Author's Note:
Here is the revised and edited version of Gift of the Raven. I've recently gone back through and edited many things out as well as made scenes clearer and dialogue easier to understand. I understand that there still may be some imperfections in my writing, so please let me know and I will make all attempts to fix it.
Before you read know that the spelling in the story are different than you may see elsewhere. I prefer to use the character spellings of David Gemmell, Author of the Drenai Saga, The Stones of Power Cycle, The Rigante, and the Troy Trilogy. He's a fabulous writer, and his style of splitting a chapter between character I have found very useful and effective. I recomend his books highly to anyone interested.
This story is based upon the events in the movie Troy (2004) and the original script by David Beniof. I own none of the characters except Adonia, and certain elements of the storline belong to me.
Prologue
The wind softly rustled the frail curtains in the balcony's doorway as the young Trojan princess leaned over the broad stone that made up her balcony railing. She was looking down on the busy city that had forever been her home. She leaned heavily on the stone railing, looking down the ten story drop, Adonia was in no way concerned for her safety, as young children normally never were. At seven years old, Adonia was the youngest of King Priam's legitimate children, but she was already called the prettiest. Her raven black hair was nearly waist length, and currently braided back with silver and golden ribbons. Her long, feathery bangs fringed over her brilliant blue eyes in a way her mother found displeasing.
"Hektor! Come look! I think I see Papa!" Little Adonia called over her shoulder as she leaned even more heavily on the railing, trying to get a better look at the man riding in the fancy chariot along Troy's main paved road. She was partly holding herself up, partly balancing on the railing, completely oblivious to the dangers of her actions. Suddenly, her left hand slipped out from underneath her and she pitched forward dangerously, she cried out in pain, in shock and in fear. She squeezed her eyes shut, as if the action would make the scene disappear entirely and put her safely back on solid ground. Even though she was a child, Adonia knew that she was probably going to fall to her death, but before she could fall too far she felt a pair of strong arms holding her close. When she dared open her eyes Adonia found herself in Hektor's strong embrace, far away from the balcony's edge. She looked up into her eldest brother's eyes and saw the faint fear that lingered in their blue depths.
"Please be more careful Adonia," he said softly as he held his sister, "it would break my heart to lose you in such a way." It scared her for a moment. At thirteen Hektor was the oldest of Priam's children, and he was already strong from riding horses and training with swords and spears and arrows. Adonis enjoyed spending morning sitting with her mother, watching the young men train and learn the craft that would make them heroes and defend her father's kingdom. Adonia was no fool though, she knew that he didn't like fighting, but he was good at it, and as the oldest son he would be general and even King one day. It was the fear lingering in his eyes that had put fear in Adonia's young heart. Normally Hektor was calm, a source of peace and happiness always between his squabbling younger siblings.
"I will try and be more careful big brother," Adonia said shakily as she trembled in her brother's arms, but like any child her mind quickly wandered and when she indicated she wanted to get off the floor, Hektor did not stop her. "Hektor who is your favorite sister?" Adonia said shyly as she looked down at her bare feet, another thing her mother found displeasing.
"Why do you ask?" He asked. His normally bright and cheerful eyes were alight with humor at his little sister's sudden question.
"Kreusa was teasing me yesterday. She said she was your favorite, and that no one really likes me," Adonia said, looking out at the sea from the safety of her doorway. The 'Great Green' as it was called glittered in the sunshine, ships drifted to and from Troy's shores. From where she stood she could see people, as tiny as ants, scrambling around the beach. She knew that it was always busy on the beach. Her mother was always saying that as long as the beach is busy and hectic Troy will be beautiful and strong. Adonia crouched next to Hektor, who was still on the floor, and looked at him apologetically.
"She's just being mean," Hektor said softly, his good natured humor sparkled in his eyes and it warmed her heart. He leaned in close to her and whispered, "to tell you the truth of all our sisters, you little Adonia, are my favorite." He stood and scooped his little sister up in his arms, holding her tightly.
"Really?" Adonia squealed, her bright blue eyes brimming with happiness at her big bother's words. She, like Paris and Laodike, adored Hektor. Adonia, however, loved him simply because he was Hektor, her older brother, and her protector. She did not follow him like a lost puppy, but she would sit and watch him quietly. By now she knew most of his movements, and the difference in his words and what the slight changes in his face meant.
"Yes Adonia, really. I have a gift for you to prove it," He said as he first placed her on the ground and then reached behind his neck and untied the straps of the simple shell necklace he'd always worn. With wonder, Adonia stood as he tied it around her neck. It was amusingly long on the little princess, but Adonia was amazed that her brother would give such a gift. With careful fingers she caressed the simple spiral shell that adorned the thin leather strip. "It was a gift from a friend, and now it is a gift to you, my favorite sister."
"Thank you Hektor!" Adonia said on the brink of giddiness as she wrapped her arms around her big brother as best she could.
"Now I must go little Adonia, please be careful of balcony ledges," he said kindly as he placed his hand on her head, slightly ruffling her shadowy bangs, "and if I were you I would fix your hair and put on sandals before mother sees. " Adonia nodded her head quickly and scampered off into her room as Hektor left, looking over his shoulder once and smiling as he saw her pinning up her bangs obediently. She was so innocent; he prayed to the gods that she'd always be this safe, this innocent, for he was learning all too quickly how terrible the world could really be.