The disappointment set in Hippos, as he has to leave, he has to bail on what is and what was his home. Dissatisfied, as he felt he was a coward, failing to protect and help those he grew to love, failing to defend the place he loves. Running from responsibility, running away from the right thing to do. His heart heavy as he failing himself too, as whatever power he has wasn’t invested where it mattered. Adpetentia was joyous on the other hand, as she knew that having him by her side meant they were going to spend more time together. Since she didn’t leave him behind, didn’t desert him to the cold grips, war, of death to strangle the life out of him. And instead, the warm embrace of her love would be there to soothe whatever wounds he has from this disappointment of his.

He had few things, a lock of hair from his mother, a bracelet from his father and the sword The Giant gave him. That, a robe and another pair of footwear for rainy and cold times. All were neatly packed in a white sheet that was tied around his shoulders. His white locks of hair that grew to under his shoulders were in the wind, as the two made their way towards her house, to now pick her things up. And from there they, together with her parents, went to the north of Creetus. A soldier was waiting for all the women, children and able elderly, to instruct them on the path they should take. How to dodge the Roman army men, pass without going through rough terrain, how to protect against wild animals and how to set up camp properly for the night. And in the worst case scenario, how to act in case that none of that helps. Some of the hope that he’d be helpful came back into his eyes, once again Hippos thought to himself that he’d be worthy and prove himself. But it all got crushed, when some women decided to stay to help the men. By either cooking, patching them up or taking care of what needed to be taken care of.

Slowly, carefully, a few hundred people from Creetus started moving north. The Giant was nowhere to be seen. Hippos felt a deep throbbing pain suddenly in his heart as he looked behind, yet saw no one. Just the image of a green hill, some yellowish buildings and the blue sea getting tiny, in his field of vision. Until they were nonexistent, as the trees started to envelop everyone as they moved further north.

And then…

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