Chapter 15: Preparation

I woke up a couple hours later nervous about the next day. Looking over I saw Achilles sleeping peacefully, as if nothing was wrong, as if he did not have to be fighting for his life in a couple of hours. I was scared though – very, very scared. I almost wanted to cry, but it was if my body did not respond to anything my brain was thinking. Numb – that is how I felt, numb on the outside, terrified on the inside. I stayed up reassuring myself that he would be fine, that he would survive, that I could stay living by his side.

Suddenly from the corner a bell that was attached by a string that lead to the outside, started to ring causing me to jump. Achilles sat up with a start. "What the hell is that?!?" I asked.

"For me – gotta go." He mumbled but did not move, but sat there feet on the floor, rubbing his face with one hand. The bell had stopped for a little bit but started up again shortly. "Alright, alright, I'm coming, I'm coming" he grumbled pulling on boxers and stumbling to the front door. After awhile he came back and started to dress for battle, just as I got up to dress.

"What time is it? I thought you were attacking in the mid-morning?"

"Dawn. Takes time to prepare."

I did not respond, but did smile a little – he was not fully functional in the morning. Automedon came in smiling without knocking cheerfully saying, "It is a wonderful morning!" But stopped when he saw me mid-dress, while I tried to cover up blushing fiercely.

"Automedon – get out of here," Achilles and I exclaimed at the same time.

Without answering he turned around and quickly left. Achilles looked over at me with a small smile.

"He is way to cheerful in the morning."

"Not a morning person?"

"It takes me until the sun is fully up to be actually about to move normally."

Watching his movements I mentioned, "You seem stiff," though I did not mean to say it out loud.

He just laughed in response, "Part of fighting."

"You should take it easy."

"One of these days perhaps until than I will have to keep going."

He walked out. Following after I was dressed I saw that Iphis had already prepared breakfast for the three men, smiling at me she pulled and put a plate with my breakfast on it for me. Thanking her I joined them.

"Umm...I want to... well Briseis I'm... sorry about earlier." Automedon stuttered so quietly that I could barely hear it; apparently he did not want to mention what happened in front of Patroclus and Iphis. However, I did notice Achilles' left side of his mouth turn up slightly, showing that he heard the attempt to apologize. Automedon must have seen it to because he looked very relieved after glancing over to where his friend sat. The breakfast was eaten in silence, and I couldn't help but notice that Achilles did not eat that much – he did not finish his plate, well the other two finished off another one no problem and probably would have gone for thirds if there was enough. Iphis and I easily finished off our plate, but were too satisfied to want more. In fact he was more playing with his food, than as if remembering that food was meant to be eaten he would take a small bite.

Anticulous came in while knocking on the door. "Hey, hey what's going on?" He too was a cheerful morning person.

"Nothing much – just ready to kick some Trojan ass," Patroclus stated with a laugh, but Achilles did not look happy at all – in fact I think he tensed a little. This made me think that he did not like Anticulous that much, regardless of them being nice to each other.

"Yup, we are going to created chaos among the Trojans." Automedon stated while Iphis and I smiled good-morning to him.

"Ah, Achilles still tense before battle eh?" Anticulous teased.

"Shut the hell up," Achilles growled.

"Ah don't worry about it we will take care of you."

"Hahaha very funny."

After breakfast the men got ready to go off to war, Automedon and Anticulous were already in their amour so they prepared the horses. After cleaning up I went in to the bedroom to see if Achilles need help with anything. He had his grieves and forearm guards on but was looking at his body amour as if it was an alien. "What is the matter?"

Not turning to me he said, "nothing."

"Do you need help with that?" I said trying to be brave for him.

"Not really," but still he did not move to arm himself rather he turned and walked past me. After a few moments of silence Patroclus came in looking for him, all I could do was shrug. Shaking his head he said, "you would think by now Achilles would not be so nervous about going into battle he would have to throw up every time and he could eat more. I mean he is the greatest warrior I have ever seen, why is he so nervous and I'm fine? I mean I'm going to die before he does in battle."

"He throws up before fighting?" I could not believe it – a warrior that was so calm in battle that he made Aries, god of war, look nervous was absolutely terrified.

After some time he came back in and took in a deep breath, grab the corset and quickly put it on. Pulling on his helmet and quickly armed himself with a sword on his back, knifes in his grieves, and spear in hand. Turning he faced me looking like the god of war, his green eyes flashing an intense light that would of caused me to back up if I did not know he would not harm me.

"What about the shield, shouldn't you take it in case?"

"I am not going to take it today." He said in a matter of fact voice, as he walked to the door.

"Ok – just take care of yourself and returning safely back to us."

"I'll see you later." With that he walked out perfectly calm and stepped onto his chariot being pulled by two magnificent black horses. Nodding to Automedon they drove out to meet the Trojans in the heat of battle.