Chapter Seven: Death

My day continued on, much in the same way as it had all the other days. I worked with the injured, constantly being interrupted by new waves of patients. Days came and went. The Antackees didn't leave yet never pushed forward again. My concern was focused on Achilles, who was continuously slipping into and out of consciousness. Anticulous played his part the best way possible through out it all.

It was a week after the poisoned dart hit Achilles when I decided to go into the hospital earlier than usual. Something inside me told me hurry; it felt as if something was out of place – something was empty. As I entered the hospital I noticed how quiet it was – feeling quite on edge I continued forward towards Achilles and Patroclus, who I had become friends with, if you could say that. Than I noticed Patroclus standing up next to Achilles' bed looking at the doctor with a white face. Than I knew what had happened. I knew Achilles must have passed away.

"He's not dead," Patroclus said. "I won't let him die on me."

"Patroclus – I'm sorry, but..."

"What do you know?" Patroclus shouted, making me jump, "Nothing! You know absolutely nothing! You've killed so many."

"So have you," came the reply softly.

With that Patroclus bent over shacking Achilles as if to wake him from sleep, saying, "Come on Achilles. Come on – show them! Come on open your eyes, open your eyes!" Getting no response he started to become rougher, "Fight! Achilles, fight it! Open your eyes – wake up! Wake up!" By the end of it he was actually pounding on his chest his angry shouts slowly becoming upset sobs.

"He cannot not be gone," one of the aids, said in disbelief.

"No, this can't be happening." I thought watching the scene unfold as if it was years away. Not realizing tears were falling down my cheeks I walked forward till I reached the bed. "Achilles?" I asked shocked at seeing how pale his face was. Silently I thought, "Achilles, if you can hear me, please come back. We need you here. I need you here. Please come back. Achilles none of us can stand to see you leave – not now, not when the Antackees are so strong, and your men are depending on you so heavily. All of us have put our hopes and dreams on you – can you let us all down? Please do as Patroclus says and wake up and come back to me."

"No! He isn't gone." Patroclus whispered, "Wake up. Please wake up! Don't you leave me! Don't leave! Wake up! Please, please open your eyes and wake up! You never have given up before; don't make this an exception. You have never run away from anything in your life, you're the bravest person I have ever known so you see you can't leave now. Please not now, when everyone is depending on you." Than he started to cry out to Athena, "Grey eyed goddess of battle you are his patron goddess how could you allow him to die now? How could you abandon him like this? Where are you when he actually is of need of you?"

Than it happened Achilles gasped and almost sat straight up. I just stood there in shock looking wide-eyed at Achilles who was obviously very disoriented.

"You! I love you! Thank you Athena!" Patroclus cried pulling him into a bear hug.

"Hey! Get off of me!" I heard Achilles muffled voice, making me laugh.

Suddenly Patroclus stood up almost throwing his cousin and best friend off the bed, looking furious, "How could you do that? Did you really wanted to scare me? Never, do you hear me? Never ever do that to me again!"

With that I looked at Achilles, who was now looking rather amused by his cousin's outburst.

Patroclus continued saying, "You're my little cousin, and I'm here to protect you, and I don't want you hurt..."

He was interrupted by Achilles laughing.

"Yeah, yeah, go ahead and laugh you, you, you..." Patroclus said still looking angry but a smile slowly growing on his handsome face, "It's good to have you back."

"I had to go under to fight it, you know that," Achilles said in a very sober voice. I noticed his face of concern and worry as it crossed his face briefly. "Anyway, tell me of the Antackees situation."

"By the gods you really are back, how do you feel?" the doctor said.

"Great, actually. What is happening with the military situation?"

With that the officers who had been standing around came forward eager to tell their beloved commander any news. At this I felt awkward and rejected, so I quietly slipped away, deciding a walk would be the best thing to clear my head. Why did I cry? Why did I care if he lived or died? Why was he so concerned about Patroclus protecting him? Why did he ignore me? Through out the day I wandered around the city.

It wasn't until a week later that I ran into Achilles again. It was midnight, and not being able to sleep I once again went for a walk. Nobody except a couple of guards were up. The Antackees had not done anything for a week – it was a strained peace that had settled on my once beautiful city. I found myself walking towards the part of the outer wall, which had a secret passageway in it. Suddenly, a part of the wall moved! Not wanting to alert the intruder by making a sound I dashed to get under cover. Trying to stop breathing so hard I didn't like the fact that I was a slave, yet this army didn't make me feel like a total slave, so I would do something if I had to. I had heard what the Antackees did to women and I knew that I was better off with the Greeks. Looking I saw a man painted black slip in noiselessly, none of the guards taking any notice. Seizing a wooden log I waited till he passed me. Jumping out of my hiding spot I swung with all my might, yet I was too slow. The man nimbly ducked out of the way and moved behind me in a blink of the eye. Before I knew it I had a knife to my throat.

"Go on. I know what you creatures do to woman – cutting my throat won't prove you're brave though!"

"No it wouldn't."

"Achilles?"

"What are you doing out here?"

"I think I should ask you that question. You should be careful – I could have killed you," he said running his hand through his hair.

"Well what are you doing all painted up?"

"You didn't answer my question."

"Neither did you."

"Good – night."

"I was just going for a walk because I couldn't sleep," I finally answered hoping for some reason he did not leave me.

"Drink some warm milk – normally that helps people sleep."

"Thanks for the advice." Seeing him about to walk away I added, "Would you mind walking with me to get it?" I couldn't believe I said that – why couldn't I think about what I said before it came out?

Looking at me Achilles took awhile before answering, "Lady Briseis I will escort you to the center square, but than I must take my leave."

"Thank you." I replied stunned by the formal tone, and I stood there waiting for his arm to be offered.

"Are you coming?" he asked in an aggravated tone.

"Yes." I said walking pass him. "What is his problem?" I thought.

"Lady Briseis I would like it if you didn't tell anyone about this night."

Turning around to look at him, I was about ask him why, but before I could he continued, "Promise me you will not let this encounter be known to anyone."

"You have my word."

"Thank you my lady."

The rest of the walk was in silence. I was dying to ask what he was up to, but I knew he wouldn't answer me. The center square came up too quickly – I enjoyed the protection he offered.

Turning to him I said, "good-night."

"Lady Briseis, I never thanked you." Achilles said looking sheepish.

"For what?"

"For helping me a week ago."

"I didn't help you, Patroclus did."

"Yeah he did, and I heard him, yet I thought I heard...oh never mind it probably was something else. Good-night." He said turning to walk away.

"I did ask you to come back," I whispered so quietly I could barely hear it. I didn't want him to think I cared too much about him.

"So it was you," he said turning back to me, "thank you."

"Good-night." I said shocked he had heard me.

"You too," and with that he left me standing outside the door to the storeroom.