«I tell you, he will be the end of us all!»

«Chiton, you are being paranoid. Acteon is loyal, if more so, then we. You see things that are not there.»

The dark haired general paced back and forth.

«No! You see nothing! He has gotten to you, Rhoikos, he will betray us, he will sell her out!»

Rhoikos shook his head. Chiton was too difficult. He was the most removed of all of them. While he and Acteon existed in their present, Chiton had been brought back several hundred years. From his polis' peak. Who knew that Sparta would become a huge warring power. Odd, how things worked out.

«Are you still angry that the people call him the Second, although he was the last to arrive?»

«You jest too much. It will not work to take my mind from this. You are the First, Acteon is the Second, and I am the Third. Numbers mean nothing to me, only actions. And his are qustionable!»

«Why? Because he cares for her? He keeps her sane. We both know it is only a matter of time before she loses the battle for her mind.»

«No one should show," He grimaced, "affection, friendly or other wise to a commanding person! To a woman! In public! He reduces her to a whore! We know she comes from a different way of life, but-»

«But what? It is the way of his people to give a damn! He ways, customs, are diferant from your own! While yours place esteem on physical power, and prowess in battle, does it disturb you that much? He is your antithesis. He values everything, you scoff at. My people are the same way, do you dare accuse me?»

Chiton halted his pacing.

«You and I are more alike than you would openly admit. But, there are other things. He questions. Everything. Nearly every command she gives, he finds fault with!»

«It is his way.»

«Soldiers do not question orders, Rhoikos, we follow them!»

«He does it to save lives. Acteon does not enjoy doing excessive harm. Unlike some. Do you think he his not qualified for his position?»

«I never said I thought less of his skill at sea, Rhoikos! I simply do not trust him.»

«Now, it is important that he does what he does. Neither of us has the gaul to act like he does with her. I tell you again he makes her use logic, and not succumb to the madness.»

«The madness . . . What was so important for her to do that? If the others like her were too weak to win their struggles then they should have perished. Iceani did not need to 'loan out' her power. She knew she could not handle it.»

«She though it physical not mental. And now demons plague her. Leave Acteon, let him be. She cares for him, I do not know to what extent, for either of them.»

«I can not! What is it with you people from the Islands? You're all backwards. Him, from Knossos. At least I know that the Minoans will fall because they are fools. I do not know about your Island, Thera. Where on there do you come from, again?»

«Akroteri. Why?»

«Curiosity. Do not worry about the Second, I will see to him.»

Chiton walked out of the tent before his comrade could respond.

«You will do nothing.» He whispered.

He grabbed his cloak and left for the city. The army was camped three days ride outside of Luxor. She had council with Pharaoh. He would have to interrupt. Some one needed to put a stop to whatever Chiton was up to.

* * * *

He glanced at his refection in the water basin. He looked more like his mother, he mussed. Even though he had his father's face, his coloring was hers. Blonde hair, blue eyes.

Acteon leaned against the bed in the room she had been put up in. Despite that Egypt was part desert, here near the Nile it was cool. He would rather be back with his fleet. He loved the sea. What had Iceani called him? A "beach bum", she had said it in that odd language she spoke on occasion. "English" was its name. She never did give him a translation in to his own.

«I should ask her.» He mumbled.

Even though he would rather be there, he was needed here. She seemed calmer when he was around. He had that effect on people. Almost every one, at least. Chiton hated everything he did. He probably thought he breathed the wrong way. He laughed under his breath. Rhoikos had been her only general for nearly two years until Chiton was brought to her. It would be another two before he had come along. He and Rhoikos had never had a problem with each other. They were friends to this day, four years later. Chiton had been civil enough. He did not know what had changed. It was almost overnight, Chiton's hatred of him. Or maybe he had simply missed his reasoning. They were very different, and Acteon did not quite understand Chiton's ways.

Iceani shifted in her sleep. He craned his neck to see if she had awakened. No. Still asleep. It had taken an hour to convince her to do so. She was the most stubborn person he had ever met. He won only half the time. This was another notch in his favor. She was afraid of something in her dreams. She avoided sleep as much as possible, but even that odd armor of hers could only sustain her to a point. It seemed to be rather choosey about how it benefited or harmed her. He didn't understand it, but neither did she.

Actually, he had two victories today. The small argument over the whole sleep thing, and another from earlier. He had convinced her not to attack the peoples south of Nubia. There had been rumors of an attempt to spread harm to Pharaoh's realm. But nothing more than rumors. She had come to take everything at face value recently. None of them could afford a mistake. They didn't need genocide on their conscience. It had taken all day, but she eventually agreed to not move the army.

Sometimes he swore that there was someone else with her, whispering things to her that were slowly making her worse. Perhaps there was. She could see thing that none of them could. Maybe it was some god getting his jollies by ruining another mortal life.

He ran his fingers over the two gold bands that encircled his left arm. One above his bicep and one below. He had taken them off to have the interiors engraved. It had felt strange, not to wear them. But now they were back in place.

"Acteon?"

She did wake up. Damn.

«I am still here, My Lady.»

"I thought you left."

Her native language again. He needed to learn it from her if he ever got the chance.

«I'm sorry. I can't understand you.»

«I thought you left.»

«I told you I would not leave you alone. I will always be here.»

«Don't make promises you can't keep, Acteon.»

She yawned.

«Why would I not be able to keep it?»

«Everyone has to sometime.»

«I intend to keep my word, Melissa. You said you would be there should I need you, and I told you the same.»

«I only ask for your best -»

«I shall give you my best.»

«Why?»

«What do you mean?»

«All of you. Why this . . . excessive sense of loyalty?»

«It is not excessive. Not in this time at least. We pledged ourselves to your service. We shall live and die by your word. It is simply the way of things. Are things so different in your world?»

«I don't know. I haven't been there since I was . . . twelve.»

«You have not gone home in twelve years? Do the gods not let you?»

«I'm afraid. For me and for them. I don't know what is happening to me.»

He frowned and reached up to take her hand in his, «We shall find a way. Everything that is done can be undone.»

«You have more faith than I do, Acteon.»

He nodded. He knew how she felt. She slipped off the bed and sat in his lap.

«What are you doing?» He laughed.

She hugged him, «Thank you for being my friend.» He returned it.

«Go back to sleep, My Lady. I'll be here.»

* * * *

«And why should we do this for you, General?»

«I do it to protect.»

«But by coming to us, are you not doing the very thing you condemn your comrade for?»

«An eye for an eye.»

«Very well. He will die in two nights. Keep your part.»

He nodded and left the encampment. Finally, that foolish Admiral would be put in his place.

The ground.

«Sir, why do you help them? They are our enemy.»

«Let them tear apart from the inside. It will save us the work.»

«An eye for an eye?»

«And soon the whole world is blind.»

* * * *

«Highness, I apologize for yesterday. I was out of line.»

«Do not worry, Iceani. I understand stress. You are lucky to have some one willing to keep you in line. Me, I am surrounded by Yes-Men.»

Pharaoh laughed and sent his servant away.

«Thank you, Pharaoh.»

«You protect my land and his,» He gestured to Acteon, «But, I do worry. I have heard things.»

«Sir, I am trying to be wel-»

«I worry about your Third. His open disdain for you, Acteon, troubles me.»

«People may have their likes and dislikes, My Lord. I can not begrudge him his opinion.»

He took another sip of wine, «True, but people have heard things. Even this morn, a messenger sent word that the First, Rhoikos, is headed here.»

Iceani interrupted, «I ordered them to stay!»

«They say it is imperative that he see all of us, and it has to do with Chiton.»

«Sir, if I may?"

«Of course, Acteon.»

«Chiton is given to harmless threats. He would do nothing, if he has a healthy value of his life.»

Pharaoh nodded his head in understanding. Acteon might not be able to best Chiton in hand to hand combat, but some one would avenge him. He has many friends.

«I thin-»

A guard burst into the room.

«You will announce yourself!»

«Forgive me, My Lord, but we received word the eastern boarder cities are under fire.»

«From whom?!» Iceani demanded. There were only allies to the east.

«We do not know. The messenger died before he could speak any further.»

«Pharaoh I am camped three days west of here. The-»

«The Egyptian army will move.»

The guard left to relay his orders.

«Acteon?»

«Yes.»

«We knew nothing of this?»

«I am afraid so.»

«We'll go with them.»

«Of course. I shall get things ready.»

He left her with Pharaoh. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach. There was something wrong. This night would not end well.

* * * *

The sky was showing its first glimpses of light. All things began in the east in this country. Iceani had long ago been separated from her Second General. The invaders had seemed quite determined to put distance between the two. Acteon had been troubled upon his return to retrieve her to leave. He did not wear worry well. When she asked him why, he only replied with a very pained look.

It did not take long to reach the battle. Well, more like the fire. There was nothing of significance here, so why destroy it? A distraction, perhaps. She hoped not.

Before they entered the city, Acteon had given her his customary good-bye, well it was just hers. A small kiss on the forehead followed by the words "be safe". That was hours ago.

She wiped the blood off of her sword. She had dawned her armor to keep the heat from the fire at bay. It did not leave much to the imagination. Her midriff was left bare, inviting anyone to try and run her through. It often reminded her of something off of those "Hercules" movies back in her own time. They were going to make it into a show before she left. How little did those people know? No respectable Greek woman would be seen outside of her home. That was left to the poor, the prostitutes, and non citizen. And not even the few women warriors would never been seen in anything resembling her armor. The Amazons, maybe. But they were oriental.

There was the sound of sand shifting under someone's foot.

"Trying to sneak up on me. How sloppy can you get?"

She stood from her crouching position and waited for a moment. She brought her arm back and swung around the corner of the building. Her sword hit its mark: right through the man's throat.

She had nearly taken his head off.

Iceani pulled back her sword and left the body. It was past sunrise. She would finish this one way or another.

* * * *

He blocked the Chiton's sword and knocked his feet from under him.

«What are you doing?!»

«Isn't it clear to you, Acteon? I'm trying to kill you.»

Chiton was back on his feet. Part of a burning building collapsed behind them. Acteon side stepped a rolling column drum and tried to put distance between the two of them.

«Running, Coward?»

«Coward? Me? I would have faced you openly! I would not have taken innocent lives!»

«They are incidental. You on the other hand . . .»

Acteon continued to back up. He would run if he had to. He felt no shame in running. He had been so shocked to find out that Chiton had been the one to set this up. To achieve nothing more than his death.

«Why have you don this, Chiton?»

«To protect.» He grabbed a dagger from his belt and threw it at Acteon. He barely dodged it.

«Protect? Have you gone mad? This is not protection it is destruction!»

«It will be worth it. Tell me, Acteon, what were you planning to do once you had won her over?»

What was he ranting about?

«Do?»

«To do. You have done your best to be close to our Commander. What are your motives and who do you work for?»

His eyes widened, «Perhaps in your world that is they way of things, but not mine. I am loyal to her, Rhoikos, and even you. I would see no harm to any of you!»

«Liar.»

Chiton quickly closed the distance between them and swung at Acteon. Unfortunately, he had not been trained to fight since he was capable of walking, as was Chiton's case. Against anyone else, he would have not had any problem.

«You accuse me of betrayal. Look what you have done, Chiton. You are the traitor here. Not I.»

«She will understand, eventually.»

One move got through. So this what what it felt like to be run through. It hurt.

«She will kill you for this.»

«Fool.»

Chiton pushed Acteon off of his blade, and stepped around him. It was time to leave.

* * * *

When Rhoikos arrived it was quite a sight. The fire had been put out, only to be replaced with ice. The moment he had gotten ot the palace he had been pointed in the direction he needed to go.

He had made it, but not in time.

Here he stood.

Over the body of his comrade.

Rhoikos didn't need to guess who had done this. He only wondered what Iceani would do when she knew the truth. And it would come out, she was truth in living form.

He did know she would be devastated. They were close.

He feared what would happen now. Rhoikos was confident that he might be able to take Acteon's place in how he had kept her form getting progressively worse. He had been able to stave off the madness somehow. And now it would be inevitable, Rhoikos could only hope to put it off for a little while longer.

He picked up Acteon's body and placed him over his horse. He had spotted Iceani earlier, but had kept out of site. Now he knew why he had the urge not to be seen.

She was still close. As he rode up she turned to face him. Her face fell.

«I am sorry, My Lady.»

She said nothing.

«I will find who has done this, Melissa.» He dismounted.

«Send word to his family on Crete.» She whispered.

Rhoikos put his hand on her shoulder, but she shook it off.

«My Lady, please. We will all mourn him.»

She did not speak. She wouldn't for another week. The ride back to Luxor was long, and not surprisingly to Rhoikos, Chiton was there. He said nothing of Acteon's death, but it was not expected.

He left the funeraries to tend to arrangements. It was his peoples way to be cremated, although it was frowned upon in Egypt it would be done.

The messenger he sent for arrived within an hour.

«You will go to our camp and inform the men of these events. Acteon's second in command is to replace him.»

So strange. Everything moved so quickly. It always amazed him at how life went. Sometimes so slow that it felt like the day had lengthened into a year, or so fast that it passed in a matter of minutes. The funeral was quick. Pharaoh and his wives attended. Iceani still did not speak. She simply stood there, holding those two bands that Acteon was always seen wearing. Truth be told, Rhoikos thought he never took them off. He had started when he saw what was written inside. One band in his language, the other in hieroglyph: I shall keep my promise.

Did Acteon know he would not live to see the new year?

Chiton was there. He shouldn't have been. It would be difficult to deal with him.

He did not sleep that day. He had requested to be placed in the room adjoining Iceani's. He stayed up, and listened to her cry. It was the first time in his years of knowing her that she had done so. It would also be the last. When she stopped he had crept into her room to find her asleep.

It was time to "speak" with Chiton.

Rhoikos found him staring at the Nile near a nearly abandoned temple on the southern side of Luxor.

«Rhoikos, my fr-»

He punched him and knocked him into the river.

«How could you?! He had done nothing!»

«He did everything! Even at the end of his worthless life he would not admit it!» He pulled himself back on the ground. When he was standing, Rhoikos attacked him again, and held him by the neck. Ready to break his neck.

«There was nothing to admit.» He growled out.

«You are blind.»

«No, Chiton, ou are. And you will get what is coming to you. If it were not for that face that I fear what Iceani would do, I would tell her that I know it was you.»

He dropped Chiton on he ground and walked away, «Watch yourself, Chiton. Karma can be a bitch.»

* * * *

Two years had past.

He could do no more to help her. Whatever plagued her mind had taken over, but Rhoikos would still follow her. No matter what she did, he had given his word.

It would begin tonight.

Iceani had learned what Chiton had done. She had dragged every detail out of the Spartan General before she had decapitated him. Now they were annihilating the peoples he had gone to in his planning.

She was extremely paranoid. But she held to her task of defending Egypt, in a twisted sort of way,. There was one problem, she thought it was everyone. Hr had spoken to Pharaoh, and told him that they needed to disengage themselves from her name. Pharaoh had done it reluctantly, but he understood why. He had told the men who wished to leave to do so. Only a fifth of the army had gone.

After this they were headed to Europe. And would do that same to any she felt was a threat.

The "massacre" would last for over one hundred, years after his own death. It would cut the population of Asia, by an eighth and Europe by a seventh. Even after the dissolution of her army, people feared her.

She would not be fully cured of the madness for hundreds years, upon return to the twentieth century and two years after meeting the other Yoriden face to face in 1998.