Athenian Arrow

Chapter XIX

"So Alexi too is Athenian then, correct?" Habib looked at Anastasia beside him, making eye contact as he asked his question with Zoi trailing behind them. The was sun beating down on their crowns as their feet walked on a dirt path leading to Athens. 

Zoi noticed how much warmer it was on this particular day as she kept her distance to allow the two to bond over Athenian culture. She was aware of Habib's desire to hear all the things Anastasia meant from her heart. This was an opportunity for Habib to seek closure and finally move on to feeling worthy again. Because of the love she had for him, she wouldn't dare interfere with his discovery of self-worth.

Zoi's reaction upon hearing Anastasia's true identity was not a surprise to the dark-haired woman. Zoi likes to think of herself as smart and stealthy. Though she didn't specifically predict Anastasia being Athenian, she did suspect her and the two other fools to be from another city-state as she caught the foolish beast almost blowing their cover. She saw no harm in this though. Soldiers often need to hide their identities for missionary purposes and being part of that cycle herself, she understood what it took for them to be successful in such a mission.

"He is my brother after all," Anastasia smirks a witty remark. Her tone acted as if she was so much smarter than the man walking alongside her and Habib was not going to let that slide.

"You think you obtain more knowledge than I do? Did you forget we come from the city that writes?" Habib smiles as he pulls the blonde in. Her back crashes into his firm chest. She places her hands on the arms that are wrapped around her chest and laughs. Habib kisses the top of her head. Zoi smiles at the scene.

"My brother is actually considered to be the best archer in all of Athens," Anastasia explains once Habib lets go and continues to walk. "When he was learning to fight as a child, he picked up the bow and arrow and that's when the twin gods blessed him with the gift he holds today. Alexi plays a very important part in the Athenian army. Nikolas has stated his gratitude towards him multiple times."

"So not only are you Athenian? But a skillful Athenian graced my presence and I failed to notice?"

Anastasia laughed at the thought of her brother being worthy enough to grace the presence of a civilian.

"Next time you see that beast of his, tell him I say his boy toy is a better warrior than he will ever be," Zoi smirked as she pushed past the flirty couple to walk ahead. Anastasia had not even realized her presence was close behind. 

Their eyes remained fixated on the temple-like body figure in the distance ahead of them.

...

Stepping onto Athenian soil felt nostalgic for the half-Athenian. The Dipylon was the main two-gated entrance to the city of Athens. Habib can't say it looked the same as he remembered it. Athens was always a progressive city. Some sort of new technology was always making it's way into the Athenian lifestyle. Other city-states did not come close to their possession of technology. Doctors came out with new medicines, leaders developed strategies for their soldiers, construction workers modernized buildings, and writers published updated information. Because of the city's constant progression, it was never always the same. 

Habib hated to not have witnessed that fast growth but just to be able to stand at that gated entrance and look from left to right at the city he once knew was a sense of comfort. Habib refuses to believe he would ever feel comfortable looking at this familiar city if it weren't for the words Anastasia spoke of. Abandoning a city came with a lot of discomfort when thinking about it. The discomfort of leaving your family, friends, and duties. The discomfort of thinking it's all over and you will never be welcomed back. It was a surreal experience to have all of those thoughts shifted by one person.