Disclaimer ( I am going to be referencing some herbs in this part of the story that have been traditionally used for ailments. I do not know if these were herbs used in this time or are native to where Troy was. Please do not come at me. Enjoy and sorry for any spelling or grammar errors.)

Helios was finishing his ride across the sky as Korinna walked with no set destination or target in mind, just the need to get away. Perhaps it was shame that was driving her, shame that she could not help that captured girl or herself from those soldiers, shame that she depended on her brother's or his men's strength and protection than she realized, or shame that she was naive enough to think she was an untouchable female in a war camp. It was not an emotion that Korinna was familiar with nor was it one that she could say she enjoyed as the pain in her face started to intensify and those feelings of self-doubt and of her own foolishness filled her head.

'Who am I trying to fool? What did I think I could accomplish coming here… helping a friend I once knew as a child? That is a dream of a child… is that what I am, a child?' While battling these thoughts in her head, Korinna did not notice that she was wandering into a darker section of the purple sky that indicated a thicket of tree and an ending to the beach she was once on until her feet met the cooler and wetter feeling of a forest floor. It was a particularly fortuitous find as Korinna knew, as Petha had similar features, that there must be a source of fresh water nearby that helps allow this forest to grow and soon enough Korinna wandered to a small brook that lead to the sea. It wasn't an impressive brook by any means, it could barely pass as a stream, but Korinna could not help but fill uplifted by the sight as she knew that with this discovery, she can finally be useful. This area can provide a ground for hunting, water for drinking, and even plants and herbs that can aid in healing. Korinna was especially interested in the finding Meadowsweet or Black Cohosh for pain reduction. Korinna became so focused in her search that she did not notice she was no longer alone.

Hector's POV

Hector was surprised how easy it was for him to sneak out of the palace and leave the sanctuary of Troy's walls. He was pleased that the hidden passage was such a guarded secret to the royal family and looked inconspicuous on either side of the wall if you did not already know where to look. He could only know what horrors would await them if the Greeks found it.

As he walked away from the city, he could not help but be pleased with the distance after the conversation with his father and the disaster that took place at the war meeting. Hector knew that Paris meant well by volunteering to fight Menelaus and wanting to try and own up to his part in this major conflict. However, Hector could not help but think his brother was being incredibly foolish. Never in his life has Paris ever being interested in battle training and now he thinks he can battle a seasoned warrior like Menelaus? Hector could not possible think that Paris could truly believe he could win, and regardless Hector knew that the war would still wage on. It was no longer truly about Paris and Hellen anymore; this was about land and power and Agamemnon was the one really pulling the strings with this war. Hellen was just the excuse to do it. As such, Hector knew it was up to him to try and find a weakness to the Greek army in order to save his people from certain doom. After all, walls are only good if they hold and much like man, they are not immortal. He only hoped that the cloths he took from the servant's laundry were convincing enough to hide his identity. It wouldn't do for the Prince of Troy, leader of the Trojan army, to be found this close to the enemy camp alone and under the cover of night.

Hector chose to walk down the stream that ran around the city and down to the northern side of the beach. As the shore by the end of this stream turned rocky and large boulders hid beneath the waves he knew the Greek ships would be further south were it was more suitable to dock and it would give him enough distance to sneak in and out of the camp without being noticed… hopefully. However, what Hector did not expect was to see a silhouette of a woman appear ten feet in front of him. Her back was to Hector, but her light long light colored indicated to him that she was not a Trojan, but he could also not make sense why a woman would be with the Greek army. Moving to be further concealed by a tree and to continue observing this crouching woman Hector made a very critical error in not paying attention to what he was stepping on as the snapping of the twig now under his left foot was practically deafening and before he knew it, not only had the woman turned to face him but also aimed an arrow at him. Instinctually Hector put both of his hands up in a non-threatening gesture but internally he was battling two opposing feeling that have never entered him at that same time before. Fear and Awe. Fear was easy, he was found close to the enemy and was being threatened with a weapon. It was the awe that was startling. Hector was struck by the unusual beauty of this woman. Bathed in the moonlight she has an ethereal quality to her that almost has Hector question whether this was Artemis he was facing. While her facial features were not clear Hector could make out striking blue eyes that had a fire that Hector could not quiet place but was strike by.

"Who are you?" the woman spoke in a commanding but wavering voice, it was clear the Hector was not the only one who did not expect to see another person while in this area.

"Who are you?" Hector asked back in a voice he hoped was calming. He did not want to spook this woman and get himself shot or worse, much like one did not want to be kicked by a startled horse.

"I asked you first," she replied.

"While that may be true, one can be frightened to reply if they think they will be shot regardless." Hector was not sure why he chose these words to reply to this woman, but he did notice that it gave her a sense of pause which presented a slight reassurance.

"Why would a woman put her guard down when a they stumble across a man in the woods, at night, unexpectedly? There is much more fear associated with that then in the reverse situation."

Hector could not fault her for that. Had this situation been told to him by his cousin he would have told her to shoot first and ask questions later. "That would only exist if the man was dishonorable. No man of honor would attack a woman… I would not attack a woman," Hector said moving slightly closer to the woman as to not be in the shadows, hoping that more sight would equal more comfort. However, as he got closer and her future became clearer Hector could see that half of her petite face was marred by the start of an ugly looking bruise. It looked like she had already suffered from an attack not too long ago and it gave more validation to her statement. It made Hector feel saddened for this woman, no woman should suffer such treatment in his mind.

"How would I know that for sure? I do not know you, and it seems you would not state yourself unless I remove my threat to you which I am not comfortable with doing. We are at an impasse," She stated, and Hector felt he was at a high stakes negotiation meeting. Not even forming that short-lived peace treaty with Sparta feel this taxing.

"How about a compromise. It seems safety is the desired result we both share. If you lower your bow, not fully disarm but lower your bow, I would feel safer for us to converse further. The question is what you would need in order to feel safe for things to continue."

This seemed to almost stump the woman and made Hector feel a little bit prouder of his diplomatic skills. People always focus on his ability to command an army and his skills as a diplomate seemed to always be overshadowed, at least if he does meet the boatman that night he could say that he was both warrior and diplomate.

"Stand in the stream," she stated and Hector, not expecting the response, was startled.

"What?"

"I want you to stand in the stream. If you should not be a man of your word an attack me, you will be slowed down by the water and I will have an easier time shooting you. Should you be a man of your word, not attack me, and follow my request you would be just a man in a stream…. And who would attack a man in a stream? It seems foolish to me," she said, and Hector had to fight the urge to laugh at the seemingly silly request. While he was not looking forward to standing in the cold water that had to be waiting for him, if it made this woman feel safe that he would oblige.

"As you wish," Hector said as he walked directly into the stream until he was in the middle of it. It was deeper than he anticipated based on its width, coming up to his mid-calf and it was as ice cold as he thought it would be, but when he turned to face the woman, he saw that her bow was lowered. Success! "Now, would you mind telling me your name? otherwise I might think you actually were the goddess Artemis."

Third Person POV

Korinna tensed for a second when Hector compared her to the goddess. It saddened her that at one time she would be flattered by the comparison but now… she was almost repulsed.

"I am not Artemis," she said. "My name is…. Kori. Who are you?"

"I am Hector" Hector stated on instinct but when he noticed Korinna tense and almost draw her bow back he realized his mistake.

"As in Prince Hector?" Korinna asked ready to threaten him again because…. Well what else would you do when faced with the Prince and head of the army your brother just attacked.

"No! No, I am not Prince Hector, but I was born of the same year and my parents named me after him. I… I am a hose tamer by trade," Hector stated trying to develop a story. It was fully a lie; the Greeks did call him 'Tamer of Horses' due to our exports. Korinna, though not fully convinced by what this man said, also knew that the prince might not be the only Hector in Troy and that this could just be someone from within the city and related her stance again. She did not truly want to attack a Trojan; she was here for a different purpose.

"I suppose that there can be more than one Hector in this world. Why are you here? Shouldn't you be in the city? It's not safe for you out here."

'That is very true.' Hector thought as he realized that he really didn't have an excuse for being out of the city, which he should have regardless of being caught. "I was hoping to find some herbs to help my father… he is older now and his body is not as strong as it used to be. He complains a lot about pain in his back and I was told that there were herbs out here that could help him. The medical supplies are being reserved for the army."

"Oh… yes that makes sense. I was looking for the same. Luckily enough, I have been able to find some Black Cohosh…. Would you like to take some back for your father?" Korinna asked realizing what a position the people of Troy must be in.

"You, you would share with me? Why?"

"No one deserves to be in pain…. I don't think things are going to get easier, not for a while yet. Why not help when you can to reduce some suffering? I will have an easier time finding more than you. Please, take it," Korina explained and extended her arrow clutched hand that also contained a handful of this plant, a little worse for wear, but still usable. Korinna observed as Hector walked towards her in the river until they came face to face, with change in height due to being on shore in in the stream they were eye-level with each other. Hector extended his hand and took the plants from the woman's smaller one, avoiding the arrow as to not seem as he was trying to take it as well. The contrast of their hand textures was startling to them both, but it was a thought both quickly brushed to the side.

"Thank you," Hector stated. "I don't mean to be intrusive, but do you mind if I ask what happened?" It took a second for Korinna to realize he meant her face.

"Oh…. Not all men are as honorable as you seem to be Hector." Hector nodded in sad acceptance of her answer.

"I am sorry."

Both stood in silence for a second, allowing the gravitons of that exchange sink in, how both Trojan and Greek helped and consoled each other on some level. In this time of war, it was something almost remarkable outside of Paris and Hellen's relationship.

"You should go, I don't know how long it will just be me out here. My camp isn't too far away, and someone might look for me soon," Korinna said, knowing that she was gone longer than anticipated and someone was bound to come searching for her once her brother realized she was gone. Hector nodded.

"Yes, you are probably right. Thank you again Kori… for the herbs and not shooting me," Hector stated not really sure how to end this strange but surprisingly pleasant encounter. Hector was also surprised to hear a small laugh come out of Korinna.

"I supposed the gods are not always so vengeful. Sometimes, they can show kindness. Thank you for not attacking me Hector. I would say until next time, but I am not sure if that would be wise all things considering. I suppose, good tidings would be better."

with a nod Hector began his walk back to the City and Korrinna grabbed another handful of Black Cohosh and went back to her camp, both intending to keep this meeting to themselves but also hoping that this would not be the only meeting they will have. They would both have to wait on the outcome of tomorrow to find out.