Chapter 13: The Greek Camp

I stood on the bow of the ship surveying my new home. Shelters were arranged in an organized fashion, bunkers, which looked like hospitals and bunkhouses for slaves, divided groups of soldiers. Looking farther across the plain that was surprisingly clear of bodies I saw Troy standing tall. On top of her proud walls I could just make out soldiers keeping watch.

"Briseis, I'll show you to Achilles' lodge." Automedon said behind me.

Turning around I smiled at him but could not say anything. A bitter sweetness had settled on me – my home city of Lyroness had fallen I was a slave in the midst of the enemy. If I was anyone else my life would be awful, but I was with Achilles, the man I somehow had fallen in love with. Following Automedon I paid close attention to my way, Myrmidons that had not gone on the raid had come forward to see their comrades. The wounded were being carried to the hospital.

"Where are Achilles and Patroclus?" I asked, suddenly releasing I had not seen them since after we were about to land.

"Reporting to Agamemnon and the council."

"Don't they know they succeeded?"

"Are you always so curious?"

"What's wrong with asking questions?"

"Nothing – normally women aren't so curious."

"Hmmm."

"You know Achilles must be truly taken with you."

"Why?"

"I don't know – don't take that the wrong way, but you are not my type – anyway he has never specifically asked for anything or anyone before from these raids, although it is his right, he passes that on to another soldier whom he believes deserves it."

"He is asking for me?"

"Yes, otherwise you might be sent to another king."

"Good – I wouldn't want to go anywhere else."

"Here we are."

Achilles' lodge was nice sturdy wooden home with a small front yard surrounded by a fence. The back stood a barn and pasture in which there were two beautiful black, two grays, and two bay horses. Walking up the two steps onto a small porch, we were greeted by a pretty young woman who opened up the front door.

"Automedon! You are back! How is Patroclus, Achilles, Anticlous?"

"All fine."

Turning to me she smiled shyly, "Hello, I'm Iphsis."

"Briseis, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"Achilles' girl?"

"Yes."

With that she smiled fully, "Well come in, make yourself at home."

A living/dining room/kitchen opened up from the front door dividing two bedrooms each of which had their own bathrooms. A storage room for some booty and food was to the back that also offered a backdoor to the barn. Achilles' room was plain, a bed in center with a trunk at its base, a dresser on the far wall next to a closet, a place for his armor in the near corner. It fit the whole atmosphere of the house, neat with minimum furniture, everything placed in a clear straightforward manner – reflecting Achilles' personality.

"Would you like to help me make dinner?"

"Sure – you'll have to show me, I have never cooked in my life."
"Royalty?"
"I was...the queen."

"Hmm... Achilles normally doesn't take well to royalty."

"Really? Why is that?"

"Doesn't like that whole look down your nose personality."

"But isn't he a prince?"

"Yes. However, as you'll learn he doesn't like to lead."

"He is not a follower." I argued, whom was this girl thinking that Achilles doesn't lead?

"True, very true. He is too independent for that. He does his own thing, neither following nor leading. Nevertheless, he is the backbone of this entire army."

"Shouldn't that be Agamemnon's job? He is the high-king after all, he should support the troops."

"Yes, but he never actually leads. I don't know – I guess he thinks he leads by giving out orders, Achilles makes the men believe they can do things, shows them how to win, and performs victories of unbelievable proportion for them."

"You seem to really admire him."

"Yes – who doesn't?"

"He is just a warrior." I said, knowing that he was indeed a good warrior, but those stories, they were just rumors, right?

"You'll learn that your boyfriend is a much better warrior than you give him credit for. After all he is immortal."

"That is just a story."

"Is there a scar on his body?"
"Well, no, actually now that I think about it. But he died on this raid."

"What?" She gasped paling quite a bit.

I told her the story about the raid. She was silence for a minute; thinking about what I had told her.

"His mother is a goddess, and he came back from the dead – he is invincible if not immortal."

"That would be great."
"So you like him, quite abet don't you?"

"Yeah I do." I said blushing a little.

Before our conversation could continue any more, Patroclus came in.

"Hello beautiful!"

"Hey." Iphis said smiling slightly, looking at him with dreamy eyes. "Are you alright? I heard you were injured."
"Briseis is a good healer. You?"

"I'm good."

After kissing her briefly he turned to me saying, "Achilles will be along shortly - he had make sure that Agamemnon got everything."

"So am I... I mean do I now belong to..."

"Yes Achilles asked for you, Agamemnon agreed – I don't think Achilles would of taken no for an answer."

"Well, you two would like to catch up so I'll go for a walk."

"No Briseis, I would wait if I were you. Achilles is coming back soon, and this camp isn't the same – there are a lot more men, not all under Achilles' command."

"Ok, I guess I'll wait here."

"Wait for what?" Achilles voice asked from behind me.

"You."

Smiling he turned to Iphis, "Hey how's it going?" Giving her a quick hug.

"Good, you I heard you had a little scare."

"Oh, no I am fine – Patroclus here on the other hand..."

"Hmm....tough guy," she smirked turning towards him.

"I was fine. Well, you guys have a good time talking we are going to catch up."

When they had disappeared into Patroclus' bedroom Achilles turned to me, "Briseis..." he breathed out slowly.

Walking towards him I slowly placed both my hands on his chest, leaning into his warmth. I felt so comfortable and protected I could not help but to smile.

"I am to be yours I heard." I murmured softly, hating the fact that I belonged to him, but glad to be his.

"Agamemnon and the men gave me you as my war prize. You should have seen their faces when I asked for you. They seemed to be in shock that I have found a girl."

"I highly doubt that." I laughed at his misty look of shock, it seemed he could not believe that he actually found someone. "Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror? Girls must fling themselves at you all the time."

"True, but I have never actually asked to have one specifically given to me."

"What is Agamemnon and the so called council like anyway?"

"You'll find out for yourself soon enough. But I am starving, how about you?"

"Iphis was trying to teach me how to cook."

"Perfect!"

"However, Patroclus has distracted her."

"Oh, not perfect."

"Yeah. Can you cook?"

"I have many skills, cooking is not on that list however."

"I see – we could wait for them."

"We won't see them until tomorrow afternoon. Phoenix always has good food at his place, let's go." And with that we left in search for a good hearty meal.