ONS
Anteros was only back at the school for a short time. Diana announced to their classmates that Anteros and Lorissa were now members of the Amazon army. She then gave them a brief lecture on duty, honor, courage, and above all, not embarrassing her in front of their new commanders.
âLorissa, Anteros, you will not be serving in the same unit,â said Diana. âOne novice warrior is enough for any commander to have to deal with. Anteros, your commander will be Loja. I know youâve already got directions to her home. Now that you are a real soldier, you may report to the menâs barracks. Go see Xan. He will take you there. You are dismissed.â
Anteros nodded his head to acknowledge the command and set off to find Xan.
Xan took him to a large, stone, multi-level building not too far from the practice field.
âThis is the one place you are free from women, Anteros,â said Xan with a grin. âThey never come here. The building is empty at night because we all have unpleasant chores to perform, but you can always find men here during the day.â
Xan took him on a tour of the building. There was a kitchen, large bath, and cots for those who chose to sleep, a small library, and tables and chairs in every room. There were no small rooms. All were large and open. The barracks was more like a meeting hall than a residence.
Men sat around the tables and drank, ate and talked. There were lively games and coins being exchanged by groups of men at several large tables. Xan explained that they were âgamblingâ. He also had to explain to Anteros what âgamblingâ was. He closed his explanation of gambling by advising Anteros not to try it.
Xan looked serious as he said, âIt is a game of wits and luck, Anteros. If you get in the game you will quickly lose the first silver coins youâve ever owned. Watch the game if you wish. Watch it often and in a year, you may learn it well enough to have a chance of winning. If I let you play the game now it would be like throwing a lamb into a pit of starving lions.â
Anteros understood that this is where men came for recreation. As soldiers, it was their duty to keep their weapons at hand twenty-four hours a day, but they didnât have assigned duties every day. Several days a month they would be free to do what they wished. This was a place to spend that leisure time. Since Amazon men didnât own homes, this was home to them.
Xan introduced Anteros to several of the men then said, âI have to get back to the practice field. Diana has another student for me to abuse. You have a couple of hours before sundown but donât be late in reporting to Loja. Making your unit commander angry is a bad way to start a military career.â
With that, Xan slapped Anteros on the shoulder with his massive hand and left.
Anteros had something he wanted to do but he didnât want to do it with the dirt and sweat that was on him. He bathed then put on a white tunic. He packed all of his armor and weapons into his pack and put it over his shoulder. He walked briskly to Lienâs house.
Kyra greeted him with a warm smile and a hug. âWelcome back, Anteros! What brings you back to us so soon?â
âMay I see Mistress Lien?â he inquired nervously.
âShe is rather busy with the schedules and she really doesnât like to be disturbed when she is working on them. Would you like to come back tomorrow? Or perhaps I can help you.â
âI donât know if I can come back tomorrow. Tonight I report to my new commander. I became a soldier today,â he said while trying to conceal his pride.
âThat is wonderful, Anteros. Now you be careful and stay alive. Iâve become rather fond of you,â said Kyra.
Anteros smiled and blushed slightly. âAnd I you, Miss Kyra. I will try to stay alive if that is what you wish.â
âIt is, so donât you dare disobey me. Now can I help you or do you need to come back when Lien isnât so busy?â she asked.
âItâs about last night, Miss. Mistress Rosella did something that surprised me. I know Iâm not supposed to discuss intimate details but⌠butâŚâ
Kyra interrupted him, âYou are correct. The intimate details of your private encounters with women are something you shouldnât discuss in public. But this facility is an exception, Anteros. It is our duty to teach you about sex and if there is something you need to know, you are free to discuss it with me or anyone else on Mistress Lienâs staff.â
She stared at Anteros with her large, liquid, brown eyes, waiting for a response.
âWell what is it, Anteros?â she asked.
âMistress Rosella tied me, hand and foot, to her bed,â he blurted out.
âIs that all?â asked Kyra with a look of amusement on her face.
âYes, Miss. She tied me to her bed and teased me. I couldnât move. How am I supposed to please a woman if I canât move?â
Kyra laughed, âThat is not unusual, Anteros. A lot of women will bind you. It gives them pleasure to see a strong man helpless to resist them.â
Anteros was silent as he absorbed this new information.
Kyra noticed his furrowed brow.
âDid she hurt you, Anteros?â she asked.
âNo, Miss. She was quite gentle.â