And not for glory or for family.
For petty fucking jealousy.
September 3, 9530 BC
"Careful, Highness, drink slowly."
Styxx groaned as someone lifted his head and gently poured water into his mouth. Then that person laid his head back so that he could see Galen's concerned, grizzled face. Of course Galen was the one tending him. Who else would bother?
His old tutor had a deep cut down his left cheek, but otherwise appeared whole.
Styxx squinted against the pain and brightness of the light coming in through heavy drapes. "The men?"
"About half survived."
Half?
Half ...
He winced at the mental pain of their loss. That news cut him far worse than the daggers the cowards had used on him. "Did you get the ones responsible?"
"Not enough of them. I did manage to capture one of the men who attacked you. I bled him dry and got some information from his traitorous tongue."
"And?"
"They were mercenaries. The coins used to pay them were from all the Greek city-states, including Didymos. You were their primary target. Our men were only a bonus." Galen pressed something into his uninjured hand then withdrew.
"Continue," Galen shouted.
Styxx's bed was lifted and moved forward. Galen had placed him inside a litter to be carried home. Grimacing in pain, he opened his hand to find Bethany's necklace in his palm. Thank the gods, Galen had saved it. Leave it to his mentor to know it would be important to him.
He held it to his heart and closed his eyes then thought of his men who'd been ambushed and killed. Anger consumed him that he'd let his guard lax. Why had he not been more vigilant? Armed? Why had he given them freedom to wench?
Because they'd finally made it home where they were supposed to be safe. These were the people they'd all fought and bled to protect.
Grief and agony shoved his anger aside. No one could be trusted. His uncle and father should have taught him that.
His own mother.
Would Bethany one day turn on him, too? The thought kicked him hard, but he refused to let these beasts destroy his faith in the only woman he'd ever loved.
Styxx rapped on the frame of his litter. After a few seconds, the men outside set it down.
In spite of the pain, he sat up. As he started to rise, Galen appeared by his side.
Galen scowled at him. "What are you doing?"
"I don't deserve to be carried."
"Highness-"
"I lapsed my guard and my men died for it. I will not lie here and be coddled when I should have died with them."
"Styxx!" Galen snapped, but Styxx refused to listen as he pushed himself to his feet and did his best not to stumble as he left the litter.
"My horse!" Styxx shouted.
Galen pulled him into his arms and held him close. "I know the pain you carry, ??????Ц??έvoς ??o?? ???ός," he whispered in Styxx's ear. My beloved son ...