Athenian Arrow

Chapter XXVI

A few days have passed since Alexi tried to free Andreas from his imprisonment and the time had finally come. It was time to bring peace to those who were Athenian as well as the Spartans. It was time to end Stefanos' reign in power.

Alexi was certain Andreas had not yet fully healed. He would need a few more weeks at least. Alexi prayed that Themis was some sort of brilliant doctor that Hermes had sent for Andreas to receive a fast recovery. Otherwise, under normal circumstances, Andreas would be too weak to fight with only a week and a half of healing.

Now that it was time, Alexi had servants helping him dress in his very heavy armour. They draped white linen clothing over Alexi's naked body as an undergarment. Next was his bronze breastplate that sat overtop. His breastplate replicated the muscular abs that most hoplites wore. Alexi smirked at the thought of seeing Andreas in a masculine breastplate. The servants then added greaves to protect the shins, and last but not least was the helmet. A servant carefully placed the bronze helmet on top of Alexi's head. It had horsehair plumes attached to the top of the helmet that was dyed blue, vertically across the head. The Peloponnesian Era called these helmets the Corinthian helmets and was characterized to have almond-shaped eyeholes, a nose guard, and large cheekpieces that would sometimes be engraved with intricate designs. This style of helmet was relatively new as it was developed in this era. Because Alexi was the leader of Athens, his helmet was very ornate with multiple intricate engravings on the helm.

Once he was dressed in his full suit of armour, the servants made some final finishing touches by attaching a long blue cape to the back of his breastplate, handing him his shield, and sword, while also giving him his famous bow and arrows. Alexi looked in the mirror. He got dressed for battle so many times before but today felt different and he couldn't figure out why.

...

The sound of footsteps alerted Andreas to peek out the cell bars. His father was approaching his cell. "It's time," he said to his son with a serious look then left without waiting for a response.

The guards finally freed Andreas from his cell. He was led to their home where he would get dressed for the fight coming amongst them. He had to pass by his parent's bedroom in order to get to his room. The door was open and as Andreas walked by, he saw his father and his servants helping him with his armour. His father's stance seemed confident and cocky. His face showed no emotions but his body language spoke as he adjusted his breastplate. Andreas on the other hand had a feeling that there was a good reason as to why his father would feel so confident.

He noticed Themis waiting for the Spartan once he stepped into his room. "I can take it from here," Themis noted to the other guards.

"Bronze armour is heavy, Themis. It would have been easier for you to have them help you," Andreas said confused after Themis sent the soldiers away.

"No," Themis disagreed. "It would have made my job harder as they would not have been careful enough with your wounds and potentially reopen some of them."

Andreas nodded as they had a point.

"Follow my directions and you won't hurt yourself more than you have to," Themis instructed as they took the bottom of Andreas' dirty, ripped toga that only covered his lower half and pulled it down for Andreas to step out of. "Now once I put the new toga on you, don't shoot your arms straight up. Keep them bent and low. I will manoeuvre the cloth around them."

Andreas sarcastically chuckled. "I cannot even dress my own self. How am I supposed to fight in a war?"

After Themis removed the toga, Andreas was naked. They grabbed a fresh, white toga that wasn't far from reach and put it over the Spartan's head so it could drape over his body. "Be thankful, Andreas. I healed you faster than any other Spartan doctor could have done for you. You made a lot of progress. I suggest you don't participate on the frontlines for at least a few more days. Let the first wave of killings die down before fighting."