In the kitchen, Stas and his sister sat listening to our discussion in the living room. I was still in mild shock but could manage it now. The plan sounded simple yet difficult to execute.

  From my side, I had to learn martial arts and sword handling within months, perhaps a year at most. I also needed to learn survival rules and how to use materials found on the road to continue my journey without major hardships.

  My return to the road seemed inevitable, my stay on the island impossible. The three men explained that here sympathies and antipathies don’t fit. I must no longer think of the past, but future rewards. They, except Eftis, couldn’t step on the road or help beyond the island’s limits.

  Eftis, meanwhile, was wanted by the other princes and couldn’t appear often, risking his life. Even bringing me here was a great risk for him, but necessary.

  When our discussion ended, Petros smiled again and invited us all to the table for a meal. His children had already set it and waited. Eftis glanced out the windows, bid farewell, opened the door, and left.

  Loupos sat immediately and began teasing his niece and nephew with jokes. They responded shyly. I think I caused this reaction. They weren’t comfortable with me in their space, though age-wise close to me. I sat too, waiting for food in silence.

  Kalli brought chicken with potatoes from the oven and placed it in the center. Petros began serving, starting with my plate. The table was pleasant, full of laughter and jokes, but I felt I shouldn’t speak, so my mouth stayed shut throughout.

  When the meal ended, I thanked them and returned to my room. I sat on the bed, trying to order my thoughts. Soon, Stas knocked. I opened, and he entered, saying:

  “Take this notebook. It’ll help track your progress. Try not to get discouraged, especially the first days. Ah, in a bit, Kalli and I are heading to the island’s center—if you want, join us; maybe we’ll buy you clothes for your wardrobe.”

  “Thank you,” I replied. “I’ll come. Knock when you’re leaving. Thanks for the journal too.”

  He left and closed the door. I set the journal on the bed, sat again, placed my hands over my eyes, and rubbed hard for seconds. Realization was tough. I leaned back, hands supporting me, head tilted to the ceiling. Everything still seemed fake.

  I rose and went to the window. Outside, two more houses, then nothing until the sea. Petros’s house was at the edge of the inhabited area, away from many eyes.

  Kalli knocked soon after and said:

  “We’ll be in the kitchen for five minutes. If you decide to come, be down by then.”

  I stood motionless, staring at the door. I wondered if I wanted to leave the room, if it would help or if I needed it. Finally, I dressed and descended. The two red-haired siblings waited, discussing unknown people and laughing. Seeing me, Stas turned and said:

  “We need to buy you clothes. Definitely basics. You’ll stay several months, and your training will be tough. Next year, I’ll go through the same, but mine won’t end until I achieve the desired results.”

  “So I shouldn’t feel bad. Others endure the same torments. Maybe start now with me—for motivation through competition?” I replied.

  “Nah, I’m delaying as much as possible. Preparing myself mentally and physically to endure. You’ll understand how hard it is once you start,” he answered.

  “Can’t you continue on the road? I’m waiting,” Kalli interrupted.

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  We stepped out and walked. Kalli led; Stas and I followed behind as he tried scaring me about my future on the island. His exaggerations were obvious, but I wondered if I’d endure. Even half of what he said—if true—would be tough.

  Kalli occasionally turned, looking us in the eyes as we laughed, but never spoke or made a face. I learned Stas was 20, Kalli 18. At 21, potential house heirs undergo grueling training, which they can avoid but at the cost of council eligibility. In the green one’s case, no family member wanted the position, so he trained from age 12. He took the seat at 16 after great difficulty and effort, never quitting.

  Many train to enter the forest and fight the lion’s descendants. Once in the darkness, their form changes to monsters. No one sees or hears from them again, except when the wolf announces their death on the island.

  As we walked, three girls emerged from an alley to scare us. I’d seen them before—Kalli’s friends from the council walk. They greeted her and Stas, expecting me to introduce myself.

  “Hello,” I said with a smile. “As you probably heard, I’m Nikephoros. And you?”

  The first had long black hair and green eyes—a combination I don’t think I’ve seen before. She wore a simple brown dress and sneakers.

  The second had brown hair and eyes, a blouse and wide pants, black everyday shoes.

  The third, also brown-haired, had pure white eyes—as if absent unless moving. Only the black pupil was faintly discernible. Her clothes simple too: pants, blouse, sneakers.

  “I’m Gorgo,” the first said.

  “I’m Stheno,” the second.

  “And I’m Ryali,” the third.

  “Is what you said at the council true? You really don’t know how you got here?” the second asked curiously.

  I looked at Kalli. Her brief seriousness and fake cough told me what I needed.

  “Yes, unfortunately. The kids and Mr. Petros are trying to help find a solution, but I don’t know what can happen. I was truly terrified all that time in the forest.”

  “Don’t worry, you with us now,” the third said. “Though my grandpa says you won’t stay long. He’ll find a way to expel you. Ah, yes, my grandpa is the elder in white at the council.”

  “Ha, indeed, he didn’t seem to like me much,” I replied.

  “No, it’s not that,” Ryali said. “He fears losing the last place hosting us in this world. We can’t go elsewhere; we have no other protection. All that’d remain is war, and for years, many left and were lost, achieving nothing.”

  “A solution will come, surely in our days—we just pray without overexciting to avoid mistakes, as my father always says,” Stas added.

  Gorgo stared at him intently while he spoke, as if no one else existed. Her hands behind her back, likely fidgeting nervously. She acted lovesick, unable to hide it. But Stas seemed interested too. After speaking, he lowered his head nervously, then lifted it, meeting her eyes.

  “Let’s finally head to the market—I can’t stand waiting. At home and here, you start talking and don’t move. You can do both at once, you know,” Kalli said, and we resumed walking.

  “Come on, don’t be like that—you’ve been cranky lately and won’t say why,” Stheno told her.

  “I’m fine—don’t see things that aren’t there. I was, am, and will be fine,” Kalli replied.

  Stheno hugged her from behind, gently pinching her cheeks, mimicking her words mockingly. We all laughed and continued. At the market, Stas lagged behind me with a condescending, sympathetic face, waving as the girls dragged me to build my new wardrobe.

  Though they tired me store to store, I truly enjoyed the carefree atmosphere, the bustle and pulling. It filled me with mood and energy to face what’s coming and accomplish it. Or at least energy to believe I could try—and perhaps succeed or survive longer.

  After shopping—quite a while later—tired, Stas and I took the things and headed home. The girls stayed, continuing their island stroll without us.

  “There’s no future here for us,” Stas said. “The smiles you saw today hide fear of the forest and what may come from it. About 2000 people live on this island. The number neither grows nor shrinks because many can’t endure and leave to fight in the forest. Life here starts driving many mad after a certain age. That’s why most are young. The older can’t take it anymore.”

  “And you—have you thought of leaving to fight?”

  “Yes, many times. But it’s pointless. Now there’s a plan—I hope there’s hope. My father said not to fear harm; more important is keeping trust in people than continuing to live. So, like him, I choose to trust you. Even if you betray our trust, I hope you’ll do right and help us—even unwittingly. Or you’ll bring the lions here, and we’ll all sink to the lake’s bottom together.”

  “That’s a lot to think about—I don’t know yet. Eftis’s promises are most tempting, while I’m sure the princes share nothing. But I need to order it all. In months, from my room’s calm, I’m in an unknown place fighting for my life. You know, it’s a big daily change.”

  Stas laughed lightly and stood still for seconds. He took a deep breath and continued walking beside me. Our talk lasted until home, where I entered my room and organized the things in the wardrobes.