Page 31 of Fate

“Get a room you two!” An elder enjoying the park heckles us, causing laughter to erupt as Helia grabs my hand and hurries us away, thieves caught stealing the archon’s laurel in the middle of the night.

The afternoon walk back to the estate is a heated blur as fall comes to a close. My arms wrapped around Helia’s waist, possessive and comforting. Helia resting a scarred arm on my shoulder, hand occasionally stroking my slowly growing hair. That, and pulling me in for fiery kisses that would put Solon to shame in stolen alleyways and shadowed corners. I’m not naive enough to think I’ve banished her demons for good. But perhaps, given some hope where there was none.

As we arrive at the estate, I realize that I’m finally ready to go all the way. Whatever unease I have about my own body, our future, I don’t want to waste a single gods-damned moment we have.

Pellax ends that swiftly by calling an immediate officers meeting as soon as we step over the threshold, yet surprisingly inviting me along as well. To say that frustration permeates every fiber of my being, is akin to saying water is wet.

“I wouldn’t worry too much. Probably some new marching orders,” Helia explains as we walk through the manor to Pellax’s study, which does absolutely nothing for the sexual frustration flowing through me. Andra and Bellius are already in attendance along with several others who I don’t recognize.

“Ah! Perfect timing. Thank you for joining us; we were just about to start. And thank you for showing up as well Skion. I think you’ll understand why you’re here in a moment.” We step forward and join the semicircle of officers around Pellax’s desk, bringing the count to seven. “Commanders Julius and Farron are both out on separate assignments with their cohorts, so we’ll make due today with Helia and the estate guard.”

Helia nor the others ever talked about the other members or cohorts of the company. Three cohorts and a standing guard was roughly about eighty to a hundred souls; a veritable small army of veteran mercenaries. Pellax has more power than I thought.

“As you should all know, two of our members were attacked in the city last night.” Pellax nods in my direction, causing me to shift uncomfortably, bandages suddenly itchy. “This is just one of several incidents in the recent months where mercenaries from different bands and companies have been assaulted. Most have been mugged with little injury other than wounded pride. However”— Pellax slams an open palm on the desk emphasizing his rising tone—“this time they went too far.”

Pellax unfolds a scroll on the desk, revealing some kind of writing with a wax seal affixed at the end. A few murmurs emerge from the group, with a notable grunt from Bellius. Not being able to read, I wait in silence hoping for some explanation.

“Yes, you all read that correctly. This is a contract from the Archon of Hecalon to hunt down the assailants. Commander Helia, I want your cohort to run the contract.” The wizened strategos looks over to me, calculating, weighing scales. “If the attacks are connected, they may come for Skion. I leave it to you all to act as you see fit; do not let these bastards get the better of the Spears.”

Turning to the unknown officers Pellax directs an increase of the watch around the estate, before dismissing us all. Sharp salutes snap in unison and the four of us adjourn to Helia’s quarters.

“A direct contract from the archon? That fast?” Andra blurts as soon as Helia closes the door behind us.

“Is that unusual? We got one from Gaius back in Ionos.” Andra mulls on my point before Bellius contributes his thoughts.

“Sure, but we were explicitly contracted for that ahead of time. This is different.” Bellius shoots an unreadable glance toward Helia. “Commander, I advise caution; this is fast and unknown hands are in play. The archon is not one to trifle with.”

Helia sits on the chair by her desk as I plop down on the bed, drawing a flat look from Andra. I stifle the urge to stick my tongue out.

“I know who the archon is Bellius.” She gives a meaningful stare his direction, communication passing effortlessly and wordlessly between them, Bellius returning the stare with resolve. “Pellax is right in that these vagabonds crossed a line; crossed us. This is, however, a dangerous distraction. Skion, what are your thoughts?” I know what Helia is getting at. No one else knows that the attacker was blessed by a god to kill me. Andra and Bellius both raise their brows but say nothing.

The image of Olena leaning against the alley wall, blood trickling through her fingers, flashes through my mind just as the face of the man I fought does. Conduit. I realize I’ve been playing with the soft furs in my hand, a futile attempt at calming my mind.

“I agree with Bellius that there are unseen forces at work. However, ignoring it is equally as dangerous; perhaps the moon will shine on our path if we pursue this.” Helia’s eyes narrow for the briefest heartbeat, just long enough for me to be sure she understood my meaning. There is no way only a single assassin is in play; taking the fight to them now is our best choice. She claps her hands with decisiveness, the sound echoing off the stone walls.

“That’s settled then! I will let Pellax know in the morning. For now, let’s discuss strategy. Ideas?” I lean forward, eager to participate in my first strategy session. Bellius has been teaching me constantly, but theory and reality were as water and fire. Andra looses a chuckle and we watch as a wicked grin emerges from the depths of her face. She leans away from the wall fixing that devious smile on me causing a bead of sweat to trickle down my back.

“Simplest is best; bait.”

Well, shit.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

I STAND IN the middle of an agora on the other side of the city the following afternoon. No armor today, just a simple tunic and sword; Helia insisted on that, especially given the context that we might be going up against the Solonites who have been hunting me. I swirl a cup of wine, failing to distract my mind as I scan the crowd.

The plan was simple; be seen, look drunk, and eventually stumble down an alleyway at night. The budding scar on my cheek itches like a summer nettle, inexorably calling to my hand. As I make to relieve the itch and my anxiety, I catch Bellius giving me a disapproving glare from across several vendors away. Members of the Spears are dispersed around the agora in simple disguises and cloaks, ready to strike when needed.

Achingly, I lower my hand and take a long pull from the cup I was supposed to not actually drink from. He had given me a lecture after the planning last night about letting the scar heal normally. He failed to mention how much it would itch. Solon begins to set, the warm rays disappearing, retreating for the night.

It’s time.

I make a show of stumbling out of the agora, bumping into people, uttering slurred apologies, and spilling a little wine on the edge of Andra’s cloak as she stands fuming by a stall selling the last of their grape bunches for the day. Absolutely worth it.

It isn’t hard to stumble around the city until the night is fully formed. After only a few days, I had barely scratched the surface of the city and the busy agora was intentionally chosen in the hopes of drawing eyes. The flap of fabric several steps behind me reaches my ears and I fight the urge to look behind, faking ignorance as I spy an upcoming alley. Perfect.

I stumble into the corner of the turn, fake vomiting and dropping my cup, nothing but a drunk fool to any eye. The fast crunch of gravel under sandal follows my quick entrance into the alley. Halfway down, the shadow draws closer, I drunkenly turn, forcing the figure to stop in their tracks.

“Whhoose sat?” I slur, trying to lure them in closer. The figure pulls their hood, revealing a young, square face dimly lit by the budding moonlight.