13)

'You won't go anywhere, but come with us!'

'Says who?' Hector said more agitated than he had intended to. But he was tired, his wounds hurt and this guy was not very polite. Or maybe, Hector considered, he was just not used to the talking of ordinary people because he was a Prince and was always addressed that way.

The soldier was insulted now and demonstratively put his sword up to Hector's throat. 'Not that it is any of your business, Greek, but my name is Podoles, proud citizen of Troy.' Podoles had spoken with hatred towards him.

'Good,' Hector spoke confident and without flinching. 'I am Prince Hector of Troy.'

Podoles froze and stared at him first. But then the anger came. 'You're a liar!'

'No.' Hector didn't care if the soldier believed him. As long as they took him to their leader it was fine by him, because it was very likely their leader was one of his officers in the Trojan army and would recognize him.

'Let's take them to the camp,' another soldier suggested. 'If it is really him he'll be recognized by his brother.'

Hector's heart skipped a beat. Paris! He was alive!


­­­­­­Paris wondered what was causing the noise. He groaned as he stretched his painful muscles. He was not used to the outdoor life, and now his body remembered him of this. He had been at the edge of the camp, cutting a horned lion from a piece of wood. Many men made wooden toys like this for their children, Paris just did it to pass the time. Now he put his creation into his pocket and made his way to the center of the camp.

Coming closer, he noticed two men were brought in. Probably Greek spies. But suddenly, he recognized one of them.

'Hector!'

His brother looked up, scanning the area for him. When their eyes finally locked, a broad smile appeared on Hector's face. Paris knew he would look at least just as happy. He moved through the curious men to meet his brother. The men who brought Hector and his companion here appeared to be guarding them, but when they saw him approach they let him pass. Paris almost pulled Hector from his horse, he just couldn't wait to actually feel his brotehr was really alive.

'Careful,' Hector groaned when he landed on his feet. His facial expression was now one of pain. Was he wounded?

More cautious now, Paris hugged his brother. Hector leaned heavy on him, which was not really like him. Hector had almost been the tougher and stronger brother, had never shown weakness. At least not to him.

Hector broke the embrace, took Paris' face in his hands and kissed his forehead. Paris felt warm of love and pride.

'Good to see you, little brother.'

Paris was so touched he was barely able to speak. 'Me too. I thought you were dead.'

'I am alive,' his brother spoke weakly. He was clearly exhausted, and maybe even worse.

'Are you hurt?' he asked worried.

Hector nodded. 'I should get off my feet.'

'Right.' Paris turned to the other Trojans, looking for some help. 'Get Aeneas here,' he spoke. Paris noticed he was obeyed immediately, apparently he got some authority now. 'And let someone ready a place for my brother to rest.'

That was immediately taken care of. Hector sat down, a painful grin on his face. 'Thank you. But don't forget my companion,' Hector commented.

Paris had totally forgotten about him. Paris looked at the other man, and noticed they were about the same age. 'I am Paris,' he introduced himself. He assumed the other man was a soldier.

'Patroclus,' Hector's companion replied.

'I assume you're from Troy too?' Paris asked as they sat down a little away from Hector so he could get some rest.

But the other man shook his head. 'I am a Myrmidon.'

Myrmidon? Weren't the Myrmidons with Achilles? 'But…'

'Don't ask,' Patroclus interrupted. 'Trust me, you really don't want to know.'


'But Achilles, we would make an easy target for the Trojan guerillas.'

Achilles smiled inwardly, his lieutenant had paid good attention in the past wars. 'Just do it,' Achilles ordered his men to relocatetheir campsite. He kept them in the dark about the reason, at least for now, because the alliance shouldn't come out yet. He wasn't sure how his men would react when he told them they could safely move to the forest side of Troy because the Trojans wouldn't attack them, but would use the strip of beach and dunes they were leaving now to approach the Greeks unseen. If he told them last minute, they undoubtedly wouldn't betray him.

'Achilles!'

The Myrmidon leader turned around and saw he had a highly honored guest: King Nestor. The old man was respected by everyone for his age and wisdom. Achilles wasn't so sure about the wisdom, but always paid his respect to the king as was expected of him.

'King Nestor, what brings you to the humble camp of the Myrmidons?'

Nestor looked around. 'The unexplained movement of the Myrmidons caught my attention. Do you intend to sail home?'

'No,' Achilles replied. He gestured at the dark clouds above the sea. 'It appears Poseidon is about to demonstrate his power, so we will seek protection at the forest.'

Nestor frowned. 'Your brave men have defied many storms before,' he noted skeptically. 'So why not now?'

'Because there is no urgent reason to stay on this beach.'

'There is no reason for you to stay in Troy anyway,' Nestor added. Achilles felt he was tested, although the intent was unclear to him. Well, he could pass this test, he might gain from it later.

'Agamemnon will see he made a mistake. Besides,' Achilles paused meaningful, 'I love battle. And I have the feeling there will be a significant battle at this site.'

Nestor nodded thoughtfully. 'You could be right.'

Oh yes, he would be right! But it wouldn't be the battle Nestor and the other Greeks were expecting…


'Hector.'

He slowly opened his eyes, looking in those of Aeneas. The young man had been one of his most skilled fighters, and now apparently was in charge.

'Aeneas,' he acknowledged his presence. 'It is good to have you still with us.'

The other man smiled. 'Your highness, everyone here feels the same about you.'

'You are in charge here?' Hector wanted to know for certain.

'I was in charge. You are now.'

Hector got himself in sitting position and inspected his wounds. They were sore, but looked remarkably good. He heard a gasp though. He looked aside and noticed it must have come from his younger brother. Patroclus was watching too, but seemed less shocked.

'It appears you barely survived the battle,' Aeneas observed. 'Where have you been hiding?'

Hector looked at the loyal soldier. 'Achilles hid me.'

Aeneas immediately looked at Patroclus, clearly suspecting something. 'Who is he?'

'Patroclus, cousin of Achilles.'

Both Aeneas and Paris looked back and forward between Hector and Patroclus. Hector knew his Trojans would need some time to understand what was going on. But they could do this while working, because there were a lot of preparation which had to be done. 'Achilles is now an ally.'

'What!'

Hector didn't bother to explain further. He got to his feet and found the short nap had done miracles: he felt surprisingly good. 'Aeneas, gather the men to assembly.'

Aeneas did as told, shortly they were all gathered, full of expectations for what their Prince had to say. Hector hated speeches, but he knew he had to speaknow to raise moral.

'Sons of Troy. Our city has been conquered by the Greeks led by Agamemnon, and our beloved King was killed.'

Hector swallowed at the thought of his father. He was touched by the saddened look on the faces of his army. He felt supported by their pain, Priam was a shared loss.

'But you have shown to them we haven't been defeated yet! We will reclaim what is ours! We will set free our women and children now trapped in the city! We will rebuild our nation!'

Hector had almost never held a speech like this. He always said a few words before going to battle, but that was basically it. His father had held many speeches though, and he had told Hector you would know it immediately if you had spoken good words. Now Hector knew what his father had been talking about, hecould feelthe fire in his people.

'Are we going to battle now?' someone asked hopeful.

'We will soon,' Hector answered. He laughed inwardly at the thought of the unbelief he would see on their faces as reaction on his upcoming directive.

'But first I need you to gather as much wood as possible.'