Chapter 17: Good News

Iphis did not stop with a couple of fish; she prepared tons making me inwardly groan. I never liked fish but I did not feel that it was my place to argue. Helping where I could dinner was beginning to take shape. While doing this, Achilles and Patroclus had gone off to check on their horses.

"We did not eat this much for breakfast, why make so much now?" I asked observing that the quantity of food far succeed the amount any previous meal I had eaten in Troy.

"Our guys just came back from battle. Achilles has not eaten all day and he has a huge appetite when he can eat."

"So he likes fish a lot than?"

"He doesn't have a favor food, he likes anything and everything that has some form of filling quality."

"Something smells good," Automedon and Anticulous stated together as they came in.

"How does fish sound boys?" Iphis asked the two younger men.

Nodding approval they sat down at the table, which Iphis made sure, was set for six. Smiling she said, "You know you two should get yourselves a girl to cook for you."

"Than we would miss all of your fabulous cooking!" Automedon exclaimed smiling.

After moment of laughing Anticulous asked Automedon about today's fight. He started talking about the fight with Titus. To this Iphis turned around to face them asking them to tell her exactly what happened to Patroclus. He explained swiftly with slight exaggeration about Achilles skill and lessening the danger Patroclus was actually in.

"Your man can sure fight." Anticulous said to me, "You should be proud of him, without his skill the stupid plan would not have worked to the degree it did today."

"How so?" I asked curious, the plan did not seem to work at all today from what the men in the hospital had said.

"Well he did not actually follow the battle plan he improvised when he saw that it by no means work because the Trojans had set up their own trap. He called for the wings to be attacked heavily and flanked the Trojans on the left where they were weakest to force the hole they were making to be filled with Trojans."

"What about the other commanders?"

"They followed his orders or stuck by the original plan."

"I'm guess Agamemnon was not to pleased about this?"

"He was furious and ignored Achilles completely after the fight."

Before I could respond the two cousins came back. Seeing the two charioteers Achilles said, "I should have known you two would be. Just can't stay away from Iphis and Briseis' cooking can you?"

"Hell no!" They responded together.

"What happened with Titus today Patroclus?" Iphis asked looking annoyed that he obviously had not told her about the near death experience early that day.

"What about Titus?"

"Achilles I thank you for keeping him safe." Iphis stated turning back to serving the food.

"There was no really danger." Achilles and Patroclus responded at once.

"That is not what Automedon said earlier."

"Automedon exaggerates about fights Iphis you know that," Patroclus said.

"Hey! At least I told her the truth that you almost died today!"

"He did not almost die today," Achilles responded in a voice that left no room to argue while glaring at him. Automedon shut his mouth and became extremely interested in his glass. "Patroclus just tripped and would have gotten Titus in the end if I did not step in."

"Achilles?" Iphis clearly still did not believe them

"You know how I'm overly protective of people I care about."

"True."

"So I did not even allow Patroclus and chance to take Titus on after that little trip up."
"Fine, sit down all of you, and I am extremely grateful that we are all here again this evening."

Dinner went by with little conversation. All the men had two plates piled high with everything by the time Iphis and I were finished with our one. Without asking for another Iphis gave Achilles a third one piled higher than before and finished off what was left by serving it around. The fish was surprisingly good, and Achilles seemed to love it as he devoured the third plate with little problem.

"Man you could out eat Ajax you know that?" Automedon laughed.

However, Achilles did not respond, but continued to drink another glass of milk that I had filled up for him. Iphis laughed and said, "If he didn't eat as much as he does he would be skinner than Briseis."

"You're pretty skinny yourself," Anticulous replied giving a charming smile, which caused us to laugh.

"Not for long," Iphis said softly. That caused the men to stop eat and look at her questioningly.

"We are about to become parents," Patroclus said beaming a grin of pure happiness.

"The mid-wife confirmed it today."

A round of congratulations were said, making Patroclus and Iphis smile ever wider than before.

After dinner was finished and everything clean up Automedon and Anticulous went back to their homes. Shortly after say good-bye the door was swung roughly open. Causing Achilles and Patroclus to leap to there feet seemingly ready to take on the attacker. Who was an average height man who had a body solid as a bull. His black hair was very long and heavily greased. His beard looked scratchy as it covered most of his face, while it framed his dark beadily eyes shadowed by over grown eyebrows. He was dressed in fancy amour that looked more decorative than protective. He carried himself in an arrogant fashion, but there was an unmistakable royal quality about him. He small eyes flashed around the room and landed on me. Slowly surveying my body and the dark smile that appeared showed he liked what he saw.

"No wonder you have kept her from me," the man said in a greedy voice.

"How are you Agamemnon?" Achilles asked casual stepping between the lustful stare and me.

"You deliberately disobeyed my orders Achilleus."

"I did what I view to be the best in the situation I was dealing with."

"The plan would have worked fine if you did as you were told."

"Maybe you and the planning committee were too far behind to notice the Trojans had plans of their own that need to be deal with before any plans could be done."

"I should have you whipped for your intolerance!" Agamemnon threatened.

"Maybe you should fight your own battles!" Achilles exclaimed coldly not scared of the high king in the least.

"I am the High King I know the strategies that are to be used. You are a brat of a prince that is granted skilled with the sword by the gods. Next time you are to do as you are told."

"If I did what I was told today more of our soldiers would have died today."

"History will remember kings not the soldiers nor the warriors."

"The kings are remembered if the soldiers and the warriors are able to grant them victory king of kings. You need victory first before you start carving your name in all the stones of Greece Agamemnon."

"One day you will learn that I am more powerful than you will ever be."

"One day you will realize that I don't care."

"Who are you girl?"

"Briseis, sir." I responded stepping one step closer.

"I am sorry that you have such a weak man to take care of you," and with that he turned and stormed out of the room.

"Well on that happy note I am going to bed," Iphis said.

"Well good-night," Patroclus said knowing full well that it would be best to leave us, and especially Achilles alone right now.

"I hate that man I just meet him," I said softly turning to go into the bedroom.

"You should say away from him," he said looking at me, "Agamemnon might not respect the fact that you're my girl."

I did not know what to say, I had never been anyone's girl before and I did not like being property yet I liked how he claimed me. Slowly I nodded in agreement, I did not want to encounter the High King again without Achilles blocking the way he looked at me earlier, like a predator finally spotting his prey.

"I'm going for a walk," Achilles stated and quickly disappeared out the door, leaving me behind confused.