Page 8 of Fate

Helia nods curtly, before launching into an explanation of events. To his credit, Gaius listens with rapt attention, nodding here and there, Andra adding in details as needed. As Helia finishes, the Archon sits back thoughtfully for a few moments before addressing the Speaker.

“How many of your people survived?”

“Less than a quarter of the village; around thirty.” The Speaker’s face twitches as they continue. “All have a variety of skills; life in the countryside requires it.” I still my face; most of the survivors are unspecialized labor. Useful, but undoubtedly non-essential to a city the likes of Ionos. Gaius swirls his goblet pensively. A breeze carries the scent of the ocean into the villa and everyone collectively breathes deeply, dreams of simple freedom on everyone’s mind.

“Ionos will welcome your people with open arms. However”—a raised hand forestalls words of gratitude—“I do this on two conditions.” The Archon looks at Helia and raises a finger. “One, Commander Helia forgoes the reward for the contract to hunt down the bandits.” I turn and see Helia’s eyes narrow as she crosses her arms. The leather strains under Andra’s grip as her hand tightens in anger on her shin guards.

Gaius raises a second finger as he continues. “Two, the Band of Spears must accept a contract to escort a caravan of merchants setting up a new trade route with the city of Nolphi. There will be payment for this contract, both from me and from the merchants who have put up their own coins as incentive.”

Helia arches an eyebrow, but says nothing.

The Archon puts on a sly smile and shrugs. “I am a businessman, and the prosperity of Ionos is my business.” His smile immediately shifts to a frown as he leans forward. “These bandits have been getting bolder and this new route is essential. I need the protection of a band such as yours.” From the corner of my eye I can see the Speaker’s knee shaking, knowing that the fate of their people is in the hands of Helia once more. A drawn out silence, louder than a thunderstorm, lingers in the air.

“The Band accepts. As per the guild code, we will now enter negotiations on pay, details of the job, stipulations, and we will discuss the required treatment of the villagers.” The Speaker’s knee stills, relief palpable. The Archon nods in agreement with Helia and waves a servant over.

“Bring parchment, ink, a map, and dinner.” Archon Gaius looks back to our group. “And bring some light; it’s going to be a long night.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE FIRE LIGHT from the city fades behind Andra and I, as we make our way to the camp. Helia sent the two of us back to inform Bellius and the others after our meeting with Gaius ended. She wanted to talk with the merchants and start the contract right away.

I can feel the waves of frustration sloughing off Andra, so I keep the silence in the dim moonlight. Our sandals crunch in the quiet, fraying her nerves even more.

“You better be worth all this.” Andra stops and fixes me with a deadly glare, barely visible in the night. Turning at her outburst, tension coils like a snake in my lungs, heat rising up my neck. Looks like we’re finally going to have it out.

“I’m not a charity case.”

“Heard me earlier huh? Problem is, you are a damned charity case and a costly one at that!” Andra’s words prickle my skin as she kicks at the ground, gravel and dust fleeing her wrath. “First, we take the time to escort your people and eat into our supplies, which will cost a pretty coin to replace. Next, Helia accepts you into the company without any words to me or Bellius, her two captains. And finally, she gives up all of our pay to save your people; again!” With each barked word, frustration turns to menace.

“I didn’t ask for this! Would you rather we had all died?!” What right does she have to get angry at me about this? The leather around the hilt of my blade creaks, my hand unconsciously tightening around it. Her eyes sharpen at the noise, the light enough to see the bare malice there.

“Be real careful about what you decide to do next.” I blink. What am I even doing? I would never just attack someone because they upset me. Let it go. My hand unclenches, the moment fading, the promise of bloodshed averted. Andra nods, her body relaxing in turn.

“Maybe you’re not entirely a lost cause. You’ve got a spine at least, and some semblance of a brain. Just remember, if you ever betray us or bring harm to Helia, I will kill you. Understood?” What else can I do? I nod, eager to move past this. Andra turns without another word and leads us back to camp.

***

We make it back to the camp in one piece, the soldiers on watch pay us no mind, clearly recognizing Andra. A stark contrast to Bellius, who comes running up, surprised to see us return in the night.

“Everything all right?” His gruff tone ready for action.

“Aye. The Commander wants to leave in the morning at first light for the city of Nolphi. She had a few final details to work out with the Archon before leaving the city and sent us out ahead.” Bellius whistles, not expecting a new mission so soon. I sway on my feet, itching to be away from Andra, nerves and exhaustion weighing on my body.

With a scratch at his beard and a curious glance toward Andra, Bellius juts his chin toward the center of the encampment, a clear dismissal. Fine by me; despite finding some weird middle ground, I would rather not spend another moment near Andra for the night.

“Bumpkin! Good to see you brother. How was—” Olena’s voice stops as she nears catching my mood. Her eyes flick back the way I came and sees Bellius chatting Andra, a look of recognition dawning on her face.

“I see. Come on, let’s get you some food.” I follow Olena to the quartermaster. The band had already eaten for the evening, but there’s still some cold stew and bread which I devour as Olena sits next to me. My mouth is full when she speaks.

“I know it’s probably hard, but try not to take it too personally. Andra is…” Olena struggles to find the right word, her mellow voice pausing. “Well, she’s damaged. Like all of us are. Just in different ways.” I stop eating, bread halfway to my mouth and gaze at the loose dirt in front of me.

“She doesn’t like new people, does she?” Olena barks a laugh at my question while the quartermaster smirks, packing away some supplies.

“You’re not wrong, but I think your situation with her is a little different. You don’t have to accept it or be her friend, but just understand one thing. She, out of everyone here, is the most loyal to Helia. Remember that, and you’ll be fine.” I look up and out at the camp, pockets of activity starting to die down for the night like the fading of fireflies.

“We’re all damaged huh? What about you Olena? What’s your damage?” The words taste bitter. Regret adds an acrid flavor upon seeing the wince on her face. The quartermaster makes themself scarce in the wake of such a personal question. With the camp beginning to sleep, the soft sound of the wind starts to reach us as we wait. I see a sad smile that doesn’t reach far.

“I was young, stupid, and hungry for fame. The Spears were perfect for me and I was determined to rise.” She shakes her head and looks at me, voice thin, barely a whisper now. “I made a brash decision and cost several lives.”