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It was a warm, windy day as the soldier stood at the city's harbor. The harbor itself was a flurry of activity, not only the usual merchant ships that always flow in and out but also military vessels being prepped and inspected before they set out for war. The soldier stood motionless in a sea of people going about their business. A stoic statue robed in a green chiton with rough leather krepis. His long hair blowing freely in the wind.
His brother-in-law was to arrive today with his small trading fleet. Along with his daughter. It had been some time since he had last seen her. He didn't want to bring her to Midas with him, there would be no one to watch her in the capital, but he even got his request for leave denied. Many knew him as a cold-hearted patriotic man, but his heart was always to his little girl.
He had spent most of the day buying up a few things. Due to his posting as a babysitter, he managed to acquire a bonus from the Baron. The soldier didn't believe he was compensated enough for the trouble the man-child put him through, but it was still a decent amount. The whole bonus was spent on a singular piece of jewelry for his baby girl.
He stood patiently at foot of the docks, the occasional spray of ocean water hitting his face. Akthos had said mid-day, but the soldier knew how treacherous the ocean can be. Despite there being no storms in the last week, he feared the worst. He had been waiting for over two hours before any sign of a small fleet. Sure enough, it was Akthos and Callista.
Another what seemed like agonizingly long time past before their ships pulled up to dock. Akthos had a small fleet of two ships. Decent merchant ships to be sure, but he was relatively new to the merchant game. Finally, the gangplank went came down upon the docks and he heard a young voice cut through the crowd, "DADDY!"
He looked towards the top of the closest vessel, instantly spotting Akthos held his daughter high. He felt a flood of emotion enter his chest. Relief, love, but most of the anxiety. He didn't know what his daughter would say if he told her he had to leave and not see her for a long time. He may not ever see her again.
That thought terrified him. He knew he couldn't be slain by some simple northern Barbarian. This enemy was no simple barbarian. It was Egypt. One of the most powerful and ancient kingdoms. Their power and wealth had few equal. The war was weighing heavily on his mind. Not for his safety. Not even for Colchis. For her.
It didn't take long for Akthos to disembark from the vessel, putting Callista down. The soldier began to quickly step towards his daughter. Each step brought the lump higher and higher in his throat. The soldier swooped his daughter off her feet, kissing the top of her head gently, "Oh my sweet daughter. It's so good to see you."
"I missed you, Daddy! No go away for so long, okay?" Her sweet voice and deep brown eyes only intensified his anxiety. Just content holding her close and not responding to her demand. Eventually, he lifted her and placed her on his shoulders, his daughter giggling in delight.
"I missed you too sweetheart. Wave to uncle Akthos. He's got work to do. We're gonna go play." The soldier knew his brother-in-law didn't have the time to waste at the moment. He was here on business and brought his daughter as a favor. They waved goodbye and set off into the city.
The next three hours flew by for the soldier. He ran all over the harbor and the lower levels with his daughter playing games with her. She was almost three now. Every time he saw her he could see more of his wife in her. That thought would only exasperate his anxiety over breaking the news to her.
It wasn't long before Akthos had found them, "Brother. I hope you guys had a good time? She missed you greatly. Constantly talking about you to the other girls." Daxos smiled, but Akthos could tell something was off, "You okay brother?"
Callista, who had been sitting on his lap at this point look up expectantly. The lump in his throat returned with a vengeance. It took a few moments for the soldier to find the words, "I will be leaving soon."
Callista grabbed the soldier's beard tightly, "No! You no go, Daddy! No! You can't!" The girl began to cry in his lap, breaking the hardened soldier's heart in an instant. He began to feel his eyes well up with tears of his own, but he did his best to hold them back.
The soldier wrapped his arms around the small girl, "Daughter, if I could, I would stay with you forever. But your daddy is an important man. There are..." Daxos did his best to find the words that should understand, "bad men. Men who want to come here and hurt you, your aunts, your uncle, and your cousins. They want to hurt everyone we know."
The girl struggled against the large man's grip, "No! You no love me. You hate me. You want to leave me." Those words were too much for the soldier. His arms fell to his side letting his daughter go. She hopped down and ran over to her uncle. The soldier's head dropped as his breathing became ragged.
"You know that's not true Callista." Akthos reprimanded his daughter. The soldier meekly looked up and smiled. Akthos was a better father to her than he was, and despite the love and admiration he had for his brother-in-law, he was jealous and ashamed. "I often go away on business. You don't get mad at me. That's how adults are sometimes."
Callista wiped her eyes and pouted, making small affirmative noises. Daxos used this time to unveil his gift. He pulled out a pendant. It was small, but a brilliant gold color. He held it out in front of him, gesturing his daughter to come closer. The soldier was happy that she did.
Placing the pendant around her neck and adjusting her black hair he said, "This yours my love, I know it's early, but it's for your birthday." He kissed the top of her head gently. Lifting the pendant for her to look at it he pointed out the writing on it, "For The Most Beautiful Flower. Love. Your Father, Daxos." The tears that he had been holding back now flowed out of his eyes.
"It's so pretty!" She said with admiration. She looked at it smiling for a few moments before she looked back at her father, "I guess you can go. When will you come home? When I come to see you? Daddy, why are you crying? No cry." He felt his daughter's small arms wrap around his head.
"Because... Daddy may not come back this time." The pain that pierced his heart was almost too much for him to bear. It only intensified with he felt her arms let go of his head.
"What you mean? Daddy. Why you not coming back?" There was a hint of terror in her voice, "You... You hate me. I know it!" She turned and ran away. The soldier didn't have the heart to chase after her. It was exactly as he feared. He could feel the anguish grow in his chest.
Daxos looked up at his brother in law, wiping the tears away from his face and numbing his emotions as best as he could, "I have some money saved up for her. If worst comes to worst, and I don't return, give it to her. Let her know that her father loved her dearly."
"I will brother. I wish you weren't a soldier. We'll be devastated to lose you. I'll make sure she's looked after." Akthos embraced the soldier and then ran off calling out for Callista. The soldier could only meekly lowered his head and continue to let the pain stir in his chest. He knew that he might not return to his daughter. The Egyptians were probably going to be the fiercest enemies he may ever face.
He looked up towards the sky and in a rare bout of his lingering beliefs he offered up a small prayer to Athena, "I... don't know if you're real, or even if you care about a mortal such as me. But... Great Goddess Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and War, The Most Intelligent of all the Gods, permit me the strength, the intuition, the intelligence to survive this war. Permit me to see my daughter's face again and I will forever be your humble servant."
He stood up, looked back to where his daughter had run, and muttered under his breath, "Sorry, my daughter. I love you. I hope you never forget." He turned back towards the city center and began the trek back to the barracks. He had requested the next few days off for her, but he knew that drills and training would set his mind straight. At least, the soldier hoped.
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Check out their information page here.
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It was a warm, windy day as the soldier stood at the city's harbor. The harbor itself was a flurry of activity, not only the usual merchant ships that always flow in and out but also military vessels being prepped and inspected before they set out for war. The soldier stood motionless in a sea of people going about their business. A stoic statue robed in a green chiton with rough leather krepis. His long hair blowing freely in the wind.
His brother-in-law was to arrive today with his small trading fleet. Along with his daughter. It had been some time since he had last seen her. He didn't want to bring her to Midas with him, there would be no one to watch her in the capital, but he even got his request for leave denied. Many knew him as a cold-hearted patriotic man, but his heart was always to his little girl.
He had spent most of the day buying up a few things. Due to his posting as a babysitter, he managed to acquire a bonus from the Baron. The soldier didn't believe he was compensated enough for the trouble the man-child put him through, but it was still a decent amount. The whole bonus was spent on a singular piece of jewelry for his baby girl.
He stood patiently at foot of the docks, the occasional spray of ocean water hitting his face. Akthos had said mid-day, but the soldier knew how treacherous the ocean can be. Despite there being no storms in the last week, he feared the worst. He had been waiting for over two hours before any sign of a small fleet. Sure enough, it was Akthos and Callista.
Another what seemed like agonizingly long time past before their ships pulled up to dock. Akthos had a small fleet of two ships. Decent merchant ships to be sure, but he was relatively new to the merchant game. Finally, the gangplank went came down upon the docks and he heard a young voice cut through the crowd, "DADDY!"
He looked towards the top of the closest vessel, instantly spotting Akthos held his daughter high. He felt a flood of emotion enter his chest. Relief, love, but most of the anxiety. He didn't know what his daughter would say if he told her he had to leave and not see her for a long time. He may not ever see her again.
That thought terrified him. He knew he couldn't be slain by some simple northern Barbarian. This enemy was no simple barbarian. It was Egypt. One of the most powerful and ancient kingdoms. Their power and wealth had few equal. The war was weighing heavily on his mind. Not for his safety. Not even for Colchis. For her.
It didn't take long for Akthos to disembark from the vessel, putting Callista down. The soldier began to quickly step towards his daughter. Each step brought the lump higher and higher in his throat. The soldier swooped his daughter off her feet, kissing the top of her head gently, "Oh my sweet daughter. It's so good to see you."
"I missed you, Daddy! No go away for so long, okay?" Her sweet voice and deep brown eyes only intensified his anxiety. Just content holding her close and not responding to her demand. Eventually, he lifted her and placed her on his shoulders, his daughter giggling in delight.
"I missed you too sweetheart. Wave to uncle Akthos. He's got work to do. We're gonna go play." The soldier knew his brother-in-law didn't have the time to waste at the moment. He was here on business and brought his daughter as a favor. They waved goodbye and set off into the city.
The next three hours flew by for the soldier. He ran all over the harbor and the lower levels with his daughter playing games with her. She was almost three now. Every time he saw her he could see more of his wife in her. That thought would only exasperate his anxiety over breaking the news to her.
It wasn't long before Akthos had found them, "Brother. I hope you guys had a good time? She missed you greatly. Constantly talking about you to the other girls." Daxos smiled, but Akthos could tell something was off, "You okay brother?"
Callista, who had been sitting on his lap at this point look up expectantly. The lump in his throat returned with a vengeance. It took a few moments for the soldier to find the words, "I will be leaving soon."
Callista grabbed the soldier's beard tightly, "No! You no go, Daddy! No! You can't!" The girl began to cry in his lap, breaking the hardened soldier's heart in an instant. He began to feel his eyes well up with tears of his own, but he did his best to hold them back.
The soldier wrapped his arms around the small girl, "Daughter, if I could, I would stay with you forever. But your daddy is an important man. There are..." Daxos did his best to find the words that should understand, "bad men. Men who want to come here and hurt you, your aunts, your uncle, and your cousins. They want to hurt everyone we know."
The girl struggled against the large man's grip, "No! You no love me. You hate me. You want to leave me." Those words were too much for the soldier. His arms fell to his side letting his daughter go. She hopped down and ran over to her uncle. The soldier's head dropped as his breathing became ragged.
"You know that's not true Callista." Akthos reprimanded his daughter. The soldier meekly looked up and smiled. Akthos was a better father to her than he was, and despite the love and admiration he had for his brother-in-law, he was jealous and ashamed. "I often go away on business. You don't get mad at me. That's how adults are sometimes."
Callista wiped her eyes and pouted, making small affirmative noises. Daxos used this time to unveil his gift. He pulled out a pendant. It was small, but a brilliant gold color. He held it out in front of him, gesturing his daughter to come closer. The soldier was happy that she did.
Placing the pendant around her neck and adjusting her black hair he said, "This yours my love, I know it's early, but it's for your birthday." He kissed the top of her head gently. Lifting the pendant for her to look at it he pointed out the writing on it, "For The Most Beautiful Flower. Love. Your Father, Daxos." The tears that he had been holding back now flowed out of his eyes.
"It's so pretty!" She said with admiration. She looked at it smiling for a few moments before she looked back at her father, "I guess you can go. When will you come home? When I come to see you? Daddy, why are you crying? No cry." He felt his daughter's small arms wrap around his head.
"Because... Daddy may not come back this time." The pain that pierced his heart was almost too much for him to bear. It only intensified with he felt her arms let go of his head.
"What you mean? Daddy. Why you not coming back?" There was a hint of terror in her voice, "You... You hate me. I know it!" She turned and ran away. The soldier didn't have the heart to chase after her. It was exactly as he feared. He could feel the anguish grow in his chest.
Daxos looked up at his brother in law, wiping the tears away from his face and numbing his emotions as best as he could, "I have some money saved up for her. If worst comes to worst, and I don't return, give it to her. Let her know that her father loved her dearly."
"I will brother. I wish you weren't a soldier. We'll be devastated to lose you. I'll make sure she's looked after." Akthos embraced the soldier and then ran off calling out for Callista. The soldier could only meekly lowered his head and continue to let the pain stir in his chest. He knew that he might not return to his daughter. The Egyptians were probably going to be the fiercest enemies he may ever face.
He looked up towards the sky and in a rare bout of his lingering beliefs he offered up a small prayer to Athena, "I... don't know if you're real, or even if you care about a mortal such as me. But... Great Goddess Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and War, The Most Intelligent of all the Gods, permit me the strength, the intuition, the intelligence to survive this war. Permit me to see my daughter's face again and I will forever be your humble servant."
He stood up, looked back to where his daughter had run, and muttered under his breath, "Sorry, my daughter. I love you. I hope you never forget." He turned back towards the city center and began the trek back to the barracks. He had requested the next few days off for her, but he knew that drills and training would set his mind straight. At least, the soldier hoped.
It was a warm, windy day as the soldier stood at the city's harbor. The harbor itself was a flurry of activity, not only the usual merchant ships that always flow in and out but also military vessels being prepped and inspected before they set out for war. The soldier stood motionless in a sea of people going about their business. A stoic statue robed in a green chiton with rough leather krepis. His long hair blowing freely in the wind.
His brother-in-law was to arrive today with his small trading fleet. Along with his daughter. It had been some time since he had last seen her. He didn't want to bring her to Midas with him, there would be no one to watch her in the capital, but he even got his request for leave denied. Many knew him as a cold-hearted patriotic man, but his heart was always to his little girl.
He had spent most of the day buying up a few things. Due to his posting as a babysitter, he managed to acquire a bonus from the Baron. The soldier didn't believe he was compensated enough for the trouble the man-child put him through, but it was still a decent amount. The whole bonus was spent on a singular piece of jewelry for his baby girl.
He stood patiently at foot of the docks, the occasional spray of ocean water hitting his face. Akthos had said mid-day, but the soldier knew how treacherous the ocean can be. Despite there being no storms in the last week, he feared the worst. He had been waiting for over two hours before any sign of a small fleet. Sure enough, it was Akthos and Callista.
Another what seemed like agonizingly long time past before their ships pulled up to dock. Akthos had a small fleet of two ships. Decent merchant ships to be sure, but he was relatively new to the merchant game. Finally, the gangplank went came down upon the docks and he heard a young voice cut through the crowd, "DADDY!"
He looked towards the top of the closest vessel, instantly spotting Akthos held his daughter high. He felt a flood of emotion enter his chest. Relief, love, but most of the anxiety. He didn't know what his daughter would say if he told her he had to leave and not see her for a long time. He may not ever see her again.
That thought terrified him. He knew he couldn't be slain by some simple northern Barbarian. This enemy was no simple barbarian. It was Egypt. One of the most powerful and ancient kingdoms. Their power and wealth had few equal. The war was weighing heavily on his mind. Not for his safety. Not even for Colchis. For her.
It didn't take long for Akthos to disembark from the vessel, putting Callista down. The soldier began to quickly step towards his daughter. Each step brought the lump higher and higher in his throat. The soldier swooped his daughter off her feet, kissing the top of her head gently, "Oh my sweet daughter. It's so good to see you."
"I missed you, Daddy! No go away for so long, okay?" Her sweet voice and deep brown eyes only intensified his anxiety. Just content holding her close and not responding to her demand. Eventually, he lifted her and placed her on his shoulders, his daughter giggling in delight.
"I missed you too sweetheart. Wave to uncle Akthos. He's got work to do. We're gonna go play." The soldier knew his brother-in-law didn't have the time to waste at the moment. He was here on business and brought his daughter as a favor. They waved goodbye and set off into the city.
The next three hours flew by for the soldier. He ran all over the harbor and the lower levels with his daughter playing games with her. She was almost three now. Every time he saw her he could see more of his wife in her. That thought would only exasperate his anxiety over breaking the news to her.
It wasn't long before Akthos had found them, "Brother. I hope you guys had a good time? She missed you greatly. Constantly talking about you to the other girls." Daxos smiled, but Akthos could tell something was off, "You okay brother?"
Callista, who had been sitting on his lap at this point look up expectantly. The lump in his throat returned with a vengeance. It took a few moments for the soldier to find the words, "I will be leaving soon."
Callista grabbed the soldier's beard tightly, "No! You no go, Daddy! No! You can't!" The girl began to cry in his lap, breaking the hardened soldier's heart in an instant. He began to feel his eyes well up with tears of his own, but he did his best to hold them back.
The soldier wrapped his arms around the small girl, "Daughter, if I could, I would stay with you forever. But your daddy is an important man. There are..." Daxos did his best to find the words that should understand, "bad men. Men who want to come here and hurt you, your aunts, your uncle, and your cousins. They want to hurt everyone we know."
The girl struggled against the large man's grip, "No! You no love me. You hate me. You want to leave me." Those words were too much for the soldier. His arms fell to his side letting his daughter go. She hopped down and ran over to her uncle. The soldier's head dropped as his breathing became ragged.
"You know that's not true Callista." Akthos reprimanded his daughter. The soldier meekly looked up and smiled. Akthos was a better father to her than he was, and despite the love and admiration he had for his brother-in-law, he was jealous and ashamed. "I often go away on business. You don't get mad at me. That's how adults are sometimes."
Callista wiped her eyes and pouted, making small affirmative noises. Daxos used this time to unveil his gift. He pulled out a pendant. It was small, but a brilliant gold color. He held it out in front of him, gesturing his daughter to come closer. The soldier was happy that she did.
Placing the pendant around her neck and adjusting her black hair he said, "This yours my love, I know it's early, but it's for your birthday." He kissed the top of her head gently. Lifting the pendant for her to look at it he pointed out the writing on it, "For The Most Beautiful Flower. Love. Your Father, Daxos." The tears that he had been holding back now flowed out of his eyes.
"It's so pretty!" She said with admiration. She looked at it smiling for a few moments before she looked back at her father, "I guess you can go. When will you come home? When I come to see you? Daddy, why are you crying? No cry." He felt his daughter's small arms wrap around his head.
"Because... Daddy may not come back this time." The pain that pierced his heart was almost too much for him to bear. It only intensified with he felt her arms let go of his head.
"What you mean? Daddy. Why you not coming back?" There was a hint of terror in her voice, "You... You hate me. I know it!" She turned and ran away. The soldier didn't have the heart to chase after her. It was exactly as he feared. He could feel the anguish grow in his chest.
Daxos looked up at his brother in law, wiping the tears away from his face and numbing his emotions as best as he could, "I have some money saved up for her. If worst comes to worst, and I don't return, give it to her. Let her know that her father loved her dearly."
"I will brother. I wish you weren't a soldier. We'll be devastated to lose you. I'll make sure she's looked after." Akthos embraced the soldier and then ran off calling out for Callista. The soldier could only meekly lowered his head and continue to let the pain stir in his chest. He knew that he might not return to his daughter. The Egyptians were probably going to be the fiercest enemies he may ever face.
He looked up towards the sky and in a rare bout of his lingering beliefs he offered up a small prayer to Athena, "I... don't know if you're real, or even if you care about a mortal such as me. But... Great Goddess Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and War, The Most Intelligent of all the Gods, permit me the strength, the intuition, the intelligence to survive this war. Permit me to see my daughter's face again and I will forever be your humble servant."
He stood up, looked back to where his daughter had run, and muttered under his breath, "Sorry, my daughter. I love you. I hope you never forget." He turned back towards the city center and began the trek back to the barracks. He had requested the next few days off for her, but he knew that drills and training would set his mind straight. At least, the soldier hoped.