here we are again. yay. i am so glad that all of you are responding in the way you are. it makes my day. please keep reviewing! also, i haven't put a disclaimer in here, so here it is: i don't own Troy or any of its characters. (darn)

and a just a bit warning about this chapter: The way I portray Achilles reaction is a little off center. I imagined his rage being choppy and eclectic, uncontrollable, like he wasn't really thinking. So the sense factor of this chapter is... different.

read on and tell me what you think. no other chapters are like this, so if you hate it, don't worry.

- - - - - -

There is no peace for me.

Mine is a lifetime of war. There is no peace in war, no pacts among lions and men. I should have known that. Not even a woman like her could bring peace.

There is no peace for a killer.

This is my fate, mother? You should have warned me! Or did you? I cannot recall. You told me I would have death. You told me I would have glory. Neither is visible to me. Only the anger and pain remain.

Is this his fate? A father, a prince. A good man. But he killed Patroclus. He will pay.

He thought he was killing me. I wish he had. Will there be peace in death for me?

A father, a good man. He will have peace. He has had it. Selfish, isn't it? Unfair? I have no peace. He kills, I kill, he has peace, I have none. Why? Have I not brought glory and victory to many a king?

I hate him. I hate the killer of Patroclus, Patroclus, my cousin, a boy.

I hate his peace, and the woman who watches him from the wall, tears in her eyes, babe in hands. I could have had that. I chose a different path. Foolish prince. It is better to feel nothing. Don't you see? I allowed myself one luxury, one love. And he died at your hands. You will pay.

But she loves him so... should I spare one life?

No. I will kill the prince. He is the one that took you, cousin. He won't have eyes tonight. He won't have ears or a tongue. He'll walk through Hades blind, deaf and dumb...

Will he say welcome, too, when I arrive? I would drive my sword through him again, if I saw him. He killed Patroclus...

So much rage! Briseis, help me... please take the anger away.

I walked away from you. Why? You were peace, weren't you?

Maybe it was myself that I was angry at all along. Because I could not see the path that mattered. Maybe I was the fool. Maybe I should stop this madness. Troy. It will fall. It means so much to this people.

Patroclus.

When did I kill him? When did he drop to my feet? When was my sword in his chest?

Too late now.

There is no regret in killing.

There is no hesitation in rage.

There is no peace in glory.