Post by Astinos on Mar 23, 2007 13:31:09 GMT -5
"She now has one right, the right of my Royal protection and you will act as such. Is this understood?"
Astinos lifted his chin, his lips forming a flat line. He must choose his next words carefully. He had no quarrel with Leonidas nor did he wish to risk creating a problem for his father or mother. At the same time he had been trained never to back down. The King's nephew knew this. He was baiting him. Astinos was far from clever but he understood the threat posed from Pausanias. The fire of anger ran through his veins, filling his heart with the desire to cut this man down where he stood. He fought against his urges. He would never submit to one such as Pausanias. He who was no more skilled than a woman, even less so. Smartly, the boy held his tongue.
"I am sorry," she admitted with a very brief smile. "This was not at all what I intended, and I do wish you believed that."
"Nor I." The boy said, his dark eyes flashing briefly upon the laughing hyena in front of him before returning to meet her gaze. There was nothing he could do for her now. She had accepted the immoral one's protection.
"Thank you for your help, Astinos."
He spared the young Persian woman a glance when she moved to stand in submission next to Pausanias. The move nearly threatened to undo his failing control. It angered him far more than expected to see her with Pausanias. He could feel his patience with the entire situation leaving him. His knuckles turned white as his grip tightened on his sword. Inside his mouth filled with blood as he bit into the soft tip of his tongue to keep it from revealing his thoughts. His jaw clenched tightly. Though he did not speak.
"It would not be in your best interest then to do me harm, for even your father could not save you from Leonidas' wrath and that of a grieving Sparta. So, keep your sword, and yourself, in place. The reputation of Sparta is at stake!"
"Yes, Astinos and Dienekes, I understand you act in the name of Sparta, but I know my uncle. I do not think he would approve of such mistreatment of this woman, even if she is not a Spartan."
It filled him with pride to hear of how well his respected comrade thought of him, hearing those words almost made having to breath in Pausanias' stench worthwhile. It did not appease his anger, only the silence of his sword cutting the air would do that now. His eyes followed the beauty and her champion as a scowl formed on his youthful face. It disgusted him to think of her innocence being taken by such a man. A man with no intention of courting her or offering the protection of his name. He had ruined many a maiden in Sparta. Astinos had to wonder if there would be any left for him.
"Save your considerable strength for my sword and shield, Dienekes, my friend. There is nothing this man can say that affects me," Astinos spoke loud enough for all present to hear it, including the Royal and his new toy, for Astinos knew that was his intention. The realization had tinged his words with more venom than intended but irregardless he knew well that he had gotten his point across. Astinos turned his back on Pausanias, a clear indication of how he felt about the man, "Come my friends. I seek violence."
Astinos lifted his chin, his lips forming a flat line. He must choose his next words carefully. He had no quarrel with Leonidas nor did he wish to risk creating a problem for his father or mother. At the same time he had been trained never to back down. The King's nephew knew this. He was baiting him. Astinos was far from clever but he understood the threat posed from Pausanias. The fire of anger ran through his veins, filling his heart with the desire to cut this man down where he stood. He fought against his urges. He would never submit to one such as Pausanias. He who was no more skilled than a woman, even less so. Smartly, the boy held his tongue.
"I am sorry," she admitted with a very brief smile. "This was not at all what I intended, and I do wish you believed that."
"Nor I." The boy said, his dark eyes flashing briefly upon the laughing hyena in front of him before returning to meet her gaze. There was nothing he could do for her now. She had accepted the immoral one's protection.
"Thank you for your help, Astinos."
He spared the young Persian woman a glance when she moved to stand in submission next to Pausanias. The move nearly threatened to undo his failing control. It angered him far more than expected to see her with Pausanias. He could feel his patience with the entire situation leaving him. His knuckles turned white as his grip tightened on his sword. Inside his mouth filled with blood as he bit into the soft tip of his tongue to keep it from revealing his thoughts. His jaw clenched tightly. Though he did not speak.
"It would not be in your best interest then to do me harm, for even your father could not save you from Leonidas' wrath and that of a grieving Sparta. So, keep your sword, and yourself, in place. The reputation of Sparta is at stake!"
"Yes, Astinos and Dienekes, I understand you act in the name of Sparta, but I know my uncle. I do not think he would approve of such mistreatment of this woman, even if she is not a Spartan."
It filled him with pride to hear of how well his respected comrade thought of him, hearing those words almost made having to breath in Pausanias' stench worthwhile. It did not appease his anger, only the silence of his sword cutting the air would do that now. His eyes followed the beauty and her champion as a scowl formed on his youthful face. It disgusted him to think of her innocence being taken by such a man. A man with no intention of courting her or offering the protection of his name. He had ruined many a maiden in Sparta. Astinos had to wonder if there would be any left for him.
"Save your considerable strength for my sword and shield, Dienekes, my friend. There is nothing this man can say that affects me," Astinos spoke loud enough for all present to hear it, including the Royal and his new toy, for Astinos knew that was his intention. The realization had tinged his words with more venom than intended but irregardless he knew well that he had gotten his point across. Astinos turned his back on Pausanias, a clear indication of how he felt about the man, "Come my friends. I seek violence."