3 We March!

Word has come back, and it is not as we had hoped. The Oracle and the Ephors have spoken. Sparta's army cannot march. We cannot battle Xerxes. As an Army we can't. So, my king has given us a specific order. Artemis and I have been ordered to choose three hundred of our best warriors to march with him to the hot gates. And so, we did.

Here I stand, getting ready to leave to join my brothers in battle. I gather my sword, my spear, and my shield and prepare to leave, since we have been forbidden to go to war, I cannot bring my armor. Only the clothes on my back. I walk from my bedroom to the front door to see my family waiting for me. My son stands proud, his head high and chest out. He's the man now. My daughter, her tears are strong. But the pride I feel for her. The love I have for her, is far stronger. And standing at the front is my wife. Her beautiful ocean orbs staring into my own. Her face is stoic, and proud. But I can feel her pain. I can see her fighting back the tears.

" Spartan. My love. Come back to us with your shield. Or on it." She said to me. She reached up and took the necklace I gave to her all those years ago and placed it around my neck. The many sharp teeth of the lion, and the beautiful gems she toiled to find. Our symbol of love.

My daughter pulls on my arm. She places a beautiful bracelet in my hands. I kiss her softly on her forehead and wipe away the tears. I probably won't see you again, my princess. But know I love you. I don't say. I don't need to. She knows. I hope she knows.

I turn back to my wife. I stare at her, my face hardened in preparation for the battle to come. I don't say a word to her. How could I. Only the strong and brave may call themselves Spartans. Only the strong. Only the brave. I reached down and give to my son the lion pelt that I made all those years ago.

He looked up at me and beats on his chest proudly. I know it hurts my son. But tomorrow will be a brighter day. Not just for Sparta. But for all of Greece. I walked outside and the first thing I saw were all of my brothers and their families gathered.

" SPARTANS! AWHOO!"

" AWHOO! AWHOO! AWHOO! AWHOO! AWHOO! AWHOO! AWHOO! AWHOO! AWHOO!" This wasn't my brothers. These were our Mothers. Our Sisters. Our Wives. Our Daughters. My Wife. My Daughter.

" MOVE OUT!" I raise my spear and shout to my brothers.

We don't say a word, but each of us knows that deep within our hearts, we love our families.

And so, we March to meet our king. Our feet marching to the sound of our families' chants. None of us looking back. Only forward. Forward to the future.

Outside the gates of Sparta, we meet our king. Leonidas.

" Captains."

" My king." Artemis and I reply.

" Is this all of them?" Leonidas asked

" Three hundred, as you ordered. All of them with sons to carry on their name." Artemis replied.

Leonidas looked at Dillios and nodded. He then began moving on to the next Spartans.

" We are with you sire. For Sparta. For Freedom. To the death!" Stelios shouted.

I smirked at my old friend. He was braver than most. And definitely the most battle-crazed fiend of us all.

Leonidas smirked as well. Proud of his soldier's fearlessness.

We continued on inspecting the troops until we came across a young one. One of Artemis' boys.

" He is you son. But he is too young to have felt a woman's warmth." Leonidas spoke.

" Are you sure, Artemis?" I asked. I too was concerned for the boy. This wasn't a battle many of us were expecting to come back from. And in Sparta not leaving behind a son could be a sign of shame in some cases.

" I have others to replace him." Artemis spoke. " Astinos is as brave as any. No younger than we were the first time we all stood next to each other in battle." Artemis spoke.

I patted the man on his back. I had nothing else to say.

" You are a good friend. But a better captain? There is none." Leonidas spoke.

' I resent that, Leonidas." I spoke plainly.

" Don't. Amongst my army, none have the skill and strength with a blade that you do." Leonidas replied

I smirked and slapped my spear across my shield.

" My good king! My good king!" We turned to see that members of the council were approaching us.

" My good king! The Oracle has spoken. The Ephors have spoken. There must be no march." They spoke.

" Tis the law my lord. The Spartan army must not go to war." Theron spoke.

" Nor shall it. I've issued no such orders. I'm here, just taking a stroll. Stretching my legs. These uh, 300 men are my personal bodyguard. Our army will stay in Sparta." Leonidas spoke.

" And where will you go?" Theron asked.

" I haven't really thought about it. But now that you ask. I think I'll head north." Leonidas replied.

" The hot gates." Theron replied.

I stared at the Council men as they looked to each other for an answer coldly. I despised these cowards more than any. They are a disgrace to the name Sparta.

" MOVE OUT!" Artemis shouted to our brave three hundred.

" What shall we do?" One of the council men asked.

" What can we do?" Theron replied.

" What can you do?" Leonidas asked.

I looked at Theron and grabbed the hilt of my sword. I think the message is loud and clear. I then turned and marched to join my brothers. Making my way all the way to the front alongside Artemis as we began our march. As I did, Leonidas stood behind and spoke with his wife.

" Spartan, Come back with your shield. Or on it." Gorgo spoke.

He doesn't say a word. None of us do. He simply Marches.

As we marched, we were bestowed upon a sight like no other. Our families and our brothers forced to stay behind seeing us off.

None of us look, none of us say a word. For only the strong and the brave may call themselves Spartans. Only the Strong... Only the Brave...

Our aulos is played loud and strong, signaling the beginning of our fight.

We March.

For our Lands.

For our families.

For our Freedoms.

We March!