Chapter 7 - The Past

     526 B.C.

     Lestat had been in Greece for over three centuries now, traveling down from the north. He had not yet gained full control over his shape, holding his more wolf-like form. He didn't wear armor all the time back then. He had happen to be traveling near a local power when he noticed a young boy walking through the snow as he jumped from tree to tree. He stopped and narrowed his vision, looking over the boy. He wasn't wearing any clothes really, just what looked like undergarments and he was carrying a spear. He could smell something else as well, a wild wolf. He looked for it, unable to see it from where he was. He jumped into a taller tree, crouching at the top. He could see it now.

    It was hiding against the mountain side, blending in for the most part, it's fur black. He saw the boy slowly get closer, watching. He narrowed his eyes, able to see them like a human would from ten feet away. He watched as the boy noticed the wolf, watched as he stayed calm, slowly backing into a large crack in the side of the mountain. The wolf tried to jump at the boy, getting stuck. As the wolf howled he could smell more wolves starting to get closer. He started to jump towards the boy, making it about halfway, silently running along the ground. He stopped about fifty yards away, crouching and blending into the snow fall. He made it in time to see the boy shove the spear through the wolves mouth and into his head. 

    "You're brave to kill a large wolf" Lestat spoke loudly in the language of the region, having studied it extensively. The boy turned and looked toward him, not able to see him. Lestat stood up and walked closer, the boy raising his spear. He wasn't scared of Lestat, who could see it in his eyes. "I'm not here to hurt you" The boy slowly lowered his spear. Lestat walked over to the wolf and looked over it, then at the boy. He grabbed the wolf. "There is a blizzard coming" He crouched down. "If you wish to survive through tonight, get on" The boy hesitated, looking into the heavy snowfall for a few seconds before climbing on. Lestat took up, jumping around for about thirty minutes before coming to a cave. He put the boy down and walked inside, the boy following. 

    "Why are you helping me?" The boy asked him as they walked deeper into the cave.

    "Bravery is something that needs to be honored, if it isn't, it will fade away." Lestat spoke as they reached the bottom of the cave, it was pitch black until Lestat used his claws to spark a fire, the cave was wide at the bottom. The boy quickly say by the fire and looked around. There was a large cot near the wall with the hide of a unidentifiable animal covering it. Lestat walked over to a small box and grabbed it, carrying it over to the boy and setting it in front of him. "You'll find all the equipment you need to make a robe" He then grabbed the carcass of the wolf and sat it in front of the wolf. The boy simply nodded and opened the box, pulling the carcass over to his side and starting to gut it with a sharp dagger from inside the box. Lestat sat down beside the fire on the other side of the cave. "What is your name?"

    The boy looked up at Lestat at blinked. "My name?" He hesitated for a few seconds before shaking his head "I am Leonidas, Son of Anaxandridas." Lestat nodded. 

     "My name is Lestat" He said, trying his best to say his name right in the language. 

    "You're not from these parts, are you?" Leonidas asked, looking over him. 

    "No, I am not. Although I have been here a long time" Lestat chuckled softly, the sound of the wind howling could be heard even from the bottom of the cave. The boy cut into the chest of the wolf, starting to loosen all the insides before picking it up and walking up to the entrance of the cave, braving the cold to dump the guts on the ground. He tried to get all of the blood out as well, using his spear to hold the carcass up to let the blood drain. After he was sure most of it was out he returned to the cave, starting to skin the wolf.

      After the night had past, Lestat carried Leonidas to a safe distance from the city, smiling at him. "Thank you Lestat" Leonidas said, having trouble saying the name. Lestat smiled and nodded. 

    "If you ever need any help with something, You know where I am" Lestat bowed slightly before turning around and returning to his cave. 

     Over the years, Leonidas and Lestat became friends. Lestat often helping the Spartans in battle by attacking from the flank and then disappearing. Over the years, Lestat started to recruit other Lycans to help him. By the time Leonidas became king, Lestat had a small army of Lycans. They numbered around two hundred. Before Leonidas became king they fought without armor, often picking off enemy soldiers from the flank, after he did they did the same, but more boldly. Their armor was the same as a hoplites, only made out of gold. Even though they attributed to many Spartan victories, Lestat had decided to keep their existence a secret. Only a few knowing about them.

     When Leonidas marched to Thermopylae, Lestat had left to Karystos to dispatch a few defectors from his own force a week earlier. He took all of his troops as well, not wanting to take any chances on being too undermanned to handle anything. Leonidas sent a messenger to ask Lestat for assistance, as he had told Leonidas what path he would take. The messenger got to them a few days before the battle started, at the city of Eretria. Lestat started to make haste. Upon reaching the city of Chalcis, the rear of his troops were attacked by troll-like creatures, who were easily dispatched. Lestat looked around, trying to find a commander of sorts. He saw a larger creature wearing more armor than the rest and charged at him. The creature took off, leaving his own soldiers behind. As Lestat finally gained on him, a much larger battle was unfolding. The battle was one-sided, the troll-like creatures decimating their enemies. 

     Lestat and his Lycans joined the battle, having lost men to the creatures.The battle had lasted days. At the end of it, Lestat lost all but eleven other troops. The troll-like creatures were driven into exile by the alliance of the Elves and other creatures. Salgarth was spared but his son, who commanded the ambush on Lestats men, was killed. Lestat left five men to help clean up and then started to rush to Thermopylae, arriving only hours late. Leonidas body was taken to the enemy command camp, being prepared to have his head removed and his body crucified. His shield and sword were to be put on display as well. 

    Lestat and Otto alone forcing their way into the camp, slaughtering all in their path and retrieving the body and belongings. The other Lycans were trying to clear the main battlefield to take the other Spartan remains to their home. They used a makeshift wagon to carry most of the remains back to Sparta. They left the remains of the normal hoplites near where Lestat had brought Leonidas when he was a boy. Lestat alone walked into the city, hiding his appearance with a cloak. No one stopped him as he made his way to the queens chambers. He knew that Leonidas had told her about him. He carefully put his old friends body on his bed, laying his sword on his chest. Gorgo didn't know who he was until he put down the hood of his cloak. 

    "So, You're Lestat?" She said as she looked up at him He nodded and bowed to her, 

    "I am" He spoke calmly. 

    "After all this time of helping him, Why were you late his one time?" She was obviously sad, but was trying not to cry. 

    "My men were ambushed while we were heading to reinforce him. We were drawn into a battle. We won, but at a great cost. I tried to hurry, but I arrived too late." Lestat looked down. He too was obviously saddened by the death of his friend. 

    "Then it is not your fault." Gorgo said quickly, resting her hand on his cheek and making him look up. "I am grateful that you brought his body home."

    "If I would've left my troops to battle, or at least sent some to reinforce him, he could still be here" 

    "You have no reason to blame yourself. He can rest in peace now that his remains are home." Gorgo said, grabbing the shield from the side of the body and handing it to Lestat "Here, Take this as a reminder that you need not hold any guilt." Lestat nodded and took it, hearing people start to get closer. 

    "I bid you farewell" Lestat said, quickly jumping out of a window and disappearing from the city. The group made their way back to the first battleground. This is when Lestat met Delilah and her father. He told his troops to travel freely but keep their ears open. He met the leader of the Elves, Victor, briefly. He had learned that they had pursued the creatures after a small attack on their lands, which were in the west. Lestat followed them deciding, that with his only true friend and contact in these lands dead, he has been here long enough. He developed a relationship with Delilah, but they never would marry as it would be impractical. 

     After a thousand years of having her, he thought he wouldn't have to worry about her getting taken away. 