Chapter 1
Friendship
The sun had just barely risen over the horizon and the air was already hot. There was nothing but a soft, warm breeze that blew through the nearly empty city. The buildings were all made of stone, with old cloths that covered the open windows. It was not elegant or beautiful, but it was home. The structures were not made to be beautiful. They were made to be functional, and they were. They survived even the most hostile and unforgiving of storms. It was as if the gods themselves had wanted to test the strength of Sparta, and Sparta had endured. It was peaceful for now. The light of the sun made the whole city seem to glow orange and yellow, casting dark shadows where it did not yet touch. There were clothes and cloths hanging from lines outside of houses, and they shifted ever so slightly with the blowing wind.
The Citizens were still within their beds, enjoying the sweet embrace of sleep. It wouldn't be long now before everyone woke from their dreams and began their duties. For now, only Sibyl was awake and working. She was not a spartan by blood and the others did treat her differently for it. They were not cruel to her, but they did tend to look down upon her. At least, they used to. She had proven herself time and time again in the fire of combat and training. She fought better and was stronger than most of the women who were of Spartan blood. She also learned faster and retained the knowledge given to her. She wanted to contribute to Spartan society. They had accepted her when all others had left her for dead. She wanted to show that she was grateful for their mercy.
Her parent's had adopted her when she was still very small. She remembered none of her life before Sparta. She liked it that way. She could feel no sadness about a lost life if she could not recall any of it. As far as she was concerned, she was a Spartan and would always be a Spartan. However, she was greatly saddened by her lack of a husband. She was nearly seventeen years old, and was unaware of a single man who was even remotely interested in her. All of the friends she had while growing up now had husbands and children. This made her question what could be wrong with her. It was not horribly uncommon for a girl her age to still be unwed, but it was strange that not a single man had asked for her hand. At least, not that she was aware of.
She had shoulder-length hair, that blazed like fire against her lightly tanned skin. Women with red hair were few and far between in Sparta. Nearly everyone around her had brown or black hair. There were even a few blondes, but no women with red hair. She hated it most days. She felt as though her hair was the reason that people gave her strange looks. It was almost like a badge that showed her true blood, calling her out as a Spartan imposter. Her eyes looked like the deepest part of the ocean and always looked cold as ice. Freckles dotted across her cheeks, arms, chest and back. Though, with her tan, they were increasingly hard to see. Her skin had been very fair when she was first brought into Sparta and for the first few years, her skin burned terribly, but that didn't bother her anymore. Her womanly form was nearly perfect, or at least, that was what other women told her.
Her hips were wide and her body was strong. Her breasts were full and her curves were prominent. She did not weigh anymore or any less than anyone else her age. She was made of muscle, just like the rest of Sparta. She had been raised just as every Spartan woman. She knew how to fight, to read, to protect, to educate. Most importantly, she knew how to raise a child. She hoped that she was not too old to marry now. She knew it was a silly thought, but it still worried her, despite her best efforts to ignore it. Motherhood was the greatest gift she could receive in her life and she would be heart broken not to achieve it. She did not have to marry in order to be a mother, but it was preferred. She would want her child to have a father. It would also be slightly shameful for an unwed woman to bear a child. She did not wish to shame her family because of her selfish desires.
She sat on a small, wooden stool, beside her metal wash tub. The water within the tub was cold and made her hands go nearly numb from the prolonged contact. She was cleaning all of her clothing, as well as her brothers and fathers. Her mother had fallen ill a few years after they adopted Sibyl, and had lost her life. There was not a single tear at her funeral, not from anyone. It wasn't until later that night that Sibyl had gone home and wept while no one could see or hear her. There was no room for softness in Sparta. Her father had cried at the funeral, but it had been expected of him. They had been married for over ten years. It only made sense that he would shed tears at the loss of his wife, his love. Her older brother, Stelios, was strong enough for her and her father. While they both cried and mourned the loss, Stelios only continued his training, as he was supposed to. He was a true Spartan, hard and strong, even in the presence of death. She felt very privileged to have two strong men in her life. She knew that they would never let anything happen to her. She never feared that someone would harm her, for any reason.
She did not mind doing these chores, after all, they were her duty as a Spartan citizen. She never one talked back to her father. She was forever grateful that he and his late wife had saved her life. Petty chores were the least she could do for him. She had just hoped that, by this time in her life, she would be washing the clothing of her husband, not her family. Not that she was ungrateful to her family for taking her, but only, that she wished to have a family of her own. She laughed quietly to herself as she continued to look down at her work. She felt so silly, to be a girl of only sixteen, worrying about getting married.
There were swirls of color in the cold wash tub as the clothing intermingled. It was very clear as to which clothes were hers, and which were not. Hers were all white, and seemed to shine in the water. The rest of the clothing was a bright, scarlet red that seemed to look like blood in the water. She smiled down at her work. It seemed so funny, the colors of purity and war within the same place, intertwined. She had her scrubbing stone in her right hand and was working very hard to make sure that the Crimson's for her father and brother would be absolutely clean before she returned them. Actually, neither her brother nor father even knew she had their Crimson's. It was supposed to be a surprise for them before they awoke and had to go to training. She raised her head to look around, her icy eyes scanning everything. There was not a single person to be seen, or a sound to be heard. Her heart sank in her chest slightly and she scolded herself for being such a silly girl. There was no room for her feelings in this world, and it would be best for her to ignore them. Despite what she knew to be true, she longed to see him, her mystery man.
Love was almost irrelevant in Sparta. Yes, once women married their husbands, they learned to love them, but that took years for some, and others may not ever learn to love their spouse. Sibyl already loved a man, a man who she rarely saw, and almost never had a chance to speak to. Even when they could talk, they did not. They knew that others would assume adultery, and neither of them wanted that. She could not tell him, or anyone else of her feelings. She feared that it would bring great shame to her family. Even though it was wrong, she wanted to speak to him in private. She wanted to have a chance to learn his name, and be able hear him say hers. Her desires were very little, but they were impossible.
She took a deep breath and lowered her head again, looking back down at her hands as she continued to wash the clothing. The only reason she was up so early was in the hopes of seeing him. Lately, she had seen him walk through the city, taking a casual stroll in the early hours of the morning, while everyone else was asleep. She thought that maybe, today, she would be able to speak with him as he walked through. That is, if he did not see her as a foolish child.
He was a soldier, just like all Spartan men were soldiers. He was different, but not different enough for anyone but her to notice. His eyes did not always carry the look of rage and cruelty that the other men had. No, his eyes were soft and kind, of course, only when no one else was looking. Or at least, when he thought no one else was looking. She had heard other women speak of him when they would all wash clothes together, or take their lessons, or watch their children. They spoke of him as if he were still a boy, with a fragile heart. He was even rumored to be an excellent story teller. She hoped that she would find out if this was true or not.
The man's name was Dilios, and he was twenty-five years old. These were facts she had learned through her casual conversations with the other women. She wondered if that would be too old for her. Depending on the man and the preference of the girl's family, age gaps were not always favored. Sparta was not like the rest of Greece, where men married girls, barely half their age. She had friends who married men no more than five years older, and other friends who had age gaps of nearly fifteen years. She felt that eight wasn't too far, but that had nothing to do with him. It would be up to her father to decide wether she could marry or not. That is, if Dilios even wanted her at all.
He was a strong man, tall, lean, muscular, just like the other warriors. He had short, strawberry-blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. He looked a lot like herself, except for her hair was brighter and her skin had freckles. He had a short, well groomed beard and she found it extremely attractive. She had imagined stroking his beard with her tender fingers more than once in her life. These were also the more tame of her adolescent girl fantasies. She found herself wondering if he even knew who she was. After all, he had only smiled at her a time or two, or said a small 'hello' in passing. Nothing more than being polite. It was foolish to love a man whom one had never really spoken to, and hardly ever seen. Her feelings were true in her heart despite the world around her. It didn't matter how often she scolded herself or how hard she tried to deny herself, she could not shake her feelings for this man, this stranger.
"What on earth are you doing out here so early in the day? You should still be in bed." A mans voice called from behind her, with a small chuckle following his words.
Sibyl immediately turned around and used all of her self control to keep from smiling as she saw Dilios walking towards her. She could feel the warmth of a blush crossing her pale cheeks. If he questioned it, she would claim that it was because of the warm weather. She found herself wondering if she had brushed her hair that morning, or if her clothing was clean. These things usually never bothered her. Outer beauty meant very little in Sparta. It was strength, knowledge and power that mattered. She decided that she would try to sound as mature as she could.
"My father and brother wanted these to be cleaned and dried by mid-day. I had to get an early start." Sibyl said with a small smile as she looked up at the man. He was standing beside her now, only a foot or two to her left. Having him so close was making her heart race and she hoped that he would not see her discomfort. She tried to keep her eyes on his face, but it was hard. His beard was freshly trimmed and his smile was bright against his skin. She could feel the heat rushing to her cheeks and she finally looked down at her hands and trembled. She closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She balled her hands into fists to keep them from shaking in her nervousness. She had no idea why this was so difficult. She had been trained her whole life on how to ignore her emotions and hide them, to conceal them from the world. Perhaps this was more difficult because she was not Spartan by blood. She hoped that the man would not notice. She did not want to shame her family with her weakness.
"You are good to be awake so early to meet their needs. Your husband is a lucky man." Dilios said with a small laugh as he looked down at her. He had seen this girl around the city and could not deny the feelings he held for her. She was one of thee most beautiful Spartan girls that he had ever seen. He knew that she was a touch older than most unmarried girls. He was convinced that she had already been married. A woman like this could not have made it passed her sixteenth birthday without men breaking down the door for her hand in marriage. He could not deny his attraction to her even though he knew it was wrong. He had thought, several times, to ask for her hand in marriage. It was a strange, undeniable feeling and it kept him from sleep and from focus. He had seen her, but never had a chance to say more than two words to her. He knew she watched him when he walked through the city in the morning. He did it on purpose, hoping that she would come out and speak to him. It seemed like a hopeless dream, but now she was here. She was more radiant than the moon, making the stars in heaven pale with jealousy. It was more than he had ever imagined. Not only did she come out to meet him, showing that her attraction at least matched his own, but she did it subtly. She did not want to risk her reputation or his own. He found that very admirable in a woman.
"I do not have a husband." She said quietly as she raised a hand from the water and used her wrist to brush a lock of hair back from her eyes. His question was like a blade to her heart. Her deepest insecurity, and he had pointed it out so casually. She knew he did not mean harm, but she wished that he understood just how deeply his words cut. She did not want to get her face wet. The lock of hair fell right back into place before her eyes and before she could move it, Dilios did. He reached out and tenderly grabbed the lock of hair and tucked it behind her left ear. She could feel her face grow hot at this gentle contact. His skin was rough against hers, but his touch was gentle. She looked up at him sheepishly, perfectly aware that he could see the bright blush across her pale cheeks.
"That is strange, isn't it?" He said with a small laugh. "A young woman should have a husband by your age."
"They should…" She said sadly before shaking her head. "I only assume that it is because I am not a Spartan by blood." She said before she began pulling the clothing out of her wash tub, wringing them out, and hanging them to dry. She had to stand on her tip toes to reach the line to hang them. She did not look at Dilios as she worked. She did not want to talk about marriage with him. She refused to give her heart that hope, only to have it taken from her. Marrying this man was only a fantasy. It would never be allowed. Her father had denied every suitor up until this point and she knew not why. Her brother did not know why either, or at least, that is what he told her. She gasped as her fathers Crimson fell from her hands. Before she could even reach for it, Dilios had grabbed it. She could feel him standing behind her. Heat radiated off of him and warmed her back. Despite the warmth, a chill ran up her spine. He reached over her and straightened out the clothing on the line before stepping back from her. She had never been this close to a man that was not family. It made her very uncomfortable. She did not know this man and she did not know if she could trust him not to harm her. She had feelings for a man she had never had a full conversation with. As far as she knew, he could be a cold blooded killer who cared nothing for Sparta or Greece and just had a blood lust that was best fulfilled by Spartan society.
"I think your blood should have nothing to do with it." He said with a small smile before looking around. People were starting to emerge from their homes and he frowned before looking back at Sibyl. He could not ask her to see him again, not yet. He could not show the weakness of love, not now that others would witness it. He simply nodded his head and walked away from her. He did not say a word to anyone. Sibyl turned her head and watched him until he left her sight and she took a deep breath before looking down at her wash bucket. That could not have gone any worse if she had tried. He now must think that she's not even capable of the simplest of tasks. She would have had to re-wash her fathers Crimson if she had let it hit the ground. What a horrible first meeting this was. She made a fool of herself in front of the only man who had ever caught her eye. She felt as though she may be sick at any moment.
"Sibyl! What on earth are you doing out here so early?" Stelios laughed heartedly as he walked up to his younger sibling and wrapped an arm over her shoulders. "What is this, a blush? Who have you been meeting so early in the morning? How scandalous."
"You're not funny, Stelios." Sibyl snapped back angrily as she looked up at him. "It is just hot out this morning, that's all. Your Crimson should be dry by noon." She said with a tender smile. Though her smile was sincere, Stelios knew her well enough to know that she was still deeply saddened. He had known her since she was too small to stand on her own. He knew all of her secrets and knew how her mind worked. She was so unique. He loved being her brother, and being able to pick her brain.
"What's wrong?" He said gently. Sibyl shot him a nervous look and he smiled before adding. "You hide it well. You are a Spartan at heart, but I know you well enough to know you are upset." He finished quietly. Sibyl closed her eyes and nodded nervously. She was insecure about her emotions and it always made her angst when Stelios could see them within her eyes.
"Stelios… I am nearly seventeen. Why won't father let me marry?" She asked quietly. "I am wasting my youth. I should be married, with children. Is there something wrong with me? Doesn't anyone think I would make a good wife?"
"Sibyl…" He said with a deep sigh before shaking his head. "We have talked about this! It has nothing to do with you. Any warrior would be lucky to have you as a wife, after I made sure he would never hurt you, of course." He said sternly. This brought a smile to her face and it made him happy to see. "Father is just holding out for the best husband for you, I am sure. He wants to keep you safe just as badly as I do."
"I know you do, Stelios, I just-" She started speaking, when she saw their warriors walk by. 'They must be on their way to the training grounds' she thought. Towards the middle of the group, was Dilios. She felt her heart flutter and she couldn't help but to smile at him. She forgot for a moment that her brother was standing before her, and that he would likely see her reaction.
Stelios stared at her for a moment before he turned around and watched the warriors walk by. He would have to run to catch up with them, after finishing his conversation with Sibyl.
That was when he saw it. It was small, and no one would have noticed unless they were paying attention. Dilios smiled, a small, smirk of a smile, and nodded his head when he looked over at Sibyl. Stelios looked back at his sister and watched her smile back before lowering her head. She cleared her throat then and looked back up at her brother.
"I see what's going on here." Stelios said with a smile. "Is he who you saw this morning? He is, isn't he. I am going to give him a piece of my-"
"Stelios, please." Sibyl whispered quietly as she grabbed her brothers arm. "We just happened to run into one another this morning. That is all. I promise you that nothing shameful or disrespectful is going on here. He is just a soldier who happened to say good morning to me today. I promise."
"Even if that is true, I saw the way you looked at him. You know that you can not pick your husband, Sibyl!" He said angrily as he looked down at her. She glared up at him and hardened her face. She showed no weakness before him now. She knew that she could not.
"I do not wish to pick my husband." She snapped coldly. "I simply wish to have one. Is that so wrong of me?"
"No it's-"
"Stelios. You better go and catch up with the rest of the men." She said coldly before she turned around and picked up her wash bucket. She would have to carry it outside of the city walls to dump it. She was more than pleased to have to leave the city walls for a few moments. She needed fresh air and to get some distance from her brother before she said something she would regret.
"We are not done talking about this." He said sternly before he kissed her tenderly upon her forehead. Stelios did not mean to be cruel to her, but he knew he came across that way. He wanted nothing more than to keep her safe and happy. He was willing to do anything for that. He would sacrifice his own life if it would save hers. He cherished her above all others. He knew she was his weakness and that was why he was cold to her and treated her harshly. If anyone else knew the nature of his feelings, they would surely use it against him. He turned and walked from sight quickly. She took a deep breath and sighed before she carried her water to the outskirts of the city to empty it. She smiled and bowed her head politely to every man and woman she passed in the city. She smiled to herself as she dodged the running boys and girls on their way to and from their studies. She could not wait until she could have a child of her own.
Thoughts ran through her head too quickly for her to completely comprehend as she worked on her chores. What if Dilios would ask her father for her hand in marriage? That would be a dream come true, but it was only a fantasy. He seemed to be interested in her. He was so unlike other Spartan men. He was kind, gentle, and compassionate. Surely, the other soldiers would ridicule him if they knew of his true nature. She was not going to tell anyone. As it was, it killed her that Stelios knew of her darkest secret now. All he had to do to destroy her would be to tell their father how she felt about this older man. She pulled her wash bucket back, and swung it forward, tossing the water upon the sand. She watched the liquid get absorbed into the ground as it dried, completely lost in her thoughts. She didn't know how long she had been standing there, staring at nothingness before she finally heard her name being called from the distance.
"Sibyl!" A friendly voice called from behind her. She quickly turned around and a small smile crossed her lips as she looked at her friend who was hurrying toward her.
Just like all spartan women, Nikita wore a very plain, white robe. They had very few decorations or colors. The only real color in this place was that of the Crimson's that the men wore. Nikita was another one of the young women who had been graced with a beautiful face and strong form. She had curly, brown hair that just barely passed her shoulders. Her eyes were a golden color that reminded Sibyl of honey. She smiled to herself for a moment as she thought. Honey was the perfect way to describe Nikita. Despite all of their laws and regulations, she was very kind hearted and caring. She could not hide her feelings like the rest of Sparta. She was three years younger than Sibyl, and had not worried about finding a husband yet. Surely, she would get a husband without hesitation. She was perfect and of Spartan blood. No man would want to deny her. She found herself wondering if Dilios would want her when she was of age.
"Nikita, what brings you here?" Sibyl called tenderly as she held the wash tub against her side. Nikita was her closest friend. As long as she could remember, they had always been friends. They were nearly inseparable as children. They would be still, if it weren't for chores and other obligations. Even so, they frequently watched children together and discussed what they hoped for their futures. Sometimes, they would sneak out of their homes during the dead of night. Quiet as mice, they would sneak to the roof of the council chamber, daydream and gossip together.
"Sibyl, you must hurry. You are late for our lesson. They are speaking of the Ephors and we really should be there." Nikita said breathlessly as she reached out a hand for Sibyl. Nikita was always so good to Sibyl. If it weren't for her, Sibyl never would have made it to any of her lessons on time.
"Ephors? Why on earth would they do that?" Sibyl asked nervously. She had seen women come back from being chosen Oracles. They are all hollow shells of girls. Their souls were taken from them and destroyed by the sexual abuse and drugs forced upon them. Being an Oracle is supposed to be one of the greatest honors for Spartan women. Sibyl could think of no worse hell. She had decided a long time ago, the first time she understood what an Oracle was, that she would rather run from Sparta than have to live her life that way.
"They are taking their new Oracles in a few days time." Nikita said breathlessly. "You and I are among the girls that have been looked at to be chosen. Hurry, we must go now." She said frantically.
"Oh.. I… Alright." Sibyl said nervously as she grabbed her friend's hand and the two of them hurried back into the city. She was nervous as he headed back with Nikita. Her stomach was in knots and doing flips. This was the second time today that she felt as though she would be sick at any moment. The group of young women standing before their queen, Gorgo, were all completely silent and intently listening to the words of their young queen. It had only been about two years prior that Leonidas took Gorgo as his bride. She was not much older than most of the women she spoke to, but they all had nothing but respect for her.
"It is a high honor and privilege to be an Oracle for the Ephors. They have always done their best to lead Sparta to victory, no matter what the cost." Gorgo said with a strong force behind her words. Her voice was soft, but had the commanding tone that a queen should always have. Her eyes were hard and cold, but had a softness behind them. Anyone who knew Gorgo could tell that she was not fond of the Ephors or the customs involving them. However, it was law, and no one in Sparta was above the law. Not even the king and queen. Sibyl caught Gorgo's eye and the queen almost smiled. The corner of her lips slightly turned up before she looked back at the rest of the girls and began speaking again. Her speech was short, and Sibyl was thankful for that. She did not want to think about the Ephors, and she found herself wondering what she would have to do for the Ephors to not want her. Perhaps the fact that she was not a Spartan by blood would be enough to keep them from taking her.
"You are all dismissed. Go and tend to your families and the children. I will see you all tomorrow for combat training." Gorgo said with a tender smile before she directed her eyes towards Sibyl again. "May I have a word with you, Spartan?" She requested sternly before she stepped back from the group of girls and walked to the edge of the wheat field, with her back to Sibyl.
Sibyl closed her eyes tightly and winced. She knew that she was going to be spoken to and scolded. The look of distaste for the Ephors must have been written upon her face when Gorgo was speaking. She would have to apologize for her lack of respect for their customs in Sparta. After all, she was just lucky to have somewhere to live and call home. If it had not been for her mother and father, she never would have survived to see her sixth birthday. She walked towards her queen and stood beside the woman with a sheepish look upon her face. She bowed her head respectfully before looking over at Gorgo.
"You wish to speak to me, M'lady?" Sibyl said quietly as she lowered her eyes to the ground. She could see the wind rippling through the waves of Wheat and feel it brushing against her bare skin.
"It does not take a genius to see that you are displeased with the idea of being taken as an Oracle." Gorgo said quickly before looking at the younger girl. It was no secret that Gorgo was fond of Sibyl. When Gorgo was a younger woman, before she married Leonidas, she used to watch Sibyl and teach her. When her mother died, Gorgo was the only teacher that Sibyl had left. They loved one another as sisters would and their bond was unmistakable. True, Gorgo was only a few years older, but she was a wonderful guide for Sibyl.
"It is true… The thought of being with the Ephors makes me sick to my stomach." Sibyl admit honestly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I do know that it is not possible for a woman to pick her husband, but father refuses to allow me to marry." She said with a sad sigh. "He refuses every man who has offered to take my hand. I know that he thinks it is my fault that mother died. I was so young and not able to care for her. Perhaps if I had been born of Spartan blood, and had learned earlier in life, she would still be alive-"
"Stop. Do not blame yourself for your mothers passing, Sibyl. You were only a child of seven years old. Even with proper Spartan training, you still would not have been able to save her life. Not even our most gifted healers could help your mother." Gorgo snapped sharply before reaching over and placing a hand on the girls shoulder tenderly. "Why did you mention that it is not possible for a woman to pick her husband? Is there a man that you desire?" She asked curiously.
"Ooh.. I…" Sibyl laughed quietly before shaking her head. "I do not know, my queen. I have only spoken to him once or twice. My affections for him are completely unrequited and I am sure that he does not even know my name. He would have no interest in a silly girl like me. There is no room for softness in Sparta, and it is my biggest weakness. I shame the Spartan name and I am sorry."
"There is no room for love when it comes to protecting Sparta." Gorgo agreed quietly before smiling and tenderly squeezing the girls shoulder. "But… There is room for love in the quiet of the night, or the safety of your own home. I do love my husband, Sibyl. There is hope that you will also love your husband when you marry."
"We both know that me marrying is nothing but a dream." Sibyl laughed quietly. "Father is going to give me to the Ephors in less than seven days time… That will be my life. No man will want me when I come back home, if I come back home." The words that Sibyl spoke had never been uttered aloud to her, but she knew them to be true. It was the only way to explain her fathers behavior. He wanted her to be an Oracle, to bring honor to their family. He felt as though adopting a child not of Sparta was shameful, but her mother had insisted upon it.
"We will see about that, Sibyl." Gorgo said quietly before she removed her hand from the girls shoulder and quickly walked away, heading back to her own home, no doubt. It was almost mid-day and Sibyl knew that she should be getting home so that she could clean and start preparing the evening meal for her brother and father.
Meanwhile, Dilios had sat down for a moment, breathing heavily. He had finished his rotation of training and grabbed a cup of water. He raised it to his lips before taking a few deep drinks and setting the metal cup down against the stone steps he sat upon. He rested his arms upon his knees as he watched the next group of men start their training. With swords and spears in hand, Dilios couldn't help but to smile at the view. No wonder other greeks saw Spartans as decedents of Hercules. They were truly a force to be reckoned with. The fates that awaited their enemies were always some of the most gruesome.
"Dilios." Stelios said with a bright smile as he sat beside the man. Stelios was a few years younger than Dilios, but not by enough to make their friendship assumed to be physical.
"Hello." Dilios responded hoarsely before taking another drink.
"I saw how you looked at my sister this morning." He said with a small smile. He was simply trying to give Dilios a hard time, for looking at a woman with soft eyes. He did not want to assume anything, rather, he wanted to just get a feel for what was going on around him. He could tell that his statement made Dilios uncomfortable and he smiled to himself. It would not bother him to see his sister marry Dilios. He was a good man and a strong warrior. He would make a great husband for any Spartan woman he should choose, even if that woman was his Sibyl.
"I do not know what you are speaking of." Dilios responded sternly before throwing a sharp glare at the younger man. "It would be wise of you not to make things up, Stelios…" He warned.
"She seemed very nervous when I mentioned your name this morning. You may deny your own feelings, if there are any, but she can not deny hers. I know my sister well enough to know that she fancies you. However, I am confused as to why. She is just a child, someone whom you've never had any contact with. Why does she care about you at all?"
"I do not know. If I could tell you, I would. I would not risk something like this destroying our friendship. We've only ever spoken this morning. I asked where her escort was at such an early hour. She told me she was washing clothing for you and your father. She did make a point to tell me that she did not have a husband as of yet. I thought that piece of information was rather strange. She has a strong body, wide hips…" His voice trailed off for a moment as he found himself thinking about her and wondering how soft her skin would feel beneath his rough hands. He cleared his throat, looking at Stelios with discomfort on his face before finishing his sentence. "I find it hard to believe that no one has asked for her hand."
"Oh, they have. They practically break down the door with their numbers. Father has denied all of them. I think he is going to offer her to the Ephors as an Oracle. It is a high honor and she should be pleased. Father has not told her this yet. He thinks it would be best if she were surprised." Stelios said with a small smile before he took a drink of water and set down his own cup. "Only time will tell now. Hopefully, she is as pleased with it as we are."
"I am sure she will be…" Dilios said quietly before looking away from his friend. He knew that speaking to her was a bad idea. The idea of her being given to those diseased, old mystics made him furious. He wanted to talk some sense into her father, to have her marry before it was too late. He knew that this would be a worthless thing to do. He would warn her. He had to. He wanted to see how she felt about this. True, there were some girls who did want to live among the Ephors, but most of them were taken by force. Just the thought of having to watch Sibyl dragged from the city, kicking and screaming, drove a knife through his chest. He knew that he would be unable to watch that scene. He would try to stop them, and be punished by the highest of powers for his insolence. He did not want to see her in any pain or misery. He felt as though he could barely breath and he had no idea why this was all bothering him so deeply. How had this young girl weaseled herself into his heart so quickly? He had not even noticed her entering his soul, but there she was, bright and beautiful, the sight of everything he had ever hoped to have. She would be his wife and the mother of his children, or he would never have either. It was a poor decision for a Spartan man to make, but it was his choice none the less.
After the training had ended and the sun was starting to go down, the men head towards their barracks for the night. All of them were sore, tired, bruised and wounded. All of them had smiles on their faces, and even helped each other to walk when necessary. It was glorious, to see how they all cared for one another while still being able to strengthen one another in combat.
Dilios had faired fairly well on this day. His right eye was blacked and swollen, he had a large gash across his back, which had been cleaned and bandaged earlier in the evening. There were minor bruises and cuts lining his arms and legs, but those were hardly any more than a minor annoyance.
"You fought well today!" Stelios said with a small smile on his face as he hit Dilios upon the back. Dilios winced slightly, but did his best not to let his pain show upon his face for more than a second.
"Well, I at least faired better than yourself." Dilios laughed heartedly as he looked at the younger man. Stelios had been rather abused in their training today. The whole left side of his face was dark purples and greens, and his eye was swollen shut. His lip was broken and had finally stopped bleeding. His nose was broken and the bruising around his chest suggested at least one cracked rib. It was amazing how much damage Spartan men could take, and still laugh and smile with one another at the end of the day. The bond that these men shared was truly something to be admired by the rest of Greece.
"That you did. I am still walking with my own strength. Today has been a good day." Stelios said with a wide smile. His teeth were stained with his own blood and made them look pink. He turned his head to look forward and suddenly the smile left his face. Nikita and Sibyl were standing in a dark corner, whispering to one another, just outside the reach of the torches.
"Is that not your sister?" Dilios asked quietly as he directed his attention towards the two young girls as well. He wished that Stelios was not beside him. He wanted nothing more than to go over to the young girl, and speak to her again, as he had that morning. He hoped that he would get another chance to speak to her while no one else was around.
"Sibyl!" Stelios called with a loud, angry tone of voice. The girl immediately stopped talking and looked over at her brother with wide eyes before she hurried towards the two men, bowing her head respectfully.
"Stelios-"
"What on earth are you doing out at this hour?" Stelios demanded angrily as he grabbed her right arm, hard. She could feel his grip bruising her, and she did not know why he was so upset with her.
"I lost track of time, Stelios. I'm sorry!" She said quietly as she looked up at her brother, trying to tug her arm from his grasp. "It will not happen again, I promise."
"It better not. You are to be an Oracle, Sibyl! You can not be offered to the Ephors unless you are still pure. I do not want a man to take advantage of you during the secrecy of night." Stelios said sternly before finally releasing her arm. He knew he had done it again. He only wanted to protect her, but he frightened her and was going to make her hate him. He could not apologize, not now, not in front of Dilios. She pulled her arm tightly to her chest, rubbing the bruised area with her other hand. Her eyes shifted towards Dilios before she turned and walked away from the men without another word. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes after what her brother had said to her. She did not want anyone to see her cry.
"You do not know that will be her fate!" Nikita yelled angrily as she walked towards the two men. She was much shorter than Stelios, but she was not intimidated by him in the least. She stood before him, glaring up at him. Anger and hate burned within her beautiful eyes. There was no emotion on her face, but when she spoke, her words cut through the air like a sword.
"We all know that she is not a Spartan by birth or blood. There is a very small chance that the Ephors will even want to take her among them." She hissed coldly. "The only man I can think of that would be worse than the Ephors, is you." She said bitterly. "After seeing the way that you treat your sister, the way you try to control her, the way you disrespect her. I feel sorry for any Spartan woman who is forced to be your wife." She said before turning on the balls of her feet and looking at Dilios. "You, on the other hand, would make any Spartan woman happy. I can see it in your eyes, that you are not so cold…" She said with a small smile. "No wonder Sibyl is fond of you. Did you know that? I suppose you did. After all, it is plainly written on her face and in her eyes." Nikita said with a small laugh before shaking her head.
"How dare you speak to me in such a shameful way!" Stelios argued, his own temper rising as he looked at the younger girl.
"How dare I? How dare you!" Nikita shouted back as she glared up at him again. "She has never done anything but love you and your father with all of her heart. She does everything you ask, obeying your every whim. She bends over backwards and runs herself ragged just to please both of you, because you took her in to your home. I know that your brother hates her, he has hated her ever since her mother died." Nikita hissed, her lower lip beginning to quiver. "Do you have any idea how frightened she is to be an Oracle? She cries herself to sleep at night and prays to the gods that the rumors are not true. You just brought hell down upon her and she will suffer every day until she is brought back home, a ghost. I hope you are proud of yourself."
"Does she really hate the Ephors so deeply…?" Stelios asked quietly, his temper cooling slightly. He did not mean to hurt his sister in such a way. Was it true? Was he the biggest cause of her unhappiness?
"Try talking to her once in a while, maybe you would know." Nikita said softly. She no longer felt the need to be hostile. She had gotten her point across. She could see it in Stelios' face.
"Stelios, go find your sister. I will take Nikita home." Dilios said sternly before looking at the man. Stelios nodded and turned his back to them before walking in the direction his sister had gone. Dilios let out a deep breath before looking down at Nikita with a tender smile.
"I was right, you're not like the other men, are you?" She said with a small smile upon her face.
"You are right, but you had better not tell anyone." He said with a quiet chuckle before gently grabbing her arm and leading her towards the inner city. "Where is your home? I do want to make sure you arrive safely. The Ephors claim their Oracle soon and that is when adultery happens. Women who would rather be whores for warriors than the Ephors. The lesser of two evils, I suppose."
"I do not suppose you are walking me home so that we may have small talk and discuss evils. Nor do I believe it is because you want to keep me safe from the men that lurk in the darkness." She said with a small smile.
"You are very clever and very observant." He said with a small smile before looking over at her. "You are correct. I need a favor from you."
"I don't think I know you quite well enough for that, Spartan. I think you should be asking Sibyl for favors, not I." She teased before looking up at him as she walked. "What is it that you need?"
"I would like… For you to arrange a secret meeting for myself and Sibyl." He whispered softly before pulling her arm gently and leading her into one of the dark corners of the city, unlit by the torches that burned. The air around them was cooler now and he had goosebumps across his skin. He did not know if they were from the cold or from his excitement.
"A secret meeting..?" She whispered quietly. "Why on earth would I help you with that? For all I know, you want to deflower her to keep her from the Ephors."
"Would you blame me if I did?" He said quietly. He looked at her with deep, intense eyes with a passion that seemed to burn within them.
"I would not. I know how she fears that fate. If you would save her from it, I would consider you a hero, despite what others would think."
"I will not touch her without her consent, or without asking her father for her hand in marriage first. I just need to speak with her again, with no one else around. It was the happiest moment of my life, when I got to speak to her this morning. She was beautiful, full of energy and life. She hides who she is, as we all do, because we are Spartan. I just want to speak with her while neither of us must hide anything from anyone."
"I will help you, Spartan." She said with a playful smile before placing her hand upon his own. "But only because I know how much she fancies you, and… And because I can see that you speak nothing but truth. It is in your eyes. You will make a fine husband."
"You are very kind. Thank you."
"Do not thank me yet. I will do my best to set up a meeting for the both of you. Find me tomorrow, around dawn. I will be watching the children near the heart of the city." She said quietly. "I will know then if you two can meet or not. I will let you know when and where. If I do not have a plan for you at dawn, find me at dusk. I will be near the edge of the city, working on my reading."
"You really are rather devious, aren't you?" He said with a small laugh.
"You act as thought I've never broken any rules before." She said with a playful tone. She crinkled her nose as she smiled before she turned from him and pulled her arm from his grasp. "I can make it home safely, I assure you. I will see you tomorrow, Dilios. I am sure that we will have plenty to discuss. Have a good evening, Spartan." She said coldly before she walked into the darkness, towards her own home. Dilios smiled to himself as he watched her go. She was his only hope of getting to see Sibyl outside of her home, without her brother near. The hope that was in his heart was more powerful than anything he had ever felt before. He prayed to the gods that Nikita would be able to pull off what he requested be done.