The Past Night
The Zena manor was right at the edge of the Heliate district, at the southern-most corner. Despite its close proximity to the Perioikoi part of the city, the Zena manor was one of the more popular sites for Heliates to socialize.
The Zena’s were a particularly powerful family, the manor a tribute to this. Built by old Alexei Zena with his own sweat and muscle, it was a shining example of the beauty of true Heliate architecture. The structure being built entirely of marble and stone, it occupied nearly an entire stadion of land. It was this house that old Alexei started his family. His wife, Maria Zena, bore him two children; a son, whom he named Cyril, and a daughter whom died in stillbirth.
Cyril Zena was neither raised in a life of hardship nor of wealth. Like all Heliates, Cyril was enrolled into the Helian Military Academy to learn the art of war and receive an education. After graduating, he was conscripted into the Officer Corps, and for several years harshly drilled and trained the infantry and motorized cavalry.
Now the current master of the house, Cyril is a man of sturdy build. His aging features began to become more noticeable and lines were beginning to materialize on his large, swarthy hands and stony face. Even so, his body retained the firmness and muscular physique usually accompanied with youth. Despite his hard features his eyes were soft, glittering, retaining humanity, having yet to be spoiled by war. The greyish-blue orbs did not penetrate through you as one would expect from his grizzled appearance, but gazed almost lazily over you.
There was a gathering at the Zena manor this evening. Many prominent Heliates had gathered to drink and discuss the latest gossip and happenings in the city.
“Ah! Brigadier General!” a youthful man called for him. Cyril shifted his gaze to a short, fair Heliate approaching him. “How goes your evening?” He took his hand in greeting. “Good. Very good.” Cyril replied, pulling his hand back. The man was incredibly young and handsome. The insignia of a captain was emblazoned on the shoulder of his tunic. The young man had obviously graduated from the military academy not too long ago, and was not very experienced. At least not by his standards… “Did you hear? There’s talk of a war overseas.” He said enthusiastically.
“Yes I have.” Indeed, there was much talk recently of armed conflict between the great nations on the other side of the world. “I certainly hope His Majesty Archon Protosidis keeps our people’s involvement within the confines of our own nation and continent.” He added, in answer to the young officer’s unspoken inquiry.
There was much talk recently over the imminent conflict between the nations of Oikawa and Kyiv following the coup in February. It was almost certain that Helia would have no part in such a war. Archon Protosidis I had kept alive the age-old tradition of keeping Helia out of the conflicts of foreign countries, especially when they aren’t on the same continent.
The young officer seemed disappointed at this. “But don’t you think it’s time for Helia to show the world who its true masters are?” he said questionably.
“And allow the communists to wriggle into our people? Bah!" An older man of higher rank, a colonel approached. Cyril knew this man well and had graduated with him at the academy.
“Ah Vassilis!” Cyril called to him. The old man seemed to have just noticed Cyril and a look of surprise swept his face.
“Cyril my brother, how are you?” His surprise faded into a smile. “I hope service hasn’t been too hard on you.” He chuckled mockingly.
“Of course not! Do you take me for a Perioikoi dear Vassilis!” he roared angrily. Vassilis chuckled once more.
“Ah Colonel Vassilis, how are you?” the young captain asked.
“Fine fine.” Vassilis replied with a wave of his hand, paying the officer little attention. The captain was flustered at this and stomped off.
“The youth today, they are eager to fight and make a name for themselves. Fools the lot of them!” Cyril remarked gesturing towards the Captain. “They don’t understand that going off and starting wars will make us more enemies than we may handle!”
Vassili nodded. “Tell me Cyril, have you found yourself a wife yet?”
“Have I!” Cyril scoffed, “my wife be the most striking in that group of girls there.” He directed Vassili’s gaze to a group of women down the hall.
“Eleni?” his eyes widened. “Ah you’ve found quite a wife there!” he remarked.
“Bah!” he scoffed, but he smiled proudly. “But tell me, what do you think of the war the youth seems so excited about?”
“I think it’s best if we stayed in our own borders. It’s difficult enough with the communists spreading their propaganda among the Perioikoi, creating agitation among the people.” He said bitterly. “Why, we’ll be dealing with a full blown revolt soon!”
“Yes. The Archon surely knows this and is taking measures against it. He knows we can’t handle a war, let alone one overseas.” Cyril said in agreement.
The two seasoned officers continued their conversation awhile and then, with goodbyes parted. As Cyril relaxed in his bed that night with his wife, the Heliate was not prepared for what would happen in the coming months.
The Zena manor was right at the edge of the Heliate district, at the southern-most corner. Despite its close proximity to the Perioikoi part of the city, the Zena manor was one of the more popular sites for Heliates to socialize.
The Zena’s were a particularly powerful family, the manor a tribute to this. Built by old Alexei Zena with his own sweat and muscle, it was a shining example of the beauty of true Heliate architecture. The structure being built entirely of marble and stone, it occupied nearly an entire stadion of land. It was this house that old Alexei started his family. His wife, Maria Zena, bore him two children; a son, whom he named Cyril, and a daughter whom died in stillbirth.
Cyril Zena was neither raised in a life of hardship nor of wealth. Like all Heliates, Cyril was enrolled into the Helian Military Academy to learn the art of war and receive an education. After graduating, he was conscripted into the Officer Corps, and for several years harshly drilled and trained the infantry and motorized cavalry.
Now the current master of the house, Cyril is a man of sturdy build. His aging features began to become more noticeable and lines were beginning to materialize on his large, swarthy hands and stony face. Even so, his body retained the firmness and muscular physique usually accompanied with youth. Despite his hard features his eyes were soft, glittering, retaining humanity, having yet to be spoiled by war. The greyish-blue orbs did not penetrate through you as one would expect from his grizzled appearance, but gazed almost lazily over you.
There was a gathering at the Zena manor this evening. Many prominent Heliates had gathered to drink and discuss the latest gossip and happenings in the city.
“Ah! Brigadier General!” a youthful man called for him. Cyril shifted his gaze to a short, fair Heliate approaching him. “How goes your evening?” He took his hand in greeting. “Good. Very good.” Cyril replied, pulling his hand back. The man was incredibly young and handsome. The insignia of a captain was emblazoned on the shoulder of his tunic. The young man had obviously graduated from the military academy not too long ago, and was not very experienced. At least not by his standards… “Did you hear? There’s talk of a war overseas.” He said enthusiastically.
“Yes I have.” Indeed, there was much talk recently of armed conflict between the great nations on the other side of the world. “I certainly hope His Majesty Archon Protosidis keeps our people’s involvement within the confines of our own nation and continent.” He added, in answer to the young officer’s unspoken inquiry.
There was much talk recently over the imminent conflict between the nations of Oikawa and Kyiv following the coup in February. It was almost certain that Helia would have no part in such a war. Archon Protosidis I had kept alive the age-old tradition of keeping Helia out of the conflicts of foreign countries, especially when they aren’t on the same continent.
The young officer seemed disappointed at this. “But don’t you think it’s time for Helia to show the world who its true masters are?” he said questionably.
“And allow the communists to wriggle into our people? Bah!" An older man of higher rank, a colonel approached. Cyril knew this man well and had graduated with him at the academy.
“Ah Vassilis!” Cyril called to him. The old man seemed to have just noticed Cyril and a look of surprise swept his face.
“Cyril my brother, how are you?” His surprise faded into a smile. “I hope service hasn’t been too hard on you.” He chuckled mockingly.
“Of course not! Do you take me for a Perioikoi dear Vassilis!” he roared angrily. Vassilis chuckled once more.
“Ah Colonel Vassilis, how are you?” the young captain asked.
“Fine fine.” Vassilis replied with a wave of his hand, paying the officer little attention. The captain was flustered at this and stomped off.
“The youth today, they are eager to fight and make a name for themselves. Fools the lot of them!” Cyril remarked gesturing towards the Captain. “They don’t understand that going off and starting wars will make us more enemies than we may handle!”
Vassili nodded. “Tell me Cyril, have you found yourself a wife yet?”
“Have I!” Cyril scoffed, “my wife be the most striking in that group of girls there.” He directed Vassili’s gaze to a group of women down the hall.
“Eleni?” his eyes widened. “Ah you’ve found quite a wife there!” he remarked.
“Bah!” he scoffed, but he smiled proudly. “But tell me, what do you think of the war the youth seems so excited about?”
“I think it’s best if we stayed in our own borders. It’s difficult enough with the communists spreading their propaganda among the Perioikoi, creating agitation among the people.” He said bitterly. “Why, we’ll be dealing with a full blown revolt soon!”
“Yes. The Archon surely knows this and is taking measures against it. He knows we can’t handle a war, let alone one overseas.” Cyril said in agreement.
The two seasoned officers continued their conversation awhile and then, with goodbyes parted. As Cyril relaxed in his bed that night with his wife, the Heliate was not prepared for what would happen in the coming months.