Page 19 of Fate

“I doubt that, bumpkin. Luck and the pantheons be with you.” With that, she clasps my forearm a final time. As Helia and the others approach, Artes nods to them and walks off. My gaze follows her, watching as a branch on my tree of fate falls away.

“Befriending the locals?” Bellius needles, smile brightening his scar, clearly glad that Helia had quickly rejoined the group. Helia matches his spirit, laughter dancing in her eyes. She brings us all in close with Andra shooting me a sidelong look before stepping in. She hasn’t spoken to me much since Nolphi. When we start training again, I need to bridge the widening gap between us.

“The Archon generously paid us a bonus for wiping out the bandits in addition to safely bringing the merchants to Nolphi.” At that, Helia shakes her pack and the cacophony of coins catches the rest of us by surprise. “Of course, I didn’t tell him the merchant guild in Nolphi already paid us extra.” She pulls me in and wraps her muscled and scarred arms around my shoulders.

“Skion, this is all thanks to you! If not for you, I don’t know how we would have fared in that damned forest.” Ha! This coming from the Aspect of Lunos with unknown power. Though, the captains don’t know that.

“Bellius!” Helia roars, releasing me from her embrace, a mixture of emotions coursing through me. She opens the pack and quickly throws a purse in his direction. Bellius catches it in one hand, a wry smile on his face, enjoying the child-like joy from his commander.

“You’re on resupply. We need enough to make it to Hecalon; plus emergencies. Also, swing by the blacksmith and see what’s available; you know what we need.” Without waiting for a response, Helia hurls another purse at Andra who was expecting the move, a hand already up before the throw even started.

“Let me guess,” Andra drawls in a bored tone easily catching the purse. “Repairs?” Helia smiles broadly and nods. The cohort had been operating outside of the main force for a few months and the tears in bedding, bent blades, and cracked spear hafts were proof. Andra casts an annoyed look my way. “Why not send, Skion? He has to learn this part too, regardless of his powers or relationship with you.” Iron snaps into Helia’s eyes, her joy squashed in a blink. Color drains from Bellius’s face as we watch our commander stand to her full imposing height.

“You cross a line, Captain. I told you not to mention his abilities in public and, you do not have grounds to judge any relationship I have.” Andra quakes at the iron in Helia’s voice, yet holds her chin up defiantly. They exchange looks, neither backing down until Helia sighs, stepping away.

“You’re not wrong Andra. He will learn in time. However”—Helia shoots me a sly smile before continuing, her joy creeping back—“I have other plans for Skion.” Andra’s gaze darkens and she spins on her heel, marching after Bellius who had taken the opportunity to start leaving. Helia wraps a muscled arm around my shoulder again.

“You do need to learn all of the roles, but you told me something back in Nolphi that we have to correct here.” I can’t help but smile as Helia leads me over to the more open market street, no idea what her goal is.

We pass street vendors hawking their wares from behind wooden stalls, trying to pull the attention of any and all. Multicolored cloth awnings give shade and a nice break from the sun, pleasantly accompanying the ocean breeze coming from the westerly harbor.

Eventually, the transitory street vendors give way to more permanent vendors. Stone buildings line the street with much larger fabric awnings; wide enough to connect buildings across the streets together. Vendors take full advantage of the atmosphere and the resulting agora, with storefronts spilling out into the common area and creating a lively, yet welcoming chaos. Hired help expertly navigates the crowd to find potential customers and gently guide them toward the main stores.

Helia takes point, her presence cutting through the crowd, a sickle through wheat. I easily slide in behind her, matching her stride as best I can. Sticking this close to her, I can’t help but notice the way her back muscles shift under her tunic as she saunters through the crowd, her pack over one shoulder. Yes, she’s physically stunning, but it’s the way she commands attention, the confidence in every step parting the crowd. The muscles are a bonus. Maybe one day—

I slam face first into Helia’s back, my thoughts blown out of my mind. Stammering an apology, heat rushes to my face. Paying no attention to my distress, Helia turns and pulls me forward, that same grin wide on her face, arm wide to present our destination.

“Oh.” Nothing else comes to mind in light of the view in front of me. Women and men flow effortlessly among a wide area in front of an establishment, weaving between patrons lounging on cushions. All wear variations of draped tunics, some shorter, some longer, colors as varied as wildflowers. Each one accentuates the natural beauty of each person, though my eyes are drawn to the women; the gowns and tunics hugging generous curves here, slits to show flashes of long bronzed legs there, scooped necklines hinting in the distance.

I swallow, my mouth mysteriously bone dry. Helia chuckles, her grin wider than before. Athos was small compared to Ionos and Nolphi; my naivety is on full display.

A piercing pair of blue eyes lock with mine through the crowd, and I swallow again. Caught in a trance, I soak in as much as I can of the woman dominating my vision. Blonde, shoulder length hair with a braid running down from one temple; a deep blue tunic cascading down her body, tied at each shoulder, pooling across her chest; a thin silver belt at her waist, causing the gown to hug her hips. But most of all, I am pulled in by her icy blue eyes contrasting the warm, alluring smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Her hips sway as she saunters toward us revealing side slits in the gown, showing a hint of slightly muscled thigh and shin wrap sandals.

“Welcome back, Commander.” Her voice sweeps over me like a babbling brook, her eyes not leaving mine despite addressing Helia. “Who is this wonderful person with you?” My emotions run in several directions at the same time.

Thankfully Helia answers her for me. “This, is Skion. He’s from the country so this is all new to him.”

The alluring grin turns to a welcoming one as the woman links her arms in both of ours. “Welcome Skion! I am Davra and this, is Killi's Amphorae.” I take a closer look and indeed see a cup in every patron's hand and jugs of wine within arm’s reach of most of the servers. I look over Davra's head and see a now sheepish grin beaming down at me.

“You told me you hadn’t tried wine before and this is the best place outside of Hecalon! Besides that I want to get some supplies for the band. Andra’s not a fan of buying wine for the cohort, and”—Helia's eyes flick downward before adding—“she got a bit jealous when we visited here a year or so back. So you coming along was the right thing in a few ways.”

I nod in response; that doesn't surprise me in the least. Andra being possessive and coming here would be a recipe for disaster.

Davra deposits us in a corner of the courtyard before gliding away into the store. Without looking over, I know that Helia and I are both staring as she disappears. The corner is private enough for us to have a buffer from the joyful cacophony, but close enough to feel the buzz of humanity. According to Helia, this is where most newcomers get seated. I set my blade to the side and stretch gratefully on the silk cushions, my muscles stronger than before but still welcoming of small comfort.

Before long, Davra reappears with two cups and an amphora of deep red wine. It was extremely rare in Athos. Hopefully this is less incendiary than whatever we had in Nolphi. Davra picks up on my inexperience with wine and pours into my cup, one hand gently yet firmly grasping the handle of the amphora.

“This is a local vintage, and one that our commander here is quite partial to. I figured it would be a good start.” Davra smiles demurely at Helia before pouring for her as well.

Helia raises her now full cup to her before nodding for me to drink up. With an exhale, I raise the cup to my lips. A strong citrus flavor coats my tongue, the acidity of it taking me by surprise. I swallow quickly only to be greeted by a lingering sweetness. Helia smiles before taking a gulp and a pleasant sigh follows shortly after.

I take another sip, this time expecting the experience and enjoying it while Helia puts in a request with Davra; a wagonload of wine skins delivered to our encampment outside of Ionos. Davra's alluring facade drops in surprise and a tinge of disbelief. Helia laughs, deep and throaty, before fishing several coins from yet another purse and dropping them with a satisfying clink. Davra quickly scoops them up and turns to go, before Helia stops her, gently touching her arm.

“There is a little extra there for another jug and some privacy.” Davra frowns ever so slightly at that, before nodding and continuing on her way; company is usually part of the experience. We both watch her leave again, our sips turning into gulps. Helia grabs the amphora and tops us both off, before raising her cup once more.

“Here’s to us finally getting a moment of peace.” A genuine smile shines next to me as I honor her cheer, our cups coming together. We lounge for a time in silence, drinking in the world, and our closeness.

Two cups later, a pleasant buzzing sensation settles on my head. My free hand idly traces the pattern along my neck, fingertips tracing every line, every curve of the intricate silvery design Lunos etched into my skin.