Chapter Three: The Trojan Horse:

"The war is not over." Andromache said to Hector, "Whether by Achilles' hands or by another's, you may still die."

"If that happens, I've shown you the way out of the city." Hector replied to her, brushing her face away from her face. He leaned in close to her and said: "But until then, I'm still here. I will always be here as long as I am permitted to be. I promise you that."

"I know." Andromache answered. She noticed Hector's look. He seemed to be pondering something, "What is the matter?"

"Nothing." Hector said, but his eyes told differently, "I had seen the moment in which I faced Achilles in my dreams, but I was always the one who perished. I feared that it was my destiny for a long time to die at his hands."

"Well," Andromache said, kissing his cheek, "I'm glad it wasn't. Did you have the dream more than once?"

"Yes." Hector said, "I did. It was the specter in my dreams for many nights. I now find myself relieved. I was all just bad dream of my own making, I suppose."

"Then worry about it no more, and rest." Andromache said.

"Very well." Hector said, grinning, "I won't." And kissed her on the lips.

"You are sure of this?" King Priam asked the patrolmen.

"Beyond any doubt." Their leader said, "We found the Greek camp completely deserted. Aside from a few bodies, that is. And a large wooden structure"

Priam and his two sons looked at Briseis, and then exchanged glances.

"Briseis." Priam called to his niece. She came forward, "Was all well in their camp when they were constructing the...?" He paused and turned to the patrolmen.

"Horse." Their leader said.

"...Horse." He finished.

"Yes." Briseis said, "Nothing was different than before."

"Its their trap, I'm willing to wager." Paris said. Priam and Hector nodded in agreement, "I say we just let it stay where it is. Let it rot. We don't have any reason to bring it here." Paris added.

"I would agree full-heartedly, but I want to make a closer investigation of the camp." Hector said, "Perhaps we can learn something of our enemy's plan, or may be that's just what they want us to do."

"Quite, quite." Priam said, "Men, prepare an escort, I, too, will have a look into at this 'horse'."

Within minutes, they were ready to go.

Hector had just finished harnessing up his horse to pull the chariot when he and Priam noticed Paris. "Come along?" he said.

"Yes." Paris replied, "I will not be left behind to cower when I should dead for the wrongs I have done." Paris looked at the ground, "I am sorry for everything, but I know no apology can ever be enough, because I know that I would have done something else selfish had it not been for this war."

Hector put his hand of Paris' shoulder and smiled. "Forgive yourself, Paris." He said, "Yes, this is your fault, but there is nothing you or I or anyone can do to go back. Look to your actions now, what you will do in the future, and always remember the past and learn from it."

Paris turned his head a little in the direction of his brother and nodded. His gaze still was downcast, though.

"What Hector said is true, Paris." Priam said, "Regret is not something to live on, but wisdom and learning."

Paris looked up at Hector and Priam climbed onto the chariot. "Move out!" Hector called to the men, "We head for beach!"

The rest started without Paris.

Hector turned back to see Paris still standing there in the stable. "Coming?" He asked, stopping the horse.

"Huh?" Paris said, coming back to reality, "What?"

"Coming?" Hector said.

"Oh. Yes." Paris said, noticing that they were waiting for him. He climbed up on his horse's saddle and galloped up to them.

When they arrived, it was just as the patrol said. It was completely deserted.

Hector and Priam dismounted the chariot, followed by Paris.

There were bodies all allow the beach, the boats were gone, and only a single wooded construction stood in the middle of the beach.

"So, this is it." Hector said, looking from the horse to the bodies. With his spear, he flipped one over. There was no sign of outward wounds.

"It would appear that they left because of some sort of disease." The Priest said.

"It would seem." Hector said, cynically, wondering around, looking for something out of place for this scene. Paris came up beside him. "Something is wrong." Hector said, "Something is very wrong here."

"And just what is this supposed to be?" Priam asked, looking up at the wooden horse.

"It appears to be an offering to the gods." The Priest replied, "They are asking for a safe voyage home."

"Its probably hollow." Hector said, looking back at it, "I wouldn't be surprised if the Greeks were just waiting somewhere at another of our shores just waiting for a signal."

"No not blaspheme, Prince Hector!" The Priest said, "This is an offering to the gods!"

"No, it is not." Hector replied, "That thing could fit a couple dozen men inside!"

"Surely you would not listen to this nonsense, sire!" The Priest turned to the King.

After a moment, Priam turned to his son's and gestured for them to come back to his side. Then, he turned to the Priest and spoke softly, so only the four of them could hear: "Listening to you almost cost me my son's life. If Achilles had been true in his aim, Hector would be dead."

"But, sire...!" The Priest started.

"Do not interrupt." Priam said, "No, this is a trick that our enemies have worked up. Briseis has seen this thing's construction and she said the menin this camp were just fine."

"As opposed to what you see here." The Priest said, gesturing to the bodies.

"They could have poisoned some of the men and left them here to add effect and credibility to the possibility that there was a disease." Hector said, then looked at the wooden horse, "But I have a plan."

"Open the gates!" Hector called as some workers pulled the horse into the city.

The streets were a alive with cheer and wine as the people danced around the horse, treating it as an offering to the gods.

"I hope this plan Hector has works." Paris said. He was standing on the balcony of his room with Helen along side him.

"Trust your brother." Helen said, "He has led us through thick and thin and has always been correct in all things concerning strategy. I believe in him."

"So do I." Paris said, "But great peril may be in store for us."