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4

Lost Breaths

Dirt, sweat and war were smeared across each soldier's face. They had returned from battle but were unhappy for their mission. Something held their spirits, unsureness.

"And what of the woman?"

"We're cautious. She merely remains behind that man and holds him as if we were to pluck him away. She's a beauty though, aye?"

"Yes. But she is not of your likeness."

"What do you mean?"

"You like yellow heads."

"Suits how much you know me."

"Soldiers!"

They stood tall and stern as their captain, with the same dirt ridden face, appeared. "Stop bickering and help the other men prepare for arrival. We'll be entering through the gates," they dispersed to their duties. Leaving him to look for the source of his men's distractions.

The ends of damp locks dangled below, providing slim shade, his gaze begun to open yet closed instantly from the sun's blind attempt. But the shade reached him further as he stared silently into the ship's flag. Not speaking nor moving but blinking into focus. Licking his dried lips, trying to force them into words. He jumped slightly but relaxed into numbness.

He leaned back against my shoulder, somewhat unaware of who held him yet he could not care.

"Hey," the captain waved his hand. "Why were you adrift?"

Perseus moved, pushing himself up, holding his head in dizziness. I steadied his backside in case of a fall but his strength was enough. The captain moved to the side. "You alright?" he looked to Perseus, avoiding my own timid response.

He merely nodded.

"I need for you to tell me what happened. If you remain silent, I must hand you over to the palace. I will have no control as to what they shall do with you." No response came, from either. He returned to his crew suddenly, knowing there was to be no voice.

Perseus moved to the railing, glancing in brevity but I was looking elsewhere.

The closer the ship moved to the dock, the faster the uneasiness came. I had never experienced so much of mortality, let alone an entire city full of such inhabitants. "Hey," Perseus coarse, unbalanced voice brought a gaze upon him. Yet the same amount of attention still focused on the bustling city. "You and I- we're not done talking."

His face showed no emotions, no hint as to what he truly meant. The ship knocked against the docks. The soldiers anxiously shuffled, waiting for the gates to be lowered.

"Stand up," one commanded. Perseus grabbed the railing and did so. "You too," he growled, ready to kick obedience. Before he could lower his foot, Perseus stood between and offered his hand.

I slid mine softly into his as he grasped hard and pulled up. Within the moment of our bodies colliding, a tremor cracked through and closed sharply. The ship's gate slammed onto the dock, hiding the struggle from the soldiers around. The guard behind nudged Perseus to move, the valve opened and returned to its steady expansion.

He stepped forward, pushing me from its paralysis. "What was that?" he lowered the question in urgency.

How could I answer when I was far from capable of understanding what I had just experienced? Either it was Perseus who caused the unsteady breathing or something else.

"You're holding up the line woman," Perseus glanced over his shoulder, keeping his anger at bay. Speeding up my movements all the same.

We're guided off the ship and into the docks. First step on land, first step towards mortals, first everything. It was as though I was a newborn again.

"Keep moving."

Every muscle, arm, hand and fear shook composedly. Perseus watched from a close distance, still with his arms bearing a gesture I could not see. Could he see? Yes. He could see everything. I was frightened.

The townspeople watched curiously and almost frighteningly as the soldiers passed. They had witnessed their departure but did not see the same number within our arrival. We walked along the path while the soldiers stopped and looked over their home with remorseful eyes.

"Where do you think the others are?" someone whispered, stretching his neck above the crowds.

"Can you not tell? We're the only ones left."

"What? All those men?"

Perseus let go and walked to a chest next to a bundle of rope. Staring to the ground with all feeling dispersed from his expressions except complete dismay.

The soil crumbled beneath Athena's intricate boots, the white ribbons twirling around my ankles. Perseus leaned forward, elbows digging into his knees. A chance for him to think. I wanted to sit with him, to be near but a tug on on my arm faltered it.

"Excuse me," a small voice rung. The source twinkled innocently as a little girl with a vivid red braid along one shoulder. She smiled, widening her lovely blue stare, pulling on my hand once more time to express her need for me to kneel before her. Grazing my hand across the bottom seams of the dress to avoid any exposure, I did so.

She leaned closer. "Be weary of your sign," pecked my cheek and ran away, swerving the people by inches. So fast, so small.

I had no sign to be weary of?

Standing now, I wandered to where Perseus remained while one of the guards whispered something to the other. Had no one seen the girl? He nodded his tinned head and lift his foot to kick Perseus' leg. Faster however, I reached out, grabbed his booted foot and pushed him into the supplies stocked along the street. The soldiers sprung into their fighting stance, pointing their spears. Had I done such a move?

The one on the ground whipped off his helmet and charged forward but his captain held his hand. "You will not attack this woman," he sternly ordered. The soldier slapped the captain away yet followed the command.

I didn't notice the stance I bore in front of Perseus until he grabbed onto it, jerking us away from the furious man. "Do not anger them," he whispered as the captain shout to his men. We walked forward as he passed us in determination.

The adrenaline faded. "Why did you do that?" the captain asked as we walked through the beginning of the city.

No answer.

He moved ahead of the group, brushing past his crew in frustration. Perseus leaned closer, edging his mouth. "Why?"

"Enough has been done to you."

He kept his sights leveled with nothing more to say. Had this been the reason for my bold move? Even I could not say. I watched his reaction and soon regretted using such a harsh tone. I grabbed his arm softly and surely. "I'm sorry Perseus, I did not mean to sound that way." He simply nodded, returned his attention forward. But smoothly clasped our hands together in a tighter and more secure embrace. Sending the new and inconceivable affection straight through, traveling to my heart and embracing it the same way he was holding. Swirling around its muscles and entering through its body with electric bolts.

The breathing was lost. But this time, it was not only lost completely, a piercing sensation surfaced. Perseus responded with more care. "It's happening again," he almost seemed panicked, looking for something to help. "What is it?" his voice soon filled with concealed worry.

The bolts traveled faster, sending more into the heart's blood stream as Perseus used himself to support lost weight. "I need you to-" I bit harder, subsiding another scream.

"Yes?"

"Give me your hand," hastily, I thrust it against my chest. He could only allow it, pressing harder as if to help. And once again I knew what to do and how to do it. And almost instantaneously, the pain abated into nothing. The normal rhythm came and the sensation died down.

After feeling a few beats, he spoke. "Are you okay?"

I hardly knew. "Yes." But he didn't loosen our position even for the slightest obstacle.