Athenian Arrow

Chapter III

They have been walking quite a long distance. How long has time passed? Andreas wasn't too sure how long he had been following them now so he moved his gaze up towards the moon to see how much it's travelled from it's previous position. It doesn't seem like it's moved much. That meant that it felt like he had been walking endlessly while barely any time passed. His mind slowly shifted from thinking about how much time had gone by to wondering where they were taking Alexi. 

Through the trees, plants, and wildlife, essentially Demeter's backyard, the smell of newly bloomed flowers mixed with ripe fruit invades his senses. His footsteps leave imprints on the fresh green grass. The night always made the woods more beautiful. Without daylight, the sense of smell and hearing for sounds hyphenate. Smaller details were more present when sight was not the first sense.

Andreas stays at a safe distance from the group of men. Being aware of hiding behind trees every so often when their distance would be too close. The woods never seem to end, Andreas thinks. There had to be something close by now but there was still no sign of another village anywhere.

Andreas looks down to watch his footing. One look away was all it took for the group of men to take a sharp turn and disappear into the trees. He gasps in shock. Where did they go? Which direction did they turn to? Panic starts to set in as he curses the gods. How could he be so foolish? Turning his body in every direction, he tries to decide on which way to follow.

...

Alexi gave up his fight long ago once he saw the heartbreak in Andreas' eyes while following them. He thanked the gods for showing Andreas the path to save him. Luckily, the other men did not notice.

But now was a different story.

Andreas was nowhere to be seen. Where did he go? Did he lose them? Does he have another plan? Of course not, Alexi's an Athenian. He wouldn't save Alexi. Andreas probably realized that he had no business in retrieving the Athenian so he fled back to Sparta. That makes all the more sense. Alexi wants to stab himself with an arrow for being so hopeful.

Seeing as the gods aren't exactly in his favour, he starts to worry. What will happen to him? Do the men have something planned? Is this the end of a great archer?

After they take a turn somewhere in the woods, Alexi notices a small cabin in the middle of nowhere. Meaning, that there are no signs of civilians to hear his cries for help. What has he done to upset the gods this much? Alexi hadn't noticed he blocked out their rough-sounding voices until they reached the cabin door. "Go on now, get in!" The bald man shouts while pushing the blonde inside. He stumbles onto the wooden floorboards. The sound of Alexi's toned body hitting the floor fills the room with a loud thump. Alexi sits up with his face and right arm slightly scraped. His eyes radiate anger as he holds his arm. "Oh, I'm sorry for hurting you, princess. I'll make sure to treat you better from now on," the man sinisterly smirks.

...

He chose right. After all, Greeks always choose the right. Not long from the direction he chose, Andreas stumbles upon a small cabin. Two of the men Alexi was with were standing at the front entrance with their spears in hand. He stands behind a tree while he thinks of a plan. 

The men seem to talk every now and then. Andreas thought this was the perfect opportunity to use their distraction to his advantage. As they converse, Andreas crouches and inches closer, sword in hand. Sneaking up to the back of the cabin, he slides his body against the wall in hopes he won't be seen from the side. Poking his head over the corner, he sees that the two men are still engaged in their conversation. With silent footsteps, he sneaks up on the closest guard and stabs him in the back with his sword. The sounds of him gurgling and coughing while blood pools out of his mouth pierce the silent night.