An Unlikely Union
Quick Comment: Hi everyone, back from holiday now! This is Chapter 7, the longest so far! Sorry about that just try to keep with it ... I tried to design it as if you are reading fragments of memories - Sofia's memories of what happened that day. It's also supposed to reciprocate so that it ends where it started. I hope it works. (I also haven't had a lot of time to check it so am worried it doesn't 'flow') Reviews please!
7. The Strangest Day
Sofia couldn't sleep. She listened to the crackle of the dying fire and the singing of nearby crickets as she studied the darkness of her own eyelids, watching strange flashing shapes pass back and forth. She couldn't stop thinking about what had happened in the last 24 hours - it had been the strangest day she could remember. She replayed events over and over in her head, trying in vain to make sense of them, her stomach continuously churning.
--0--
Achilles plan had gone without mishap so far. The key was indeed concealed neatly within some bread served as a breakfast meal. New clothes were also delivered, wrapped in parchment and string. Sofia was given what must have been considered a plain gown but in truth, it was the most luxurious she had ever worn in her life. Hector wore a blue woollen skirt and vest outfit, possibility one of Achilles' own. Sure, he was wearing Greek clothes but he still did not look very Greek, not with his black eyes and dark curly hair. He didn't even speak like a Greek ... mind you Sofia thought that she would stick out like a sore thumb equally as much with her pale colouring ...oh well; they would cross that particular bridge when they came to it. The glorious anticipation of freedom far overwhelmed any feelings of doubt at that moment. They were also both provided with itchy hooded cloaks, which would help disguise them from steely glances, at least for a while anyway.
A couple of hours after night fall, Hector cautiously slipped the key into the lock and slowly turned it, closing his eyes for a second as if he was praying for it to work in silence. However, the mechanism emitted a defiant dull clunk, just like it always did. Hector became very still, his ear to the door, warily listening to the outside in case the slight noise had alerted any unwanted attention to their imminent escape. But no-one came. Hector pushed the door open a crack and the fresh air caressed his face like a sweet kiss. The corridor was empty. He slipped out of the door and beckoned for Sofia to follow. The grand party, the orgy of drink and women, could be heard in the distance, the light wind sometimes carrying the sound of merriment, lights flickering. Only two juvenile guards seemed to be guarding the entire block. Both were at the entrance - swigging on ceramic mugs of mead, back to the corridor entrance and facing the direction of the barracks, both distracted by the sound of laughter and the smell of sin as they grumbled to each other about having to work on such an auspicious night.
Hector easily dealt with them, sneaking up behind them, silently, skilfully snapping their necks as if they were nothing more than chickens – an assassin; one arm round the chest, the other jerking their heads suddenly. Both slumped on the floor, never to tell the tale of their brush with the Prince of Troy.
Sofia didn't know how her legs had carried her all the way to the edge of the forest, sheer panic she guessed. She ran like she had never run before as if her legs were full of air. Everything from thereon in was a blur to her. She recalled they managed to navigate to the forest clearing Achilles had mentioned via an overgrown path that seemingly hadn't been in use for a number of years. Tangled brambles scratched at her ankles, something which seemly did not affect Hectors manly strides. Neither spoke during this crucial part of their escape, communicating only through urgent eye gestures, not daring to speak in case their voices alerted attention. Further into the forest, it was frighteningly almost pitch black. Sofia's wide pupils could only make out the odd branch just in time to duck under of step over, her only guide Hectors hand which grasped hers with vigour. At that moment, she prayed that he would never let go.
--0--
Hector approached the horse waiting for them in the clearing with caution. It looked anxious, its huge eyelashes and watery eyes not even blinking at the strangers approaching, watching closely. It almost reared it's front legs up a couple of times, trying to loosen itself from it's tether but Hector managed to calm it, approaching cautiously and slowly from the side, offering out his hand in friendly gesture. The horse sniffed his fingers with its large fleshy nostrils, then lowered it head and gaze, deciding that he was a trustworthy passenger. Hector stroked the long brown nose soothingly, making a 'shushing' noise with his mouth as the horse whinnied in acceptance.
"He's a handsome colt, don't you think?" He whispered to Sofia, his face beaming.
Sofia had never seen him so passionate about something - his eyes literally shone as he petted the horse. She could tell that he was quite the equestrian.
"Here ..." he said softly taking her hand in his and guiding it over the horses nose:
"... you have to make friends with him too, He'll be carrying the both of us ..."
Somehow Sofia wasn't that concerned about the horse with Hector standing astride behind her, holding her hand like that.
But then Hector suddenly stood deadly still, dropping his grip on her hand, alert and listening to the night air. His keen ears could obviously hear something approaching in the bushes. Sofia's heart raced ... with the way Hector was acting she knew danger was imminent
He slowly stooped to ground where he stood, towards a glint of bronze at the colt's feet.
"Catch ... "he tossed her something which she automatically captured between her palms. It was a sheathed dagger, ornately decorated with swirly engravings and red rubies the colour of blood. She looked from the dagger to Hector dubiously. What was she meant to do with this exactly?
"Hide behind those trees other there! They may think that only I'm here ....." He ordered directly. How his mind managed to work so well under pressure she would never know. But she guessed he had been in more terrible situations with more terrible odds than this particular one.
"Who may ...?" She began to ask, confused.
"Who do you think?! GO!" Hector ordered his eyes wide full of urgency.
He positioned himself in the middle of the clearing, legs apart, sword at the ready for an attack. Sofia had managed to hide herself behind a tree .... just as she heard yells and the chinking of bronze – sword fighting. She peeped out curiously from behind the thick trunk, grasping its flaky exterior tight with her fingers in fright. She watched alarmed at Hector fight off the three soldiers that had tumbled out of the bushes.
Hector moved fluidly, confidently, blocking blows, attacking. One man was already on the ground, blood gushing from a large opening in his abdomen, the intestines spilling out, staining the undergrowth.
As Hector was struggling with another, Sofia noticed the third soldier approach him like a stalking tiger from behind, a bid to attack him unawares ....
Without giving a second thought to the consequences, Sofia charged out from her hiding place and plunged her dagger in the left hand side of the man's back, just as Hector finally smote the other adversary, mercilessly decapitating him with his sharp bronze sword.
The blade of Sofia's dagger slid into the soldier's body without resistance like a warm knife in soft butter. It must have pierced his heart from behind, killing him instantly. He crumpled and dropped on the ground just as Hector had turned his torso to see what was causing the commotion behind him.
The stabbed man dropped at Hectors feet, his lolling head falling to rest on the legs of the headless body of the soldier Hector had just defeated.
The clearing was silent once more.
Both Hector and Sofia were still for a moment - dumbfounded with what had just happened and the speed at which it had all transpired.
Hector stared at the stabbed soldier and then to Sofia in surprise at her courageousness ... Sofia looked at her victim and then to Hector for the very same reason. She was visibly shaken by the fight, her limbs quaking, and her blue eyes wide as she watched Hector trying to calm the colt once more. The sight and sound of the fight had distressed the horse almost as much as it had Sofia.
"Come, we must ride now if we have any chance of getting away ...."
Hector gathered the leather reigns over the horses shoulder, sheathed his sword then bent to remove the dagger from the guard's back, wiping it clean on his cloak. He attempted to hand it back to Sofia. She stared at it silently as she stood there, arms loosely at her side, still in shock. She did not want to hold such a horrid agent of death ever again. In response, Hector took her hand and led her to the horse, tucking the dagger in the belt of her robe for her.
There was no time for lingering. He lifted Sofia onto the horse with ease and positioned himself behind her, arms around the sides of her waist, chest against her back. He took the reigns and kicked the colt sharply in the sinewy stomach with his heels, encouraging the horse to trot and then run.
--0--
They had been riding for a least half an hour when Hector pulled on the horses' reigns, halting him suddenly. He could feel that Sofia's shock was subsiding and realisation had just hit her like a stone from a sling.
He could feel her body shaking against his chest as she sobbed almost hysterically.
He could feel the odd stray tear land on his hands as he held the reigns tightly, guiding the responsive horse.
"Sofia, do not fret ..." He pressed his face closer to her and spoke gently into her hair as he dropped the reigns and took both of her hands gently in his.
"...I ... I killed him ..." She whispered through her tight throat.
"It's difficult, I know but he would have killed you and me without a second thought."
"I do not wish to kill anybody ... anything ...it's not right"
"It's never right to kill but it was necessary .... shhh ... you are stronger than this ...." He whispered back, rubbing the back of her hands soothingly with his large thumbs.
Her sobbing gradually subsided, comforted by his kind words, his breath against the side of her face, his gentle touch.
Hector again kicked his heels into the horse once more to resume their perilous journey, conscious of the dangers that lay behind them.
--0--
"You collect some firewood ... I will set up some rabbit traps and build the fire".
After almost a days riding, they had stopped near a small lake. Hector had decided to set up camp between the water and a rocky outcrop, explaining that it would provide them cover from the weather and obscure them sufficiently, at least for the night so they could rest. He left the horse to lazily graze on a patch of lush-looking grass by the bankside, untethered to wander as it pleased. The sun beat down gaily as Sofia sauntered to one side of the lake, collecting dry branches and twigs in her arms as she went. She deeply breathed in the warm air which smelt of damp dead leaves and sticky ferns. Hector was gathering pebbles in preparation for the fire, heading in the opposite direction around the riverside to set up his traps near a collection of warren entrances he had spotted earlier. Sofia strolled further around the bank, her bare toes occasionally straying into the silty sand of the shore.
"Don't get lost!" She heard Hector yell in the distance as his head disappeared past the horses back and behind some trees.
Sofia took her time on her little errand, enjoying her newly found freedom for the first time, taking in the beautiful view of rippling water, gently swaying trees and sun beams beating down through the wispy clouds, something that she never thought she would see ever again. The air grew warm as it reached midday. Sofia strayed closer and closer to the shore, the little waves lapping at her toes.
That cool, clear water felt so good, looked so inviting. And she was still filthy from living in that cell, she could still smell the stench of it on her skin despite the fact she was wearing clean clothes. Perhaps a little dip wouldn't hurt .....
--0--
She returned to camp to find Hector crouched on the dry dirt, busily arranging his stones for the fire's hearth. He looked up as she approached, startled for a moment as if he didn't quite recognise her. Her hair was soaking wet, plastered away from her face and dripping a little onto her gown. Every patch of her skin was carefully scrubbed clean, her injuries soothed by the water. She felt so refreshed, so much better. All she craved now was a good meal and to sleep. She was smiling broadly; content as well as she could be within herself. Hector remained crouched as he watched her, mesmerised by this vision before him - Sofia looked startlingly different without the straggly hair and dirty face. She almost glowed in fact.
Sofia didn't notice his attentions. She walked right past him and dropped the branches she carried at one side of the camp.
"Ouch!" She exclaimed as the wood fell to the floor with a drumming thud.
Hector jumped up quickly to loyally attend to her. She was sucking her forefinger in her mouth, frowning as she stood by the branches. He raised his eyebrows and held out his hand, bidding her to show him the damage. She pulled her finger out of her mouth and placed it gingerly in his, the skin shining wet. He bent his head to study her forefinger closely, narrowing his eyes in concentration. Three splinters were implanted there - two half embedded and one totally buried under her delicate skin. He immediately yanked the half-embedded ones out skilfully with his thumb and forefinger, using them like tweezers. She scowled at him - it stung. He half smiled, half laughed at her reaction, finding it amusing that she was brave enough to take on Greek soldiers but acted like a baby when it came to a few splinters of wood.
"Here, we must get the other one out or it will become infected" He offered like an experienced nurse as he unhooked his cloak, intending to use the pin on the back of the circular bronze clasp to prise it out of her finger.
He carefully began to run the tip of the pin over the splinter, pressing down gently, trying the wear the skin down to easily get at the offending slither of wood. Sofia frowned, jerking her hand suddenly out his, her mouth pouting. Hector laughed again.
"You don't trust me, do you?"
He raised his eyebrow, eyes staring into hers, echoing exactly what she had said to him that time in the cell when she tried to bind his hand for him. She registered this and stubbornly offered her hand back to him, a little embarrassed at her own childlessness. He resumed removal of the splinter, engrossed at what he was doing.
Sofia did not notice her sore finger anymore. His touch was so gentle and he was so close. She almost couldn't believe that the man that she had witnessed ferociously kill Greeks in cold blood was tenderly attending to her tiny wound. She studied his face as he was looking down at her finger. He had bathed too. His face was also clean, his hair was damp, making it even curlier and making it appear darker, almost black. His wounds were healing well, the swelling of his black eye almost gone, the scratches on his cheek faded a faint pink, the split on his lip almost non-existent. She noticed little things about him that she had never seen before ... with his hair damp like that she could see that his ears stuck out a little. His eyes were quite small but very expressionate. His mouth had a slight overbite, which caused his tiny lisp. It wasn't that noticeable ... but she had noticed it.
"What?" He had noted her staring at him. She had to think quickly.
"Err...you have bathed too?" good thinking.
"Yes. Great minds think alike as they say ...." He smiled.
--0--
Sofia silently watched as Hector deftly skinned the rabbits with the very same dagger she had stabbed the guard with. He skilfully slipped the blade under the skin and whisked the soft brown fur away, exposing the raw maroon flesh underneath, coated with a bloody sheen. She noticed that the fluffy white bobtail was splashed with blood as he discarded the skin, tossing the pelt onto the floor. He began to work on the meat, slicing open the belly in a bid to remove its guts - but then he sensed that Sofia was watching him. He stopped what he was doing and looked up her, expecting her to be squeamish over the rabbit carcass. But her distant eyes told him a different story.
"Are you still thinking about that guard you killed?" He asked coolly, wiping the dagger clean on his robe then continuing the preparation of dinner.
Sofia paused for a while, listening to the crickets softly sing all around them, pondering on what she should answer back. Her mind was full of so many memories and emotions at that moment, like a river teeming with fish; it was hard just to pull one out on its own.
"Does it get any easier? Taking lives I mean ...." She stared blankly at the rabbit corpse lying in his lap.
Hector suspended what he was doing and looked right at her, seemingly sombre with sincerity.
"The faces of every man I have slain haunts my dreams .... I have no desire to take life yet I am required to do so."
The outer corners of his eyes were turned downwards in sadness, the only gesture that betrayed the practiced, dignified countenance he always held. Sofia was becoming an expert in translating his expressions, she could tell her question roused difficult memories in him. Hector thought for a moment after he spoke, staring into the blackness beyond the fire's reach then resumed busying himself with the rabbit.
"But the honour you have earned in protecting Troy will ensure that your name will live on, thousands of years after your flesh has rotted and your bones are dust." Sofia exclaimed. That is what Achilles wished for; surely Hector must have sought it too?
"I would give it all up in a second to be at peace in my heart." He half-whispered in answer.
He tried to veil his unhappiness with a little smile but it did not fool Sofia. She rose and approached him. Crouching next to him she slipped the prepared rabbit on the makeshift spit of sharpened twig. As she did so, she touched his arm, squeezing it slightly in comfort.
"Hungry?" She asked as she slipped the second rabbit on the same spit.
"Yes." He smiled again as he watched her walk over to the fire to start cooking the meat, a little cheered by her apparent positivity.
--0--
Their bellies full, even with a meagre meal of rabbit and berries, they both reclined in front of the fire, trying to settle for the night. This was difficult – both of their minds were alert after their confrontation with the Greek soldiers earlier on at the beginning of their escape. But their bodies began to feel fatigued as weariness descended on them like an eclipse, the blood rushed away from their limbs and towards their stomach to joyfully digest the best meal both of them had eaten for a long while.
They had not exchanged words for a long time although the silence was not an uncomfortable one, rather a welcome respite of solitude. Sofia watched Hector stoke the fire with a knobbly two-pronged twig as he sat cross-legged close next to her. The flames danced merrily, licking against the smooth stones Hector had assembled earlier as a makeshift hearth. How very practical he was, she thought. His blank eyes stared thoughtfully into the centre of the fire as if he was trying to control the untameable flames with his mind. Sofia relaxed a little more and lay down slightly, propping her head up on her elbow. She stared into the fire too, trying to see what he saw. Then Hector suddenly spoke, eyes still glazed and centred on the fire.
"Now you are acquainted with me, are you disappointed?" He did not take his eyes away from the fire as he spoke.
"What do you mean?"
"If we survive ... if you survive ... what would you tell people about me in the years to come?" now he turned his gaze to her, fixed intently.
"Nobody will ever believe that I knew you, they will think I have been suffering delusions if I start telling them I have known the Prince of Troy!" she joked.
However, his face remained unmoved and she dropped her smile back to seriousness at his reaction. She suddenly realised he wasn't jesting.
"Do you really care what a simple village girl thinks of you?" She continued
"I care what you think." He answered immediately.
His eyes still stared at her, seeing what he could glean from her facial expression. She could feel herself blush – thankfully the colours of the fire veiled her rosy cheeks. She carefully considered her answer for a moment:
"I would say that Hector is a great man, just like he is rumoured to be .... and a whole lot more". She smiled.
Hector remained silent, apparently unmoved or unconvinced at her comments.
"Hector ... I sense so much self-doubt in you ...." Sofia boldly continued.
"Most people think I am some sort of god on earth but I am flesh and blood like everyone else, just a man ..."
"But you are a good man Hector. You give people hope." Sofia tried to reassure him.
"I do not want that responsibility."
"You have no choice."
Hector frowned in silence at the fire, trying to take her words on board. He could not understand why she was being so kind to him, especially since he didn't deserve it. He had been such a brute to her a few days ago in that cell, he knew that. Sofia drew herself closer to face him, kneeling next to him so her features were level to his. She suddenly reached her hand up to his forehead and clenched her fist to his brow, pretending to pull something away and tuck it behind her back, keeping her arm there.
"Your frown .... I always wish I could just take it away, hide it ... if only for a little while ..." She explained.
He smiled at her back, touched by her childlike playfulness. Did he really frown that much? He had no idea that she was so sensitive to it or that she had paid that much attention. He leant towards her and took the hand she held behind her back, drawing it forward, holding it in his. He momentarily squeezed it. She could feel that his big hands were rough, some of the fingers calloused but his touch was so gentle.
"I have never met anybody like you in my life." He beamed.
Sofia's heart pounded. If she wasn't quite blushing before, she certainly was now. Even the fire couldn't hide it this time. Was that a good or a bad thing?
"I ... I've been meaning to thank for taking me with you. Achilles was right, I think I may slow you down .... I just don't want to seem ungrateful ..." She nervously stuttered.
"You saved my life; that night, you stopped me choking. And today ... with that soldier. I owe it to you that is all" He shrugged.
Sofia was disappointed at his answer and she couldn't understand why she felt so crestfallen – she should have been happy, surely. What other reason did she expect? Hector watched her face involuntarily drop at his answer. Something about the way she had wrinkled her nose slightly and bowed her head made his heart melt a little, like mountain snow in the first few days of spring.
"You didn't think I would leave you in there did you?! I'm starting to think the gods have sent you to watch over me!" He added cheerfully. She still looked disappointed, however.
Hector smiled at her and gently took her chin in his free hand, lifting her head up so her eyes met his again. Gazing into each others eyes as if they were hypnotised, they held this pose for a few moments. Hectors lips were slightly parted as if he was about to say something, maybe do something. The way his dark eyes warmly watched her made Sofia shiver with expectancy, as if he was trying to see straight into her soul. She could feel his breath on her face, smell his skin.
But he suddenly came to his senses, dropping his gaze and then his grasp on her hand and chin. He coughed deep in his throat as if he was embarrassed, then stood up swiftly, busying himself throwing more twigs on the fire.
"You should get some sleep. We have a long day ahead tomorrow. I will keep watch." He spoke into the fire as he watched the flames jump in thankfulness at the odd pieces of wood he had tossed to feed them. The flames gave his face a strange orange-red hue as their dancing reflected on his skin. He did not take his eyes from the fire again, his mind occupied.
Sofia felt her stomach sink again. Why did she feel so .... rejected?
With her eyes closed, Sofia could still feel the heat of the fire warming her skin and hear the crackle of moisture escaping from the wood. Hector was still awake, tending to it, keeping watch on it, keeping watch on her. She could tell. That shivery feeling she had experienced when he had gazed at her earlier returned. It churned the pit of her stomach, keeping her awake.