Men were not allowed in the women's bathe , when one of the Holymen came , they quickly ushered everyone out.
A quite angry Hector , a wet and bruised Paris , Priam and myself.
Ushered all of us to the first largest room we came to.
The library.
As Priam escorted me in the library , I spotted Cassandra watching in the crowd. Those violet eyes could be spotted anywhere.
Watching me with great interest.
Priam closed the door behind all of us.
Every last guard in the room stood between Hector and Paris.
Priam led me to a rather large chair, where I sat as gracefully as I could. Trying to remain modest in no more then a night-shirt.
"Hector! Calm yourself! All is well , everyone is fine!
Quiet down!" urged the Holyman , I could never pronounce his name.
He was a thin man who reminded me of a weasel. Muzari or something similar was his name. With a hooked nose , long greasy hair , as if he never washed it. The man was just odd.
Hector had dirty hair often at the end of his days , but it never bothered me.
This mans hair I would not dare touch!
His eyes were……. cold.
Cold could describe their gray color.
"Do not tell me to quiet down!" Hector roared , turning his gaze on Muzari.
Paris quickly ducked behind the many guards , hiding behind my chair. Thinking he was safe behind there.
Muzari looked to Priam for help , who was conferring with the head palace guard.
Finding no help.
"No one was harmed." Muzari offered , taking a step away from Hector. While the filthy man was older , he was nothing compared to Hector.
Hector's anger erupted , pointing towards me , "HAVE YOU NOT SEEN HER NECK!"
Paris even peered over the chair for a better look.
Muzari glanced at me , "No one important was harmed , Troy can find a new Princess , she cannot afford to loose a Prince!"
Hector's gaze was calm for a moment.
Priam tore his gaze from the man he was speaking with. A child could see the fear he held. Paris even let out a small gasp.
"Are you implying my wife is not important to Troy?" Hector growled , sounding calmer.
Going to a much angrier state.
Muzari misread this for agreement , "In almost five years she has provided no heirs."
That was true.
Hector lashed out at the Holyman , hitting him with a balled fist! Knocking the man onto a desk. The library was full of chairs and tables. Walls lined of books.
Plenty of items that could be used to inflict harm.
Priam yelled for the guards , Hector grabbed Muzari's foot , pulling him down the table. Only to hit him again in the face. Blood poured from the mans nose.
Paris made a gagging noise.
Quickly the guards moved between the men , pulling Hector away from Muzari.
Whose face was just covered in blood.
I never liked the man , so it was hard to hide a smile.
But I did, It was never proper to smile at such brutality , even when it was deserved.
Priam grabbed Hector's strong arm , "Hector!"
Hector shook him off , eyes holding a storm in their intensity.
Muzari held his nose , "You Must Face The Truth! She
Is Unable To Bear Children!"
Insulted I rose , "I am not! I have bled twelve days ago!"
Muzari glared at me , "But Your Not With CHILD!"
Hector shoved some guards aside , lunging for Muzari.
Two caught him.
Pulling him back from Muzari's path.
Hector spat angrily at the man , "I WOULD HOPE SHE'S NOT WITH CHILD! AS I HAVE NOT BEEN HOME IN THREE MONTHES!"
While Muzari walked behind a table , thinking he was safe. He had apparently never seen Hector throw furniture.
Priam looked to me for help , Hector would not calm down with Muzari here. Muzari could anger a priestess.
I suppose that is why he served here instead of the temples , they could not stand him either.
Rising from the chair I walked to Hector. Placing my hands on his strong wrist. Giving him a gentle squeeze , he met my eyes.
"Calm down, love. He does not know what he says." I spoke softly , when Hector turned to look at the foul man. I took his softly bearded chin in my hand. Making him hold my eyes.
Letting him have a moment to calm himself.
"Have a seat." I told him.
Hector listened , he took my hand , and sat down in the chair Priam sat me. Paris of course went across the room. Hector sat pulling me down beside him in the large chair.
Holding me close to his side around my waist.
Priam took a breath beginning to ask what happened , when Hecuba stormed in the room. Her robes loose with her long hair. Looking like some manner of beast.
"What has happened! Is Hector well?" She demanded , seeing a bruised and wet Paris , she ran to him.
"I am fine Mother." Paris spoke.
Hecuba then turned , seeing Hector and I , "Hector?"
Hector nodded.
Not saying a word to her until she asked , "Andromache?"
"We're fine." Hector told her.
Knowing his mother disliked me , he would defend me against her. I loved him for it. I knew many courtly wives who could not say the same for their husbands.
Holding me still , his thumb softly stroking my bare leg.
Hecuba looked her son over , looking then to her husband , "Priam?"
Priam took a deep breath , "Everything is fine! This is a matter of family."
The guards took the hint , following their Captain out. A few glanced over at Hector as they left.
Priam then spoke , "Muzari?"
The Holyman seemed surprised , but bowed to his King , "Very well My'Lord. If you are in need of me , call." At that the foul man left.
Hector's eyes followed him till the door closed.
Dislike was not strong enough a word for those two.
Priam looked to Paris , gaze not pleasant. "Paris , what would have happened if that man succeeded? If he killed both Hector and Andromache?"
Paris thought about that for a moment , "But he didn't , Andromache killed him."
Hecuba's eyes widened , " What exactly happened this evening! Hector?"
All heads turned to Hector , "A man came into our chambers , Andromache killed him."
Hecuba gasped her hand flew to her mouth.
Priam looked toward the heavens for help , Paris spoke softly , "It is my fault Mother , I wooed a young woman , took her to their chambers"
Hecuba gasped , but hugged her son , "This is not your fault , Paris!"
Hector sighed silently.
I could feel the annoyance in his body.
Paris nodded , "It is , the woman's husband came to kill me in retaliation."
"NO!" Hecuba gasped.
I tried hard not to roll my eyes. Hecuba's eyes looked to Hector and I, I swore for a moment she glared at me. I crossed my legs , trying to retain some modesty. Fidgeting to cover my bottom with the shirt. Hector's hand simply moved up my leg to the shirts hem. Holding it in place.
Priam spoke up , "Which is why you will either wed , or join the Army Paris! I will have no more of this foolish childhood behavior!"
Both Hecuba and Paris gasped in horror.
Even I was surprised , Hector looked disgusted , "Father , he would not be faithful if you married him. Nor would he be suited for the Army."
Priam sighed , unsure of what to do next. "I am at my wit's end with you Paris!"
"Don't punish Troy, what will happen if Paris joins the army? You've seen him with a sword. Could you imagine Paris upon a horse in battle? Even if you found a woman that he favored he would grow bored within a month."
Priam looked to Hector , knowing his son told him the truth. As Hecuba cradled her youngest son. "He is just a boy!"
"HE IS A PRINCE AND WILL ACT ACCORDINGLY!" Priam shouted.
Hector stood , pulling me to his side.
We would have no say in Paris's punishment.
Whatever Priam decided was what would happen. No matter how much Hecuba pleaded for her youngest.
"Your Captain now Hector." Priam reminded him , not letting Paris from his sight.
"I know." Hector told him.
Priam knew that was all he had to tell Hector.
At that we left the library.