TRUST

Chapter 3: The Inevitable Truth

Another sun rose from the edges of my solemnity; it rose from under and up to the horizon, showering golden rays across the city and through my window. The ray of sunlight touched my skin with its warmth.

There was nothing new about it. Yet, it felt different. A sparkle grew in my chest along with the realization that morning was here, soon enough I shall accompany her. The thought sent shiver through my bones. After splashes of cold water, I got dressed that consisted of a bronze muscled linen cuirass, knee guards, arm guards, and a knee length leather tunic, one set of bow and arrow, and of course my sword.

 I gripped it in my hand and raised it, then turned it around so I could see its brilliant built. It was quite a beauty, its handle that was tender on the grip with its long flat proportional blade glazed through sharply creating such a weapon.

It had almost all it needed  to be a deadly weapon. The ability for it to bend and not be brittle. A brittle sword was as useless as a piece of stick in battle, as it would probably break when you try to strike it. The long length and the sharpness, the key point of a sword. Hazily, I could see small words that were etched on the side of the blade near the handle that said: Sons of Zeus.

I smirked, placing the sword back into its case.  Altheans felt that they were ridiculously close to god. However, as pretty the sword was, it was never better than a Xiphos or a Dory. Spartan weapons were superior.

All these weapons were quite heavy, I thought, as I stretched trying to balance myself. I was trained for this and it wasn't horridly heavy. It was just that, this place, it gave me new reactions to things I was used to. 

"Why is your face deformed like that, mate?" Xanthus half-sleepingly japed as he hesitantly sat up and looked at me. He sat on the bed next to mine. Luckily, we managed to be partners and got the same room. When you were in these kinds of duties, it was always better to stay with that one person you have bonded with. Xanthus reminded me of a brother. And for the beds, they weren't really beds just a hard, flat, wood table-like thing that was not pleasant to lay on.

I ignored his comment. 

 "It is the second day of duty. Yet, you snored like a pig until the sun rise. Get up." I threw him his sandals. He mumbled something in irritation and lie back down. I shook my head as I laughed and ruffled my hair. I was about to leave to meet the princess, I should look my best.

"I snored due to my duty. You are guarding the princess. What of me? Guarding the infinitely large king and his demands." Xanthus pretended to shiver and finally stood up, stretching. His blonde hair was chaotic and there were part that was puffy and part that was flat, he clearly looked like a man that had spent a lifetime sleeping.

 "Well, I wish you a pleasant day and I hope you will meet the king's demands." I teased and ran out of the room before Xanthus threw something at me. I could hear him cursing and an object hitting the wall. Not a very good aim. 

I walked confidently to the princess's chamber. Her doors were bolted from the inside, which I believed because of safety reasons. I stood in front of her door, my heart beating in my chest and I knocked twice.

 No answer.

I knocked three more times.

 "Yes, one moment." I heard her voice vaguely behind the door. For some reason I smiled, this excitement of waiting for her felt good. I shook my head instantly; these swirling nonsense shall not accompany my thoughts any longer, it should not accompany my thoughts at all.

But if this is my task, can't I at least enjoy my time? I thought to myself.

There was nothing false about enjoying the moment was there?