Chapter Ten: Her Love

Dilios calmly wrapped a strip of cloth around his eye. Although he had lost his left eye during a particularly fierce battle, he was still grateful to be alive. The pain had subsided a few hours ago, but he could still feel slight pricks whenever he moved his head.

A few feet away several of the Arcadians cooked strips of meat using sharp wooden sticks, while his Spartan comrades sharpened their swords or practiced their spear thrusts. Dilios heard the crunch of sand and he turned.

King Leonidas.

"Dilios, I trust that 'scratch' hasn't made you useless," Leonidas said, eying him critically.

"Hardly, my lord, it is just an eye. The Gods saw fit to grace me with a spare," Dilios replied.

King Leonidas nodded. "I have known you for many years, Dilios. And I also know that you care a great deal for the princess."

More than anyone would ever know, Dilios thought.

"Yes, I do, my king." Dilios noticed that Leonidas said nothing, but merely inclined his head.

"If you had the chance to be with her, what would you do?"

Dilios hesitated. Was this some sort of test?

"If being with her means that I sacrifice the chance to be in this war, my lord, then I would not take it," Dilios said after a slight pause. "I know Aricia would understand my reason for doing so."

"Good." Leonidas clapped his hand on Dilios' back and walked towards Captain Artemis.

Dilios sighed and sat down on a huge rock. Astinos had died earlier that day, and no doubt the king was offering his condolences to the captain. Dilios remembered that Leonidas had a daughter, whom he had brought to Arcadia.

Dyna, Dilios thought, saying her name in his head for the millionth time.

It didn't take much for him to figure out that Princess Dyna of Sparta and Princess Aricia of Arcadia were one and the same. He had brought the princess to Arcadia himself, all those years ago, and when he saw her fighting Astinos in the arena, he had fallen in love with her all over again.

And now it seems her father knows that I love her, Dilios thought. The question is: does he approve?

Every stroke, every sword thrust, every shield block, and every spear throw meant something.

For every fallen Persian, Dilios knew he was getting closer and closer to his goal: return to Dyna or die in battle. Dilios didn't mind either prospect; he had achieved his dream to fight alongside King Leonidas, after all.

As the minutes passed, Dilios knew their chances of winning were slim. And still they pressed on, an unyielding force in the midst of hundreds of Persians.

That night, Leonidas gathered what remained of the men and laid out a battle scheme. But Dilios was not there to witness it, for he was halfway to Sparta.

Prior to his departure, King Leonidas had pulled him aside and spoke to him softly.

"You have proven your worth, Dilios. And now I am giving you one final request," Leonidas had said.

Dilios waited. Perhaps he was to be a decoy for the Spartans, to lead them into a trap. Whatever his king ordered him to do, he would follow without a moment's pause.

"Go back to Sparta. Take care of the princess for me." Leonidas paused. "I know you know who she really is, Dilios. And I know that you love her. I have been absent in her life for so long, and I don't want her to lose another person close to her. Not when I can do something about it."

"My lord..." Dilios was at a loss for words. The king was sending him back to spare his daughter grief over both their deaths.

Yes, Dilios and Leonidas knew that only death would follow after this war. The reinforcements did not come, and they knew the one person responsible. Still they did not speak his name, but focused on more important matters.

"Go, Dilios. Give them my undying love," Leonidas said forcefully.

Dilios hesitated. "Sire, any message?"

"For the Queen?" Leonidas smiled, removed the pendant the queen had given him before leaving Sparta, and pressed it to Dilios' palm. "None that need be spoken."

Dilios bowed his head. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Arcadians.

Leonidas noticed them as well, and he faced them defiantly. "Giving up so soon?"

The Arcadian general, Daxos, nodded. "The enemy is too great. We must all leave now while we have the chance."

Instead of replying, Leonidas bellowed: "Spartans! Prepare for glory!"

"Glory? Have you gone mad? There is no glory to be had now! Only retreat, or surrender or death!" Daxos cried, aghast.

Dilios smiled inwardly. The Arcadians never fully understood the Spartan way of life. If they wanted to run with their tails between their legs, so be it. He knew his king would never surrender or admit defeat.

"Well, that's an easy choice for us, Arcadian! Spartans never retreat! Spartans never surrender! Go spread the word. Let every Greek assembled know the truth of this. Let each among them search his own soul. And while you're at it, search your own," Leonidas advised, his sharp gaze sweeping through the small Arcadian army.

Daxos flinched, but marched down the side of the cliff, followed by the rest of the Arcadian soldiers.

Dilios looked back at Leonidas, who nodded.

It is time.

Now Dilios stared back up at the cliff, at the proud and impressive figures of the Spartans he was leaving behind. Amidst the few Spartans left standing, Dilios met the gaze of Stelios, Captain Artemis, and Leonidas.

Hundreds leave. A handful stay. Only one looks back.