The Greek Midnight Rainbow

Chapter 5: the midnight rainbow

It took Kole and I about ten minutes of careful but fast walking down the treacherous hill that lead from Athens to the dock. I had never been down here, the ships that came and went were mainly for warrior transportation and goods for the market. So up until now there had been no need for me to come. Besides no one without permission was allowed here.

Warriors where separated by ranks, determined by the number of years they had served. The ranks went all the way up to rank 22 after that warriors where no longer needed. But not many make it up to retirement. We all started on rank 1: probatio. Kole was already in rank 3: probatio: initiate. Starting from rank 8: probatio: leader, warriors would start leading troops.

Once we reached the dock, one of the leaders -probably from rank 10, I guessed by the looks of him- called out to Kole. He smiled apologetically at me and left to stand with, whom I guessed, was his troop leader.

I took a look at my surroundings. Not many kids where here yet, only about half a dozen, but not any familiar faces. In front of me stood the open ocean and anchored to the dock was a huge, wooden ship. Written on blood-red paint on It's side read, the Argo. On a tight line of rank 20 warriors blocked the way to the entrance. No one is allowed in the ship until instructed.

I turned towards the hill and spotted out a group of what seemed to be rank 1 warriors. Between the bunch I made out a head with brown curly hair.

Alexander?

Before I could make out if It was really him, I was tackled, by a strong, hard body, that knocked the air out of my lungs with a single poof. And together we tumbled down the little slope and towards the ocean. I tried to grasp something from the ground, something that might anchor me. My hands searched blindly and desperately but found only smooth ground. I was rolling, falling.

And then I the ground gave way to warmed-by-the-sun water. I barley had time to take in any air into my lungs before salty water filled every single orifice in my face. I fell head down into the water. I was unable to make out up from down, even in the water I was still spinning.

It felt like my brain was about to pop. I was about to pass out. And then the same strong arms that knocked me over before where leading me back to the shore. We resurfaced from the water and my mouth immediately opened to gulp in air. Such amazing air. But then I'm choking. Whoever it was that knocked me over and then saved me, now laid me on the smooth stones.

A couple minutes later my breathing had returned back to normal, and as I sat up I saw Kole and Alexander barging towards me and the other guy. Kole with sword ready to attack. I was up in an instant, but regretted it immediately as I got light headed and my vision blurred for a second. Taking a deep breath I stepped between my brother and best friend, and the guy.

"Get out of the way Selome" Kole said measuredly, his anger clear.

"Kole, I'm fine it was just an accident" I pleaded, there were not enough soldiers as it was, let alone if we started killing everyone who tripped and fell. Gods we were so screwed.

Almost reluctantly he lowered his sword, his shoulders visibly relaxing. All the while Alexander stood behind him pretending to be brave. If that had not been such a bizarre situation, I could have laughed.

"Are you sure you are okay, Selome?" Alexander asked genuinely worried.

"Yes Al, it was just an accident. I'll get changed as soon as we board in"

He frowned as if not convinced but nodded. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned. I could now see the boy clearly; bright blue eyes, black hair that almost fell into his eyes, a slightly crooked nose. He wasn't tall in fact he was just a few inches taller than me. Which was both relieving and somehow discomforting. He was...intimidating.

Once on the boat I changed into similar pants and the same shirt. I walked to the front of the boat. We had already sailed a couple hours ago. And lunch had been just a little portion which meant I was still starving. The sun was already hiding behind the unceasing waves. Everyone was bellow deck unpacking, or resting, and probably crying. But I told myself I would not cry. So there I stood looking overboard denying my every tear.

I was not afraid, not afraid, not afraid, not afraid.

I could not be afraid.

I lost track of time, my shoulders shook with tiny quiet sobs. And then it ceased, the tears stopped overwhelming my eyes, and I could finally see clearly. It was already night time, the stars shone brightly above, and there it was gaping at me.

After a tiny portion of dinner I went back to the deck, judging from the location of the moon it was almost midnight. And it was still there. The midnight rainbow, that meant something was coming. It meant a tough decision was coming, really soon.

TO BE CONTINUED THIS SUMMER....