Venice
Chapter 25
[May 7, 1364]
(Crete, Venice)
"Theo," called out Zeno, "find your brother now!"
Theo nodded and ran down the trail leading to the village. His little brother, Kratos, went to the village with his friends. Theo needed to get to the village and grab his brother before meeting up with his father.
Zeno, Theo's father, learned that a Venetian navy was sighted near the island. Fearing the worst, Zeno wanted his two sons to escape to the mountains. Theo understood that something bad was about to take place but his father has yet to disclose anything to him. Whenever he asked, his father would tell him that he was too young. Despite being only eight years old, Theo was more mature than most kids his age. Still, Theo knew better than to argue with his father. His mother died a few years ago and he, along with Kratos, were the only family Zeno had. Zeno was being overprotective of his two sons but, luckily for him, his sons understood.
Theo dashed down the trail avoiding all the other pedestrians. He noticed that many people were heading up the mountain and, amongst them, many were children his age or younger. He made his way into the village and found his brother helping one of his friend's family loading up their cart. Kratos looked up and saw his brother.
"Big brother!" he screamed out and ran to Theo.
Kratos was only four years old and the two brothers were very attached. Whenever Zeno was out working, Theo was responsible for looking over his little brother. Thus, their bond grew strong and Kratos trusted Theo with his life.
"What are you doing here?" asked Kratos as he embraced his bigger brother.
"Father is looking for you," replied Theo. "Let's go up the mountain."
"Okay," he said before turning towards his friend. "Meet you at the top of the mountain," he screamed as he waved at his friend.
Kratos' friend waved back and screamed, "See you there!"
Theo grabbed Kratos' hand and they began making their way up the trail. Weaving through the crowds, they eventually made their way to their father.
"What were you up to, Kratos?" asked Zeno.
"I was helping a friend pack up, father," responded Kratos.
"At least you were helping out instead of playing. Let's get to the top," said Zeno and he took the lead.
Theo and Kratos followed behind. Zeno slowed down his pace so his two sons can keep up. The ascent up the mountain took half an hour and they made it to a series of caves. Theo and Kratos were told the caves were made by their ancestors to escape a major catastrophe. Zeno never explained what the catastrophe was and his sons never asked. Seeing the worried faces of the adults, Theo felt the urge to ask about the last catastrophe. However, he knew that it would be more wise to ask when his little brother wasn't around. Zeno took the lead again and his sons followed closely. They arrived at a large cave that was already housing many families. Theo recognized most of the inhabitants and wondered what could force so many from his village to the caves. Kratos, oblivious to everything, joined his friends and they started playing a game of catch.
Theo was watching his brother playing when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and saw Philippe, his father's friend, standing there.
"Theo, can you give me a hand?" he asked.
"Sure," replied Theo and he followed Philippe to where his cart was at.
Apparently, one of the wheels fell off and Philippe needed help lifting the cart so someone can put the wheel back onto the axle. Waiting by the cart was Philippe's daughter, Aldora. Theo had a small crush on Aldora but he was too shy to admit it to her.
"Hey, Theo," she called out.
Theo, with his tongue tied up as usual when he was around Aldora, merely nodded and smiled back at her. He quickly made his way past Aldora and went straight to work. He, along with three other men, lifted the cart while Philippe attached the wheel back on. As soon as the task was done, Philippe thanked everyone and proceeded forward. Aldora silently crept behind Theo.
"Why didn't you answer back?" she asked.
Theo was startled and Aldora laughed at his display. Theo hated that he made a fool of himself in front of Aldora.
"Aldora," Philippe called, "stop teasing Theo and let's get going!"
Before Aldora followed after her father, she give Theo a kiss on the cheek. Theo, surprised by the kiss, stood there like a statue until someone behind him gave him a shove. Theo steadied himself, turned around and saw his friend, Demetrius, standing right there.
"How was the kiss?" Demetrius asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about," replied Theo.
"You're not doing a good job hiding it. You're blushing too much."
"No, I'm not!"
Demetrius laughed and began making his way to the caves. Theo, annoyed with his friend, decided to give chase so he could clarify everything. Deep inside, he really liked the kiss on his cheek.
Chapter 25
[May 7, 1364]
(Crete, Venice)
"Theo," called out Zeno, "find your brother now!"
Theo nodded and ran down the trail leading to the village. His little brother, Kratos, went to the village with his friends. Theo needed to get to the village and grab his brother before meeting up with his father.
Zeno, Theo's father, learned that a Venetian navy was sighted near the island. Fearing the worst, Zeno wanted his two sons to escape to the mountains. Theo understood that something bad was about to take place but his father has yet to disclose anything to him. Whenever he asked, his father would tell him that he was too young. Despite being only eight years old, Theo was more mature than most kids his age. Still, Theo knew better than to argue with his father. His mother died a few years ago and he, along with Kratos, were the only family Zeno had. Zeno was being overprotective of his two sons but, luckily for him, his sons understood.
Theo dashed down the trail avoiding all the other pedestrians. He noticed that many people were heading up the mountain and, amongst them, many were children his age or younger. He made his way into the village and found his brother helping one of his friend's family loading up their cart. Kratos looked up and saw his brother.
"Big brother!" he screamed out and ran to Theo.
Kratos was only four years old and the two brothers were very attached. Whenever Zeno was out working, Theo was responsible for looking over his little brother. Thus, their bond grew strong and Kratos trusted Theo with his life.
"What are you doing here?" asked Kratos as he embraced his bigger brother.
"Father is looking for you," replied Theo. "Let's go up the mountain."
"Okay," he said before turning towards his friend. "Meet you at the top of the mountain," he screamed as he waved at his friend.
Kratos' friend waved back and screamed, "See you there!"
Theo grabbed Kratos' hand and they began making their way up the trail. Weaving through the crowds, they eventually made their way to their father.
"What were you up to, Kratos?" asked Zeno.
"I was helping a friend pack up, father," responded Kratos.
"At least you were helping out instead of playing. Let's get to the top," said Zeno and he took the lead.
Theo and Kratos followed behind. Zeno slowed down his pace so his two sons can keep up. The ascent up the mountain took half an hour and they made it to a series of caves. Theo and Kratos were told the caves were made by their ancestors to escape a major catastrophe. Zeno never explained what the catastrophe was and his sons never asked. Seeing the worried faces of the adults, Theo felt the urge to ask about the last catastrophe. However, he knew that it would be more wise to ask when his little brother wasn't around. Zeno took the lead again and his sons followed closely. They arrived at a large cave that was already housing many families. Theo recognized most of the inhabitants and wondered what could force so many from his village to the caves. Kratos, oblivious to everything, joined his friends and they started playing a game of catch.
Theo was watching his brother playing when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and saw Philippe, his father's friend, standing there.
"Theo, can you give me a hand?" he asked.
"Sure," replied Theo and he followed Philippe to where his cart was at.
Apparently, one of the wheels fell off and Philippe needed help lifting the cart so someone can put the wheel back onto the axle. Waiting by the cart was Philippe's daughter, Aldora. Theo had a small crush on Aldora but he was too shy to admit it to her.
"Hey, Theo," she called out.
Theo, with his tongue tied up as usual when he was around Aldora, merely nodded and smiled back at her. He quickly made his way past Aldora and went straight to work. He, along with three other men, lifted the cart while Philippe attached the wheel back on. As soon as the task was done, Philippe thanked everyone and proceeded forward. Aldora silently crept behind Theo.
"Why didn't you answer back?" she asked.
Theo was startled and Aldora laughed at his display. Theo hated that he made a fool of himself in front of Aldora.
"Aldora," Philippe called, "stop teasing Theo and let's get going!"
Before Aldora followed after her father, she give Theo a kiss on the cheek. Theo, surprised by the kiss, stood there like a statue until someone behind him gave him a shove. Theo steadied himself, turned around and saw his friend, Demetrius, standing right there.
"How was the kiss?" Demetrius asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about," replied Theo.
"You're not doing a good job hiding it. You're blushing too much."
"No, I'm not!"
Demetrius laughed and began making his way to the caves. Theo, annoyed with his friend, decided to give chase so he could clarify everything. Deep inside, he really liked the kiss on his cheek.