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Storm had broken across Thebes, The night was cold and the rain was hard. My cloak did little to guard me from the cold and wet. Tonight I knew sleeping outside was not an option, the last few coins I had would be spent in a decent meal and bed.

Four full moons had glorified the sky since the battle in which a god destroyed my people. After laying my dead to rest I had sailed west, wondering for weeks, city after city with no destination in mind. Days ago I landed on Thebes, a large city with busy streets, and lively people.

I sought shelter in an old Inn, inside the air was warm and the candles cast a golden glow upon the room. Many of the tables were full, soldiers sitting with soldiers, sailors with sailors, laughing, conversing with a familiarity that made my heart ache. Some turned to see who the new comer was. The serving girls quickly came to and fro bearing serving trays.

I found an empty table near a window and made my way towards it. I sat with my back to the wall. I ordered a warm meal and wine.

There were countless of conversations around me, and a pang of grief swelled in my heart. For it had been incredibly long since I've sat amongst friends and laughed and converse. Most days when I roamed the streets of an unfamiliar city I had naught to think about but the present. But nights like this when every soul was warm amongst friends and kin, I grieved. Though I had attempted to find my sister-warriors who had survived the battle, I had failed to do so. I had searched everywhere I landed, for any signs. But lady luck was not with me.

"…Nice firm bum…" The voice interrupted my thoughts. The voice was slurred with drunkenness. A yelp accompanied the voice. I turn to watch as a drunk sitting a few table away from me place his hands on one of the serving girls. A young girl with bright eyes and golden sun-kissed hair.

The drunk seemed to feel my eyes upon him, for he turned with a scowl. "What?" He said.

"Nothing, I just don't think the lass's interested in you, that's all." I replied. The girl quickly moved away from the drunk and made her way to an older man at the bar. She spoke to him in quick gestures and pointed my way.

"Don't know how to mind yer buisness do ya?"

"I am just trying to save you from embarrassing yerself." I replied and turned back to my meal.

I heard his chair scrape against the ground, and his heavy footsteps as he made his way towards my table. I did not look up to him as he sat in front of me. Conversations had died and I could feel countless pairs of eyes on me. Seems I had this effect on many.

"I do not want your company, sir." I simply said with out looking at him.

"Ohh but you look like ye need it lass. What's a lovely lass like ye self doin' trav'lin' without someone. I never seen ye before today, and you have a foreign accent to you, ye do."

"Lovely does not mean helpless. Why don't go back with your friends and leave me at peace." I simply said willing him to go away.

Of the many inconveniences of traveling through lands were men ruled and looked upon women as damsels and whores and nothing the most irritating of all was that many men and women alike believed that I was helpless. I could picture myself in their minds eye; a pale slender young woman, with long dark locks that fell in unruly waves down my back, pale gray eyes and dirty face and hands. My eyes were large and tilted slightly upwards and my chin was pointy giving me a cat-like appearance.

"Come on, you can trust me." He reached out to touch my face, I slapped his hand away and glared at him.

"I've not the patience to deal with you. Go back to your companions, sir." I repeated.

When he came at me again, my fist connected with his jaw sending him sprawling backwards. I looked to see shocked faces of men and women around me. I could only imagine what they were seeing through their eyes, a woman knocking out a man twice her size.

"SIAH, JULIUS, GET THAT THICKHEADED BROTHER OF YOURS OUT OF HERE!" The voice belonged to the man the blonde serving girl was standing with.

The men the drunk was sitting with got up from their table and came to pick up their brother who was now snoring as loudly as can be. One of the lads sent an apologetic glance my way before taking the big drunk out.

The man, whom I presumed was the owner of the inn came towards me. I assumed he was angry at first glance. I took one of my last coins out of my pouch and laid it on the table. Ready to make my leave. When the man was closer I could see that his eyes were a warm brown and that shone with amusement. The man was not tall but he was strong, with a body built from a life of labor. His hair was graying on the temple his beard and he appeared to have seen fifty summers.

"That is a strong arm, you've got there lass." He voice matched his appearance, strong but kind.

"He was just too drunk to keep his balance." I replied.

His warm laugh took me by surprise. "I need a lass like you here, you look like you haven't got a spare coin in yer pocket and a warm bed to sleep at night."

I raised my brow in a questioning gesture.

"This Inn was passed down to me from me da', its only a handful of us here keeping it running, lend a helping hand? You get a full belly and a warm bed, and a few spare coins."

I pretended to think about it for a few seconds, but I knew that as soon as this kind man laid me an offer for a stable place to sleep in I was going to take it. I had nothing better to do, I could either continue my traveling, but I truly didn't have a coin to do so.

"I've got nothing better to do." I replied.

"Welcome to the family, me name is Arsenios." He held a warm hand out for me and I took it. He pulled me to him to a half hug, reminding me of those soldiers do, and patted my back.

"Liah, my name is Liah." It felt strange saying my name to a person again after so long. I haven't heard a person speak my name since the field was stained scarlet.

* * *

"If it was up to me I'd serve him urine and muck." I said to Arsenios and Dea, as he loaded my serving tray with the finest wine we had as well as the finest fruits.

"That's why your not coming anywhere near my kitchen, child." He replied, A smile upon his bearded face. Always in good humor despite how the night turned out.

Arsenios treated all who worked for him justly. I believed he knew that tragedies had fallen upon me, but he did not ask, for which I was grateful. Working and dealing with the fools that came to the tavern occupied my mind until the night came. It kept away the grief of having lost everything. But at night, my tears would wet my bed. In the dark there were monsters I could not keep at bay.

"Just imagine his face when he sees it. Oh I would pay a gold coin to see that." Dea said and I laughed. I had learned to laugh here again.

Arsenios handed me a mug of ale, I send him a questioning glance. Not many in these isles drank ale, most believe it was a barbarian and vulgar drink. But we did get our share of foreign travelers and some enjoyed ale far better than wine.

"It's for the man over there," he pointed with his chin. I turned to see who he was pointing at.

When my eyes fell upon the man Arsenios had pointed to my breath left my body, and my heart beat faster. Even from a distance I could see his eyes were a bright green, and that his long glossy locks shone like fire.

Ares.

No not Ares. I blinked many times and my vision cleared. Though his eyes were green they were not the in-human and his red locks had a golden tone to them. Fine upon the eyes he was, but not a god.

"He's been staring at you all evening. He's not bad looking either. " Dea said as she took the ale from Arsenios and placed it on my serving tray along with other drinks for me to serve. "Go 'head serve him his drink, maybe you can invite him to your bed."

"Dea!" I heard Arsenios said as I made my way to the tables and started delivering the drinks. Dea had blunt tongue that she held back for no one, as oppose to Alana, who always seemed to be hiding behind Arsenios.

When I placed his drink on his table I took the opportunity to really look at him. I had mistaken him for Ares from a distance for his colorings were similar, his feautures were straight and angular and his size was rather large and intimidating. Yet from this close distance I could see that his skin was slightly kissed by the sun, and that it was a bit rugged and somewhat weathered. There were small freckles on the bridge of his nose that could've made him appear less menacing but did not.

This man was beautiful in his own way, his beauty was foreign to me. And by his size, sinews and the weapons concealed under his tunic I knew he was a trained soldier, or fighter. He looked fierce, untamable and barbarian. But above all he looked human which lifted a weight off my heart.

"Thank you." He said, although he seemed a foreigner, his accent was not foreign at all but as local as can be. A small smile grazed his lips and a knowing look entered his eyes reminding me once again of a god. Unaccustomed to men as I am it took me some seconds to recognize the look. When I realized he though I was interested in him I could feel the heat rise upon my face, staining my cheeks scarlet. Perhaps I had stared far longer than was acceptable.

A soft rumble of laughter escaped him. He turned his body towards me openly watching me. That he found me amusing only angered me. At that very moment I wanted to use my serving tray for something other than serving. Something violent. But I choose to leave my violent ways for another moment and simply walked away from the human who reminded me of a demented god.

To be continued….

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