Iliana, lay motionless, eyes closed and breathing purposefully slow. The bolts of thunder sped rhythmically to her abdomen and she curled up like a foetus, as she did when a small girl. Her once auburn hair was dark with sweat, and her eyes pinched together with the shock of each new pain.
Cressida was placed gently in a basket of linen, the sheen of labour still slicked over her eyes and face. Two strawberry lips parted in an angelic sob, before sleep fell huddled in the hollow.
A gust of air flailed roughly through the room, preceding Antenor's entrance, although he had not been present for the birth of his daughter, at the news of his wife's sudden drop In health he rushed eagerly to see the sex of his new born heir. Frantic at the thought of a daughter, his skin rose in a violent blistering red, and without even throwing a glance at his dying wife, left the cell where his ignorant daughter lay.
10 years later
Extravagant drapery covered the stonewalls of the sunken room, large enough to have easily fitted 500 advisors. A table spanned the entire length of the room, and slaves stood statuesque, decorative spears in hand. The mirror of water indicated the centre of the chambers. Sat either side were men of the Royal and Aristocratic Trojan families, waiting to discuss the future of the city in which they thrived.
Troy had suffered the overwhelming pressure of stalemate against Sparta, for hundreds of years. Kings of each despised one another; civilians and even servants remained loyal to their monarchy and their home. However, no battle had occurred inside a century, and so, there was a chance, that peace could be brought into being.
"I propose Your Highness, the arrangement of a visit to Sparta, which your sons should make." A tired, elderly man murmured to the King of Troy, before the father of Ajax, an infamous Trojan warrior retorted. "Sir, they are too young to be thrown into the world of men, do not allow them to meddle in affairs of which they know nothing."
...
That's all for the time being folks, if you want to read more I have more of a plot lined up for you, including love, adultery, betrayal and missed chances. Just let me know and i shall whack it up. Also any comments on the story so far would be great. EB x