The adults had finished eating and wanted to discuss 'adult things', as Joya had put it, so he'd been requested to go with Heptarian. Where they were supposed to go, he didn't know, so he just blindly followed the older boy. He felt oddly at ease with him. He just knew , from instict, that no harm would come to him from Heptarian. He still didn't know his way around the vast palace. it was like a maze to him.
Suddenly, Heptarian made a sharp turn. Not expecting it, Pythagoras stumbled and would have trippped over his own feet, had a strong arm not shot out and caught a sleeve.

"Be careful." Heptarian warned, yanking him upright.

"I didn't mean to!" Pythagoras retorted. Did he think he wanted to fall?

Heptarian's lip curled. "I thought you were quiet!"

"I thought you wouldn't have cared if somebody fell."

Heptarian stopped smiling. "I wouldn't let you fall."

This was odd. In Samos, people didn't care if anyone got hurt. That was just the hand the Gods dealt. "Why?"

"You're the Prince of Atlantis. I'm supposed to protect you."

"What about the King and Queen?"

"Them too, but that's my father's job."

"I don't understand."

"Atlantis is Poseidon's city. The royal family of Atlantis are its guardians, they look after the city and nurture it. I am a servant of Poseidon. It's my duty to protect and serve the royal family."

"How old are you?" Pythagoras asked. With the words he was using, his height and athletic build, Pythagoras felt pretty sure he was at least 12.

"I'm eleven years. I'll be in the Pancration next year."

"Pancration?"

Heptarian bit back a sigh. He had a lot of explaining to do.

"Will I have to partake in the Pancration?"

"No. It's only something to be done to prove yourself as a warrior or even a suitor."

"Why are you doing it?"

"To prove my worth as a warrior."

"Why?"

"I want to make my father proud." Heptarian admitted. "And it's a tradition for the men in my family to partake in them."

"Are you afraid?"

"No. I'm ready." Heptarian replied. He started walking again, going up the stairs he'd abandoned to help the younger boy.

"How long are you staying with us?"

"A few days. Father often comes to Atlantis and he'll take me with him. The king and queen are like family to us."

"What about your mother?"

Heptarian stopped walking. He bit down on his lip to avoid telling the blonde to mind his own business. "She's dead."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"Where are we going?"

"You don't know about the palace's rooms yet?"

"I can't help it." Pythagoras defended. "It's bigger than the whole island of Samos!"

Heptarian chuckled. "Not quite that large. It is big, I agree. Did you know you can see the ocean from one of the rooms?"

"Really?" He had never loved the ocean, but he enjoyed the way it looked, blues and greens, the waves rolling and the brightly coloured fish that sometimes swam to the surface. He'd missed it these past few weeks.

"Yes. That's where I'm going. Do you want to go?"

"Please. I've missed it."

"Missed it?"

"I've lived by the ocean for nearly seven years." Pythagoras explained.

"Do you swim?"

"No. My father, in Samos, never..."

"Not your father. Minos is your father."

"No. Minos is my pateroúli̱s."

"I see."

"Anyway, my father was never sober enough to teach me. Although, he did toss me in the ocean once to see what I would do."

"What happened?" Heptarian asked, feeling horrified.

"I can't remember. But when I woke up, four days had passed."

He would have to talk to King Minos about this. They couldn't have a Prince who couldn't swim. Poseidon would be furious. They finally reached the large window, with its white, lace curtain shielding the shimmering black ocean from their view. He tucked it away and allowed the smaller child in front of him, so he could watch over him.

Pythagoras was reminded of Samos. Reminded of watching the stars move hazily across the sky as morning approached. Reminded of watching the jet black ocean as it rhythmically moved in the bright, silvery moonlight.

"It's beautiful." he murmured.

How long they stayed there, he did not know, but soon Hepatarian was lightly pulling on his shoulders telling him it was getting late and that they would return tomorrow. His instincts had been right. Heptarian was no one to fear. (unless you were to oppose him in the Pancartion).

"So, what did you and Heptarian do?" Joya asked. She was lying on her side next to her tired child, holding onto one of his hands.

"He showed me the ocean." Pythagoras sleepily told her.

"That's nice." Joya admitted. She'd not been too sure about allowing Heptarian alone with her son, but in this occasion, she'd truly had nothing to fear.

"Mi̱téra, do you think I should go in the Pancration?"

"No! Why?"

"Heptarian said it's a way of bringing pride to your family."

"You've already brought us pride, mikró." Joya told him sincerely, brushing her fingers through his curls.

"Really?"

"Yes. I never say anything I do not mean." She kissed his forehead and rose. "I'd better go to your pateroúli̱s. Goodnight, asteráki."

"Mi̱téra?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

This is fluffiest thing I've written in a while, I think. As usual, I hope you've enjoyed, reviews are welcome and if you flame it, YOU CAN PISS OFF AND GET THROWN TO THE BULLS!

Love from