The following morning Andromache hugged Briseis and told her to enjoy herself, then watched her friend gaily make her way to the rest of the party. She waved until the party rode out of sight, then turned to farewell her husband.
"I'll be back late, don't wait up for me," Hector told her.
"Alright," she agreed, knowing full well she'd greet him upon his return. He knew it too and casually flicked her head.
"Don't worry, Andromache, we won't be long," Artrides promised, handing Hector his reins. "Just need to take care of a small camp, shouldn't be difficult."
"Just the small party of you?" Andromache asked doubtfully, gazing at the three-dozen men gathered nearby. Hector shook his head.
"We're stopping at one of the outposts, there we'll get reinforcements. As Artrides promised, it won't be difficult."
She kissed him and held him tight for a moment. "Be safe, love."
He returned the affection and smiled at her. "I'll see you soon."
With that, the group departed and Andromache was left to herself. Keenly aware that she had nothing to do and a whole day to fill, she went to visit Elpis, who was now housed with all of Hector's other horses. She stroked her soft, velvety nose and marveled at the change six years had brought. Her bright, copper coat glowed in the morning sun. Her eyes were bright and curious and the scars on her flanks were nearly impossible to see. Hector's training had made her fearless and he often said that she was his best battle horse.
Andromache made her way down to the mare Hector had bought, currently with foal. She'd been mated with Eclypse, just like they'd talked about, and they had high hopes for the foal. Two previous attempts had failed, the mare hadn't come to term, but the foal had just one more month before the birth.
And finally, she came up to Eclypse and leaned her head against his neck, breathing in his smell. After nuzzling her hands for treats and nipping at her sleeve in annoyance, he ignored her. Andromache laughed and slowly made her way out of the stables.
The day had barely begun and she was out of tasks to do.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Andromache stifled a sigh and slowly raised the glass of wine to her lips. The doors suddenly flew open and she gasped then started choking.
"My lady! They've returned early!" Niobe cried. Andromache was coughing and she nodded and motioned for the girl to wait a minute. Her eyes were tearing but she managed to get a hold of her breathing.
"Please don't do that again," she said, somewhat perturbed. "And who has returned early?"
"The maidens who were with Briseis!" Niobe cried. "They've just arrived at the palace and have requested an audience with King Priam." She hesitated, then hurriedly spoke. "My lady, Briseis was not with them and the girls were very upset. I heard it from one of the servants who attends those in the Great Hall."
Andromache frowned and thanked Niobe, then hurried toward the throne room at a brisk walk. She had to fight the urge to run and took deep breaths to calm herself. I'm sure it's nothing, she repeated firmly in her mind. But upon entering the throne room she was proved to be wrong.
Hecuba was weeping and Priam looked furious. Andromache recognized a few of the maidens that had been with Briseis that morning. She spotted Paris and went over to him.
"What happened?" she asked, dreading the answer.
"Bandits," Paris muttered. "Apparently there's more of them than we knew about."
"The girls?"
"A few who were in the back managed to escape, the rest we assume were taken captive."
Andromache's heart leapt up into her throat. Oh please, she silently begged the gods. Let her be safe. "And Briseis?"
Paris' jaw clenched. "She was taken with the others. As far as we can tell, they managed to capture a dozen of them, including the priestesses leading the expedition. The other eight managed to escape."
Andromache refused to believe it; measures had been taken to ensure the safety of parties such as those. "But the guards! They had five guards attending them!"
"Felled by arrows," Paris said shortly.
Andromache swallowed and blinked back the tears that were stinging her eyes. "They'll send a party out to retrieve them?"
Paris shook his head. "No one knows where they are. Hector and his men have been dealing with them, they are the only ones who might be able to reason their whereabouts."
"But he won't be back until late!" Andromache cried, now furious.
"There's nothing we can do until then," Paris replied. "It would be too great a risk to send a party to wander the forest, that is their domain."
"So we're to wait and do nothing?" she hissed, mindful of keeping her voice down.
Paris only nodded, his face tense. In truth, he wished he could go out to search for his brother, but no one knew of their exact location. Though they did not see eye to eye, he and Briseis had grown up together and shared experiences that none others had. He had taught her the proper way to sneak out of the palace; she'd offered naïve- though helpful- insight into the mind of a female. He strode out angrily, intent on occupying himself to keep his mind clear, and left Andromache to herself.
She clenched her hands and moved over to Hecuba, who was being consoled by her husband. She took the queen's hands in her own and forced herself to smile. "The gods will keep her safe," she said confidently, hiding the dread she felt.
"Indeed they shall," Priam said without a doubt. "She has been their faithful servant since her early days; they'll let no harm come to her."
Andromache nodded, not fully believing his words. It was true, she had been their faithful servant, but the gods worked in mysterious ways and sometimes they did not prove themselves trustworthy. Her mind was then made up and she quickly returned to her quarters to summon Niobe. The handmaiden escorted her to the Temple of Artemis, far beyond the city walls and Andromache ordered her to wait outside its walls, attending the horses.
Andromache entered and paused a moment to enjoy the beauty around her. The courtyard was abundant with cypress trees- the tree most sacred to Artemis- and the tamed deer roamed around, enjoying the shade. Andromache had not been here since her wedding day, many years ago. There was no need, Artemis was no longer her protector. But it was not for herself that she'd come.
She entered into the temple, her sandals softly treading the marble floors. Incense was burning and Artemis's priestesses were working silently in the background. On account of her being one of the virgin goddesses, Artemis had no priests.
Andromache knelt in front of her statue, her head covered with a veil for modesty. It was known that Artemis sometimes took offense at those who'd passed the blossom of youth, but Andromache was desperately hoping she'd forgive her.
I do not pray for myself, but for Briseis. Grant her a safe return and keep her pure and untouched. She has honored you and your brother with her life, protect her innocence. I couldn't bear to see her harmed.
Tears were slowly pouring down her face, her heart aching at the thought of losing another loved one. At the end of her prayers she slowly climbed to her feet, wiping her eyes with the veil that covered her head. She made her way over to one of the priestesses.
"I'd like to burn an offering, please," she said softly.
The elderly priestess nodded, her eyes smiling. "I shall see to it, my dear. Do not worry, Artemis is ever-present to those who cry out to her."
Andromache smiled sadly. "I am no longer under her protection, lady, I pray for another."
The old woman gazed shrewdly into her eyes. "I know who you are, princess, and for whom you pray. Do not be filled with worry, Artemis protects those who are chaste and modest."
"You have described the one I prayed for, priestess."
"I have described the one who prayed," she correct gently. " 'Who can find a virtuous wife, for her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her.'"
"Do not make me out to be someone I am not, lady." Andromache felt her face getting warm. "I have many faults."
"As do all. But unlike many, you honor your vows and in doing so honor the gods. Artemis hears the prayers of the virtuous."
Andromache couldn't think of anything to reply, so she respectfully bowed her head and left. She was silent on her way back to the palace, contemplating the priestess's words.
"She will be returned safely, my lady," Niobe said confidently. "Prince Hector will retrieve her, he always does."
Andromache smiled at that. Yes, it was true; Hector was always there when you needed him to be, ready to make things right. And the gods would keep Briseis safe until then.
They must, for my sake.