Artrenos

5: A New City

It had been a couple days since I found out about my engagement. I demanded that I go to Brow for a week and get to know Arcus. I guess I owed it to myself to see why girls travelled far and wide to see him.

I was leaving at dusk that day and I was nervous. I had never traveled without my family before.

"The sun is saying goodnight Athena, time to go. Ray is going with you, okay?" My mom said softly. I grabbed a bag of my clothing although a servant was trying to take it. I left the temple and got onto my horse. I looked up at my mother while she waved. I mirrored her action and rode away.

The people I was traveling with were my protectors and other merchants. I rode side by side with Ray and a man named Apollo.

We rode until the moon was in full view. We set up a small camp several steps away from the dirt trail. There was a tent made of a couple of logs and sticks, with fabric draping over. I crawled inside with my supper. Rabbit and potatoes. Not exactly my favorite meal, but food was food.

"Hey Athena, come out here and look at this view," Apollo stated, opening the tent entrance. I crawled back out of the tent, food still in hand, and looked up at the sky.

Stars.

They stretched out beyond the heavens and shimmered like a million jewels. I never admired how beautiful they were at home. I was in awe at that moment and I would look up at the sky every night from then on.

"They're," I started to say, still in wonder. "They're beautiful."

"No God or woman could ever compare." Ray laughed.

Apollo gave out a small "hmmph" and nodded in agreement. The three of us (and a few others) watched as the stars swayed and how the moon smiled.

In the distance, we heard wolves serenading the silver moon. I felt protected by them in a way.

"You need rest Athena," Ray mumbled, resting his hand on my head. I nodded and crawled into the makeshift tent. I rested my head on a small bag and closed my eyes. I thought of everything that had happened in the last few weeks. My celebration, Aurum, Beau, and finding out about Arcus. I also thought of wolves. Hunters used them for finding game quickly. Sometimes they were used as guards for homes. Many wolves raised around the same families and were very family oriented. My thoughts turned to dreams and with dreams, came morning.

Apollo opened the entrance to my temporary home, shining light into my closed eyes. I covered my eyes and groaned.

"The sun is out."

I crawled out and stood up, stretching as I did so. Apollo took down the tent and kicked down the sticks, spreading them out far away from each other. Ray spread the ashes from the fire so no one would know we were there. We then got on our horses and continued on the earthy path. As the sun continued to rise, we grew closer to Brow. Thinking about it made my stomach sick.

"I need a minute." I stated as we trotted along the trail.

"Fine," Ray replied, commanding the rest to stop and taking my horse rope.

I walked into a cluster of bushes and sat down. Breathing became hard when I started to think about meeting Arcus.

He seemed like the biggest enemy I have right now. Well, besides my father. Every time I thought of him, I wanted to break down and cry. He needed to be convinced to let me be with his brother, Beau. Maybe he will. Maybe he won't. I began to cry and Apollo heard me. Leaves rustled and he sat down next to me.

"Look at the view you've found," Apollo said, lifting my head up. "You miss out on beautiful things feeling sorry for yourself child."

Apollo and I were above a valley with a water fall leading into a river. Plants of all kinds gathered around the water. I looked up at him and smiled. He grinned back at me and I stood up.