Blind Fury

Inside the dusty command post tent, Eden studied the detailed map of the border and listened to Ares’ directive about how to manage it. Eden paid close attention to what he told her. He was a master at war, and she knew it. No matter what her personal opinions were about the god, she wasn’t so proud or stupid that she’d ignore his teachings. She may as well get as much out of him as she could, right?

“Now remember, we are not the aggressors here. There is no sense in risking the loss of men unnecessarily. You are to wait until the Byzantium’s attacks first. Understand?”

“Yes, Ares. For the forth time… I understand. No fighting unless they start it. I think I can remember that.”

Ares sighed deeply. “Please see that you do. I’ve put you in charge of a very important job, Eden. I hope I’ve made the right choice here.”

Eden rolled her eyes and frowned. “Gee, thanks a lot for the vote of confidence.” She picked up the map and started to roll it up. Ares stopped her by placing his hand over hers. She looked up at him.

“I’m sorry, babe. That came out all wrong. I know you can handle this. I just want to be sure you know the seriousness of the situation.”

“I do…” she interrupted, only to be cut off.

“And . . .” he continued, “I’m worried about you.”

“Me?”

“The Byzantium’s are a brutal bunch, Eden. If you are captured, you’d better hope they kill you. You do not want to be a prisoner of war.” He paused, and then continued, “I don’t like the fact that I’m not going to be here. I don’t want to lose you again, Eden.” He turned his head away so she would not see the depth of feeling reflected in his eyes. He would not allow himself to show any sign of weakness on a battlefield. He couldn’t, he was the God of War, and a show of weakness was like a deformation of character.

“Ares. Ares, look at me,” she insisted and waited until he turned back and made eye contact. “I promise you, I won’t let you down. I will not be captured. I will not be killed. I will not fail.” She spoke with such assurance that he almost believed her. He had every faith that they would succeed in war, but he couldn’t shake the thought that he might lose he it, it, either.

He smiled and put his hands on her shoulders. “I know you will. I have every confidence in you, my sweet. Honestly.” He nodded.

“Good.” She seemed satisfied for the moment. “Now, what can you tell me about the Byzantium’s normal strategy? What kind of tricks do they pull?”

“Well besides being strong and large in number, they have a history of launching surprise attacks. They’ve been known to pounce on the enemy from two, and even three sides unexpectedly, guarantying certain victory. Make sure you post enough guards around camp, especially at night. And stay alert.”

Eden nodded. “Good advise. I will. And you, try not to worry so much.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you when you get back from Rome.” She walked out of the tent.

Ares watched her go and then whispered, “I’ll try. Just be careful.” He disappeared.


****************

Ares left for Rome once he’d addressed the troops about putting Eden in command. He’d heard their grumbles and objections, but threatened them with eternal torture in Tartarus if they didn’t follow her instruction. He expected them to respond that way, since the same thing had happened back when he had put Xena in charge, before she turned over a new leaf. Some of them would even leave the ranks once this war was over, men who were unable to take direction from a woman. He would allow them to leave because in Ares’ mind, they lacked the loyalty it takes to serve the God of War. Those who served him were to do so without question, regardless of their own opinions. The remainder of the men would eventually come to respect Eden for the warrior that she had become.

He was more concerned with Eden. She’d had enough of an attitude before he put her in command. Now he wondered if this decision wasn’t going to do their relationship more harm than good. Time would tell, he thought. At the moment, protecting Greece’s borders and coasts was more important than possible future squabbles with his girlfriend.


************

Word traveled swiftly regarding the attack that came along the shore of the Black Sea. Balicus and his men were diligently fighting off swarms of navy men who came ashore. Eden knew it was only a matter of time before the borders were hit. After she alerted ten ten to be on guard, she returned to the command tent and informed her aide that she should not be disturbed.

She sat quietly and began her meditation exercise. Within minutes, her spirit traveled along border into enemy territory to seek out their camps. She paid close attention to where their battalions were placed, surveyed their weapons and then found their command center and eavesdropped on their battle plans. Twenty minutes later, she returned to her body, stood up, and gathered the troops.

With the input of some of the higher-ranking officers, Eden and the men quickly worked out a strategy to counter the surprise attacks that the Byzantium army planned to deliver. An hour later, the attack came, and an hour after that, Ares’ army, following Eden’s lead, had easily neutralized the enemy.

There was still some fighting going on when the God of War arrived on the field. He quickly scanned for Eden and breathed a sigh of relief when he spotted her engaged in swordfight with two less-skilled men.

Ares turned to her aide, who wasn’t fighting at the time, and demanded a report.

“My Lord! I don’t know how she did it, but she knew exactly how the Byzantiums were going to attack. We were able to set up traps for them before they came and they walked right in. We got the advantage over them and they were easily defeated. How did she know, my Lord? Did you tell her?”

“I wasn’t even herecus.cus. This was her party. Obviously, she really knows how to get down, too!” he said with a big smile. “Awesome.”

An opposing soldier ran up to the aide and attacked him. Lycus defended himself and they engaged in a fight. Ares decided to go check on Balicus, leaving his ground troops in the apparent good hands of Eden.


****************

He arrived on the beach where Balicus and what was left of his troops were tending to the wounded and burying the dead. Unfortunately, Balicus hadn’t fared as well as Eden had with his men. More than half had been killed, however, they did keep the Byzantium forces out of Greece. AresAres walked over to where Balicus was being bandaged for a large gash on his forehead. He had lost an eye in battle, and a lot of blood.

“There you are, Balicus.”

The man stumbled to his feet. “My Lord!” He held on to the man at his side, feeling like he was going to pass out at any moment.

“You’re inj, al, along with most of the rest of your men. What happened?”

“Well… they had more soldiers than anticipated, and rushed the beach all at once. Even through we were prepared, they outnumbered us two to one. But we prevailed, my Lord,” he said proudly.

“At what cost?” Ares mumbled, obviously not sharing in Balicus’ victory. “More than half your men have died.”

“I know. It couldn’t be helped. The Byzantiums are brutal.”

Ares surveyed the battlegrounds, taking note of the number he would have to replaceore ore the next war. “Hmmm,” he grumbled.

“What about the border. Was Eden able to hold them at bay?”

“Yes. And apparently she did far better than you, general. She only lost a few men. They were able to counter the surprise attack the Byzantiums planned, and set a trap of their own. Quite ingenious.”

“That’s good to hear. I am glad that we were successful all the way around.” Balicus felt like his was spinning and his vision began to blacken. He had to sit, even though it was disrespectful to the god.

Ares looked down on him with repulse and disappeared. It was time to see just how good Eden really was. A test of sorts.


*************

He arrived back at the border, where the fighting had ceased. His men were scurrying around, taking the armor and weapons from the dead Byzantium soldiers. Eden was keeping careful watch over their activities from on top of a large rock about halfway up a small hill.

‘Perfect,’ Ares thought. ‘She’s alone.’ He quickly willed himself to look like a Byzantium soldier, disguising his usual appearance, and materialized a few feet behind Eden. She was barking instructions to a g of of men below her and off to the left.

He quietly drew his sword, getting ready to launch an attack, when she suddenly turned around and flung two razor sharp daggers at him. He was able to dodge one, however the other one lodged itself in his right thigh and he fell on his side.

Eden drew her sword, jumped and somersaulted in mid air, landing right on top of the fallen soldier. She held the blade of her weapon at his throat.

“You fool! You should have retreated with the rest of your friends. Now your wife and children won’t have a husband or father. Tsk, tsk. What a shame.”

“Please, my lady, don’t kill me.” Ares feigned fear as he spoke.

“Why ever not? You were going to kill me a moment ago.”

“Please, I’m begging you. Make me a slave, instead. Sell me to the highest bidder. Anything but death.”

“Sorry, but I take no prisoners.” She pushed her sword through his throat and then noticed that something wasn’t right. There was no blood. That’s when she realized who it was.

She removed her foot from his chest and reached down to grab him by the collar. “Ares! You bastard! What the fuck are you doing? The battlefield is no place for games,” she scolded.

Ares laughed and then morphed back into himself. He took her hand and got to his feet. “I wanted to see what you would do, that’s all. It’s my right to know how my newest general plans on conducting herself when threatened.”

Eden looked at him seriously. “What did you just say? Did you call me general?”

Ares smirked. “Oh, you caught that, did you? Yes, Eden, you proved beyond any doubt that you are more than capable of commanding my men. Congratulations!”

She smiled largely and then pinched his cheek. “See? I knew you’d come to your senses. Thank you. So how did Balicus do?”

“He prevailed, however he lost over half of his soldiers. You, on the other hand, are amazing. I spoke to Lycus earlier and he told me about how you planned a counter surprise attack. Brilliant! How did you know what to expect?”

“Well, I spied on them, of course.”

“And they didn’t see you . . .” It suddenly dawned on him how she did it. “Ah, yes. I guess they wouldn’t, would they? I never realized the meditation that Seth taught you would have so many benefits.”

“More than you realize,” she whispered under her breath. Ares didn’t hear, too preoccupied with her victory.

“Come on. It’s time elebelebrate,” he told her and winked. He grabbed her hand and they disappeared.