Thank you people for all reading my story. All the people who have reviewed have been really helpful! Especially 'Eyesofastorm' who was the first person to review. When I first got your review it made me really thrilled.

I wrote the first chapter REALLY quickly just to see how the public liked the idea. When they did I decided to write more so thank you.

All your support has been really great and every review has made me feel really happy.

If you have any good ideas that I should put in the story then don't hesitate to say.

And on with the story……………….:)

What was Tecmessa doing? She was no match for Achilles. The man who slays lions with his bare hands. Tecmessa will be torn to threads if he accepts this fight. She is, after all, making it perfectly clear that she intends to fight for her freedom. Briseis, no longer rooted to the spot, ran to her friend's side and clung to her.

"Tecmessa please stop this." She said as she hugged her. "You mustn't do this. Please don't fight him please!" But Tecmessa ignored her and Achilles told her to stand aside. One of the Myrmidons stepped forward to retrieve her, bloodthirsty and desperate to see Achilles make an example of this slave out of place. Achilles held out his hand to Tecmessa.

"If you don't come now then I shall have to force you and I think we both know who'll win." He said. Tecmessa laughed.

"Why don't you come on and force me then?" She suggested. Achilles smiled.

"You won't look as pretty without your face Tecmessa." Tecmessa laughed harder.

"And you won't be as useful without your genitals." She spat at him. Briseis covered her mouth with her hand.

"Tecmessa don't," she whispered barely loud enough. The brave girl flashed her knife and Achilles threw his to the ground. The myrmidon holding Briseis laughed, but he was the only one. Many other men, even the wretched ones, had held their breath not believe what this Trojan girl was doing. Achilles nodded and stepped forward. Tecmessa held out the knife and the pair circled for a minute until Tecmessa lunged forward, intending to catch Achilles in the heart. Truly her hatred for this man was spilling out. Briseis didn't know who to hope to win. She knew Tecmessa would die in this fight as she could never kill Achilles. But the thought brought a lump to Briseis's throat. She imagined the position reversed. What if Achilles died? Briseis didn't have a clue how she felt about the man. Sometimes she hated him and other times she wanted to be held by his strong arms and forget about the pain. She couldn't survive if he died, she knew that much at least. And what if both their lives were shed? Unto their grave would fall another life also. The life of their friend and lover Briseis for she knew that if both were to fall in this bloody battle then Briseis would do violence upon herself. She could only end the pain with more pain. But then all pain would end and the sorrow that for so long Briseis wished would leave her really would haunt another mortal. Briseis imagined bliss, but she didn't imagine death. This was not her time. And it was not Tecmessa's and it was not Achilles's. She tried to run out to stop their fight but she was held back by the myrmidon whom she already loathed.

Achilles dodged out of the way of the knife Tecmessa held. He didn't look like he was in any danger at all. As Tecmessa dove back away from Achilles after the jab he reached out and slapped her. It was just a light knock but it was enough to send Tecmessa to the ground. She stumbled over but quickly returned to standing. She held out the knife again and went in from another stab. Again Achilles moved out of the way with ease like he anticipated that exact blow. Again he slapped her as she jumped back and she fell to the floor for a second time.

"Get up Tecmessa," he said. "Let's forget this and just go back. I no longer wish to fight you. You are not a worthy opponent." He held out his hand and Briseis wished that she would take it but instead she took a lash at it, trying to remove it from the arm with them knife. But of course it was no longer there as Achilles had retrieved it. He kicked the knife from Tecmessa's hand and pulled her to her feet. He slapped her once again and pulled her by her arm away from the crowd.

"Patroclus!" He said as he pulled her, and the Myrmidon holding Briseis nodded and began to follow Achilles with her. The four of them entered Achilles tent. Briseis was sat down on the blankets and Patroclus sat on the end of the high bed. Achilles looked at Tecmessa in the eye.

"You have extraordinary courage to fight me." He said to her. "I am sorry if I humiliated you, but in case you didn't notice many soldiers out there wouldn't have made such an offer. You are very brave and I would like it if we could try to get along." He held out his hand and cautiously Tecmessa shook it. She smiled and it almost turned into a laugh. Briseis couldn't see anything funny about it.

"So, how did you get away?" Achilles asked amused. Tecmessa shrugged and giggled.

"Are you not angry that I killed your friend?" she asked ignoring his question. Achilles walked over to the bench and lit a candle.

"He wasn't my friend and I dare say he deserved what you gave him. Warriors die in battle all the time. One day he was going to die and I am glad that you were the one to kill him. He treated you terribly anyway and I hope you enjoyed your revenge. It doesn't always taste so sweet though does it? How do you feel?" Tecmessa shrugged again.

"I am not sure. Ask me tomorrow when the knowledge sinks in." she said. Suddenly they were interrupted. A man ran in panting.

"My lord, great Ajax is not dead. He needs help. Come quick."

Tecmessa groaned. She could only imagine how he would murder her later.

Oh no. she cursed under her breath. Will the beast not die? In the second Tecmessa saw her own death. Ajax was bound to kill her now.