Xenia couldn't find anything else to say at the moment. She could only stare at the place her sword had gone into.
Ares seemed amused. He removed his vest, so she could see it was no trick. There wasn't a mark on him unless you counted the tear in his garment. She gulped, not because she was intimidated by the revelation but because he looked entirely too good without a vest.
She couldn't say it wasn't shocking to find out the myths were not myths at all. Her father had told her stories of the gods, and she'd always begged for the ones about Ares. He was hated by almost all the other gods except Aphrodite and most mortals simply for being who he was. It was more than feeling sorry for him. Even then there'd been something about the stories, about him that she could identify with.
And here he was in the flesh, looking at her as if she were the one who was the marvel. It was rather intoxicating.
"This does serve to bring up a point I've been meaning to make," Ares said. "No one is so good with a sword or with catching arrows that one can't get past them even in a friendly match. "You need armor. It will take some getting used to wearing it while you fight, but it's well worth it for mortals."
For mortals. She did not like the gulf that created between them. Of course, how could she argue, but she snapped back, "And where would I get armor?"
"Constantinople."
She scoffed. It was miles and miles away. He spoke as if it was a short ride away.
"Wealthiest city in the Empire. Not only will it make a great place to suit up, but it's the perfect place to start gathering our army."
"Our army?" she asked with a raise of her brow. When had he become more than her teacher and this become their venture? Then again maybe it always had been.
"Your army then," he conceded with a smile, but they both knew any battle was done in the name of Ares.
Before she knew what was happening, he had taken hold of her, and they passed the distance between the Greek countryside into Constantinople as if it were a mere step.
He released her immediately, and she said with a growl, "You should warn someone when you're about to do that."
"I did," he said with a grin that implied he'd liked taking her by surprise. "Didn't you hear me say Constantinople is a great place to get armor and an army?"
She shook her head in annoyance and looked around. He'd brought her right to the blacksmith, a very skilled one as she could see all the fine work he did displayed. She wouldn't be surprised if he made armor for the emperor himself.
"The lady would like some armor," Ares said. "A breastplate, shoulder pads, and gauntlets. A heavily studded leather skirt that offers protection but allow for free movement. That's the key with the whole suit. None of this heavy stuff that takes effort to even move in. Are you picturing it?"
"I think so." The blacksmith's large hands came near her middle and she moved her arm to slam her elbow into his face, but Ares stopped her and pushed her arm down. "He's only taking her measurements.
That made sense, she realized with a blush. Her mother had always cut her dresses and had been skilled enough not to take measurements.
Done with that until the armor was ready, she walked out of the smithy with Ares at her side.
The day was bright, but the jeweled tunics were just as bright, in fact, most people seemed well-dressed in colorful outfits.
It was also very crowded. She had never seen so many people in one place in all her life. In fact, she'd never seen so many people, period. No wonder he was convinced they could find soldiers here.
Her nose was assaulted with the smell of spices from all the nearby vendors and her stomach growled.
"You must be hungry." A statement rather than a question, and he came back from a stall with a meat pasty that really hit the spot. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. Jumping across the Aegean Sea must have worked up an appetite.
He stopped at the tunics as well and picked up one so navy blue it was almost black, trimmed and spotted in gold. He held it up, so that she could see the full length of it. "What do you think?"
"I think it'll look nice on you."
He frowned at her humor as she grinned and took it form him. Though she hated being given all of this like she was his mistress or something, she couldn't keep wearing her village clothing, still stained in blood that would never wash clean and torn. She was getting too many looks not to take it.
"Might as well enjoy the baths while you change. Built on my father's temple, it was. It would have angered him to see it."
He didn't seem particularly displeased by it himself and interesting he used the past tense. Apparently not all the old gods were still around. She got the feeling there had been bad blood between them though she knew better than to ask him about it.
A bath would feel nice. She would hate to soil the new fabric with her sweat. "Where will you be?"
"There are other people and places who need me, but I will be back. I'll meet you in front of Hagia Sofia," he said as he pointed it out.
She looked toward the dome shaped building with the four castle-like spires. An interesting choice given that it was part of the new religion that had made him so weak and took his worshipers. However, it was probably the most notable building in Constantinople, so easy to find. "Works for me."
The bath was as refreshing as she'd hoped, and there was much more to do there than just bathe, but she was interested in seeing the rest of the city before she had to meet Ares.
She hadn't gotten far from the baths before she bumped into an old woman. Her belt hung with prayers and other trinkets. She spoke in Turkish with great urgency even clutching at her arm.
"I'm afraid I don't understand you."
She switched over to accented Greek. "You are courting death and destruction. Your soul will need many more lives to wipe it clean if you continue on this path."
Xenia wanted to laugh. She had never believed in fortune tellers before, but when this day had started she hadn't believed there were gods that sat on top of Mount Olympus either. Though she tore out of the woman's grip and continued on, the words were not torn from her mind so easily.
