The Main City Gates, The Kingdom Of Medina, 540 B.C...
There was not a moment of silence to be had as the returning war party reached the familiar walls that signaled their long-awaited arrival back into the confines of their homeland. A weary but vastly grateful Lycidas led his men through the main gate as they marched through the city carrying all manner of gifts and riches seized from the left-behind encampment of their opponents following their brutal war of conquest. Lycidas was pleased to find that their rivals were given to stashing treasures of every sort from the conquest of many kingdoms that had fallen to their might before their long and brutal reign of conquest came to an end via Lycidas and the warriors of Medina.
A warm and hearty smile was filed across the handsome face of the man of the hour as he marched his men to see the King and to share in tales of their victory and present the chest of treasures they acquired as a result of their efforts. As per tradition, King Myron got first pick of the spoils and decided who had earned what right when the time came, and as such Lycidas was more than pleased to hand over the chests to his father. Honor was a high commodity in Medina and any man caught having traded it for cheap and ill-gotten gains quickly saw their way to exile or death when the verdict of the King came.
Lycidas was quite pleased to be home after his travels and wished to see his family. The first on his list had been none other than Nicodemus his younger brother and third Prince of Medina. The boy was a Greek as one could be due to his mother being Melba Of Medina, a Medinan-born noble's daughter and the youngest of the three women with the title of Queen. The lad seemed to carry much of their father's traits aside from the sun-kissed complexion he inherited from his mother. Nicodemus rushed up to greet his older brother ignoring the ceremony behind their arrival altogether as well as the long-standing tradition of the army marching to greet the king and amid the long rows of on-looking citizens offering them praise while they passed the main streets. He'd been only a boy and was looking forward to the day of his favorite brother's inevitable return for the past six months.
"Lycus!" exclaimed the ecstatic young man as he nearly crashed into his elder brother after losing his footing.
Lycidas caught him in time and pulled him into his brotherly embrace.
"Nicodi," he said pleased to see his youthful face.
"Lycus, I've missed you," said Nicodemus returning his embrace. "Father said you were on a campaign for the protection of Medina."
"I was," replied Lycidas with a charming smile. "As you can see little brother, we earned the right to victory."
Nicodemus seemed pleased as he took note of the many chests filled with treasures that the warriors were carrying with them into the city. He was a young lad, but even he knew it was more gold and riches than anyone in the province had seen in a long while.
"Come Nicodi, let us greet Father," said Lycidas with his arm wrapped around his younger brother as he joined in on the march.
There was a good deal more fanfare when they reached the main street and the paths that led to the castle where King Myron reigned and the royal family resided except for Lycidas who had been much more content to live as an ordinary general along with his wife and children.
Once they reached the courtyard, King Myron could be seen atop the balcony his face beaming with pride as he addressed his people and took in the newly arrived sight of his men back from battle and victorious with riches galore as a result of their conquest. He was a reasonable aged man who had ruled ever since the rebellions when they ousted corrupt leaders and greedy nobles who oppressed the people and lobbied for power on the backs of their servants. Myron was the son of a disgruntled noble stationed in the province of Medina, who had grown tired of the ill-treatment and led a group of youthful men sharing a similar outlook upon the rampant tyranny. In his youth, he'd been as handsome as his three sons and given to lean muscle when training and in combat but age has turned his once black locks grey and his youth faded due to wrinkles of age and he wasn't as spry in battle as he once was.
The day Lycidas took up the mantle as protector of the kingdom from him was the proudest he'd ever been to have a son. Basilius was secure in his role as future king and would remain protected as such with his younger brother at the helm of security. Myron stood atop the balcony of his castle with his wives and eldest son welcoming the war-weary men back into their homeland and anticipating the tales their journey brought.
"Welcome home sons of Medina." King Myron addressed his soldiers pleased to see them intact despite being world-weary. "Tonight we feast in honor of this most satisfying victory!"
A cheer erupted from the crowd as both Nicodemus and Lycidas joined in with the adulation. The two brothers saw the treasure being placed in capable hands before venturing toward the castle in a bid to see their father in person.
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The Castle Of Medina, The Kingdom Of Medina, 540 B.C...
Lycidas entered the castle well after his rambunctious baby brother at a slow and albeit appreciative pace as he stalked the vast and expertly carved corridors that he used to run through as a child with just as much vigor as his brother during those days. He spent the better part of his adolescence attempting to get outside the walls and out into the big wide world and now here he was making his way back with gratitude in his heart for the fact that the walls had remained despite numerous threats to his people and their way of life.
"There he is the man of the hour." said the voice of Lycidas' snide elder brother as he leaned against a nearby column while fiddling with a wayward gold coin he dangled between his fingers. "Welcome home little brother."
Basilius seemed unimpressed by his younger brother's feats but remained polite as he made his way out into the castle grounds no doubt to sate his usual lusts with the eager young maidens and clueless lads who had fallen into his charismatic sway. He wore his usual attire Roman in design due to the gifts sent in from his noble grandfather who still lived in the notorious city. He dreamed of going there and living a true noble's life, but alas he'd been heir to the kingdom of Median.
Clelia had not been far behind, chasing after her spawn and glaring at the child of a woman she despised who had been impregnated via her husband. For most of their association, Clelia had hated Lycidas and his mother for even existing. She was a proud and prudish woman in her own right and didn't take kindly to being forced to share a crown with the daughter of a barbarian.
She looked upon Maeva and Lycidas as if they were mere vermin beneath her foot but on occasion, she couldn't help, but notice the man the boy she once scorned turned out to be. She took her time when addressing him as of late taking care to drink in the very sight of him each time they encountered one another her scorn still blazing and nor her wandering eye quite keen when it came to her handsome and capable step-son. With abrupt footing, Clelia took her leave of Lycidas but her gaze lingered when his attention was focused on his path ahead.
Lycidas entered the main hall and found himself treated to the wonderful sight of his mother, Queen Maeva who had been patiently awaiting his return with hopes of seeing her only child again. Mother and son were as close as could be although it was clear since he'd been a boy that he preferred the company of his father and was less inclined to like the constant doting of his mother.
"My son has indeed returned," she said happy to see him as she pulled him into her embrace.
Lycidas returned her hug and kissed her on the cheek in reverence. She was quite a woman indeed aging much more gracefully than her embittered counterpart as she moved about the castle.
"You're boy grows stronger and stronger by the day," she said in admiration. "Soon he'll be as handsome and as war-ready as his father."
Lycidas smiled proud that his son was growing well.
"Your daughter already has the entire kingdom eating out of the palm of her hands and she's only two," said Maeva with a smile.
"Sounds like she's her grandmother's granddaughter after all," remarked Lycidas in a charming tone. "It's good to see you well Mother."
"It's good to see you well, my son," said Maeva pleased about the way things have been going for them. "Go and see your father and then see after that lovely wife of yours."
Lycidas nodded in agreement before kissing his mother's cheek in parting.
"Take care Mother," he said before continuing his journey to see The King.
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The King's Throne Room, Castle Of Medina, The Kingdom Of Medina, 540 B.C...
Still feeling the effects of having traveled vast distances in a bid to return home, Lycidas ascended the stairs of the castle that led to the throne room where his father would no doubt be sitting as he busied himself with the task of organizing the upcoming royal feast. Everyone in the kingdom was looking forward to the occasion and the various tales that would come from the exploits of the warriors who had participated in the battle.
The moment the king took note of his newly arrived son, he halted the discussion and approached him stepping off the throne with a smile filed across his aged face. His dark eyes were alight with relief and he wore an expression of pride as he moved to greet his second-born son pulling him into his embrace as he did.
"My son has returned," said King Myron elated. "And with spoils from your conquest on less."
"Indeed Father, the men are bringing the chests in as we speak," replied Lycidas pleased that his father was so delighted in his efforts.
"I hear you took down their leader," said King Myron with a smirk.
"Something like that." replied his son modest in his reflection of his efforts.
"Oh come now, the men couldn't wait to tell me how you felled the soulless brute," said King Myron. "I expect to hear more at the feast...but for now...go and check in with your wife and children and rest up while we get everything ready for tonight."
"Will do Father," replied Lycadias eager to get to his home after having been away for so long.
Once the king had dismissed him, he headed back outside the castle toward the city district where his house had been located nearer to the people with the bonus of being a line of defense if and when trouble came so that he could rally his men at a moment's notice.
The blazing heat of the sun was a welcome change from the darkness of looming trees from the forest and the warmth had done his body a world of good after having to suffer through the cold for months on end.
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The Home Of Lycidas, The Kingdom Of Medina, 540 B.C....
The familiar scent of lilac and roses filled the nostrils of the returned man as he stepped foot into the home shared with his wife Mira and their two children. It was a modest place built like many of the other homes in Medina but given to grandeur via the decor and furnishings that The King insisted they have as a means of deterring anyone from mistaking them for common rabble and not the royal members of the court that they had been.
When Lycidas entered his home the first member of his immediate family he had seen in over six months was his young rambunctious lad, Milo. He was tearing across the front walk and gardens respectively as he played in the sun with the rest of the boys of various ages. He seemed quite happy and blissfully unaware that his father had returned for a moment.
"Up to troublemaking again I see, little pup," said Lycidas with a smile on his face as he stood with his arm folded across his chest and a glint of mischief behind his eyes.
"Papa!" shouted the boy rushing to his father and forgoing the game if only for a moment.
Lycidas embraced his son and greeted him warmly as he turned his attention to the maidens tending to his young daughter who had reached the age of two years while he'd been away.
Mirna looked so much like her mother and had more or less the same attitude about life as her grandmother. As small as she was, she had seemed quite content in the arms of the maiden as Lycidas kissed her on top of the head and let her go on about her way.
Having seen his children, Lycidas was almost at ease from the tension that filled him ever since he stepped foot outside of Medina. Moving farther into the house and out into the gardens where his wife tended to various plants of different cultural origins, he found her as he had left her watering her plants alone and taking in the soft sounds of nature as she hummed a little tune to herself.
She'd been so busy with her flowers that she had not noticed her husband's return nor that he had stealthily made his way into the garden and wrapped his arms around her waist. She smiled when she felt his familiar embrace and leaned her head back against his chest. He towered above her in height but she wasn't a small lass by any means.
"Mmmm." she moaned loving the feel of him as he kissed her neck and shoulder in greeting. "It appears my dear husband was victorious once more and finally returned home."
"Indeed," replied Lycidas with a smile before planting another series of kisses along her shoulder.
He enjoyed the scent of his wife's fragrance and it in combination with the flowers was always a pleasant thing to experience. Mira took his hand in hers and moved it across her semi-bulging belly indicating that his last encounter with her before his departure resulted in yet another pregnancy which had been six months to term.
Lycidas was shocked and altogether proud that he'd managed to impregnate the woman he loved with their third child before venturing off to war. He pulled her close kissing her neck and running his free hand along her belly that housed their future son or daughter.
"Does it feel like a boy?" he asked not at all minding the idea of having a second son.
"I can never tell with your children," replied Mira wishing to be surprised at the birth as she had during her first two pregnancies.
The fast-growing child seemed delighted to hear the voice of its father for the first time and kicked against his hand to let him know that it had been there.
Lycidas smiled having visions of another strapping young lad to call son roughhousing with his elder brother or a formidable fiery lass for a daughter who would resemble her mother every bit as much as her sister did.
"Welcome home," said Mira kissing him once more before getting back to the business of watering her plants and summoning a servant girl.
Lycidas watched as his wife ordered her maiden servants to start a bath for him in a bid to get him cleaned and rested before the feast. As per her instruction, he followed the maidens to the washroom pleased to have a nice hot bath after days of being caked in dirt, sweat, blood, and musk.