Chapter Two:
The glory of Apollo had set behind the Trojan sea, replaced by the soft caress of Selene and her charge, the moon. Shadow covered the Aegean, illuminated by cerulean rays of moonlight and torches from the Greeks. An occasional drunken laugh filled the night, sending a message that all was well. Yet, Hecate hid amongst her darkness, conjuring her magics near the King of Kings, sending fear to all the children of the camp.
Warm sand wedged between Briseis's toes as she walked from the well and back to her tent. Her dark curls spilled down her back and onto her plain chiton, a few stray locks covering her cheeks. She carried a large bronze basin filled with warm cypress water and a glass decanter filled with oil. With towels draped over her shoulder, she made her way for Achilles' tent, nodding and smiling at the Myrmidons she passed.
Thalia's happy cries reached her ears before she even crossed the threshold. The child scrambled around the hut, a small puppy chasing her, it yipping at her heels. She ran straight for her mother, ignoring the fragile basin. Briseis immediately set the bowl on a trunk, before opening her arms for her daughter. Thalia screamed as she buried her face into her mother's shoulder. A rich laugh filled the air, causing Briseis to turn. The second most handsome man filled her vision. She sighed before setting her child down.
"A gracious gift, my lord, and we thank you, but have you asked the Son of Peleus if such a gift is fit for his child?" As if on cue, his laughter came again.
"Briseis, you shame me! I have brought a gift for my fair niece and I must ask my cousin if it is fit! Of course it is! Look, she loves it!" The mentioned child was already chasing the pup once again.
"Mommy, can I keep him?" Thalia begged as she ran after the dog. Briseis sighed.
"Patroclus, do you enjoy provoking me?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about, cousin."
"Indeed, I'm sure. You best hope Achilles is fine with a dog."
"My love, I never new you thought so little of yourself." Briseis's face filled with embarrassment, dreading to turn and face the Son of Peleus. Her mortification was increased by the younger man laughing. She turned, her cheeks blushed, and managed to shrug. Achilles embraced her before setting a soft kiss on her lips. Briseis sighed and leaned into him.
"Now what is this I hear of a dog?" As if answering Achilles, Thalia ran straight towards her parents, the now captured dog snuggled in her arms.
"Look, uncle Patroclus brought me a gift! Can I keep him?" Achilles looked between his daughter and the tawny colored pup. He raised an eyebrow. Thalia's large blue eyes pleaded with her father's own. He bent down to his daughter's height, taking the dog into his arms. He gently ran his fingers over the dog's head before nodding and returning the dog.
"You may keep him, my little minx." Thalia smiled a toothy grin before taking the puppy to her bed pile, talking to it endlessly. Patroclus rose from his chair and hugged his cousin in a manly way.
"I would have brought the Daughter of Achilles a dolphin, but I could not find one trained enough for my liking."
"Can I have a dolphin?" Thalia asked. Achilles chuckled softly but Briseis groaned as she readied her chattering daughter.
"Patroclus, son of Menoitios, you now have my daughter asking for dolphins! Next she'll ask for an elephant." Before her daughter could even formulate the question, she whispered "Don't even think about it." Achilles encircled his woman gently, drawing her into the cradle of his arms.
"Relax, my love, I have returned and all is well." He whispered softly, kissing her temple. Briseis sighed and nodded, before pushing herself out of his arms, preparing her daughters knapsack. Achilles lifted his daughter into his tired, achy arms.
"I am sure that your grandmother could convince the Nereides to let you borrow a dolphin if you are good girl for your uncle tonight." Thalia seemed to think about it, weighing her options. She scrunched her lips together, glancing at her new companion.
"May I take him with me, papa?" Achilles glanced at Patroclus who nodded.
"Yes, my dearest, you make take the pup." He kissed her forehead. "May Sleep bless you with sweet dreams." Thalia smiled before kissing her father's cheek and hugging his strong neck. Achilles set his daughter back onto her tiny feet, sending her to her mother. Briseis lifted her child into her arms, kissing her and telling her to behave, as mothers usually do. Patroclus grasped his niece's hand, pulling her from her mother. He kissed Briseis's cheek in a brotherly fashion before leaving with a skipping four year old and her puppy.
Briseis lifted a cauldron of hot water from the hearth, struggling slightly with the weight, but managing it. Achilles sat at a mahogany table with inlayed ivory, eating a small meal. He filled the entire throne-like cypress wood chair which had belonged to some king. Briseis glanced at her lord before preparing to begin cleaning his armor. After he had finished the meal, Achilles stood. He stretched his achy muscles, the maneuvers and constant practices he demanded of his men finally taking its toll even on the Great Achilles. He flopped down on his bed, a pile of soft fur under his chin.
Briseis brought over the oil and water, settling next to Achilles' side. She carefully removed his cobalt mantel, being gentle, before straddling his waist. She ran her hands down his back, searching for knots and tense muscles, earning soft moans from the godlike man below her. With her delicate hands, she began to knead the muscles, in effect relaxing her lord. Her fingers traced the expanse of his chiseled back, roaming over his hardened shoulder blades and broad shoulders. Achilles caught her wrist, causing her to yip softly. His rough, calloused hands seemed to soften the moment his touched his woman's. He traced every finger with his own before intertwining them. Briseis sighed and leaned her head against his back, breathing in his scent and taking comfort in it. She felt Achilles soft lips press against the back of her pale hand, before pulling her off his back and to his side. He pulled her close, leaning his head against hers.
"My love, what is troubling you?" Briseis's eyes widened slightly, forgetting how good he was at reading her emotions. She felt his hand sink into the hair on her nape and his other hand wrap around her waist.
"I do not know what you speak of, Son of Peleus." Her eyes held an icy glare, knowing well aware that he knew what was wrong. Achilles sighed loudly, releasing his lover and sitting up.
"Briseis, my love, I can not take back the time that I wasn't here." He stood, pacing. Briseis scrambled out of the bed, standing with her hands fisted against her hips, tears in her eyes.
"That is not why, my lord! You left me and your child here, by ourselves, at the whim of Agamemnon. And we-" Achilles spun, his ice blue eyes wild.
"He came here?" He hissed, outraged. Briseis bit her bottom lip, glancing at the floor.
"Forgive me, I-I shouldn't have told you…" She turned to lay back down on the bed but Achilles calloused hand gripped her upper arm, spinning her into his arms. When Briseis winced visibly, Achilles loosened his grip, but still kept her pinned in his arms. She stared into his deep sky blue eyes, feeling herself begin to lose grip with reality. His hand went to carefully push back strands of fallen hair fro her face, caressing her cheeks gently. Briseis leaned into his touch before sighing.
"Agamemnon came once while Patroclus was watching Thalia. I was washing with the rest of the women." She turned around, shame filling her eyes.
"I came back to find his men around the tent. I ran like a-a mad woman, pushing past them all. Agamemnon was sitting in your chair, Thalia sitting next to him on the floor." Briseis broke off, glancing at the wooden throne.
"When-when I got here, Patroclus was held by two of Agamemnon's men and-and Eudoros was also there. The swine was-was running his fingers through Thalia's hair. She was scared. She had tears running down her cheeks." Briseis voice broke pitifully, her knees giving way. She fell into the arms of her immortal lover. She could feel his rage by the way he shook, but he held her with tenderness.
"He-he said to me that she was beautiful and looked like his daughter, Iphigenia. And-and then he said that Thalia's fate would be one in the same of that of his daughter's; to help the war with her life." Achilles' sky eyes filled with burning hatred.
"He shall not lay a hand on my child." He snarled, tightening his hold on his woman. Briseis nodded wordlessly into his broad chest, praying to the gods that he be right.