Chapter Eight: Asleep

The next day as I was cleaning clothes I overheard Patroclus talking with Phoenix. He was saying, "The Green Dragon is here."

"Does Achilles know?"

"I don't think he does – and I think we should keep it that way, for now."

"Hmmm, it's news he would want to know, but I agree he is in a weakened state – that dart took its toll on him," Phoenix said with concern.

"When should we tell him? I agree he isn't strong enough to take the Green Dragon on, but you know how important this is to him."

"He almost died – this is no time to risk it."

"If he finds out, he will go after the Green Dragon regardless," Patroclus said.

"Come on, this is no place to discuss such matters."

With that the two men walked away. Now I was becoming confused – surely Achilles was in no state to go about, according to them, yet I just saw him last night, and what was the big deal about this Green Dragon? Who was it or what was it? I couldn't talk with the other slaves; none of them cared what happened in the world. I didn't want to ask the men – do to my promise, and in order not to raise suspicion of my eavesdropping.

I decided to see Achilles and ask him about last night. I walked up to his room, and right before I knocked the door opened and Meanes walked out.

"Oh! Hello, Briseis. What brings you here?"

"I came to see how Achilles was doing, sir."

"He is well, yet not fully recovered. I gave him some cornaliney root – he is young so everything should be alright is a day or two."

"What is cornaliney root?"

"He needs to rest – it is a root that could put Zeus into such a deep slumber that nothing could wake him – yet it does allow the person to carry on conversations. A strange plant it is."

"If they are asleep how to do they do this?"

"It is like talking in ones sleep – they do not remember saying anything. It is always the truth. An amazing plant."

"I should let him rest – how can I be of service?"

"Actually, if you could watch over him I would appreciate it."

"Certainly, let me grab a couple of books."

Awhile later I entered my old room, which was now Achilles' quarters. As I walked in Achilles opened his eyes. "Briseis, what are you doing here?"

"I came to look after you."

"I don't need a babysitter."

"I was asked to look over you – what happened?"

"Meanes...root...sleep...rest," his words started to blur as he fell asleep, "don't...about..." and with that he was out cold.

"Achilles?"

"Yeah?" Came a mumbled answer.

"Why did Meanes give you cornaliney root?"

"Not fully recovered...weak...rest..."his words slurred together. I couldn't help but think of what I could do with him in such a state, especially if he couldn't remember this conversation.

"Will you remember any of this?"

"Nope."

"Really?"

"Hmmm."

"That's so cool."

"Hmmm."

I thought about the questions I could ask him, last night and the Green Dragon. But than I thought better of it. I would betray his trust in me, if he trusted me. But I could ask him things about 'us' although there was not an 'us.' But Patroclus and others hinted that he liked me.

"So you involved with anyone?"

"No."

"Did you break up with someone?"

"Yeah."

"Did you love her?"

"Not really."

"Have you loved anyone?"

"Yes."

"Oh, are you married?"

"Not now."

"What about Briseis?" I said it before thinking, and thought, "I am desperate."

"What ... her?"

"Do you like her?"
"Not sure."

"How can that be?"

"She's great but ...her wouldn't...out."

"She likes you."

"As... friend... I...her."

At this point I realized there would never be an 'us.'