Chapter 2 - Punishments

King Priam of Troy was standing in front of his throne. He was a tall man and still slender, despite his age. His arms were crossed over his chest and his posture was truly majestic. The expression of his face was completely flat, but his piercing eyes could cut through anyone.

Hector squirmed uncomfortably as he took his place before his father. He knew that he would get reproaches and even though he knew that he deserved it, the situation made him feel like a little boy. It was never a pleasant thing to be scolded by your father, but this was particularly disagreeable.

He had not been allowed to change and he was aware of his appearance. He was dirty and tousled and carried a large bruise under his eye. Paris on the other hand stunk like a pig, bled from a cut in his face and limped slightly. They hardly looked like you would expect from two young princes; rather like a couple of drunken beggars.

"I trust you have enjoyed yourselves tonight?" Priam asked his sons in a dry, melodic voice.

Hector blushed immediately. "Father, I..."

"Was the food in that tavern better than the one that was served in the castle, perhaps? Was that why you saw fit to leave the banquet?"

"It wasn't the food, it was the company," Paris started, but Hector shoved his elbow into his side to shut him up.

Paris raised his eyebrows. "Is it our Spartan guests you are referring to?"

Hector pulled a deep breath. "Father, we are both terribly sorry about what happened. It was never our intention to insult anyone. We only meant to have a moment of relaxation, nothing else."

Priam nodded thoughtfully. "That was a splendid excuse, my son. I shall remember to use it the next time you and your brother risk being thrown into the dungeon for drunkenness by the city guards."

His eyes were annihilating and Hector and Paris lowered their eyes. "Won't you at least let us explain what happened?" Paris asked their father.

"Explain?" Priam's eyes narrowed. "Can you tell me what there is to explain? What explanation will make up for a lost chance of peace between Troy and Sparta?"

"What?" Hector was stunned.

"Oh, yes," Priam assured him. "My attempts to calm Constantine's temper were in vain. He told me that he will be sailing back for Sparta at first light. He also mentioned that he would rather go for a visit in the kingdom of Hades' than he would set his foot in Troy again. I can only assume that he will tell King Menelaus the same."

Hector groaned silently and closed his eyes. He knew better than Paris what a blow this was, both for their father and for their country.

"I had expected my sons to behave in a diplomatic way to our guests," Priam coldly continued. "I had not expected them to try and kill them in a simple brawl at some cheap tavern in the city."

"Constantine deserved nothing better," Paris argued stubbornly. "If you had seen the way he behaved..."

"Paris," Hector interrupted him sharply. "Father is right. There is no excuse"

"I am glad you realize that, my son," Priam said acidly. "Because if you don't, you will not stay long on this throne when your time comes." His eyes were sharp. "As the older, I had expected you to act as a good example for your brother. Do you think that's what you did tonight?"

Hector had no words to defend himself with. In dejection, he shook his head.

Paris spoke up to defend his brother. "Father, it wasn't just Hector, I was just as..."

"Don't worry son, I'll come to you," Priam assured him coldly and turned back to Hector. "It seems like it's been time for you to start taking your duties as crown prince a bit more seriously."

"I'll do anything," Hector said immediately.

"That's the least I expect. A soon as possible, I intend to send a ship to Thebe."

Hector paled and he stared at his father. "Thebe," he repeated meekly.

"Like I said," Priam's tone of voice was sharp. "King Eetion's daughter is almost nineteen years old now. High time you start thinking about producing some heirs of your own."

Hector was silent and his face ghostly pale. He had expected a lot, but never this. Paris on the other hand couldn't keep a chuckle back. "Well, that's a punishment," he giggled. "The worst I can..."

"I am glad you like it Paris, since you will be the one travelling to Sparta to collect the young princess," Priam informed his youngest son.

Paris eyes almost jumped out of their sockets. His jaw fell down. "Me!" he choked.

"You, yes," Priam said coolly. "You didn't think you would get out of this unpunished, did you? Just because you are the younger doesn't mean that you can behave in any way you like."

"But... but I can't... I mean I don't..."

"A good time to start learning isn't it? The ship will be ready to sail in two days and you will go." Priam stated sternly. "And while you are in Thebe I hope you will behave like a proper prince and son of mine."

Paris simply shook his head. "But she is... She is Hector's bride, not mine!" His tone of voice was incredulous.

"Yes, that's true," Priam agreed. "Unfortunately, the Princess of Thebe doesn't have any sisters. Otherwise I think it would be a good idea to have you married to another daughter of King Eetion. Such a lady might have a very good influence on you."

Paris silenced, defeated. He and his brother glanced nervously at each other.

"And if you have nothing else to say," their father continued. "I suggest you go and get yourselves cleaned up. You stink worse than the incense in the temples."

Later the same night, the two brothers were walking through a corridor in the palace together. They had been given time to bath and change their clothes and were looking a good deal more proper than they had when they returned to the castle. However, their expressions were somewhat disheartened.

"This just isn't fair," Paris grumbled for the umpteenth time. "I have no desire to go on some stupid journey. It's all just a silly idea."

Hector felt it necessary to cheer his younger brother up. "Don't worry. I am sure you will be well received in Thebe. Besides, you'll get to see a little bit more of the world."

"Maybe," Paris mumbled grudgingly. Then he frowned. "Where exactly is Thebe?"

Hector stopped. "I have no idea," he admitted and they both started chuckling.

"Well, I suppose it can't be so bad," Paris said. "After all, I will only escort her here. Then she will be yours to deal with."

"You don't have to remind me of that, Paris," Hector said grimly.

"What was her name again?"

Hector sighed deeply. "Andromache. For gods' sake, how many times should I have to tell you that?"

Paris gave his brother a look of pity and patted his shoulder. "Let us at least hope that she is less hideous than her name."

"Paris..." Hector started wearily.

"What? All princesses are ugly and queens are even worse," Paris claimed. The he smiled lightly. "Well except for Briseis perhaps," he added, referring to their little cousin who was also living in the castle.

"Briseis isn't a princess," Hector reminded him.

"You see?" Paris asked triumphantly. "Take my word for it Hector. I have never met a pretty king's daughter in my life. Count yourself lucky if your lady's royal nose is less than three feet long."

"I hope you won't share those opinions when you are in Thebe," Hector said sourly. "It might be a good time to remind you that the princess has seven brothers and they might not like to hear you talking about their sister in that way."

"Well, I think they would agree with me, deep inside at least."

"Paris..." Hector sighed. "I have told you before: I don't care what she looks like. What I care about is what she is like."

"Like?"

"Her personality," Hector translated in annoyance. "If she is a woman of honour with a bright head and a good heart. That's what matters."

Paris looked as if he believed that his brother was raving.

"This is not some little adventure," Hector explained to him. "This woman is to be my queen one day, not just my wife. It is a matter of reason, not of..." He stopped himself.

"Love?" Paris finished, grinning slightly.

Hector didn't answer; he only nodded.

Paris' smile became affectionate. "I forgot what you are like, my brother," he said, adding: "Don't worry, I will go to Thebe and get your Princess Horse Face safely to Troy. And I am sure she is very honourable. She must be if she is going to be your wife."

Hector smiled, slightly embarrassed. "Be careful, Little brother," he said and embraced Paris. "Remember, I won't be there to protect you."

Despite Hector's words, he wasn't as confident as he wanted to seem. As he prepared himself for the night, he couldn't rid himself of the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.

He knew nothing about this Andromache that his father had betrothed him to and the thought of marrying a complete stranger was enough to make him nervous. It annoyed him. No woman had ever had that power over him before.

Being the Prince of Troy, Hector had always been courted by various women from different classes in society. With few exceptions, they all seemed to like his appearance and his ways. And he had not been abstemious. He had never been a womanizer in the same way as Paris already showed signs of becoming, but there had been some women who had won a place in his life and in his bed.

Still, he had never really been able to let the women close to him. There was always a certain distance in his attitude and his way of speaking to them. He never really seemed to be able to let go of his duties and his seriousness.

But with this woman; this Princess of Thebe, things would be different. She would be his wife, his crown princess, hopefully the mother of his children... He would have to let her close to him whether he wanted to or not.

He swallowed tightly. His throat felt constricted. He was the bravest warrior in Troy, the best ride, the fierce and courageous crown prince. But it didn't matter.

He was scared to death.