It's been over three weeks since Andy, and his brother Dio visited. Three weeks hoping he may call on me. So we could talk more. But he never called on me. And I've not gotten to leave the house, so I couldn’t try to call on him. I sighed as I sat in my room, practicing my lyre, singing softly, "Oh Nymphs, daughters of the ocean. Daughters of springs and of deep caves. Beautiful virgins, wood-clad priestesses. Xothies of the woods amadryades daughters." I paused as I heard a commotion outside. Something was moving through the woods by our property. Whatever it is, it is knocking down trees. I listened to the servants as they hurried to inspect what was causing the disturbance. After the chimera back in the village, father was extra careful about wandering beasts. After a moment, I didn't hear any fighting, just the sound of whatever was out there continuing to knock down trees. The servants returned, not thinking it was a threat. "The groves resound by their songs. And their choir

I know I’m nitpicking. Andy… Androkles… er, Lord Androkles giving me a shortened version of his name may not be a lie. But I saw it as lying, a relatively harmless and honestly helpful lie, but still a lie. I smiled as he promised no more lies of any type. “And as far as I know, you have no ulterior motive. At worst... you kept who you were from me so I would talk to you.” I said. “I have no ulterior motive. It is exceedingly rare to come across someone who doesn’t know me or has a preconceived view of me. And other than Dio, even if it was because I introduced myself as Andy, you didn’t seem afraid of me.” he affirmed. “In that case, Lord Androkles, Androkles, or Andy. You have my permission to call on me as any friend would.” I agreed. “Though please don’t startle our horses anymore.” I smiled softly at him. I can’t call on an heir. Socially... I couldn’t reach that high. It would be like calling on Lord Ares. But if he calls on me… “I will see what my schedule would allow, then

This was the most awkward my rounds have ever been. The only person who was having fun was Hypatos when he joined us, having been waiting for me at the first stop. The old one-armed soldier was having difficulty not laughing. I’m glad he finds this amusing. I think it’s a damn waste of time. At every stop, her presence created a stir. Soldiers were surprised to see a woman with me, period. They were even more surprised because she was attractive. They held their tongues well enough around me, but I saw how they looked at her and then the fear when I caught them. I don’t care that they were undressing her with their eyes. It isn’t polite, but it’s not going to offend me. She isn’t with me in that sense. I’m stuck with her till my rounds are over, and then I can dump her off at her house and never speak to her again. She can tell her parents I was rude and dismissive of her and that she’d prefer any man but me as a husband. And I can tell my father and Eugenius to talk to me when they

I smiled and walked closer, deciding to play it off that I hadn’t just been listening to their conversation. “Hello, father. I wanted to greet Lord Androkles as I heard he was here.” I greeted him. After all, it is an insult not to greet an heir or council member. And it was an excuse to see him. My father was confused that I’d called Andy by his proper name. As far as he knew, I’d yet to be told the truth. I hope he feels foolish for keeping such a secret from me. "Hello Miss Ismene-Eirene. You have good timing. If you don’t mind, Leander, she should join our conversation as it involves her.” Andy greeted me. I looked in his direction as he spoke, bowing. "Hello Lord Androkles.” I said because I had to be a good Olympian right now. “It is an honor.” I can imagine how my father must look. I’ll have to ask Andy later to describe it for me. In my mind, it is a very amusing image. My father is rarely caught off guard. So, the fact that I have managed to surprise him makes me smile. “

I should have been prepared for this. But being overrun by puppies still caught me by surprise. There were so many of them, and they were so soft. Some didn’t get as close as others. But one seemed very intent on getting as close as possible to me. So laughing, I picked the puppy up and laughed even more as it licked my face. “Okay… okay. I get it. You like me.” I said, trying to control my laughter, holding the pup away from my face. “So he does,” Andy commented. “Oh, it’s a he?” I asked as I put the pup in my lap and pet him from head to tail to get an idea of how big he was. “Does he already have a name?” I asked. “They do not get names until we begin their training.” The trainer, I’m assuming, answered. “I see,” I said, hoping someone would give me the trainer’s name. I don’t like to be rude when speaking to someone and not knowing their name or what to call them makes that challenging. “That would make sense….” “Right, I neglected to introduce myself. I am Jason. I am the l