Episode 14: Trojan Champion
Crouched low behind bushes surrounded by the tall trees, Xanthe and Ceres gazed out at the battlefield. The stretch of land, no man's land, had been drenched with blood covered with bodies both sides refuse to retrieve. The gruesome scene of weapons sticking out of their bodies, faces that stared off into the distance lacking the light of life in their eyes. Ceres froze in shock, it all seemed so surreal and awoken every nerve on her body warning her to turn the other way. Xanthe pointed on to the Greeks and their encampment sufficiently far away.
"Look there…that must be where Menelaus is." The camp of the Greeks had many tents and campfires, soldiers everywhere, some on the alert some less so. Even from far away you could see the faces of the soldiers, mirroring the dead who occupied the ground. Looking over to the Trojan's, the tall walls stood strong, the massive gates made of a wood and iron towered before them almost obnoxiously in appearance. Archers lined the walls along with hidden pots of hot oil and spiked logs, neither side was willing to give in.
Ceres- "Oh my…t-this is chaos." Xanthe touched her shoulder comfortingly but held a hint of a warning in her voice as she answered.
"Not yet it's not, the stand stills of war are mostly battles of the will and mind on a personal level. When it gets to the actual fighting…it is much, much more gruesome." An almost Hopeless expression took hold of Ceres usual cheery visage as she asked.
"Just how're we going to get into Troy, I know you said the gates are the only way but…look!"
"I know…at first I thought it would be possible but…now I'm going to go an look for a different route. Ceres I want you to stay here and stay low, no matter what you hear or see I don't want you coming out from behind these bushes, alright?" Nodding in acceptance but clearly frightened, Ceres held her tongue as she watched Xanthe creep off. Keeping to the forest line, Xanthe crept, until she made it to the side of Troy. Even on the sides they were relentless in their defense, eyes scanning the forest for any sign of movement. The moon being the only light for which they could see, the soldiers didn't even so much as perceive Xanthe keeping to the shadows near their wall. Looking around for some way of getting up the wall, Xanthe looked to the ground to pick up two arrows, stabbing them into the wall she began to climb carefully.
Ceres' kept watch, her body shaking slightly as she fought to keep her mind in control of her senses. Thoughts milled about in her head like a tsunami pushing her to run, thoughts she violently ignored. A slight change in the patrolling Greek forces peeked her interest and set off warning bells in her head. It was too late though, the feel of a cold sword pressed against her neck and a voice as steely as the weapon spoke.
"So…what have we got here? Not a Trojan but a Greek but not a Greek soldier and…definitely not a man, a martyr?"
Xanthe reached the top of the walls, peering over she caught them at the perfect moment and leapt atop the walls. Looking around quickly she dropped down the side of the walls and landed on her feet quietly, landing in a ghost-like market district. Soldiers patrolled everywhere, her adrenaline high, her goal was to get into the castle to Cassandra so she might bring her friend inside of Troy the way in which she came without fear of retaliation. Creeping through the shadows, dodging the guards carrying torches she skillfully made her way through Troy to the castle. The castle only just came up to the cities magnificent walls but was just as impressive in design.
The entrance heavily guarded Xanthe made use of her whip which she looped around to a nearby tree and climbed up. Peering into one of the windows of the castle, only shadows could be seen but she understood well she had limited time if she wanted to catch them all awake. Jumping up and down she bounced on the tree eventually using the force to flip through the air and grabbed onto the side of the castle unnoticed. Climbing up through crevices in the side of the castle she made her way up to a specific window, once beside it she peered in to see her dear friend Cassandra. Cassandra is as every bit as mysterious as the word seer itself.
Having long straight light blonde hair but one black streak coming from her bangs down to the back. Long eyebrows above deep amber eyes, her features were like the perfect carving of a statue, all her emotion held her eyes. Her skin fair she seemed to weak to carry a jug full of water but held herself with the nobility befitting princess of her standards. Dressed in a light blue dress, scarves running down her arms, it flowed around her nicely. She'd ushered away guards from her room informing them almost annoyed.
"I do not need protection at all hours of the day or night, I can fend for myself, thank you." Shoving him off she sighed deeply setting down on an impressive bed, built down into the ground with golden sheets and thick cream colored blankets inlaid with red designs. A canopy towering above with scarves twirling down the posts, the floors and walls matched with grandeur designs, covered with Persian Rugs and tapestries. Though she'd stopped to breath her head whipped up as if she detected something and came to the window nearest Xanthe peering out. Her voice then rang out with a deep conviction ordering firmly.
"I can sense your presence, whoever is there I order you to come out now!" Smirking joyfully amused, Xanthe whipped around in through the window covering her friends mouth as she did so, shocking her.
"Long time no see, Cassandra, did you miss me?" Taking her hand away from her mouth Xanthe was greeted with a crushing hug.
"Xanthe! You came! I knew you'd get past the gates somehow!" Pushing apart Xanthe tilted her head.
"More like over a wall but that's not important I need you to gather Hector, Paris, Helen, and Coroebus. I need to ask something of you but it will also put you into danger if the enemy manages to slip inside of the city also."
Standing up slowly Ceres turned around carefully to greet her captor, surprised to find the great warrior Achilles confident before her. His curly dark blonde hair sat upon his head glowing like a halo, eyebrows full and sharp above deep blue eyes. His features carved perfectly like a live statue, lips full and an angular jaw he really was the most handsome man Ceres had ever laid eyes on. Tanned skin complimented his carved muscles, standing at a height of six-one. Adorned in impressive armor, having a silver chest plate with gold inlaid designs with black leather underneath studded silver, his legs covered by silver greaves but he wore brown leather sandals.
Forearms protected by brown leather forearms guards golden plates sewn into them. Carried in his left hand a shield while in his right his Gladius sword. Swallowing nervously Ceres spoke answering.
"I-uh…I'm no one important really…just stopping by to see how the war was going! Yeah and it appears to still be thriving so I'm just going to go now." Pressing his sword against her neck harder, Ceres stepped back worried. Achilles smiled wearing an entertained smile while the fire in his eyes spoke of inner turmoil. Though clearly threatened, Ceres couldn't help but feel sorry for him, news of how he was forced into the war made her feel more sympathy than rage towards him.
Achilles- "I don't believe you, Greek, because I know why you're here. I watched Xanthe run off sometime ago and manage to get over Troy's walls. You're her little friend, though no one really knows your name now do they? Must string, to know you bare so little importance in the eyes of the people." Looking over her shoulder at Troy, Ceres felt a weight lift off her chest before replying.
"I'm not really one to care what the masses think about me, they're not who I'm trying to impress. As for who I am, my name is Ceres and if you're going to kill me get it over with."
"You talk bravely but…I can hear your heartbeat, you're terrified."
"I'd be a fool if I wasn't, besides there are worse things than death and I'd rather die then meet them." Intrigued and almost regretful about his actions, he decided against it and sheathed his sword. Grabbing her by the arm, forcefully, he tugged her along to the surprise of his soldiers.
"S-Sir?!" The storm inside of him managed to slip out as he spat venomously.
"If I cannot have Briseis then I'll take her, I'll not let another war prize slip out of my hands…this I swear!" Being walked into the camp was one of the most terrifying things Ceres had every experienced, all their eyes on her, not a one of them really alive. Some following after, their eagerness and the stomping of their feet made her hear palpitate. Stopping at a good sized tent Achilles threw her in, stopping at the entrance to threaten.
"If I see so much as a one of you anywhere near this tent on your behalf and especially Agamemnon's, I'll not hesitate to cut off each and everyone of your limbs and beat you to death with them!" The viciousness in his voice sent Ceres reeling as she mumbled quietly.
"I'm in the tent of a psycho…" Looking around she found the tent magnificently furnished, the ground was even covered with a rug, it looked more like a miniature home with silks and treasures Ceres never even dreamed of. Though the diamonds and gold would've caught any others' eye, Ceres was drawn to the scrolls. Reaching out her fingers grazed the parchment but she dared not pick it up for fear of retaliation from Achilles. Unsure of what to do with herself, she didn't have to answer as Achilles stormed in standing before her fuming. The words were blocked as if her tongue had turn to lead, she couldn't speak but watch him as he laid down on a nearby bed forlorn.
Looking around she decided to sit down on another bed, one with thick expensive colorful blankets one would only find among a royal family. Achilles ignored her for a time before he looked over staring at her intensively before asking.
"So…comfortable? Not too, rough on you I take it?" Taken back but sensing bitterness behind his words she answered.
"I'm fine but you seem the worse for ware." The bite in his words were comparable to frostbite as he retorted.
"THAT…is not of your business, I don't need a captive trying to relate to me, it's more than I can bare."
"It was just an observation…" The words seemed to have slipped out and faster than she could react, Achilles shot towards her holding her with one hand by the face almost crushing her jaw.
"You've got quite the mouth on you, lamb, shut it!" Throwing back onto the bed he traversed back to where he was, the fury evident in his every movement.
Xanthe stood before Hector and Paris both so very different in their bearings. Hector noble and proud just as a king should be, his wavy dark brown hair short and his eyebrow full above intense grey eyes, his skin tanner than most he possessed a trim beard. Standing at a height of six-three he was finely tuned for battle, having not yet prepared for bed he still wore his silver chest plate, a white tunic underneath, a long green cape flowing behind him. His legs protected by silver graves and sandals underneath, forearm guards matching. His weapon sheathed at his side but his shield absent at the moment.
Next to him stood Paris, his younger brother, curly dark brown hair and thin arched eyebrows above blue eyes. His features next to boyish as he was a young man, lanky in comparison to Hector, Paris dressed in creamed colored pants, dark brown leather boots, a loose fitting light blue shirt underneath a dark green cape clasped on the side. Hector spoke first direct but no ill boding towards Xanthe as he asked Cassandra.
"Cassandra, who is this woman? And why call us at this time of night?" Smiling encouragingly she answered gesturing to Xanthe.
"This is Xanthe, the one whose adventures go from ear to ear like Hercules' own."
"Xanthe?" Hector spoke in respect as he bowed towards her, Paris on the other hand wasn't quite so trusting.
"Brother, what're you doing? I know this woman is quite the warrior and stories speak of her valor but we can't just trust her! How do we know she's not working for Menelaus and the Greeks?" Scolding him Hector answered clearly.
"Xanthe may be many things but she is not a murderer, you may be my brother but you're the one who brought war upon our lands. You would do well to trust my judgment and one who is so willing to offer it in these dangerous times." Xanthe bowed respectfully in return as she held a small smile.
"It's good to see you again, Hector, I'm surprised my first impression hasn't instill distrust towards me." Returning her smile Hector replied.
"People are many things but what they aren't is perfect, besides…everyone deserves a second chance, this is yours." Cassandra spoke hurriedly informing him of her intentions.
"I know, to you retreat isn't possible Hector but…retreat is exactly why I called Xanthe."
Paris- "Cassandra?!"
"I will not allow our people to die on our behalf, especially those who're too old and too young. I want Xanthe to get them out of her safely, so that they might live and remember Troy with a true memory. Do you object?" Hector stood in silence eyes closed as he thought before acknowledging her choice.
"I agree, if it were any other person…I would not but…I have faith in Xanthe." Xanthe then rushed in saying worriedly.
"I'm sorry but…there's something I need to ask of you before I help out, my friend…Ceres I left her in the woods near Troy. I want to bring her into the city, I don't intend to use the gates but climb over the wall this time with a rope."
"You wish for us to provide cover fire?"
"Yes." Though reluctant Hector thought better as he nodded in agreement.
"It will be done but if need be we will cut the rope to protect it's inhabitants, agreed?"
"Agreed."
"Good, we'll start immediately…Paris, inform Coroebus of our intent, he'll be near the gates." Paris didn't move before asking cautiously.
"Hector are you sure we should do this?" With great annoyance and impatience he answered.
"Paris, I don't know how they viewed honor where you are from but Xanthe is planning on risking her life to save as many of our people as she can. The least we can do in return is bring her friend to safety for the time being."
"I-I understand."
"Good, now go, we've wasted enough time." Before Xanthe followed after Paris she turned to Cassandra saying.
"We'll talk later…" Before storming off after him; on the walls her appearance startled and confused the men starting fervent whispers. Coroebus stood before her in shock his appearance so much like Ioseph's, his curly light brown hair shorter trimmed, eyebrows full and arched, his lips perfectly proportional and full with prominent cheek bones and his lightly tanned skin, his eyes were a shocking light blue though. Dressed similarly to Hector only bearing a black tunic underneath and a dark blue cape clasped on.
"Xanthe?!" Raising her hand to stop him she informed him.
"I know, it's been awhile but we don't have much time, listen, Hector said you would drop a rope down for me over side the wall so I may retrieve my friend and bring her inside of Troy."
"Hector said that?" Paris though almost cowardly in front nodded confirming her story.
"She speaks the truth but if any enemies were to get on the rope we are to cut it so the city stays safe."
"I understand." Before they'd thrown a rope over the side Xanthe explained explicitly.
"Listen once I'm down there the signal to drop down the rope will be two short whistles, got it?" Coroebus nodded quickly before dropping down the rope which Xanthe swiftly and quickly descended down. Once down the wall she watched as the rope disappeared into the darkness and she crept back in the woods taking a different trail. Looking around where'd she'd left Ceres she was almost gripped in panic as he head whipped around.
"Ceres?! Ceres?!" Spotting the trail left behind by Achilles she dropped low, looking over the bushes and followed the trail, with her eyes, all the way into the Greek encampment.
"No…" That one word with which she spoke told tales that were so familiar but so foreign in her tongue. Taking another trail back and making it to the walls safely she whistled twice and found herself scrambling quietly over the wall to an awaiting Coroebus.
"Well? Where's you friend?" Guessing what had happened from Xanthe's serious expression he lightly grabbed her shoulder, as a comrade would do.
"Xanthe…I'm sorry." Slapping his hand away she spoke quickly and to the point.
"Don't talk like they've killed her, she's a woman they'd wouldn't kill her…"
"But they would break her…" Pushing past him into the castle she spoke lowly but firmly.
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Stomping her back through the castle she made her way into the war room where Hector, Paris, Cassandra, and now Helen. Helen in appearance is one of the most strikingly beautiful women there is comparable to that of Aphrodite and Calypso. Having beautiful golden brown hair above straight arched eyebrows and eyes that twinkled like the stars. Her features delicate but not lifeless like that of a statue, her fair skin and tender baring brought a grace into the war room. Dressed in a long white flowing dress lined with gold, it was fitting for an actual goddess.
When Helen spotted Xanthe her eyes lit up as she ran over grabbing her friend hands happily.
"Xanthe! You really are here!" Trying to feign a genuine smile Xanthe greeted her back.
"Helen, I see the world has been very…taxing for you." Catching onto Xanthe's obvious distress Helen frowned sadly.
"Not just to me it seems, Paris said you went to retrieve your friend but…she is not here, has something happened?" Pulling away walking towards the table where they had laid out a map to set their plans she answered while examining their battle plans.
"She was taken…by the Greeks, my only hope is that she is taken to Odysseus for if she wasn't...I'll make sure the Menelaus and his men don't leave with their lives." Hector stared at her sullenly slapping her on the back with a gentleness only a soldier could understand.
"I'm sorry Xanthe…"
"No need, I'm going to get her back…right now I need to know the ins and outs of Troy. Is there any way to exit Troy without going through the gates?" Stepping forward Cassandra answered calmly but uncertainly.
"I can't say for sure but…the only secret passage that I know of that leads out of Troy is through the temple."
Paris- "How do you know this?" Hector scratched his head almost disbelieving but answered anyways.
"Cassandra is a seer of sorts…or at least that is the claim." Xanthe stood in for her defense going with it.
"I believe her but if it is needed Cassandra will take us to the temple and show us where she'd seen the secret passage."
Helen- "But is that it? It's hard to believe we can leave Troy just like that, the Greeks will chase after us once they know we're gone." Xanthe waved her down, calmly answering.
"I know, I know I've already thought about this, that's only one of our problems."
Hector- "Achilles, is no longer a threat, Xanthe." Looking up suspicious she asked.
"And what makes you say that?"
Paris- "We've no real answer to that, all we know is that for sometime now…Achilles hasn't come onto the battle field." Xanthe tapped her fingers on the table fast thinking.
"For people like Achilles and I that is…unusual, our blood lust and hate is usually what keeps on going in battle. That means…one of the commanders must have done something to offend him and now he's refusing to fight."
Hector- "What?"
"I don't know but…this could actually be used to our advantage for the moment. I'm going to issue out a challenge to Menelaus, a duel with Achilles and in return they hand over my friend, Ceres." Hector shook his head in disagreement.
"No, I'll duel Achilles…this is our war, hopefully this will do more than give you back your friend but end the war altogether."
"Hector if you lose, It'll do more than just enslave my friend but your people as well!"
"I know Xanthe but I've got to try, have faith in an old friend, would you?" Pursing her lips Xanthe held back taking a breath.
"Fine but if you fail-"
"I'll not expect you to abandon your friend for my people Xanthe."
Sitting quietly before Achilles, Ceres still rubbed her jaw but didn't protest. Annoyed Achilles spoke to her saying.
"It didn't hurt that bad."
"Look, I know I'm not the most feminine looking woman you've ever seen but…that still hurt me." Raising his eyebrow he almost barked out a laugh and stood up bringing over his shield sitting it before her crouching low.
"Not feminine, eh? Maybe you've never looked into a mirror before…now what do you see?"
"Me." Eyebrow twitching in slight annoyance Achilles shook his head.
"No, more specifically, what do you notice about yourself?" Sighing but not wanting to anger him again she looked at her reflection answering honestly.
"I see…a girl in the body of a woman, not bad looking but also not the most beautiful. There are some things I can see which may be attractive to others but flaws that balance that out, all in all…I see a human." Achilles blinked in surprise before holding back laughter, sitting back from where he'd gotten it.
"That's not quite the answer I was expecting."
"It rarely is with me…" she mumbled under her breath too quiet to hear, Achilles sat down where he was before but this time he didn't lounge but sat forward with curiosity.
"Tell me and be honest, what was the first thing you noticed about my tent?"
"The inside or the out?"
"Inside."
"Mmmm…you've been in here quiet awhile, it looks more like a small room than a tent on the inside. I guess it can't be helped right? I mean you've been at this war for…a long time now…" Tilting his head staring at her fascinated he put his fingers on his lip.
"You sound about as pleased with that outcome as I am and you haven't even had to fight in this war."
"I know it's just…there's already so much pain in this world and this war…just to see all the suffering it's doing, it's heart breaking."
"Aren't you looking at your enemies Ceres?"
"What enemies? You? You're not my enemies, I was merely accompanying my best friend to Troy so that she might help out her other friends there."
"Her friends, my dear, are King Hector and Prince Paris, our enemies so that makes you-"
"Your enemy I know but that's a warriors point of view, I'm not a warrior." Standing up he slipped out her Nunchuks from behind her examining with curiosity flipping them every which way.
"Really? Then what are you? You carry a weapon."
"A weapon that is capable of being lethal only if the wielder desires it to be so and I only use it to defend myself."
"That…is impossible, you'd have to kill to keep yourself alive, Ceres." Faltering a bit a the thought, Ceres looked down missing her friend.
"Xanthe…does the killing and even then it's only when absolutely necessary. Very few guys manage to get past her and when they do well…she didn't want me to be helpless." Getting up he sat down next to her cautiously setting the Nunchuks aside.
"This Xanthe…she's important to you?"
"She's my best friend."
"Mmm…makes sense…" Sensing his unease, Ceres asked sympathetically.
"Don't you have a best friend?" Looking up he met her with a stare she just couldn't look away from.
"One, Patroclus…I've known him ever since I was a child." There was a long silence between the two, an understanding that hadn't occurred between any except Ceres and Xanthe.
"You're a kind person, Ceres, remarkably so."
"T-thank you…"
"I'm glad I kept Agamemnon from finding out about you." Disconcerted Ceres looked away as if she'd just discovered she owned a body and shifted uncomfortably. An interruption in the form of Patroclus came through the blanket which acted as a door to the tent as he strode in. Patroclus in appearance is very boyish in appearance, having dark blonde hair framing his face. His eyebrows full and sharp above deep hazel eyes, skin tanned from all the time outside. Standing at a height of five-seven with a slightly lanky build he wasn't as cut as Achilles.
Dressed in a lesser soldiers armor wearing a dark red tunic underneath a dark brown leather chest armor, the leather greaves he wore seemed attached to his sandals as they were of the same make. His arms protected by forearms guards, he carried a spear and a shield and held himself with the energetic feel of a baby lion.
"Achilles! I've important news!" Achilles sat back in the chair disappointed while Patroclus took in the small form of Ceres.
"Whose this?" His brow furrowed in confusion but also with intrigue.
"I didn't see anyone come into the camp and there's been no word of another woman among us."
"Really? Then the threats worked then, never mind who she is, what is it you had to say?"
"Menelaus wants to talk to you, something about-"
"Not going to happen."
"Achilles?!"
"I already told you, Patroclus, I'm not going to fight…not anymore."
"But why? If it's about Briseis then-"
"It's not just a matter of Briseis! Menelaus insulted me! Me! As if I'd wanted to fight in this war in the first place…no, no more…get out." Turning away from Patroclus, Achilles fumed over to the side while Patroclus frowned disappointed and bowed before him.
"If that's is your wish, Achilles, I'll return to Menelaus and the other's and tell them of your continued refusal to fight."
"That isn't just my wish but my intent." Solemnly he left leaving Ceres with the once more enraged Achilles. Letting him cool down for a moment before she spoke she touched his shoulder gently gaining his attention easily.
"I…are you going to be okay?" Turning to look at her he searched for some form of darkness within only to be surprised at it's apparent absence.
"It's nothing I haven't suffered through before…tell me, Ceres, what would Xanthe do in my position?" Blinking taken back, Ceres thought about it answering.
"I'm not sure to be honest, Xanthe always has a way of surprising me but if I were to guess…Xanthe would stand her ground against Menelaus, especially if she didn't want to be part of the war and then she'd leave."
"Leave?" Nodding Ceres smiled reminiscently as she continued on to say.
"Xanthe doesn't take orders from anyone but herself because she knows for sure that whatever she does she does because she feels it is right, that's her goal. In the cases of following someone else's orders…she doesn't feel sure of herself and their goal because she doesn't know if they're doing the right thing."
"And what about you?"
"Me? Well…I'd do the same thing, Xanthe is the only one who I'll follow undoubtedly."
"I see…then maybe I'll do just that, I'll leave this war to Menelaus, Agamemnon, and Odysseus." Ceres smiled in approval; Achilles gave an amused but affectionate humph as he asked.
"…and you, Ceres, would you like to accompany me?" Ceres paused in shock before babbling out unsure.
"M-m-me? A-accompany you? B-but…I thought…you and Briseis…?"
"I…care for Briseis it's true but…nothing on the bounds of love, besides she went with Agamemnon without so much as protesting." Ceres felt her heart beat fast almost as if it'd pop out of her chest and escape the tent.
"I-I'm not sure…that's a g-good idea you see…w-we hardly even know each other." Leaning forward he tucked her hair behind her ear smiling.
"I want to get to know you, Ceres…is that so hard to believe?" Eyes widened in disbelief Ceres didn't know how to stand this course of events.
"For me, you have no idea."
"Skyros is a lovely place this time of year, quite beautiful…" Interrupted once more, Patroclus walked into the tent informing him quickly.
"A message sent from Troy's King, Hector…Menelaus wishes to speak with you." Extremely irritated Achilles shot up from the seat, shoving past Patroclus who followed after. Stomping through the encampment he parted the soldiers like the Red Sea.
Patroclus- "Listen I understand why you're so frustrated but how you're acting is childish, Achilles."
"Childish? I was brought into this war not by my own choice but by theirs! I think I have the right to refuse them and you should do the same, cause as soon as my ships land I'm leaving."
"What?!"
"You heard me correctly, Patroclus, this is their war not mine…and I refuse to be a part of it any longer." Before his friend could argue the point any longer Achilles had walked coolly into Menelaus tent. Menelaus stood dressed in a dark red tunic a silver breast plate similar to Achilles and silver greaves, complimented with the sandals. His arms protected by silver fore arms guards and his chest plate had clasped onto it a long black cape. In his late thirties he possessed short black hair with peppery white on the sides, his eyebrow sharp above dark brown eyes. His thin lips hidden by a trimmed goatee he seemed the worse for ware.
He stood at a height of six-one and though lanky in appearance was quite strong, standing with an inner strength and pride only a SEAL could understand.
"Achilles, I've a letter from Hector, I think you'll be interested to hear it."
"Not quite so interested as you might think, I'm done, Menelaus…I quit."
"What?"
"As soon as my reinforcement arrive I intend to leave Troy and go home, did you hear that?"
"Achilles, you're making a big mistake!"
"No, I think I'm making a decision." As soon as Achilles went to step outside of the tent and leave Menelaus, he yelled after him.
"Hector wishes to duel you in a fight to death to not only decide the fate of this war but…also for the return of a girl known as Ceres!" Stopping dead in his tracks Achilles turned around to face him the determination he held before twisted into a defensive aggression.
Menelaus- "Well that answers that question…I didn't know you brought someone of such important standing to Troy into our camp under our noses, Achilles."
"Not to Troy but to Xanthe and she belongs to me, Agamemnon has his war prize and once the war is over you'll have yours."
"As of right now, that girl belongs to no one but the Greek army, Achilles, in my cause to retrieve my wife! Now, bring her to me!" Growling out threateningly Achilles replied animal like.
"If you THINK I'm going to hand her over to you, you're dead wrong…and you don't want that to become literal now do you?"
"You dare threaten me?!"
"It's not a threat Menelaus, it's a promise; Ceres belongs to me, end of discussion." Leaving the tent with a whip of his head he left Menelaus speechless' as he returned to his tent. Once inside he found to his delighted surprise that Ceres had fallen asleep. Crouching quietly next to her he watched her sleeping face brushing the strands of hair from her face.
"…never, in all my life, have I ever expected such purpose to be brought to me in the form of such a small beauty."