Cleon
-9 months earlier—
"Cleon, son of Patroclus, please step forward!" a loud, deep voice proclaimed from the podium that stood in the middle of the crowd that had gathered. A massive, tall man moved through the crowd, a full head over the tallest people in the assembly.
With a hammer in one hand and a club in the other, the giant named Cleon mounted a large, black gelding and waved to the towns people. They cheered as they watched their blacksmith, their friend ride out to meet his boat of death.
He did not talk as he rode, just thought. He thought about his past, his father, his life.
At 12 pounds and 10 ounces, Cleon was the heaviest baby ever born on the island of Samos. He grew at on astonishing rate, reaching nearly 7 feet at the age of 16. With his barrel chest and massive shoulders; he became an apprentice to the town's old blacksmith. The job was perfect for him, working morning until night, whistling all the while.
The young ladies of the village flocked around the arched window to watch the muscles of Cleon be put to good use. Not only was he amazingly strong, but his rugged looks made females turn their heads in interest.
With his tousled brown hair, soft brown eyes, and clenched jaw, Cleon was a ladies man, through and through. He flirted shamelessly with the pretty ones, but none kept his interest for long. He bedded some and others he let down gently. But, soon he became bored with them all.
The week after his 17th birthday a small, shrewish man came into the village in search for a strapping youth, pure and strong. He visited a few houses before coming to the blacksmith's workroom. Hammering a new sword, Cleon looked like the god of forging, save for he wasn't lame or ugly. The scout immediately new Cleon was the perfect sacrifice for the monster, and at the gathering it was no surprise the young blacksmith was chosen.
Cleon didn't struggle or sigh, he simply hugged his beloved father and left. Saying nothing to anyone else, not even his recent prey, a chestnut haired girl named Aimee.
On the Cretan shore—
I stepped of the boat, happy to be on land. I had never been a water loving lad and experiencing sea sickness for the first three days of the voyage, I was thrilled to be back on the stable, smooth ground.
14 elegant, black chariots pulled up promptly. The drivers stepped out and waited for us to board. Theseus, our prince and plan coordinator, looked at me. Uncertainty flooded in his eyes. Knowing what he was thinking, I boldly stepped forward and asked where we were going.
"To Minos' palace, of coarse." said one driver in a proper accent. With a nod from the Athenian prince, we stepped into the cart and were ushered off.
As we rode I noticed one cart was empty. I looked around and noticed that two very tall youths rode in the same chariot. They were twins, Demetrius and Demetria. With their immense height and brunette curls they were very much alike. During the whole expedition they had barely left each other's side. Such devotion was heart warming and touching.
"What are you thinking about you big oaf?" A light, bell-like voice asked, cutting through my thoughts. I looked at the cart next to me to see a short, golden girl smiling teasingly at me.
I looked at her closely, not sure this little fairy was real. With her golden curls, tanned skin, rosy cheeks, and dimpled smile she was the most charming creature I had ever seen.
"Who are you, little nymph?" I asked quietly, afraid my deep, bear like voice would startle her into silence. She laughed, the most pleasurable thing I had ever heard.
"I am Chrysanthe, daughter of Manaus. May I ask who you are, giant?" She looked at me, a small pout on her pink lips.
I gazed at her in open adoration, "I am Cleon of Samos, son of Patroclus."
She nodded, "It suits you. How is your health? I noticed you were a bit sick on the trip over here." She blushed slightly, making her small band of freckles stick out.
"I am much better, little fairy. Thank you." She laughed, making me smile broadly.
"Why do you keep whispering, sir? We are amongst our fellow doomed kin."
I sighed and spoke in my normal, baritone voice, "I was afraid I might startle you with my voice."
She looked at me, one eyebrow raised, "Cleon, I will not break at the sound of your voice. Besides, I did not expect a high, squeaky voice to come out of one so massive." She smiled affectionately.
The chariots stopped at a large, extravagant palace. I got down quickly and helped Chrysanthe out of her cart.
Her lovely, dark eyes opened wide at the sight of the immense palace. "How can one who demands sacrifices for his bull live so richly and carefree?" Chrysanthe breathed, gazing at the home of King Minos.
I shrugged and offered her my arm, which she took with a grin on her tan face.
"Stay close," Theseus whispered to our group. We nodded and let him take the lead, all of us noticing the beautiful Agape on his arm.
We walked slowly, afraid that the bull might be around the corner, all though knowing full well he was locked up in some labyrinth.
With a sudden gasp, the red haired pointed to a large, bronze bull….
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Shanice
