AN: In honour of Brad Night, a marathon of Brad Pitt movies, that my friends and I had last night, I am going to update chapter 10!

Actually, the actual reason I wanted to update is to apologize for the decreasing frequency in updates. I am currently working on an essay for my English class that's worth 45% of my final mark. Needless to say, I'm worried about it. Having said that, I'm afraid I won't be able to update again until after July 14th. After which I will update with increased regularity.

Thanks to all my reviewers, you guys rock! And thanks for answering my questions. I have decided to forget about Helios altogether. Apollo shall be the god of the sun as well. I don't know if I'm still going to use Mother Earth. And Peleus shall be from Pthia since Thessaly is the modern name.

Alexander's Bane: Thank you for the ego booster! You're too sweet. Yes, I do believe that "bane" means something similar to kill, I think it's to cause harm or to ruin, but that's almost the same anyway. Personally I like Alexander's Bane better than Alexander's Death. In reference to your question about Alexander being Paris' nickname, I'm afraid I don't know.

Chandramukhi: Yup, major conflicts arising and more to come!

baphomet: thanks for reviewing and supporting me from the start. My gratitude to you is beyond words.

Firien Inuyasha: Thanks for your great reviews. Every bit of criticism help. I have put Achilles in Ithaca for the purpose of setting up Odysseus' story. I knew he didn't live there, but I wanted him to live outside of his homeland. I will attempt to resist further temptations to pull an Austen's "Emma" in future chapters and put in more character developments. Although I don't believe this chapter was too terrible since my ploy was to advance the plot. Your comment about Achilles made me think A LOT! I can see where you're coming from, but I also think that he is a sweet guy deep down who wouldn't want to say anything that would make his family worry, and who is afraid to express his feelings of love. Just as he is a harden warrior, I believe him equally to be a tender and passionate lover.

Chaosity: Yay! Another long review! :D A "Bring Achilles to heel" party? That's funny! I hope I'm invited! ;P Thanks for pointing out my grammar mistake. I will go back and change it soon. I will put more imagery in future chapters. I was hesitant to do that before because I'm afraid I'd put everyone to sleep.

princess-elfie: thanks for reviewing and supporting me from the start. My gratitude to you is beyond words.

enjorli: I agree, Thetis is rather smart.

jaylis: doesn't anyone want Achilles to be a tragic hero?

tryhonesty: hey thanks! I love your story's plotline though. It's very original.

Okay, I'm done. Happy reading, review and I'll see you all soon!

xoxo, nat

Chapter 10

Apollo had barely begun his daily trek, but the market was already awake with sounds and activities. Briseis linked one arm through her woven basket, the other through the arm of Thetis as the two women walked gaily through the marketplace.

Briseis was silent as she looked round at the sounds and sight that were both foreign and familiar to her. Common and rare commodities were laid out in brilliant display on the wooden stands that lined the street. The fragrances of fruits and perfumes wafted and mingled in the air. The colourful beads and shining stones and beasts that grunted and roared and neighed drew the eyes in every direction. But one particular vendor appealed to Briseis more so than all others, and unknowingly she drifted towards his stand.

"Come, come! See the spearheads of the greatest warriors!"

"The spearheads of which great warrior have you here?" Briseis asked.

"Oh, madam! That you should ask such a question!" the man replied sanguinely. He picked up a finely detailed spearhead, shaped into the form of a spade. "Behold, madams! The spearhead of bold Ajax, captain of the Locrians! And see here, madams!" the vendor announced as he scooped up a familiar-looking, well-polished silver spearhead, "The spearhead of mighty Achilles the greatest warrior ever lived!"

"This man is a fool," Thetis whispered to Briseis. "If that dull point served my son, his life would have long expired."

"He speaks a token of truth," Briseis replied, unwilling to take leave of the vendor yet, "Achilles is the greatest warrior that men have ever seen."

Thetis bestowed a gentle smile at Briseis.

Their attention was diverted once again as the vendor continued on. "Ah, but every battle has two sides. This may bring you discomfort, madams, but be not frighten, for this is only the spearhead of a dead man. May I present to you, the spearhead of Hector! prince of Troy," he declared as he picked up a third and bronze spearhead so similar to that of Hector's that Briseis felt uneasy as though her heart was trapped in a vice. Her face paled under the morning sun and she tottered on her feet. Thetis held her arm firmly to steady her.

The vendor, seeing the affect the enemy's spearhead had on the young woman, quickly put it down in place of another.

"Let me see Hector's spearhead again," Briseis commanded softly.

Her hands shook as the vendor handed the heavy piece of bronze to her. She lay it down on the palm of one hand and lovingly stroked it with the fingers of her other. When she left Troy with Achilles, she had nothing of her own, nothing that she could take with her as a parting memory of her beloved country of youth. And, though she knew that the spearhead in her hand was not Hector's, but one of a poor craftsman trying to earn some money for a bit of bread, memories of yore flooded her mind till tears threatened to fall and betray her nationality.

"Name your price, sir, I will take this spearhead."

---

Briseis clutched the false spearhead to her bosom which was filled with a sense of nostalgia and culpability.

"Do you miss Troy?" Thetis asked.

"Terribly, mother. I miss it so much that I am in physical pain every time I think of my homeland. I am worry about my people and my family. Every night I pray for their safety. Oh, mother! The war is terrible, so many has lost their lives and so many more mourns."

Thetis gave a grave sigh. "It is a great shame that hatred should weld stronger than friendship. How strange that a joining of love should result to such tumultuous discord, and such a becoming marriage between two lovers should bring death rather than life. Men act in haste to preserve their pride, yet what is pride but mere vanity, whose seed are sown in foolhardy minds and whose flowers blossom under the rain of blood and bitter tears."

Suddenly, a man sprang upon Briseis. He looked most peculiar with his long hair knotted into confused tangles, his face deep with the lines of years of wisdom, yet his eyes were filled with a wild craze. His white robe of fine silk was torn in many places and streaked with dirt. He appeared to be the unlikely combination of a king and a beggar.

His eyes narrowed as he peered into Briseis' face and he shook his unruly hair. "Cursed widower!" the man thundered, causing everyone around them in the market to stop and watch the scene. "You will be the undoing of your husband!"

Briseis drew back, but the man held her forearm tightly to the point which gave pain. "Sir," Briseis stammered, "unhand me!"

Unexpectedly, the man's eyes grew wide as though he had just awoken from a deep sleep, he glanced at Briseis as though in fright, then quickly stumbled away and disappeared into the once again noisy crowd.

Briseis quivered with fear and Thetis' visage paled.

"Who was that? And why would he say such horrid things?" Briseis asked in an unsteady whisper.

Thetis put her arm around the younger woman's shaking shoulders. "Bare not his lunatic words in your mind, my dear. It is unhealthy to be griefed by such trifling."

"But who is he?" Briseis asked on with determination.

Thetis hesitated. "He is no one but a crazy beggar."

Hope you liked this chapter. Reviews and suggestions are more than welcome!