Memoirs of an Immortal (The Immortal Series) (4 page)

“Are you done?” He asked in a serious tone. I nodded. “Good! Now we could finally leave.” He threw me onto a horse, he had ready for me and without another look he then went to his horse and galloped away.

I was so angry at that moment. Fine he yelled at me. Could he at least hear me out so that I may apologize? I could not wait to get home so that I could tell my sisters, but that’s when I realized, I didn’t have my sisters. They were not here and they would never hear my story. My sadness grew as we rode away. I fell behind still following, but wanting to be alone. The sense of loneliness was taking over. I was without anyone who knew me or my antics. I was utterly alone, isolated in my actions and thoughts. I began to realize that I was no one’s child here and that these Spartan men and women viewed the world differently than me and my people. There would be no one to comfort me, no one to care for me. I had to grow up and fast.

Leonidas was up ahead with his men, but I had not realized that he had two men assigned to me. I had only noticed when they were right next to me flanking my horse. I looked side to side.

“And you may be?” I asked annoyed.

“I am Maron and this is my brother Alpheus. We were told to make sure you reach Sparta in one piece.” The one that answered was large, but short and solid, while his brother was long and lean.

“Oh” I sighed heavily. “I’m assuming the king ask you to stay with me? Well tell the king I will be fine, you two can go on ahead.” I bit out.

“I am sorry, but we are bound by duty and are not going to leave our posts” said Alpheus.

“Beside…” Maron continued. “I want to know about the great Nikephoros. Is it true your father is over 6 feet tall and a giant? And how old is he? Did he really kill that many people? Is he really the one of the few remaining Heroic men?” I laughed at his amazement.

“When my father fought in the Trojan War, he was very young, still in his teens. It was with Akhilles that he began to break out of his shell and show his strength. His legend grew as every task Akhilles gave him was accomplished and when the oracle decreed that my father was a god progeny, his name began to spread throughout our land. He is perhaps the only one left of the age of heroes and possibly his longevity has to do with who his father was.” I said with pride and sorrow. As I spoke, each word hurt my throat, I missed him.

“Who was his father?” Maron whispered.

I didn’t know the answer and so instead of letting him know that, I played boastful and said.

“I cannot tell you, because if I do he, meaning my grandfather, will come and kill you for knowing.”

Alpheus gave me a knowing look and just shook his head. At least Maron fell for it. They both left me alone the rest of the way.

As we rode closer to Sparta, I could see homes lining the path that led to the city’s center. Woman and children began to come out and watched as I rode by. The women were beautifully dressed in various colors of linens, their hair was done up delicately. They took care of how they looked and acted. Their eyes were fierce and determined, their children proud and strong.

They bowed their heads slightly, giving me the acknowledgment as their queen. The world around was alien to me. Fear set in as I kept riding closer to the city’s agora. I watched as men from the convoy began to get off their horses and greet their families. All these happy people, seeing their loved ones’ faces again, had made me happy, but all of these faces were mere strangers to me. I smiled not to seem fearful, after all they were Spartans and their reputation preceded them.

To be a queen to such people and act scared would be an insult, not only to them, but to my father’s name and my mother’s as well. Maron looked around and I guess he saw his wife.

“Well my queen, this is where we leave you. Our king is up ahead, just follow the road and he will be there waiting.” He said without hesitation.

Alpheus glared at him, perhaps unhappy with his brother’s behaviour. He then told me that he would take me the rest of the way.

As we rode up the road that led to the city’s center I could see the marvelous homes and shops that made up most of Sparta. There were a few temples, but the most prominent one was of Artemis. We finally stopped in front of a grand staircase that led to an open courtyard. I looked to see that almost every Spartan stood waiting as all eyes were on me.

As I got closer to the palace, I could see Leonidas getting off his horse and walking up the many stairs that led to the palace doors. I was willing him with my eyes, hoping he’d stop and wait for me. Just when I thought my thoughts reached him, he motioned for two women who came to his side. He spoke to them briefly and continued his way into the palace.

My mouth fell open, as my hopes were dashed. I was shocked. Dienekes stood before my horse and offered to help me down.

“Do not worry yourself, he will get over it.” He said all calm like trying to reassure me.

“Listen…” I started and waited, not quite remembering his name.

“Dienekes.” He filled in the blank.

“That’s not the problem. I have no clue what I’m supposed to do and where am I supposed to go? Shouldn’t he introduce me to his people or to anyone for that matter?” I asked while forcing a smile. Dienekes just laughed.

“Not now and beside everyone knows who you are. Why do you think they are all standing here looking at you? When the banquet is planned out that is when you will be properly introduced.” He offered.

The two women that Leonidas spoke to were now before me.

“Hello my queen. My name is Cynisca and she is Eupolia, we will be taking care of you and your needs. Let us take you to your room so that you may rest from your trip.” I looked over to Dienekes.

“See! He cannot be that angry with you.” He slapped my back which almost made me fly into the women in front of me. I smiled and nodded still feeling uneasy.

“My name is Psykhe, so please do not call me queen. I prefer my name.” I smiled.

“Can we really do that?” asked Eupolia.

“Yes you can. It’s my name and I would like it if you used it.” I reassured her.

My queen, my queen. That’s what everyone was calling me and to be honest, I felt uncomfortable about it. I was a person, not a position. My mother gave me that name. I was not going to lose it

Cynisca and Eupolia walked me through the palace, which was larger than it looked from the outside. It was beautiful. There were corridors upon corridors with various art and murals painted on the walls. We continued to walk and as we kept going I thought for sure I would end up somewhere dreadful. Leonidas must have told them to send me to a hole in the ground so that I would stay and rot in it.

I turned to Eupolia and asked if it was much further. She apologized and said that we were just coming up to the room. We were in front of a large doorway. As we walked in, I saw an enormous bath with hot water being poured into it. Cynisca had said that the king had thought that I would need a nice bath to relax and clean up after my long trip.

Wild flowers floated in the water. I could smell the fragrance lingering in the air. Cynisca helped me undress and I slipped into the hot water. It felt nice against my skin. I sat there for awhile enjoying the moment. Eupolia had asked me if I was hungry. She was offering me fruits and wine, which I didn’t refuse.

When I was finished with my bath, I stood up. Cynisca came to me with a tray of oils.

“My king had asked one of your sisters what you preferred and she had replied scented oils after a bath. He made sure that he bought quite a few different varieties from your island.” She smiled offering me the tray so I could choose.

It must have been Eva. Only she wouldn’t have minded to say such a private thing. I felt cared for and appreciated maybe he wasn’t as angry as I thought. I chose one of my favourites, which was been jasmine. It reminded me of the nights at my home. It was at night that it smelled the finest.

Eupolia helped me get dressed, with one of the most beautiful silk dress that I had ever worn. It was all white and cascade down passed my feet. She then helped me with my hair, pinning it up loosely.

Cynisca came with one arm bracelet that she said was made just for me. It was gold and wiry. I slipped it on to my arm and that’s when they both looked at me and said that I finally looked the part of a queen. I laughed. Me a queen? What woman wouldn’t want this position? To be cared for and loved?

As I was enjoying my moment, the fire on the torch began to dance. The shadows on the wall moved quickly, as though the wind had suddenly appeared, but it looked strange like it was controlled.

“Psst Psykhe!” It was sang my name.

It was at this point I thought maybe I’m too tired and I needed to rest. I turned to the girls but they hadn’t noticed a thing.

“I think it’s time for me to rest now. I would like to go to my room.” I said earnestly.

“Yes my quee…I mean Psykhe” Eupolia answered.

The room I was given was large and exquisitely beautiful. Eupolia told me that Leonidas wanted to make sure it would suit me. I loved this room. It had two enormous windows that had large drapery hanging from it to block out the sun and the night’s cold air. I hardly ever used them. I actually like the gentle breeze that came into my room. I did however have a large fire pit in the middle of the room, which I would light to keep me warm if the nights were too cold.

The view from my room overlooked the small inner courtyard. The bottoms of the windows were large enough so that I could sit on them. I used to love sitting there and watching the stars or even the sun when it rose over the palace.

To Cynisca and Eupolia, I was strange. Eupolia would always say, “Spartan women did not just sit and enjoy the day. They used their day to do things that were useful.” But I wasn’t a Spartan woman, I was me.

The room was lit only by the moonlight that came through the large windows. I saw my bed which was by the wall in front of the door. I couldn’t help, but I fall on to it. I relished in the thought of sleep. I told the girls thank you and they left, leaving me alone. I rolled to my side and began to fall asleep, that’s when the fire pit lit itself up. My eyes flung open and I jerked up. I listened quietly thinking maybe it was one of the girls or maybe it was Leonidas.

“Come now, I know you’re awake, so come
, t
alk to me.” I stood up waiting. I could hear a male’s voice fill my room, but I still couldn’t see the source.

“Who’s there?” I hissed, my body now at attention.

“Hey is that anyway to talk to me? I’m here to make sure you’re ok and to make sure everything works out the way it’s supposed to!” I followed the voice and it led me to the fire pit. I stood staring at this little flame. The flames produced a face. I could clearly see it as it spoke to me.

“Ok. I know I’m tired now. Psykhe you’ve had a long day, so just go to sleep.” I said to myself.

“Come on, you are not imagining me and to be honest I don’t like being ignored. I’ll have you know Psykhe that I fought to be your guardian. Now talk to me!” The flame got larger and louder. I widen my eyes, was this really happening?

“Are you the one that spoke to me on the boat?” I asked cautiously.

“No that, that I can’t tell you who that was yet.” Now I knew I was totally worn-out because the flame actually smiled at me. I waved my hands in front of me, making sure I was seeing correctly.

“Ok I’m too tired and probably emotionally spent. This is not happening. I’m just hallucinating like before.” I said to myself.

“You can call me Pro.” He continued ignoring me. “If ever you need me, I’m just a name call away.” With every word it spoke the flame move horizontally like breath from a mouth. “Remember Psykhe, if ever you’re in trouble you must call me.” The flame then disappeared.

An eerie silence took its place as darkness filled my room. What just happened? I could not help, but wonder if I really saw what I saw. What was going on here? Who was Pro? Who was the man in the ocean? I wandered over to the window letting my mind drift off. Perhaps I was just tired, emotionally spent. Tomorrow would be a new day a new beginning.

I sat on the large window sill and began to look around the palace. It appeared that the palace was broken up into parts. The first part was for the public which was in the front while the private residence was in the back. I guess it was our courtyard that I was looking out over. I heard voices and jumped off the window sill. I hid behind the side window. It was Leonidas with Dienekes they were arguing. I slowly moved forward to get a closer look. The night sky was clear and the stars lit up the courtyard.

“Come on Leonidas, just allow her to train, she has skills. Why let her sit quietly in a palace? I would train her and you can overlook the progress. She may also teach us techniques as well.” Dienekes was fighting for some sort of freedom for me and I grew to care for him

“She can do as she pleases, but I will not allow her to get hurt or train in front so that everyone can see her.” Leonidas barked. It pained me to think he was embarrassed of me somehow before I knew it a few treacherous tears fell from my eyes.

Dienekes left and Leonidas was left alone in that courtyard. He looked larger than life, he was special and I wasn’t. I tried to convince myself that he cared for me, just with the simple things that he had done with my clothes, my room, the oils and even my arm bracelet.

As I stood there looking at him, I began to long for him. Will he never talk to me again? Did I really overstep? Why had he so easily forgiven Dienekes, but not me? I realized that I knew nothing about this man. All I knew is that my heart and my soul were stolen by him and I was nothing if I did not have him by my side. He looked up towards my room there was no light and I was to one side of the window so he could not see me. He looked for awhile and walked away. My heart ached at the very sight of him.

The next morning Cynisca and Eupolia woke me with food and water. I washed up as they sat on my bed telling me stories of what the people were saying about me. Some were saying that I was not that pretty while others were saying that I was as much if not more beautiful than what the legends have said. I laughed and just laid back down, when Cynisca reached over to me and tried to pull me up.