Softly stroking the hairs upon Aporia’s head as she laid her head on the side of the bed he sighed and followed the design on the ceiling of his room with his eyes. He barely had any sleep during the night, the faces of the dead haunting him as soon as he would drift away, screams shocking him back to life in sweat, and he would find himself lacking breathe. He used to get angry, frustrated, but he was too tired now and often sank to the floor and sat with Aporia, scrolls and parchments scattered around him and the hound as he occupied his mind; or tried to at least.

The sun had risen, and Aporia soon let out a knowing moan before slipping out from underneath his touch and running towards the door. A knock, and another. Stelios did not answer at first, he allowed Aporia to scratch at the foot of the door until he reluctantly swung his feet from the side of the bed and mustered up a firm, strong sounding “Enter!”

Showing weakness was never an option for the Antonis Lord, he despised it. Few ever got to see beneath the hot blooded reputation he had gained for himself. Gordias, the main retainer to Stelios, was beginning to become one of those rare individuals. As they rushed into the chamber to pick up whatever parchments was left on the floor and set up Stelios’ breakfast and bath, Gordias immediately headed over towards the Lord he served and held out a cup. “Drink, mmm?” He was well aware Stelios did not appreciate the concoctions he brewed in the mornings to supposedly ‘give him strength’, though Gordias kept offering them anyway. Besides, they may not have given the soldier his full strength -only sleep would do that- but they did at least help keep him awake.

Taking the cup and throwing the sludge down his throat in one go he shoved the cup back into Gordias’ hands and headed towards the small table on the patio, pouring some freshly squeezed orange juice into a cup, taking a sip to relieve his taste buds as he starred out over the garden. It was a pleasant day, a day he did not quite feel like indulging in routine and so as Gordias read him the usual list of things to attend to and be aware of he stood from his seat, picking up a round, fresh purple grape and examining it as he spoke. “I think I’ll make a visit to the temples today. If anyone needs me, that is where I shall be.” He popped the grape into his mouth and walked off towards the bath that was being prepared. Displeased by the interruption Gordias simply rolled his eyes and stepped towards the door, calling for Aporia to follow.

After getting dressed into prestigious clothing, yet comfortable and easy enough to ride in, he made his way towards the stables where he had the white mare readied along with a chestnut. It took some time for him and Gordias to get to the Noas of the Gods, he rode with no haste and stopped to buy apples from a merchant for his Horse along the way as well as a few offerings to leave the Gods at their respective temples.

Once he arrived close enough, he handed his horse off to a Gordias with few instructions and watched as his retainer rode off. Honestly, he had no idea to whom he would pray first. He had something he could send up to each God. A question, a concern, a mere thank you. Though he only truly came to the temples that morning to escape. Escape home, escape the Kingdom, escape himself.

He stood still on the steps leading up towards the temples, statues and trees lining the path and all he could look at was the sky. The clouds was thin, and moved fast against the light blue background, and the breeze was particularly kind, blowing by with the warmth of the day on its wings. He returned his gaze upon the earth and before him, not very far, stood a familiar face. A soft smile pulled at the corner of his lips as and he considered his next move for a moment. Daniil of Marikas was not the kind of woman he usually pursued, she was different from most in her behaviour, but that was not what made her unusual from his usual pickings. She was a royal, like him, and from a great House which made it difficult, and made her someone he would have to be careful about.

“It seems I may have to visit the Temple of Aphrodite first, to thank her for blessing my morning with such a beautiful sight.” he said as he approached her, politely reaching out for her hand to place a soft kiss upon her knuckles. Antonis has been close to the Marikas family ever since he could remember, and well before then. Daniil was no stranger, and although he rarely conversed and kept his distance -even from his own family- he lately found himself attracted to the beautiful woman Daniil had become, despite the rumours.

Formalities aside, he grinned and gestured towards the temples “Am I right to assume your sisters are around the corner?” in truth, he hoped he was not. Yes, he had to be careful, but that did not mean he could not try at all. To spend some time with Daniil, without the rest of her family close by, would be a pleasant way to spend his day.

Daniil of Marikas @aphrodite