A battle of the will.

The duel, where two different instincts of survival met. On one side the urge to kill and gain nourishment, on the other side the need to kill and insure survival.

The laws of nature were older than any law ever created by men. They were primal, knew no mercy and made no exceptions.

How different were they compared to the law of ordinary people, yet how similar to the laws Spartans served.

Man and wolf facing each other now in the pouring rain, had much more in common than one would think at first sight.

Two warriors. Both leaders of their own kind, both determined to fight to the end.

The wolf took small, but confidant steps slowly nearing the man, his sharp fangs on display, showing his lethal armor given to him by nature herself. Leonidas pulled his xiphos out, returning the animal's gesture, letting him see the 'fang' he possessed that was made by men.

The next thunder was loud enough to rise over the sounds of their heartbeat; which they both could hear drumming in their ears.

So many years ago on that winter night he killed the black wolf without hesitation, just as the animal had no bad consciousness after taking the life of a human being.

Now the grey-green gaze seemed to have found a matching rival in the yellow shining orbs of his opponent.

The wolf growled as the distance between them grew down to less than ten feet.

Leonidas knew no fear, the will to survive filling him with a power that left no place for weakness.

Time passed in slow motion bringing the moment of the attack closer and closer.

The boy whimpered in his father's arm fueling the animal's hunger.

Another howl came from the distance he was obviously paying attention to without taking his eyes off of the man, standing in front of him. His growl intensified.

Leonidas felt sure that the sound coming from the mountain's direction was a sort of message telling the rower that reinforcement was not far. He lifted his sword seeing the wolf preparing to jump him.

The clash seemed inevitable, but there was something that still caused it to fail.

A new cry, this time with a higher tune reached them and the wolf froze before he could achieve his goal.

The rain soaked through his coat drenching his fur just like it drenched the man's cloak.

Leonidas waited keeping his eyes on his opponent. The animal looked into the call's direction nervously glancing back at the man he was so close to matching his strength with.

Something was wrong…

The lightning hit the ground somewhere at the foot of the mountains where loose groups of threes were to be seen on clear days. The new cry came from that direction with a much greater urge this time, upsetting the hungry leader of the pack.

Their glances met again, but the animal has already changed his mind.

Important duties were calling him at the moment, even more important than to provide food for the pack.

It is unsure whether man and wolf found some sort of understanding with each other in that moment of time, but one thing they both were sure of: the battle would have to be postponed.

Without turning his back to Leonidas the large grey male took a few steps back, his glance being drawn away slightly from him towards the mountains. The king of Sparta lowered his sword watching the wolf retreat, seeing him abruptly lift his head to the new wave of cry managing to cut through the roars of the storm. An instant later the animal turned as fast as lightning and vanished in one of the empty streets.

Leonidas exhaled deciding that this was not the right time to analyze the message of this encounter.

He quickly sheathed his xiphos back getting a more secure hold on the child. He made the rest of the way to his house running, though he had no hopes on having an inch left of his body staying dry.

After entering his home some servants appeared one taking the baby away from him, wrapping it in a small, but dry wool blanket. He put the belt with his sword down close to his shield. He took his Chlamys off giving it to an older servant. He was not cold, but the feeling of the soaked cloak was not comfortable at all. He took the towels being offered to him before settling down on the bench closest to the door starting to dry himself as good as possible.

He saw the child being taken into bedchamber to finally unite with his mother.

He wanted to see Gorgo even if only for a brief time.

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In the distance a large grey shadow crossed the shallow pass of the river Eurotas, he was heading towards his pack breaking off his prowl in the city where Man lived.

He was running at high speed, only stopping once to answer one of his mate's urging howls.

The wind and the rain washed away every other trace of scent the air might have carried to guide him, but he knew his way home with his eyes closed. The call of his mate was the call of life, the most basic instinct and it was in his blood.

Upon his arrival he was greeted by half a dozen young members of his pack showing him proper respect. Some were enthusiastic some obviously unnerved by the unusual loud storm and the large white light that hit one of the trees close to their camp. Now that the pack was together again the lower ranking members took courage from his presence.

The leader gave a long keen howl letting his voice be the messenger of his strength.

He shook some of the water off of his coat before approaching the den. He could hear the pups moving and whining in the dark. Finally the she-wolf climbed up the narrow tunnel to the den's entrance, her dark eyes shining faintly meeting his yellow ones. They greeted each other feverishly drawing comfort in their intimate gesture.

He was back. All was right now.

A few moments later she disappeared back in the tunnel joining her fussy offspring.

The leader took his place close to the den, the rest of the pack settling down around it some yawning trying to get rid of the water that has been soaking them the good portion of the night.

There would be no more hunting tonight they were forced to wait again.

One last time their voices united in a beautiful song letting everyone know that the pack was strong, healthy and together once again.

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Leonidas entered his chamber for the first time in hours. A strange awareness was now gripping his heart at the sight his eyes came to rest upon. His wife was in their bed looking at peace with her child in her arms.

The last time he saw the room in looked like battlefield, but now everything was clean and in order again. Gorgo smiled up at him amused by his surprised expression on his face.

-You were taking long.

He met her gaze absent mindedly at first.

-There were unexpected events on my way back.

She shifted her body so she could better support her son while he nursed, showing no signs of any tools the journey might have taken on him. He stood in the door perplexed not sure whether his presence was being welcome or not.

-Is everything all right?

She looked better now, her paleness was gone, but he wanted to hear it from her.

-Yes, now that you two are back.

He nodded taking in the glorious sight of her, he was indeed stunned.

-Good.

He wetted his lips nervously.

-You need to rest. I shall leave you in peace now.

He turned away not wanting to disturb his wife any further, but Gorgo's soft voice stopped him.

-Leonidas!

-Yes My Lady?

He glanced back seeing her deep brown gaze fixed upon him.

-If you want me to have some peace than you will have to stay here with me.

He hesitated until he saw the determinaton in her eyes as she reached out for him, motioning for him to take his usual place by her side.

Leonidas closed the door slowly not turning his eyes away from her. He joined her on the bed and Gorgo leaned back to him.

Soon two strong arms wrapped around her, careful not to touch the child. He didn't want to wake the baby, he knew by now he preferred it silent rather than crying.

Gorgo closed her eyes relaxing, now she was truly at peace. He placed a gentle kiss on her temple, thanking her without words.

The storm quieted down to the point of being nothing more than a heavy shower. In the distance Leonidas heard a wolf pack cry.

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Man and wolf. They had much more in common then one could think of at first sight...