Athenian Arrow

Chapter XXXIII

The feeling of ice-cold water awoke Andreas in shock as his body froze in temperature. He quickly sat up from the bed that resided in his tent. His body was covered in goosebumps. Andreas looked around the tent in annoyance. Who would do such a thing? He thought.

"Finally! You're awake."

The voice led Andreas' eyes to the direction on his left. He looked down to see Themis holding an empty metal bucket. "Are you mad?!" He yelled once he realized who had soaked him with cold water.

"Well, I was trying to wake you but you were in such a deep sleep that nothing had worked. It was as if you were a bear in hibernation. You are going to get yourself killed, I swear," Themis explained as Andreas was wiping the water off his face with his hand.

"Interestingly enough, Zoi told me the same thing. But instead of water, she woke me up with a kick to the stomach. And do I prefer a kick over ice-cold water? Surprisingly, yes. Indeed I do," Andreas stood up to find a cloth to dry himself off.

Themis wasn't too sure if Andreas was joking or not but they didn't have time to figure that out as there were more important matters at hand. "There's a serious matter going on Andreas. I woke you for a reason."

This caught Andreas' attention. His serious demeanour hid the fact that Andreas was panicking on the inside thinking some Spartan caught Alexi saving his sister and now they are captured or Andreas and Alexi were seen together and they reported it to his father. Andreas just hoped Alexi was safe but never showed it as he and other Spartans were trained to keep their emotions in check.

"My brother's plan is going forth today. Stefanos sent one of his men to my tent this morning and demanded I finally write the letter. The time has come, Andreas."

Andreas looked at Themis for a moment without saying anything. He was trying to process the information Themis gave. His body turned away from Themis as he shook his head in disbelief and confusion. Andreas started drying himself off while the silence continued.

"Are you going to say anything?" Themis asked as they watched water drip from Andreas' long brown hair down to his sunkissed back.

"Themis please," Andreas let out a huff in annoyance. "Just... let me process this," Andreas still had his back turned as he implied that Themis should leave his presence.

Themis had an academic upbringing but it didn't take the intelligence of someone who did to know why Andreas needed time to process this news. So Themis made their way to exit the tent but they paused before doing so. Themis turned their head to look at Andreas who was still facing away from them as they warned him about Alexi's advantage as an archer, "Process the fact that you must stay within close range at all times Andreas, you must."

When Andreas didn't even turn to look at them, Themis took their leave in hopes Andreas understood and would listen to Themis' command.

Once Andreas heard the tent flaps close behind the doctor, he sighed at the thought of Themis ignoring the sight of what was best for Greece. Andreas understood full well the romantic feelings Themis had for him. But the result of Andreas living life instead of Alexi was not best for Greece.

...

Andreas put on his full armour except for the helmet after Themis left and proceeded to go find his father to speak with him. His bright red cape dragged behind him as he strolled through the Spartan campgrounds in search of his father. Just as he was about to check Stefanos' tent, he saw his father conversing with higher-ranking soldiers a few meters away from the tent. He approached the group of men and stood beside his father. "Father, I must speak with you," he leaned into his father's ear to quietly let him know with both hands behind his back.