Ok, so here's Chapter 2. Enjoy. And once again nothing. Absolutely nothing. Nada. Oh wait, I own this computer! Score!
Chapter 2
"You want us to what?" I cried.
"We can't leave the city, that's what a coward would do."
"Calm down," Father remarked.
He gave us both a solemn look.
"I don't like it either, but it is the only way to keep our bloodline safe. If the Grecians are able to get into the city, I'm afraid that they will wipeout out our bloodline. Retreating from the city is the only way to see that the Royal Line of Bimarias lives on," father said solemnly.
He took mother's hand, and said, "Aegina, I know you love this city, as do I, but I believe this is the only way. I can't feel safe until I know you and Thalia are still alive."
There was a look that passed between them at these words, and mother turned to me with a solemn but stern expression.
"Thalia, no more arguments, we will get all value belongings and go." I sat there stunned.
"Just, like that? We won't fight, but just flee? We can't.."
"Enough Thalia," mother cut me off.
"We are women, and as women no one expects us to fight. No one will worry about your reputation."
Her words stung me. She knew as much as anybody, why this upset me. I had always wanted to fight in battles, but because I was a woman I couldn't. Nodding meekly I slipped of the throne and followed her into the hallway.
"Mygrayon!" father called after us.
Mygrayon, our head priest slipped inside with a respectful bow to us. Obviously, Father wanted to discuss if there are any signs sent by the gods with Mygrayon. I was wary of the whole "gods send us a sign" thing. We found Alympia waiting outside mother's quarters.
She took one look at my face and asked, "What's going on?"
"Father wants us to flee the city like cowards," I whispered, not wanting mother to overhear.
Alympia raised a brow.
"He wants you to leave? Where?" Mother, who had been gathering clothes and other items, as well as ordering servants to prepare food for our journey, turned to us and said, "We shall go to our summer palace in Bryvonia. First we will have to go to Frangipani, and then.." she began to mutter, and continued to finish her tasks.
Alympia and I left her to go to my room, so that I could pack.
"You don't seem so happy about this," Alympia said casually.
"You think?" I snapped. I continued to stuff things into my bags, making sure I brought the right amounts of clothes, jewelry, as well as my daggers with my initials inscribed on them.
Alympia watched me in silence, occasionally handing me things I asked her for.
"I'll go with you," she said as I tied up the string to my bag. I slung it over my shoulder, and turned to look at her.
"You can't do that. You have a child, and need to stay here with your husband."
"Then my family shall go with me," she said decisively.
I shook my head at her, but nothing else was said. We reached my mother's quarters with my belongings. Mother was still inside; doing last minute touches to the rest of the things we would need for our journey.
"Ah, there you are Thalia. Do you have everything you need for our journey?" she asked still searching through her drawers.
I nodded and began to organize all of our things. I handed them to servants, with orders for them to take our items down to the carts so that we would ready to go.
"Alympia wants to go with us," I informed my mother.
"Well that's impossible," she said finally looking at us.
"You have a family Alympia, and I will not allow you to jeopardize your family or yourself, simply because you believe that it is your duty to protect us."
Alympia was determined and looked mother straight in the eye and said, "With all due respect majesty, I think it's my decision on what I do with my family."
A servant gasped at Alympia's boldness, but she continued undeterred, "and I believe that I can take care of you as well as my family.
Besides, Thalia can't take care of herself without me around" I scowled at that, but mother smiled at Alympia's humor.
" I'm impressed, Alympia. But my decision stands firm. I will not allow you to accompany us."
It wasn't a surprise when Alympia bowed respectfully at that and turned to go down to the stables. I was left alone with mother.
"Thalia, help me with this would you?" she asked while struggling with a blanket.
As I went to help her, I noticed that her eyes were red. Had she been crying? We finished folding, and she put it into the last sack. As I studied her, she turned to me and our eyes met. We studied each other for a while before she said sternly,
"Don't dawdle, dear. Let's go." I nodded, and knew that silently we had reached an understanding.