Present day
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There was a long keen howl of a wolf coming from outside, penetrating the silent room.
Some member of the packs did sometimes come into the city by night on the search of easy pray. Single rowers; brave enough to bear the closeness of men. They have been no reports about them actually killing people, but they seem to be comfortable roaming the empty streets.
This was nothing to surprise her, since Sparta had not been protected by walls or ditches for over two hundred years now.
The second time the wolf called Gorgo set up in bed.
It had been hours since Leonidas has left with their newborn. She was expecting his return any moment now.
The wind grew stronger after he was gone; the rain was a messenger to the approaching tempest. The lightning illuminated the dark shadow that was Mount Taygetus .
After the birth was over and her husband left the servants helped her clean up and to wash, they changed the sheets.
The pains of labor were like she expected them to be, strong and sharp, it was her challenge to face them and master them.
Her battle… and it took long… almost too long… she felt exhausted. At the end she won, nothing else mattered.
A large thunder startled her; her brown eyes grew wide as she felt a sudden restless come over her.
The wolf cried again…
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He was already able to see their house.
The way back seemed shorter, which he for once was thankful for; the storm was almost at it's full strength and Leonidas had to wonder, whether the thunderbolts of Zeus had a deeper meaning to them. Maybe they were a sign, an omen, but whether good or bad he was unable to decide.
He heard the wolf long before he stepped on familiar roads.
His muscles tensed up, his hearing become sharp, his eyes seeing through the thick veil created by rainfall. His heartbeat quickened and the blood raced through his veins so fast it felt like fire burning him from inside.
His intense concentration was only interrupted by the child was holding. The boy made low crying noises, probably liking neither the cold nor the rain that his Chlamys was not unable to block out completely. He shifted his hold on the infant getting distracted for a moment; by the time he looked up he could see the golden flash of eyes shining in the next corner.
The large grey male lifted his nose to inhale the scent of something he thought of as easy pray, he perked up his ears taking in the low cries.
Leonidas stood still, his height clearly making the animal take a second thought.
His hand came to rest on his sword.
The wolf considered first, he kept his nose high in the air searching for any message the wind would bring him, but that was not easy through the heavy rain. He measured the large shape with his eyes, the figure that was holding what he considered his meal. He licked his muzzle in anticipation.
The next flash of lightning showed him slowly approaching the man standing motionless, waiting for him.
