"I’m not a spy!" Damian gasped.

Before he got to explain a soldier came and announced that Phiedippides had returned from Sparta with news.

Right away the King and some of his soldiers went to greet Phiedippides. Damian was happy that they forgot about the spy, but now Damian was wondering about Phiedippides. Was it his cousin they were referring to?

About five minutes later the King came back. Soldiers carrying Pheidippides followed.

Damian’s heart skipped a beat. It was his cousin Phiedippides! He jumped up and ran towards him, but before he got very far a soldier grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

A voice called out, "No!"

Everybody looked to where it was coming from and saw Phiedippides standing there.

"He is my cousin and good friend; let him go", yelled Phiedippides wearily.

Damian was very happy to see his cousin all right, and ran to help him right away. Damian helped him into the shade and gave him some water.

"What happened?" Damian questioned Phiedippides.

"I was sent to Sparta for help to fight the Persians. They will not come until they are finished their religious ceremony," answered Phiedippides.

"Why would your army need help?"

"The Persians are almost triple our army," replied Phiedippides. "We need as many soldiers as we can find, Damian. I can not fight, so I am asking you to take my place."

Damian was lost! What was he to do? If he fought and died his family would have no one to provide for them. But if he did not fight, how would he live with himself knowing that he was a coward? He knew he really only had one choice. The King could not wait any longer for the Spartans, and was ready to strike. He joined the battle. Damian did not remember much after that, and anything he did remember, he never liked to talk about.

After the battle he had to pinch himself to be sure it wasn’t all a dream. He was not captured by the Persian army, but was celebrating the Greek victory.

"Damian", said a rough voice from behind him. "Will you go tell your cousin to go ahead of us to Athens to spread the good news?" Asked the King.

"Yes sir," Damian replied.

When Damian got to where Phiedippides was he could see that he was still exhausted.

"Phiedippides, the King wants you to go ahead of us to Athens, to spread the good news."

Phiedippides groaned, and got up. His legs were still weary, but Damian could see that he was determined to keep going.

Damian watched his cousin run until he disappeared in the distance. Damian went back with the army to Athens. As soon as he arrived, he went to Uncle Nicos’ house to see his cousin. Instead, he found his cousin lying dead. Damian could not believe his eyes. Uncle Nicos sadly explained that Phiedippides had successfully relayed the joyous news of the courageous Greek victory, but had succumbed to exhaustion after delivering it. Damian comforted his uncle as well as he knew how, then left to tell his family the sad news.