08:10
Chapter1
Hot Gates, Greece ( 3 moths after )
Twenty Spartans moved along the ravaged farmland. What they saw was disturbing, even for the battle-hardened Spartans. Farm animals were gutted, their entrails spread across the burnt grass. The work horses were decapitated, their heads placed on sharpened sticks. But what was really sickening was the farmer and his family. Or what was left of them. Gore and blood covered the little cottage they called home. Unidentifiable limbs littered the floors. Not needing to see anymore, the group moved along the trail.
King Leonidas sat on a large rock. He was amongst his 'personal guard'. All 300 of them. His traditional red battle cloak was used as a cushion. Leonidas studied the map that planned their approach. The king looked up as the scout group approaches.
"What have you found ? " the king asked.
" We found the result of one of their raiding parties." Replied the unit commander.
Grideius was used to the barbarism of the enemy but this has achieved a new level of violence.
" Was it the same as the last two farm estate? " asked the king with a frown.
Grideius nodded.
The king shook his head. The Persian was known for their depravity and savageness but this was wrong. Corpses were simply dismembered and left to rot. Minor fishing villages along the Greek coast have similarly been ravaged.
" Sire, there is little to be found but it looks as if the Persians are not taking any loot. They burn and kill everything." Captain Artemis noted. " The Arcadians confirm this too."
"This is grave news. We must not slow down. If the main Persian force arrive at Thermopylae before we do, the consequences would be dire." Leonidas replied.
He leapt from his seat and called out to the assembled Spartans.
"Gather up your gear, men. We are moving out!"
300 throaty cheers replied. The Arcadians were also assembling their equipments and loading them on to horses and donkeys. The Spartans did not need such aid. Each carried what he needed on his back, along with their heavy bronze shields.
Artemis watched as the men filed out. He sighed. He was to old for this. But as a Spartan, he have protect his homeland. His son was walking alongside his unit, preparing the gears. Astinos caught his father's gaze and nodded, a sign of respect among warriors. His friend, Stelios waved him over. Both the young warriors marched further with their men.
Artemis sighed again.