3 years later
My size compared to others my age is slightly larger than most yet it isn't anything to note. I also have mastered how to read and write in their language yet so far all my work in this skill has yet to have been of any use.
Laurel has taught me much in gymnastics, dancing, and throwing none of which I have had any clue how to successfully do previously. While Anastasia who I see most often and have the closest relationship with has taught me much. She has taught me how to cook ancient cuisine and has also taught me about helot customs which are substantially different then spartan ones.
I still have not seen my father and this is the last year to see him. I am not saddened though as none of them are my real family. I've now lived here for 6 years yet I have not built any true friendships besides Anastasia, every night I remember my real family and how I miss them.
*Knock*
*Knock*
"Mother, do you want me to open the door?"
"Quickly"
I stand up and quickly go to the door being knocked and open it. A man stands and quickly enters with what possibly could be a tear going down his face even if it is though he quickly wipes the side of his face. The man wears a stubble with long blonde hair and fair skin. He has notably striking blue eyes that lock onto my own pair of eyes.
"I'm glad you look so excited, Darius you must've turned 30, yes?" Laurel enters from just around the corner and he immediately smiles.
"Yes my love, I have yearned for your touch ever since getting reprimanded!"
He then closes the door and picks me up.
"Tell me son what have I missed! I can see you have my hair and your mom's eyes." He tells me at eye level, allowing me to notice his many scars as he takes off his gear. I noticed an extremely long one from his shoulder all the way down to his wrist.
I then told my father everything he missed. Unlike Laurel, he seems to show more affection. Laurel eyes him to put me down, so he instead places his arm over my shoulder.
"You have been so successful; in a couple years you can achieve anything I'm sure of it" My father brings a wide grin and starts patting me on the back.
"He is going to the agoge next year" Mother interrupts, causing his face to flinch.
"That's fine, that just means this year will be special, I can do anything you want until that thing happens."
"Can you teach me how to use the spear and sword?"
"Of course, it's important for us to do this due to my permament stationing in the barracks. I've not been able to teach you and for us to share those happy expierences which is something I feel sorry. Unlike many other fathers in the barracks haha.. Laurel may I excuse myself"
"Yes, also once you go outside don't be so affirmative, we don't want to lose more of our family's honor by silliness."
"I know my dear"
He then takes me outside and shows me three weapons the 7ft spear, 16-inch spartan short sword known as Xiphos, and 25-inch curved sword known as the kopis.
"That's a kopis yes, What are they used for?" I say my interest peaked.
"Yes, my son, this is a kopis used for cutting meat and a great hacking and thrusting weapon. Which weapon would you like to use"?
"May I use the kopis"
"Of course, I am quite good with the kopis, don't tell anyone but I don't like the Xiphos short sword because sometimes I feel unprotected due to its shortness" he whispers in my ear for others to not hear and chuckles.
He then starts instructing me on how to use the kopis we use silver despite my young age because other citizens watch us with glances from what I can infer my family isn't that notable and my father getting caught sneaking out and having me while he probably was supposed to be in the barracks hasn't helped.
"You're not attacking quick and strong enough if others keep on viewing, they will question you privately lowering your possible social rank in the future... You don't want to be a spartan like me, son."
"I'm sorry Father I'll do better"
I then try hitting and thrusting harder with nods of approval being sensed by the spartan citizens passing by.
The young king King Agesipolis then approaches unaccompanied, many citizens look at him admiringly. In Spartan culture, maturity is reached at age 20 and so he is still under his regency for three more years. His regent must be allowing him to travel unaccompanied and as he is king to be.
Luckily for him, he is a first born born meaning he never has to or had to attend the agoge. Likely due to fear of the royal blood dying while attending the 10-year-long hell.
He replaced his father Pausanias just 2 years ago due to leading a horrible loss that shamed Sparta causing him to be exiled. He was already on rocky ground due to emplacing democracy back in Athens after the military general Lysander replaced their traditions with a pro-spartan autocracy. This brought outrage in Lysander's sphere of influence to which the other king Agesilaus belonged. Due to my knowledge of ancient Greece, the other king Agesilaus had a romantic relationship with the general and so he and the former king Pausanias were nemeses.
"Outside the barracks hmm." the young king comments to my father with, his well-fed muscles popping out in his red spartan cloak.
"Yes just training my boy young king" my father nods his head respectfully.
"It's best to leave the teaching to mentors which the boy is too young to receive. Yet he can already learn from his mother, Athena knows I learned much from my own!" The young king chuckles heartily at his ill advice.
"You must be right, King Agesipolis, is that all?" my father starts to noticeably sweat from his brow.
"No"
The young king then walks over to me and kicks me in the stomach with my father watching.
Kick…
Kick…
Kick…
Everything in my body hurts as I lay on the dirt in a fetal position praying for it to stop.
.
.
.
Why, just why am I here? What does that angel want from me?
"Now that is all. You were training your boy too lightly, every single time he trains he must return to his home with fresh bruises showing his work."
"I understand" My father clenches his fist behind his back as I slowly stand.
"Thank you King Agesipolis" I look him dead in the eye and his own eyes seem to open a little. This is why I'm here.. Place this country under my boot and will it into a utopia.