Thread: Bride of Krypteia {Prince of Smut x LingeringDesire}

Her sword lowered, Thyreos could now study this woman more clearly and she was definitely the one he remembered. She had those striking green eyes, full of fire and energy, that were hard to forget. Her face, now that her long black hair no longer covered it, was equally memorable. A mix of strong features, high cheekbones and full lips that Thyreos had thought extremely attractive as a student in the agoges. Now, flushed red from fighting and emotion, with her eyes angry and piercing, Thyreos found her quite striking. She was like a hawk screaming at a larger predator as it stood over a rabbit it had just caught, defiant, deadly, and beautiful. What game do you play dressing as a Helot to bait your fellow Spartan to dishonor! countered Thyreos, letting his eyes flash as his anger and grief spilled out. Headstrong and arrogant or not, Androcles had been a friend and Thyreos was still trying to unsee the evidence of Androcle's last dishonorable act before his death. Right or wrong, Helots are Spartan property. We hunt them in the Krypteia for the good of Sparta, to kill the most rebellious and keep the rest in fear. This is no act of cruel pleasure. It is my duty . Thyreos let the words ring out, passion fueling them as he spoke what he believed to be the truth. I-I don't know what Androcles was doing, but I know he wouldn't have touched you if he knew you were Spartan, continued Thyreos, steeling himself and setting his jaw. You baited him by attacking him. He was headstrong, yes, his blood lies on you and whatever stupid, foolish game you tried to play tonight. I will take my brother Spartan, growled Thyreos as he stooped to shoulder Androcles' heavy body. It would be a long, cold walk home tonight, but he would carry Androcles without a cart or horse as penance and mourning. He would not want his body here, in the home of you who would be our Sister Spartan. The last words Thyreos spit out, glaring at the woman. Attractive or not, she was clearly evil and Thyreos vowed he would never let his hatred for this arrogant woman fade. He was tired now, cold and sad. The adrenaline of battle had faded leaving him drained and full of grief more than anger. He would leave, but never forget. I will make sure the Krypteia know what you have done tonight. You will be punished, and I hope by my own hand. You are a stupid, foolish girl that needs to grow up. ---------------- Instead of punishment for her, the Krypteia seemed to view Thyreos as being the one at fault for letting Androcles make a rash decision. Although he was obliquely told that she had been talked to and reparations were to be made to Androcles' family, Thyreos' honesty about Androcles appearing to have been in mid-rape seemed to free the evil woman of any accusation of guilt. That admission of Androcles' intent to rape had been a struggle for Thyreos. He could have easily have denied that Androcles had been killed for such a reason, leaving blame to be placed squarely on the woman. But, honesty had prevailed and truthfully it had been disquieting for Thyreos to have seen his friend in such dishonor, especially with what turned out to be a Spartan woman. Let Androcles' sin be a lesson to others, and indeed it was as gossip soon spread through the army about that fateful night. And if there was a forthcoming punishment for the woman, which the Krypteia leaders had alluded to Thyreos several times, Thyreos never saw it. Indeed, within a month he saw her at the Fertility festival, although he studiously avoided looking at or talking to her. She even seemed to get sympathy and respect from many of the other woman in attendance, which made the young soldier only more inflamed. Instead of a night of joy, dancing, and wine, Thyreos left early and alone, content to walk the ridge by his barracks in the full moon and seethe in his anger. The next morning, Ephor Lycurgus sought him out and gave him stunning and unexpected news. A match had been arranged and Thyreos was to be wed in two weeks, on the night of the empty moon. Arranged by a respected elder as Lycurgus, such a marriage was a high honor and likely a high status bride. Like all soldiers, Thyreos had hoped for a wife. Even though he had years of military service still left before he could settle into a Kleros with his bride, consummating the marriage was a pleasure that any man would look forward to. Perhaps his failure to control Androcles that fateful night wasn't going to be a stain on his career. Surely Lycurgus himself wouldn't have found Thyreos a bride if he was not viewed as still a high potential soldier, a future leader! Thyreos couldn't wait to enjoy his reward.