Chapter Four
"We should see my father," Hector said, pausing as he walked with his wife and cousin.
Andromache nodded and disentangled her arms from the two of them. "I shall see you after," she said, smiling. She knew when the two wished for privacy.
As Astra and Hector walked away from her, Astra linked her arm in his and said bluntly, "The Greeks have Briseis."
Hector nodded sadly, hardly surprised at either her frankness or the news. "I thought so."
"I don't think they will hurt her," Astra admitted.
"What? You know what they do to women they capture!"
"I know, but I have a good feeling about this. Artemis-"
"You can't base your sister's safety on signs," Hector said in exasperation. The Trojan people placed too much faith in the Gods for his liking.
"That is all we have, short of sneaking into the camp and getting her back," Astra said, pausing as she finished.
"Astra, no! You can't do that," Hector said, instantly recognizing the look on her face.
"Why not? I could save her life, Hector!" she insisted.
"I can't lose you, Astra," he said seriously as they stopped in front of the door to Priam's quarters.
"What of Briseis? I can save her, Hector! She's my sister!"
They both suddenly went quiet as the door opened. Priam looked wearily at them and asked, "What is this? My family fighting?"
"The Greeks have Briseis," Hector said.
A sadness came to Priam's eyes. He took a breath before asking, "Then what has caused the quarrel?"
"I can sneak into the Greek camp and save her," Astra said quickly.
"You'll be captured or killed, Astra!"
"You cannot do this, my child!"
"I must do this! She is my sister!"
"Have I not lost enough children, Astra? You are as much my child as Hector and Paris," Priam said, taking her hand in both of his.
"I can save you the grief of losing another," she pleaded.
Priam sighed. "Come inside, my children," he said, turning to lead them inside. He led Astra to a chair before turning and walking back to Hector.
"She will not give up," he said quietly.
Astra snorted and crossed her legs, leaning her arms laxly on the arms of the chair.
"I can't lose her, Father," Hector admitted quietly.
"You won't have to. I can take care of myself," Astra said boldly from her chair.
"You would have to sneak out at night, past the guards and through the gate," Hector said.
"You trained me yourself, Hector. You and I both know I am more than capable of that."
"You know the way to the beach," Hector continued.
"I've had enough clandestine swimming expeditions with you and Andromache for you to be sure of that," Astra commented.
Priam snorted at that. He had seen her less than triumphant return from one of said trips. She had been soaking wet with tangled hair. Only Andromache had returned with dry clothes.
"But what of the Greeks? They will have set sentries around their camps. You may be able to sneak out of the city, but can you evade them?"
"I'll find a way. I know I will," Astra said.
"Listen to yourself, Astra!"
Astra sighed and said, "Will you be happy if I tell you the night I try?"
"No. You shouldn't be going at all," Hector insisted.
"I cannot abandon my sister."
"So you knowingly endanger yourself?" Priam asked.
"For family, yes," she said resolutely.
Hector sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose for a few seconds before saying, "At least get a set of dark clothing. You'll be spotted in an instant in white."
Astra shot up from her seat to embrace Hector. "Thank you," she said warmly before hugging her uncle.
She left.
Hector stared after her and said sadly, "I feel as though I have willingly given her up to the Greeks."
ooooooooooooooooooo
"You seem to be taking it rather well," Odysseus said, looking carefully at his friend.
Achilles merely shrugged. "The girl was a nuisance."
"Yet something is still bothering you," he observed.
Achilles sighed in annoyance and said, "Once again, my friend, your skills of observation have led you to exactly what I don't want to talk about."
"And?" Odysseus prompted.
Reluctantly, Achilles said, "I can't stop thinking about the girl."
"I thought you said you didn't care," Odysseus said.
"No. I saw her at the temple...I think its her sister. She's completely different. I can't keep from wondering what she is like...I feel as though I am acting like a love-sick puppy."
"Curiosity is not love. There is nothing to be ashamed of. And anyway, you may never see her again," Odysseus said, standing and walking away.
"I may never see her again..." Achilles said quietly. It wouldn't take long for depression to set in.
