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Chrysanthe still couldn’t quite believe she had left Taengea. She could have lived her entire life never going further than the borders. By all rights, there was no reason she should have ever had that opportunity. Yet, here she was on a boat in the middle of the ocean, no longer in Taengea, or really any country for that matter. There was something somewhat unsettling about trying to sleep on a boat. Everything around her kept moving, and the moment she closed her eyes, she was convinced that she would fall out of the far too comfortable bed that she had been assigned. Between the mattress and the motion of the boat, it was if there was nothing solid that she could trust for long enough to allow her to drift off to sleep.
Instead, Chrysanthe crawled out of bed to explore the ship. Perhaps being able to see the water they were floating upon might allow her to settle her mind. She climbed the stairs to the deck of the boat, the tang of salt on the breeze already helping to settle her racing thoughts. She walked to the railing of the boat, looking out over the dark, deep expanse of the water. It was almost as if they were surrounded by a total void, and the thought made Chrysanthe shudder. The night sky shone with stars, and the divide between sky and water could only be seen where the twinkling lights changed from sharp points to flickering blurs.
Anything could be out there in the blackness in which they were bobbing. The lapping of water against the sides of the boats and the creak of the timbers under her feet were unfamiliar noises. She was sure they hadn’t been this loud under the light of day, but now they seemed almost eerie. It didn’t help that even her future seemed so unknown. Before this voyage, she had known more or less what she could expect on any given day. Now, she was going to have to live in a new country, with people she barely knew. Not that she didn’t trust Perse, or else she wouldn’t have agreed to this in the first place, but it all seemed different when it was just her alone in the darkness without someone to reassure her that it would be alright.
Chrysanthe twirled at the approach of footsteps behind her, dropping into a curtsey before even confirming who it might be. She wasn’t sure if she was allowed to be wandering around the ship at night and didn’t want to offend anyone. “I’m sorry, sir. I just wanted to see what the sea looked like at night.” Perhaps the apology was unneeded, but she had learned from experience that it was much better to apologize when it wasn’t necessary than to offend a powerful stranger.
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Chrysanthe still couldn’t quite believe she had left Taengea. She could have lived her entire life never going further than the borders. By all rights, there was no reason she should have ever had that opportunity. Yet, here she was on a boat in the middle of the ocean, no longer in Taengea, or really any country for that matter. There was something somewhat unsettling about trying to sleep on a boat. Everything around her kept moving, and the moment she closed her eyes, she was convinced that she would fall out of the far too comfortable bed that she had been assigned. Between the mattress and the motion of the boat, it was if there was nothing solid that she could trust for long enough to allow her to drift off to sleep.
Instead, Chrysanthe crawled out of bed to explore the ship. Perhaps being able to see the water they were floating upon might allow her to settle her mind. She climbed the stairs to the deck of the boat, the tang of salt on the breeze already helping to settle her racing thoughts. She walked to the railing of the boat, looking out over the dark, deep expanse of the water. It was almost as if they were surrounded by a total void, and the thought made Chrysanthe shudder. The night sky shone with stars, and the divide between sky and water could only be seen where the twinkling lights changed from sharp points to flickering blurs.
Anything could be out there in the blackness in which they were bobbing. The lapping of water against the sides of the boats and the creak of the timbers under her feet were unfamiliar noises. She was sure they hadn’t been this loud under the light of day, but now they seemed almost eerie. It didn’t help that even her future seemed so unknown. Before this voyage, she had known more or less what she could expect on any given day. Now, she was going to have to live in a new country, with people she barely knew. Not that she didn’t trust Perse, or else she wouldn’t have agreed to this in the first place, but it all seemed different when it was just her alone in the darkness without someone to reassure her that it would be alright.
Chrysanthe twirled at the approach of footsteps behind her, dropping into a curtsey before even confirming who it might be. She wasn’t sure if she was allowed to be wandering around the ship at night and didn’t want to offend anyone. “I’m sorry, sir. I just wanted to see what the sea looked like at night.” Perhaps the apology was unneeded, but she had learned from experience that it was much better to apologize when it wasn’t necessary than to offend a powerful stranger.
Chrysanthe still couldn’t quite believe she had left Taengea. She could have lived her entire life never going further than the borders. By all rights, there was no reason she should have ever had that opportunity. Yet, here she was on a boat in the middle of the ocean, no longer in Taengea, or really any country for that matter. There was something somewhat unsettling about trying to sleep on a boat. Everything around her kept moving, and the moment she closed her eyes, she was convinced that she would fall out of the far too comfortable bed that she had been assigned. Between the mattress and the motion of the boat, it was if there was nothing solid that she could trust for long enough to allow her to drift off to sleep.
Instead, Chrysanthe crawled out of bed to explore the ship. Perhaps being able to see the water they were floating upon might allow her to settle her mind. She climbed the stairs to the deck of the boat, the tang of salt on the breeze already helping to settle her racing thoughts. She walked to the railing of the boat, looking out over the dark, deep expanse of the water. It was almost as if they were surrounded by a total void, and the thought made Chrysanthe shudder. The night sky shone with stars, and the divide between sky and water could only be seen where the twinkling lights changed from sharp points to flickering blurs.
Anything could be out there in the blackness in which they were bobbing. The lapping of water against the sides of the boats and the creak of the timbers under her feet were unfamiliar noises. She was sure they hadn’t been this loud under the light of day, but now they seemed almost eerie. It didn’t help that even her future seemed so unknown. Before this voyage, she had known more or less what she could expect on any given day. Now, she was going to have to live in a new country, with people she barely knew. Not that she didn’t trust Perse, or else she wouldn’t have agreed to this in the first place, but it all seemed different when it was just her alone in the darkness without someone to reassure her that it would be alright.
Chrysanthe twirled at the approach of footsteps behind her, dropping into a curtsey before even confirming who it might be. She wasn’t sure if she was allowed to be wandering around the ship at night and didn’t want to offend anyone. “I’m sorry, sir. I just wanted to see what the sea looked like at night.” Perhaps the apology was unneeded, but she had learned from experience that it was much better to apologize when it wasn’t necessary than to offend a powerful stranger.
It had been harder than he wanted to admit to step back onto the boat, especially with Olena at his side this time. The last time they'd been aboard one together horrors beyond their imaginations had occurred, and in spite of the confidence he had in Iason and the queen it was difficult to feel comfortable when memories and terrors he'd tried to suppress for sixteen years came flooding back. Curled up with Olena in the bunk they'd been given, he'd done his best to help her fall asleep, knowing full well he would get no rest that night. Only after her breathing was finally even did he tuck the blankets around her tightly and get up to appease his wandering feet.
The fresh sea air did not help as he had hoped, and Dima shuddered, pulling his himation closer around him as he walked to the railing of the ship closest to him. Chrysanthe's presence didn't register to him at first, not until she'd turned and curtsied to him which wasn't something that had ever happened before. People didn't ever mistake him for someone to show respect to in such a way, it was obvious to most just from looking at him that he was no Greek, and it only got clearer when he spoke with the accent that had still colored his words.
"It's just me. No need for that." Holding up his hands as if to deflect the gesture of subservience she'd shown, Dima gave a slight smile and took a place at the railing. The inky black sky held pinpricks of stars that flickered behind clouds above, the crashing waves could have been a foot or twenty from where he stood, and another memory of a night like this long ago flashed before his eyes. He'd escaped from the hold, sprinted to a railing just like this, tried to throw himself over before the pirates had gotten hold of him again. Shifting his jaw as if still feeling the ghostly pain from the blows they'd dealt him as punishment, he pushed back from the rail and crossed his arms over his chest. There was no comfort to be found here either.
"What do you think of it? The sea at night." Talking about anything else would help, distraction from his nightmares and the bile that rose in his throat.
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It had been harder than he wanted to admit to step back onto the boat, especially with Olena at his side this time. The last time they'd been aboard one together horrors beyond their imaginations had occurred, and in spite of the confidence he had in Iason and the queen it was difficult to feel comfortable when memories and terrors he'd tried to suppress for sixteen years came flooding back. Curled up with Olena in the bunk they'd been given, he'd done his best to help her fall asleep, knowing full well he would get no rest that night. Only after her breathing was finally even did he tuck the blankets around her tightly and get up to appease his wandering feet.
The fresh sea air did not help as he had hoped, and Dima shuddered, pulling his himation closer around him as he walked to the railing of the ship closest to him. Chrysanthe's presence didn't register to him at first, not until she'd turned and curtsied to him which wasn't something that had ever happened before. People didn't ever mistake him for someone to show respect to in such a way, it was obvious to most just from looking at him that he was no Greek, and it only got clearer when he spoke with the accent that had still colored his words.
"It's just me. No need for that." Holding up his hands as if to deflect the gesture of subservience she'd shown, Dima gave a slight smile and took a place at the railing. The inky black sky held pinpricks of stars that flickered behind clouds above, the crashing waves could have been a foot or twenty from where he stood, and another memory of a night like this long ago flashed before his eyes. He'd escaped from the hold, sprinted to a railing just like this, tried to throw himself over before the pirates had gotten hold of him again. Shifting his jaw as if still feeling the ghostly pain from the blows they'd dealt him as punishment, he pushed back from the rail and crossed his arms over his chest. There was no comfort to be found here either.
"What do you think of it? The sea at night." Talking about anything else would help, distraction from his nightmares and the bile that rose in his throat.
It had been harder than he wanted to admit to step back onto the boat, especially with Olena at his side this time. The last time they'd been aboard one together horrors beyond their imaginations had occurred, and in spite of the confidence he had in Iason and the queen it was difficult to feel comfortable when memories and terrors he'd tried to suppress for sixteen years came flooding back. Curled up with Olena in the bunk they'd been given, he'd done his best to help her fall asleep, knowing full well he would get no rest that night. Only after her breathing was finally even did he tuck the blankets around her tightly and get up to appease his wandering feet.
The fresh sea air did not help as he had hoped, and Dima shuddered, pulling his himation closer around him as he walked to the railing of the ship closest to him. Chrysanthe's presence didn't register to him at first, not until she'd turned and curtsied to him which wasn't something that had ever happened before. People didn't ever mistake him for someone to show respect to in such a way, it was obvious to most just from looking at him that he was no Greek, and it only got clearer when he spoke with the accent that had still colored his words.
"It's just me. No need for that." Holding up his hands as if to deflect the gesture of subservience she'd shown, Dima gave a slight smile and took a place at the railing. The inky black sky held pinpricks of stars that flickered behind clouds above, the crashing waves could have been a foot or twenty from where he stood, and another memory of a night like this long ago flashed before his eyes. He'd escaped from the hold, sprinted to a railing just like this, tried to throw himself over before the pirates had gotten hold of him again. Shifting his jaw as if still feeling the ghostly pain from the blows they'd dealt him as punishment, he pushed back from the rail and crossed his arms over his chest. There was no comfort to be found here either.
"What do you think of it? The sea at night." Talking about anything else would help, distraction from his nightmares and the bile that rose in his throat.
As the figure in the darkness spoke, she recognized the voice and laughed a bit at herself that she had assumed she needed to curtsey. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know it was you,” she said standing back up quickly. It was honestly a bit of a relief that it wasn’t someone of high rank. Chrysanthe was still finding herself uneasy having to remember all these new rules one was supposed to remember when dealing with nobles.
It was nice to have some company out here in the blackness, though she had yet to know much about Dima, other than the fact that he and Olena came as a pair. She was glad when he struck up a conversation. It meant she didn’t have to worry that he had actually come up on deck for some solitude that she was disturbing. “It’s...almost like there’s nothing out there. Like our whole world has just become this one little boat just bobbing about in the middle of nothing.” Chrysanthe shuddered a little bit. “I’ll be glad when it’s morning and we can see what’s out there. I like watching the waves.” The sea was so different in the daylight, while one couldn’t see to its murky depth, what could be seen at the surface and on the horizon was much better than the blackness that surrounded them now.
Chrysanthe’s thoughts quickly turned to the future. She was out here on this boat, traveling to a completely unfamiliar land. “Have you been to Athenia before? I wonder what it’s like there.” Chrysanthe knew little about Dima, nor any of the people she traveled with. The decision to travel with Perse to Athenia had been a fast one with little consideration for who she was traveling with, or what she’d be traveling to. She only knew that Perse had always been kind to her, and a guaranteed job wasn’t something she was about to turn down. Besides, there was a part of her that had always wanted to travel, or at the very least to get away from Vasiliadon. What did it matter if her new home was Meganea or Athenia? One was just as foreign to her as the other.
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As the figure in the darkness spoke, she recognized the voice and laughed a bit at herself that she had assumed she needed to curtsey. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know it was you,” she said standing back up quickly. It was honestly a bit of a relief that it wasn’t someone of high rank. Chrysanthe was still finding herself uneasy having to remember all these new rules one was supposed to remember when dealing with nobles.
It was nice to have some company out here in the blackness, though she had yet to know much about Dima, other than the fact that he and Olena came as a pair. She was glad when he struck up a conversation. It meant she didn’t have to worry that he had actually come up on deck for some solitude that she was disturbing. “It’s...almost like there’s nothing out there. Like our whole world has just become this one little boat just bobbing about in the middle of nothing.” Chrysanthe shuddered a little bit. “I’ll be glad when it’s morning and we can see what’s out there. I like watching the waves.” The sea was so different in the daylight, while one couldn’t see to its murky depth, what could be seen at the surface and on the horizon was much better than the blackness that surrounded them now.
Chrysanthe’s thoughts quickly turned to the future. She was out here on this boat, traveling to a completely unfamiliar land. “Have you been to Athenia before? I wonder what it’s like there.” Chrysanthe knew little about Dima, nor any of the people she traveled with. The decision to travel with Perse to Athenia had been a fast one with little consideration for who she was traveling with, or what she’d be traveling to. She only knew that Perse had always been kind to her, and a guaranteed job wasn’t something she was about to turn down. Besides, there was a part of her that had always wanted to travel, or at the very least to get away from Vasiliadon. What did it matter if her new home was Meganea or Athenia? One was just as foreign to her as the other.
As the figure in the darkness spoke, she recognized the voice and laughed a bit at herself that she had assumed she needed to curtsey. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know it was you,” she said standing back up quickly. It was honestly a bit of a relief that it wasn’t someone of high rank. Chrysanthe was still finding herself uneasy having to remember all these new rules one was supposed to remember when dealing with nobles.
It was nice to have some company out here in the blackness, though she had yet to know much about Dima, other than the fact that he and Olena came as a pair. She was glad when he struck up a conversation. It meant she didn’t have to worry that he had actually come up on deck for some solitude that she was disturbing. “It’s...almost like there’s nothing out there. Like our whole world has just become this one little boat just bobbing about in the middle of nothing.” Chrysanthe shuddered a little bit. “I’ll be glad when it’s morning and we can see what’s out there. I like watching the waves.” The sea was so different in the daylight, while one couldn’t see to its murky depth, what could be seen at the surface and on the horizon was much better than the blackness that surrounded them now.
Chrysanthe’s thoughts quickly turned to the future. She was out here on this boat, traveling to a completely unfamiliar land. “Have you been to Athenia before? I wonder what it’s like there.” Chrysanthe knew little about Dima, nor any of the people she traveled with. The decision to travel with Perse to Athenia had been a fast one with little consideration for who she was traveling with, or what she’d be traveling to. She only knew that Perse had always been kind to her, and a guaranteed job wasn’t something she was about to turn down. Besides, there was a part of her that had always wanted to travel, or at the very least to get away from Vasiliadon. What did it matter if her new home was Meganea or Athenia? One was just as foreign to her as the other.
Though he couldn't quite bring himself to laugh with her at the thought that she needed to curtsy to him or jump to attention, he managed a smile that was likely lost in what little light there was. A few torches burned under watch of those still sailing, and the silver glow of the stars was dimmed as clouds passed over them. It left the sea before them inky and black as the sky, the little glint of light could just have easily meant they'd been lifted into the heavens than still sailed the seas.
His feeling of sickness wouldn't shake, and though he'd never been seasick in his life he knew why his body was attempting to react so violently to the rolling of the waves beneath his feet. It was a relief when Chrysanthe began to chatter, a welcome sound of friendship that cut through the ever present song of the sea. Nodding in agreement, he made a low sound of affirmation in case she could not see the motion, staying back from the rail still with his himation pulled about him as if it was a blanket of armor from everything and everyone around him.
"Yes." Having to explain who and what he was to people was still an uncomfortable experience, and he didn't know when he would become accustomed to it. "I was sold there when I was fourteen. Then lived on as a slave until I could buy my freedom from the arena. I suppose you could say I'm going home." The last words held a bitter tone, the realization that he had lived in the Greek kingdom for more of his whole life now than he had been able to live among his own people sinking in on him in the darkness.
Not for the first time he wondered if they were still out there, if any of the clans of his people had survived the raiding along the coast. He knew there were some further inland, there was a king there who was lord of many, perhaps there some of his own who had escaped the fires and run to him. It was impossible to know if they would be welcomed back even if they did try to go home. Having spent so much time with the Greeks he had been through none of the rites and rituals that should have solidified his place as a man of his people.
"It is a place of scholars, and those who believe they are clever enough to be. And slaughter. Their entertainment is found from men killing one another in an arena for sport."
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Though he couldn't quite bring himself to laugh with her at the thought that she needed to curtsy to him or jump to attention, he managed a smile that was likely lost in what little light there was. A few torches burned under watch of those still sailing, and the silver glow of the stars was dimmed as clouds passed over them. It left the sea before them inky and black as the sky, the little glint of light could just have easily meant they'd been lifted into the heavens than still sailed the seas.
His feeling of sickness wouldn't shake, and though he'd never been seasick in his life he knew why his body was attempting to react so violently to the rolling of the waves beneath his feet. It was a relief when Chrysanthe began to chatter, a welcome sound of friendship that cut through the ever present song of the sea. Nodding in agreement, he made a low sound of affirmation in case she could not see the motion, staying back from the rail still with his himation pulled about him as if it was a blanket of armor from everything and everyone around him.
"Yes." Having to explain who and what he was to people was still an uncomfortable experience, and he didn't know when he would become accustomed to it. "I was sold there when I was fourteen. Then lived on as a slave until I could buy my freedom from the arena. I suppose you could say I'm going home." The last words held a bitter tone, the realization that he had lived in the Greek kingdom for more of his whole life now than he had been able to live among his own people sinking in on him in the darkness.
Not for the first time he wondered if they were still out there, if any of the clans of his people had survived the raiding along the coast. He knew there were some further inland, there was a king there who was lord of many, perhaps there some of his own who had escaped the fires and run to him. It was impossible to know if they would be welcomed back even if they did try to go home. Having spent so much time with the Greeks he had been through none of the rites and rituals that should have solidified his place as a man of his people.
"It is a place of scholars, and those who believe they are clever enough to be. And slaughter. Their entertainment is found from men killing one another in an arena for sport."
Though he couldn't quite bring himself to laugh with her at the thought that she needed to curtsy to him or jump to attention, he managed a smile that was likely lost in what little light there was. A few torches burned under watch of those still sailing, and the silver glow of the stars was dimmed as clouds passed over them. It left the sea before them inky and black as the sky, the little glint of light could just have easily meant they'd been lifted into the heavens than still sailed the seas.
His feeling of sickness wouldn't shake, and though he'd never been seasick in his life he knew why his body was attempting to react so violently to the rolling of the waves beneath his feet. It was a relief when Chrysanthe began to chatter, a welcome sound of friendship that cut through the ever present song of the sea. Nodding in agreement, he made a low sound of affirmation in case she could not see the motion, staying back from the rail still with his himation pulled about him as if it was a blanket of armor from everything and everyone around him.
"Yes." Having to explain who and what he was to people was still an uncomfortable experience, and he didn't know when he would become accustomed to it. "I was sold there when I was fourteen. Then lived on as a slave until I could buy my freedom from the arena. I suppose you could say I'm going home." The last words held a bitter tone, the realization that he had lived in the Greek kingdom for more of his whole life now than he had been able to live among his own people sinking in on him in the darkness.
Not for the first time he wondered if they were still out there, if any of the clans of his people had survived the raiding along the coast. He knew there were some further inland, there was a king there who was lord of many, perhaps there some of his own who had escaped the fires and run to him. It was impossible to know if they would be welcomed back even if they did try to go home. Having spent so much time with the Greeks he had been through none of the rites and rituals that should have solidified his place as a man of his people.
"It is a place of scholars, and those who believe they are clever enough to be. And slaughter. Their entertainment is found from men killing one another in an arena for sport."
There was something strange about conversing with someone in the dark. Only the dim light served to show any of Demetrius’s face, and that only inconsistently. With such facial expressions and body language obscured, it felt easier to speak to the near stranger. One could share things with the darkness that it was harder to say to an unknown face.
Demetrius’s explanation of his past didn’t surprise or shock Chrysanthe. It was what where he came from, why should such a thing disturb her? On the other hand, she did feel sympathy for the man, to have been taken from his family at such a young age. She had experienced something similar herself when she had been kicked out of her home, and yet, on the other hand, it was nothing alike. She had stayed in the same country, still had her own agency. To have lost his entire home and freedom, she couldn’t imagine. “That must have been hard,” she said gently. It was inadequate, but she knew of nothing better to say.
Then he went on to describe the land to which they were going. It was a strange description and one that did not entirely make sense to Chrysanthe. “Those don’t seem like two things that should go together.” Chrysanthe frowned at the thought. It seemed unfathomable to her that people who were especially knowledgeable would think that killing for sport was a good idea. “I wouldn’t think that clever people would want people to kill each other for no reason.” Then again, she wasn’t a scholar, or anywhere close. Perhaps such people thought differently than she expected. That experience was so far removed from her own.
Chrysanthe stared back out into the darkness. What was this place that she was traveling to? It seemed so strange already. “But we’ll be alright with Perse?” she asked, suddenly needing the reassurance. She was the person who had dragged her on this journey. She needed to know that this wasn’t some foolhardy mission and the others also saw reason to trust her.
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There was something strange about conversing with someone in the dark. Only the dim light served to show any of Demetrius’s face, and that only inconsistently. With such facial expressions and body language obscured, it felt easier to speak to the near stranger. One could share things with the darkness that it was harder to say to an unknown face.
Demetrius’s explanation of his past didn’t surprise or shock Chrysanthe. It was what where he came from, why should such a thing disturb her? On the other hand, she did feel sympathy for the man, to have been taken from his family at such a young age. She had experienced something similar herself when she had been kicked out of her home, and yet, on the other hand, it was nothing alike. She had stayed in the same country, still had her own agency. To have lost his entire home and freedom, she couldn’t imagine. “That must have been hard,” she said gently. It was inadequate, but she knew of nothing better to say.
Then he went on to describe the land to which they were going. It was a strange description and one that did not entirely make sense to Chrysanthe. “Those don’t seem like two things that should go together.” Chrysanthe frowned at the thought. It seemed unfathomable to her that people who were especially knowledgeable would think that killing for sport was a good idea. “I wouldn’t think that clever people would want people to kill each other for no reason.” Then again, she wasn’t a scholar, or anywhere close. Perhaps such people thought differently than she expected. That experience was so far removed from her own.
Chrysanthe stared back out into the darkness. What was this place that she was traveling to? It seemed so strange already. “But we’ll be alright with Perse?” she asked, suddenly needing the reassurance. She was the person who had dragged her on this journey. She needed to know that this wasn’t some foolhardy mission and the others also saw reason to trust her.
There was something strange about conversing with someone in the dark. Only the dim light served to show any of Demetrius’s face, and that only inconsistently. With such facial expressions and body language obscured, it felt easier to speak to the near stranger. One could share things with the darkness that it was harder to say to an unknown face.
Demetrius’s explanation of his past didn’t surprise or shock Chrysanthe. It was what where he came from, why should such a thing disturb her? On the other hand, she did feel sympathy for the man, to have been taken from his family at such a young age. She had experienced something similar herself when she had been kicked out of her home, and yet, on the other hand, it was nothing alike. She had stayed in the same country, still had her own agency. To have lost his entire home and freedom, she couldn’t imagine. “That must have been hard,” she said gently. It was inadequate, but she knew of nothing better to say.
Then he went on to describe the land to which they were going. It was a strange description and one that did not entirely make sense to Chrysanthe. “Those don’t seem like two things that should go together.” Chrysanthe frowned at the thought. It seemed unfathomable to her that people who were especially knowledgeable would think that killing for sport was a good idea. “I wouldn’t think that clever people would want people to kill each other for no reason.” Then again, she wasn’t a scholar, or anywhere close. Perhaps such people thought differently than she expected. That experience was so far removed from her own.
Chrysanthe stared back out into the darkness. What was this place that she was traveling to? It seemed so strange already. “But we’ll be alright with Perse?” she asked, suddenly needing the reassurance. She was the person who had dragged her on this journey. She needed to know that this wasn’t some foolhardy mission and the others also saw reason to trust her.
Another hum of agreement left him in lieu of words. What was there to say after all that hadn't already been thought or said. Of course it had been hard to be stolen from his people to see his family killed and hear their suffering on that slave ship to Greece. The silence had been harder still, instead of the relief in being able to hear that they were alive, that they were together, he was left with an empty echo. While he had been able to focus on staying alive before, now that he and Olena had been reunited, and she had shared with him the horrors that had been inflicted on her, he knew if any of their fellows had survived there would be no happy stories among them.
He gave a bitter laugh, remembering just in time that Chrysanthe was Greek as well, and from a different kingdom. In what he had seen of the Greek kingdoms so far, Taengea seemed far kinder and more civilized in its people than the cold monsters of Athenia. Iason had always spoken to him like a human, a comrade even, and those on his estates were the same. The Taengean commoners had been quick to take him in instead of shunning his foreignness. Poor Chrysanthe then, leaving what she had known to be taken to a place like this.
"From what I have known, Athenians believe themselves superior. There are few local Athenians who fight, they are above that even among the poor. Only foreign slaves and those from other kingdoms with few prospects can be found in the arena. When you aren't fighting, you're sold to the highest bidder for the day. It's prestigious to have a gladiator at your event, or to have an affair with one, but when they've got their money's worth no one cares if you live or die."
Dima looked away from the waves, back to the shadowed face of the girl before him. She was asking if they would be alright and he had no definite answer. They would be alright with Iason, he knew that much, and Persephone had been kind enough to him in tending to his wounds, the Taengean man must have seen something in her after all. But she was the queen of this cruel land they were returning to, and so he couldn't make any promises.
"We'll look out for each other. Best not to rely on nobles."
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Another hum of agreement left him in lieu of words. What was there to say after all that hadn't already been thought or said. Of course it had been hard to be stolen from his people to see his family killed and hear their suffering on that slave ship to Greece. The silence had been harder still, instead of the relief in being able to hear that they were alive, that they were together, he was left with an empty echo. While he had been able to focus on staying alive before, now that he and Olena had been reunited, and she had shared with him the horrors that had been inflicted on her, he knew if any of their fellows had survived there would be no happy stories among them.
He gave a bitter laugh, remembering just in time that Chrysanthe was Greek as well, and from a different kingdom. In what he had seen of the Greek kingdoms so far, Taengea seemed far kinder and more civilized in its people than the cold monsters of Athenia. Iason had always spoken to him like a human, a comrade even, and those on his estates were the same. The Taengean commoners had been quick to take him in instead of shunning his foreignness. Poor Chrysanthe then, leaving what she had known to be taken to a place like this.
"From what I have known, Athenians believe themselves superior. There are few local Athenians who fight, they are above that even among the poor. Only foreign slaves and those from other kingdoms with few prospects can be found in the arena. When you aren't fighting, you're sold to the highest bidder for the day. It's prestigious to have a gladiator at your event, or to have an affair with one, but when they've got their money's worth no one cares if you live or die."
Dima looked away from the waves, back to the shadowed face of the girl before him. She was asking if they would be alright and he had no definite answer. They would be alright with Iason, he knew that much, and Persephone had been kind enough to him in tending to his wounds, the Taengean man must have seen something in her after all. But she was the queen of this cruel land they were returning to, and so he couldn't make any promises.
"We'll look out for each other. Best not to rely on nobles."
Another hum of agreement left him in lieu of words. What was there to say after all that hadn't already been thought or said. Of course it had been hard to be stolen from his people to see his family killed and hear their suffering on that slave ship to Greece. The silence had been harder still, instead of the relief in being able to hear that they were alive, that they were together, he was left with an empty echo. While he had been able to focus on staying alive before, now that he and Olena had been reunited, and she had shared with him the horrors that had been inflicted on her, he knew if any of their fellows had survived there would be no happy stories among them.
He gave a bitter laugh, remembering just in time that Chrysanthe was Greek as well, and from a different kingdom. In what he had seen of the Greek kingdoms so far, Taengea seemed far kinder and more civilized in its people than the cold monsters of Athenia. Iason had always spoken to him like a human, a comrade even, and those on his estates were the same. The Taengean commoners had been quick to take him in instead of shunning his foreignness. Poor Chrysanthe then, leaving what she had known to be taken to a place like this.
"From what I have known, Athenians believe themselves superior. There are few local Athenians who fight, they are above that even among the poor. Only foreign slaves and those from other kingdoms with few prospects can be found in the arena. When you aren't fighting, you're sold to the highest bidder for the day. It's prestigious to have a gladiator at your event, or to have an affair with one, but when they've got their money's worth no one cares if you live or die."
Dima looked away from the waves, back to the shadowed face of the girl before him. She was asking if they would be alright and he had no definite answer. They would be alright with Iason, he knew that much, and Persephone had been kind enough to him in tending to his wounds, the Taengean man must have seen something in her after all. But she was the queen of this cruel land they were returning to, and so he couldn't make any promises.
"We'll look out for each other. Best not to rely on nobles."
Chrysanthe frowned at Demetrius’s reaction to her assertion that people who were learned shouldn’t also watch people fight as a form of entertainment. As he talked, it made a twisted sort of sense. Those people who considered themselves educated were not the same people who they had fighting. Only those who had nowhere else to go were those who were allowed to fight for the amusement of the people who thought they were better than everyone else. It was a mindset she was familiar with. It was one she had learned to exploit over the years when she helped with selling the goods the children at the foundling’s home produced. People were more likely to give if it could make them feel superior to do so.
“Well it doesn’t sound like they’re as superior as they seem to think they are,” Chrysanthe replied, matter of factly. “Though I don’t think that’s unusual for those who think they’re better than anyone else.” No usually she found that the more virtuous someone thought they were, the less likely they were to actually be so.
Demetrius didn’t answer the question of whether or not they were going to be alright in Athenia, at least not directly. That much spoke volumes. She had been hopeful that maybe things would be different in Athenia. Being with this noblewoman and in her world had certainly changed her fate, but the more Demetrius talked, the more Chrysanthe realized that the rules of the world hadn’t changed, only the people she had found herself allied with. Chrysanthe nodded to his answer, not relying on the nobles seemed like wise advice. “We look out for each other,” she agreed. At least she was going to have one friend she could rely on in this strange new land.
“But maybe with Perse things will be a bit easier. At least for a little while.” Since she had met Perse she was being taught to read, she had been well fed and now she was going to a completely new country where she would be living wherever Perse was going to live, which she assumed would be a step up from her previous circumstances. She was going to enjoy this as long as she could, and have a backup plan in case things didn’t work out.
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Chrysanthe frowned at Demetrius’s reaction to her assertion that people who were learned shouldn’t also watch people fight as a form of entertainment. As he talked, it made a twisted sort of sense. Those people who considered themselves educated were not the same people who they had fighting. Only those who had nowhere else to go were those who were allowed to fight for the amusement of the people who thought they were better than everyone else. It was a mindset she was familiar with. It was one she had learned to exploit over the years when she helped with selling the goods the children at the foundling’s home produced. People were more likely to give if it could make them feel superior to do so.
“Well it doesn’t sound like they’re as superior as they seem to think they are,” Chrysanthe replied, matter of factly. “Though I don’t think that’s unusual for those who think they’re better than anyone else.” No usually she found that the more virtuous someone thought they were, the less likely they were to actually be so.
Demetrius didn’t answer the question of whether or not they were going to be alright in Athenia, at least not directly. That much spoke volumes. She had been hopeful that maybe things would be different in Athenia. Being with this noblewoman and in her world had certainly changed her fate, but the more Demetrius talked, the more Chrysanthe realized that the rules of the world hadn’t changed, only the people she had found herself allied with. Chrysanthe nodded to his answer, not relying on the nobles seemed like wise advice. “We look out for each other,” she agreed. At least she was going to have one friend she could rely on in this strange new land.
“But maybe with Perse things will be a bit easier. At least for a little while.” Since she had met Perse she was being taught to read, she had been well fed and now she was going to a completely new country where she would be living wherever Perse was going to live, which she assumed would be a step up from her previous circumstances. She was going to enjoy this as long as she could, and have a backup plan in case things didn’t work out.
Chrysanthe frowned at Demetrius’s reaction to her assertion that people who were learned shouldn’t also watch people fight as a form of entertainment. As he talked, it made a twisted sort of sense. Those people who considered themselves educated were not the same people who they had fighting. Only those who had nowhere else to go were those who were allowed to fight for the amusement of the people who thought they were better than everyone else. It was a mindset she was familiar with. It was one she had learned to exploit over the years when she helped with selling the goods the children at the foundling’s home produced. People were more likely to give if it could make them feel superior to do so.
“Well it doesn’t sound like they’re as superior as they seem to think they are,” Chrysanthe replied, matter of factly. “Though I don’t think that’s unusual for those who think they’re better than anyone else.” No usually she found that the more virtuous someone thought they were, the less likely they were to actually be so.
Demetrius didn’t answer the question of whether or not they were going to be alright in Athenia, at least not directly. That much spoke volumes. She had been hopeful that maybe things would be different in Athenia. Being with this noblewoman and in her world had certainly changed her fate, but the more Demetrius talked, the more Chrysanthe realized that the rules of the world hadn’t changed, only the people she had found herself allied with. Chrysanthe nodded to his answer, not relying on the nobles seemed like wise advice. “We look out for each other,” she agreed. At least she was going to have one friend she could rely on in this strange new land.
“But maybe with Perse things will be a bit easier. At least for a little while.” Since she had met Perse she was being taught to read, she had been well fed and now she was going to a completely new country where she would be living wherever Perse was going to live, which she assumed would be a step up from her previous circumstances. She was going to enjoy this as long as she could, and have a backup plan in case things didn’t work out.
"No. Only a few Athenians seem to be capable of kindness." His thoughts were with Sofia, the girl who had once helped him escape being taken back into slavery after he had been freed. He wondered where she stood on all of this, her pretty face in his mind as if looking out over the waves he could see her in the darkness. Olena was with him now, his greatest tragedy finally seeming at an end with her by his side as they were supposed to be, but if it was possible to find and thank Sofia once more, he would do what he could.
He became aware of how much he was probably scaring Chrysanthe, turning to her with an attempt at a smile instead of his usual serious expression. Smiling still felt strange, he'd done it so rarely for the past decade it felt foreign even as he regained practice. "With Iason and Persephone we should be safe. And you especially, as a Greek woman in the company of the queen, there will be little to worry you I think."
There was still the issue of making sure Olena wasn't recognized by anyone she might have...serviced in the past. They'd spoken of what had happened and all that had passed before they were reunited and Dima hoped that they could be married to keep her safe from any legalities that might be an issue. Standing here in the dark at the railing with Chrysanthe he realized that the stress and fear in his chest had slowly been fading, the company of someone who was just kind, a sweet girl with no ulterior motive than friendship, was a relief.
Letting out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, he placed his hands on the ships railing and leaned out over the water, letting the waves soothe instead of stress. "You know, I've always hated sailing. But I love the water. We grew up along the banks of a great river that flowed into the sea, we would swim almost every day it was warm enough, sometimes even when it wasn't." He chuckled at the memory of when he and Theron had cracked through the thin sheet of ice atop the pool where they usually swam, his mother's scolding when they got back barely registering as she wrapped them in blankets and pressed cups of soup into their hands.
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"No. Only a few Athenians seem to be capable of kindness." His thoughts were with Sofia, the girl who had once helped him escape being taken back into slavery after he had been freed. He wondered where she stood on all of this, her pretty face in his mind as if looking out over the waves he could see her in the darkness. Olena was with him now, his greatest tragedy finally seeming at an end with her by his side as they were supposed to be, but if it was possible to find and thank Sofia once more, he would do what he could.
He became aware of how much he was probably scaring Chrysanthe, turning to her with an attempt at a smile instead of his usual serious expression. Smiling still felt strange, he'd done it so rarely for the past decade it felt foreign even as he regained practice. "With Iason and Persephone we should be safe. And you especially, as a Greek woman in the company of the queen, there will be little to worry you I think."
There was still the issue of making sure Olena wasn't recognized by anyone she might have...serviced in the past. They'd spoken of what had happened and all that had passed before they were reunited and Dima hoped that they could be married to keep her safe from any legalities that might be an issue. Standing here in the dark at the railing with Chrysanthe he realized that the stress and fear in his chest had slowly been fading, the company of someone who was just kind, a sweet girl with no ulterior motive than friendship, was a relief.
Letting out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, he placed his hands on the ships railing and leaned out over the water, letting the waves soothe instead of stress. "You know, I've always hated sailing. But I love the water. We grew up along the banks of a great river that flowed into the sea, we would swim almost every day it was warm enough, sometimes even when it wasn't." He chuckled at the memory of when he and Theron had cracked through the thin sheet of ice atop the pool where they usually swam, his mother's scolding when they got back barely registering as she wrapped them in blankets and pressed cups of soup into their hands.
"No. Only a few Athenians seem to be capable of kindness." His thoughts were with Sofia, the girl who had once helped him escape being taken back into slavery after he had been freed. He wondered where she stood on all of this, her pretty face in his mind as if looking out over the waves he could see her in the darkness. Olena was with him now, his greatest tragedy finally seeming at an end with her by his side as they were supposed to be, but if it was possible to find and thank Sofia once more, he would do what he could.
He became aware of how much he was probably scaring Chrysanthe, turning to her with an attempt at a smile instead of his usual serious expression. Smiling still felt strange, he'd done it so rarely for the past decade it felt foreign even as he regained practice. "With Iason and Persephone we should be safe. And you especially, as a Greek woman in the company of the queen, there will be little to worry you I think."
There was still the issue of making sure Olena wasn't recognized by anyone she might have...serviced in the past. They'd spoken of what had happened and all that had passed before they were reunited and Dima hoped that they could be married to keep her safe from any legalities that might be an issue. Standing here in the dark at the railing with Chrysanthe he realized that the stress and fear in his chest had slowly been fading, the company of someone who was just kind, a sweet girl with no ulterior motive than friendship, was a relief.
Letting out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, he placed his hands on the ships railing and leaned out over the water, letting the waves soothe instead of stress. "You know, I've always hated sailing. But I love the water. We grew up along the banks of a great river that flowed into the sea, we would swim almost every day it was warm enough, sometimes even when it wasn't." He chuckled at the memory of when he and Theron had cracked through the thin sheet of ice atop the pool where they usually swam, his mother's scolding when they got back barely registering as she wrapped them in blankets and pressed cups of soup into their hands.
As Demetrius spoke of his experiences in Athenia, Chrysanthe couldn’t help but wonder what she had gotten herself into. Perhaps Athenia wasn’t going to be an improvement after all. Or perhaps it was just more of the same kind of thing she had seen in Taengea, only this time, she had the patronage of not only the noblewoman she had thought Perse was, but Queen Persephone of Athenia. Demetrius, at least, had seemed optimistic about their chances with such allies.
Chrysanthe still wasn’t sure what to expect as part of the world of the nobles. They had always seemed to live in a world so far removed from hers, even though they lived in the same cities and countries as her. A world of such abundance and stability was appealing to Chrysanthe, but she couldn’t help but feel like it had to come with some sort of cost. Still, at least she knew now that she wasn’t in it alone.
Chrysanthe smiled as Demetrius brought up his childhood memories of swimming in the river. It sounded like such a nice memory. “That sounds like fun. What’s it like to go swimming?” She asked genuinely curious. That was not something she’d had a chance to do herself. “The water near Vasiliadon was not anything you wanted to go into unless you couldn’t avoid it. It must have been nice to live near such fresh water.” Chrysanthe had never had the chance to learn to swim herself.
Chrysanthe yawned as the conversation continued on, finding herself suddenly sleepy. She hadn’t been able to sleep earlier, not knowing what would come next, or what her lot in life might be now. This talk with Demetrius had laid many of her uncertainties to rest. Finally, she felt like she might be able to relax for the first time since she had left Taengea. Her eyelids began to droop, and she snapped them back open. “I’m sorry, it might be time for me to try to head back to bed. It has nothing to do with your storytelling abilities. I hope you can find some sleep yourself.”
With a smile, she turned to head back belowdecks. No matter what happened, Chrysanthe could rest confident that no matter what happened, she would have at least one friend with her.
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As Demetrius spoke of his experiences in Athenia, Chrysanthe couldn’t help but wonder what she had gotten herself into. Perhaps Athenia wasn’t going to be an improvement after all. Or perhaps it was just more of the same kind of thing she had seen in Taengea, only this time, she had the patronage of not only the noblewoman she had thought Perse was, but Queen Persephone of Athenia. Demetrius, at least, had seemed optimistic about their chances with such allies.
Chrysanthe still wasn’t sure what to expect as part of the world of the nobles. They had always seemed to live in a world so far removed from hers, even though they lived in the same cities and countries as her. A world of such abundance and stability was appealing to Chrysanthe, but she couldn’t help but feel like it had to come with some sort of cost. Still, at least she knew now that she wasn’t in it alone.
Chrysanthe smiled as Demetrius brought up his childhood memories of swimming in the river. It sounded like such a nice memory. “That sounds like fun. What’s it like to go swimming?” She asked genuinely curious. That was not something she’d had a chance to do herself. “The water near Vasiliadon was not anything you wanted to go into unless you couldn’t avoid it. It must have been nice to live near such fresh water.” Chrysanthe had never had the chance to learn to swim herself.
Chrysanthe yawned as the conversation continued on, finding herself suddenly sleepy. She hadn’t been able to sleep earlier, not knowing what would come next, or what her lot in life might be now. This talk with Demetrius had laid many of her uncertainties to rest. Finally, she felt like she might be able to relax for the first time since she had left Taengea. Her eyelids began to droop, and she snapped them back open. “I’m sorry, it might be time for me to try to head back to bed. It has nothing to do with your storytelling abilities. I hope you can find some sleep yourself.”
With a smile, she turned to head back belowdecks. No matter what happened, Chrysanthe could rest confident that no matter what happened, she would have at least one friend with her.
As Demetrius spoke of his experiences in Athenia, Chrysanthe couldn’t help but wonder what she had gotten herself into. Perhaps Athenia wasn’t going to be an improvement after all. Or perhaps it was just more of the same kind of thing she had seen in Taengea, only this time, she had the patronage of not only the noblewoman she had thought Perse was, but Queen Persephone of Athenia. Demetrius, at least, had seemed optimistic about their chances with such allies.
Chrysanthe still wasn’t sure what to expect as part of the world of the nobles. They had always seemed to live in a world so far removed from hers, even though they lived in the same cities and countries as her. A world of such abundance and stability was appealing to Chrysanthe, but she couldn’t help but feel like it had to come with some sort of cost. Still, at least she knew now that she wasn’t in it alone.
Chrysanthe smiled as Demetrius brought up his childhood memories of swimming in the river. It sounded like such a nice memory. “That sounds like fun. What’s it like to go swimming?” She asked genuinely curious. That was not something she’d had a chance to do herself. “The water near Vasiliadon was not anything you wanted to go into unless you couldn’t avoid it. It must have been nice to live near such fresh water.” Chrysanthe had never had the chance to learn to swim herself.
Chrysanthe yawned as the conversation continued on, finding herself suddenly sleepy. She hadn’t been able to sleep earlier, not knowing what would come next, or what her lot in life might be now. This talk with Demetrius had laid many of her uncertainties to rest. Finally, she felt like she might be able to relax for the first time since she had left Taengea. Her eyelids began to droop, and she snapped them back open. “I’m sorry, it might be time for me to try to head back to bed. It has nothing to do with your storytelling abilities. I hope you can find some sleep yourself.”
With a smile, she turned to head back belowdecks. No matter what happened, Chrysanthe could rest confident that no matter what happened, she would have at least one friend with her.
The memory of swimming in the river, of spending the warm days laying out on the banks in the soft grass beneath their tree, jumping into the water and cracking the thin layer of ice on the top, it all brought a fond smile to his lips. Perhaps when this was all over, they would find their way back to the shores they were stolen from. It could give them the closure they needed, maybe a chance to properly mourn and bury those that were gone. A pang hit him as he realized he had no idea if his parents had a proper funeral, didn't know if anyone who had fled into the woods had survived to give their people the proper ending they deserved.
Standing back from the railing, he looked down at Chrysanthe with a smile. "It's wonderful. Like...flying without being afraid you could fall. I still swim, as often as I can." He looked to her with a soft sigh, she reminded him of the other girls from the village, like one of Olena's sisters who had swum in the river with them. "When we have the time, I can teach you if you like. We can all go to celebrate."
Sleep was far from his mind, but as Chrysanthe yawned he realized the lateness. At the very least he ought to go down below as well and hold Olena through the rocking of the ship, if she woke up alone and afraid he would feel guilty for putting her through it all over again. He'd promised that he would care for her and keep her safe, there was nothing that could make him break that promise.
"Of course. Goodnight, Chrysanthe."
He leaned against the railing once more, looking out to the sea and letting her have a moment to descend and settle herself. Taking a few more deep breaths, he allowed himself this time of calm to prepare himself to go below, the fresh air helping his unsettled mind. When he felt ready, Dima followed his new friend's path below, slipping back into the bunk beside Olena and pressing a kiss to her forehead as she curled in against his chest in her sleep.
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The memory of swimming in the river, of spending the warm days laying out on the banks in the soft grass beneath their tree, jumping into the water and cracking the thin layer of ice on the top, it all brought a fond smile to his lips. Perhaps when this was all over, they would find their way back to the shores they were stolen from. It could give them the closure they needed, maybe a chance to properly mourn and bury those that were gone. A pang hit him as he realized he had no idea if his parents had a proper funeral, didn't know if anyone who had fled into the woods had survived to give their people the proper ending they deserved.
Standing back from the railing, he looked down at Chrysanthe with a smile. "It's wonderful. Like...flying without being afraid you could fall. I still swim, as often as I can." He looked to her with a soft sigh, she reminded him of the other girls from the village, like one of Olena's sisters who had swum in the river with them. "When we have the time, I can teach you if you like. We can all go to celebrate."
Sleep was far from his mind, but as Chrysanthe yawned he realized the lateness. At the very least he ought to go down below as well and hold Olena through the rocking of the ship, if she woke up alone and afraid he would feel guilty for putting her through it all over again. He'd promised that he would care for her and keep her safe, there was nothing that could make him break that promise.
"Of course. Goodnight, Chrysanthe."
He leaned against the railing once more, looking out to the sea and letting her have a moment to descend and settle herself. Taking a few more deep breaths, he allowed himself this time of calm to prepare himself to go below, the fresh air helping his unsettled mind. When he felt ready, Dima followed his new friend's path below, slipping back into the bunk beside Olena and pressing a kiss to her forehead as she curled in against his chest in her sleep.
The memory of swimming in the river, of spending the warm days laying out on the banks in the soft grass beneath their tree, jumping into the water and cracking the thin layer of ice on the top, it all brought a fond smile to his lips. Perhaps when this was all over, they would find their way back to the shores they were stolen from. It could give them the closure they needed, maybe a chance to properly mourn and bury those that were gone. A pang hit him as he realized he had no idea if his parents had a proper funeral, didn't know if anyone who had fled into the woods had survived to give their people the proper ending they deserved.
Standing back from the railing, he looked down at Chrysanthe with a smile. "It's wonderful. Like...flying without being afraid you could fall. I still swim, as often as I can." He looked to her with a soft sigh, she reminded him of the other girls from the village, like one of Olena's sisters who had swum in the river with them. "When we have the time, I can teach you if you like. We can all go to celebrate."
Sleep was far from his mind, but as Chrysanthe yawned he realized the lateness. At the very least he ought to go down below as well and hold Olena through the rocking of the ship, if she woke up alone and afraid he would feel guilty for putting her through it all over again. He'd promised that he would care for her and keep her safe, there was nothing that could make him break that promise.
"Of course. Goodnight, Chrysanthe."
He leaned against the railing once more, looking out to the sea and letting her have a moment to descend and settle herself. Taking a few more deep breaths, he allowed himself this time of calm to prepare himself to go below, the fresh air helping his unsettled mind. When he felt ready, Dima followed his new friend's path below, slipping back into the bunk beside Olena and pressing a kiss to her forehead as she curled in against his chest in her sleep.
