Athenian Arrow

Chapter X

"Nikolas!" Adonis calls out to the Athenian leader who is about to walk out of the courtyard after leaving Alexi and Andreas in the Andron. Nikolas slowly turns around as he mentally prepares himself for Adonis' disapproval. "How was that justifiable?" Adonis questions while pointing his hand towards the andron.

Nikolas gives him a professional smile before speaking, "Are you questioning my authority?"

"N-no," Adonis stutters.

Nikolas smiles again before speaking, "I spoke the reason behind keeping that Spartan alive. I understand your past with Spartans and although that was a traumatic time for you, I'm afraid to inform you that my decisions are made in order to protect not one but many Athenians."

Nikolas and Adonis always had a close relationship. Adonis saw Nikolas as a close friend. It all started long ago when Adonis was his son's age, a young warrior when he experienced a traumatic moment in his life caused by a Spartan. During this time was the start of Nikolas' reign as the Athenian leader and as a new leader, he started off as compassionate towards the Athenian people. Constantly saving others or attending to one's wounds, he always cared for his people. The day Nikolas stopped fighting on the battlefield and attended a young Athenian warrior weeping in the middle of a battle was the day their relationship flourished.

It was ever since that day did Adonis felt like he had a true friend and a compassionate leader. However, today was a different day. Today was the first day when he felt like his existence did not matter anymore. No matter if Adonis ever saw Nikolas as a good friend who put his people's needs first or simply attended to non-physical wounds, this one Spartan seemed to be of more importance and Nikolas was not understanding that. 

That is when Adonis decides to remind the leader where exactly Nikolas came from. "And who is to say you were not traumatized by one of those barbarians with that scar on your left eye?" Nikolas' subtle reaction caused Adonis to pause before continuing again, "The slash of their sword caused you to lose sight. From that day on, you knew your fighting days had come to an end though you never want to admit it was your eye that caused that final decision, but yourself. Thank the gods that they blessed you with that miraculous brain of yours otherwise, Athens would have a pathetic leader," there was a bad taste in Adonis' mouth as he announced his displeasure considering he had never talked to the leader of Athens this way.

Nikolas was taken aback at the sudden confession but he did credit Adonis for being wise. Adonis was correct. Nikolas lost sight in his left eye due to a sword fight he engaged in with a Spartan on the battlefield a few years ago, causing a scar that vertically crossed over his eye starting from the middle of his forehead down to the middle of his cheek. Although his eyes are originally blue, his blind eye turned into a foggy blue and grey colour which is not as noticeable with his blue eye and white hair framing his face.

It was when Nikolas was older did he become blind in one eye thus using his age as an excuse not to fight in battle anymore. Never did he wish to appear as a weak, disabled leader. Leaders were supposed to be the strongest and wisest of their people. If Nikolas is not able to think as a leader should, then he would most definitely step down from the role to allow a new leader to take his place.

Nikolas wanted to end this discussion before Adonis could bring anything else to light. "I lost my ability to fight due to those barbarians as you call them but even so, what Athenian has not? Many Athenians lose their lives to those Spartans. You know that better than anyone which is why you are in no position to question my motives. Calculating a strategy to aim for an objective is the only way to win the game of war." Thus proving Nikolas' point of always advising a plan first, attack later, kind of mindset. Nikolas turns away from Adonis to take a few steps before talking over his shoulder, "be sure to warn your son and the Spartan that I wish to see them tomorrow as I will be hosting a symposium. That is where the plan will commence. I expect to see you as well, Adonis."