A/N: Hey look, it's chapter 5! Reviewers, I can't thank you enough for your great comments, and I'm taking your suggestions to heart. Keep them coming!

Seeing Double

Chapter 5

"Your friend must have overslept, My Lord." Alexander commented after they had waited for some time.

"He keeps his own schedule." Odysseus answered, "He will be here, eventually. Until then, the two of you can spar with each other."

"Just had to open your mouth, didn't you Alexander?" Alexandra grumbled as they took their places opposite one another. "You interrupted a very pleasant nap, and now I'm going to have to make you pay."

"Enough talk, Asaeus, let's begin." Alexander's eyes narrowed in concentration as he made the first move, charging his sister head on, then darting to the right at the last second as he aimed his sword at her ribs.

Alexandra had predicted his move and was quick enough to block it. Their blades locked, and they stood at a stalemate for a few seconds before Alexander pushed her back and attacked again. She blocked him as before.

They continued back-and-forth, neither gaining the upper hand, until both were exhausted. Alexandra was the first to lose concentration. She tripped over a rock, and before she could regain her balance Alexander had the blunted tip of his practice sword pressed to her throat.

"I win." He declared with a smirk before helping her to her feet.

"This time." She retorted.

The twins turned to face Odysseus, and both froze when they saw that he was not alone. It seemed his friend had arrived while they were engrossed in their fight. That friend was Achilles.

"Not bad." The great warrior commented, speaking to both of them. "But it lasted to long. You can't afford to focus on one fight for that long during a battle, someone will kill you while your attention is elsewhere."

"Alexander, Asaeus, allow me to introduce an old friend to you, this is Achilles." Odysseus' introduction was merely a formality, for everyone knew Achilles. "He has agreed to help teach you, which is a privilege granted to very few."

"We are honored, My Lord." Alexandra said with a bow. Her brother stiffly mimicked her gesture. She was glad to see that he managed to keep his anger hidden, at least to those who didn't know him. She could see it in his sea-green eyes, eyes that mirrored those of the man his anger was directed at.

Achilles acknowledged them with a nod before turning to speak to Odysseus privately. The twins could not hear what was said, but the men were smiling as they parted and drew their own practice blades. Odysseus moved opposite Alexandra, and Achilles took his place before Alexander. They stood relaxed, swords dangling limply from their hands, their eyes daring the twins to attack.

Without warning, Alexander moved. He seemed almost a blur, his anger fueling his already inhuman speed. Alexandra thought she even saw a look of surprise cross Achilles' face, if just for an instant, before he reacted with an equal if not greater speed. Within seconds, Alexander was lying on the ground, his sword a few feet away.

"That was good." Achilles allowed, kicking the sword back toward his young opponent. "Try again."

Alexandra couldn't stand and watch any longer, she had her own opponent to worry about. She took advantage of the fact that Odysseus was still focused on Alexander and Achilles, and made her move.

She lasted a few seconds longer than her brother had, but only a few. The next few hours were a blur of attacking and defending, swinging and parrying. Neither twin came close to beating their opponent, but they did manage to last longer, and eventually Odysseus announced that they had done enough for one day.

"Eat and rest." He instructed. "Practice against each other tomorrow, we will be in council with Agamemnon. After tomorrow, be prepared to march on Troy at any time."

The twins nodded, neither having the breath to answer aloud.

A/N: There you go, now review and tell me how you liked it. Again, I'm open to any suggestions on what to do next. I'm going to try to get one more chapter in before I go on vacation, but I'm not making any promises.