Greeks and Romans: A Medieval Journey

Chapter 11 ~ Return to the Woods

When the twosome arrived at the place where the rest of Kendra's party was waiting, Kyros seemed surprised that Adonis actually came. “What, you actually came willingly, Adonis? You are a bigger fake than I thought you were,” he sneered.
“At least I'm not tied to a tree like you are, Kyros,” Adonis testily remarked before turning his back to his former co-worker. “So Kendra, what is the purpose of my being here exactly?
“I need some questions answered and I am hoping you can answer them.”
“Well what are you waiting for then? Ask away.”
“Very well,” Kendra cleared her throat, preparing to begin. “What happened to the men that arrived with Tiberius? Were they shipped off to Sparta or are they in some other dungeon?”
“The men you speak of were Kyros’s responsibility, although I doubt you will be able to get him to talk. I can barely get him to talk when he doesn’t want to.”
“Believe me, I’ll be able to get him to talk, one way or the other.”
“I don’t like the sound of that. Just don’t hurt him, alright?”
“As long as he gives me what I want I won’t touch him.” Kendra walked away, leaving Tyro to guard Adonis. Stalking up to Kyros, she yelled, “You lied to me! You knew where they were the whole time and decided not to tell me! This little joke of yours cost us hours! Now tell me what I need to know or I'll make your life much more difficult! What will it be?”
“Wait,” cried Adonis. “I have the information you want.”
“So you lied to me?” Kendra asked, turning to Adonis.
“N... yes, I lied to you. I wanted to save my own skin. I didn't know what you were going to do to me once you knew. Although I probably deserve whatever punishment you are going to throw at me, I just want you to know I am deeply sorry.” He hung his head.
“Just tell me what I want to know and I'll turn a blind eye to this little mishap.”
“Thank you. Tiberius's men were sent to Sparta, where I don't know what happened to them. A few months after we sent them, we received a messenger from Sparta asking where they were. I'm sorry to say it but they disappeared. I don't know where they went. We thought the Roman army probably got them, but now I'm not so sure.”
“Why is it that now you are not so sure? What happened to change your mind?”
“Well, if Tiberius’s men were rescued by their comrades, they would have surely told the Roman army where their commander was. I see now that is not the case, so I do not know what happened to them.”
“I understand that. Well, I guess we’ll figure it out along the way,” Kendra replied, walking off towards Jason, (who was getting ready to leave).
“Wait!” Adonis exclaimed. “What are you going to do to us once we reach our destination?”
“I guess you’ll just have to find out,” Kendra answered with a wink and a smile before walking off into the woods toward Sparta.
Everyone looked at each other, shook their heads, packed up, and followed her lead.
*                *                *                *                *                *
        The rather large party soon left Corinth far behind them, and about a week later they came to a large clearing in the middle of the forest with a crystal clear stream running through it. Kendra decided to take an early break and fill the waterskins and let the prisoners take a break. “We will stop here for at least a few hours. Feel free to fill your waterskins, drink your fill, and relax for a while.”
        “Are you going to be joining us this time, Kendra?” Heru asked.
        “Yes, I think I will join you this time. Alright prisoners, sit where you wish, but do not venture out of this clearing. My father, mother, Jason and I will make sure you do not stray, but I would warn you against doing so. Now, I will take a chance and allow you to take your shackles off, even the ones connecting you to each other. However, I do not want you to run off, so you will keep your leg cuffs on. But I think that you will be able to sit more comfortably without those heavy chains getting in the way.”
        All of the prisoners looked shocked that she would even suggest doing something like that. As one they started moving toward her, holding their wrists out so that they could have their shackles taken off. The prisoners lined up and Kendra took all but Kyros’s shackles off. When he came up to Kendra with his wrists held out, expecting to have them taken off. “I will not take your shackles off, Kyros. You betrayed me before, who’s to say you wouldn’t do it again in a heartbeat to save your own skin? The point is, I don’t trust you, and I probably never will. Keep your shackles on.”
        Kyros walked away sulkily before turning his back to Kendra and sitting down by himself. Heru, Sethon, and the other Romans all sat together in a group away from the Greeks. Kyros sat by himself, sulking, while his two men chatted amongst themselves away from everyone else. Kendra walked in-between everyone, chatting with the prisoners, and making sure no fights broke out.
        After she had talked to all of the Romans, Kendra walked up to Kyros’s two men. “I don’t believe I know your names. How rude of me.”
        One of the soldiers, the biggest, replied, “My name is Leon, and this is Damian.” He pointed to his smaller and younger companion, who smiled politely.
        “Hello. Your name is Kendra, isn’t it? As my colleague as said, my name is Damian. It is nice to finally meet you... officially.”
        “Yes, it is,” Kendra replied.