I'd Like to Believe
Chapter 2: May We Stay Lost on Our Way Home
A/N: As always, I don't own MPAS. Shout out to anyone reading from tumblr (and their siblings ;) ). Not a very long chapter but still I ALMOST NEVER UPDATE WITHIN A DAY THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I KNOW PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR THEM BLESS Y'ALL.
Warning: the following chapter includes references to past violence against a child. While graphic detail is avoided, be aware. Spartan tradition was not kind to babies deemed weak.
It was late, and the shadows cast by the moon against the rocks made the descent difficult. Every now and then, she would put her foot down in an illusion, and scramble to keep from falling. Her instructor would beat her to see how disgracefully clumsy she was being. But the matter was urgent.
"I can find him. He'll be safe. It hasn't been long, he'll be alright..."
She missed a step about a meter from the ground, slipping as the rocks cut into the soft meat of her arm. She hit the dirt hissing, arm wrapped around her chest as she clamped a hand around the wound. She blinked back tears, and her vision slowly cleared.
Something was lying a few feet before her face. Something small.
A wordless cry bubbled up from her throat, and she crawled over to the tiny figure. She reached over to touch it.
Cold.
This wasn't right. It made no sense. They were supposed to leave him to starve, to waste away, to feed the birds.
They had dropped him.
She pressed her forehead against his little head, crying without restraint and shrieking.
"Hera help me; oh dear Hera take pity-"
She was still screaming when the helot she had requested to await her return found her in the early morning hours.
"HERA HELP ME!"
The scar on Charis's upper arm throbbed, as if remembering a long forgotten pain and shrinking away. With one last grunt of exertion, she clambered over the edge, dragging herself forward a few feet before her arms gave out. She laid flat on the cliff for a few moments, cheek pressed against the warm dirt as she caught her breath.
Teacher would be livid, she thought. It's been awhile since I last did that.
Peabody shifted in the pack, and she reluctantly stood. Her back was aching fiercely, and she carefully lowered the bag to the ground. The dog appeared to have been lulled into a restless sleep, and he occasionally shuddered. Charis frowned, and took him up in her arms as she headed into the city.
It wasn't hard to find Agamemnon. The king was riding a vandalized Trojan chariot in circles, whooping and showing off for his men. The woman groaned, and had to raise her voice to get his attention. "MY LORD."
The chariot skidded to a stop a few feet away, and the king jumped down. He was smiling, and wagged a finger in a mock scolding. "Charis! Good to see you, but you really shouldn't be here."
"Did you really expect any different, Agamemnon?"
"Of course not," he chuckled, rolling his eyes, "and what've ya got there?"
Charis presented the dog. "I found him over the cliff; the Horse is little more than driftwood now. I was hoping you'd know him."
"Hey, yeah, that's Shermanicus's dad! Wondered where they ran off to."
"Have you seen the boy?"
The king shrugged. "Haven't noticed. If they got separated he couldn't have gone far past the city. There's nowhere else to go. Him and the little girl they're with should still be here."
Charis sighed. Wonderful, there were TWO children missing. "I would very much appreciate it if you could have your men search for them. I don't want those little ones running loose while your men," she said this with a bitter tone, "engage in their 'revelry'. You understand."
He nodded. "I'll try to keep them in line."
"Thank you. I need to tend to him;" she nodded down to the dog, "if the children are found, we will be in the Temple of Athena. Otherwise, it would do your men well to stay away."
She swept off to the temple, and the soldiers respectfully cleared out of her way. Agamemnon called after her. "You husband is out searching for a fugitive! One of Helen's handmaiden's ran off. He should be back in a few days."
Charis didn't turn, but muttered bitterly. "Yes. With a new bride most likely."
"Mr. Peabody?"
The dog shifted in his sleep.
"Mr. Peabody!"
Where was his son?
"DAD!"
Peabody's eyelids fluttered open, and his heart was racing. He worked himself up into a sitting position, groaning and rubbing his temples. Night had fallen, and a single torch provided the only light. In the corner, the Spartan woman tore some bread from a loaf, and hearing the rustling, turned. "Good to see you awake. I wasn't aware anybody could sleep that long."
She strode to his side, carrying a plank with two bowls, two cups, and some bread upon it. She sat cross-legged by the injured dog, and indicated half of the food. "Eat. You need to recover."
He glanced at her warily, still confused as to why a Spartan woman would be in the city, but accepted the bowl. He took a large gulp, starving after his misadventures, but quickly set it down and flinched. "Black soup, I assume."
Charis laughed heartily. "It's good for regaining strength. Not so good for your tongue."
Peabody nodded, withholding a gag out of respect, and sipped some diluted wine to wash out the taste of vinegar and pig's blood. The young woman watched, and then spoke up. "Agamemnon's men are searching for your son and the girl. They should turn up before the day is over."
For the second time, Peabody nearly choked. He coughed, and Charis thumped his back helpfully (unintentionally aggravating his bruises). He sputtered a little, but nodded. "Thank you."
"Of course. I am Charis of Sparta."
"My name is Peabody."
The two continued to eat in silence, too focused on the meal to converse. After a few minutes, however...
"...Are those my glasses?"
Charis paused, and blinked. Ah. Right. She reached up, carefully removing the warped metal frame from her curls. "Sorry. I didn't know where to put them. I think they may be broken."
The dog accepted them, holding them out in front of his face (So that's where you put them, Charis thought to herself) and sighing. "You're right. I can repair them myself in the morning."
Sherman and Penny were missing in a war torn city, he was too injured to get to the WABAC, and now his glasses were damaged. Peabody took a deep swig of wine. He wished it was an Einstein on the Beach.