Disclaimer: Don't own it
Claimer: Andromeda and the Cynurians
Rating: T for minor language and gory/bloody violence
Author's Note: And we're back! Work & life have been super busy so I apologize to everyone who has been waiting for this for so long! it You guys are awesome and all the followers make this update worth it! Please enjoy chapter 4 of the Cynurian Queen (please R&R!). Enjoy and thank you!
~Chapter Four: A Message from Persia~
The next two days were a nightmare for me. I didn't sulk- no; I was much too old for that. But I ate my meals away from my uncle and aunt and remained indoors for most of the day. I didn't bother to sneak out at night because I knew it would do me no good. What bothered me most was that I had stood up for myself; I had set Theron in his place, and now, when I was so close to victory, it was snatched from my fingertips.
On the third day, I decided that this wasn't going to work. I could only feign sickness for so long before everyone realized that my words were empty. And that wasn't the image I wanted to give them. Early in the morning, just as the sun was rising, I made my way silently to the stables where Erebus was more than happy to see me. I began to tie his reins and he stayed perfectly still, happy to be going out for a ride. But I wasn't just planning on a ride to Lerna and back. No, I had different ideas. I thought it best if perhaps I left Sparta for some time. I couldn't go to Cynuria, I knew that. So I thought about going north or perhaps west, to the other side of Greece where few had ventured.
As I was pondering these things, the stable door opened again and my head snapped up. I was surprised at my visitor.
"Not running away, are you?" my uncle's deep voice asked me. I stared at him a moment.
"I guess not," I shrugged as I busied myself with Erebus.
He paused a moment before he spoke again. "You know, you remind me of your father, my brother," he told me and began to help with the reins. "He was always trying to prove that he could be something different, that he didn't have to live this way. He wanted to believe that there was so much more for him out there. And you know what? He was right. There was- look at who he is; what he's become."
I looked up at him again. "Why are you telling me this?"
He put a hand on my shoulder. "Because I believe in you, Andromeda. I know you'll be someone great."
I was in shock. My tongue had turned to lead and I could not speak. I thought I had understood my uncle, but now, it seemed as if I didn't understand him at all. He tied the last knot in Erebus' reins and threw a navy blue blanket over my stallion's back. He smiled and turned towards me, laughing lightly at the look on my face.
"After all, he didn't name you Andromeda for nothing you know."
"I…thank you, for telling me this," I managed to say.
Then in a more serious tone, my uncle asked me, "Do you know where you're headed?"
I shook my head. "Not yet, but I'm sure it will come to me."
He nodded. "And your friends, have you told them how long you'll be gone?"
I hesitated. I had left that to last, debating with myself whether I should tell them or just leave. I knew it wasn't right- Astinos, Stelios and Lysidia were my best friends and not telling them that I was going somewhere would be the most hurtful thing I could do – especially since Lysidia had quite literally saved my life only a few days ago.
My uncle answered the question for me. "Go, say goodbye to your friends. Erebus will be here when you return."
I didn't hesitate this time and dashed out the door. I ran down the streets I knew so well and kept on running until I saw the familiar outline of Lysidia's house. I skidded to a halt at the door and knocked three times the way I always did. The door opened almost instantaneously and Lysidia stood there, her son by her side.
"I knew it was you," she smiled. "Come inside." She stepped away from the door to allow me entrance but I grabbed her arm.
"I can't stay Lysidia," I said solemnly. "I have to go away for a while. It won't be for long, but I came to say goodbye and to thank you for everything you have ever done for me."
The next thing I knew she was hugging me tightly and I returned the embrace. Lysidia was a great friend like that. She needed no explanations but seemed to understand everything. I gave her one last squeeze and then she watched as I turned away and left. I didn't look back, but I knew Lysidia watched me until I was out of view from her house. I found my aunt next in the market and pulled her aside. I told her quickly of my plans and she too gave me a hug, placed some coins in my hands and kissed my forehead. Then she wished me well and she too watched me leave.
The last two people I had to say goodbye to would also be the hardest. I found them in an arena testing each other's skills and practicing with target boards. I watched a moment as Stelios threw his spear and it landed in the center. Astinos clapped him in the back and then shook his dark hair from his face. That was when he saw me.
"You are alive!" he practically shouted. I had never seen him smile so radiantly before. Stelios pulled his spear out and joined us.
"So, you found us," Stelios said. "Planning on joining our little training session, are you? Maybe practice your archery some more," he teased.
I smiled and shook my head lightly. "Not today," I said slowly as the sudden reality of telling them my plans began to sink in. I couldn't face them anymore. But I had to, I told myself, because they were my friends. "Actually, I came because I needed to tell you both something."
Their brows furrowed and I could see the confusion etched in the faces. They had no idea was I was talking about. I sighed. "I'm going away for a little while, but I'll be back," I added hastily, seeing as they were about to argue. I held up my hand to them to stem the questions I knew would come.
"I'm just going to take a little ride across the countryside and I'll be back before you know it," I tried to say cheerily, but even they could see that I wasn't happy with the choice. "It needs to be done. Strictly speaking, they think I'm an outlaw and in a few days without my presence, it will all blow over."
Stelios sighed. "We were afraid you'd do something like this."
I raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you were afraid I'd do what? How could you possibly know what I was going to do?"
"Your uncle," Astinos answered for me. I had no answer except to shake my head at the situation. My uncle had figured out what I was planning to do long before today. I guess he did know me better than I thought.
"I'm sorry. I don't want to have to say goodbye," I said.
"You don't have to," Stelios answered and stuck his spear in the ground. "Go on, tell her,"
Astinos smiled. "We're coming with you."
I don't know if I wanted to cry or laugh, but I think I did both. Only my uncle would have done this for me. Gathering their gear, the three of us headed off to the stables where my uncle was waiting for the three of us, three tethered horses trailing behind him.
Erebus snorted when he saw me and my two friends took their steeds as well. "All set," my uncle asked me and I could only hug him. He too kissed my forehead and walked with us to the open fields.
"Try not to venture off into any mountains," he told us and I nodded. "And Andromeda, be careful."
"I will, I promise. I'll see you soon."
And then the three of us were off, the golden wheat fields behind us and the open expanse of Greece the only road ahead.
We spent nearly three weeks outside of Sparta, whereas our original plan had only been to stay a week. We debated upon Argos or Nemea and settled for the latter, as the Nemeans were better known for their hospitality. Before returning home, we visited Lake Lerna again, though this time during the day so we could see all its beauty.
When we came home, the whole story had blown over and there were more pressing concerns, like the invasions of Persia. Nearly a year had passed since the incident that had caused me to leave Sparta. Early February saw Astinos turn eighteen and three months later in May, I did as well. It was in July of the year 480 when I received a particularly large and awkward looking package that would change my life.
"You have something waiting for you," my aunt told me when I had arrived home one day and showed me the package lying on a table in the courtyard. I looked curiously at my friends who had joined me for the walk and they shrugged. The package was awkwardly shaped with one part long and skinny and the other bumpy and rather large. It was tied up with rope.
A scroll was sitting beside it and I opened it first to see if it would give a hint as to what was in the package. My friends looked over my shoulders as I read it aloud.
"To our dearest Callisto," I started, knowing immediately this was from my parents. My father had written this letter though, because I knew his writing. We wrote the same way. "I hope this finds you well before your eighteenth birthday-"
"Your birthday was two months ago," Stelios interjected laughing.
I nudged him lightly. "Stelios, hush. Let me finish reading this." I cleared my throat and continued. "I hope this finds you well before your eighteenth birthday. Your mother and I wanted to wish you all the best and we hope that you have enjoyed every moment of your life. But as you know, things in Cynuria are not as they should be. We have been at war with Persia for quite some time now. I told you one day that you would come to understand everything. The moment I set eyes on you I knew you would be strong. It is why you are named so. Remember what I always told you. A tyrant is always stirring up war or other, in order that people may require a leader. I wish you all the best in life, Andromeda, and that you may always find happiness. With all the love in the world, your Mother and Father."
My friends knew not what to say and neither did I. I let the letter fall to the table and reached for the package. My friends and my aunt waited with bated breath to see what the present would be. There was an eerie feeling creeping through my body. Those haunting words about tyrants and rulers, my father had told me to never forget them. I pulled the rope and the knot untied. Pushing aside the linen and hide wrappings, my gift came into view.
An ornate, sparkling silver bow, with a quiver of twelve silver arrows with purple feathers lay in the wrappings. On the bow was an inscription, carved into the silver. This was no ordinary bow. These were my father's and I knew instantly what his letter had meant.
My heart felt as though it had stopped beating and the entire world had stopped moving. Time did not exist as I stood there looking at this gift, but it wasn't really a gift at all. My hand hovered over the bow for a moment but I dared not touch it- not yet. I was afraid of what I would see if I did.
I moved so fast I didn't register it until I was halfway to Cynuria. Had I said anything to my friends or my aunt? Had I explained anything to them? I don't think I did. The only thing I remember was grabbing the letter and bolting out of the city on Erebus' bareback, heading to my homeland.
And when I got there, I was met with devastation. But hadn't I expected it? Hadn't that been the point of my father's letter? To prepare me for the fate I must meet. When I arrived in the city, I met with my father's general, Casseopius, who led me to the city's infirmary. He explained to me that the Cynurian forces had withdrawn from the attack and that they had hoped I would have arrived sooner. I didn't understand why until he showed me the two bodies lying under a white sheet. So it was true. What I feared the most had happened. My fate, my ultimate destiny had arrived. But I couldn't accept it. It was too soon. I left the city as fast as I came, telling the general that I had things to take care of in Sparta first. But he understood. He understood that I didn't want the responsibility that had been so forcefully thrust upon me.
I arrived in Sparta. In total, I had been gone three days. The moment I entered the city I saw it; sensed it in the grass, felt it in the air. Persians had been here, and that meant only one thing for Sparta.
War.
I left Erebus' in the stables, and rushed to find my uncle. I weaved through the crowd of people who had gathered. Had the Persians only just arrived? What spectacle had happened here? I didn't need to look far for my answers.
My uncle, my aunt, Captain Artemis, half a dozen soldiers, my two best friends and Theron were gathered by the city's old well, a deep circular hole cut into the earth that had once provided us with our source of water. It had long since run dry. My uncle turned, faced me. He was angry but I didn't know why, not yet anyway. His eyes landed on me, and in that moment, so did everyone else's. My aunt saw me too and was by my side in an instant.
"Callisto," she called to me. She had seen the gift, she had seen my expression, and she had seen my pain. She knew but she said nothing. I was emotionless; hollow. I was wounded but my pride didn't let it show. My dead eyes stayed fixed on my uncle.
"Where have you been the past three days?" he questioned. His voice was angry, his tone, his features, everything about him screamed madness. My mind's eye saw Theron, smiling, enjoying this too much, and my friends, how worried they were. I must have looked terrible.
"Uncle-"I began but Leonidas was too angry to hear reason.
"We'll discuss this inside," he interrupted. I paused, but only for a second. My gaze floated to the well and I understood.
"They are dead," I said, loud enough for him to hear. He was walking away, but he stopped, turned and listened.
"What?"
"They were murdered and burned. My parents are dead."
He knew what that meant. Everyone in the streets knew what it meant. "How do you know this?"
"I saw them. They are dead and they're not coming back." My voice was hollow but my words bore the weight of the world. It was all crashing down on me and I knew I had to leave before I lost what little dignity I had left. I turned and stepped away as my aunt called out to me once more.
"Callisto!" Slowly, softly, like a loving mother. She's not your mother, my mind screamed at me. They killed your mother.
I paused, wanting so desperately to turn and hug her; knowing I couldn't. Sorrow and tears would come later, but now was neither the time nor place.
I could feel a deep cold hatred run through me as I turned my back on everyone.
I closed my eyes briefly. My words were bitter. "My name is Andromeda."
I don't know how long Astinos and Stelios had been searching for me but they found me in the courtyard of my uncle's home, my bow strung and an arrow waiting to be released. I hadn't read the inscription yet. My father told me that one day I would understand what it meant but I hadn't paid attention to it.
The moment I had taken up the bow, everything that had ever transpired around it became visible to my mind and there were a lot of memories. Most of the things passed through my mind like air but some stuck out, like the day my father inherited the bow and the day he told me about the inscription.
I swung around quickly as I heard footsteps approach behind me, the arrow poised, ready to strike. My two friends came into view and it took me a second before I relaxed my grip on the arrow and let the bow drop to my side. I turned away from them, though I was glad to see them.
I let out a frustrated sigh, holding onto the courtyard wall for support.
"What's the point anyway?" I hadn't meant to talk aloud. My thoughts had escaped through my lips. I dropped the bow on the courtyard table and rested my hands on either side of it, looking out into the distance.
Stelios came up behind me and examined the bow. Astinos was beside him. Worry was etched in both their features. Stelios was deep in thought and Astinos' eyes were dark.
"Come on, you're the best archer in Sparta." Stelios was trying to sound casual, but I heard the concern behind his words.
"That's not the point," I said angrily though I didn't know who I was angry at. "You don't get it! It's not the fact that I can use it! It's what it means if I do."
I stepped around the table and leaned against it, arms folded and looking quite cross. But not at my friends; at the whole situation – at what had been thrust upon me and now, Sparta.
Stelios seemed to understand where I was going with this. "You knew one day this would happen- that the day would come."
"Did it have to come so soon?" I asked but no one answered. I hadn't expected them to. I knew Stelios was right. I took a moment more before I asked the question I didn't want an answer too. "The Persians were here, weren't they?"
"Yes," Astinos answered, joining me and leaning against the table. I didn't look at either of them but continued to focus on a spot in the sky.
"They didn't leave here either, did they?"
Stelios remained silent and Astinos shook his head. I could see him from the corner of my eye. "No."
I took a deep breath, more to steady myself than the thoughts than ran through my head. "You know it means war for Sparta."
This time, Stelios did answer. "We know," he said solemnly. "Leonidas was talking about gathering the troops."
I looked higher into the sky, gazing at its beauty. The moon was a faint silhouette against the evening sky, almost full, but not quite there. It would take another two days until the full moon rose. My eyes narrowed and I stared intently at the sky now, realization awning on me of what the coming days would mean. I looked at my friends in horror.
"They won't let him go with the army," I whispered.
They looked at me, confusion written on their faces. They did not see what I saw. "It's Carneia," I motioned towards the sky as if it held all the answers. "How could we not remember? In two days, the festival begins and they will not let him go to war during Carneia."
"They will have to," Astinos objected. "They will have to see we are at war."
"The Ephors don't care about the ongoing problems of the city," I pointed out irritated.
"We have to do something," Stelios insisted.
I looked back at him and turned my gaze skyward again. "This time, there's nothing we can do. It's in their hands."
My friends had no words after that. Something very strange was happening and there was nothing we could do about. The three of us watched the moon rise as darkness fell across the city. We stood for a very long time just watching the sky and everything around us. We stayed silent, but we were all thinking the same thing.
Sparta was going to war, and the Ephors – well, it didn't matter what they said.
A/N: Thanks for reading and sorry to everyone for the choppy update times! Thank you to all the followers out there. Please R&R - no flames :)