Hi everyone. Sorry about not updating in like months. I had been so busy with school and the school play that I hadn't been able to really update any of my stories. I was able to update one of my WHR stories because I had had most of that chapter already written. Anyways, on with the story!
Chapter 3: Iphis of Skyros and the Ithacan Warning
Warm sunlight streamed in from thatched roof, caressing the faces of the two sleeping occupants; one golden haired and the other auburn. Eos reluctantly had let the dawn succumb to the sun god's glorious might, but dawn had passed and now the sky was in the tenure of Apollo.
Patroclus watched his niece and her dog intently, trying to find fault in that child. There was a fault in every person he had ever met, his cousin included. And still, he had yet to find one in the child. Her cheerful and carefree demeanor was like a ray of sunshine for the Myrmidons, Thalia becoming their children's favorite playmate. But would anyone expect less from the daughter of Achilles?
Shaking his head, the young Myrmidon stood, setting his goblet full of sweet Theban whine on a table. He dragged his feet slightly through the cool Trojan sand, pushing back the flaps of his tent. Patroclus was momentarily blinded as the sunlight flared to meet his surprise-filled blue eyes. Perhaps this was some warning to him that he or those he knew, would be taken back and blinded. Just as he was to go seek the counsel of his elder cousin, he heard his niece's distinct yawn and the happy yap of her puppy followed by Iphis's gentle and tired scolding. Thinking nothing more upon the subject, he turned to tend to his niece and relieve his consort.
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"My lord, King Odysseus seeks your audience." Eudoros called cautiously into the tent, wary of whatever possible mood his lord could be in. He glanced back at the Ithacan with query but wisely kept his questions to himself, knowing better to question the sly king. Odysseus met the Myrmidon's gaze coolly, almost giving into the urge to challenge the soldier into asking his question. The match was broken by the entrance of the great son of Peleus himself.
Achilles stepped into the morning, his cyan mantle intensifying his azure eyes. With a wave of his hand that could crush a man's skull and caress his daughter's cheek lovingly, he dismissed his most loyal warrior. The Ithacan king nodded in greeting before thinking better and shaking the same dismissive hand of the warrior. The blonde prince smiled before shaking his head.
"My friend Odysseus, I would have you come inside before you begin to speak ill of my hospitality again."
"I only speak of what I see, Achilles."
"And then some." Achilles retorted in good humor before ushering the respected king into his home. Briseis quickly set two plates of salted pork on the large wooden table and reached to fill their cups with the best Thracian whine her lord had to offer. Achilles smiled; proud of how fast she could react to impromptu visits by kings. She had donned on an aubergine chiton, clipped hastily at her shoulders by simple golden pins from some sacked city. He could only imagine her scampering around their abode, searching hastily for a clean tunic to wear. Perhaps Iphis had helped salt the pork last week when most of the Myrmidons, Patroclus included, had been off watching the Greeks fail. His cousin's consort was of a different sort, almost close to his own. The Son of Peleus could only shake his head as he collapsed onto his throne. Oh yes, the women of the Myrmidons were different than any other in the Aegean camp.
"Ah, my lady Briseis, you are looking radiant as ever." Odysseus bowed slightly, trying his best to flatter the woman of Achilles. Briseis took his generous compliment with only a raised eyebrow before she covered it with a polite smile. She knew she did not look "radiant" because she had yet to brush out her hair or wash her face. She had been asleep until she was awoken by Eudoros's voice. She then had had a window of less than three minutes to throw some clothes on and grab the salted pork she had made with Iphis.
"Thank you, my lord; your compliments are as always most welcomed." With a smile, she began to walk out to let them converse when she glanced at the table where the two rulers sat. The said table looked bare with only pork and whine. Looking at Achilles, she quickly offered more food. "Shall I bring some bread and honey, my lord?" Achilles shook his head, offering her a soft smile.
"No, Briseis, attend to yourself." Mocha eyes met azure in a quick exchange that would have been missed if one had blinked. Within a span of a few seconds, any man would be able to pinpoint the exact weakness of the immortal warrior, and it sure wasn't the Ithacan king. With a dazzling smile, Briseis nodded and quickly exited towards the back into the bedroom of their hut.
"She has not changed much, has she?" Odysseus asked cautiously, sipping at his whine and gauging the reaction of his friend. He could tell that the immortal warrior ached to return to battle, but his pure stubbornness refused to let him concede. The Greeks had fared much better when he had been in battle, but the theft of his prize had been a blow to his pride and now would only be appeased by Agamemnon's defeat. When Achilles did not respond, but simply take a bite of the pork, the Ithacan continued. "In fact, she reminds me much of my Penelope. I have not seen her since we have left nor have I heard from her." Looking up from his breakfast, the Son of Peleus raised an eyebrow.
"You are awfully forthcoming today, Odysseus. What has happened?" The son of Laertes sighed uneasily, shifting slightly under the sky blue gaze.
"We need to talk." Achilles had heard his friend speak these same words before and it had been about Agamemnon before. He had not forgotten his discussion with Briseis the night before and his anger rose.
"What do we need to speak of?" Odysseus looked reluctant to began, spinning the stem of the goblet between his fingers, his eyes following the path of the wine.
"You have been gone and some things have happened in your absence that you may not be aware of. The seer, Calchas has supposedly seen some divine vision that will solve both the pestilence reeking havoc through the camps and the tide of the war." The Ithacan watched the boy's expression as it became dark.
"Speak simply, Odysseus." The leader of the Myrmidons command sharply, completely forgetting that it was a king he was addressing. Odysseus ignored the offense.
"I have spoken to Agamemnon. He thinks to reveal the vision to all of the camp, he is that confident Achilles. He is extremely smug when it comes to the subject of you, your Myrmidons, or anything else that belongs to you." He paused and both men glanced back towards they knew the Trojan priestess was. The king turned back quickly, hastily.
"The High King has called to order the assembly this day at high noon. I have been ordered to extend you an "invitation" from the Great King of Kings. You will be expected to attend"
"Even if all I have done is watch?" Achilles cut off shortly, his voice deep with anger.
"Even so, Achilles. But I believe I must attend to my men. Thank your woman for the meal." Odysseus stood, the Myrmidon prince following, and shook his friend's hand. As he reached the flap to leave he paused and turned back. "I warn you Achilles. Control your temper when at the gathering."
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Iphis sighed tiredly, pushing back her long mane of raven curls. The daughter of Achilles ran aimless circles around the weary bedmate of her uncle, crying happily that she was going home. The Skyros women glared playfully back at her lord, yelling for him. "Patroclus, Zeus himself could not deal with this child!"
A hearty laugh reached her ears as the cousin of Achilles caught her at the elbow. "Ah, my dear, but there is an art to calming the child of Achilles; albeit difficult, but just the same, an art." Iphis rolled her eyes in mock annoyance before pressing a quick peck to his cheek.
"I shall pray for your safe return, my lord." With a breath-taking smile, Patroclus grabbed the raven headed child before swinging her onto his back. The flaxen puppy yapped playfully as Thalia's happy giggles joined with the day.
"Uncle Patroclus! You scared me!" She hugged his neck with her small sun-tanned arms, noticing how much closer she was to the ground she was than when she was with her father.
"Me scare you, Thalia? No. You scared Iphis and me! You ran so fast we were" He was cut off as Thalia gasped, her eyes becoming filled with blue fire. She struggled to the ground and sprinted to the ocean.
"Thalia! Come back here!" Iphis shouted, chasing after the child. Patroclus grabbed his consort keeping her pursuing the child.
"Let her. She is simply greeting her grandmother." And with a gentle smile, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before joining his niece in greeting his aunt.
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Hi everyone. I hope you liked the update. As always, please review.
Ah, one more thing. If you decide you wish to flame my story, go ahead. But if you decide to, limit it to one flame per chapter. All others will be deleted.
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Troy or The Iliad. I only own Thalia.
P.S. Iphis of Skyros really was the concubine of Patroclus and can be found in Homer.