Chapter Two: "This Life is Not For You"

Dilios stole a glance at the silent form walking behind him. He couldn't believe that his first real mission - save for accompanying the Arcadian emissaries to Sparta two years ago - was to deliver the young Spartan princess to their allies in Arcadia. King Leonidas had sworn him to secrecy regarding this mission.

"I can now see she cannot stay here anymore," the king had said, with the smallest hint of sadness in his voice. "Dilios, I am entrusting her to you because you have proved to be a trustworthy warrior. Keep her safe on the road to Arcadia, and when you arrive, give this letter to King Vasilios."

Dilios didn't fully understand the reason why the king wanted to send his daughter away, but when he saw Princess Dyna, he knew.

King Leonidas wanted to spare her from the Ephors.

The Ephors were a group of grotesque priests who claimed only the most beautiful Spartan girls as Oracles - both in the temple and in their beds. Their hideous forms covered equally dark souls.

Dyna was easily the most beautiful girl in Sparta, and Dilios knew that once the Ephors would learn of her beauty, they would spirit her away to their temple atop a rocky hill, despite her young age. Another glance at the princess showed that she was studying the passing fields and treelines, her expression blank.

When the king had informed her of her supposed visit to Arcadia, Dyna was initially against it. She had just begun training with him last week, and she wanted to learn more about how to properly defend herself. Dilios found it amusing that a Spartan girl would be fanatically interested in warfare. Then again, she was the king's daughter.

Finally Dyna had relented, and she set off for Arcadia with Dilios early that morning. Now the sun had set beyond the horizon, and the stars were seen twinkling in the twilight sky.

"Is it true that the Arcadians dabble in black magic?" Dyna whispered softly from behind him.

"They do. Even the Athenians go to them whenever they need a spell cast," Dilios replied. "But I believe that they are more on magic in general. Black magic is practiced by their elder sorcerers."

Dyna sighed and they continued walking in silence. Finally Dilios stopped in front of a group of rocks that formed a small enclave.

"Camp," he said, and Dyna nodded. To his surprise, Dyna began helping him set up a small bonfire area and broke off several large leaves on a nearby tree that she lay on the ground as a makeshift mattress.

"I'll be back." Dilios grabbed his spear and walked off. He found Dyna to be rather unsettling. Even though she was only six, she acted older than her years. Whether it was due to her royal upbringing, Dilios didn't know.

Then of course there was the small fact of her undeniable beauty. It took all of his control not to gape at her all of the time, which was why he made it a point to walk ahead of her, checking every now and then to make sure she was still keeping up with him.

Are you attracted to her? he asked himself as he spotted a wild boar and thrust his spear through the animal's skull easily. He took out his knife and began removing the organs before finally skinning the boar and hoisting it onto his shoulders.

Dyna was lying on the leaves, but at the sound of his footsteps she jumped up, unsheathing her knife in one fluid motion. When she saw him however, she relaxed, and returned the knife to its sheath.

"Finally. I was wondering when you would return," she said placidly.

"Apologies, my lady." Dilios cut up the boar and stuck them on a sharp stick he found, while Dyna started the fire. Soon they were munching on the crispy flesh of the boar. Dilios found it to be quite tasty, although he could see that Dyna was struggling not to retch.

"Would you prefer I look for some fruit?" he offered, after Dyna coughed as she swallowed the meat.

"No, no thank you. I just... I'm used to eating this with seasoning."

Dilios thought she looked ashamed with herself, but he decided not to point it out. He was about to take another bite when Dyna spoke.

"How long will I stay there? Father says it would be only for a short while, but I can't help but think he's sending me away," Dyna admitted, her voice hoarse. Dilios thought she was going to cry; he had hardly seen anyone cry, save for his mother as Captain Artemis and another Spartan warrior had taken him from her when he was young.

"I don't know, my lady," Dilios replied truthfully. "The king only instructed me to accompany you there and return immediately."

Dyna frowned. "Father never thinks I'm worthy to learn how it is to be a leader. I'm a Spartan, and a member of the royal family, no less. I may not rule once my mother gives birth to a son, but I can still help defend Sparta!"

Dilios was impressed with Dyna's determination and sense of loyalty for her city. "He has his reasons. The king may not be eager to divulge information, my lady, but I assure you that the things he does are for the greater good."

"I know. I did not mean to doubt my father. I just wish..." Dyna broke off, finally lapsing into that all-too familiar silence that had enveloped them since they left Sparta.

King Vasilios read the letter that Leonidas, his childhood friend, had sent him. A few feet away from him was Leonidas' six year old daughter, Dyna, and her escort, the hardy warrior Dilios. Dilios had a firm grip on his spear, while Dyna met Vasilios' gaze levelly.

She is definitely Leonidas' daughter, he thought. And very beautiful too. But why is he asking me to do such a thing?

"Come, Dyna," he said, extending his arm out to the girl. Dyna glanced at Dilios before making her way up the polished marble steps. "I am honored to have the Princess of Sparta here in my home."

"And such a beautiful princess too," his wife, Queen Alyssa, commented wistfully.

The gods had not blessed the Arcadian Royal Family with a child, and Vasilios knew that his wife was secretly wishing that they had a daughter like Dyna.

Little did she know that it was about to come true.