The morning came as the sun rose in the pale blue sky. More ships sat on the horizon and Briseis wondered if the war would ever end. She had gotten over her families death. She wasn't very close to many of them, and she had been treated very unfairly all throughout her life.

The sun rose on Achilles tent and the beautiful Queen was waking rapidly. When she saw Achilles her heart began to race and she realised it had all been real. She began to panic and cry at the same time. Around her the room was messy and cloth was thrown about. Achilles was asleep next to her. Suddenly she got up off the bed and just decided in a second to run for it. But as she began to do so a hand rested on hers. It was Achilles.

"Where are you planning on going" he said.

She looked back at him. "Anywhere but here. Please let me go. I am no concubine."

"That's right. You are a guest. No one will harm you if you stay." The Greek went back to sleep but before doing so he kissed her forehead and tied her to the pole.

She sat at the pole, her hands bound again and she wiped her tears with her shoulder. He royal blue dress was now dark with mud, blood and tears. She was petrified of this fighting stranger. She had already learnt his name but she thought that Achilles was only a legend. It shocked her that such a man could exist and she didn't dare to speak in front of him. He had hardly spoken to her as well. However she felt incredible venerable on the beaches of Troy. She was however content with the fact that she was with a man who could protect her, a man who, if he wanted, could prevent all harm coming to her. She didn't like the man. She wouldn't have wanted to be with him if he wasn't a strong warrior.

Briseis remembered the night before. She remembered how she had let Achilles do what he wanted; she remembered being to frightened to protest. Briseis told her self that she didn't like it even though a part of her wanted it to happen again and again. But despite this the small Queen felt dirty and used by her captor. Achilles promised not to rape her and indeed he hadn't. He had been far clever than that and Briseis felt violated. Not only had she let him do those immodest things to her but she had also let him tied her back up to the pole so casually afterwards, like she was a toy taken out to be played with and then put back in the box at night. During the whole time they spent together neither had said a word. Briseis dropped her head and cried.

When the sky was high Briseis had been awake many hours. Achilles had been resting through all of this and her hands had begun to hurt incredibly. She tried to look round at times to see if her wrists were alright but each time she had looked away shocked at the bloody flesh. After a while the pain began to cease and Briseis signed with relief. She looked at her sleeping master and he puzzled her. He didn't seem to let his emotions show in anything he did. His aggression came out on the battle field when he slaughtered her kin, but he never looked happy or sad or confused. Occasionally Achilles would smile at one of his Myrmidons or maybe frown at the king, but when he was in his tent with Briseis he always turned away and wouldn't show her how he felt. He hadn't fed her yet but when he ate himself he would just sit and eat, starring into space. Briseis dared to dream that maybe he would let her go. All she seemed to do was sit tied at the pole. She had only been with him around twelve hours and so the pair had only spent one night together. The small captive wondered if tonight would be the same as last night. If he would untie her and kiss her as passionately as he had done last night. I he would hold her like he loved her but then so callously throw her down and tie her up when he was finished. Did he hate her that much that he should inflict such confusion on a girl of nineteen?

Briseis had gone into a day dream when one of the Myrmidons walked through the door. She didn't recognise the man but he looked strong and he walked like a successful warrior would. She looked up in his direction and he smiled at her. Confused she turned away from his pale grey eyes and wondered why he had smiled at her. Surely no one knew that she was once a Queen? That once she had some dignity? She hoped that no one except Achilles knew because she knew that she would be taunted by them as she went from royalty to slavery. She hoped they would treat her like a normal slave. No one special and no one important. Suddenly she noticed that the arrogant man had walked into Achilles tent despite the fact he had not been invited. He crouched down beside her and he lifted her face up till she met his soft stare.

"I am Ajax," he whispered into her little ear. "Who are you pretty one? You are new are you not? You come from Lyrnessus? Very new you are indeed if it is so." Ah, thought Briseis. This is no myrmidon. This is Ajax. She had heard rumours of his victories and of his violence but she never imagined meeting him. However, despite the intimidation she turned her head away from him and refused to answer such a question.

Ajax laughed at the girl and Briseis quickly hid her face to stop him seeing her cry at his malice. However she now regretted her earlier actions and she answered the cruel man.

"Briseis," she whispered even quietly than he had done. Ajax leaned forward.

"What was that my lady?" He said leeringly.

"Briseis," said she, somewhat louder than before. Achilles, disturbed by the noises opened his eyes. In a low voice he spoke.

"Ajax, are you taunting our guest?" But he smiled at his friend and Briseis decided that she hated them both. "You must excuse him, your highness. I assure you he knows not who he speaks to." Briseis burst into tears and the sobs filled the tiny tent. Both men looked at each other not sure what to do. Achilles got out of bed and pulled a black robe over his tanned shoulders. He walked over to Briseis and he cut her bonds. When she stood up he stroked her cheek and wiped away the tears. "Please don't cry pretty maiden," he said, "I apologize for my part and I apologize for my friend here." He hugged her and she refused to move. Glaring at them both through he watery eyes she cursed herself for crying in front of wicked men. What a cliché, thought she as she wiped away the falling tears, how a young girl should cry at mockery.

Achilles already began to feel ridiculously guilty about how he had treated such a frightened youth and he walked over to his bench and picked up some grapes which he handed to Briseis. She nodded to him and took them from his hand. She began to munch through the soft fruit enjoying its fruity taste. Suddenly though, the grapes were taken and they rested in Ajax's hand instead. He laughed and began to eat them himself. Furious Briseis imagined hitting the man or striking him in some way. She knew exactly where she would like to strike him too. But she knew that if she did any of these things she would only be hit twice as hard and end up on the floor, crying some more, and what a cliché that would be! Instead she turned away and acted like she hadn't wanted the grapes in the first place.

"Tie the dog up," said mighty Ajax to his friend. "Queen she was once but the sooner we show her what she is now the better!" With these harsh words Ajax walked away from her and over to Achilles.

"My lord, are you fighting tomorrow? Agamemnon wishes you will." Achilles snorted.

"Then, my friend, I most certainly shall not fight for your king. I would rather stay and tent for my little guest." He flashed a smile to Briseis who turned away in disgust. Ajax laughed.

"Quite a little cow isn't she? I say you teach her some respect." Achilles turned away.

"I shall treat her how I see fit Ajax. But I doubt you treat your little prize as badly as you wish to treat mine." Ajax frowned to Achilles back and he replied.

"On contraire Achilles, Tecmessa is treated just how she deserves Achilles."

"And how might that be friend?" Ajax laughed.

"Why are you so concerned? Do you feel sorry for the Trojan whore?"

"No I do not. I do not know the girl. Please leave now Ajax and treat Tecmessa with respect or I shall take her from you."

Ajax scoffed quietly and left the tent. Achilles held out some grapes once more.

"Eat."