I awoke to the sounds of loud cheers, I groaned, my back and neck aching from the uncomfortable position that I had fallen asleep in and stood up somewhat hazily. I looked in shock at what I saw- the Myrmidons being led by Achilles himself running off to fight… I needed a better look, leaving all my gear bar a short sword on the dune I mounted Hades and galloped towards the ridge so that I may watch from there. I stared confused at the scene- Myrmidons cutting through the Trojans like they were stalks of grass making a bee-line for Hector. Finally, they made it and the two great warriors Hector and Achilles confronted each other. They moved, effortlessly in circles, pacing around each other- much of the fighting had stopped and the armies watched their saviors. I frowned- something was not right about this, something about Achilles. The armour fitted perfectly, and he moved with ease and grace but there were moments where I swore that I was not looking upon Achilles- the arrogance was gone. Suddenly it clicked in my head- it was not Achilles that was fighting it was Patroclus… A cold pit rose from the depth of my stomach and I stared in horror as Hector and Patroclus began to fight, and it was not long before Patroclus made a mistake and Hector slit his throat. A ripple went through the crowd and Hector frowned leaning forward he removed the helmet and Patroclus was revealed. I saw the shock and horror on the faces of all the Greeks, and the confusion on the Trojans. I could not hear the conversation but I have been told of what happened next,

'Who is he? To be acting as Achilles?' Hector demanded of Odysseus. The body of Patroclus was raised and taken away, I saw Eudorus fall to his knees and begin to weep. Odysseus helped him up,

'He was Patroclus, Achilles cousin. Achilles loved him dearly.'

Hector looked about in horror,

'I did not know. I thought him to be Achilles!'

Even from where I stood I could see the panic in Hector,

'So did we- it matters not. Achilles will not leave this place until Troy falls now…'

It was Eudorus who spoke, hollowly so I am told, and then the army left. I saw Eudorus pause and look to Hector-

'We were to sail home this evening…'

Then he left, a dejected figure and the fighting ceased. A cold lump formed in my throat, I galloped back to the camp, desperate to see the reaction upon Achilles after he learnt of Patroclus' death. I too felt a strange hollowness from knowing the charming, handsome young man was dead- trying to clear his lover's image.

The Myrmidons entered the camp and dropped their weapons and shields to the ground as Achilles left his tent and looked about confused. Eudorus walked around the corner and immediately Achilles was upon him,

'YOU BETRAYED MY ORDERS! YOU LEAD MY MEN INTO BATTLE WITHOUT ME!'

A swift foot caught Eudorus in the stomach, throwing the man to the ground. Achilles continued to kick and beat Eudorus until the sand was orange from the mans blood. A cold fist beat inside 

my chest as I watched this, wanting desperately to help the man I had fallen for but knowing that he did not want me, and so I stayed away. Achilles stopped and stared down at Eudorus in anger,

'My lord- I did not lead the men. I… I thought you did.'

The entire camp stopped and all turned to Achilles who froze and looked around frantically,

'Where is Patroclus?' I could hear the emotion in his voice,

'WHERE IS PATROCLUS?' Again he began to beat Eudorus, as if hurting Eudorus would bring Patroclus back. Achilles gave the crumpled figure of Eudorus one last kick before storming off to see his cousin's body. The haunted, angry cries of Achilles filled the night sky, carrying over the plain to Troy, Agamemnon shook in his tent and the Greeks mourned the loss of Achilles stability.

I stood on the ridge staring at the fallen heap of Eudorus and waited for one of the men to help him- but they did not. I waited ten minutes before I went down to him- I could not let him lie there in pain and in his own blood. Without speaking, I gently helped him up and took him up to his campsite, laying him down on a rug. I then walked off to fetch warm water and some bandages. I fetched from my baggage some herbs that stopped infection and made them into a paste- smoothing them over the large laceration where Achilles fist had split Eudorus' cheek apart. I did not speak as I washed away the blood with warm water and cleaned up Eudorus and he did not say a word to me, I was angry at this and after giving him some herbs to chew on for the pain I stood and went to leave. To my surprise I felt a hand grab onto me. I looked down and saw Eudorus, still staring ahead holding onto my arm,

'What is it?'

I knew my voice was cold but I cared not- I would not let my emotions show,

'There is a boat that leaves here tomorrow to go to Crete for some supplies- be on it.'

I snatched myself away,

'I care not for Crete. I will travel south on horseback alone. Through the lands of Troy's allies, I will continue down until I get to the crossing into Egypt. I will take that crossing and continue south- not that it is of any relevance to you sir. I trust that you feel better tomorrow- for after Achilles grief fades it will be replaced with an unmanageable anger- and you will leave here leaderless and lost and bereft of any job, one of the lone survivors of the Myrmidons…'

I turned and walked away. Mounted my horse and rode away, south towards Egypt…"

The old woman sighed and gave a few consecutive deep, throaty coughs. She stood, shakily and waved at the people,

'It is time for some food and for me to rest my failing voice. Let us cook and eat and celebrate the lives that the gods have gifted us with here in Ethos…'

There was a cheer and a feast was set up, a little girl tugged on the old mercenaries clothing,

'Yes child.'

The mercenary's voice was softer and kinder then before,

'Eudorus, the story of Troy. Is that the end?'

The old lady smiled and reached out to pat the top of the child's head.

'No child, there is more to the story. But I will tell that later. It is a long story, it took many years, there are days where nothing would happen and we would merely sit on the beach, I have left out those days, and am only concerning you all with the interesting bits!'

The child nodded, unable to comprehend that the woman before her could not see,

'So you didn't leave! You went back to Troy!'

The woman chuckled,

'You will see, now go and play and dance.'

The child sprinted off and the mercenary sighed, sinking back into her chair and thinking back to the days of Troy.

The granddaughter of the mercenary frowned and wiped away a tear- she knew that her grandmother had not long left to live and the hard story of her life was her last parting gift to the world. Ever a kind, and giving woman not even her own family knew of this part of her life, and it was sad to know that the strong woman had endured so much pain and hardship.