Troy stepped forward. “Listen to yourself, man! It’s not a competition. The point is to help the defense of Technoburbia against our common enemies. There are no prizes for being the only one to make it through alive. It will just make you a bad soldier, and leave the city less well defended.”
Ajax shook his head, his eyes narrowed. “They want us to fight each other. They only want the strongest to make it through. Captain Theseus said so.”
“The guys do have a point, though,” muttered Glaucus, looking nervous and wringing his hands as he spoke. “Maybe we should be working for the good of the city.”
Plato pointed at Ajax’s sidekick. “He’s right.”
Ajax scoffed. “The best thing for the city is to have an army full of winners.”
They all stood silently for a moment. Troy glanced to the side, and saw that the other groups were already setting out. Further off, at the far side of the square, the female hoplites were also taking orders, and being divided into groups. He noticed Clio set off northwards together with the tall and muscular Europa; seeing this, he felt some reassurance about her safety, whatever her quest might be.
“Look, one way or another, we need to get ourselves ready for this,” said Plato. “Grab what you need, and gather at the top of the marble steps in five minutes. No arguments. For this quest at least – against the hydra – we need to work together. To get through it alive. After that, we can all start hating each other again, if that’s what you really want.”
Grumbling, separate, looking towards the ground, the four boys moved off – an unwilling team.
* * *
With nothing to collect from the dormitory, Troy had made his way to the side of the Feasting Hall and retrieved the large wooden club from behind the thorn bushes. Two weapons were better than one, right enough. And now he was ready to leave. Plato was speaking to the others at the top of the marble steps as he rejoined them.
“We can’t be certain,” the boy was saying, “but there may be some kind of a design flaw in Sparta Online. We’re not sure we can trust the system.”
“What do you mean, trust it?” said Ajax, scratching at his chin and looking at Plato. “And what do you mean by ‘system’, anyway?”
Troy thought that the big hoplite looked rather stupid. How could they see it, while he couldn’t? He realized, all the same, that he was going to have to put his anger with Ajax to one side for now, just like Plato had implored him to do.
“Glaucus was right earlier,” he said, approaching the tall hoplite and putting one hand on the boy’s shoulder. “This place does want to pit us against each other. And I can’t really blame you for that.”
Ajax looked at his rival suspiciously. “So you’re cool about the dagger?”
Troy shrugged, trying to look calmer than he felt. “Not cool, exactly. Because it wasn’t a cool thing to do. But you were right – I had two weapons, and I should have shared. I should have offered the club around, rather than hiding it when I got the dagger.”
Skill boost! You have developed your interpersonal skills. +5XP
“But you should have asked,” said Plato, stepping forward, “and we need to have rules as a group, even if the captains do nothing to enforce it. You mention a code. I think that should include no taking things from your comrades without discussion. Perhaps a vote, too.”
”And absolutely no attacking people in the Elysian Fields,” added Troy. “We need to be safe in our home base. If there must be a fight, a score to settle, then let it be in the training ground, and done in a fair way – not three against one.”
“Fair enough,” said Glaucus. Ajax peered around at his friend, and then raised the palms of his hands upwards. “I can accept those conditions.”
Troy held out one hand, and Ajax shook it. “Peace, then?” said Troy.
Skill boost! You have developed your valor. +5XP
“A truce, at least. I’m not promising that I won’t try to win. But I agree that we need some kind of rules. And this is going to feel like a long journey with you sore at me the whole way.”
“You also need to try to understand that this entire place is broken,” muttered Troy, gesturing the others on, “but perhaps that will come in time. We have a journey to make, and we’re not going to get far if we don’t set out.”
Together they descended the marble steps and moved along the path past the olive grove once again. From there they would reach a separate path that curved off eastwards down towards the River Eurotas, which they could cross via the wide stone bridge. Then they could head towards the coast. How long would it take? Hours? Days? Troy had no idea. At the very least, Sparta was a comfortably warm place, and it hadn’t yet rained at all during his time there. Sleeping in the open shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Level: Hoplite (Level 3)
XP: 0490 (unspent: 0040)
Hit points: 25/25
Luck points: 1
Equipment: belt; bracer; coin pouch; greaves; iron hatchet; wooden club.
Chapter 15: Further Insight
They hadn’t made it far along the path when Troy noticed Democles approaching. The Helot worker beckoned to him, and Troy hurried ahead of the others, moving along the path to speak to the bearded man.
“There is something I need to speak to you about, young hoplite,” said Democles gently.
Troy pointed back towards the others. “Can my friends come? We have a mission that we have been sent on together.”
The rangy worker shrugged. “As you like.” He then turned and walked towards the cluster of houses where he and his tribe lived.
Troy hurried back to the others. “The farmers that live over there have information, and I want to hear it.”
Plato nodded, but Ajax sneered. “Helots? They are little better than animals, everyone knows that. Who cares what they have to say?”
Plato put a hand on the tall hoplite’s shoulder. “But Ajax,” he said, “perhaps they saw something. When Andros was stabbed, maybe?” He looked at Troy again.
“That’s what I’m thinking too,” said Troy. “Andros was attacked right here, near the top of this olive grove.” He pointed downwards to the path, and then to the cluster of houses. “They live really close, and work among the trees. They might know something about the assassins.”
“Well, you can go and speak to this guy if you want,” said Ajax, “but we are sticking to the mission. Right Glaucus?”
The popping-eyed hoplite nodded. “I’m with you. We have a monster to hunt.”
“I’m with you too, of course,” said Troy, frowning. “But be reasonable. This is a long journey, and we’ll be on the road for days. Let’s just take a minute to hear what the man has to say.”
“You can speak to the guy on the way back,” said Glaucus, “if you survive that is. Right, Ajax?”
Seeing that their partners were still unconvinced, Troy said: “They might have food that we can take with us.”
Skill boost! You have developed your quick thinking. +5XP
Glaucus shrugged sourly, but the big red-cheeked hoplite had changed his expression at the mention of food. “Hey, how much do you think we can get out of them? Have you been raiding them for food regularly?”
Troy held his hands up, alarmed at the prospect that he might have somehow encouraged his fellow recruits to raid the Helots. “No, not at all, Ajax. I don’t do that. Honestly I don’t. But I… purchased something from them. And they want to pay me back. So, let’s just see what they have, all right? Better than relying only on foraging.”
“Let’s go, then,” said Ajax with a sly grin.
* * *
Democles was waiting by a gap in the wooden fence that surrounded the cluster of houses. “Well met, hoplites,” he said, his voice gentle and wavering. “The pride of Sparta. We salute your courage.”
“Uh… thanks,” muttered Plato. Troy entered first, and the others filed in behind him.
The village in which the Helots lived was very different fr
om the even, paved Spartan streets which Troy had passed elsewhere. The settlement looked more like a primitive village, and each of the houses was small, constructed of dark stone that was rough-hewn rather than the neat polished marble blocks that were widely used elsewhere. There were certainly no paved areas or pillared facades in sight.
The area between the houses, too, was composed of bare earth, though there were multiple wooden containers around with plants growing from them, and Troy noticed cherry and apricot trees which had been carefully trained to grow up against the ramshackle houses. The people appeared to have something close to self-sufficiency, not to mention a fair degree of skill at farming. There was greenery everywhere.
“Come, this way, please,” said Democles. “Sit. Have some bread and fruit with me.”
“We can’t stay long, thank you,” said Plato. “But yes, we are hungry.”
“Of course,” replied the man. “And your mission?”
“We must cross the river and travel up the coast to Lerna,” said Troy, “to slay the terrible hydra.”
“Again, I salute your bravery,” said Democles, “but perhaps we can help you in some way as you prepare for this task.”
Democles now gestured towards a group of rough stone blocks in front of one of the houses. Deducing that these were used as seating, Troy sat down; the man moved inside the house as the hoplites waited.
Looking around, Troy saw that every area of the house’s exterior had been put to use in growing. There were vines and smaller olive trees around them, and vegetable beds all around the edge of the walls. Terracotta pots contained edible leaves, and even the rocks on which they sat formed the outer edge of further vegetable containers. All around, at the other houses, members of the Helot tribe were working hard, tending to their crops and removing weeds and pests by hand.
Soon Democles reemerged together with a woman, and a boy aged around ten. “This is my wife, Gaia,” he said. “And my son as well.” Gaia was taller and bulkier than most local women that Troy had seen, and like the workers in the field she wore long clothes made of rough fabric. Her face was wide and friendly, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at them. She was carrying a jug of watered-down wine and a stack of clay cups, while the boy held a wooden tray of dried fruits.
Soon the young hoplites were enjoying an unaccustomed early meal, and feeling much more relaxed about their prospects.
“Don’t eat too much before your journey,” said Gaia. “It won’t go to waste, as we can pack up a meal for you to eat on the way. Helios – go get four of my bags.”
At her instruction, the young boy scuttled off, and while he was gone, Troy checked on his health level. Sure enough, the meal had reduced his hunger and thirst level considerably.
Current health level: Healthy
Illness: None
Disease: None
Hunger: 08%
Thirst: 05%
Hit points: 25/25
After a short while the boy emerged with four sturdy canvas bags of the type that could be slung across the wearer’s shoulder. All of them looked newly stitched. Gaia took them from the boy, and then handed one to each of the hoplites.
“You can’t travel all that way with food in your pockets,” she said. This will help you hold some supplies, and more beside.”
Troy took one of the bags, turning it over in his hands. “Thank you,” he said, and meant it. “This will be perfect for our journey.”
She nodded, her eyes sparkling again. “Look inside, also, young friend.”
Troy opened the bag; inside was a package of food wrapped in a cloth, together with a lumpy brown leather object, rather like a flattened bottle. He lifted it out; it was partially full.
“That is a waterskin,” said Gaia. “There is no concern when you travel up the river as there is plenty to drink here, but as you get closer to Lerna, the land is marshy and the water unsafe.” She leaned closer. “Make sure you remember to fill these up – and remind the others to do so as well.”
“As you say,” said Plato, looking at his waterskin and then returning it to the canvas bag. “It’s very good of you.”
“She is very skilled with a needle,” said Democles, with a satisfied nod and a smile at his big wife.
Even Ajax and Glaucus nodded and murmured in something approaching gratitude.
“But there is something else that we need to speak about,” Democles continued. He gestured and the woman and boy returned to the house, while the youngsters leaned closer to their host.
“Yes,” said Troy. “You have information for us?” He noticed that even Ajax was looking intent.
Democles nodded. “Some people came here recently,” he said, “but they were not Spartans. Enemies. I tried to warn one of the warriors from the city, but they never listen to our folk.”
“That must be the assassins that I saw!” said Troy sharply.
”And where did you see these people?” asked Plato, leaning forward. “Do you know who they are?”
“They slept in a cave near the mountain path,” Democles replied, pointing up towards his right. “Very few people go up there, and it’s a while since any hoplites like yourselves have passed that way. But if you follow the mountain path, it reaches a bridge. There, on either side, there are boulders and caves. They spent some time there – it’s hard to say how long.”
Skill boost! You have developed your knowledge. +5XP
“You saw them?” said Ajax suspiciously.
“Yes, though I was not the first. It was my son, Helios, who went there to fish. He saw the strangers come, and after that two of us from here in the village went up to look.”
Troy was frowning. “One of our trainers was attacked – I’d really like to know if these people were the ones that did it. I don’t know if you saw anything, perhaps? He was stabbed on the path above the olive grove back there. I saw the folk who did it – two strange warriors, both dressed in black clothes and hoods, and with their faces covered.”
“Could be, could be,” he replied. “Indeed, Helios saw that they were dressed in dark clothes when they arrived. It could have been black. I don’t recall seeing hoods, but I was looking on from a distance.”
“You said they were outsiders,” said Glaucus, his eyes wider than ever as he stared at the Helot villager. “Enemies, you said. So you must have seen their faces.”
Democles nodded once again. “For sure, for sure. We heard them speak. I have old ears, and an old mind. I have heard many travelers come and go. Those people were barbarians from the west.”
“Barbarians!” the boys said at once, looking at each other.
“Barbarians are our enemy,” snarled Ajax. “We are all here to train to fight them. To defeat them. The people of New Baravia have been our enemies for a generation.”
But then Plato held up his hands for calm. “All right, boys. We know that in our place, the people we call barbarians are the enemy. Agreed. But remember, things are different for the Spartans. To them, anyone outside of Greece was considered a barbarian.”
Democles nodded. “Yes, that’s right. There are barbarians up in the mountains, and ones over the sea, and more far away on the eastern plains. There are white barbarians and black barbarians and red-bearded barbarians.”
Troy grinned despite himself. “Not very specific, then.”
“For sure, though, these were some of the barbarians of the far coast, across the sea from here. They have a great city there, and they are criminals, brutal, vile people who kill for pleasure, and sacrifice children to their false gods.
“There’s something else, though,” continued Democles. “While I was watching, two people came up from your training camp. I was expecting a fight, for both were mighty-looking warriors, a man and a woman. But instead, they greeted the barbarians like old friends. And they seemed to be giving orders.”
Troy felt his heart sink slightly as he asked a question to which he thought he must already know the answer: “Can you describe these warri
ors? The ones who came from our training ground?”
“Yes – they were very distinctive. The man was really stocky and muscular, with a bald head and a big nose. The woman was muscular too, very tall, with pale skin and red hair.”
The boys looked at one another again.
“The captains,” hissed Troy. “They’re traitors.”
Level: Hoplite (Level 3)
XP: 0500 (unspent: 0050)
Hit points: 25/25
Luck points: 1
Equipment: belt; bracer; canvas bag; coin pouch; greaves; iron hatchet; rations (2); waterskin; wooden club.
Chapter 16: To the Coast
Soon the hoplites had gathered on the path that led out of Sparta to the north-east, talking over what their next move should be.
“We can’t continue with this quest,” Plato was saying. “The captains have betrayed Andros, and betrayed us too. Why should we do what they say? We should go back now, and confront them.”
Ajax shrugged, standing off to one side, and it was Glaucus who answered:
“They are still our captains,” he said. “And we are here to train. Doing the quests is part of that, and it’s also how we’ll get the equipment that we need to progress.”
Troy stepped towards his fellow recruit. “But that’s just it, don’t you see?” he said. “They are not trying to help us train or get equipment. What the Helots told us shows us beyond any doubt that they don’t want us to succeed. I bet they don’t care at all if the hydra kills us all. Captain Theseus wasn’t joking.”
“Right,” said Plato. “And how do we know that they will even give us the spears?”
Nemesis (Sparta Online Book 1) Page 12