The Citadel
The citadel loomed high above Niko, a sandstone fortress perched on a ridge a few hours walk outside Thebes. The walls seemed smooth and clean, kept that way by an army of slaves.
The sun blasted Niko as he hiked up the narrow path towards the citadel. He cursed himself for not bringing another water skin. A rucksack thrown over one of his shoulders contained almost all of his worldly possessions: spare clothes, sandals, belt, a skin full of cheap wine, and a small knife—the closest thing he’d ever received to a gift from his father. The only thing he truly valued was a small golden locket, which supposedly belonged to his mother. He knew very little about her, but had assumed she’d died in childbirth. It was not something his father ever spoke about. But he cherished this locket all the same, often wondering what she was like. He’d wrapped it carefully in linen rags and hidden it at the bottom of his pack.
As Niko approached the gatehouse, something slammed into him, sending him sprawling into the dirt as his rucksack tumbled off the path.
“Look out, pretty boy,” said a young man, grinning as he ran past with two other recruits. He had so much muscle on him he looked like he'd been training to join the military all his life. The group disappeared through the gates and out of sight.
Great, I’m already being picked on.
Footsteps approached.
“Are you alright?”
A hand appeared behind him. Niko took it and let himself be pulled onto his feet.
“Thank you.”
“No worries,” the man said. “I’m Alexios. Were you also just recruited?”
Niko nodded, somewhat struck by how beautiful Alexios was. As lean as Niko, his hair was a light brown and fell in soft curls. He wore a white chiton with gold lining—likely a son of one of the noble families.
“Yeah, just yesterday. Didn’t give me much time to pack.”
Alexios laughed, the sound akin to birdsong. Niko distracted himself by retrieving his rucksack—praying the locket was intact—and brushing the dirt off his rough brown tunic.
“I’ll admit, I’m somewhat nervous. I didn’t expect the Sacred Band to want me. They’re the best of the best.”
Niko nodded. “Me too.” I didn’t expect anyone to want me.
Alexios took a breath. “Want to walk in together? I don’t know anyone else.”
“Sure, that would be…nice.”
They resumed walking up the dirt ramp to the gatehouse. Two soldiers in full ceremonial dress stood flanking the gate, red capes billowing in the breeze behind them. Their faces were hidden behind bronze helmets.
Niko had another reason to be nervous. The Sacred Band of Thebes was not just renowned for how they fought on the battlefield, but how they were formed in the first place. Half of the unit were veterans, most in their thirties, and with at least a decade or so of fighting left in them before retirement. They would each choose a younger recruit to partner with—and not just a training partner, but a life partner.
Theban children grew up being told epic tales of love and devotion between pairs—150 of them in total making up the unit. Of course, Niko knew there was a military logic behind it. The idea was that if someone fought in battle alongside someone they loved, they would fight like Hades himself was at their backs in an effort to keep their partner safe.
Perhaps that was why the Sacred Band of Thebes had never been defeated.
But it also raised the question—why did that man choose him? If anything he seemed disgusted with Niko when they sparred, as if wanting to be anywhere but with him.
He gulped. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
Niko turned to Alexios. “So who chose you?”
“Theron—I’d only finished my first bout too. But he marched over and said there was no one else in that arena he wanted.” Alexios blushed as he spoke.
Niko was happy for him. “He must have been impressed.”
Alexios leaned closer. “He’s quite impressive himself.”
They both laughed. Niko was just happy he’d seemed to have already made a friend.
“So who selected you?”
“Um…it was …” Niko cursed himself—why didn’t he think to ask the man his name? He probably thinks even less of Niko than he already did after so easily beating him at the arena.
They were mercifully distracted as they joined the back of a crowd of other recruits. Most of the young men also carried rucksacks. While some were dressed as richly as Alexios, there were some wearing rough woolen tunics. It seemed the Sacred Band didn’t care about wealth or social status. That was one thing Niko could be grateful for. Oh, and that he’d found Alexios. Two things.
I can survive this.
Towering columns ringed the courtyard, a walkway wrapping around the top of them. A few soldiers leaned on the stone wall, looking down at the young men below. Niko covered his eyes to shield them from the sun. He couldn’t see his…man? Partner?
He really needed to learn his name.
Double wooden doors were pulled open by two slaves, revealing the largest and most muscular man Niko had ever seen. He wore the armor of a Theban hoplite, with a white and gold cloak falling from shoulders. His hair was peppered grey and cut short. The courtyard fell silent as he stepped forward, hands on his hips.
Niko had never seen General Lykos before, but everyone knew of his reputation—cunning, ruthless, and a brilliant tactician. And gorgeous. Alexios gulped beside him. Clearly Niko wasn’t the only person enamoured by their new commander.
“Form up!” shouted the soldier standing next to General Lykos.
Everyone rushed to form a ragged line in front of the General. Niko made sure to stay next to Alexios.
Lykos began walking up the line.
“Good morning,” he growled, his voice soft but somehow managing to carry across the courtyard.
“You have all been chosen to join the most elite military unit in Thebes. We’ve needed to recruit more of you than normal this year, but nevertheless I expect great things.”
He fell silent, stopping in front of a recruit a few places up the line from where Niko stood.
“The rules here are simple—mediocrity will be punished, obedience is expected. You are expected to fight and love like your life and your city depend on it.”
He paused.
“Because it does.”
He walked back to the door.
“Is that understood?”
“YES SIR!” the group shouted as one.
General Lykos nodded. “Good. We’ll see how many of you are still here by next year’s selection.” He spun on his foot and left the courtyard through the same wooden doors he entered.
Whispers broke out around them. Niko guessed there were about twenty recruits this year. Which meant there were twenty veterans who needed a partner.
“General Lykos is…something,” breathed Alexios.
Niko nodded.
Another soldier stepped through the hallway into the courtyard. Niko’s heart started hammering. It was the man who he’d sparred with at the selection. His new partner.
He stood where General Lykos had moments earlier.
“Recruits, your initiation begins now. Leave your belongings here—they’ll be moved into your new quarters. Proceed to the training arena.”
No one moved.
“NOW” he roared.
The group dropped their rucksacks and ran through the door.
Alexios kept alongside Niko.
“Deputy commander Damon is just as impressive as Lykos, isn’t he?”
Niko almost tripped. “He’s…the second in command?”
Alexios laughed. “Damon is a legend, one of the best fighters the Sacred Band has ever seen. I’d kill to be his partner.”
Niko gulped, his heart hammering. Why did he choose me?
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