Title: Bed of Flames
Title: Bed of Flames
Author: Chrissykat
Ship: Troy, Briseis/Achilles
Category: Angst/Drama/Romance
Part: We Have Only Now
Rating: T this story is Rated T, Suitable for teens, 13 years and older, with some violence, minor coarse language, and other adult content
Disclaimer: Here is another installment of Bed of Flames for you readers. I apologize for the wait, but I do hope this chapter was worth the wait. Again, I do not own Troy the movie or the characters. Brian Tyler's: I Have Only Now inspired the title of this chapter. It's a beautiful instrumental piece from the movie Children of Dune.
Recap
For now, he would be wait and watch. Should the girl do poorly, well…Achilles would be that much easier to manipulate. "Thank you Nestor." He waved his hand, dismissing the king of Pylos.
Nestor bowed and shuffled out into the night, leaving Agamemnon to celebrate his continued fortune. Prince Hector was dead, Troy was almost within his grasp, and soon…
Achilles would be the one on his knees, begging for help.
Night gave way to day on the shores of Troy, but it was difficult to tell the difference.
Dark clouds loomed above the Greek encampment. Rain drizzled down upon the soldiers, who huddled in or near their tents. The miserable weather heralded in the twelve days of peace.
Throughout the Greek camp, the subject of peace was being met with a mix of emotions. Many of the soldiers welcomed this time away from the field of battle, hoping that their leaders would see the futility in continuing the war. Still, there were other soldiers, especially those from Sparta and Mycenae, who were eager to see Troy fall to the will of Greece.
Odysseus, king of Ithaca, looked up into the dark sky as he wrapped his cloak tighter around his shoulders. Truly, the gods were in a foul mood this day. His eyes peered down the shoreline toward the Myrmidon camp. Strange, how the weather reflected the mood of their best warrior.
As he walked towards the tent of Agamemnon, Odysseus sighed, preparing himself for another long, pointless meeting.
Briseis awoke to a blinding pain, which coursed through her body. Never had she experienced such agony; opening her eyes was a chore due to the massive throbbing in her head, but she managed to pry them open. Several moments passed before she was able to adjust her eyes to the darkness inside the tent.
Taking a deep breath, Briseis slid her hand slowly across the bed. "Achilles?" her voice was barely above a whisper.
Achilles had been watching over Briseis throughout the night. Exhaustion eventually crept up on him and he had laid his head down upon the bed beside her. Hearing her whispered call of his name, he immediately stirred. "Shh, I'm here." He took her hand in his, trying to reassure her.
Another stabbing pain raced across her back causing her to bite her bottom lip. Briseis squeezed Achilles hand while looking up into his eyes. So much pain and yet she could not recall just what had occurred to cause it, "My back…it hurts".
"I know, lie still." Achilles spoke softly. "Eudorus is looking for something to ease your pain." He kissed their joined hands, relieved at feeling her hand tighten around his. Her strength would see her through.
When Briseis turned her head to the side, she regretted the movement immediately. So overwhelming was the pain that it nearly made her sick. She closed her eyes, silently praying for relief.
Eudorus returned, but the new he brought was not in their favor. "I am sorry my lord. None of the Greek camps that I have gone to have anything other than poppy milk and willow bark." Eudorus spoke to Achilles quietly by the tent flaps.
"Poppy milk could kill her." Achilles growled before rubbing a hand over his mouth. "We will have to rely on the willow bark for now. Have Casambus brew a tea. Let us hope its enough to ease her pain until some yarrow can be found."
Eudorus bowed his head and left to carry out Achilles order. Achilles watched him leave until he heard Briseis moan in pain again. She was clenching the bed covers so tightly her hands were white as snow. He sat back down, brushing his fingers over her hair. At his touch, Briseis turned her gaze back towards him; her eyes were glistening with tears. It seemed like an eternity before Eudorus returned holding the cup of tea. Achilles took it and quietly dismissed his captain before moving back over to Briseis. "Here, drink this. It will help with some of the pain."
She nodded as best she could. Achilles gently slipped a hand behind her head. He tilted the cup towards her lips. Briseis sipped at the warm liquid, coughing a bit as she finished. When she had finished, Achilles helped her lay back down. He picked up a cloth and wiped the corners of her mouth where a little bit of the liquid had dribbled out.
Briseis cringed at the aftertaste of the drink. "Tastes…awful…" She licked her lips only to re-sample the bitterness of the tea.
Achilles sat down near her. Carefully, he took one of her hands in his own. "I know, I'm sorry but it is all we have at the moment."
She waved away his apology and took a deep breath attempting to get a hold of her emotions. Crying over the agonizing pain would not help to soothe it. Besides, she was desperate to know what had happened to her. "How, how did it happen?" Her voice cracked as she spoke.
She was trying to be brave, as she always did. When they had first met, she had done the same thing. Her inability to recall the night before worried him though. "You don't remember what happened?"
Briseis brows crinkled in confusion, "I, I remember being at the temple. We were, we were on our way back here and then, and then." Briseis grasped at the memory of the night before, trying to piece it together.
"That's right." Achilles stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. "The storm frightened your horse and he threw you off. You had a bad fall, but you're all right now. The healer came, and took care of your wounds." Achilles explained as much as he was willing to, the memory of her falling, now forever burned in his mind as one of the most horrible moments in his life.
Briseis watched as he bowed his head, closing his eyes. She lifted her free hand to touch his face, recognizing how uncomfortable he was in telling her about the accident. She was happy when he allowed her fingers to caress his face, glad that she was able to offer him some comfort.
"Can you forgive me Briseis? You have endured more pain than any woman should ever have to since we met." Achilles spoke softly before her fingers came to rest over his lips.
"There is nothing to forgive. This pain is not your fault and if it is the cost of our meeting, I would not change it for all the gold in Troy. I should apologize to you. Your poor cousin would be alive now if…I have brought you nothing but sorrow." Briseis whispered, the guilt of Patrocleus death still weighing heavily on her mind.
Achilles shook his head, "Don't you dare apologize to me Briseis. You are not to blame for Patrocleus death." He sighed, "You were not the one who put my sword in his hand or dressed him in my armor. Patrocleus chose to fight and he died like any soldier. My only regret is that I could not understand that in time to spare your cousin." He smiled down at her and was pleased when she graced him with a small smile. "You should rest, let the tea do its work."
"So should you." Briseis answered back, her guilt assuaged for now. It was obvious that he had not slept well, the dark circles under his eyes perfect evidence. She had not seen him look as haggard as he looked now since the night of Patrocleus' funeral. Of course, he would never openly admit his exhaustion. "Will you stay with me…until I fall asleep?"
He laughed under his breath. "Here you are lying injured and you are more concerned about me." Bending over, Achilles kissed her gently on the lips.
Briseis put as much energy into the kiss as she could. "If I do not show some concern…who will?" She laughed lightly, but the action sent more pain coursing through her body and she bit her bottom lip.
"Shh…careful now" Achilles said softly, trying to comfort her through this onslaught of pain. When she had relaxed, "I must speak with Eudorus, but I will stay here until you fall to sleep".
With his reassurance and the tea beginning to take some of the pain away, Briseis closed her eyes. Achilles watched as her breathing evened out. Only when he was sure she was sleeping, did he let go of her hand. He than stepped outside to speak with Eudorus.
He spotted his second in command near the ship, shouting out orders as the men loaded the remainder of the cargo. The drizzling rain had tapered off and his men were taking the opportunity to secure much of the large pieces of their bounty onto the ship. "Eudorus"
At hearing his name, Eudorus turned, bowing his head as Achilles approached. "My lord, the men are loading all the non essential items onto the ship for when we depart. The water, food, and all other essential supplies remain on shore as you commanded."
"Very good" Achilles folded his arms across his chest. His eyes observed his men moving efficiently as always. Even out of the battle, the Myrmidons functioned with purpose in their steps, as a single unit.
Several moments passed as the two men stood in silence. The Myrmidons milled about hauling the various items they had looted from the temple onto the ship. Finally Eudorus broke the silence, "May I speak freely my lord?" Eudorus queried hesitantly after a few silent moments.
Achilles turned to face Eudorus, "Always. Speak"
Eudorus cleared his throat, "Would it not be in the ladies best interest to bring her to Troy. They may have the herbs or medicines necessary to ease her pain."
The idea was not a terrible one. In Troy, Briseis would probably have access to stronger medicines than in the Greek camp. However, something inside Achilles told him to avoid that particular path. "For now she must remain here. There is little doubt in my mind that Agamemnon knows of her continued presence. If I were to send her to Troy, he may use the opportunity to steal her back and use her against the Trojans." Achilles paused, pondering what Briseis would say to that. "Briseis would never forgive herself if Agamemnon harmed her family because he had her as bait. Not to mention the danger it would present her in her condition."
Rubbing his hand across the bottom of his chin, Eudorus thought upon Achilles words realizing the truth in them. He recalled a conversation he and Lady Briseis had when Achilles had gone off to fight Hector.
FLASHBACK
Eudorus and the Lady Briseis stood, both watching as Achilles raced his chariot out of the Greek camp, toward the walls of Troy. Once the Myrmidon leader was out of sight, he turned to the woman at his side. Even after Achilles had nearly strangled her, this small woman bravely stood her ground, pleading with the raging warrior not to fight her cousin. With that act, Eudorus found a completely new respect for the Trojan princess. Eudorus placed a hand on her shoulder and led her back to Achilles tent. "Come lady, there is nothing for us to do now but wait."
She shed no tears, allowing him to guide her steps until they had entered the tent. Only then did she speak, her voice sounding hollow and distant. "It should be me; it should be me he kills, not my cousin." She slumped down onto the furs in the corner of the tent.
Eudorus was about to leave when he heard her words. They confused him and so he ventured a reply. "I…I don't understand…"
"If I were not here, if I had been killed at the temple, Patrocleus would not have been able to steal Achilles armor. He would not have gone off to fight and Hector would not have…" She closed her eyes, trying to rid her mind of the image. "Achilles should have killed me at our first meeting." Briseis explained her voice quivering as she fought to cover her emotions.
Eudorus nodded, his own guilt over Patrocleus death bubbling to the surface. "I do not believe that Lord Achilles could ever bring himself to kill you lady. I have known him many years, but I have never seen him so protective of any woman, save his mother, before you. He would never have thought to harm you had he been himself." Sighing, Eudorus stepped forward, sitting down on one of the stools. "I fear I am more responsible for the lads' death than you could ever be."
The pair sat in silence for a few moments, both trying to come to terms with their guilt. Briseis was the first to break the silence as she looked up at the man in front of her. "Hector will not win this fight will he?"
Eudorus gazed over at her sadly, "I do not know my lady." He did not have it within him to dash the hope she held even though the possibility of the prince beating Achilles was slim.
"When I was little, it was Hector who would save me when I got into trouble. I once told him that one day I would save him, but I cannot save him Eudorus. Achilles will kill him. He will kill my cousin and I will never be able to forgive myself. Hectors' death will be forever on my hands as well." Briseis laid her head down on the furs and cried for her cousin who would soon fall to the wrath of Achilles.
END FLASHBACK
Briseis' desire to protect her family was evident in the way she laid the blame of Prince Hector's death upon her own shoulders and it was just as clear in her pleas to Achilles. "Yes my lord and I will continue my search for the yarrow. There are still a few camps I have yet to inquire from."
Achilles nodded, unfolding his arms and placing one hand on his captains' shoulder. "Thank you Eudorus. I will leave you too it." He turned, heading back inside his tent.
He remained inside all day, keeping watch over Briseis. She woke up around midday, still in pain and Achilles grimly noticed, weaker. When he re-bandaged her wound, Achilles noticed that it was swollen and red. Thankfully, the small amount of pus coming from out of the wound did not smell of rot, which would have been a sure sign of infection.
Briseis looked up at him; her voice was strained as she spoke. "It is bad, isn't it?" While she could not see his face, the way in which he tended to the wound gave away far more than his expressions ever could.
"No, not at all. I have seen far worse." Achilles smiled, trying to hide his concern as he tied the new bandages into place and helped her get comfortable on the bed once more.
"You are a terrible liar." Briseis grinned back at him weakly. "Please, be truthful with me."
Achilles sat down on the stool near the bed and took her hand in his, which was becoming quite clammy. Looking upon her face, he noticed beads of perspiration forming on her forehead as well. "There is no sign of infection, but the wound is red and a bit swollen."
Briseis closed her eyes briefly before looking back at him. "It will not be long… before…"
"Do not speak of such things. The willow bark is just taking time to work, but it will work." Achilles assured her, attempting to reassure himself at the same.
Briseis shivered and she had to clench her teeth to stop them from chattering as she spoke. "I'm cold."
Achilles gently laid her hand back down onto the bed and stood up. Grabbing one of the furs off the floor, he laid it over her. "There, one problem solved." He stroked her cheek with his hand and smiled when she leaned into his touch.
Again, Briseis closed her eyes, "Will you hold me?" She wanted to feel him close to her, just one last time, especially if her time was running out. Though she wished to be as optimistic as Achilles, it was incredibly hard to do so feeling as she did.
"I don't want to hurt you." Achilles picked up a cloth and wiped the sweat off her forehead.
Briseis lifted her hand up as high as she could. "Please, just lay beside me?"
Feeling like he was fighting a losing battle, Achilles relented. He removed his boots and pulled his robe off before slowly climbing under the covers beside her. The movement of the bed forced a whimper of pain from Briseis' lips. Achilles took her hand in his and immediately felt her squeezing it as hard as she could.
Once the pain had dwindled to its normal level, she turned her head carefully to look at him. "Promise me something?"
"Anything, within my power" Achilles could feel her shaking against him. If Eudorus could not find the yarrow soon there was no telling how Briseis would fair.
"Promise me that if I, if I do not…" Briseis broke off, starting to pant as grew weaker. "Promise me that you will return to Pthia. Find happiness, find peace." Unable to hold back her emotions any longer, Briseis' cried silent tears.
Achilles wiped the tears from her cheeks being careful of the sewn up gash there. "You are coming with me to Pthia. You will survive this and then…" His eyes looked away as he now fought to hide his emotions. "Then we will make a new life together in Pthia."
Even now, he could not bring himself to show any emotion save determination and pride. Somehow, she already knew he would make no promise. HHHe was so certain she would live and it gave her hope as well. "A new life sounds wonderful."
"It will be, you'll see. First you must get well." Achilles again pushed a few strands of sweat-covered hair off her forehead. "Pthia will wait for us both until then."
"Tell me about your home, about Pthia." Briseis asked, panting more and more between each word. She reached a weak hand up to touch his cheek.
Achilles placed his hand over hers on his face, bringing it to his mouth, and kissing the palm. "What would you like to know?"
Briseis closed her eyes for a moment before replying, "Tell me something about your childhood. I got into all sorts of mischief as a child, thanks to Paris. Did you?"
"I never would have believed that." Achilles lightly teased. "Yes, mischief was something I excelled in." He paused a moment to think of one such incident, grinning as his mind came upon one. He began relating the tale to her and was pleased to see her light up somewhat. "…and my mother was certainly displeased with me after scaring her like that."
"I am sure she was. What a terrible thing to do, frightening her so." Briseis let her fingers trace weakly over his chest. "Your home has sounds beautiful."
Achilles placed a finger over her lips. "Hush now, you will see Pthia soon enough and it will be your home. Rest and recover your strength."
Before her eyes closed, she whispered the words her heart had longed to say and now feared she might never get the chance to say. "There is nothing in this world that I love…as much as I love you."
Achilles watched as her eyes finally fluttered closed. He lost track of time as he kept vigil over her, his mind unable to forget her words. He kept those words close to his heart, hoping that she would recover and speak them once more. Holding her as gently as he could, Achilles could feel her body shaking. With every hour that passed, her bodies shaking increased and the helpless feeling inside him grew.
When night fell, she woke up visibly unwell. Her eyes were unfocused and she could not eat or drink anything without being violently ill. Achilles dabbed her forehead with a cloth as she mumbled, her tales starting at one point then jumping to something else. Achilles feared she was slipping into delirium.
Eventually she slipped back to sleep. Achilles stepped outside for a moment wishing to speak to Eudorus; he made his way toward the fire where his second in command was sitting, listening to the men talk.
Upon noticing Achilles approaching, Eudorus was immediately on his feet. Once again, he had been unsuccessful in finding any yarrow. What little most of the camps had left they could not spare. One suggested he ask King Agamemnon's healer. Eudorus practically laughed in the soldiers face. Achilles would never go asking Agamemnon or any of his men for favors. From the look on his masters face; however, that option might be necessary. When Achilles inquired about his search, Eudorus shook his head. "I'm sorry my lord. What yarrow the camps have they can not spare."
Achilles frowned. "We are running out of time. She is feverish. I fear it will only get worse." After all the battles he had won for the Greeks, the lack of camaraderie among the Greeks angered Achilles. Angry and desperate to help Briseis he barked, "Which camps have yarrow they will not spare?"
"The only camps that have any are Lord Podarces of the Phylaceans, King Diomedes of Argos and…" Eudorus hesitated momentarily, "I was told King Agamemnon's healer may have some left."
None of the options was pleasant. "Podarces troops took a beating in the last battle. As for Agamemnon, I will not crawl to him and beg for anything. Go to Diomedes and ask him personally for the yarrow."
Eudorus nodded, "If he refuses my lord?"
Achilles looked over to the fire. "Then we are no worse off than before. Fetch the healer again as well."
"I will speak with Diomedes and bring the healer my lord." Eudorus bowed, making a hasty departure out of the Myrmidon encampment.
Achilles watched with hopeful eyes. Eudorus' efforts meant a great deal to him. He would have to do something for his second in command when they returned home. With that in mind, Achilles retreated inside to care for Briseis.
Neither man knew that Agamemnon was silently thwarting their efforts for his own pleasure.
Agamemnon sat upon his throne drinking a cup of wine. Earlier in the day, he had sent one of his spies to find out what was happening in the Myrmidon camp. His man returned at nightfall to report that Achilles captain had inquired at every camp for yarrow and come up empty. "What of his little Trojan priestess?"
"She was not seen outside of her and Lord Achilles tent. He remained inside for most of the day. My guess is that the girl is not fairing well." The servant explained to his King.
"I don't pay you to guess; however, this is promising news." He stepped down from his throne "Without anyone else to turn to for help Achilles will have no choice but to come crawling to me". Agamemnon replied gleefully, taking another gulp of wine.
The servant cleared his throat, "There is one more thing my king. On my way here I saw Achilles man, Eudorus heading toward King Diomedes tent."
Agamemnon scoffed. "What of it?"
"King Diomedes healers are among the only ones who have yarrow left. What if they decide to share their supply with Lord Achilles?"
Agamemnon laughed, "I would not worry about Diomedes. I have already taken measures to ensure that the king of Argos refuses any request from Achilles. Rest assured, in a few days the girl will be so bad off Achilles will have no choice left but to come to me and then he will see who is the true leader here."
With a wave of his hand, Agamemnon dismissed his spy and began preparations for his final victory over Achilles.
Diomedes walked with Eudorus to the door of the kings' tent. Eudorus' plea on Achilles behalf was almost enough for him to forget Agamemnon's threat. However, he had his men and his people back in Argos to think about. "Agamemnon has had all that is left of the camps yarrow gathered up. Says, with the siege lasting longer than expected he wants his healers to carefully portion it out as needed. Tell Achilles that I wish I could help, truly I do. If he needed anything else I would gladly grant it."
Eudorus thanked the king of Argos for taking the time to speak with him and then left. He walked slowly back to the Myrmidon camp, feeling as if he had let Achilles down once again. There was only one place left to look and Eudorus wondered if Achilles pride would allow him to head down that particular path. Briefly, he stopped in the camp of King Odysseus, stating that Achilles had requested the healer come and see Lady Briseis again.
Accompanied by the healer, Eudorus sought out Achilles, heading up the sand embankment toward his lords tent. Breathing a disappointed sigh, Eudorus peered inside quietly speaking, "My lord"
Achilles stood over the water basin, splashing some of the cool water onto his face. He wiped the droplets from his skin and placed the damp cloth back in its place. From the expression on Eudorus' face, he knew the news was not good. "Diomedes was no help I take it."
"He wished he could help my lord. Apparently, Agamemnon has confiscated what little yarrow any of the camps had. King Diomedes said that it was to make sure the supply is not wasted." Eudorus explained what Diomedes had told him.
"Perhaps I have underestimated the old swine's intelligence. He is either very clever and is aware of what has happened, or he as dimwitted as ever and is simply hoping to see him through the end of this war come soon." He put aside his thoughts of Agamemnon for the time being. "Is the healer with you?"
"Yes my lord." He stepped aside and gestured for the healer to enter. The man bowed before Achilles before stepping over to check upon his patient.
"If Agamemnon does have knowledge of what has occurred, what will you do?" Eudorus queried, curious as to what Achilles next move would be.
Sweeping his gaze back to Briseis, Achilles replied somberly, "For now what he does or does not know matters little to me. Let him play his games, they will backfire on him as they always do." He gave his second a weak smile before growing serious, his eyes filled with determination. "I will tell you what I will not do. I will not lose her as I lost Patrocleus."
Paris wandered out onto the balcony of his bedchambers. Nighttime in Troy was always so peaceful. Many nights as a child he, Hector, and Briseis would lay out on one of the balconies. They spent hours looking up at the stars and talking about all the amazing things they would do when they were older. When they were too tired to talk anymore, the three cousins would simply lay in silence until they fell asleep.
Those days were over. While he, Briseis, and Hector had not shared a night like that since Hector wed Andromache, there was at least the comfort of seeing both his brother and his cousin everyday. That comfort was ripped away by one man.
Achilles; the name sent a fury through Paris, the likes of which he had never felt before. The Greek warrior had destroyed his family with a swing of his sword. Taking Hector's life was not enough for him; he had to turn their beloved cousin against her own family.
Paris' hands clenched the balcony ledge. Never would he have ever expected Briseis to betray her people, her kin as she had. She had allowed a Greek to touch her, claim her as his own, and apparently did not regret her actions. As his father had said, her fathers' blood influenced her actions now.
While he had never met Briseis' father, Paris had heard the whispers about him. The gossip that accompanied Briseis and her brothers when they moved to Troy as children had meant little to him. He loved his cousin Briseis, no matter what anyone else thought of her. He had not been close with her brother, but when the boy died, he had mourned with Briseis, offering what solace he could.
Now she was in another's arms. She was in the Achilles arms; the arms of the very man who symbolized everything she once stood against. That murderous Greek no doubt held her as Hector burned on the pyre, his bloodstained hands wiping away her tears.
Paris' eyes searched the horizon. If Briseis thought, that Achilles loved her, than she was fooling herself. No one who killed as ruthlessly as that man did could love anyone but himself. Perhaps in the next few days she would come to realize that and return to Troy.
A hand upon his shoulder startled him out of his thoughts. He did not need to turn around to see that it was Helen. "It is late, you should be in bed."
"So should you my love." Helen spoke as she stepped closer, laying her head against his back. She was well aware that his thoughts were focused on Briseis. "You are worrying about her again."
"She is my cousin; of course I am worried for her." Paris turned around, facing his lover. "I was always privy to what she was thinking. We used confide all our secrets to one another. Now I am shut out. I have no idea what madness has possessed her.
Helen sighed, looking out over the city. "Perhaps it is the same madness that possessed us. From what you and Andromache have told me about Briseis, I can only guess that she has found in Achilles, some spark of what we found in each other."
Paris shook his head. "I can not believe that man is capable of feeling the kind of love that we feel for one another, for anyone. The way he dragged Hector's body behind his chariot, there is no mercy or love in him."
"Nevertheless, Briseis has made her choice. There is nothing anyone can do to change that now. Would you wish her to come back to a place where she will be judged for her time with him?" Helen spoke calmly, trying to reason with him. "Come to bed" she sighed before going back inside to their bed.
Paris considered Helen's words. There was still something he could do. Andromache had said it was his task now; bring Briseis back home where she belonged. While the people may not show her the same affection as they once had, she would be safe. She would be away from the foul influence Achilles had on her. In time, she would look upon her time with Achilles with disdain. Once she was away from him, she would return to her normal self.
With Andromache's encouragement, Paris had already begun preparations to get Briseis back. Hector's wife had faith in him to perform this duty and he would see that her faith was not misguided.
Before the twelve days of peace were up, Briseis would be out of the arms of Achilles and back behind the protective walls of Troy.
Day Five of the Peace
Over the next few days days, Achilles watched as Briseis' health declined. The healer had cleaned and re-bandaged her wound, taking note of the redness and swolleness. There was little more he or anyone could do for her now. "If she is strong she will survive, if not…" Clearing his throat he continued, "It is up to her now." He said before taking his leave.
Achilles was confident that Briseis would recover from her injury and illness quickly. However, by the time the sun rose upon the fifth day of peace, Briseis' fever had only grown worse. He worried that his frightening dream was going to come to fruition; that his brave priestess would succumb to her injury.
She was slipping further into delirium, becoming more and more agitated. Unaware of what was going on around her, Briseis cried out for her dead brother. "Bienor…Bienor…" she tried sitting up on the bed, reaching out for the phantom of her lost sibling.
Achilles feared she would pull her stitches with all her thrashing and did his best to calm her. "Shh, it's alright Briseis, it's alright." He gently pushed her back down, placing his hand on her forehead. Her skin was so hot that he pulled his hand away rather quickly as it had been burned. His gaze drifted to the doorway wondering what was taking Eudorus so long with the water.
As if hearing his commanders' thoughts, Eudorus came rushing into the tent carrying a fresh basin of water. He made his way towards the bed, holding the basin while Achilles wrung out the cold cloth and placed it upon Briseis' head.
Briseis turned her head away, closing her eyes as if the coolness of the cloth was hurting her. "No…Bienor…where…where is Bienor?"
Achilles had never felt at such a loss of words. Though he did not wish to lie to her, there was nothing else he could think of to ease her mind. "He is safe Briseis, I promise you. He, he is safe."
Exhausted by her exertions or perhaps calmed upon hearing her brother was safe, Briseis' cries softened and she drifted into silent unconsciousness.
Eudorus placed the basin back onto the stand before turning to face Achilles. Though he was never one to pry, his curiosity was piqued. "Who is Bienor my lord?"
"Her twin brother; he died when they were younger. He was thrown from his horse during his first hunting expedition." Achilles let out a bitter snort of laughter. "What took so long with the water Eudorus? I have never known you to be delayed in your duties."
The irony of Briseis' situation and that of her brother was not lost on Eudorus, but he held his tongue, nodding his head in understanding. He grew even more stoic upon Achilles query, not looking forward to the message he must give. "I'm sorry my lord. I was detained by a messenger, from King Agamemnon."
Without looking up from the bed where his lover lay, Achilles replied. "I have neither the time nor the patience to deal with that man, but humor me what does the King of Kings want?"
"The messenger said only that he wished to speak to you, alone as soon as it was convenient for you." Eudorus answered.
Achilles knew that it was only a matter of time before he would have to deal with the fool leading the Greek forces. By now, he was certain that Agamemnon knew of Briseis' condition and was already preparing himself for whatever game the slob wished to play. "Since when is speaking to him convenient?" Achilles grunted as he stood up.
Eudorus could not help the smirk that crossed his lips, but he sobered soon enough. "If I may be so bold, this could be the perfect opportunity to get the yarrow you need to help the Lady Briseis, my lord."
"Agamemnon is not of a giving nature Eudorus. He will not simply offer to help without requiring a hefty price. We shall have to wait and see just what scheme he has been drawing up in that small brain of his." Achilles glanced down at Briseis lovingly. "Watch over her, I will return soon."
Eudorus bowed his head. "Of course my lord, no harm will come to her in your absence. I swear my life on it."
Achilles put a hand on his loyal companions shoulder. "I have no doubt about that." He took one last look at Briseis, and then left to face the King of Kings.
This would be the meeting that would setup the defeat of the Greek army, and signal the beginning of the end of the war against troy.
Tbc
Well that is it for this chapter. I do hope it lives up to what you all were expecting. I know it seems to be dragging a bit, but I don't want to make each chapter so crazy long that you get tired of reading it halfway through, LOL. Anyway, coming up in the next chapter, I promise, will be the showdown between Agamemnon and Achilles. There will probably be some more of Paris and his schemes and I will probably throw in an Andromache and Astyanax scene as well to mesh with Paris' scheming. Stick around for all that in the next chapter.
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