Page 18 of Fate

Laughter explodes without restraint from the both of us, banishing the pallor of an idle mind. Eventually, our musical joy fades away in the night, a shared and easy peace keeping the night at bay.

“You know, you’re like the sister I never had.” Truly, she was. Protective, witty, aiding me without conditions. Olena smiles broadly up toward the stars.

“Thank you Skion. You’re akin to a brother for me as well. The band is a loose family, but finding something closer is hard sometimes.” I can’t hide my wince. The more I hide and resist, the harder it’s been to control my reactions, my body and mind. “Did I say something wrong?” Worry and confusion blend in a fantastic way in Olena. Tension in her corded muscles, corners of her mouth pulling to the side, and lines making valleys on her forehead.

“No!” I rush to assuage her reaction, before calming the urgency in my voice. “No. I’m…coming to terms with who I am.” Olena relaxes before tilting her head, eyes searching my face for any clues.

“You talked like that before. Back when we reached Nolphi.” Good memory. I’ve barely accepted things and family or not, I need to talk with Helia first.

“Mmm. I did, didn’t I? Well, there’s someone I need to talk to first, but after that, I want to share with you too.” The truth of it shocks me. I do want to tell Helia. And Olena. I never thought I would get to that point. Despite everything, perhaps there are little points of hope still out there for me, just like the stars in the sky.

“Fair enough. Since we’re family now…that someone is Helia isn’t it? Hope you’re being careful.” She leans in, sly smile and eyes glinting in the dark as they lock with mine. “You kissed her, didn’t you?” I cough, trying to cover the bloom in my face. Olena giggles as the smile widens, fully encompassing her face.

“What?! It was just a kiss…a great kiss. But just a kiss! We’re taking things slow; not that we’ve had much choice.” Would I take things this slow if I didn’t have to? Would I waste this time we have? Maybe we’ll have some time in Ionos.

“Oooh? Sounds like you don’t want to take it slow.” Gravel crunches behind us, saving me from having to an, revealing Bellius, our wizened second-in-command.

“Perfect! Just who I was looking for.” Bellius exclaims, leaning on his ever-present spear. “Olena, you’re on first watch tonight.” Olena groans; blissful sleep for her would have to wait. At least it wasn’t second watch. Sleeping, then waking, then trying to sleep again is the worst. Olena gently squeezes my shoulder and heads off to set up watch for the night. Bellius lingers, leaning easily on his spear.

“A copper for your thoughts, Skion?” Everyone wants to talk tonight; I just want to sleep. He waits, as patient as a stone. He’s not going away is he? Maybe he can help me with something else then.

“It’s been around two to three months since everything changed.” Bellius nods, silent and waiting. “So much has happened. I’ve seen devastation and death, made friends and family, and”—my hand idly traces the lines of power etched into my skin—“I have dangerous power I did not want.” I shake my head, as though it would rid me of these thoughts.

“Do you remember the last time we were on this hill, looking out across the fields?” I nod, remembering the moment well. “Do you remember what I said?”

“You said to keep moving forward.”

“Precisely! Keep moving forward.” Bellius strokes his cropped beard, his gaze disappearing inward. “A lot has happened to you Skion, and it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and scared. Believe it or not, I have been in a similar place as you. Well”—he rubs the back of his head and chuckles—“maybe not quite.” Bellius sighs as I fail to hide a small smile. “My point is, you can either stand still and be consumed, or control your destiny.”

“By moving forward.” Bellius beams at my words, proud of his pupil. He’s right, of course. Moving forward doesn’t change anything or make me feel better, but I also can’t change the past. “Embrace it. Become more.” Bellius’s brows raise, surprise written across his face. He returns to his stoney silence, musing as we gaze out into the night.

“Thank you, Skion.” Confusion shines clear on my face, firelight from the camp casting flickering windows of light. “I came here to console you, and I ended up learning something new. Move forward and embrace it.” I stand as Bellius walks back to camp, ready to take my watch, mulling over his words, Olena’s, and mine.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

IT’S MIDDAY, SUN blaring high in the sky, and I find myself entering Ionos alongside Helia, Bellius, and Andra to collect our pay from the Archon.

We come armed only with our blades, leaving our spears and shields back at the camp. Helia brings along a pack for some reason; perhaps proof of our deeds. Marching quietly down the center path in the city, she leads us directly to the manor of the Archon. Sweat plasters my hair to my forehead as we make it down to the end of the road, the cool breeze wafting in from the harbor a welcome reprieve from the fall heat. Despite being so close to winter, anywhere south of Athos is warm by comparison.

Helia motions for us to stay outside, prompting immediate protests from Bellius and Andra. Protests that fall on deaf ears. Bellius posts up with the Archon’s guards, ostensibly making small talk, but keeping an ear open for trouble. I doubt he expects anything underhanded coming from an Archon, but as he explained during training, money holds great power over hearts and minds.

Andra stands close to Bellius, an eternal glare carved on her face. For my part, I walk across the road to gaze out on the ocean. Last visit, I had no time to genuinely appreciate the vastness stretching out in front of me. Pale blue runs to the edge of the world, gently moving back and forth, constantly changing yet always the same. Inhaling deeply, salt-tinged air breathes calm into me, motes of tension dissolving from my shoulders.

“Still alive?”

I turn to see a familiar smiling visage, the midday sun bringing a slight beading of sweat on an olive-skinned brow.

“Captain Artes! Still alive, indeed.” The smile on my face matches hers as we clasp forearms, a look of pleasant surprise emerging on her face. She must be off duty; a simple tunic and a small knife are all the adornment she has.

“Getting strong there! Seems like mercenary life is agreeing with you.” Artes looks me up and down, her eyes flicker along my tanned arms up to my mark. An anxious chuckle escapes me as I go back to watching the sea. “Or perhaps, it agrees with you but, you don’t agree with it.”

I grunt noncommittally without looking back to her, my smile fading. Artes seems to pick up on my feelings as she joins me in taking solace by the water, the salt truly a balm.

“You’ve been through it already, haven’t you?” Artes finally breaks the silence. My head bobs in confirmation. “You know, the city guard could always use more strong arms. I’m sure the refugees would appreciate seeing you back here.” I turn in surprise, her brown eyes filled with compassion.

“You were a mercenary once, weren’t you?” Now it is the captain’s turn to look away and avoid my gaze. Silence descends again, though not unpleasant; the cozy silence shared between the rock and the mountain.

“Thank you for the offer Captain. But for now, I have no choice but to continue my journey.” My hand traces the mark; a motion that Artes picks up out of the corner of her eye. “Perhaps I’ll take you up on that offer in time.” A small commotion behind us pulls our attention. Helia exits the manor, laughing and beaming, drawing a small smile from me. Artes notices, a wistful look on her face.