10)
Odysseus watched the death and destruction that had been done. The corpses of Greeks soldiers littered an area near the river. Blood stuck to his sandals as he walked on to the place a Spartan officer was trying to make the soldiers recover the bodies of their fallen comrades in order instead of in chaos. But the attempt was futile, the men were too emotional. The moral of the army had just been shattered.
Achilles had been right; the war was not over yet. They had taken the city by a trick, but had failed to defeat the Trojan army. The Trojans would not just accept the conquest of their city, they would fight to the death. And their leader had thought out a cunning tactic; small guerilla attacks to weaken the force and moral of the Greek army. So if it would become a great battle again, the Trojans had the advantage.
'My lord, can I help you?'
The officer had recognized him and offered his service. The man appeared to be both emotionally and physically exhausted.
'No, I am just checking on the men.'
The officer nodded approvingly. 'Not many kings do.'
Odysseus watched the officer get to work again. The man had been right. Most kings had lost contact with their people, but ruled with absolute power. They did what was best for them, not what was best for their people. Odysseus tried to be a good king and had rather not taken part in this war, but with Agamemnon as the King of kings he just had no choice.
Agamemnon was leading the Greeks to death and doom. Menelaus' request for help had been all Agamemnon had been waiting for. His lust for power was simply insatiable. Their raid to Troy had been successfully, but if they stayed in this country any longer it would quickly turn into a nasty defeat. And if they would go on to fight the Hittites…. Odysseus didn't even want to think about the disastrous consequences. Agamemnon would lead them all to the land of Hades.
'Odysseus!'
Menelaus. One of the loyal followers of Agamemnon. He once had wanted peace with Troy, but since Paris had taken Helen this was completely forgotten. Agamemnon's brother had been blinded by anger and hatred. 'Menelaus. What brings you out on this time of day?'
'I was looking for you.'
Oh, wonderful. Menelaus was not a man he really wanted to speak with right now. 'And why is that?'
'I was curious about your thoughts. Because you didn't seem to be really supportive of the plans of my brother.'
He had tried to hide it. Apparently he had failed. 'That's because I don't support the plans.'
Menelaus was evidently not amused by this confession. 'Achilles convinced you?'
'No.'
'What is it then?'
He sighed deeply. Was Menelaus really blind! 'Just look around.'
He left Menelaus there, he had seen enough of this mess already. He followed the path back to the city, realizing the Trojans had been laying in an ambush at exactly the same spot. He was painfully aware of the fact this was their terrain, not that of the Greeks. Achilles had said the same earlier this morning. Achilles was often seen as a brute, a man who just could fight and nothing else. But he also knew about war tactics; Odysseus had always known this and today the Myrmidon had proved it again. And now Achilles also appeared the be the only man who had not lost his mind yet.
Odysseus was just considering if he should pay his friend a visit when he was stopped by someone: Patroclus. It almost couldn't be a coincidence. Maybe it was a sign of the Gods.
Night was falling. The three of them sat quietly. Nighttime was the time their Greek masters would demand their "service". The difference between Briseis and the other two woman was Andromache and Helen knew who that master was. Briseis only knew she had been taken from Achilles to be given to another man. But who could this man be?
He would no doubt be worse than Achilles. The Myrmidon had been relatively nice. He hadn't raped her or forced her to do anything against her will. Even when she had almost murdered him, he hadn't been about to hurt her. And he also had been taking care of Hector, although she could not begin to think of a reason. Achilles had been a lot nicer than she had originally expected.
Now, she just wished he was here to protect her.
Achilles had been watching Hector with interest during dinner. Physically he was doing better than expected. Yes, he was still weak, but the Prince was recovering rapidly. In a day or two Hector would be on his feet again. Before that time, Achilles had to think of a solution of the situation.
Achilles smiled inwardly when Hector looked at him for the twentieth time. The Trojan seemed to have a lot on his mind. He probably had thousands of questions; about his family, his country, the current events and his fate. Yet he managed to remain quiet, to be patient. Achilles admired him for that.
He tried to think of what he was about to do. He wouldn't fight the Hittites, that was the only thing he knew for certain. But what if the Greeks would go anyway? They would take their war prizes with them. And this included Hector's cousin Briseis. In the short period of time the girl had been with him, he had gotten attached to her. Besides, they had some unfinished business. But could he risk the life of all his men, just for one woman?
And then there was still Hector. Achilles didn't want to kill him, he respected the other man too much for that. That left him two options; keeping him here, either voluntary or not, or sending him away. And what was the best depended on what would happen in the near future and on Hector himself. It was a damn complicated problem.
'Achilles?'
Patroclus. Achilles hadn't thought about him anymore for a while. He wondered where his cousin had been.
Patroclus entered the tent, and held the flap for a second person. 'I brought a guest.'
It was Odysseus. The King of Ithaca only looked at him for a second, and then focused his attention on the other person in the room. Hector watched back, a worried expression on his face.
Achilles forced himself to properly welcome his high guest. 'Odysseus. What brings you to my humble shelter?'
'To discuss the current events with you.'
Current events? Achilles wondered what that could be. But if Odysseus came to him, it couldn't be very good news.
Odysseus watched back and forth between him and Hector. 'Are you still going to introduce your guest?' Odysseus asked dryly. He knew very well who it was.
'Well, King Odysseus of Ithaca, meet Prince Hector of Troy,' Achilles said as if it was an ordinary meeting. He poured wine for his new arrived guest and also gave Hector and himself a refill, because it was likely they might need a drink.
'Nice meeting you, Hector,' Odysseus said.
Hector, who was the most confused in the tent, obviously didn't get it anymore. And also Achilles had to admit he thought Odysseus took it very lightly.
'Your army gave way an excellent performance tonight,' the King added.
So that was what happened; the Trojans had struck. Well, at least that meant the trip to Hatti was cancelled
I might not be able to update for a while. This because I am really busy this week, will be gone next week and I recently discovered I haven't updated my story on FictionPress since April, so I really should do something about that one first.
