This is a short chapter, but I wanted to get this one up soon. So ends the first half of Cassandra's story, we're getting into some more H/A stuff. Enjoy!
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The hunt went well- though Coroebus constantly hung back with the women while the men rode on ahead- and he soon matched Othronus's offer. After weeks of negotiations, the favor was with Othronus. But the meetings were interrupted as both Coroebus and Othronus were summoned to return to their cities. Nearby towns had banded together and were attacking and they were called back to defend their subjects.
Andromache laughed out loud when she heard the news, then quickly grew serious as Hector gave her an odd look. When she visited Cassandra she joyfully shared the news with her. Cassandra only smiled and raised her eyebrows.
"Did you doubt me, Andromache," she asked teasingly.
She shook her head. "No, but I didn't know this would happen. I suppose they'll both be killed, and you'll be free. Very convenient, though I did grow fond of Othronus. Coroebus will not be mourned by many, however."
Cassandra smiled, then changed the subject. "It is the annual time for the would-be priestesses to travel into the countryside for the rituals of becoming a priestess," she informed Andromache.
Andromache nodded, not understanding her point.
"Briseis has asked to accompany them and Father has granted her request. She'll go but only as an observer. There are ten girls going to complete the rituals, and since she is younger than they Father has suggested that we accompany her."
"To keep an eye on her?" Andromache laughed. "She's perfectly capable of behaving."
"Partially as companions, though. The priestesses will be busy with their rituals, and it lasts a month. For much of that time they'll be taking vows of solitude or silence, so she could easily become bored. Would you like to? We would stay in the small fortress built for the women, but we would not partake of the rituals."
Andromache nodded excitedly. "It's been ages since I've traveled out of Troy, I'd love to."
"We leave in a week," Cassandra informed her, pleased that she would be joining them.
Hector wasn't so pleased, though, when he found out that night. "It's too far," he argued. "And there will be no guards."
"The whole point is for these maidens to take vows of celibacy, it somewhat lessens the effect if there are men there," she retorted, annoyed. "And it's only a days' ride."
"I still don't approve, a days' ride is very far sometimes. What if you were injured?"
"There are priestesses leading the expedition, they know healing remedies and I'm quite skilled in herbs myself."
"I still don't approve," Hector said firmly.
"Why not?"
"You'll be gone for so long, if an emergency came up it would take some time to reach you, if something happened I wouldn't be able to get to you quickly," he listed.
"It's only a month and if you miss me so much then you can come get me, it's only a days' ride," she said, exasperated. "And what emergency could possibly come up?"
"I don't know," he said angrily. "But I don't have a good feeling, and I don't want you to go."
Andromache could feel herself getting angry. "Are you forbidding me?" she asked quietly, her voice laced with fury.
Hector just looked at her, his face unreadable. Her eyes were blazing and she held his gaze without backing down.
"I told you once that I would not enslave you," he replied quietly. "And I do not forbid you. However, I request that you stay."
She relaxed and her anger abated, but now the air was ripe with tension. "I already told Cassandra I would go."
"She would excuse you," he replied quietly, still staring into her eyes.
Andromache could see how much he wanted her to stay and she longed to make him happy, but something inside of her was rebelling. She could feel it. There was a long pause, and then she spoke. "I wish to go," she said softly. "And I'm sorry, but I cannot grant your request. I am going."
He nodded, disappointment in his eyes. "Fine," he said quietly, anger in his voice. "I bid you goodnight, then." He extinguished the torches and climbed into bed, and after a moment of hesitation she joined him. No words were spoken and they fell asleep on opposite sides of the bed that night.
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A week later Andromache took the reins of her horse and turned to Hector, whose jaw was clenched.
"I'll see you in a month," she ventured hesitantly. He nodded.
"Enjoy yourself," he said, kissing her on the cheek. Without a word he turned and strode back into the palace, not looking back. Andromache raised her hand to the place he'd just kissed, slightly unnerved at what she was feeling. It hadn't been a loving kiss, more of an obligatory one. She could feel tears starting in her eyes and she quickly blinked them away.
"Andromache," Cassandra said from behind her. "If you wish to stay it's alright, I bear no hard feelings."
And Andromache longed to stay, but something inside of her wouldn't allow it. She shook her head stubbornly. "I wish to go."
Cassandra looked doubtful, but nodded. They mounted their horses and joined the group of maidens whispering excitedly. As they rode away from the city, Andromache cast a glance back at the palace, convincing herself she did not regret her decision.
But remembering the look on Hector's face, she wasn't so convinced anymore.