19 AD

Sharp fire filled Helix's lungs as awareness crept upon him. Ever so slowly, he blinked in the grey morning light. His eyelids felt heavy as stone, as he struggled to join the awakening world. Something damp and sticky squelched and shifted beneath him. Far above, white-winged birds circled and flapped in the bluish grey backdrop of sky.

His head pounded mercilessly and threatened to pull him back into the black abyss of sleep. Spreading his hands Helix pushed down attempting to roll over, but cringed as his hands sunk into the sticky mess underneath of him. Finally, forcing his eyes to open regardless of the pain in his head, he realized where he was. He was laying in the mud of a drainage furrow.

Gritting his teeth, Helix slowly rolled over and lifted himself onto his elbows. Pausing, he tried to recall how he'd ended up here, mired in stinky, disgusting mud. Sliding and slipping in the black gunk, he finally made it to his feet. His head beat in protest. Using every ounce of will he had, Helix stumbled down the road toward the seaside.

Before he had made it even a few steps, he realized his pants had started sliding down. Tripping over the cuffs, Helix cursed colorfully, earning a stare from a nearby man making his own way toward the dock.  Pulling the offending cloth up, he tied the leather cords at the waist securing them.

Finally reaching the shoreline, Helix sighed with relief. Wading into the salty water he washed off as much of the stench as he could. The memories of drinking, and kissing... Helix shuddered. Sal had drugged him. She had kissed him!

Why?

Anger, hot and bright filled him. He was going to find her, and when he did he was going to... to what? He was following her, specifically because he wanted to know if she could teach him how to kill Zeus.

But will she even help me? Especially now. And why, why in all the names, of all the gods, did she kiss me?

The thought disturbed him greatly. Deciding to just ask Sal forthright if she would help him kill the god, he climbed out of the water and followed the path toward the inn. If she refused to help or tried to kiss him again, he could get back on a ship and return to his life. If she did help him... well then he would face that too.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Gone. The inn was gone, not just closed, but completely, bloody,  gone! Helix shook his head violently, trying to clear the still raging headache. He was certain the inn had been on this street.

Thinking that perhaps he was mistaken, Helix began combing up and down each road looking for the establishment, or any of the faces he had seen the night before. By noon he knew for a fact he was not going to find it. Through some trick, the building, and all of its patrons had vanished while he was passed out in that ditch.

Snarling at his own confusion, Helix strode back toward the docks. He would return to the guild. At most he'd be only a day or two behind his friends, and once he was back with them, it would be an end to this god killing, mad idea Sal had inspired. 

"Ready to go to Aquileia?" From behind him, the feminine voice purred ever so cheerfully. Helix whirled, and there she was. Sal, dressed in a man's linen trousers, a tight fighting brown tunic, and holding a leather bag over one shoulder smiled at him.

Stilling his mind, Helix forced his shoulders to square. "You drugged me. And you still want me to go with you to Aquileia?"

Soft laughter emanated from her, "But of course." She closed the distance between them, the twinkling in her eyes, causing Helix's muscles to tense. "Especially after our beautiful evening together."

"I woke up in a ditch!"

Her lower lip protruded slightly in a petulant pout. "Don't blame me for that!"

Sal reached out, rubbing her hand against his muscled chest. Even though he was only sixteen, Helix's body was bound with strong lean muscles, a by-product of his years as a sailor. Without permission, his body responded to her touch. Shivers not entirely unpleasant shot into his core.

Her hand stroked lower, hovering barely above his pants. "You said you wanted to walk after."

Blood drained out of his face as a horrible suspicion filled him. Straining against his pounding mind, he searched for any recollection after stumbling out of the inn the night before. It was all a foggy blank space.

"I told you to come back to my room, but you refused." Sal continued, her words sulky.

Her hand suddenly shifted, as if to slip into his pants. Helix grabbed her wrist yanking it up and away. Having lived in a port city for most of his life, and growing up around sailors, Helix had a fair amount of carnal knowledge. It was a rare night ashore that most of his friends, could not be found in some woman's bed. Some with wives or lovers, others just paid for a night at one of the many brothels. Helix had even been invited to join in once or twice, but the whole idea of having a woman touch him, was still awkward at best, and flat out disturbing most days.

Squeezing her wrist hard enough to make Sal gasp Helix held her away from him. "What. Did. You. Do?" Each snarling word came out as an individual.

"You were far more gentle with me last night," Sal complained as she twisted herself free of his grasp.

"What did we do!" Helix shouted at her.

A smile, filled with malicious intent lit the woman's face. "We ate, you drank, you left the inn, and I followed you." Sal's hand lifted in the air as if to brush his face, but Helix retreated a step to evade her touch. 

Her melodic voice surrounded him, driving the headache away and conjuring fractured images in his mind. "We fucked Helix." The words were distant as the broken memories flickered by.

Soft hands roved his body, caressing and, arousing him.  Sal's body moving against him, in time to her feral moans. Her body writhing over him as her face contorted with passion. Her tongue entwined with his as powerful sensations ripped through his being.

A stillness fell upon Helix as he stared in horror and shame at Sal. It was overwhelming. It was vile, she was vile! Every thought about why he had followed this, creature, ashore was replaced with loathing, anger and an overpowering feeling of vulnerability. He had not asked for this, had not wanted this. His crawling skin screamed at him to get away from her. Spinning on his heels, the no longer innocent sailor boy, turned to leave.

Sal's finely boned hand grabbed his shirtsleeve and pulled with enough force to trip him. As Helix regained his balance, anger exploded from him. "Get away from me witch!"

Her eyes widened in surprise. Then she laughed, heartily. "I am not a witch. But I did create them."

Helix sucked in a breath. Overwhelming. It was all too overwhelming.

"I don't care just let go and-"

She interrupted him "You told me that you want to join the Romans, in their great fools quest to grow their massive empire through battle. I want to find Ares. He is doubtless in the thick the conflict somewhere and you are going to help me to find him."

Before Helix could spit out his vehement objections, she cut him off again. "In exchange, I will grant you a single favor, of your choosing."

Helix blinked a few times, trying and failing, to process everything. He was silent for one minute, then two. Sal impishly tilted her head studying him.

"Surely you followed me to shore for a reason Helix?"

His mouth felt like sandpaper as he opened then closed it. Swallowing hard, he forced the night away from his thoughts, and answered, "Any favor? Anytime?"

Triumph twisted her lips upward. "Any single favor, at any time you ask it."

Helix's eyes hardened slightly. "Swear it. On something you actually care about."

"Oh ho. The sailor learns." Her light tone turned serious as she said, "I swear on my freedom and sight, that as long as you help me find Ares, I will complete one favor for you Helix."

The air, momentarily shifted between them, growing noticeably thicker then returned to normal. Helix ground his teeth for a moment before nodding. "Okay."

The woman smiled brightly and stepped forward to take his arm in hers. Helix stepped back snarling quickly. "Touching me is not part of any deal. Do so again and you can find Ares on your own, my favor be damn."

*~*~*~*~*~*

Aquileia city was like nothing Helix had ever laid eyes on before. Even the memories of his home city and fathers palace did not compare. The river dock was an intricate, white stone structure with two levels,  connected to each other and the main road, by paved staircases. Exotic shipments of silk, herbs, slaves, and animals were being loaded and unloaded across the expanse. Imperial Roman guards were stationed at frequent intervals keeping a watchful eye on all that transpired.

Following a few paces behind Sal, Helix did not know where to look first. Stone temples to all of the roman and most of the Greek gods stood tall and glimmering, towering over the surrounding homes and establishments. Carved marble statues, half as tall as the temples themselves, designated to which of the many gods each holy place was dedicated to.

The main city road, winding inward like the tail of some great sea serpent, was so wide six chariots could easily traverse side by side. Or rather they could have, if not for the many fountains, pools, and gardens slicing through the center of the wide thorough fair. Flowing willows and flowering trees lent their shade to the traversing citizens.

Market carts and booths spread so many swirling scents around him. Tangy spices blended into prepared food, like bread and sweets, which slowly overtook the gut-churning fishy smells as they traveled farther up the twisting turning road.

"There is a boarding house ahead where we can settle in," Sal spoke over the clatter of nearby wheels passing by.

Helix stopped, waited for the red and gold ornate carriage to continue on its way, before replying, "No."

The redhead stopped as well, looking over her shoulder at him. "No?"

"I am going to find my own lodgings. We can meet somewhere tomorrow."

She pouted, "But it is barely midday. You are going to spend the rest of the day alone?"

"Yes!" He snapped his expression stony, his eyes guarded. "Where will you be tomorrow?"

She sighed heavily through her nose. "Ares temple."

Helix nodded once then walked past her continuing further in. "I'll be there after breakfast."

To his relief, Sal let him go without any further comment. The journey upriver, in such close proximity to her, had been uncomfortable. One small boat was not enough space between them. Truth be told a whole city was not enough space. Stubbornly shoving his anger and disgust of her, deep down inside, Helix continued to explore the city.

Smaller streets branched off the main thoroughfare. Helix followed a few of the branching roads, taking note of his turns so as not to get lost. The impressive stonework, that showed quality and detail even on the poor houses, amazed Helix. A small flicker of peace passed through him. In spite of his rather complicated and unusual problems of late, this city made him feel like maybe, just maybe things would still work out.

As evening drew closer Helix found himself buying fresh bread and some type of spiced meat on a stick from the food booths. Sitting in the shade of a particularly large willow he enjoyed his meal.

The meat, sliced into chunks and skewered between some type of pepper was juicy, and as he finished Helix found himself wishing he'd bought two. His money pouch would not last forever though and knowing that he moved on to the bread. Crunchy on the outside, but soft and warm in the center. The bread was surprisingly just as delicious and enjoyable as the meat.

For a while after he finished Helix just sat and watched the people pass by. Everyone he saw looked well fed, healthy. Even the slaves looked cared for. Across the street, his eyes fell on a pair of city guards who moved through the crowds. They shared a laugh about something Helix had not heard. Seeing the moment as an opportunity he stood, slung his small bag over his shoulder then approached the pair.

The taller of the two, a dark-haired man with obviously powerful muscles seeming to be barely contained within his leather armor, saw him approaching first and exchanged an impatient glance with his fellow, "What can we do for you boy?"

"I," Helix hesitated for only a moment, "Where can I sign up for recruitment?"

Eyes roving him from head to foot, the other man, a thinner blond with unremarkable blue eyes, grinned. "Your accent is unusual. Where are you from?"

"Elis, sir."

"Really?" The man made a humming sound then shrugged. "Recruitment is done at the barracks just outside Consul Marcus's estate."

"Thank you."

The blond nodded to him before the guards moved on, leaving Helix still looking on. At least now he had another piece of the puzzle. The next piece? To find a place to spend the night and then Ares temple.

*~*~*~*~*~*

This was supposedly the cheapest inn in this section of the city. To Helix, it was one of the most expensive lodgings he'd ever paid for. It was also the nicest. One whole room was his for the night.

Helix stood for a good minute and a half turning in place as he took in the room. The room was more like a small furnished home. It had a richly adorned feather bed big enough to fit three or four people comfortably. Dark drapes covered the wide windows which overlooked a garden at the back of the inn. Sitting at the very back of the room was a door. Crossing to it, Helix opened the partition. It was a bathing chamber. An ornate bathing chamber with an inset bath.

The appeal of the bath was so strong. Dropping his bag on the bed he quickly began pulling his clothes off. Going to the already filled bath he slipped into the tepid water. It smelled of some kind of flowery oil. Helix did not mind.

After resting in the water for awhile he began scrubbing his skin with one of the soap bars sitting on the edge of the pool. The feeling was, indescribable. The last time he had a real bath was well over a month ago. As he scrubbed he could not help his mind wandering.

Ares temple had been easy to find. He knew where he'd be going in the morning and thanks to the city guards, he knew how to find out about recruitment. Only one question left, how to find the god of war in the flesh so he could force Sal to help him kill Zeus if such a thing was even possible? With that one thought his mind wandered, where he wished it would not.

Darkness, Sal's hands caressing him.

With a disturbed growl, Helix dropped the soap and stood, leaving the pool behind. Drying himself with one of the soft, thick towels he walked back into the main bedchamber.

Glancing at his discarded clothes Helix grimaced. He had no wish to put the filthy garments back on. Making a decision he bolted the door then crawled naked into the soft bed. Sleep claimed him within moments.

*~*~*~*~*~*

The morning was fair and bright. Light filtered across the hard marble face of Ares. From this angle, at the feet of the mighty god, the expression on the statues face looked unyielding and angry.

A perfect pair. Helix thought mildly. He'd told Sal after breakfast, but had risen and arrived at the temple right as dawn struck. He had no intention of letting Sal get the upper hand on him again. Although, he had a suspicion that if she wanted to trap him in something, it wouldn't matter if he arrived early to learn his surroundings or arrived late and blind.

"Have you come to worship?"

Helix looked toward the voice. A short man dressed in robes, carrying a symbolic torch and leading a giant hound stood at the top step of the temple.

"No, sir. Just waiting for a friend."

"Ah." The man's eyes studied him intently. So intently that Helix began shifting from one foot to the other. "You seem troubled. Embrace it. Release your troubles on the world young one." With that the priest walked past him down the stairs and out into the street, vanishing from view as he turned the corner.

Helix shook his head at the man's strangeness. Priests he had learned, were always strange, regardless of what country or temple one visited.

True to her word Sal met him just after breakfast hours. "I was afraid you weren't going to come."

Her beautiful sing-song voice had Helix's nerves instantly on edge as he replied, "We have a bargain. Where do we start?"

She came and stood next to him, although thankfully not to close, and looked up at Ares's statue. "He looks nothing like this."
Helix remained silent, the pain in her voice shocking. "We start by getting you into imperial training, and then, we have you sent out to where your skill will catch Ares attention."

"It will? I'm not that great of a fighter."

Her emerald eyes turned on him. A strange fire sparkled there. "You will be when I am through with you, Helix."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This chapter is dedicated to Sim-AntinI! Thank you for reading, voting and giving me awesome feedback!

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