Empathy

Elegant, yet disturbing

Greece....

Although the day was just beginning, the kingdom was already a buzz with preparations to welcome the soldiers due to arrive later in the day, stalls were being set up on the market place and the gymnasium was decorated for the event of games that followed the sacrifice of honour at The Temple of Zeus located in the plains of Olympia,one of Greece major cities.
Kendall coincidentally was turning 14 the same day his brother was due to return hence it was a double celebration for his family who had the honour of bearing the name of an Empath in its holdings.

The one beautiful thing about Greece was the intellectual heirachy. Yes, there was a significant difference between the nobles and the peasant but most of the citizens related on a level based on skill and mental assets, if the youths were not practicing archery they were wrestling or swimming which usually took place in Athens or engaged in one physical activity or the other,while the elders based their lives on a more detailed aspect which usually involved sculpting ,architecture and most of all philosophy however there were some youths who developed interests in the works of their elders and the elders in turn were grateful for fresh minds however one aspect separated the two even more than their activities and that was battle.

The youths perceived battle to be the greatest honour one could earn while the elders knew better. Nothing awaited one on the battlefield but pain and misery.

As he walked into the compound on his way back from archery, he could hear laughter from the central chamber in which they entertained his father's company
"All we await now is word from the battle herald, which will in no doubt be victorious news,and then we celebrate". His father cheered.

"That will teach those overstuffed Romanians to break the treaty" a drunken voice followed.
"Now about that daughter of yours ,...."

Kendall knew better than to pass through with were the conversation was heading so he took the long way and went past his mother's chamber.
"Mom, I'm back, is..."
"She is not here. Check the courtyard, young master," one of the servants said as she dusted and arranged the room . It was common for families of high status to possess servants.

"Oh short stack, you are back. At least you didn't fall over your bow today". His sister said.

"Don't tease your brother, Polathia. How was practice today my young warrior?" his mother cooed as she ruffled his auburn hair.

The Darian family always made everyone around them look inferior even if it was unintentional.The head of the family, Callistus, was a retired commander of the Greek army was a man whose height was seemingly moderate, it never left anyone feeling to tall or too short, he was however a fierce man in battle and was ruthless to his enemies and he never left the bad habits of the baracks behind, a fathom medal you could call it.

His wife, Zenaida, had everything every greek woman wished for. Her beauty was undebatable, neither was her husband's good looks. She was fortunate enough to get married to one of the wealthiest men in Athens. Her first child also happened to be a boy. She had burst into tears of joy when she saw she hadn't given birth to a girl who would just end up in the trash. It was a tradition that was still existent in Greece at that time; female children were unwanted and considered a waste. Zenaida gave birth to three extremely gorgeous children who were envied in the city.

Polathia, Zenalda's only daughter, who, unless on special occasions wasn't allowed to go out of the house,was rumoured to be almost as pretty as the statues of aphrodite in the temple of Olympia. She had nothing to worry about, her parents were bound to find the best suitor for her.

Her first son, , happened to be the a source of pride to the family. Not only was he a noble and well-respected soldier, he was also an  Empath. His good looks did nothing to make him envied less.

The more favours the gods bestow upon you, the more danger you're exposed to among the most selfish of their creations as jealousy and hate are but two sides of a golden coin; the philosophers of Greece taught.

"The herald is back, the herald is back" the town carrier announced as he ran up and down the streets of Athens.

"This does not bode well, the King's drummers should have started the first part of the festival and yet all we can hear are the footsteps of the men of Athens," Kendall's mother said.

"I could follow father to the meeting," Kendall  immediately replied with excitement on his face.

"Don't you get it shorty, if there is no celebration it means we lost the battle and that also means..." Polathia replied.

"Brother " his eyes widened in horror.

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Hope you guys like this chapter. Our apologies for it coming quite late.
                                          ~signed
                                            writ3rsd0main~