Chapter Four: Questions

The next thing I knew was an extremely painful headache, so much so I wished that I were dead. "Finally up I see," Achilles voice came splitting through my brain like a lightening bolt.

"By the gods it hurts," I moaned covering my face with my hands.

"Sit up and put your face down." Without question I followed his order. Placing his hands on my neck he squeezed.

"Ummm..." I groaned when he took away his hands I realized my headache was gone. However, in its place was a pleasant burning sensation on my neck where his hands were.

"Better?"

"Much, thank you," I said looking up and noticing we were in the hospital wing. "You carried me back?"

"You left me little choice," he replied sitting down in the chair next to my bed. He now was in a simple green tunic with sandals, making his eyes stand out and showing off his strawberry blond hair.

"What happened?"

"You got knocked out."

"No, what happened with the fight?"

"We won."

"What about Mynes?"

"He won't threaten you again."

"You killed him?"

"Yes."

"But he was a fabulous warrior."

"You sorry about it?"

"No." Seeing his face of confusion mixed with amusement, I blurted out, "You heard him order his men to kill us. I never really wanted to marry him. He hated me, and I him. I hated him more everyday because he always tried to break my ribs with punches or kicks." I suddenly stopped realizing I just told Achilles something that I had kept a secret from everyone, and something I did not want anyone to know about – it was sort of embarrassing.

"It was not your fault," he said simply looking at me with a small smile that shouted he understood what I was going through. He reached up tentively slowing coming to a stop right before continuing onto brushing away a strand of hair that had fallen onto my face. Removing his hand quickly he went on to say, "Yes, Mynes was a good warrior." He looked over to where Patroclus was. "Mynes, in fact, got my friend with that arrow."

Sensing guilt I replied, "it was not your fault."

Turning back to me he smiled slightly, and that's when I noticed the gash.

"You're hurt!" I exclaimed, looking at the gapping wound.

"It's nothing. It will heal soon enough."

"It's not nothing – that's a gash which requires stitches," I said making to get out of bed.

"Briseis, really it's nothing. After today you need rest."

"I'm not a fragile flower!"

"Briseis, I suppose you are not," he said getting up, "but after a concussion rest is important, more important that some stitches. Now relax, I have to check on the defenses. Goodbye."

"Defenses?"

"Yeah it appears Mynes knew about our plans and sent for the Antackees, which just arrived as we encountered Mynes and his men."

"Who are the Antackees?"

"Fierce warriors that hunt men like wolves."

"You don't like them."

"Pretty much," hearing shouts in the distances he quickly said, "you rest – bye." And with that he left.

After awhile of sitting there dumbfounded I made my way to Patroclus, who was finally up. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been shot."

"Do you need anything?"

"No, you heard Achilleus you should rest."

"I also promised him that I would look after you."

"Don't worry about me. Prepare for the wounded. The Antackees are tough warriors."

"Achilles said they hunted men like wolves."

"Achilles?"

"Isn't that also his name?"

"Yeah, but its just... Anyway, yes they do fight like a pack of wolves hunting prey."

"Will we win?"

"Achilles won't go down without a fight. Besides..." he stopped looking very unsure how to continue.

"Besides?"

"What is your relationship with my cousin?"

"Excuse me?"

"Are you involved with him?"

"What!?! No! We just met."

"Hmm," was all the reply he gave me.

"Why are you asking such questions?"

"Just a hunch – it's nothing."

Before I could reply the injured started to come in, and I knew what had to be done. They came in waves of five here ten in the next, each wave at different intervals. I worked long hours that day taking no break. Through out the night I did what I could to relieve the suffering of the men who looked healing. The muscles in my back, arms, and legs were exhausted and cramping up. My head was pounding again, and lack of food and water were aiding in these affects. It was not up until dark did the men stop coming in. The hospital was packed with me. Still I made my rounds checking and helping.

"Didn't I tell you to rest?" Achilles' voice broke into my foggy mind, clearing it up.

Turning to him I saw him once again in armor. "You need stitches for your arm – follow me."

He did not budge in fact his response startled me. "You look awful. Go clean up, eat, that get to bed."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"Excuse me?"

"Do as I say."

"Excuse me?"

"Lady Briseis please take a break."

"Don't order me around."

"He can do what ever he pleases." A gruff voice interrupted us, "after all why shouldn't everyone listen to the great Achilleus? The son of..."

"That's enough out of you Therties!" Patroclus interrupted him glaring. Glancing from him to the hideously deformed man, Therties to Achilles, who was looking at this man with such contempt it made my blood run cold. Than I heard his voice, it spoke volumes; cold fear gripped me as I gazed upon this man, who could pass for a god. His voice that up to this point had been warm was frozen and somehow grew into something that was incredibly powerful. It was a voice of the cold-blooded killing machine I had heard he was. I looked back to Therties to see him shaking with fear that he ran – fast.

"Lady Briseis you have been going all day, you should take a break," Patroclus said to me.

Looking at the two best friends I decided that it was pointless to argue. Shrugging I turned to leave, closing the door behind me I realized how tired I was. Stumbling forward I somehow managed to make it one of the shelters for slaves.