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Chaossis was not a place that he visited often, in fact most of his time had been spent at the various military camps, training. Today though was a special day for him, and the usually quiet and calm Maleos could not help the smile that was on his face as he walked the road into the city, his father and mother trailed slightly behind him, not quite able to keep up with the walking speed of an excited youth. Maleos had been saving every coin he had earned from doing work for friends of his father’s, and the small amount the military paid him, and today his parents had been making a trip in to Chaossis and had promised him he could come and spend his money. Maleos knew exactly what he wanted, he had been dreaming of it since he was little. Or rather, he knew he wanted a real weapon, he hadn’t decided what kind of weapon he wanted exactly. He loved weapons in general, and he had made himself wooden versions of every single weapon he could think of, taking inspiration from what the Greek armies tended to use. He had of course used the training weapons the military provided, but it was not the same as having his own.
His hope was to be able to afford a Doru, mainly because he thought they were cool. Though if he could, he would have preferred a Kopis, because it was his favourite blade and he thought it would be more fun to have, and would be nicer to look at. His parents told him not to get his hopes up too much, that he might not have enough to buy exactly what he wanted, and he may have to settle for something that he could afford. He understood, but he couldn’t help but get his hopes up just a little bit.
His parents had some things to attend to in Chaossis, and so they had instructed the fifteen year old to stay to the market area, and when he was done, he was to wait for them by the gates. He was not to wander about and get himself lost or get in any trouble. Lucky for them, Maleos was an obedient boy, the same could not be said for all of this siblings, hence why he was the only one of their children who had been allowed to join them on their trip out of Eubocris that day while the others had to stay at home and watch their father’s pottery business.
He gave his parents a quick farewell, and confirmed the plans of where he was to meet them for what felt like the hundredth time before they went their separate ways. Young Maleos looked around, he didn’t even know where to start looking for a good weaponsmith. He had never purchased one, nor had his father, so he didn’t actually know the first thing about purchasing one. Yet, armed with determination and knowledge on weapons that he had acquired from various books, the fifteen year old set off into the market crowd. His brown-green eyes scanned the market stalls as he walked, taking his time to find the right one.
When he spotted the shine of metal in the bright summer sun, he practically ran through the crowd, luckily he was still skinny enough to weave through people with no problem. This was the place, that was for sure, various weapons were on display and the young boy stood there and stared at each one, carefully taking in every curve of the blade, every detail to the handles. He was lost in awe, seeing a real sword up this close, the reality of owning his own so close at hand, it made Maleos forget that he actually needed to speak with a shop owner about purchasing one. Instead he just stood there, staring at the various swords on display.
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Chaossis was not a place that he visited often, in fact most of his time had been spent at the various military camps, training. Today though was a special day for him, and the usually quiet and calm Maleos could not help the smile that was on his face as he walked the road into the city, his father and mother trailed slightly behind him, not quite able to keep up with the walking speed of an excited youth. Maleos had been saving every coin he had earned from doing work for friends of his father’s, and the small amount the military paid him, and today his parents had been making a trip in to Chaossis and had promised him he could come and spend his money. Maleos knew exactly what he wanted, he had been dreaming of it since he was little. Or rather, he knew he wanted a real weapon, he hadn’t decided what kind of weapon he wanted exactly. He loved weapons in general, and he had made himself wooden versions of every single weapon he could think of, taking inspiration from what the Greek armies tended to use. He had of course used the training weapons the military provided, but it was not the same as having his own.
His hope was to be able to afford a Doru, mainly because he thought they were cool. Though if he could, he would have preferred a Kopis, because it was his favourite blade and he thought it would be more fun to have, and would be nicer to look at. His parents told him not to get his hopes up too much, that he might not have enough to buy exactly what he wanted, and he may have to settle for something that he could afford. He understood, but he couldn’t help but get his hopes up just a little bit.
His parents had some things to attend to in Chaossis, and so they had instructed the fifteen year old to stay to the market area, and when he was done, he was to wait for them by the gates. He was not to wander about and get himself lost or get in any trouble. Lucky for them, Maleos was an obedient boy, the same could not be said for all of this siblings, hence why he was the only one of their children who had been allowed to join them on their trip out of Eubocris that day while the others had to stay at home and watch their father’s pottery business.
He gave his parents a quick farewell, and confirmed the plans of where he was to meet them for what felt like the hundredth time before they went their separate ways. Young Maleos looked around, he didn’t even know where to start looking for a good weaponsmith. He had never purchased one, nor had his father, so he didn’t actually know the first thing about purchasing one. Yet, armed with determination and knowledge on weapons that he had acquired from various books, the fifteen year old set off into the market crowd. His brown-green eyes scanned the market stalls as he walked, taking his time to find the right one.
When he spotted the shine of metal in the bright summer sun, he practically ran through the crowd, luckily he was still skinny enough to weave through people with no problem. This was the place, that was for sure, various weapons were on display and the young boy stood there and stared at each one, carefully taking in every curve of the blade, every detail to the handles. He was lost in awe, seeing a real sword up this close, the reality of owning his own so close at hand, it made Maleos forget that he actually needed to speak with a shop owner about purchasing one. Instead he just stood there, staring at the various swords on display.
Chaossis was not a place that he visited often, in fact most of his time had been spent at the various military camps, training. Today though was a special day for him, and the usually quiet and calm Maleos could not help the smile that was on his face as he walked the road into the city, his father and mother trailed slightly behind him, not quite able to keep up with the walking speed of an excited youth. Maleos had been saving every coin he had earned from doing work for friends of his father’s, and the small amount the military paid him, and today his parents had been making a trip in to Chaossis and had promised him he could come and spend his money. Maleos knew exactly what he wanted, he had been dreaming of it since he was little. Or rather, he knew he wanted a real weapon, he hadn’t decided what kind of weapon he wanted exactly. He loved weapons in general, and he had made himself wooden versions of every single weapon he could think of, taking inspiration from what the Greek armies tended to use. He had of course used the training weapons the military provided, but it was not the same as having his own.
His hope was to be able to afford a Doru, mainly because he thought they were cool. Though if he could, he would have preferred a Kopis, because it was his favourite blade and he thought it would be more fun to have, and would be nicer to look at. His parents told him not to get his hopes up too much, that he might not have enough to buy exactly what he wanted, and he may have to settle for something that he could afford. He understood, but he couldn’t help but get his hopes up just a little bit.
His parents had some things to attend to in Chaossis, and so they had instructed the fifteen year old to stay to the market area, and when he was done, he was to wait for them by the gates. He was not to wander about and get himself lost or get in any trouble. Lucky for them, Maleos was an obedient boy, the same could not be said for all of this siblings, hence why he was the only one of their children who had been allowed to join them on their trip out of Eubocris that day while the others had to stay at home and watch their father’s pottery business.
He gave his parents a quick farewell, and confirmed the plans of where he was to meet them for what felt like the hundredth time before they went their separate ways. Young Maleos looked around, he didn’t even know where to start looking for a good weaponsmith. He had never purchased one, nor had his father, so he didn’t actually know the first thing about purchasing one. Yet, armed with determination and knowledge on weapons that he had acquired from various books, the fifteen year old set off into the market crowd. His brown-green eyes scanned the market stalls as he walked, taking his time to find the right one.
When he spotted the shine of metal in the bright summer sun, he practically ran through the crowd, luckily he was still skinny enough to weave through people with no problem. This was the place, that was for sure, various weapons were on display and the young boy stood there and stared at each one, carefully taking in every curve of the blade, every detail to the handles. He was lost in awe, seeing a real sword up this close, the reality of owning his own so close at hand, it made Maleos forget that he actually needed to speak with a shop owner about purchasing one. Instead he just stood there, staring at the various swords on display.
Market Day in Chaossis was not nearly as bad as during the off season, as many of the soldiers were away at their trainings high in the Kirakles mountains. That left plenty of time for Nifakis and Eudora to restock their wares as best as possible before the phalanx returned and the new recruits needed the tools of their trade.
Taking advantage of the slower day, Eudora took the time to hunt for supplies at the vendor stalls - bread, cheese, and other basics - as well as just to take her time away from the forge. From where she sat beneath the threaded canopy of the stall, she could hear the roaring of the forge through the doorway, hotter than the already overbearing sun that beat down on the paving stones around them.
That was not to say that sitting beneath the canopy was leisure. Instead, she found herself engrossed in the tedious task of binding the hilt of a long, thin knife with leather in a unique, delicately braided design. Every now and then, her father would let her do this to one of the smaller, more ornamental blades they created, knowing that the eventual purchaser would probably live upon a mantle or in a desk drawer rather than on a battlefield. It helped to pass the time on slower days like this, when the bronze was already polished to a gleam that would catch the attention of Apollo.
Engrossed in her design and her vision shrouded by her thick, course curls, it took her a short while to notice the young man who approached the stand. Her hands stilled on the sword, careful not to lose her place in the intricate woven design, but she watched as the sun reflected off the metal and into his eyes as he looked on the weapons. There were many young men her age who were fascinated by her parents profession, or actually, their products, and she took a small amount of pride in her knowledge of weaponry in comparison to those men.
It was not very becoming for her to correct them when they made errors about the kinds of blades and how they would use them in their imaginary battles, but then again, at this point in her young life, she had no interest in the attention of boys. They were crude, smelled strange, and tragically were all at least a half foot if not more shorter than her.
"You can touch them, you know," she said, smirking at him as he gawked, "Just don't go swinging them around. And don't hold onto the shiny end." Seeing that he was shocked out of his reverie, likely of dying on the battlefield in sand and blood, she couldn't help but laugh. Though she was only fourteen, she had seen this plenty of times before. Setting a ledger on top of the unfinished braid so as to hold the weave in place, she hopped down off her stool and leaned against the stall counter. "Do you like them curved or straight?"
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Market Day in Chaossis was not nearly as bad as during the off season, as many of the soldiers were away at their trainings high in the Kirakles mountains. That left plenty of time for Nifakis and Eudora to restock their wares as best as possible before the phalanx returned and the new recruits needed the tools of their trade.
Taking advantage of the slower day, Eudora took the time to hunt for supplies at the vendor stalls - bread, cheese, and other basics - as well as just to take her time away from the forge. From where she sat beneath the threaded canopy of the stall, she could hear the roaring of the forge through the doorway, hotter than the already overbearing sun that beat down on the paving stones around them.
That was not to say that sitting beneath the canopy was leisure. Instead, she found herself engrossed in the tedious task of binding the hilt of a long, thin knife with leather in a unique, delicately braided design. Every now and then, her father would let her do this to one of the smaller, more ornamental blades they created, knowing that the eventual purchaser would probably live upon a mantle or in a desk drawer rather than on a battlefield. It helped to pass the time on slower days like this, when the bronze was already polished to a gleam that would catch the attention of Apollo.
Engrossed in her design and her vision shrouded by her thick, course curls, it took her a short while to notice the young man who approached the stand. Her hands stilled on the sword, careful not to lose her place in the intricate woven design, but she watched as the sun reflected off the metal and into his eyes as he looked on the weapons. There were many young men her age who were fascinated by her parents profession, or actually, their products, and she took a small amount of pride in her knowledge of weaponry in comparison to those men.
It was not very becoming for her to correct them when they made errors about the kinds of blades and how they would use them in their imaginary battles, but then again, at this point in her young life, she had no interest in the attention of boys. They were crude, smelled strange, and tragically were all at least a half foot if not more shorter than her.
"You can touch them, you know," she said, smirking at him as he gawked, "Just don't go swinging them around. And don't hold onto the shiny end." Seeing that he was shocked out of his reverie, likely of dying on the battlefield in sand and blood, she couldn't help but laugh. Though she was only fourteen, she had seen this plenty of times before. Setting a ledger on top of the unfinished braid so as to hold the weave in place, she hopped down off her stool and leaned against the stall counter. "Do you like them curved or straight?"
Market Day in Chaossis was not nearly as bad as during the off season, as many of the soldiers were away at their trainings high in the Kirakles mountains. That left plenty of time for Nifakis and Eudora to restock their wares as best as possible before the phalanx returned and the new recruits needed the tools of their trade.
Taking advantage of the slower day, Eudora took the time to hunt for supplies at the vendor stalls - bread, cheese, and other basics - as well as just to take her time away from the forge. From where she sat beneath the threaded canopy of the stall, she could hear the roaring of the forge through the doorway, hotter than the already overbearing sun that beat down on the paving stones around them.
That was not to say that sitting beneath the canopy was leisure. Instead, she found herself engrossed in the tedious task of binding the hilt of a long, thin knife with leather in a unique, delicately braided design. Every now and then, her father would let her do this to one of the smaller, more ornamental blades they created, knowing that the eventual purchaser would probably live upon a mantle or in a desk drawer rather than on a battlefield. It helped to pass the time on slower days like this, when the bronze was already polished to a gleam that would catch the attention of Apollo.
Engrossed in her design and her vision shrouded by her thick, course curls, it took her a short while to notice the young man who approached the stand. Her hands stilled on the sword, careful not to lose her place in the intricate woven design, but she watched as the sun reflected off the metal and into his eyes as he looked on the weapons. There were many young men her age who were fascinated by her parents profession, or actually, their products, and she took a small amount of pride in her knowledge of weaponry in comparison to those men.
It was not very becoming for her to correct them when they made errors about the kinds of blades and how they would use them in their imaginary battles, but then again, at this point in her young life, she had no interest in the attention of boys. They were crude, smelled strange, and tragically were all at least a half foot if not more shorter than her.
"You can touch them, you know," she said, smirking at him as he gawked, "Just don't go swinging them around. And don't hold onto the shiny end." Seeing that he was shocked out of his reverie, likely of dying on the battlefield in sand and blood, she couldn't help but laugh. Though she was only fourteen, she had seen this plenty of times before. Setting a ledger on top of the unfinished braid so as to hold the weave in place, she hopped down off her stool and leaned against the stall counter. "Do you like them curved or straight?"
Maleos stood there for a while, lost in his thoughts as he stared at the various metal blades, fresh and polished they gleamed so bright he could almost imagine that belonged to the Gods. In reality, it was the rose coloured glasses of a boy who had a major passion for all things combat, but to the fifteen year old at the moment, he had never seen anything more beautiful than the finely crafted weaponry on display in front of him. In fact, he had been so lost in his own world while staring at them that he had almost missed the voice that spoke to him. It took him a few seconds before the words registered and he realized that the young girl had been speaking to him.
He looked up, his face the definition of unimpressed, he fumbled to find his words. He was not used to speaking with anyone other than his family, and definitely not used to speaking with someone who seemed to think he was dumb enough to grab a sword by the blade.
“I know how to hold a sword.” He managed to say, his face turning a slight red. Maleos had never been great with people, and he found himself wishing that he had asked his father to come with him to the weapon stall so he could do the talking. Being a potter, his father knew how to talk to people, how to be charismatic and sell his wares. Maleos knew how to haul the clay and heavy finished pottery around for his father, and haul wood in for his kiln. He was good with his strength, he was not very good with his words.
Yet he was already there, alone, and he wasn’t going to just leave empty handed. He had been dreaming of owning his own weapon since he was old enough to know what a weapon was. He had noticed their wares consisted of mostly blades, so he supposed getting a spear was out of the question unless he decided to go somewhere else. The practical side of him knew that he should probably go look for a spear, it was his main weapon when he joined the military, at least until he was a higher rank. The other half of him though, wanted a sword more than anything.
He internally debated for a moment, and he decided to indulge himself. He had worked hard to earn the money that he had, so he wanted to buy something that he really wanted, even if it wasn’t the most practical of weapons to start with. He still had his homemade spear to practice with, and the training ones they provided him.
“I prefer a Xiphos, if you have any with a midrib that would be even better.” He said simply, she talked to him as if she didn’t think he knew anything about weapons. Perhaps it was because he was young, but she seemed to be around his age so it didn’t make much sense if that was the reason. He wondered if they had a lot of people come by to look at weapons who held no knowledge on the topic. He supposed it was entirely possible. He had heard of rich people and nobility having weapons that were purchased only for display purposes. He couldn’t imagine having that kind of money, or why one would spend the money on a weapon if it was not going to be used.
“What material are your hilts made of?” He asked, having a preference. He wanted to see if she knew, but mostly he wanted to see if they had the material he was looking for. He wasn’t sure how picky he could afford to be, and he really didn’t want to return home without a sword, but he didn’t want to spend his hard earned money on something that he wasn’t happy with or didn’t feel right for him to use.
“I should introduce myself. I am Maleos, of Eubocris.” He said, suddenly realizing he was being fairly rude by not actually introducing himself to her. He looked around a little and wondered where her parents were, not having seen anyone else at the market stall aside from her.
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Maleos stood there for a while, lost in his thoughts as he stared at the various metal blades, fresh and polished they gleamed so bright he could almost imagine that belonged to the Gods. In reality, it was the rose coloured glasses of a boy who had a major passion for all things combat, but to the fifteen year old at the moment, he had never seen anything more beautiful than the finely crafted weaponry on display in front of him. In fact, he had been so lost in his own world while staring at them that he had almost missed the voice that spoke to him. It took him a few seconds before the words registered and he realized that the young girl had been speaking to him.
He looked up, his face the definition of unimpressed, he fumbled to find his words. He was not used to speaking with anyone other than his family, and definitely not used to speaking with someone who seemed to think he was dumb enough to grab a sword by the blade.
“I know how to hold a sword.” He managed to say, his face turning a slight red. Maleos had never been great with people, and he found himself wishing that he had asked his father to come with him to the weapon stall so he could do the talking. Being a potter, his father knew how to talk to people, how to be charismatic and sell his wares. Maleos knew how to haul the clay and heavy finished pottery around for his father, and haul wood in for his kiln. He was good with his strength, he was not very good with his words.
Yet he was already there, alone, and he wasn’t going to just leave empty handed. He had been dreaming of owning his own weapon since he was old enough to know what a weapon was. He had noticed their wares consisted of mostly blades, so he supposed getting a spear was out of the question unless he decided to go somewhere else. The practical side of him knew that he should probably go look for a spear, it was his main weapon when he joined the military, at least until he was a higher rank. The other half of him though, wanted a sword more than anything.
He internally debated for a moment, and he decided to indulge himself. He had worked hard to earn the money that he had, so he wanted to buy something that he really wanted, even if it wasn’t the most practical of weapons to start with. He still had his homemade spear to practice with, and the training ones they provided him.
“I prefer a Xiphos, if you have any with a midrib that would be even better.” He said simply, she talked to him as if she didn’t think he knew anything about weapons. Perhaps it was because he was young, but she seemed to be around his age so it didn’t make much sense if that was the reason. He wondered if they had a lot of people come by to look at weapons who held no knowledge on the topic. He supposed it was entirely possible. He had heard of rich people and nobility having weapons that were purchased only for display purposes. He couldn’t imagine having that kind of money, or why one would spend the money on a weapon if it was not going to be used.
“What material are your hilts made of?” He asked, having a preference. He wanted to see if she knew, but mostly he wanted to see if they had the material he was looking for. He wasn’t sure how picky he could afford to be, and he really didn’t want to return home without a sword, but he didn’t want to spend his hard earned money on something that he wasn’t happy with or didn’t feel right for him to use.
“I should introduce myself. I am Maleos, of Eubocris.” He said, suddenly realizing he was being fairly rude by not actually introducing himself to her. He looked around a little and wondered where her parents were, not having seen anyone else at the market stall aside from her.
Maleos stood there for a while, lost in his thoughts as he stared at the various metal blades, fresh and polished they gleamed so bright he could almost imagine that belonged to the Gods. In reality, it was the rose coloured glasses of a boy who had a major passion for all things combat, but to the fifteen year old at the moment, he had never seen anything more beautiful than the finely crafted weaponry on display in front of him. In fact, he had been so lost in his own world while staring at them that he had almost missed the voice that spoke to him. It took him a few seconds before the words registered and he realized that the young girl had been speaking to him.
He looked up, his face the definition of unimpressed, he fumbled to find his words. He was not used to speaking with anyone other than his family, and definitely not used to speaking with someone who seemed to think he was dumb enough to grab a sword by the blade.
“I know how to hold a sword.” He managed to say, his face turning a slight red. Maleos had never been great with people, and he found himself wishing that he had asked his father to come with him to the weapon stall so he could do the talking. Being a potter, his father knew how to talk to people, how to be charismatic and sell his wares. Maleos knew how to haul the clay and heavy finished pottery around for his father, and haul wood in for his kiln. He was good with his strength, he was not very good with his words.
Yet he was already there, alone, and he wasn’t going to just leave empty handed. He had been dreaming of owning his own weapon since he was old enough to know what a weapon was. He had noticed their wares consisted of mostly blades, so he supposed getting a spear was out of the question unless he decided to go somewhere else. The practical side of him knew that he should probably go look for a spear, it was his main weapon when he joined the military, at least until he was a higher rank. The other half of him though, wanted a sword more than anything.
He internally debated for a moment, and he decided to indulge himself. He had worked hard to earn the money that he had, so he wanted to buy something that he really wanted, even if it wasn’t the most practical of weapons to start with. He still had his homemade spear to practice with, and the training ones they provided him.
“I prefer a Xiphos, if you have any with a midrib that would be even better.” He said simply, she talked to him as if she didn’t think he knew anything about weapons. Perhaps it was because he was young, but she seemed to be around his age so it didn’t make much sense if that was the reason. He wondered if they had a lot of people come by to look at weapons who held no knowledge on the topic. He supposed it was entirely possible. He had heard of rich people and nobility having weapons that were purchased only for display purposes. He couldn’t imagine having that kind of money, or why one would spend the money on a weapon if it was not going to be used.
“What material are your hilts made of?” He asked, having a preference. He wanted to see if she knew, but mostly he wanted to see if they had the material he was looking for. He wasn’t sure how picky he could afford to be, and he really didn’t want to return home without a sword, but he didn’t want to spend his hard earned money on something that he wasn’t happy with or didn’t feel right for him to use.
“I should introduce myself. I am Maleos, of Eubocris.” He said, suddenly realizing he was being fairly rude by not actually introducing himself to her. He looked around a little and wondered where her parents were, not having seen anyone else at the market stall aside from her.
A slight grin, peppered with unwarranted smugness could not resist cutting through Leto's features as she watched the boy's expression falter at her words. It was not the first time a blunt word or two garnered her that look, but all it did was amuse her. Particularly when none of the young men she knew in Chaossis were the kinds to even stop by her stall except to fantasize about weapons they could not afford. This boy was unfamiliar with his curly hair and slight pout, probably just passing through like many others on market day. Still, Leto had yet to recognize the arrogance she could have when it came to weaponry, despite her age and gender.
"I meant nothing by it, just teasing some," she replied, half-heartedly backtracking her words. After all, while she assumed this boy might not be here to buy a weapon, he could be some sort of prince in disguise, like the stories of wild fantasy she read at night. Somehow, by his response, she doubted that significantly but the gods have pulled crazier tricks on mortals in the past.
"A xiphos? My father makes most of them of iron now, but we do have some made of bronze as well," she stated, stepping back a bit to look at the sideways crates with sheathed swords layered in them in particular orders. Usually, her mother or father handled these sorts of exchanges but with both of them preoccupied, she supposed she could handle this well enough. Her long, spindly fingers darted along the pommels as if trying to read them via touch. Her eyes kept skimming over the swords as he spoke, occasionally tucking one into the crook of her arm to lay on the counter.
"Iron or bronze as well, though some of the more ornamental ones use bone or leather bindings, like this one,"[b/] she stated, laying out four of the weapons at an angle on the counter and tapping it with her finger, "I believe those are mostly for looks, though."
Leto's round blue eyes watched his face as he looked over the offerings, noting the true, steadfast excitement in his eyes. He really wanted one of these, to be sure. It almost startled her a moment when he offered his name.
"Leto, daughter of Nifakis and Eudora of Chaossis," she replied, tilting her head over her shoulder, "My mother usually handles the business affairs but isn't here right now, and my father does not usually like to be disturbed at the forge."
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A slight grin, peppered with unwarranted smugness could not resist cutting through Leto's features as she watched the boy's expression falter at her words. It was not the first time a blunt word or two garnered her that look, but all it did was amuse her. Particularly when none of the young men she knew in Chaossis were the kinds to even stop by her stall except to fantasize about weapons they could not afford. This boy was unfamiliar with his curly hair and slight pout, probably just passing through like many others on market day. Still, Leto had yet to recognize the arrogance she could have when it came to weaponry, despite her age and gender.
"I meant nothing by it, just teasing some," she replied, half-heartedly backtracking her words. After all, while she assumed this boy might not be here to buy a weapon, he could be some sort of prince in disguise, like the stories of wild fantasy she read at night. Somehow, by his response, she doubted that significantly but the gods have pulled crazier tricks on mortals in the past.
"A xiphos? My father makes most of them of iron now, but we do have some made of bronze as well," she stated, stepping back a bit to look at the sideways crates with sheathed swords layered in them in particular orders. Usually, her mother or father handled these sorts of exchanges but with both of them preoccupied, she supposed she could handle this well enough. Her long, spindly fingers darted along the pommels as if trying to read them via touch. Her eyes kept skimming over the swords as he spoke, occasionally tucking one into the crook of her arm to lay on the counter.
"Iron or bronze as well, though some of the more ornamental ones use bone or leather bindings, like this one,"[b/] she stated, laying out four of the weapons at an angle on the counter and tapping it with her finger, "I believe those are mostly for looks, though."
Leto's round blue eyes watched his face as he looked over the offerings, noting the true, steadfast excitement in his eyes. He really wanted one of these, to be sure. It almost startled her a moment when he offered his name.
"Leto, daughter of Nifakis and Eudora of Chaossis," she replied, tilting her head over her shoulder, "My mother usually handles the business affairs but isn't here right now, and my father does not usually like to be disturbed at the forge."
A slight grin, peppered with unwarranted smugness could not resist cutting through Leto's features as she watched the boy's expression falter at her words. It was not the first time a blunt word or two garnered her that look, but all it did was amuse her. Particularly when none of the young men she knew in Chaossis were the kinds to even stop by her stall except to fantasize about weapons they could not afford. This boy was unfamiliar with his curly hair and slight pout, probably just passing through like many others on market day. Still, Leto had yet to recognize the arrogance she could have when it came to weaponry, despite her age and gender.
"I meant nothing by it, just teasing some," she replied, half-heartedly backtracking her words. After all, while she assumed this boy might not be here to buy a weapon, he could be some sort of prince in disguise, like the stories of wild fantasy she read at night. Somehow, by his response, she doubted that significantly but the gods have pulled crazier tricks on mortals in the past.
"A xiphos? My father makes most of them of iron now, but we do have some made of bronze as well," she stated, stepping back a bit to look at the sideways crates with sheathed swords layered in them in particular orders. Usually, her mother or father handled these sorts of exchanges but with both of them preoccupied, she supposed she could handle this well enough. Her long, spindly fingers darted along the pommels as if trying to read them via touch. Her eyes kept skimming over the swords as he spoke, occasionally tucking one into the crook of her arm to lay on the counter.
"Iron or bronze as well, though some of the more ornamental ones use bone or leather bindings, like this one,"[b/] she stated, laying out four of the weapons at an angle on the counter and tapping it with her finger, "I believe those are mostly for looks, though."
Leto's round blue eyes watched his face as he looked over the offerings, noting the true, steadfast excitement in his eyes. He really wanted one of these, to be sure. It almost startled her a moment when he offered his name.
"Leto, daughter of Nifakis and Eudora of Chaossis," she replied, tilting her head over her shoulder, "My mother usually handles the business affairs but isn't here right now, and my father does not usually like to be disturbed at the forge."
He ignored her half-hearted apology, preferring to put that part of the conversation behind them. He wasn't great with words to start with, the last thing he needed was to accidentally anger or offend her. The young boy was still fairly nervous when it came to dealing with people, he let his father sell the pottery, he tended to just load and offload materials and finished work. He was better at labour than he was at speaking.
He looked at the swords as she spoke and laid them out for him. "I am not looking for ornamental, I prefer to use them. I need something sturdy, that will last me." He explained, picking up one of the swords she had lain out, the weapon was full iron, plain but deadly looking, it lacked all the ridiculous decoration that some of the others held. A good sword for a soldier. He held it in his hand, careful not to have the blade any where near a member of the public. He closed his eyes and felt the weight and balance, the touch of the grip in his hand was cool, and it felt like the sword was made specifically for him. He felt his heart swell, the sword already feeling a part of him.
His eyes opened once more, the green in them seemed to be even brighter with excitement as he realized this was the sword he had been dreaming of, he needed to have it, needed to take it home and swing it and feel free, as he always did when he got lost in his pretend combat with the wood and straw dummy he had made.
He was brought back to reality as he realized he wasn't sure he could afford it. Perhaps he was not being realistic in his wish, he had not even bothered to think of the price. He cleared his throat a little, realizing she might think his actions odd. He set the sword back on the table and pulled out his little leather pouch that contained all the money he had saved in the world. He looked at it for a moment before looking back up at the girl.
"How much for this one?" He would ask, trying not to sound too hopeful in case she quoted him a price that he could not afford. He had come there with the intentions of being realistic, but once he had gotten his hands on the sword, that had all flown right out of his head and he could think of nothing more than how badly he needed to take the weapon home.
He hoped that Leto would not mock his excitement, and he tried to tone it down as well. It was very unlike him to get like this about anything, his parents would be shocked if they saw him with such a smile on his face as he had when the sword had been in his hands.
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He ignored her half-hearted apology, preferring to put that part of the conversation behind them. He wasn't great with words to start with, the last thing he needed was to accidentally anger or offend her. The young boy was still fairly nervous when it came to dealing with people, he let his father sell the pottery, he tended to just load and offload materials and finished work. He was better at labour than he was at speaking.
He looked at the swords as she spoke and laid them out for him. "I am not looking for ornamental, I prefer to use them. I need something sturdy, that will last me." He explained, picking up one of the swords she had lain out, the weapon was full iron, plain but deadly looking, it lacked all the ridiculous decoration that some of the others held. A good sword for a soldier. He held it in his hand, careful not to have the blade any where near a member of the public. He closed his eyes and felt the weight and balance, the touch of the grip in his hand was cool, and it felt like the sword was made specifically for him. He felt his heart swell, the sword already feeling a part of him.
His eyes opened once more, the green in them seemed to be even brighter with excitement as he realized this was the sword he had been dreaming of, he needed to have it, needed to take it home and swing it and feel free, as he always did when he got lost in his pretend combat with the wood and straw dummy he had made.
He was brought back to reality as he realized he wasn't sure he could afford it. Perhaps he was not being realistic in his wish, he had not even bothered to think of the price. He cleared his throat a little, realizing she might think his actions odd. He set the sword back on the table and pulled out his little leather pouch that contained all the money he had saved in the world. He looked at it for a moment before looking back up at the girl.
"How much for this one?" He would ask, trying not to sound too hopeful in case she quoted him a price that he could not afford. He had come there with the intentions of being realistic, but once he had gotten his hands on the sword, that had all flown right out of his head and he could think of nothing more than how badly he needed to take the weapon home.
He hoped that Leto would not mock his excitement, and he tried to tone it down as well. It was very unlike him to get like this about anything, his parents would be shocked if they saw him with such a smile on his face as he had when the sword had been in his hands.
He ignored her half-hearted apology, preferring to put that part of the conversation behind them. He wasn't great with words to start with, the last thing he needed was to accidentally anger or offend her. The young boy was still fairly nervous when it came to dealing with people, he let his father sell the pottery, he tended to just load and offload materials and finished work. He was better at labour than he was at speaking.
He looked at the swords as she spoke and laid them out for him. "I am not looking for ornamental, I prefer to use them. I need something sturdy, that will last me." He explained, picking up one of the swords she had lain out, the weapon was full iron, plain but deadly looking, it lacked all the ridiculous decoration that some of the others held. A good sword for a soldier. He held it in his hand, careful not to have the blade any where near a member of the public. He closed his eyes and felt the weight and balance, the touch of the grip in his hand was cool, and it felt like the sword was made specifically for him. He felt his heart swell, the sword already feeling a part of him.
His eyes opened once more, the green in them seemed to be even brighter with excitement as he realized this was the sword he had been dreaming of, he needed to have it, needed to take it home and swing it and feel free, as he always did when he got lost in his pretend combat with the wood and straw dummy he had made.
He was brought back to reality as he realized he wasn't sure he could afford it. Perhaps he was not being realistic in his wish, he had not even bothered to think of the price. He cleared his throat a little, realizing she might think his actions odd. He set the sword back on the table and pulled out his little leather pouch that contained all the money he had saved in the world. He looked at it for a moment before looking back up at the girl.
"How much for this one?" He would ask, trying not to sound too hopeful in case she quoted him a price that he could not afford. He had come there with the intentions of being realistic, but once he had gotten his hands on the sword, that had all flown right out of his head and he could think of nothing more than how badly he needed to take the weapon home.
He hoped that Leto would not mock his excitement, and he tried to tone it down as well. It was very unlike him to get like this about anything, his parents would be shocked if they saw him with such a smile on his face as he had when the sword had been in his hands.
Leto could not help her expression. A true and honest Colchian, her resting face resembled a semi-scowl when she was not aware of it. However, as she watched the young man pick up the offered sword, she could not help but purse her lips and raise one dark eyebrow at the sight. Clearly, Maleos wanted to join the military, as did most of the other young men around there. Leto did not know much about men, but there was something oddly sensitive about the way he selected and handled the sword, almost as if listening for it to call his name. It was...interesting, and Leto did not find herself off-put by it but more curious.
Perhaps, with his eyes closed and expression blank, he was imagining himself on the battlefield, running in some victorious fashion as they did in the epic tales of old. Like Achilles and Patroclus.
The sword he had selected was rather plain compared to some that her parents crafted, yet it was made from a strong material. In her opinion, which she thought rather highly of having been around swords since she learned to walk, it was a good sword. If he planned to go into the military in the coming years, it would serve him well, though as a secondary weapon of course.
Both of her brows raised when he asked for the price of it, blinking and making a low utterance, "Uhhhh...I'm not sure."
Her brows furrowed and she looked around for the ledgers, wondering if her mother perhaps had stowed them away before venturing out into the market. Her chiton fluttered quietly as she ducked down behind the booth, trying to see if Eudora hid them away out of sight. A soft groan escaped Leto as she checked another small cubby nearby.
"I, uh, usually am not the one to sell the swords," she admitted, the bravado she had before faltering a moment. Looking back through the doorway through the forge, she heard a growled curse from her father and a loud clanging sound. Now was certainly not the time to ask him. Chewing her lip awkwardly, she glanced back to Maleos and the sword.
"Um...while we wait for her to return, would you like to practice with it? There's a padded post over here that sometimes I- I mean, some of the customers use."
It was a stalling tactic, but could be interesting as well, at least until her mother returned to quote him the right price. There was no way she was going to take a guess and potentially ruin their books. No way. Rolling several of the swords back into the cloth they came in, she kept another xiphos in her hand and guided him around the edge of the building behind the stall, so she could still keep an eye out for new customers.
"Here it is...."
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Leto could not help her expression. A true and honest Colchian, her resting face resembled a semi-scowl when she was not aware of it. However, as she watched the young man pick up the offered sword, she could not help but purse her lips and raise one dark eyebrow at the sight. Clearly, Maleos wanted to join the military, as did most of the other young men around there. Leto did not know much about men, but there was something oddly sensitive about the way he selected and handled the sword, almost as if listening for it to call his name. It was...interesting, and Leto did not find herself off-put by it but more curious.
Perhaps, with his eyes closed and expression blank, he was imagining himself on the battlefield, running in some victorious fashion as they did in the epic tales of old. Like Achilles and Patroclus.
The sword he had selected was rather plain compared to some that her parents crafted, yet it was made from a strong material. In her opinion, which she thought rather highly of having been around swords since she learned to walk, it was a good sword. If he planned to go into the military in the coming years, it would serve him well, though as a secondary weapon of course.
Both of her brows raised when he asked for the price of it, blinking and making a low utterance, "Uhhhh...I'm not sure."
Her brows furrowed and she looked around for the ledgers, wondering if her mother perhaps had stowed them away before venturing out into the market. Her chiton fluttered quietly as she ducked down behind the booth, trying to see if Eudora hid them away out of sight. A soft groan escaped Leto as she checked another small cubby nearby.
"I, uh, usually am not the one to sell the swords," she admitted, the bravado she had before faltering a moment. Looking back through the doorway through the forge, she heard a growled curse from her father and a loud clanging sound. Now was certainly not the time to ask him. Chewing her lip awkwardly, she glanced back to Maleos and the sword.
"Um...while we wait for her to return, would you like to practice with it? There's a padded post over here that sometimes I- I mean, some of the customers use."
It was a stalling tactic, but could be interesting as well, at least until her mother returned to quote him the right price. There was no way she was going to take a guess and potentially ruin their books. No way. Rolling several of the swords back into the cloth they came in, she kept another xiphos in her hand and guided him around the edge of the building behind the stall, so she could still keep an eye out for new customers.
"Here it is...."
Leto could not help her expression. A true and honest Colchian, her resting face resembled a semi-scowl when she was not aware of it. However, as she watched the young man pick up the offered sword, she could not help but purse her lips and raise one dark eyebrow at the sight. Clearly, Maleos wanted to join the military, as did most of the other young men around there. Leto did not know much about men, but there was something oddly sensitive about the way he selected and handled the sword, almost as if listening for it to call his name. It was...interesting, and Leto did not find herself off-put by it but more curious.
Perhaps, with his eyes closed and expression blank, he was imagining himself on the battlefield, running in some victorious fashion as they did in the epic tales of old. Like Achilles and Patroclus.
The sword he had selected was rather plain compared to some that her parents crafted, yet it was made from a strong material. In her opinion, which she thought rather highly of having been around swords since she learned to walk, it was a good sword. If he planned to go into the military in the coming years, it would serve him well, though as a secondary weapon of course.
Both of her brows raised when he asked for the price of it, blinking and making a low utterance, "Uhhhh...I'm not sure."
Her brows furrowed and she looked around for the ledgers, wondering if her mother perhaps had stowed them away before venturing out into the market. Her chiton fluttered quietly as she ducked down behind the booth, trying to see if Eudora hid them away out of sight. A soft groan escaped Leto as she checked another small cubby nearby.
"I, uh, usually am not the one to sell the swords," she admitted, the bravado she had before faltering a moment. Looking back through the doorway through the forge, she heard a growled curse from her father and a loud clanging sound. Now was certainly not the time to ask him. Chewing her lip awkwardly, she glanced back to Maleos and the sword.
"Um...while we wait for her to return, would you like to practice with it? There's a padded post over here that sometimes I- I mean, some of the customers use."
It was a stalling tactic, but could be interesting as well, at least until her mother returned to quote him the right price. There was no way she was going to take a guess and potentially ruin their books. No way. Rolling several of the swords back into the cloth they came in, she kept another xiphos in her hand and guided him around the edge of the building behind the stall, so she could still keep an eye out for new customers.
"Here it is...."
Maleos was surprised at how flustered she seemed to get when he asked after the price of the sword, she had seemed to confident that he was sure she would know the cost. It almost made him more nervous when she didn't know, watching her glance back where the clanging of metal could be heard. He could only assume it was her father, crafting more weapons to be sold on another day. He had never actually seen a sword being made, and he was almost curious enough to peak back there and watch, but he had better manners than that, not sure that Leto or her father would appreciate that gesture.
Instead he watched as she began to put away the rest of the swords that she had been showing him, talking about a padded post that he could practice on. The excitement was clear on his face, he absolutely wanted to practice with the sword as soon as possible. He had no idea if he had the money to purchase it or not, but he hoped that if he was short, perhaps his father would pay the rest and he could repay him when he was able to save up again. He was bound and determined to take this sword home, even to the point where he thought he might chance running away with it if it came down to that. Though that was not likely to actually happen.
He followed her around the building to where the padded post was, and he looked at her. It had sounded like she was about to say she practiced on the post, and the way she held the sword... he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps she did more than just mind the stand when her parents were busy.
He pushed that out of his mind though, as he approached the post, lining himself up, he took his practiced fighting stance, heart racing at the prospect of swinging a real sword instead of a wooden one that he had made himself. Though the enemy was still fake, the metal sword in his hand made him feel invincible. He stood there for a moment, just feeling the weight in his hand, mentally practicing his swing, he knew that he would need to put a bit more strength behind it, the real thing was much heavier than the makeshift ones he was used to.
He lifted the sword, and with a focused precision, swung it at the post, making contact with a dull noise, he wasted no time pulling the sword back again and hitting the post once more with a surprising strength for a boy his age. As he got lost in the feeling, he repeatedly hit the post, seeming everything like a man who had been using the sword for years. His hours upon hours of dedicated practice had made for a graceful set of combat moves.
When he finished with his practiced routine, he stood there, a bit out of breath as he looked at his imagined enemy, he dropped the sword back to his side and wiped a bit of sweat off his forehead with his free hand, looking over at Leto. He had forgotten that he even had an audience, the feeling of the sword had taken over and in the moment his mind had been nothing but tales of imagined glory as he cut down all the enemies of Cholchis.
"This sword is amazing, really well crafted. The balance is perfect." He said, meaning it as a true compliment to the crafter of the weapon, hoping that perhaps she would pass it along to her father when she had the chance.
"Do you use it?" He asked, pointing with what he hoped was his new sword, to the sword that she held in her own hand, curious to see if she could use it.
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Maleos was surprised at how flustered she seemed to get when he asked after the price of the sword, she had seemed to confident that he was sure she would know the cost. It almost made him more nervous when she didn't know, watching her glance back where the clanging of metal could be heard. He could only assume it was her father, crafting more weapons to be sold on another day. He had never actually seen a sword being made, and he was almost curious enough to peak back there and watch, but he had better manners than that, not sure that Leto or her father would appreciate that gesture.
Instead he watched as she began to put away the rest of the swords that she had been showing him, talking about a padded post that he could practice on. The excitement was clear on his face, he absolutely wanted to practice with the sword as soon as possible. He had no idea if he had the money to purchase it or not, but he hoped that if he was short, perhaps his father would pay the rest and he could repay him when he was able to save up again. He was bound and determined to take this sword home, even to the point where he thought he might chance running away with it if it came down to that. Though that was not likely to actually happen.
He followed her around the building to where the padded post was, and he looked at her. It had sounded like she was about to say she practiced on the post, and the way she held the sword... he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps she did more than just mind the stand when her parents were busy.
He pushed that out of his mind though, as he approached the post, lining himself up, he took his practiced fighting stance, heart racing at the prospect of swinging a real sword instead of a wooden one that he had made himself. Though the enemy was still fake, the metal sword in his hand made him feel invincible. He stood there for a moment, just feeling the weight in his hand, mentally practicing his swing, he knew that he would need to put a bit more strength behind it, the real thing was much heavier than the makeshift ones he was used to.
He lifted the sword, and with a focused precision, swung it at the post, making contact with a dull noise, he wasted no time pulling the sword back again and hitting the post once more with a surprising strength for a boy his age. As he got lost in the feeling, he repeatedly hit the post, seeming everything like a man who had been using the sword for years. His hours upon hours of dedicated practice had made for a graceful set of combat moves.
When he finished with his practiced routine, he stood there, a bit out of breath as he looked at his imagined enemy, he dropped the sword back to his side and wiped a bit of sweat off his forehead with his free hand, looking over at Leto. He had forgotten that he even had an audience, the feeling of the sword had taken over and in the moment his mind had been nothing but tales of imagined glory as he cut down all the enemies of Cholchis.
"This sword is amazing, really well crafted. The balance is perfect." He said, meaning it as a true compliment to the crafter of the weapon, hoping that perhaps she would pass it along to her father when she had the chance.
"Do you use it?" He asked, pointing with what he hoped was his new sword, to the sword that she held in her own hand, curious to see if she could use it.
Maleos was surprised at how flustered she seemed to get when he asked after the price of the sword, she had seemed to confident that he was sure she would know the cost. It almost made him more nervous when she didn't know, watching her glance back where the clanging of metal could be heard. He could only assume it was her father, crafting more weapons to be sold on another day. He had never actually seen a sword being made, and he was almost curious enough to peak back there and watch, but he had better manners than that, not sure that Leto or her father would appreciate that gesture.
Instead he watched as she began to put away the rest of the swords that she had been showing him, talking about a padded post that he could practice on. The excitement was clear on his face, he absolutely wanted to practice with the sword as soon as possible. He had no idea if he had the money to purchase it or not, but he hoped that if he was short, perhaps his father would pay the rest and he could repay him when he was able to save up again. He was bound and determined to take this sword home, even to the point where he thought he might chance running away with it if it came down to that. Though that was not likely to actually happen.
He followed her around the building to where the padded post was, and he looked at her. It had sounded like she was about to say she practiced on the post, and the way she held the sword... he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps she did more than just mind the stand when her parents were busy.
He pushed that out of his mind though, as he approached the post, lining himself up, he took his practiced fighting stance, heart racing at the prospect of swinging a real sword instead of a wooden one that he had made himself. Though the enemy was still fake, the metal sword in his hand made him feel invincible. He stood there for a moment, just feeling the weight in his hand, mentally practicing his swing, he knew that he would need to put a bit more strength behind it, the real thing was much heavier than the makeshift ones he was used to.
He lifted the sword, and with a focused precision, swung it at the post, making contact with a dull noise, he wasted no time pulling the sword back again and hitting the post once more with a surprising strength for a boy his age. As he got lost in the feeling, he repeatedly hit the post, seeming everything like a man who had been using the sword for years. His hours upon hours of dedicated practice had made for a graceful set of combat moves.
When he finished with his practiced routine, he stood there, a bit out of breath as he looked at his imagined enemy, he dropped the sword back to his side and wiped a bit of sweat off his forehead with his free hand, looking over at Leto. He had forgotten that he even had an audience, the feeling of the sword had taken over and in the moment his mind had been nothing but tales of imagined glory as he cut down all the enemies of Cholchis.
"This sword is amazing, really well crafted. The balance is perfect." He said, meaning it as a true compliment to the crafter of the weapon, hoping that perhaps she would pass it along to her father when she had the chance.
"Do you use it?" He asked, pointing with what he hoped was his new sword, to the sword that she held in her own hand, curious to see if she could use it.
Still recovering from being unable to find the ledger, likely due to her mother hiding it before setting out into the market, Leto still kept her shoulders lifted, trying almost too hard not to let it show. Maleos seemed all too eager to use the battered practice post, much like the other young men his age were when she extended the offer. The post had been bound in several layers of leather wrapped over straw, so as not to damage or dull the swords that were being measured and tested, but clear and distinct slices were visible through the tanned hide, many of them by her own hand.
Maleos' expression had grown more and more eager with each passing moment, and Leto could not help the half-smile that dug a deep line from her nose and the corner of her lips on one side, a charmingly flawed habit. Gesturing with her free hand, she immediately crossed her arms to watch him, her own sword pointing downward and pressed safely against her thigh as she held it in her rounded fist.
Instantly, her brows flew sky high as she watched how intently he attacked the post, with far more measure in his motions than the local boys in Chaossis. Notably as well, Maleos did not make the overly dramatic battle sounds that aspiring adolescent soldiers did when pretending the wood and leather formed an actual enemy. It was a relief, really, because such dramatics could have caught the attention of her father as he was working within. The last thing she needed was a scolding for stepping away from the booth and wielding a sword around those who were not close family.
Time and time again, Eudora scolded her for learning swordplay, deigning it as stepping outside of her destined role on top of such behavior being unattractive in a woman. After all, there was no fault in crafting the sword and caring for the shop, just as she had done. Nifakis, though, had given in to Leto's interests and begging to learn to use the swords many years ago, earning her the knowledge of a few standard strikes and parries. Often, he tried to tell Eudora that it was simply a phase that would pass as Leto gained more appropriate interests with age.
So far, though, those interests had yet to arise.
As Maleos finished his routine, Leto nodded approvingly, her expression notably less critical than it had been at the stall.
"I would hope so, as many of these go on to fight for the Crown," she said, her pride in her family's work showing in the glint of her eyes and her lifted chin. "My father is a master of his craft. You'll find no better sword anywhere in Chaossis, or in Colchis for that matter." At his question, she flashed a proud grin, unfolding her arms and giving a quiet, cautious glance over her shoulder to ensure her mother was not near. The clanging continued within the walls.
"Yes....sometimes," she said, feeling the light thrill of doing something forbidden. With apparent eagerness, she twirled her wrist in a slight flourish with the sword, stepping her feet apart into a bit of a stance before striking the padded post with a light grunt. Her muscles and frame were of no comparison to man of any age, and there was quite a bit more apparent effort put behind her strikes, highly favoring more slashing motions due to the fluidity over forward thrusts and jabs.
Her sequence was significantly shorter than Maleos', and she cleared her throat a moment to cover for being a touch winded.
"What do you think?" she asked, feeling a touch of confidence mixed with honest curiosity. His formations had been more practiced, which made more sense for a man who wanted to be a soldier as opposed to a vagrant daughter of a swordsmith.
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Still recovering from being unable to find the ledger, likely due to her mother hiding it before setting out into the market, Leto still kept her shoulders lifted, trying almost too hard not to let it show. Maleos seemed all too eager to use the battered practice post, much like the other young men his age were when she extended the offer. The post had been bound in several layers of leather wrapped over straw, so as not to damage or dull the swords that were being measured and tested, but clear and distinct slices were visible through the tanned hide, many of them by her own hand.
Maleos' expression had grown more and more eager with each passing moment, and Leto could not help the half-smile that dug a deep line from her nose and the corner of her lips on one side, a charmingly flawed habit. Gesturing with her free hand, she immediately crossed her arms to watch him, her own sword pointing downward and pressed safely against her thigh as she held it in her rounded fist.
Instantly, her brows flew sky high as she watched how intently he attacked the post, with far more measure in his motions than the local boys in Chaossis. Notably as well, Maleos did not make the overly dramatic battle sounds that aspiring adolescent soldiers did when pretending the wood and leather formed an actual enemy. It was a relief, really, because such dramatics could have caught the attention of her father as he was working within. The last thing she needed was a scolding for stepping away from the booth and wielding a sword around those who were not close family.
Time and time again, Eudora scolded her for learning swordplay, deigning it as stepping outside of her destined role on top of such behavior being unattractive in a woman. After all, there was no fault in crafting the sword and caring for the shop, just as she had done. Nifakis, though, had given in to Leto's interests and begging to learn to use the swords many years ago, earning her the knowledge of a few standard strikes and parries. Often, he tried to tell Eudora that it was simply a phase that would pass as Leto gained more appropriate interests with age.
So far, though, those interests had yet to arise.
As Maleos finished his routine, Leto nodded approvingly, her expression notably less critical than it had been at the stall.
"I would hope so, as many of these go on to fight for the Crown," she said, her pride in her family's work showing in the glint of her eyes and her lifted chin. "My father is a master of his craft. You'll find no better sword anywhere in Chaossis, or in Colchis for that matter." At his question, she flashed a proud grin, unfolding her arms and giving a quiet, cautious glance over her shoulder to ensure her mother was not near. The clanging continued within the walls.
"Yes....sometimes," she said, feeling the light thrill of doing something forbidden. With apparent eagerness, she twirled her wrist in a slight flourish with the sword, stepping her feet apart into a bit of a stance before striking the padded post with a light grunt. Her muscles and frame were of no comparison to man of any age, and there was quite a bit more apparent effort put behind her strikes, highly favoring more slashing motions due to the fluidity over forward thrusts and jabs.
Her sequence was significantly shorter than Maleos', and she cleared her throat a moment to cover for being a touch winded.
"What do you think?" she asked, feeling a touch of confidence mixed with honest curiosity. His formations had been more practiced, which made more sense for a man who wanted to be a soldier as opposed to a vagrant daughter of a swordsmith.
Still recovering from being unable to find the ledger, likely due to her mother hiding it before setting out into the market, Leto still kept her shoulders lifted, trying almost too hard not to let it show. Maleos seemed all too eager to use the battered practice post, much like the other young men his age were when she extended the offer. The post had been bound in several layers of leather wrapped over straw, so as not to damage or dull the swords that were being measured and tested, but clear and distinct slices were visible through the tanned hide, many of them by her own hand.
Maleos' expression had grown more and more eager with each passing moment, and Leto could not help the half-smile that dug a deep line from her nose and the corner of her lips on one side, a charmingly flawed habit. Gesturing with her free hand, she immediately crossed her arms to watch him, her own sword pointing downward and pressed safely against her thigh as she held it in her rounded fist.
Instantly, her brows flew sky high as she watched how intently he attacked the post, with far more measure in his motions than the local boys in Chaossis. Notably as well, Maleos did not make the overly dramatic battle sounds that aspiring adolescent soldiers did when pretending the wood and leather formed an actual enemy. It was a relief, really, because such dramatics could have caught the attention of her father as he was working within. The last thing she needed was a scolding for stepping away from the booth and wielding a sword around those who were not close family.
Time and time again, Eudora scolded her for learning swordplay, deigning it as stepping outside of her destined role on top of such behavior being unattractive in a woman. After all, there was no fault in crafting the sword and caring for the shop, just as she had done. Nifakis, though, had given in to Leto's interests and begging to learn to use the swords many years ago, earning her the knowledge of a few standard strikes and parries. Often, he tried to tell Eudora that it was simply a phase that would pass as Leto gained more appropriate interests with age.
So far, though, those interests had yet to arise.
As Maleos finished his routine, Leto nodded approvingly, her expression notably less critical than it had been at the stall.
"I would hope so, as many of these go on to fight for the Crown," she said, her pride in her family's work showing in the glint of her eyes and her lifted chin. "My father is a master of his craft. You'll find no better sword anywhere in Chaossis, or in Colchis for that matter." At his question, she flashed a proud grin, unfolding her arms and giving a quiet, cautious glance over her shoulder to ensure her mother was not near. The clanging continued within the walls.
"Yes....sometimes," she said, feeling the light thrill of doing something forbidden. With apparent eagerness, she twirled her wrist in a slight flourish with the sword, stepping her feet apart into a bit of a stance before striking the padded post with a light grunt. Her muscles and frame were of no comparison to man of any age, and there was quite a bit more apparent effort put behind her strikes, highly favoring more slashing motions due to the fluidity over forward thrusts and jabs.
Her sequence was significantly shorter than Maleos', and she cleared her throat a moment to cover for being a touch winded.
"What do you think?" she asked, feeling a touch of confidence mixed with honest curiosity. His formations had been more practiced, which made more sense for a man who wanted to be a soldier as opposed to a vagrant daughter of a swordsmith.
She seemed very proud of her families business, this not being the first time she had boasted of her fathers crafting skill, and after handling the sword he had chosen, he knew that there was a good reason for her pride. He had not yet held a real sword until that day, but he had studied everything there was to know about them, and felt himself already an appropriate critic for the weaponry, and he was very impressed.
"I believe it true, I have heard tell of your father's work. Which is why I waited to come here and purchase one, rather than doing so back home in Eubocris."
He watched her excitement pick up as he asked about her abilities with the sword in her hand, he thought perhaps it was something that she loved but she was not supposed to do, it was not often at all that you came across a woman who could use a sword. Archery was usually the choice for women if they were going to involve themselves in combat, but Maleos was curious to see what she could do with the sword she held. He did not care if she was a woman or not, skill was skill, and he always jumped at the chance to pick up any new moves or little tricks from seeing someone else's fighting style.
He stepped back out of the way as she moved towards the post, his blue-green eyes watching the girl carefully, nothing but curiosity in his observations of the way she moved. Maleos did not think of the romantic things that most boys his age did, he preferred weapons to women, something his father told him would change eventually and he would lose interest in weapons and gain interest in women.
He nodded a little as she finished her demonstration and asked him what he thought. "Not bad at all, but since you would not have the strength that most men would, may I make a suggestion?" He stepped forward once more with the sword in his hand.
"I think you would find luck using a bit of deception in your tactics. Without the strength to out match your opponent, you would be better off out witting him." He said, taking his stance to show her an example. He swung as if he was delivering a full force over head attack, stopping as if it had been blocked by the enemy, without missing a beat he swung again so it seemed he was going for the same attack once more, he kept his eyes on the spot where the targets head would usually be. He then sidestepped a counter attack and instead swung his sword low, feigning an attack on the targets leg.
After his little demonstration he stepped away again to look at her, giving her a small smile, or what he could muster of a smile.
"There's no reason that someone who may be smaller than their opponent can't have the upper hand." He said simply, and he really believed it. Anyone could be a great swordsman, no matter their size or gender, all they needed to do was to work with their strengths.
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She seemed very proud of her families business, this not being the first time she had boasted of her fathers crafting skill, and after handling the sword he had chosen, he knew that there was a good reason for her pride. He had not yet held a real sword until that day, but he had studied everything there was to know about them, and felt himself already an appropriate critic for the weaponry, and he was very impressed.
"I believe it true, I have heard tell of your father's work. Which is why I waited to come here and purchase one, rather than doing so back home in Eubocris."
He watched her excitement pick up as he asked about her abilities with the sword in her hand, he thought perhaps it was something that she loved but she was not supposed to do, it was not often at all that you came across a woman who could use a sword. Archery was usually the choice for women if they were going to involve themselves in combat, but Maleos was curious to see what she could do with the sword she held. He did not care if she was a woman or not, skill was skill, and he always jumped at the chance to pick up any new moves or little tricks from seeing someone else's fighting style.
He stepped back out of the way as she moved towards the post, his blue-green eyes watching the girl carefully, nothing but curiosity in his observations of the way she moved. Maleos did not think of the romantic things that most boys his age did, he preferred weapons to women, something his father told him would change eventually and he would lose interest in weapons and gain interest in women.
He nodded a little as she finished her demonstration and asked him what he thought. "Not bad at all, but since you would not have the strength that most men would, may I make a suggestion?" He stepped forward once more with the sword in his hand.
"I think you would find luck using a bit of deception in your tactics. Without the strength to out match your opponent, you would be better off out witting him." He said, taking his stance to show her an example. He swung as if he was delivering a full force over head attack, stopping as if it had been blocked by the enemy, without missing a beat he swung again so it seemed he was going for the same attack once more, he kept his eyes on the spot where the targets head would usually be. He then sidestepped a counter attack and instead swung his sword low, feigning an attack on the targets leg.
After his little demonstration he stepped away again to look at her, giving her a small smile, or what he could muster of a smile.
"There's no reason that someone who may be smaller than their opponent can't have the upper hand." He said simply, and he really believed it. Anyone could be a great swordsman, no matter their size or gender, all they needed to do was to work with their strengths.
She seemed very proud of her families business, this not being the first time she had boasted of her fathers crafting skill, and after handling the sword he had chosen, he knew that there was a good reason for her pride. He had not yet held a real sword until that day, but he had studied everything there was to know about them, and felt himself already an appropriate critic for the weaponry, and he was very impressed.
"I believe it true, I have heard tell of your father's work. Which is why I waited to come here and purchase one, rather than doing so back home in Eubocris."
He watched her excitement pick up as he asked about her abilities with the sword in her hand, he thought perhaps it was something that she loved but she was not supposed to do, it was not often at all that you came across a woman who could use a sword. Archery was usually the choice for women if they were going to involve themselves in combat, but Maleos was curious to see what she could do with the sword she held. He did not care if she was a woman or not, skill was skill, and he always jumped at the chance to pick up any new moves or little tricks from seeing someone else's fighting style.
He stepped back out of the way as she moved towards the post, his blue-green eyes watching the girl carefully, nothing but curiosity in his observations of the way she moved. Maleos did not think of the romantic things that most boys his age did, he preferred weapons to women, something his father told him would change eventually and he would lose interest in weapons and gain interest in women.
He nodded a little as she finished her demonstration and asked him what he thought. "Not bad at all, but since you would not have the strength that most men would, may I make a suggestion?" He stepped forward once more with the sword in his hand.
"I think you would find luck using a bit of deception in your tactics. Without the strength to out match your opponent, you would be better off out witting him." He said, taking his stance to show her an example. He swung as if he was delivering a full force over head attack, stopping as if it had been blocked by the enemy, without missing a beat he swung again so it seemed he was going for the same attack once more, he kept his eyes on the spot where the targets head would usually be. He then sidestepped a counter attack and instead swung his sword low, feigning an attack on the targets leg.
After his little demonstration he stepped away again to look at her, giving her a small smile, or what he could muster of a smile.
"There's no reason that someone who may be smaller than their opponent can't have the upper hand." He said simply, and he really believed it. Anyone could be a great swordsman, no matter their size or gender, all they needed to do was to work with their strengths.
Leto found herself only slightly winded at the bit of activity she had taken part in, a bit more than her usual activities of running errands and fetching ore and water for her father as he worked in the forge. There was some strength to her muscles, but since emerging into adolescence, she did not run at full speed as often as she did in her earlier years, playing chase and hide with the local children.
Her eyes held on his face, blinking slightly at the offering of a few suggestions. Without saying a word, she nodded. Maleos continued, speaking of deception against strength. As the young man took a stance, she let the tip of her sword rest in the dirt and let the hilt balance against her hip as she loosed a leather cord from around her wrist and began to twist it around her long locks, tying them away from her face. All the while as her hands moved behind the nape of her neck, as she finally laid the roughly coiled tousles over her shoulder, he made the final blow, a soft 'oh' escaping her lips as she saw the maneuver in motion, as an enlightened smile dug a deep crease between the corner of her mouth and the apples of her cheeks.
"Can I see that again?" she asked, her hand once again gripping the hilt of her sword as she moved to take a stance next to Maleos. Immediately, she tried to mirror his stance, which was slightly different than her own, and she ground her heels into the sandy surface of the earth to try to match the angles his feet stood at. As he began the moves, she went through it slowly at first, noting where the deceptive tactic took place. It took a moment to coax her muscles into fighting against their memory of a familiar move, and her brows furrowed slightly before raising as she caught the switching moment.
"Like so?" she asked, going through the maneuvers so he could watch, throwing a touch more force behind it as she struck the post. As she did so, a bright 'ah, ha!' escaped through a broad smile. "That's brilliant. How did you learn something like that? You're not even a soldier yet! Do you know more?"
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Leto found herself only slightly winded at the bit of activity she had taken part in, a bit more than her usual activities of running errands and fetching ore and water for her father as he worked in the forge. There was some strength to her muscles, but since emerging into adolescence, she did not run at full speed as often as she did in her earlier years, playing chase and hide with the local children.
Her eyes held on his face, blinking slightly at the offering of a few suggestions. Without saying a word, she nodded. Maleos continued, speaking of deception against strength. As the young man took a stance, she let the tip of her sword rest in the dirt and let the hilt balance against her hip as she loosed a leather cord from around her wrist and began to twist it around her long locks, tying them away from her face. All the while as her hands moved behind the nape of her neck, as she finally laid the roughly coiled tousles over her shoulder, he made the final blow, a soft 'oh' escaping her lips as she saw the maneuver in motion, as an enlightened smile dug a deep crease between the corner of her mouth and the apples of her cheeks.
"Can I see that again?" she asked, her hand once again gripping the hilt of her sword as she moved to take a stance next to Maleos. Immediately, she tried to mirror his stance, which was slightly different than her own, and she ground her heels into the sandy surface of the earth to try to match the angles his feet stood at. As he began the moves, she went through it slowly at first, noting where the deceptive tactic took place. It took a moment to coax her muscles into fighting against their memory of a familiar move, and her brows furrowed slightly before raising as she caught the switching moment.
"Like so?" she asked, going through the maneuvers so he could watch, throwing a touch more force behind it as she struck the post. As she did so, a bright 'ah, ha!' escaped through a broad smile. "That's brilliant. How did you learn something like that? You're not even a soldier yet! Do you know more?"
Leto found herself only slightly winded at the bit of activity she had taken part in, a bit more than her usual activities of running errands and fetching ore and water for her father as he worked in the forge. There was some strength to her muscles, but since emerging into adolescence, she did not run at full speed as often as she did in her earlier years, playing chase and hide with the local children.
Her eyes held on his face, blinking slightly at the offering of a few suggestions. Without saying a word, she nodded. Maleos continued, speaking of deception against strength. As the young man took a stance, she let the tip of her sword rest in the dirt and let the hilt balance against her hip as she loosed a leather cord from around her wrist and began to twist it around her long locks, tying them away from her face. All the while as her hands moved behind the nape of her neck, as she finally laid the roughly coiled tousles over her shoulder, he made the final blow, a soft 'oh' escaping her lips as she saw the maneuver in motion, as an enlightened smile dug a deep crease between the corner of her mouth and the apples of her cheeks.
"Can I see that again?" she asked, her hand once again gripping the hilt of her sword as she moved to take a stance next to Maleos. Immediately, she tried to mirror his stance, which was slightly different than her own, and she ground her heels into the sandy surface of the earth to try to match the angles his feet stood at. As he began the moves, she went through it slowly at first, noting where the deceptive tactic took place. It took a moment to coax her muscles into fighting against their memory of a familiar move, and her brows furrowed slightly before raising as she caught the switching moment.
"Like so?" she asked, going through the maneuvers so he could watch, throwing a touch more force behind it as she struck the post. As she did so, a bright 'ah, ha!' escaped through a broad smile. "That's brilliant. How did you learn something like that? You're not even a soldier yet! Do you know more?"
He had to admit, the fact that she seemed so amazed by his suggestion of tactic made his pride swell a little bit, finally he had really impressed this girl who seemed to be impressed by absolutely nothing. He tried not to let it get to his head too much though and nodded as she asked if she could see it again. He aligned his stance once more, the tiniest hint of a smile pulling up the corners of his mouth as he saw her try to copy the way he stood. When she was settled in and standing properly, he went through the little routine a second time, and then stepped back to watch her go through it on her own.
He nodded once more when she did it, knowing that if she practiced it, she could do it a lot smoother than she had, but she had the basic idea down at the very least, though he wasn’t sure if it was ever something that would come in handy for her. He didn’t know that a lot of women needed to have any combat skill, but he wasn’t one to turn her down if it was something she enjoyed. If the time ever came when she did need to know how to use a sword, at least she would be prepared.
“I do not know.” He admitted. “Fighting is a lot more than just being able to swing a sword, you have to be able to counter whoever you are fighting. If you fight someone who is stronger than you, you would need to fight differently than if you fought someone who was faster than you. A soldier should be prepared for all situations, if he wants to stand any chance on a battlefield.” He said, which was probably the most words Maleos had ever strung together in one sentence. If he talked about combat or weapons, he talked a lot more than usual. “I just, imagine what I would do if I was fighting someone with a certain combat style, and I practice as if it were a real situation.” He explained, and he was truthful. He knew that if he had any hope of being anything more in the military than just a common soldier, he would need to be able to think out tactics and out maneuver people, both personally while in combat, and in battles that he may face if he was able to gain command.
“I could teach you a few more, if you are interested.” He said, then he looked back in the direction of the stall that they had met at before looking back at her.
“And if you have the time, I do not mean to distract you from tending to your duties.” He said, realizing he may have been getting carried away with everything. It wasn’t often he found someone he got along with, and it never happened with anyone around his age. He just wasn’t interested in the same things as most boys his age were. Or if they were, they knew annoyingly little about the realities of combat.
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He had to admit, the fact that she seemed so amazed by his suggestion of tactic made his pride swell a little bit, finally he had really impressed this girl who seemed to be impressed by absolutely nothing. He tried not to let it get to his head too much though and nodded as she asked if she could see it again. He aligned his stance once more, the tiniest hint of a smile pulling up the corners of his mouth as he saw her try to copy the way he stood. When she was settled in and standing properly, he went through the little routine a second time, and then stepped back to watch her go through it on her own.
He nodded once more when she did it, knowing that if she practiced it, she could do it a lot smoother than she had, but she had the basic idea down at the very least, though he wasn’t sure if it was ever something that would come in handy for her. He didn’t know that a lot of women needed to have any combat skill, but he wasn’t one to turn her down if it was something she enjoyed. If the time ever came when she did need to know how to use a sword, at least she would be prepared.
“I do not know.” He admitted. “Fighting is a lot more than just being able to swing a sword, you have to be able to counter whoever you are fighting. If you fight someone who is stronger than you, you would need to fight differently than if you fought someone who was faster than you. A soldier should be prepared for all situations, if he wants to stand any chance on a battlefield.” He said, which was probably the most words Maleos had ever strung together in one sentence. If he talked about combat or weapons, he talked a lot more than usual. “I just, imagine what I would do if I was fighting someone with a certain combat style, and I practice as if it were a real situation.” He explained, and he was truthful. He knew that if he had any hope of being anything more in the military than just a common soldier, he would need to be able to think out tactics and out maneuver people, both personally while in combat, and in battles that he may face if he was able to gain command.
“I could teach you a few more, if you are interested.” He said, then he looked back in the direction of the stall that they had met at before looking back at her.
“And if you have the time, I do not mean to distract you from tending to your duties.” He said, realizing he may have been getting carried away with everything. It wasn’t often he found someone he got along with, and it never happened with anyone around his age. He just wasn’t interested in the same things as most boys his age were. Or if they were, they knew annoyingly little about the realities of combat.
He had to admit, the fact that she seemed so amazed by his suggestion of tactic made his pride swell a little bit, finally he had really impressed this girl who seemed to be impressed by absolutely nothing. He tried not to let it get to his head too much though and nodded as she asked if she could see it again. He aligned his stance once more, the tiniest hint of a smile pulling up the corners of his mouth as he saw her try to copy the way he stood. When she was settled in and standing properly, he went through the little routine a second time, and then stepped back to watch her go through it on her own.
He nodded once more when she did it, knowing that if she practiced it, she could do it a lot smoother than she had, but she had the basic idea down at the very least, though he wasn’t sure if it was ever something that would come in handy for her. He didn’t know that a lot of women needed to have any combat skill, but he wasn’t one to turn her down if it was something she enjoyed. If the time ever came when she did need to know how to use a sword, at least she would be prepared.
“I do not know.” He admitted. “Fighting is a lot more than just being able to swing a sword, you have to be able to counter whoever you are fighting. If you fight someone who is stronger than you, you would need to fight differently than if you fought someone who was faster than you. A soldier should be prepared for all situations, if he wants to stand any chance on a battlefield.” He said, which was probably the most words Maleos had ever strung together in one sentence. If he talked about combat or weapons, he talked a lot more than usual. “I just, imagine what I would do if I was fighting someone with a certain combat style, and I practice as if it were a real situation.” He explained, and he was truthful. He knew that if he had any hope of being anything more in the military than just a common soldier, he would need to be able to think out tactics and out maneuver people, both personally while in combat, and in battles that he may face if he was able to gain command.
“I could teach you a few more, if you are interested.” He said, then he looked back in the direction of the stall that they had met at before looking back at her.
“And if you have the time, I do not mean to distract you from tending to your duties.” He said, realizing he may have been getting carried away with everything. It wasn’t often he found someone he got along with, and it never happened with anyone around his age. He just wasn’t interested in the same things as most boys his age were. Or if they were, they knew annoyingly little about the realities of combat.
Leto found it refreshing that while Maleos wanted to become a soldier, much like many other young men his age, he seemed to care about the methods that went behind that. She appreciated the depth of that thought, particularly as she listened to his explanation of how to fight different enemies. It was never something she thought about when she would watch various soldiers pass through and train. It always seemed as if it was something to simply condition the body and keep its strength.
"You are going to make an excellent soldier, I can feel it," Leto said, honestly stunned that the words left her lips as she said them. Trying to cover up the genuine nature of her words with an awkward, uneven smile and a slight laugh, she fidgeted with the hilt of her sword, only stopping when he offered to teach her some more.
It was rather unfair, she thought, that she had been born a woman in a man's world, particularly when her mind craved the knowledge and experience of the world around her. Instead, she supposed she would live out the rest of her life in Chaossis, taking up the book-keeping and assisting the family business until her parents could no longer work. Then what? There was no venturing off to become a soldier or a litigator as her brother did. No glory or purpose suited for a woman in such a world.
Marriage was the option that faced her, likely to some sort of soldier with a meager pay, or perhaps she could convince her father to take on some sort of apprentice who could carry on the trade, if not the name. Still that would mean remaining in Chaossis, doing it all. The tales in her favorite books told her of all the adventures to be had in a lifetime, and yet...they were just tales, not meant for her.
Just as she was about to respond, smiling at the thought of learning something new and having that spark of a moment in her life, she heard her name being called from around the front of the building. Her head whipped around so quickly, brows raised and eyes wider as she recognized her mother's voice. Glancing back at Maleos, she felt instant regret that their time would be cut so short. A flurry of quick emotions played on her face before responding, "I'll be there in a minute, Mama!"
Her expression fell a moment with a heavy breath, but she managed a small flicker of a smile to Maleos before looking at the sword in her hand, concocting the explanation to give her - a man needed to try two swords before deciding the one he would buy.
"My mother has returned, if you wish to purchase the sword," she replied, her tone expressing more than the simple statement - she hated how this time had come to an end. "Come."
Leto quickly rounded the corner, facing her mother's questioning expression as she glanced from the sword in Leto's hand to the beads of sweat on her daughter's forehead to the tall young man who followed her. The brows raised skyward as Leto began to explain quickly that Maleos came specifically to their swordstand to buy a sword and that he made a selection, between the two swords.
"That's fine enough," Eudora replied, still highly skeptical of her daughter, despite the carefully placed innocent expression that she bore. "I will be glad to help you with your purchase, young master Maleos. Leto, go help your father put away the supplies from the market so he does not lose his focus. And wipe your forehead." Leto smiled innocently and nodded, looking back to Maleos as her mother stepped behind the vendor stand to find the recordbooks that Leto could not find before.
"When do you leave Chaossis?" Leto asked, quickly, "If I do not see you before you go, I wish you all the best as a soldier. You will be the best of them. I can tell."
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Leto found it refreshing that while Maleos wanted to become a soldier, much like many other young men his age, he seemed to care about the methods that went behind that. She appreciated the depth of that thought, particularly as she listened to his explanation of how to fight different enemies. It was never something she thought about when she would watch various soldiers pass through and train. It always seemed as if it was something to simply condition the body and keep its strength.
"You are going to make an excellent soldier, I can feel it," Leto said, honestly stunned that the words left her lips as she said them. Trying to cover up the genuine nature of her words with an awkward, uneven smile and a slight laugh, she fidgeted with the hilt of her sword, only stopping when he offered to teach her some more.
It was rather unfair, she thought, that she had been born a woman in a man's world, particularly when her mind craved the knowledge and experience of the world around her. Instead, she supposed she would live out the rest of her life in Chaossis, taking up the book-keeping and assisting the family business until her parents could no longer work. Then what? There was no venturing off to become a soldier or a litigator as her brother did. No glory or purpose suited for a woman in such a world.
Marriage was the option that faced her, likely to some sort of soldier with a meager pay, or perhaps she could convince her father to take on some sort of apprentice who could carry on the trade, if not the name. Still that would mean remaining in Chaossis, doing it all. The tales in her favorite books told her of all the adventures to be had in a lifetime, and yet...they were just tales, not meant for her.
Just as she was about to respond, smiling at the thought of learning something new and having that spark of a moment in her life, she heard her name being called from around the front of the building. Her head whipped around so quickly, brows raised and eyes wider as she recognized her mother's voice. Glancing back at Maleos, she felt instant regret that their time would be cut so short. A flurry of quick emotions played on her face before responding, "I'll be there in a minute, Mama!"
Her expression fell a moment with a heavy breath, but she managed a small flicker of a smile to Maleos before looking at the sword in her hand, concocting the explanation to give her - a man needed to try two swords before deciding the one he would buy.
"My mother has returned, if you wish to purchase the sword," she replied, her tone expressing more than the simple statement - she hated how this time had come to an end. "Come."
Leto quickly rounded the corner, facing her mother's questioning expression as she glanced from the sword in Leto's hand to the beads of sweat on her daughter's forehead to the tall young man who followed her. The brows raised skyward as Leto began to explain quickly that Maleos came specifically to their swordstand to buy a sword and that he made a selection, between the two swords.
"That's fine enough," Eudora replied, still highly skeptical of her daughter, despite the carefully placed innocent expression that she bore. "I will be glad to help you with your purchase, young master Maleos. Leto, go help your father put away the supplies from the market so he does not lose his focus. And wipe your forehead." Leto smiled innocently and nodded, looking back to Maleos as her mother stepped behind the vendor stand to find the recordbooks that Leto could not find before.
"When do you leave Chaossis?" Leto asked, quickly, "If I do not see you before you go, I wish you all the best as a soldier. You will be the best of them. I can tell."
Leto found it refreshing that while Maleos wanted to become a soldier, much like many other young men his age, he seemed to care about the methods that went behind that. She appreciated the depth of that thought, particularly as she listened to his explanation of how to fight different enemies. It was never something she thought about when she would watch various soldiers pass through and train. It always seemed as if it was something to simply condition the body and keep its strength.
"You are going to make an excellent soldier, I can feel it," Leto said, honestly stunned that the words left her lips as she said them. Trying to cover up the genuine nature of her words with an awkward, uneven smile and a slight laugh, she fidgeted with the hilt of her sword, only stopping when he offered to teach her some more.
It was rather unfair, she thought, that she had been born a woman in a man's world, particularly when her mind craved the knowledge and experience of the world around her. Instead, she supposed she would live out the rest of her life in Chaossis, taking up the book-keeping and assisting the family business until her parents could no longer work. Then what? There was no venturing off to become a soldier or a litigator as her brother did. No glory or purpose suited for a woman in such a world.
Marriage was the option that faced her, likely to some sort of soldier with a meager pay, or perhaps she could convince her father to take on some sort of apprentice who could carry on the trade, if not the name. Still that would mean remaining in Chaossis, doing it all. The tales in her favorite books told her of all the adventures to be had in a lifetime, and yet...they were just tales, not meant for her.
Just as she was about to respond, smiling at the thought of learning something new and having that spark of a moment in her life, she heard her name being called from around the front of the building. Her head whipped around so quickly, brows raised and eyes wider as she recognized her mother's voice. Glancing back at Maleos, she felt instant regret that their time would be cut so short. A flurry of quick emotions played on her face before responding, "I'll be there in a minute, Mama!"
Her expression fell a moment with a heavy breath, but she managed a small flicker of a smile to Maleos before looking at the sword in her hand, concocting the explanation to give her - a man needed to try two swords before deciding the one he would buy.
"My mother has returned, if you wish to purchase the sword," she replied, her tone expressing more than the simple statement - she hated how this time had come to an end. "Come."
Leto quickly rounded the corner, facing her mother's questioning expression as she glanced from the sword in Leto's hand to the beads of sweat on her daughter's forehead to the tall young man who followed her. The brows raised skyward as Leto began to explain quickly that Maleos came specifically to their swordstand to buy a sword and that he made a selection, between the two swords.
"That's fine enough," Eudora replied, still highly skeptical of her daughter, despite the carefully placed innocent expression that she bore. "I will be glad to help you with your purchase, young master Maleos. Leto, go help your father put away the supplies from the market so he does not lose his focus. And wipe your forehead." Leto smiled innocently and nodded, looking back to Maleos as her mother stepped behind the vendor stand to find the recordbooks that Leto could not find before.
"When do you leave Chaossis?" Leto asked, quickly, "If I do not see you before you go, I wish you all the best as a soldier. You will be the best of them. I can tell."
Maleos probably felt as awkward as she did at her comment that he would make a good soldier, not because he didn’t like the compliment or anything of that sort, but simply because he wasn’t used to compliments. Her awkward smile was met with one from Maleos, and he cleared his throat a little bit.
“Thank you.” He said simply, unsure of how else to react, though the compliment had him feeling a little bit of pride creep up on him, he tried not to let it get to him. He was just a common boy who was better with a sword than the other common boys, that was all. There was no need for him to start getting prideful, at least until he had earned it.
He heard her name being called and watched her as she whipped to look in the direction of the market stall, calling back out to her mother. He was happy that she was back, because it meant that he could potentially purchase his sword, but he was also the slightest bit disappointed because it meant that their little bit of fun was coming to an end, and he had been enjoying himself. It was a rare thing for Maleos to have any sort of fun with another person, his parents would probably die of shock if they had seen the boy smile earlier.
He followed her back around to where her mother waited, a little entertained by the story she had come up with, but his expression remained neutral and he nodded along with her story, as if affirming it to her mother. He thought it easiest to agree with what Leto said, lest she get in trouble for playing with swords, he didn’t imagine her mother would be awfully happy about a girl playing with weapons.
Maleos nodded again as Leto’s mother said she would be able to help him with the sword purchase, he looked quickly at Leto as she spoke. “I leave as soon as my parents are done at market.” He answered. Looking from her to her mother and then back. “Thank you, for your assistance today.” He said, he really wanted to say friendship instead of assistance, but that felt silly, and besides that he didn’t know what her mother would say to that. “I will see you again one day.” He said, though he didn’t know if it was true, he hoped it was. She had caught his interest for some reason that was yet unknown to him, and he wanted to get to know her better.
As Leto hurried off to help her father, Maleos turned his attention back to her mother and the purchase of his first sword. The rest of the transaction went smoothly, he had just enough to purchase his chosen sword, and even had the smallest amount left over after. When all was said and down, Maleos left the stall with thoughts of nothing but the new weapon he held in his hands.
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Maleos probably felt as awkward as she did at her comment that he would make a good soldier, not because he didn’t like the compliment or anything of that sort, but simply because he wasn’t used to compliments. Her awkward smile was met with one from Maleos, and he cleared his throat a little bit.
“Thank you.” He said simply, unsure of how else to react, though the compliment had him feeling a little bit of pride creep up on him, he tried not to let it get to him. He was just a common boy who was better with a sword than the other common boys, that was all. There was no need for him to start getting prideful, at least until he had earned it.
He heard her name being called and watched her as she whipped to look in the direction of the market stall, calling back out to her mother. He was happy that she was back, because it meant that he could potentially purchase his sword, but he was also the slightest bit disappointed because it meant that their little bit of fun was coming to an end, and he had been enjoying himself. It was a rare thing for Maleos to have any sort of fun with another person, his parents would probably die of shock if they had seen the boy smile earlier.
He followed her back around to where her mother waited, a little entertained by the story she had come up with, but his expression remained neutral and he nodded along with her story, as if affirming it to her mother. He thought it easiest to agree with what Leto said, lest she get in trouble for playing with swords, he didn’t imagine her mother would be awfully happy about a girl playing with weapons.
Maleos nodded again as Leto’s mother said she would be able to help him with the sword purchase, he looked quickly at Leto as she spoke. “I leave as soon as my parents are done at market.” He answered. Looking from her to her mother and then back. “Thank you, for your assistance today.” He said, he really wanted to say friendship instead of assistance, but that felt silly, and besides that he didn’t know what her mother would say to that. “I will see you again one day.” He said, though he didn’t know if it was true, he hoped it was. She had caught his interest for some reason that was yet unknown to him, and he wanted to get to know her better.
As Leto hurried off to help her father, Maleos turned his attention back to her mother and the purchase of his first sword. The rest of the transaction went smoothly, he had just enough to purchase his chosen sword, and even had the smallest amount left over after. When all was said and down, Maleos left the stall with thoughts of nothing but the new weapon he held in his hands.
Maleos probably felt as awkward as she did at her comment that he would make a good soldier, not because he didn’t like the compliment or anything of that sort, but simply because he wasn’t used to compliments. Her awkward smile was met with one from Maleos, and he cleared his throat a little bit.
“Thank you.” He said simply, unsure of how else to react, though the compliment had him feeling a little bit of pride creep up on him, he tried not to let it get to him. He was just a common boy who was better with a sword than the other common boys, that was all. There was no need for him to start getting prideful, at least until he had earned it.
He heard her name being called and watched her as she whipped to look in the direction of the market stall, calling back out to her mother. He was happy that she was back, because it meant that he could potentially purchase his sword, but he was also the slightest bit disappointed because it meant that their little bit of fun was coming to an end, and he had been enjoying himself. It was a rare thing for Maleos to have any sort of fun with another person, his parents would probably die of shock if they had seen the boy smile earlier.
He followed her back around to where her mother waited, a little entertained by the story she had come up with, but his expression remained neutral and he nodded along with her story, as if affirming it to her mother. He thought it easiest to agree with what Leto said, lest she get in trouble for playing with swords, he didn’t imagine her mother would be awfully happy about a girl playing with weapons.
Maleos nodded again as Leto’s mother said she would be able to help him with the sword purchase, he looked quickly at Leto as she spoke. “I leave as soon as my parents are done at market.” He answered. Looking from her to her mother and then back. “Thank you, for your assistance today.” He said, he really wanted to say friendship instead of assistance, but that felt silly, and besides that he didn’t know what her mother would say to that. “I will see you again one day.” He said, though he didn’t know if it was true, he hoped it was. She had caught his interest for some reason that was yet unknown to him, and he wanted to get to know her better.
As Leto hurried off to help her father, Maleos turned his attention back to her mother and the purchase of his first sword. The rest of the transaction went smoothly, he had just enough to purchase his chosen sword, and even had the smallest amount left over after. When all was said and down, Maleos left the stall with thoughts of nothing but the new weapon he held in his hands.