I do not own 300… Blast it!
Part Nine
"May I speak with you?" Leonidas asked Winona. She looked around panicking, looking for her three companions, glowering darkly when they were nowhere in sight. She looked up at the King and nodded after a moment. "I wanted to explain."
Winona had another flash of panic. "Um…sure."
"When I am at a loss, I go to my wife for advice for comfort…" He sighed, unsure of how to continue. "I see a lot of similarities between you two. You are both strong, brave and beautiful. I think that I pushed my regard for my wife on to you. I apologise and do not wish to make you feel any less that what you are, a lady."
She blinked up at him, mulling over his words. It did make a little sense, but still was a strange reason to kiss someone, she thought wryly. "So you don't want to sleep with me?" he gave her a slightly confused look. "I mean bed me."
A flash of alarm flickered over his face for a moment before shaking his head cautiously. "I will only bed my wife," he said firmly. Winona smiled gently before looking serious.
"Now that we have that out of the way, what happened to the man…I…?" Winona stumbled for a moment. "The man that I named traitor?"
Leonidas looked at her, measuring her ability to deal with what he was about to tell her. "I asked him if it were true. He panicked when he was named a traitor and believed his time was up… weak Athenian," he spat. "I followed tradition, tortured him for what he told the enemy. The man thought that he could hide information from me." He sighed and looked at the sky. "The information that he gave them, thankfully, was not all that important and could have been gathered by scouts. Unfortunately, tradition dictates that I have to dispose of the traitor, which I followed."
At the end of the description, Winona was looking decidedly green. She quickly offered her excuses and left, walking to the edge of the camp before throwing up. Leonidas smirked a little before going off and planning his next mode of attack.
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Winona felt as though all of her insides were screaming to get out of her body. Stomach and chest heaving, she winced as every contraction pulled at her stressed organs and muscles. A set of images of torture passed through her mind, pulling her back down on her knees and continued to spill the contents of her belly onto the ground. Cool, soothing hands rubbed at her back and smoothed her hair out of her face. Staring up wetly, she could just make out the caring expression on Astinos' face.
Offering her a cup of water, Astinos watched as she rinsed out her mouth and collapsed weakly against his side, dry sobs wracking her slender frame. He continued to rub her back softly, knowing that in time she would let him know what was wrong.
"His death is in my hands…" Winona said dazed. "I didn't really think about it until I asked the King what happened to that man…I sentenced him to torture and death…"
Astinos said nothing, expecting the reaction, and continued to try to soothe her.
"I've never brought about the death of someone before," she looked at him, "How do you deal with it?" Astinos looked at her startled for a moment before his expression grew uncomfortable.
"I guess I never really thought about it. We were trained to be soldiers of Sparta, that's all I have ever known." Winona looked at him incredulously.
"You mean you have never taken a moment to stop and think about the men whose life you took?" Astinos continued to look uncomfortable.
"I do think about them, but most of the other men think that it is weak. My father most of all." He blushed, not intending to let the last part out. Winona nodded before staggering to her feet. Giving him a soft smile in thanks, she made her way to her bag and sat down. Stellios and Dilios were both sharpening their blades when they noticed how pale she was. Giving one another a knowing look, they continued silently.
Winona looked through her pack absentmindedly when she noticed a brown package wedged between a spare singlet and her dig tools. Frowning, she pulled it out and began to open it up, not noticing the curious glances that the two men gave her. The brown paper unfolded, revealing a white garment and several metal and precious stone accessories. The white garment folded out to reveal a gown that looked to fit her perfectly. Looking down curiously at the other objects, Winona gathered that the quartz and crystal chain was a necklace and a thin metal band was a belt. A piece of parchment fluttered to the ground, catching her eye. Picking it up, she read the small note.
Child,
This gown is to help your transition into the Spartan lifestyle. I pray that they treat you well. If not, well, I hope that you prove to them that a woman should be feared and respected, just like the gods. Somewhere in your possession, you should have an amulet of Aries. Trust in him, he will guide you on your destiny. In addition, hidden in your bag, I have taken the liberty to give you funds and jewels to fund your way through your life there. After your quest is done, you will have the choice to come back to this time or stay there and have your family come to you. It is your choice.
Trust in the gods…
Epher, the Goat Herder.
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