They came out into the open and began to climb. His mind was working feverishly to find a way to escape, but the squad of Equals surrounded him. As they climbed the rough slopes of Taygetus, he began to notice that along the route, light-armed soldiers with bows and spears were stationed. At one point, he stumbled. The squad stopped and everyone turned their spears against him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the light-armed soldiers farther away raising their bows. So much did they fear him...
He straightened his back and proceeded proudly toward the Kaiadas. Gradually, on the steep slope, the rocks began to part and formed a chasm. His mind told him that it was all over, there was no way out. His heart, however, still hoped. He remembered that he once said that as long as it beat, he would fight. And if he had to die, he would do so with his head held high, like a Messanian. A gust of cold air snapped him out of his thoughts. Before him yawned the Kaiadas with its mouth open, like the gates of Hades. The coldness that came forth in midsummer testified to its bottomless depth. How many of my own must lie there, he wondered. What a silent grave this is...
The Spartans did not let him think any longer. With the same step with which they had climbed, they now pushed him toward the chasm. They did not give him a moment to stand, to perhaps say something. They would kill him as you kill a puppy you do not want, silently. Suddenly, the instinct for self-preservation overcame his pride. The terror in his heart flooded his mind. He tried to pull back, but a crowd of bodies pushed him toward the precipice. His bare feet slipped on the fine dust. For a moment, everything stood still. He was on the threshold of Hades. He could smell the earth and moisture. As they pushed him one final time, he put strength into his legs and jumped into the void. He would not give them the satisfaction of screaming.
(From the publisher)
