Athenian Arrow

Chapter XXII

Andreas' bright red cape flows elegantly on the ground as he sits on a wooden stool looking out at this poor, dirt city through a pane of glass. His fist rests against his temple as the feeling of imprisonment washes over him. Andreas found it funny that while looking out through the window in the andron of Alexi's house, he saw life. He saw colours and youth and happiness every time he looked out that window. Athens had so much life, more than Sparta could ever achieve. There was more grass than dirt, no plants seemed to die, and the fruit trees were always picked. Although Sparta is his city, looking out that window only made him feel imprisoned in this lifeless land he arguably calls home. When would Demeter bless Sparta back to life?

...

Alexi awoke on a sheepskin throw that was spread across his bed. He felt the fur tickle his nose which caused him to jump up. That's when he felt something hard underneath him. He looks down to see he has been sitting in the same chair he was sitting in last night. After retreating to his room, he pulled up a chair to the side of the bed and laid his head on his bed while he wept into his arms. He hadn't noticed his tears lulled him to sleep. 

Memories of last night came flooding back to his mind. Alexi was unsure of what to do. Should he go to the Andron and talk to Andreas? But what about? Should he just avoid him altogether? Alexi came to the conclusion that he would have decided once he finished eating his morning meal. Alexi travels down the ladder to get to the lower level. He notices his mother preparing a fruit bowl for herself this morning. Alexi grabs an apple from the table and takes a bite. Maria hears her son's crunching and greets him. "Would you like a bowl of varieties son?" She politely offers.

He raises his hand to stop her. "Thank you Mother but this will be enough for now," Alexi holds up his apple to prove his point.

Maria just smiles and finishes putting her bowl together.

Adonis enters the room and greets his wife with a smile and a good morning.

Alexi watching his father enter the room reminded the Athenian of confessing Andreas' true identity rather loudly. He is almost certain Andreas heard the confession. Though the thought of Andreas now knowing that Adonis knows his identity too wasn't what bothered Alexi. It was the fact that due to anger, Alexi sounded as if he was disgusted by his true character and that was not his intention to portray that way at all. His anger was caused by Andreas' truthfulness which he did not want to accept. Alexi concluded he should declare that for the sake of peace.

Alexi stood up and walked passed his father in the direction of the andron.

Adonis, at first, didn't think anything of it after Alexi had passed him. But when the realization came to mind of his son possibly looking for the absent Spartan, he turned and rushed toward the andron.

It was too late. Alexi entered the empty room. His eyes darted to every corner as if what he was seeing was deceiving him.

"Son-" Adonis said behind him.

Adonis couldn't see the disappointment displayed on the blonde's face. "Where is the Spartan, father?" Alexi turned to face his father as he waited for his question to be answered.

Adonis sighed before being truthful, "You know there is no use for him here anymore son. I sent him free last night. Thank the gods he still remains alive." If Adonis was being truthful, he had absolutely no idea how his son would react to the news once he found the right time to confess, not with the way he reacted last night.

Alexi chewed on his lip in the long silence debating on what to say next. So many emotions were running through him at this very moment. There was sadness from his love being absent in his proximity. But there was also anger about how the Spartan didn't bother to say goodbye. Though he realized there was probably reasoning for that, his mind failed to make coherent thoughts to figure that out at this moment. He decided to push all his feelings to the side and demanded the only answer that was important for Alexi to know now, "Please, tell me he is back in Sparta Father."