The fighting goes on. Battles are won and lost. No one is making any progress. Some people believe the Achaeans would give up and leave soon. I hoped so, but I had a feeling we would not get so lucky.
As Alexios and I were walking back from yet another hunting trip cut short by the Achaeans, we ran into a young soldier, Anatolius, who only seems to smile every time he sees me and I can't help shyly smiling back, every time. Alexios tries to seem like he doesn't notice but I can tell he doesn't like it. I don't know why, but even though he hasn't said anything, I'm angered by him, he has no right to judge who I smile at or who I may like. I waited until we're home then I struck.
"What's the matter with you? Why do you always look like you want to rip his head off every time we see him?" He looks bewildered by my outburst for a moment then regains his ground and says some so simple and innocent that it throws me into fury .
"Who's the "he" that you are talking of?"
"You know exactly who I'm talking about."
"Okay, fine," Now he's getting angry, too, "You just don't know him that well, that's all."
"And you do?"
"Possibly."
"How? When did you start spending time with him, or any other person for that matter?" That was cruel and I know it, but I'm so mad I'm going straight for the jugular. Alexios and I have always been more conservative and kept to ourselves; it's not right for me to question him without expecting the same.
"I just know this particular… person better than you do." He paused like he was trying to find a word to describe Anatolius other than human or man, but for some reason he quickly add, "For now."
"What's that supposed to mean? What aren't you telling me?"
"Nothing. I can't tell you. Not right now any ways."
"Why not? Not the right time? When is it ever going to be the right time? You'll never know because you're always keeping secrets from your best friend!" More strikes at the jugular.
"No, it's not the right time. And I can tell because you're lashing out like a little immature child!"
"Fine! Maybe I'll go find Anatolius and talk with him!"
"No! You can't!"
"You have no right to tell me what I can or can't do or who to be with!"
He paused, his face full of hurt and contemplation. Then he said very calmly, "You can't be with Anatolius because it's wrong."
"Why! Why is it wrong?" I didn't even try to match his calmness.
"Because!" He stopped as if it were causing him pain just to say it. It can out as a whisper so soft I could barely understand him, "Because he's your father."
"WHAT! You creepy little freak! He's only a little older than us, that's not even possible! No, no way! How could you say something like that? Are you that jealous?"
He took a deep breath then began explaining, "Your father is not who you think he is," sigh, "He's the god Apollo…"
I hope you enjoyed chapter 2 of my story, Promises. Please review if you have any suggestions or concerns. Thank you.