expect us to find the enemy, in far greater numbers.¡±

    My face must have betrayed my sudden worry because Estriadites¡¯ confident grin returned and he elbowed me, ¡°Fear not little brother, I¡¯ll not let anything happen to you.¡± My eyes rolled but there was something comforting in knowing that my older brother was at my side. For most of my life, I had Estrianes with me. It felt strange with him missing, like going to war without a shield.

    ¡°Look around you,¡± said Helion. ¡°Though not bonded by blood, we all are bonded by the spear. You¡¯re surrounded by brothers on whom you can rely.¡±

    I smiled, he was right. There was a bond between all of us, brothers of the spear. ¡°You¡¯re right. Even if you do sound like a poet.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Oh, that¡¯s likely the wine talking.¡±

    My eyes widened, ¡°What?¡±

    Helion looked at me in bewilderment, ¡°Wine calms the nerves before battle. Did you not bring wine?¡± He held up a ceramic canteen.

    Estriadites extended his hand with a smile, ¡°I¡¯d have wine.¡± Helion handed the canteen to him. After a few sips, he passed it to me. I took a large gulp and returned the canteen to Helion. While we marched, the three of us saw the remainder of the canteen emptied.

    ****

    We were not drunk but our disposition had more cheer. I could still feel an underlying sense of dread, trying to claw its way up from the pit of my stomach, but it did not bother me in that moment. I hadn¡¯t taken much noticed of our surroundings while we talked until the line halted. The shout for the war council came back from the front.

    I followed my brother up the short hill taking my place amongst the nobles, leaving Helion back in the line. The top of the hill gave us a good view of the pass. We were perhaps four hundred paces or more away, but in the pass itself, we could see the glint of polished helmets and the movement of colorfully dyed exotic clothing.

    ¡°I feared the enemy might occupy this pass. What move is wisest at this time?¡± asked Ankarithesos.

    Clytomedes scratched his red beard, ¡°Yes Klysestes, what move do we make now? Lend us your unrivaled wisdom on these matters.¡± Klysestes quietly surveyed the terrain.

    ¡°Must we go through this pass? Can we not find another way through or over the ridge?¡± asked Estriadites.

    ¡°The slopes are too steep. Any paths up would be little more than goat paths,¡± replied Klysestes dismissively. ¡°There is another pass but the ridge is long and would add another half day or more to our journey.¡± He looked at the enemy¡¯s men and back at our own. ¡°A push straight through is the only true course.¡±

    Some of the nobles began arguing amongst themselves. Alternatives were offered and were quick to be shot down by logic. ¡°We have not the men to make a frontal attack on the enemy,¡± objected Clytomedes. ¡°If we attack them, they will merely withstand us and force our men from the pass. What then?¡±

    ¡°I think not,¡± Klysestes rubbed his trim beard.

    ¡°That much is evident,¡± Clytomedes added in a snide tone.

    Klysestes shot Clytomedes a stern look, ¡°So far, we have only seen the enemy¡¯s horsemen. Have we not?¡± A few nodded. ¡°We¡¯ve seen wealthy Elahkarian nobles and what seem to be tribal nomads armed with bows.¡±

    ¡°If you have a point to be made, I would see it made.¡±

    ¡°My point is that our enemy likes to fight from a distance, like cowards. They present a problem only when out of reach. Now they place themselves before us in a rocky funnel before our spears, and you would not have them?¡±

    Clytomedes hesitated, thinking carefully about his response. ¡°They are not armored as we are,¡± continued Klysestes. ¡°Here they are, in front of us, presenting ass for ramming.¡± Pockets of hushed laughter spread through the group. ¡°Our spears are taller than a man, once our phalanx is formed, we can remain out of sword range.¡±

    Ankarithesos straightened up, ¡°I find it hard to argue with that plan, but how do we keep their cavalry from flanking us as we advance?¡±

    ¡°How many skirmishers have we left?¡± asked Abaenaxes.

    ¡°Not enough,¡± replied Clytomedes, ¡°maybe fifty. Many have died or deserted.¡±

    ¡°We can use our back rank to extend the phalanx on both sides,¡± said Abaenaxes. ¡°If they try to ride around, they will be able to respond without breaking the core formation.¡±

    ¡°What of the arrows they are sure to loose, as they¡¯ve done all fucking day?¡± asked Clytomedes.

    That question gave everyone pause. ¡°We¡¯ll form a shield wall, as Klysestes did back in The Narrows. The second rank rests their shields on the first, and the third on the second, all the way back,¡± said Abaenaxes.

    ¡°We¡¯ll sing the paean of the war god to keep us in step,¡± added Klysestes. ¡°This may yet work.¡±

    Looking among the nobles, a wave of optimism trickled through. Contemplative faces led to heads nodding in affirmation. ¡°Who here is for this plan?¡± asked Ankarithesos. All but eighteen hands were raised, we had the majority.

    ¡°It¡¯s decided,¡± declared Ankarithesos. ¡°Have your men fall to formation. We move at once.¡±

    Nearby, we heard the rumbling of hooves and instinctually looked. A string of almost one hundred horsemen in a thin column rode towards the enemy position. Near the front of the line, I thought I could make out the bright red sleeves of the rider with the golden torc. I smiled. It was likely the wine, but instead of fear, I was glad to lay eyes on him. I needed to see him. Needed to face him, to look over my shield and see my spear buried in his guts, not only for Kyron but for myself.

    ****

    Our phalanx was formed longer than usual. Those who would normally form our last rank were repositioned on both flanks, flush with the first rank, skirmishers behind them. This might not give the illusion of full ranks but they could counter any flanking forces without breaking our formation, should we have need.

    Ankarithesos and Klysestes, among others, were in the position of honor at the end of the first rank on the right flank. Estriadites and I were next to each other in the third rank on the left flank, seemingly as far from the right flank as possible, where father had been positioned, behind other nobles.

    I did my best to look over the shoulders of those in front of me to get a glimpse of the enemy. There were more than I thought there would be, equal to our number at best, twice our number at worst. The distance between our armies made it difficult to accurately gauge the enemy. Their entire force filled the ridge¡¯s pass.

    The enemy ranks parted slightly and a group of horsemen trotted out onto the field. They moved slowly towards us, numbering about thirty. Their horses moved slow, careful to show no aggression. Close to fifty paces from us, most stopped and five riders continued forward. A lavishly dressed Elahkarian raised a leafed branch above his head, the sign of diplomacy. Riding next to him was the rider with the golden torc.

    The call came through the line for the nobles. I followed Estriadites close. Ankarithesos, Klysestes, Abaenaxes, and a few chosen others walked up to meet the Elahkarian noble. The rest of us stood about ten paces behind them, privy to every word. The Elahkarian¡¯s riders had bows resting on their laps, arrows already nocked. When he approached, my stomach sank. It was his sword I had in my scabbard. He was the one who had killed father.

    ¡°Greetings brave men of Demepolis,¡± said the Elahkarian, speaking our language eloquently. ¡°Who among you leads?¡±

    ¡°He is among us. That is all you need know,¡± said Abaenaxes sternly.

    The Elahkarian smiled politely, ¡°We mean not to assassinate him if that is what you had thought. My name is Abda-Hajjir.¡± None of our nobles returned the courtesy. ¡°Let us come to equal footing then. We seek not to squander the lives of your men, needlessly. We are here only to punish the Lektrians for their many transgressions against us. Surely you understand this.¡±

    ¡°I understand that we were attacked without provocation by your warriors,¡± said Ankarithesos.

    ¡°Oh, you must not have been marching to aid our enemy then? Apologies if there was a misunderstanding.¡± Ankarathesos tapped his foot, annoyed with the Elahkarian¡¯s coy remarks. My fists clenched as well, wanting nothing more than to wrap themselves around Abda¡¯s neck. ¡°It is undeniable that you march to aid the Lektrians, a move most unwise.¡±

    ¡°This is true,¡± states Klysestes with a blunt tone.

    ¡°There are many things our peoples could share. The Great King Cassephernes is most generous and can always find uses for skilled warriors, such as yourselves,¡± Abda-Hajjir held out his hands. ¡°Join us against the vile Lektrians and see yourselves richly rewarded, beyond even your wildest dreams.¡±

    ¡°At what cost would this come?¡± asked Ankarathesos. ¡°What must we sacrifice to attain this¡­generous offer?¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Abda-Hajjir¡¯s face became solemn. ¡°You would be free to rule your own lands how you see fit. You would take gold and silver from the temples of Lektrios as a reward for service, even slaves should you desire. The Great King only requests that you pay taxes and provide your warriors when he calls.¡±

    The nobles around me whispered trying not to show emotion or uncertainty in the face of the enemy. Ankarithesos spoke before anyone else could, ¡°In these lands, our honor is our word. We have given the Lektrians our word that we would stand by them. We do not forsake oaths for gold and silver, like greedy Kaloceans,¡± he spit on the ground. ¡°We will not be your vassal or subject to the Great King¡¯s whims.¡±

    I thought Abda-Hajjir would be angry but instead, his smile merely gave way to apathy. ¡°Very well. We all have choices to make in this life, even if they are foolish,¡± he nodded to Golden Torc who pulled up a brown sack from the other side of his saddle. ¡°You will share the fate of these men.¡± Golden Torc emptied the sack onto the ground. Six severed heads fell and rolled to a stop.

    My bowels turned to water when I saw the head with dark brown hair. Estrianes¡¯ eyes gazed blankly at his brow and his mouth hung open. I felt my legs go weak and the blood retreat from my face. If not for the butt-spike of my spear planted in the ground, I would have dropped to my knees. My stomach wanted to wretch.

    Abda-Hajjir turned his horse and trotted off. Golden Torc regarded us with an arrogant smile, turned and followed the rest of the riders. I was transfixed by my brother¡¯s lifeless head. My eyes watered up and a sudden surge of rage shot through me and a yell came from my throat. I threw my shield down, took a few steps, and readied to cast my spear at the riders when Estriadites knocked me to the ground with his shield.

    I scrambled to get up. My brother threw his weapons down and restrained me. Flailing, I struck at him and reached for my spear, screaming at the bastard riding off. Another noble grabbed my legs, helping Estriadites keep me on the ground. ¡°Let go of me!¡± I shouted at them.

    Estriadites moved his face directly in front of mine. ¡°Calm yourself,¡± he whispered through his teeth. I stopped moving. ¡°Messengers bearing the signs of peace are protected by the gods. It¡¯s blasphemy to strike them down.¡± My eyes darted towards the riders and my limbs renewed their struggle. ¡°Are you angry?!¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    ¡°Good!¡± he yelled back. ¡°As am I. Fall to fucking formation, and we will find them on the battlefield and send them screaming to the afterlife.¡±

    ****

    Our phalanx formed up just out of arrow range from the enemy. The first rank was two hundred men long. The additional one hundred hoplites on each side extended the first rank to four hundred long. The skirmishers were behind these extra hoplites, all of whom would retire close to contact to form the fourth rear rank. The rest of the phalanx formed three ranks deep, two hundred men long.

    The plan that was decided made me nervous for a few reasons. First, when fighting another polis, the battle is straightforward. Skirmishers attack each other as both phalanxes advance. When the lines hit, that is where the battle is decided, when one side breaks. Moving men around just before contact or advancing as a shield wall were maneuvers we simply did not practice. At least, not with this many men. In the moment though, I was too full of rage to care.

    Abaenaxes commanded the left flank. He walked out of the line so more could see him. ¡°Listen up,¡± he said in a loud voice. ¡°This is not the age of heroes! Heroes die. The only way we get through this is by everyone standing their ground and doing their part. That is how the phalanx works. That is how we win. For your ancestors, your families, and all the fucking gold we¡¯ll take off their dead,¡± that got a rise out of the men, ¡°SHIELD WALL!¡±

    In the third rank, Estriadites and I raised our shields. Again I thanked the gods for my light shield. The second rank rested their shields over the first rank¡¯s heads and the third held their shields up straight, helping take some of the weight. With how far we had yet to advance, as slow as a shield wall moves, I prayed everyone would have the strength to fight once we came to grips with the enemy.

    We waited for Abaenaxes to get back to his position and the rest of our line to form the shield wall. The call came down the line to sing the paean. Once the first verse of the war hymn was sung, everyone had the rhythm and the line advanced slowly.

    What a fearsome sight we must have been. Our armored line, shields like together as a turtle¡¯s shell, spears protruding between them, all chanting thunderous praise to the war god. I prayed to him to give me strength and dedicated every life I claimed as a sacrifice to him. We moved across the field at an even pace, not too quickly. The line wobbled some but that is to be expected.

    I could barely see anything but someone shouted a warning I couldn¡¯t quite make out. Arrows rained down on us like hailstones. Many arrows fell into our shields and on the ground around us. Some men on our flank screamed and groaned in pain, likely our archers and javelinmen. The number of arrows striking our shields was almost overwhelming and then it stopped. The line wavered, straining to keep order.

    ¡°Forward!¡± shouted Abaenaxes. We sang the paean from the beginning and again moved in unison. The men sang faster and the line struggled to move quicker in step. There was a faint whistling in the air as another volley came down. The man in front of me staggered back into from the impact on his shield. Again, it sounded like the gods pouring hailstones down on us. Arrows splintered and broke, spraying splinters across some of the bronze shields. Others punched through the layer of bronze and stuck in the faces of shields.

    Estriadites and I took care not to trip on the shafts stuck in the grass ahead of us. ¡°Halfway there!¡± said someone in the front rank. At that moment, I realized it had not been too difficult thus far. It gave me hope. We pushed ahead bracing for the next volley and sand louder. My arms were growing tired as the next volley hit. Arrows landed all around us, one arrowhead pierced the face of my shield scratching my vambrace.

    I wanted to pull the arrow loose but more came down, in fewer numbers but a steady shower. My shield held firm. We pushed on until the arrows stopped, and I could hear the voices yelling in a foreign language. Almost there.

    The strength was leaving my arms when we got the call from Abaenaxes, ¡°FORM PHALANX!¡± Our shield wall broke. Everyone broke formation used their spears to snap the arrow shafts off their shields as quickly as they could and reformed. The hoplites on our flanks fell back to form the fourth rank, I didn¡¯t see any skirmishers left on our end of the line.

    We were less than twenty paces from the enemy line. I did my best to look over shoulders to get a better view. The first enemy rank held large wicker shields, almost taller than the men holding them. From behind that rank, I saw arrows fly. From what I could gather, it seemed the enemy¡¯s line was about as long as our own, firmly planted at the beginning of the pass.

    Looking at the men in front of me, I saw the part of the enemy line we were to face. Directly across from us, the warriors on the enemy¡¯s right flank were a small contingent of hoplites, arrayed in what I judged to be three ranks of fifty. ¡°They¡¯ve got hoplites,¡± I said to Estriadites.

    He spat on the ground, ¡°Fucking Kaloceans! Show them no mercy.¡±

    Arrows flew up in a high arc from the enemy¡¯s ranks and landed just behind our line. ¡°MOVE! MOVE!¡± I shouted. I could hear more shafts striking the ground behind us. The line moved forward, shields of the front rank overlapped to create a wall of bronze, spears resting where the shields came together. The spears of the second rank extended over the shoulders of our first rank, ready to strike. The Kaloceans screamed taunts and insults at us as we moved closer. One man near me took an arrow in the top of his shoulder and fell. I was ready for blood, ready to kill.

    Iron spearheads hit bronze armor with deafening noise. Our phalanx¡¯s spears crashed into the enemy. The Kalocean phalanx and ours met within spear range hand halted. I was close to where the Kalocean phalanx met the Elahkarian warriors, so close that had I been three or four spaces over, I might have faced an Elahkarian spearman. I could not see well but our front rank traded blows with the Kaloceans. Peering between heads I saw men near me striking at the Elahkarians.

    At first, there was stiff resistance but the Elahkarian¡¯s shorter spears couldn¡¯t reach our men, while ours kept them at bay. Some got in between spears, only to be pushed back by a bronze shield and felled by a spear thrust from our second rank. Our longer spears began plunging through wicker shields and bleeding the invaders. Men with smaller wicker shields filled the gaps but their spears were not long enough and their shields not strong enough.

    The noise of battle was deafening. Metal crashed into metal and men screamed in pain. My eyes turned back to see the man in my front row fall. The hoplite in front of me rushed forward and took his place. I moved into the second rank with my shield at his back. I thrust my spear up over his shoulder and struck out against any opening I saw in the enemy¡¯s wall of bronze.

    Blows were traded again and again between us and our kindred enemies before the man in front of me stabbed a Kalocean in the foot. The wounded man fell forward onto a knee. I missed and spearhead skidded off his helmet. Another man from our front rank plunged his spear into the man¡¯s neck. A Kalocean rushed forward and filled the hole in their phalanx.

    In the midst of the thunder of bronze, it¡¯s difficult to tell how many bodies you and your enemies are standing over, let alone trying to figure out who might be winning. The Kaloceans pulled back a few steps, leaving fewer dead and wounded than I had imagined. Looking to my right, I saw why. Both battle lines were becoming diagonal and threatening to break in two at their middles. The rest of our hoplites were walking over dead and dying bodies, pressing into the Elahkarians, still trying to remain one unbroken line. We moved forward to straighten the line as much as we could. Any wounded Kaloceans we found were put down without hesitation.

    The Elahkarians surged forth again, lunging forth like wild animals trying to break through the forest of spears. They struck wildly with their javelins and tried to grab our weapons. Our third rank pushed in and got their spears over the shoulders of our first two ranks, as much as they could, and began striking when they had an opportunity. When spears broke, men in front called to the back ranks and were given new spears, at the expense of those towards the rear.

    We reengaged the Kalocean phalanx with renewed ferocity. I struggled to catch my breath and also thrust my spear. I struck hard, hitting a man¡¯s helmet, though he seemed unphased. Vicious war cries erupted from the other end of the line. I couldn¡¯t see too well but it looked as if our right flank was pushing the Elahkarians back further.

    The front ranks of the invaders tried to run and desperately pressed into the ranks behind them, trying to squeeze their way down the narrowing pass and flee to safety on the other side. The retreating men ran into the shields of their own warriors and yelled frantically, probably pleading to get through.

    In the commotion, our phalanx broke into two lines. The right wing pressed their advantage and began to break formation and move over the enemy dead and dying, trying to not slip in the blood which now stained the ground and made it soggy. The foes that did not move quick enough took spears in their backs while they fled or where they fell.

    Where I was, in the left wing of what remained of the phalanx, was hung up on the Kaloceans who were trying to move backward as quickly as possible as to not be flanked. Men in my line yelled to press the enemy phalanx, and we did. I thought in that moment I could see fear on their faces. My blood was up, and like a wolf smelling fear, I made my purpose clear to them. They fought like cornered animals, like men with everything to lose.

    The head of the man in front of me lurched back, and he fell screaming. I stepped over him and filled the gap he created. The ground between the Kaloceans and their Elahkarian allies was widening. I speared the shoulder of an enemy in front of me, hitting his armor. Three men tried to push back through their line to run but their friends wouldn¡¯t let them. ¡°Press them harder!¡± I called not knowing if anyone could hear me over the noise. ¡°We have them!¡± More enemies began to withdraw.

    Panic beset their line and their phalanx broke and ran. ¡°Leave no Kalocean alive!¡± ordered Abaenaxes. Our hoplites broke formation to run down our retreating foes.

    One Kalocean fell over a body. He rolled on his back and held his hands high, ¡°Mercy! I¡¯m your prisoner!¡± I rammed my spearhead into his neck and moved on while he choked on blood. I was beyond mercy. Estrianes was afforded no such gift.

    Both Kaloceans and Elahkarians became stuck in the mad rush to get through the narrowing pass. We joined the rest of our men in slaughter and bloodlust. They resisted us, as frightened beasts do to the men who try to run them to down. I made sure not to get too close, remembering a cornered man is a dangerous one.

    The Kaloceans made it back far enough to rejoin what was left of the Elahkarians, trying to form a defensive line. It seemed as though only the first couple ranks were still fighting us, the rest of the enemy warriors pushed and shoved to get through the pass. The pass itself is shaped like a leaf, starting rather wide and then narrowing to a point where only about five men abreast could walk through. When hundreds of men tried to run through it, it became clogged.

    I ran over bleeding corpses, moving to strike at the ill-formed Kaloceans. Right as most of us were coming down on them, an enemy hoplite thrust his spear at my helmet. I moved quickly to dodge but slipped on a puddle of blood and fell on my stomach and my spear fell just out of reach. Just as I tried to stand, our hoplites formed up behind me and attacked relentlessly. I had to lie still on the ground while spear thrusts were exchanged over top of me. The Kaloceans had not a chance to worry about me.

    If I stood, I would be speared in the face. Blood dripped down on me and a body fell, pinning my legs to the ground. I had only one desire, to survive. The thunder of bronze above me was punctuated with panicked screams and orders being shouted. The Kaloceans pushed forward a couple steps, our men moved back slightly. If the enemy kept pushing, I would likely be trampled to death.

    I looked up and saw sandaled feet in front of me. Gripping the sword on the inside of my shield, I drew it quickly and chopped the toes off the man in front of me, turned and then cut in half the foot of the hoplite next to him. The man in front of me screamed in pain and dropped to one knee, dropping his spear. I thrust my sword up underneath his helmet, into his throat. There was a gurgle and then his body fell on top of me as I yanked my blade free.

    I tried to roll or kick either of the bodies off of me but the weight was too much. I only succeeded in making my armor slick with blood. I heard loud war cries and men ran past me. The body pinning my chest to the ground was pulled off. I looked up to see Estriadites dragging the second body off me. Taking his hand, he pulled me to my feet. ¡°We did it! They flee like frightened sheep!¡± he said, grinning from between his cheek guards.

    On my feet, I saw that all our men had pushed deeper into the pass, almost through, and the Kaloceans were broken. They rammed allies with their shields and hacked desperately with swords, trying to get past them and through the pass. Our hoplites stabbed Elahkarians and Kaloceans alike as they fled. Any enemies within our grasp, even those dying on the ground, met a swift end.

    We pushed through the pass on the heels of our enemies. On the other side, our men were loosely gathered with their shields up, most of them trying to have a moment''s rest. Horns blew and the enemy¡¯s cavalry pushed through their fleeing warriors, trying to shoot arrows at us.

    Estriadites and I took a knee, our shields filling one of the many small holes in our loose formation. I dropped my sword and drank as much water as I could from my canteen. An arrow struck the face of my shield and I grabbed my sword, carefully peeking over its rim. There I saw my enemy, the sunlight glinting off the golden torc around his neck.

 Chapter 10: The Fallen Hero

    The enemy cavalry shot arrows into our shields while their spearmen rallied, trying to reform their battle line. We were exhausted. A runner came over behind our mass of men, ¡°Reform the line! Three ranks!¡± We were going to stretch our line to match the length of our enemy¡¯s.

    Some grumbled but still formed up under intermittent arrow fire. We were not exhausted but tired all the same. It was like completing a foot race would be, one that was longer than you expected.

    While we formed, our first rank knelt down while the second rank added a second layer of shields to the growing shield wall. Estriadites and I stood shoulder to shoulder in the second rank toward the left flank. Looking around, I found Helion to be within eyesight in the rank behind us, closer to the center. In the chaos after our push through the pass, Klysestes formed in the middle of the first rank, instead of his position of honor on the right flank.

    The enemy¡¯s battle line became a solid mass of spearmen with their wicker shields facing us. The shields they now had were smaller than the first ones I had seen, which I realized later were probably arrow screens. If they had archers behind them, they did not fire at us. Their cavalry moved to the flanks and continued to rain arrows down on us. ¡°What¡¯s to stop their cavalry from riding around behind us?¡± I asked my brother.

    ¡°Nothing, I suppose,¡± replied Estriadites. ¡°Be ready to turn.¡± His answer did little to comfort me.

    I heard not the call to advance but men around me stood up, formed the phalanx, and began to bellow the paean to the war god and our line started to move. While I sang, my eyes focused on the rider with the golden torc. Abda-Hajjir rode up next to him and his bodyguards began sending their own shafts at us.

    Closer and closer, we marched as one toward the enemy line. I saw their faces over the shoulder of the man to my front, or rather, faces of men that were not covered by some sort of headscarf. In the pass, the enemy spearmen had taunted us while we advanced. Now they were silent, some grit their teeth, others looked around nervously. I assumed they sought escape from our men of bronze. There were no Kaloceans, they likely had been killed to a man in the pass.

    Our ranks pressed in closer, snapping some of the arrows stuck in our shields on the backs of those in front of us. The tempo of our battle hymn quickened and the men were all but shouting the words as we closed on the enemy. The Elahkarian cavalry pulled away from their infantry¡¯s flank, riding further from us. Short horn blasts came throughout the enemy line and they stepped back a few paces, careful not to show their backs to us.

    A newfound energy entered my body at the sight of their fear. The joy of battle filled my heart. I needed to plunge into the enemy line and wet my spear with the blood of scared men. That is, until I saw their cavalry, no longer riding away from us but now galloping around our flank. ¡°They¡¯re drawing us in!¡± I yelled to Estriadites. The battle hymn drowned out every word. ¡°It¡¯s a trap!¡± He looked over his shoulder at the horsemen and nodded back to me, unsurprised.

    The enemy spearmen braced to receive our advance. I could not tell if no one knew we were being flanked or if they simply were caught up in the bloodlust and cared not. Again, we had their spearmen beyond their reach of striking back. Iron spearheads pierced their wicker shields and unarmored bodies. One enemy parried a spear with his shield and rushed in to attack. My spearhead plunged into his chest over the shoulder of the man in front of me.

    I ripped my spear free when I heard horns behind us. Over my shoulder, I saw enemy cavalry charging the back of our left flank. ¡°Behind us!¡± I yelled. Our first rank fought on while men in our last rank and part of our middle turned to face the cavalry, spears out. Seventy horses charged our hoplites on the extreme left of our line. It was likely the same was occurring on our extreme right. The center of our phalanx had no cause to worry, provided we held our end.

    The horsemen bore down on us and many horses slowed or reared up when meeting our spears. Horses will not charge headlong into a spear formation if they can help it. Horses close to us that reared up took spears in their bellies. Riders hacked at our spear shafts, knocking them aside to get in closer.

    One by one, riders began to fall with spears in their stomachs, backs, and sides. Horses wined, men shouted, and the ground slowly turned red. I thrust my spear at a rider only to have him parry the blow, turn in his saddle, and chop his ax into the neck of a distracted hoplite. Estriadites stabbed him in the thigh and then in the arm. When he turned to ride away, another hoplite ran up and pulled him from his mount. The rider hit the ground with a thump and the hoplite pulled the man¡¯s chin up. As he slit the man¡¯s throat, an arrow took the hoplite in his armpit. The hoplite fell beside his enemy, both men coughing and choking on blood.

    The cavalry pulled away from us and fell back. A few cheered and banged their spears on their shields, taunting the enemy. I looked over my shoulder to find the Elahkarian spearmen pushing into the first rank, trying desperately to cut any exposed skin. I turned quickly and buried my spear into a man¡¯s eye and then the neck of the man next to him. ¡°Help!¡± the hoplite in front of me yelled, his spear being held on to by an enemy wearing a white headscarf. I reddened the scarf and freed his spear.

    Those distracted by the cavalry turned back to help our front rank, which was holding but being pushed back. Before long our enemy pulled back, not being able to reach us with their shorter weapons. The Elahkarians fell back and would bide their time, deflecting the blows they could, then rushed in between our spears and attack like demons, grabbing spear shafts and trying to pull shields down. When we began to kill and wound those men, they would jump back between wicker shields and others would renew the attack.

    After a few breaths, we heard horns behind us again. ¡°They¡¯re charging us again!¡± yelled Estriadites. Some men turned to face the charge. I stayed forward and struck at the spearmen. My mouth was dry and sweat poured from under my bloodstained armor. When stories of war were told, no one had ever mentioned that within the press of combat, it was dreadfully warm.

    The thundering hooves approached us rapidly. I gritted my teeth and braced. They crashed into our line again. I could hear the sounds of iron and bronze striking each other, spears breaking, and men dying. I thrust my spear at an enemy, missing my target then looked over my shoulder. Two horsemen were behind me slashing at hoplites.

    I turned quickly and rammed my spear into the neck of a horse which collapsed and panicked, throwing its rider. It took so much effort to dislodge my spear that when I freed it, I drove my butt-spike into the back plate of the man behind me. He shouted something over his shoulder. I looked over my shoulder to find the enemy spearmen trying to pull his shield down. The hoplite rammed him with the large bronze shield, hard enough to knock him over. Once down, he stamped his foot down on the man¡¯s groin and stabbed the Elahkarian behind him.

    I became angry the more I turned back and forth between attacking enemies. This was not how war was supposed to be fought. The cowards tried every dirty trick they could think of. Of course, I was wrong. War is not fair. War is where you push an enemy¡¯s head into a puddle and hold it there until they stop moving. Only victory matters in that moment. As soon as victory is not your foremost concern, the battle is lost.

    While we struggled with the cavalry on our backs and their spearmen to our front, the center of our line was of singular murderous purpose. Though the enemy fought hard on the flanks, supported by cavalry, but their center could no longer hold. Being on the left wing, I had not noticed that our center broke to run down the retreating enemy center. The cavalry retreated again and the spearmen in front of us suddenly broke and ran, having been attacked in their rear by some hoplites from the center.

    Ask any man who has stood in the press of bronze, slaughter happens after the battle, not during. The Elahkarian spearmen ran for their lives. We broke and gave chase. Those within a spear¡¯s range were made to suffer. There were not many hoplites on the ground but those pursuing the enemy had to jump over piles of bodies made by our spears where our two battle lines had fought.

    Whole contingents of Elahkarians became trapped in flight and banded together like our schiltrons had earlier in the morning. They backed in together, forming loose circles. There were pockets of ten here and there, some more than fifty, all fighting for their lives.

    Seeing so many trapped, I stopped running. I planted my butt-spike in the ground and drank from my canteen. The enemy cavalry retreated and moved toward their infantry, careful to stay away from us. I took another drink and poured some water under my armor. The cavalry that had attacked us now number around fifty of the original seventy. They split into smaller groups and began to harass the hoplites attacking the remnants of their shattered spearmen, firing arrows into their backs or slashing with swords.

    The rider with the golden torc, with Abda-Hajjir and his Elahkarian bodyguards, charged the group nearest me. A group of about thirty spearmen had been encircled by hoplites. The riders hit them at an angle for a glancing charge rather than ramming into the mass of men. Swords and axes struck bronze armor with harsh sounds.

    Horses ran into the sides of unaware hoplites and the riders slashed and stabbed, relying on the momentum of their mounts to knock their enemies down. Golden torc shot an arrow into the throat of a man turning to fight. As he galloped away, turning in his saddle, he loosed another arrow into the face of a shield. The riders had knocked a small hole in the circle of hoplites and the enemy spearmen now surged toward it to escape the envelopment.

    Estriadites was not far ahead, dispatching a downed enemy. Ripping his spearhead free, he looked around until he found me. I pointed my spear at the men who had been attacked by the cavalry. Nodding, we ran to provide what aid we could. Those who had been knocked down regained their footing and tried to fill the hole as enemy spearmen charged them.

    The trapped Elahkarians were pressed between spears, striking helmets, arms, and anything else within reach. My brother and I, with a few other stragglers, charged into four spearmen that slipped passed the circle of spears. Estriadites stabbed one in the leg, wheeled and stabbed another in the throat. The other two were killed just as quickly by other hoplites.

    I looked around quickly and saw no cavalry near us. Gripping my spear tightly, I pushed in. The now twenty Elahkarians were surrounded by maybe forty-five spears. Desperate men tried throwing their shorter spears at us. Seeing them bounce off large bronze shields, they drew the only other weapons they had and grimly awaited their fate. Our circle of bronze constricted around the enemy, pushing the enemy back with long spears until there was no longer any room to retreat. Their backs pressed into each other and men shouted and pushed each other with elbows.

    Slaughter was a sweet song in that moment. Screams and battle cries filled the air. I pushed closer to our foes and thrust my spear with all the hate I could muster. An enemy deflected my blow with a wicker shield, but Estriadites¡¯ spear struck home. We stepped closer. Estriadites lodged his spear into the shield of the next man while I struck over the top of his shield, into his chin. Men around them fell to the spears of our men, whittling the enemy down to half their number.

    Men shrieked and groaned in pain until they received a second spear to silence them. One threw down his weapons and dropped to his knees, shouting in what I assumed was a plea for mercy, which he received in the form of a spear.

    We closed in on the three enemies standing atop the pile of bodies of their friends when I heard the hooves behind me. Fifteen horsemen came at us, Abda-Hajjir and Golden Torc among them. ¡°Behind us!¡± I screamed, barely able to get my words out. Some turned around quickly and jutted their spears at the horses. Abda rode close and turned away before impact, knocking spears aside with his sword. The horse nomads with Golden Torc loosed arrows into our men, mostly lodging in shields or ringing off helmets.

    Abaenaxes burst forward from another part of our circle and ran at a horseman. A nomad galloped at him and swung with an ax. The old hoplite deflected with his shield turned with the horse and speared the rider in his hip as he rode away. Within a few heartbeats, the rider fell to the ground. Abda rode toward Abaenaxes, favoring his right side, his polished sword glinting in the sunlight. They both prepared to strike.

    Abda deflected the spear with his sword and ripped it across the muscle of Abaenaxes spear arm. What infuriated me was the ease with which Abda struck. There was fluidity to his motion, like watching water run downhill, swift yet effortless. Abaenaxes involuntarily dropped his spear and fell to one knee with his shield up. Estriadites and I ran over with few other hoplites that gathered around him, shields and spears ready. I cannot say for certain, but I thought Abda¡¯s face actually looked annoyed that he would not be able to finish the old hoplite. He yelled something to Golden Torc, who was nearby, but I could not understand him.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Golden Torc trotted forward, stopped the horse, and appeared to be nocking an arrow. He waited, watching his men. The Elahkarian spearmen we trapped were now a knee-high pile of corpses, and his nomads, with the men of Abda¡¯s bodyguard, rode around the schiltron, sending shafts into shields.

    ¡°Hand me a spear,¡± Abaenaxes stood and ordered, holding a hand toward me. Blood ran down his spear arm, his bicep looking as though it took the brunt of a butcher¡¯s blade. ¡°A spear!¡± I placed mine in his twitching hand, doubting if he could use it anymore.

    Abda rode closer and shouted at us, ¡°Do we finish our combat like men or are you content to hide behind boys?!¡±

    Abaenaxes huffed with rage and dropped his shield. Readying to cast his spear, he pushed through the hoplites around him and with a running start, he extended his left arm. Golden Torc¡¯s arrow flew through his nose, into his skull. His head kicked back as he fell onto his stomach. The spear rolled out of his bloody hand.

    Golden Torc rode past us, with Abda-Hajjir to regroup with the nomad riders. Estriadites ran and hurled his spear as hard as he could. The spear soared through the air toward Golden Torc. I held my breath as it neared him. Falling between the horse¡¯s neck and the rider¡¯s body, the spear stuck into the ground. Golden Torc reared his horse and glared back at us. Other riders moved around him, but he maintained his gaze. Abda rode past and must have said something because he slowly followed him away.

    I ran over to retrieve my spear. Abaenexes lay face down. ¡°We have to go after them!¡± I shouted to no one in particular. I looked back to find that most of the hoplites had run off after other survivors and left there were Estriadites and some ten other hoplites.

    My brother picked up a spear, ¡°Come,¡± he snarled, ¡°I take no slaves today.¡± He ran with purpose and we followed. The battlefield was cluttered with exotically dressed bodies, mostly the enemy spearmen that had been cut down while fleeing, interspersed with a dead horse here and there. Near a group of three dead horses, we found six dead hoplites.

    In front of us, we saw a commotion, lots of dust was kicked up by hooves and feet. It looked like the bulk of our men ran into an Elahkarian rearguard covering their retreat. To our right was chaos. About sixty hoplites fought an equal number of enemy spearmen and riders spread out far, without formation. Cries of desperate men, angry voices, and combat were the music of that field. ¡°We are needed here!¡± yelled Estriadites, pointing his spear to our right. We charged into the fight.

    I ran up to a pair locked in combat and speared the Elahkarian in his side and the hoplite facing him rammed his own spear into the man¡¯s chest, forcing him to the ground. Estriadites and the others spread out, searching for blood to spill. Another hoplite raised a sword to strike down an enemy when a nomad rider galloped by and cut his sword hand off at the wrist. Horsemen were buzzing through the combat like flies on a field of corpses.

    A horse nomad came at me and struck at me with a heavy curved sword. I jumped out of the way rather than block the strike. My eyes were searching the field for Golden Torc and Abda-Hajjir. They would not escape. I would not allow them to leave this field. My attacker did not stop to turn, just continued toward another foe, a foe that threw his spear straight into the rider¡¯s chest and watched him topple off the horse.

    I saw the large hoplite with a red cloak and red horsehair crest walk over to him. It was Ankarathesos who stood over the rider, towering above him like the titan of a man he was. Our Tyrant was made for this, to be in the thick of battle.

    He drew the spear from the dying man, spun and thrust its head into the belly of a spearman running towards his back, straight through the wicker shield. He roared and pulled his weapon free. I noticed that of the enemies that chose to stay and fight made more passes at Ankarathesos than any other hoplites near us. He was a great fighter and his head would be a trophy for anyone who could claim it, but he would make it damn hard for any to collect that prize.

    Estriadites and I found an Elahkarian spearman rushing toward Akarathesos and we set ourselves between him and our Tyrant. I thrust my spearhead towards his leg, and he dodged as expected. My brother ran him through and left him on the grass to bleed and die.

    The fight had gone well for us so far. Taking a quick sip from my canteen, I watched in awe as Ankarathesos swung his spear like a staff and knocked a rider off his mount, stabbing him twice with its butt-spike. Looking back at the dust kicked up from the larger battle, I saw Golden Torc emerge from the fighting, draw a curved sword and make for Ankarathesos. I ran as fast as my feet would carry me, putting myself in his path. Gripping my shield tightly, I rested my spear shaft on its rim, poised to strike.

    Golden Torc galloped toward me hunched in his saddle, the bronze head on his helmet staring me down. He held up his sword to strike and I lunged. The rider expertly dodged my spear, shifting himself on the horse. As he passed me, he brought his sword down in an arc as striking me high on my back.

    I fell forward on to my knees, bracing my fall with the rim of my shield. Dropping my spear, I frantically felt over my shoulder for blood. The cut in my linothorax armor was deep but there was no blood. Unarmored, that strike could have cut my spine. I grabbed my spear and spun around to counter his next attack. He had already ridden off toward Ankarathesos, leaving me behind as an afterthought.

    Golden Torc charged our leader who was deep in his battle rage. Scattered around him were seven bodies of Elahkarians. Ankarathesos turned to face the horseman and swiftly struck at him, but Golden Torc¡¯s sword swatted the spear away. Coming around for another pass, they struck again at each other. Our Tyrant thrust his spear at the enemy, only to have its head cut off. Rotating away, Ankarathesos dropped the spear and drew his sword from the sheath on his waist.

    Golden Torc turned and waited. Ankarathesos stepped over a body and swiftly moved toward our enemy. The rider came at him. Ankarithesos planted his feet, blocked sword with sword, and rammed the rider with his shield, almost dismounting him. Golden Torc struggled to remain on his mount and pulled the reigns to stop while he settled himself. Ankarathesos ran up to him just in time and chopped his sword down on Golden Torc¡¯s leg.

    Estriadites ran up shouting for me, ¡°Estrios! We have Abda!¡± I turned to meet him. ¡°Come! We have their general cornered!¡± I looked back to Golden Torc, who was fighting for his life now and followed my brother.

    ****

    Abda-Hajjir sat atop an anxious horse, surrounded by near thirty hoplites, spears ready. Inside the circle of warriors were bodies of men and horses. Nine Elahkarian bodies were loosely scattered around their general, some next to the bodies of their mounts. Around their dead were the bodies of seven hoplites. Some in the hoplite circle did their best to nurse wounds taken by those bodyguards.

    Abda¡¯s horse whined and stomped its hooves. Blood ran down from a cut on its neck and from another wound on its flank. Its eyes looked exhausted and fearful. Klysestes stepped forward addressing us, ¡°Don¡¯t let him flee. And if I fall, make sure he joins me.¡±

    One thing I grew to realize from an early age was that our people love a good fight, and we love our heroes. I have no doubt that if Klysestes was not present our men would have rushed in and killed Abda without a second thought. When two great warriors face each other in the field, everyone near them wants to watch.

    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t he ride through our men and flee?¡± I asked my brother.

    Estriadites shrugged, ¡°We¡¯re too many and his horse is wounded. A horse can only be pushed so far.¡± I nodded, not knowing anything about horses. ¡°Be ready though, he may yet try to flee.¡±

    Klysestes walks toward Abda, ¡°Abda-Hajjir, do you accept my challenge to single combat?¡±

    Abda looked around under no illusions that any choice he may have had was already removed. ¡°I accept your challenge. If that is the will of Assa-Mahura for me to meet my end at your spear, then I ride gladly into her arms,¡± replied the foreigner. With a twirl of his straight sword, Abda walked his horse toward Klysestes, moving carefully around the bodies of the men and horses surrounding him.

    Klysestes moved in quickly, taking advantage of the dead obstructing the horse¡¯s movements. The surrounding hoplites cheered him on and hurled insults at his opponent. The horse slipped for a moment on a body than rushed forward. Klysestes feigned a thrust then cut the horses neck with his spear. The mount reared up with a pain in its eyes and the spear thrust home into its underside. The horse kicked wildly with its front hooves. The spear ripped free and it seemed like the horse might fall.

    Abda-Hajjir elegantly slid off his mount and backed away slowly. The horse, instead of falling, ran towards Estriadites and I. We were quick to open the rank and let the horse run. Abda looked ready to bolt but Klysestes moved between the opening and him, long enough for us to reform the circle.

    I was close enough to see Abda¡¯s dark eyes observing the men around him through the open face of his bronze helmet. It wasn¡¯t fear that I saw on his face. He looked- calculating. His unusually calm face shown of a man displeased that he now has more work. Seeing him stand, I found his figure to be more intimidating. Abda was well built and slightly taller than me. He stood like a man in no need of a shield as if he were facing children. His sky blue robe, embroidered with thin purple, flapped in the breeze.

    The scattered bodies were to Abda¡¯s back, and as Klysestes moved in, so did the back side of our circle. The men wanted to get closer to the fight so they missed nothing, not being concerned with leaving too much room for combat. I looked back quickly and could barely see the fight where Golden Torc and Ankarathesos had been.

    Klysestes struck quickly. His foe parried the spear and backed up a couple paces. The next strike was a feint. Again, he parried the real strike to his leg, backing up until his heel was against the corpse of one of his bodyguards. Klysestes thrust swiftly. Abda was barely able to redirect the blow with his sword, and leaped in closer, grabbing the spear shaft. He pulled Klysestes off balance and buried the edge of his sword into the rim of the shield.

    Both struggled to wrench their weapons free and disarm their opponent. Abda finally dislodged his sword and chopped at Klysestes¡¯ spear hand. Managing to move in time, Klysestes dropped his spear and moved back drawing his sword. Abda-Hajjir looked at his opponent¡¯s short sword and smiled. ¡°It is not too late to accept the generosity of my king.¡±

    Klysestes remained silent, advancing slowly with his eyes over the rim of his shield, poised to strike. Abda glanced his long cavalry sword off the top of the shield, curved the blade in an arc and scraped his sword on his opponent¡¯s bronze greave, just below the knee. Klysestes withdrew his leg on instinct and Abda rammed his shoulder into the bronze shield, knocking Klysestes off balance.

    Abda¡¯s hand grabbed the top of the bronze shield and he swung his sword down hard. Klysestes barely had time to gain footing, but he parried the blow with his short sword and swung horizontally. Abda pulled his head back to dodge the blade. Klysestes pulled the bronze shield from his grasp.

    Abda backed up a pace and smiled. He seemed to be enjoying himself. Klysestes was breathing heavily but kept the large bronze shield facing his enemy. I didn¡¯t want to take my eyes off the fight, but I looked around quickly for any riders that might attack us while we were distracted. Cavalry rode across the field in small numbers but none came near us.

    Klysestes watched his opponent begin to circle him, as a predator and moved in quickly to keep the corpses behind his enemy. The closer he moved, the more Abda fell back, walking over a body. Abda looked quickly over his shoulder at the other bodies and walked back further. It seemed that he knew he might get pushed back amid the corpses, where if he was to stumble, he was determined to make Klysestes stumble too.

    Klysestes rushed in with a thrust of his sword, missed, and swung two more times. Abda evaded the blows easily, not being encumbered by a heavy bronze shield. He stepped sideways over another body, drawing Klysestes deeper into the sprawling corpses. We shouted encouragement to our champion but could tell he was winded. His shoulders moved with short, quick breaths and his shield hung lower leaving his neck more exposed. With his sword hand, he pulled off his helmet and let it fall. Sweat from his matted hair ran down his face.

    Abda smirked and raised his sword, but Klysestes rushed forward again. Abda parried the blow to the side and then cut back quickly. The long cavalry blade skidded off the top of Klysestes¡¯ hastily raised shield and cut a chunk of the dyed horsehair crest from the top of his helmet. The long cavalry sword curved back around struck low at his leg again.

    Klysestes fouled the enemy¡¯s blow with his shield and thrust his sword at the same time. Abda moved backward but his heels caught on a dead horse. The short sword thrust into his gut. With a grunt, Abda fell backward over the horse and rolled back up to his feet, his blue robe splotched with purple from the bloodstained ground around him. Klysestes looked at the tip of his short sword, no blood. That meant there was scale armor under the enemy¡¯s tunic.

    Klysestes jumps over the dead horse. Both their feet made a squishing sound as they moved on the blood-soaked turf between three bodies. Klysestes lunged with his sword. Rather than dodge, Abda brought his sword across hard and knocked the weapon from his hand. With his sword arm across his body, he has no time to strike before the large bronze shield rammed into him. Klysestes put all his weight into the real attack, knocking Abda over on to the slippery ground.

    Both men fell. Klysestes landing on top, his shield pinned Abda¡¯s sword arm against his own chest. With his weight on the shield, Klysestes used that arm to leverage his body up. Still pinning Abda, he hammered his fist down. Again and again, the bronze vambrace on his sword arm crashed on Abda¡¯s face. By the fourth blow, Abda¡¯s nose broke, and he coughed blood. His left arm was up trying to deflect but Klysestes caught the arm and headbutted him.

    The bloody vambrace rose and fell with a thud. Blood covered much of Abda¡¯s face, soaking into his trim black beard as he lay there almost defenseless. With haste, Klysestes rose and threw his shield on the ground, grabbed the cavalry sword and swung it down. The blade bit through the leather vambrace, into the bone of Abda¡¯s raised forearm and lodged itself there. Klysestes tried to pull it free but it remained stuck.

    Dropping the sword, Klysestes grabbed his shield with both hands on the rim and dropped to his knees, straddling the wounded man. Holding the shield tight, he rammed it down hard on Abda¡¯s throat, again and again. Abda made a gasping, sputtering sound. Satisfied, Klysestes dropped the shield and stood panting.

    I walked slowly over to Klysestes, with heavy footfalls so he knew I was coming. Someone amidst battle rage should not be surprised. He turned his head. I drew the long cavalry sword I had taken earlier and held it with its handle out. His brief smile between breaths said enough as he took the sword. Abda was no longer moving. I wasn¡¯t sure if he had died already but it mattered not. Klysestes took the man¡¯s helmet off and buried the blade¡¯s edge in his neck. Three more times and he stood holding the bloody head of Abda-Hajjir by its hair. He looked around and then back at me, tossing the sword on the ground near me.

    Collecting my sword, I kept my eyes from the dead bloody face. The sight should have been welcome but it only turned my stomach. I diverted my eyes and saw nomad horsemen rushing toward us. I barely had time to yell before the arrow struck Estriadites in the head.

 Chapter 11: Owner of the Golden Torc

    The arrow struck Estriadites¡¯ helmet and he fell to the ground, not moving. Golden Torc rode at us with twenty horsemen. I shouted something unintelligible to alert the others and slid my sword back into its scabbard. An arrow flew by my head. Within four breaths, the horsemen were upon us. The moment devolved into chaos. A rider came at me. I blocked his sword with my shield but missed with my spear.

    Another ten riders closed in on us from the other direction. Hoplites that were unprepared for the charge were knocked over and a few were trampled in the confusion. I planted my feet and plunged my spear into the flank of the horse nearest me. Expecting the horse to collapse, I tried to pull my spear free but the horse bucked and ran off, pulling the spear from my sweaty grasp before collapsing thirty paces away on the other side of the enemy horsemen.

    Looking around the ground hastily, I found the spear of one of the trampled hoplites. Another rider fought one of our men over a hoplite¡¯s corpse. Dropping to my knees, I crawled between the man and horse. With the spear now within my grasp, I pulled it from the dead man¡¯s hand. The horse reared and its hooves kicked in the air. I rolled away just in time, the weight of the horse crushed down on the dead man.

    Pulling away from the two, I ducked between some men and looked around. Only a few of our hoplites were down. Most of the riders remained on their mounts. They galloped in wide circles around us, some launching arrows at us, others striking then quickly retreating. The horse I speared was lying thirty paces from me. Its rider was trying to pull the spear from the crying animal¡¯s side.

    With a running start, I held my shield arm out to balance the throw I was about to make when the spear seemed front heavy. Slowing to a halt, I found the bottom quarter of the spear along with the butt-spike and counterweight had been snapped off. From that distance, I knew I couldn¡¯t make the throw with an unbalanced spear. Flipping my grip from overhand to underhand and set to run through the circling horsemen.

    A passing rider swung an ax at me. Deflecting the blow with my shield, I heard a crack with the impact. I knew more blows like that would lead to a broken shield. The rider halted his horse and turned for another pass when a spear pierced his chest and knocked him from his mount. Estriadites, standing with his empty spear arm extended, stood back with the other hoplites and nodded to me. Nodding back, I turned to face my target.

    The rider whose horse I had killed now faced me with the spear he pulled from its side. He stood without a shield, both feet planted and both hands gripping the spear. His Elahkarian robes were speckled with blood, likely not his own. Though he was not as splendid a sight as Abda-Hajjir, he also struck a well-muscled figure. I had figured him to be a bodyguard to the man Klysestes had relieved of his head.

    The spearhead came at me, and I felt its impact on my shield. I planted my feet to thrust my own spear when he hit my shield again. Instead of a direct thrust, he knocked my shield to the side and struck my chest. The wind fell from my lungs as my armor took the impact. I could tell the blow had almost pierced through my linothorax.

    I staggered back and readied. Horses were neighing and the field behind me was alive with the sounds of bronze striking bronze and men shouting. I looked around in haste to make sure no one tried striking me from behind.

    The man leaped forward to strike. I moved my grip to overhand and braced my shield. He struck high on my shield, then low at my leg. I moved in time but again he swatted my shield to the side with the spear shaft again. This time I was ready, I leaned forward before he could strike again, and threw my spear at his chest. We were at a distance where I could only miss if I chose to. My spear flew from my hand and struck my enemy in his chest.

    My heart almost lurched from my chest when I saw my spear had bounced off his chest, must have had scale armor under his robes. The man fell backward after he was hit and landed on his back. He lay on the ground holding his chest. In a moment of panic, I threw my shield aside and grabbed the spear he dropped. With both hands, as he held it, I rammed its butt-spike into his throat as he tried to get up. Again and again, I pierced his neck with the spike.

    Gurgling his with blood, the man grabbed the spear shaft. I tore it from his grasp, turning my back on him. There are some wounds you know men will not come back from. I stood with both ends of my spear bloodied. Dust was in the air as the fighting continued. It looked like the horsemen caused enough chaos and charged into our unorganized hoplites. I prayed to the war god in gratitude that no one had stabbed me in the back while I had been distracted.

    I stood for a moment, to catch my breath. My hands shook, cold and sweaty. The pain in my side again made itself known. It wasn¡¯t fear that made me shake, only nerves. When facing another man, your mind and body are of singular purpose, and you can push yourself to meet that purpose. After it is finished, it takes from you, as one would expect after a constant strain. I was beginning to learn this but would not fully understand it yet. Another small thing.

    I took a sip from my half-empty canteen and hesitated a moment, remembering I was outside of the battle in front of me. I remained outside all the small fights around me. We had already won the main battle, would it be cowardice to walk away from this one?

    Estriadites¡¯ bronze shield, with three black crows painted on its face, caught my eye before he jumped out of the way of a horse. Our men formed a schiltron so they could not be flanked. It seemed that no one had noticed me standing alone. I ignored my sour stomach, picked up my shield, and ran toward him at speed. My last brother would not die today.

    ****

    Estriadites¡¯ teeth shown through the cheek guards of his helmet as he smiled at my arrival. His sword was drawn and blood from it ran down the vambrace of his forearm. I ran up the schiltron with arrows whistling by me. The formation opened just wide enough for me to fit in. Reversing direction, I closed the gap with my shield and gasped for breath.

    I saw a rider to my right advancing with a javelin, ready to hurl at us. He waited too long and another hoplite broke formation and pulled him from his mount. Seeing a few more horsemen off that direction, I ran in to aid him. The battle joy started to return to me. He stabbed at the dismounted nomad, who rolled toward his attacker with the javelin and stabbed the hoplite in his exposed thigh. The hoplite fell to his knee as the nomad rose, grabbed his spear with both hands, and kicked him onto his back.

    I stepped forward, challenging the nomad. The nomad¡¯s headscarf was undone and swaying with the movement of his head, revealing his stern face. He ran at me and thrust his spear. The spearhead broke through my cracked shield. My spear narrowly missed him but when he tried to pull his spear free, it remained firmly planted in my shield. I pulled hard, leading him off balance and thrusting my spear again.

    The nomad dropped his weapon and jumped back, avoiding my strike. Footsteps were behind me. Looking back, other hoplites broke formation and charged another enemy. I threw down the spear laden shield and moved in. In two quick motions, I struck low and then high. Both times the nomad moved out of the way. I could see a body behind him and realized I could make him trip. Again I leaped in but instead of moving backward, the nomad slid to the side and grabbed the spear shaft.

    A rider broke through the group that passed me and was riding right for the space between my enemy and me. The nomad and I quickly dropped the spear and jumped back. The horseman turned toward me and swung a sword at me. I ducked as quickly as I could. Looking up, the nomad came at me and rammed his shoulder into my stomach, tackling me to the ground.

    The tackle knocked the wind from my lungs. My arms shot up in defense as the nomad climbed on top of me and grabbed a knife from the sheath on his waist. I reached out for his knife hand and blood splattered on my face, through the cheek guards my helmet. Blinking a few times, I saw a spearhead sticking from the front of the nomad¡¯s chest. The nomad coughed and groaned, twitching before he leaned backward. His body slumped off of me when the spear was ripped from his body.

    Estriadites stood, holding the bloody spear. The butt-spike of the weapon was extended to me. I grabbed it, and he helped pull me to my feet. ¡°Gratitude,¡± was all I could say. I smile because thinking to that day, I thank the gods I didn¡¯t piss myself. I thought I had since my legs were dripping. Reaching for my ceramic canteen, I found that it had been broken when I was tackled.

    My brother planted his spear in the ground and handed me his water skin. No horsemen were near us so I took a drink. It was then that I realized weren¡¯t many horsemen left on the field. Some surely fled but many had died by our spears. Having more time to think, I reasoned they must have been part of the rearguard protecting their infantry that had fled the field.

    More of our hoplites returned from that chase to regroup and strip bodies of anything that held value. The riders I saw either were cornered or hadn¡¯t made up their mind about retreating yet. There was no question, we won the battle. I handed the water skin back to my brother. Grabbing my spear, I walked over to where my wrecked shield lay. The spear still pierced it. I bent down and pulled free my sheathed cavalry sword that I had tied to the inside of the shield. It was also the moment I decided that tying my only other weapon to my shield had been a mistake.

    I fixed my sheath to my waist and by chance, I looked over and saw him. The rider with the golden torc was locked in combat with Klysestes. It happened quickly. Golden Torc charged Klysestes, who rolled out of the way and continued to deftly slip the spears of other hoplites as he fled. He galloped in my direction.

    With no moment wasted, I sped toward the rider, Estriadites trailed behind me. With only a spear in my hand, I needed him to try to run me down, and make sure he did not cut me down. It is unclear if it was courage or the stupidity of youth, but I moved closer to make my purpose clear.

    He looked at the pursuers behind him and charged me head on. I stopped and planted my feet. Both hands clutched my spear as he approached. Golden Torc held his curved sword out, ready to strike. My stomach soured as nervous sweat dripped from my brow. This was the last chance I would have to kill him if I could see it done.

    Right as Golden Torc closed in on me I waited as long as I could before jumping directly into the path of the horse. I planted the butt-spike of my spear in the ground and angled its head at the horse¡¯s chest. The horse rammed hard into the spear, causing the shaft to break. Part of its shoulder also hit me, sending me sprawling to the ground. The beast collapsed about ten paces from me.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    It may have been nerves or fear but my shoulder did not hurt. Though I could still command it, it felt tight. I rose as quickly as I could and drew my sword. Golden Torc was on the ground with his helmet rolling away from him. His mount had collapsed on his leg, and he desperately was trying to pull it from under its corpse.

    More hoplites gathered around us and were closing in on our enemy who had just freed his leg and now stood, sword in hand. I ran closer to him before the loose circle of hoplites descended on him. ¡°Wait!¡± I shouted, taking my helmet off to be heard. ¡°Wait! I claim this man! He has done me harm, and I would repay him in kind!¡± The other hoplites stopped and look around at each other. It¡¯s very hard to judge if someone takes you seriously with a helmet covering most their face. ¡°I claim his death!¡±

    Estriadites, with Klysestes nearby, jogged up behind me, ¡°Brother, this is unwise. The man is dangerous.¡±

    I smiled and looked at Klysestes, ¡°Should I fall, make sure he follows me to the afterlife.¡± He looked wary but nodded.

    ¡°Estrios,¡± my brother began to protest.

    ¡°He took Estrianes¡¯ head, and now I will claim his.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know it was him,¡± he replied.

    ¡°It was,¡± I told him with a resolute look. ¡°I need it to be him. I need someone to punish.¡±

    Estriadites looked at Golden Torc who stood defensively with a curved sword, then back to me. He let out a deep breath, ¡°Put away your sword.¡± I turned to him with anger in my eyes. He planted his spear next to me, ¡°You¡¯ll need to be properly armed.¡± Pulling the large bronze shield from his arm, he held it out to me. I smiled thankfully and sheathed my sword. With my helmet on, armed with Estriadites¡¯ shield and bloody spear, I walked toward my enemy.

    Golden Torc was cautiously eying the hoplites around him when he saw me approach. He looked around again, then back at me. A smile crossed his face. He unfastened his hip quiver, which had a large scar on it from Ankarathesos and let it fall to the ground. The edge of his sword had drying blood on it. I couldn¡¯t help but think that it was Estrianes¡¯.

    I approached him cautiously, with my shield raised and my spear resting on its rim. I wanted to threaten him or give him cause to remember me but the warrior¡¯s sickness was creeping into my mind, fear. At least twice this day, he had bested me in combat and seemed to prove himself unwilling to even be cut. My fear reminded me of this. For a moment, I reconsidered my decision. If he died by another¡¯s hand, he would be just as dead if slain by my own.

    Everyone¡¯s eyes were on me. I pushed all thoughts from my mind, save for the image of Estrianes¡¯ head rolling on the grass. If I couldn¡¯t summon courage, I would settle for hate and anger. My footfalls were slow as I approached my enemy. Within spear range, I readied to strike. Golden Torc lurched toward me, sword raised and screaming.

    I jumped back and nearly fell. Though I prepared to receive his attack, none came. My heart was beating fast. Golden Torc had not moved. He stood and laughed at how he had spooked me. My heart turned dark, and I grit my teeth. With a cry of war, I ran forward and thrust my spear at his stomach. He leaned out of the way. Again, I struck at his chest. He hopped to the side and smiled.

    My spear went for his throat. Golden Torc moved to the side and grabbed the shaft of my spear. His face grimaced. The curved sword struck high so I raised my shield, expecting the blow. Instead, his sword curved around and the blow came down into the side of my greave, denting it. The metal dug into my calf.

    Desperately, I tried to pull my spear from his grip, but he pulled back harder. Almost falling off balance, I dropped the spear and spun around, and drew the sword from my waist. He also released the spear and leaned from the path of my sword. I swung again. His sword hit mine, knocking it out of the way, and with both hands swung at my head. I raised the shield as quickly as I could but the sword was quicker. It rang my helmet as if it were a bell.

    I staggered from the blow and as I looked forward again, Golden Torc delivered a front kick to the center of my shield. My back hit the rocky ground and the air left my lungs. I looked up quickly and prepared to defend myself but saw him gritting his teeth and walking around gingerly on one of his legs. It suddenly came back to me. When I killed his horse, the beast fell on his leg. I knew not if anything had broken but at the least, it was causing him pain. If I could yet make him move on it, the advantage would be mine.

    My brother and Klysestes were among those shouting encouragement to me. Quickly rising to my feet, I raised my shield and leveled my sword. ¡°Cut his good leg!¡± yelled Estriadites.

    ¡°Use your shield as a ram!¡± yelled Klysestes.

    ¡°Just kill him already!¡± shouted Helion, who had shown up at some point.

    My breaths were quick and shallow. Sweat dripped down my nose under my helmet. Each attack brought forth more exhaustion. As I stopped thinking of my own death, I thought less about his. Water and rest were my only desire. What hope was there for my victory? Every encounter with this man had only led to near death. Whatever strike I made was dodged, parried, or blocked. I could not even begin to touch him and avoid being outclassed with every step.

    Doing my best to push these thoughts from mind, I ran in at Golden Torc with my sword gripped tight. With my shield under my eyes, I was going to afford him no opportunity to strike me. My sword was swift and my strike true. He parried my thrust like a nobleman talking down to a freedman. His sword knocked mine to the side and his shoulder rammed into my shield, knocking me backward. The curved sword came for my leg next. I pulled it from danger with little time to spare. It then came at my other leg, which I pulled back. I tried hard not to fall back but each of his strikes set me teetering backward. He moved forward with each strike, gritting his teeth in pain.

    My arms came up to keep balance and the curved sword rammed into my chest. The force of the blow jarred me, and I fell, meeting the dusty ground with my back. Had Golden Torc possessed a good straight sword, he might have pierced my heart with that blow. My chest could feel the bruise forming. I prayed that I would have the energy to keep fighting and not simply lay there and wait for death.

    Golden Torc¡¯s sword stabbed at my groin but was blocked by my shield. He raised the weapon again, and I rolled to my side as the curved sword buried its edge in the grassy dirt. Hobbling toward me, he brought the blade down again. I rolled on to one side and kicked his injured foot as hard as I could. Golden Torc fell on his side with a loud groan.

    I stabbed hard, catching the armor on his chest without hurting him. He rolled back, and we both scrambled to our feet. A sense of hope washed over me as I took labored breaths. This was the first time I had actually touched him with my blade. Hope gave me new life. I now had to ensure it wasn¡¯t squandered.

    My shield arm hung low, the weight of the shield bearing on it. I glanced down at its bronze face and the three crows. These shields are the hoplite¡¯s strength in battle, creating a long unbroken wall of bronze. In this moment, I realized it was not so. That shield was slowing my movement, sapping my strength, and tiring my body. In a gamble to ensure I moved with speed, I let the shield slide off my arm onto the ground.

    I observed my enemy. Golden Torc breathed heavily yet calmly. His eyes looked back at mine. Though I knew he was getting tired, I was more so. His narrow eyes seemed to regard me more seriously. My breathing slowed a little and my mind calmed. I remembered others were watching and looked quickly around. Most of the hoplites were quiet or whispering to each other. Estriadites looked ready to cast the new spear in the beat of a heart.

    Golden Torc looked around quickly and said something in a language I did not understand, though his tone seemed to convey the point. I was not worthy. He pointed at me and laughed. I was about to charge in when I caught myself. He was only trying to provoke me. His foot hurt too much to chase me, and he wanted me to come to him, so he would not tire.

    I couldn¡¯t help but grin. There was nothing I could think of to provoke him. I could call his mother a whore and his father a goat fucker, but he didn¡¯t speak my language. When I thought about it, he had been letting me attack him this whole time. If I stayed out of his range, I would have no fear of being attacked. A plan formed in my mind. Golden Torc¡¯s scale armor tunic stopped at his waist, though two wide strips protected is thighs. His groin and inner thighs were unprotected, as were his arms above the silver vambraces.

    Thoughts about all the areas I could strike came to mind if I could get in close. I thought about this while he jeered at me and probably called me a coward and a woman in his own tongue. A clear feeling of what I had to do settled in my mind.

    I walked toward him slowly, sword raised defensively. My eyes met his. We stared at each other as I approached. When I was close, the moment he blinked is when I ran. I closed the distance as quickly as I could. His sword came down and my hand raised instinctively. Ducking low, my straight sword plunged straight into Golden Torc¡¯s groin, just below the top of his breeches. His blow came down hard on my shoulder and made me fall to a knee. I pushed the blade in further as he collapsed.

    My blade ripped from his body, and he screamed in pain. I saw he still gripped his sword so I moved back. My smile grew to see the finger length end of my sword with blood on it. The sword that took my father¡¯s life had now avenged Estrianes. I watched my enemy squirm on the ground with satisfaction. The other hoplites around me looked concerned but cheered loudly.

    As I caught my breath, a heavy pain began to grip my shoulder. I grabbed the bottom of my helmet with my sword still in hand and slid it off my head. My sweat soaked hair caught the breeze and it amazed me how good it felt. I looked at the shoulder which took the blow and there was a deep cut in my linothorax. The iron buckle on my armor took the brunt of the blow and was now in two pieces. There was some blood on my shoulder, and I thought I could feel a trickle of blood underneath.

    The happiness faded as the rider pushed himself up to his knees. One hand was on his wound, the other held his sword. Blood seeped between his fingers and his face was of composed pain, his eyes, pure malice. My arms shook. I could not tell if it was fear or nerves, but the thought of continuing the fight turned my bowels to water. This man would simply not die.

    Golden Torc face turned disgusted. He spat on the ground and turned his head up to the blue sky and shouted something that sounded like ¡®Dengrei¡¯. I don¡¯t know what he was yelling, but he looked back at me and hurled his sword away from him. Head hung low, he mumbled then looked up at me and yelled something else as he straightened his neck and closed his eyes. The golden torc around his neck glinted in the afternoon sun. Blood oozed from between his fingers. His other hand moved around his back, bracing it. Painfully, his posture straightened.

    He knew his head was mine, he knew it was mine, and I closed in to take it. Gripping my cavalry sword with both hands, my heart nearly skipped a beat. I tried as hard as I could not to panic when I caught a glimpse of the missing fingers. The rider¡¯s blade and sheared off four of my fingers at the middle knuckles before hitting my shoulder. I¡¯ve heard stories of men losing bits in battle and not feeling it but put no stock into those stories until now. Another small thing that is taught and not learned.

    I couldn¡¯t feel my fingers, but I could feel the blood drain from my face in that moment. This had to be finished before I collapsed. Only now did the pain come. Placing my reddened sticky palm on the grip of my sword, I stood in front of my vanquished foe and prepared to take his life. As I raised the sword to my side, Golden Torc¡¯s eyes opened and a knife came around quickly from behind him. I jumped back as quickly as I could, but his dagger sliced deep in the front of my thigh.

    My arms raised above my head when I tried to evade the strike. With my feet planted, both hands gripped my sword as well as they could, and I brought it down with all my might. The crunch it made as the blade bit into his skull is a sound that will never leave me. He dropped the dagger and his arms went slack. The middle of my blade bit deep into his head. Trying to pull the blade free only made the face look up at me. I released the sword and the body fell backward. The rider with the golden torc lay on his back with his knees buckled, my sword still in his head. I looked at his dagger on the ground, picked it up, straddled the corpse, and slit its throat.

    Estriadites and Helion rushed in while everyone cheered and chanted my name. I could barely hear them. With as much effort as I could still command, I sawed the dagger blade into the corpse¡¯s neck, through the windpipe and muscle. His head would yet be mine. Blood leaked quickly and spurted as I sawed.

    My brother pulled me backward off the body. ¡°He¡¯s dead!¡± yelled Estriadites. ¡°It¡¯s over!¡±

    I moved to finish my work and he pushed me down. I can¡¯t say how much blood I left on that field, but I felt that I couldn¡¯t get up again. He dropped his weapons, grabbed my wounded hand and began to wrap it in a bandage.

    ¡°You actually killed him!¡± said Helion in excitement. His face turned wry, ¡°Now try not to bleed to death.¡± There were many things I wanted to call him but was too tired to reply.

    Klysestes walked over and stood above me with some other hoplites, ¡°Back away. Give him air.¡± They obeyed. He opened his mouth and then closed it. I can¡¯t remember if he said anything to me, but I know that I had to be carried off the field just before fainting.

 Epilogue

    When I awoke, I found myself under what seemed to be an open-sided festival tent with other wounded men lying all over the ground. I could smell the fresh sea breeze from the coast. The grass underneath me was soft enough and under my head was a rolled up cloak. The fresh air flowed over my skin, cooling my warm body. Looking down at my feet, I found I was wearing a new tunic. The relief I felt to not still be wearing sweaty armor was¡­beyond my words.

    Tilting my head down, I felt something solid on my neck. Feeling around, I found that I was wearing some sort of jewelry. I pulled it off me, accidentally choking myself only slightly, I held a golden torc in my hand. My eyes closed and smiled wide. Outside of the tent, I could hear the clank of pans, groaning of suffering men, and horses neighing. I glimpsed what I found to be the sea in the distance. The light of mid-day made it sparkle in the distance. It was a pleasurable moment considering all that had happened.

    Any cares I had melted away. I tried to scratch my leg and remembered my hand was bandaged. A pang of shock went through my body as I jolted up. The bandages were tight around my left hand, slightly pink where the fingers would be. My breath was quick and my mind raced. I began pawing at the wraps when a familiar voice addressed me. ¡°You awake?¡± I looked at the open part of the tent and Estriadites walked in with a smile. His tunic was a rich blue and he held an air of nobility about him. In his hands was a small amphora depicting a warrior slaying a wild boar.

    Tears watered my eyes, and I could not help but smile. ¡°Brother,¡± I laughed for lack of words.

    He smiled back. ¡°Rest,¡± he said, carefully walking over a sleeping man and sitting beside me. He held the small amphora out, ¡°Honeyed wine from Myclaetta, our sister city across the sea.¡± I must have looked impressed because my brother mischievous smiled and told me not to ask where he had gotten it from. It had to be stolen. I took a sip from the amphora, careful not to drop it with my good hand. The wine was the finest I have ever had. I have had finer vintages since, yet none compare to that day and what it meant to me.

    Estriadites took a sip and savored it while we looked out to the sea and drank more. After the silence, I turned to him, ¡°Are we near Lektrios?¡±

    ¡°Right outside the walls, actually. The best Lektrian physicians are attending to our wounded,¡± he paused to have another mouthful of wine. ¡°They¡¯re grateful for our demonstration of friendship¡­and no doubt surprised.¡±

    He looked at the confusion made plain on my face. ¡°They did not expect us to come, knowing the number of hoplites we could field. Do you know how many a large city like this can muster?¡± I shook my head. ¡°At last count, I¡¯d say they have over fifteen thousand,¡± I swear my jaw almost fell off my face. Years ago when we had fought with them against Kalocea, I heard they sent around six thousand to our aid. My mind could not fathom those numbers.

    ¡°But now we are here, as we promised,¡± he said.

    ¡°How many of us made it.¡±

    ¡°Just under eight hundred.¡± I was not sure how to take that news. It seemed like a higher price than what it was worth. ¡°You know they treat us all like heroes?¡± I must have looked bewildered again because he chuckled. ¡°We marched a great distance to get here and fought at least twice our number. Every Lektrian we¡¯ve seen swarmed us with questions about the enemy, not to mention all the favorable glances from women. We¡¯re the only ones that have seen them as of yet. Do know how many of their men we sent to the afterlife?¡±

    I shook my head but instead of answering me, Estriadites sipped more wine, smacking his lips in approval. Absentmindedly, I hit his arm with my bandaged hand. I waited with wide eyes as I expected the pain to come.

    My brother laughed hard and patted my shoulder, ¡°That will be something to get used to,¡± he said, pointing to my bandaged hand. ¡°Some say we killed six hundred and others, a thousand. Had I not been there, I would see the higher number as suspect.¡± Still amazed by the lack of pain, I gently touched my bandaged hand. ¡°I asked about that.¡±Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°What?¡± I asked.

    ¡°You don¡¯t feel any pain, do you? Feels numb?¡± I nodded slowly. ¡°I watched the medikus tend to your hand. He chewed up some green leaves and wrapped them around the end of your fingers. That was after the burning and the stitching.¡± The blood drained from my face as I listened. ¡°Worry not. Your leg was attended to.¡± I looked at my though and saw the gash in my leg was stitched closed. Now it itched.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, brother,¡± he laughed. ¡°Rest easy knowing you¡¯re in fine hands. Well, not too easy. The medikus hinted that since your wounds have been treated, you¡¯re not to get any more of those leaves. Actually,¡± he said, as if it had just dawned on him, ¡°that¡¯s the purpose of me bringing this wine. The rest is for you.¡±

    He placed the amphora next to me. ¡°I recommend getting good and drunk because those herbs might not last for much longer. Not wanting to waste a moment, I grabbed the amphora and drank heartily or rather, enjoyed larger sips. It was quite a vintage to have.

    Estriadites looked behind me and stood. I looked around to find Klysestes approaching. Even without his armor on, he commanded respect. My brother bowed slightly. Klysestes returned the gesture and walked over so I would not have to crane my neck. ¡°How fares your hand?¡± he asked.

    ¡°At the moment, fine. The missing fingers are hardly missed,¡± I replied, not really knowing what to say.

    Klysestes nodded without saying anything. The silence continued. I looked at my brother and his eyes met mine. Finally, Klysestes cleared his throat, ¡°You both fought well yesterday. You honored your ancestors. I feel moved, perhaps by the goddess of wisdom,¡± he paused and shook his head. ¡°My quarrel was with your father. He died a hero, as did my son died by your side,¡± he looked at me. ¡°I¡¯m having a Lektrian notary draft parchment as we speak.¡±

    Estriadites and I looked at each other briefly, not knowing what to expect. ¡°I am forgiving your father¡¯s debts,¡± he explained. ¡°The sum of the debt was never of much importance to me, and I think it time that we bury old enmities in favor of a brighter future.¡±

    My brother and I gawked at the man. I assume we looked like proper wide-eyed idiots. Father¡¯s debt was considerable enough to make our family indentured to Klysestes, likely until Kyron¡¯s death of old age. It was a great gesture at the time, one that I most appreciated. Looking back on old memories, I also realized that with our family as meager as we were, the odds of us repaying the debt in full may have been slim and with the death of father, Klysestes would have no reason to spite us. It¡¯s not as if Klysestes actually needed what little income we yet possessed.

    ¡°Gratitude,¡± I blurted out. ¡°I-I¡­¡±I looked around for words. ¡°Gratitude.¡± My brother bowed his head and said something equally as dignified.

    Klysestes smiled, ¡°Rest easy and you may well feel fit enough to fight the real enemy.¡± I smiled and shook my head slightly, trying to comprehend. ¡°The main Elahkarian army is landing at Lenaeus Beach. Between the beach and the marshlands, they have made camp. Our combined army is there to meet them. It might yet be a few days before we clash, so rest.¡±

    With a slight nod, he left the tent. I couldn¡¯t move. My mind was racing. We fought. We fought so hard on the march that I lost sight of what the goal was. Truly, we fought for the right to fight the days to come. Now that we had arrived, the real battle would commence.

    Only, my fears mattered not. I did not fight in the battle of Lenaeus Beach, where legends were forged and bled. The amount of blood I had lost on the way to Lektrios barely allowed me to walk. Taking into account my missing fingers, I would be of no help in a phalanx. I waited in the tent filled with wounded men for almost a week before news of the victory traveled back to me. At that point, I felt I could at least walk.

    The celebrations in the city lasted for a fortnight, and I saw many a wondrous thing during that time. It was a moment in my life paralleled by no other. A truly wonderful and wild time, like Estriadites said, women asked to see the heroes from Demepolis. The only other moment I hold in such high regard would be my wedding day. Within the next year, I took the hand of Klysestes¡¯ daughter Kylasene. It is true that I taunted Kyron about what I had done with her. If the truth is to be told, I loved her from the moment I was humbled in front of her. When I was on the march, the most we had done was shared a kiss. In the next year, we had married and were happy, for a time.

    If it is a legend you wish to hear, ask your father. He can tell you all about the legend of Estriadites. Who better to tell it than the man himself? Though I took no part in the battle, what my brother had told me was the source that I based my play on. After these years, it is still a play that draws an audience as large as the day it opened. Estrianes and I always sought to have our names remembered, and now through what I write, they are.

    I should thank the gods for that luck but instead, I thank them for those who willingly embraced death to see us free from foreign dominion. To them I owe thanks. Now let us be on our way. I should not want to miss the oration at the beginning of my own play.