Briseis hummed as she brushed her curly hair and tied it in a ponytail, putting on her favorite dark blue dress that showed every one of her curves it was Achilles' favorite dress as well. She had no idea of who she was...and was a bit curious, wanting to know if she had brothers or sisters. She had thought very hard about this and had decided to meet them. Briseis searched in the chest where she kept her clothes for her black hooded cloak, not noticing the figure entering the tent.
"Are you ready?" Achilles asked, Briseis yelped and found herself sitting on the floor holding the cloak to her chest.
"You scared me." She scolded taking a breath.
Achilles smirked and walked to her easily lifting her to her feet. "Are you sure about this?" he asked not letting go of her hands looking deeply in her eyes.
Briseis nodded. "I have to know."
Achilles nodded and gently pulled her to him bringing her close he hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. Resting his chin on top of her head. Briseis grinned, "Does this mean that you will miss me?"
Achilles chuckled and kissed her sweet lips, until a very familiar voice spoke. "My Lady...we can leave anytime you are ready." Eudorus said from outside the tent.
With a sigh and a very small groan, which made Briseis laugh. Achilles led his Lady outside to the chariot where Eudorus was waiting for her as well as four other Myrmidons on horseback.
"Achilles makes a secret pact and I have to honor it? What treason is this? Consorting with the enemy king."
"We have no way to breach their walls" Nestor spoke up.
"I will smash their walls to the ground...if it costs me forty thousand Greeks. Here me Zeus! I will smash their walls to the ground."
Agamemnon vowed extremely furious at Achilles' actions, Odysseus tried very hard to hide a smile at how by doing the simplest thing Achilles could drive this man nuts.
Briseis was very nervous as she could see the gates of Troy get bigger as they approached, "Do not fret my Lady we will not let them harm you." Eudorus tried to assure her. Stopping near the gates, Eudorus looked up and saw Hector give an order to his men then disappeared, hearing the heavy beams being lifted off the doors the other Myrmidons got off their horses and surrounded Briseis.
The doors slowly opening they could see soldiers as well as Hector approach the group. "My father made a pact with Achilles will you honor that pact?" Hector asked addressing the question to Eudorus.
"That we will as long as you honor yours."
"You have my word, that no harm shall come to any of you."
Eudorus nodded and turned to Briseis. "My Lady..." Briseis took a deep breath, held her head high and took a step, then another. Hector nodded and led the small group of six through the gates of Troy.
The Trojans looked a bit panicked as they watched five Greeks and a woman wearing a hooded cloak walking down their streets to the palace. Slowly walking up the numerous steps Briseis followed Eudorus; two were behind her the others at her sides. Looking up she removed her hood as she could see a curly haired man assuming he was Paris the beauty by his side had to be Helen...the reason they were here, then she saw another woman holding a babe smiling at her. Priam took a few steps forward and had tears in his eyes.
"Welcome my child welcome...it is good to see those beautiful eyes of yours again." Priam greeted his niece. Briseis quirked an eyebrow, but smiled just the same.
"Briseis..." Paris came forward to embrace his cousin whom he had missed terribly, but quickly halted his movements as Eudorus and the Myrmidon on his left stood in the young prince's path.
"Not yet Paris, you do remember what father said last night do you not...she does not remember us...yet." He turned to the group. "This way."
Entering a room where they could all sit more comfortably and converse. Briseis sat on a sofa, two Myrmidons behind her, two stayed at the door, while Eudorus stood beside her.
Priam sat facing her and started off with the introductions. "This lovely woman here is Andromache, Hector's wife and the little one is Astyanax, my grandson."
Briseis smiled at the babe. "Tell us Briseis if it is not to much to ask, what happened to you, where have you been these past months?" Paris asked.
Briseis leaned back on the sofa supporting her head on her hand and smiled sweetly "With Achilles of course."
Andromache gasped, "That monster?"
Briseis quirked an eyebrow. "Excuse me?" The Myrmidons all chuckled. "Monster...I have said four words the entire time we have been here and already, you insult the man that saved the life of your niece and cousin as you claim I am?" She looked to Priam, then Andromache. "The entire time I have been with Achilles I have seen nothing closely resembling a monster within him...So if you please would you refrain from insulting the man I love."
"LOVE! You love that man?" Paris choked out.
"Yes, you should know a lot of the subject. You did start a war over it, did you not?" She grinned, the Myrmidons chuckled.
Paris looked away, as his father and the others continued talking to his dearest cousin.
Most of the day had passed.
"A Priestess?" Briseis looked at Hector wide-eyed. She turned to Eudorus "Can you see me wearing a virgin's robe?" Briseis laughed having tears in her eyes. After a few moments she calmed herself. "I am a priestess of Apollo." She repeated to herself and winced at the thought. Feeling a headache coming Briseis massaged the side of her head then spoke up, "It is getting very late, Is there a quiet room I can go to think for a moment?" she asked politely.
Hector stood and looked at his father, "Of course, this way." He led her to a room within the sleeping chambers. Of course the Myrmidons followed. "This was your room, when you stayed at the palace." He told her opening the door allowing her to enter first. Briseis let her eyes wander around the room it was huge, a bed in the middle of the room against the wall, curtains everywhere, tapestries, urns, she went to the balcony and looked down at the city illuminated by the moonlight and numerous torches, at the wall surrounding it. She suddenly felt trapped.
"My Lady?" Eudorus approached "Are you alright?"
"I just...the look in their eyes, I do not want to stay here...will they release me in the morning?" She asked looking at Eudorus.
Eudorus smiled, "If they don't they'll have to deal with Achilles. You should get some rest, the sooner you sleep the sooner the day will come."
Briseis smiled, "Thank-you Eudorus...you will not be too far away?"
"Of course not." He answered, "Two will stay at the door, one at the balcony, and the other two will sleep on these benches...now go." He motioned for her to take the bed, releasing the curtains to give her some privacy; Briseis lied down and almost immediately fell asleep. Eudorus walked over to the balcony and took a deep breath as he watched and listened to the sounds of Troy.
"What do you mean she has to leave in the morning?" Andromache gasped horrified at the thought, "No we cannot let her go back to the Greeks. They will surely kill her when they find out that she is a Trojan, they will use her against us."
"I do not like the thought of my dear niece in the hands of the Greeks either dear daughter, but Achilles will want her back. I have made a pact with him and I must honor it." Priam let out a shaky breath.
"But father..." Paris growled "What if he threatened her to come here so she could spy on us, his men have already memorized their way throughout the palace already we can't let her leave."
Priam frowned he had had that thought in his head, Briseis didn't seem too happy to meet her family. Looking at his sons he spoke up, "We shall talk of this in the morning, it is getting late." Priam slowly stood and walked to his chambers. "Call the council in the morning we will have a meeting." He ordered and left the room.
"Achilles!" Odysseus entered the warrior's camp and stood outside his tent. Seeing that there was no movement within Odysseus looked around and called again. "Achilles!"
Achilles came out of his tent a cup of wine in his hand, "Odysseus?" he chuckled the Ithacan king looked panicked.
"We need to talk...now!" he whispered.
"Of course." Achilles led Odysseus inside his tent, and offered him some wine. "What troubles you old friend?" he asked.
"Agamemnon troubles me." Achilles raised a brow and sat down next to him. "You refused to fight because he had your Lady, the pact you made with Priam." Odysseus turned to him fully. "HE thinks that you are in league with the Trojans."
Achilles laughed, "What exactly does the old fool have planned for me?" he asked curiously.
"I do not know, but whatever it is it can't be good he's obsessed with getting into Troy, he cares not that he's lost half his men. A few of the other kings agree that he's gone completely mad they all find this war is foolish and want to go home..." Odysseus took a breath and frowned. "Why did you let your lady go to Troy?"
Achilles smirked "Apparently she is Priam's niece, she does not remember them though."
"And you let her go...can he be trusted?" Odysseus looked at him shocked that he would allow such a thing.
"I warned him that if she was not returned to me the next morning that I would scale their walls and kill off his family, he gave me his word that he would."
"You do know what Agamemnon will do if he finds out about this, she will not be safe here." Odysseus argued. "He will use her against you or have her killed. And have me flogged for knowing about it and not telling him."
Achilles was deep in though for a moment and smiled. Odysseus quirked an eyebrow. "How would you like to return home to your wife and son Odysseus?"
"I would swim the Aegean sea to get to them why?"
"Would you also want to be free of Agamemnon's wrath toward your country?"
"Of course if I could, what are you planning?"
"We join the Trojans." Achilles looked at Odysseus who stared at him mouth agape.
"Are you ill...do you even know what you are saying?" Achilles nodded.
"How many kings can be trusted?"
"Quite a few, most of them were forced to join him."
Achilles smirked. "Can you maybe give a suggestion to the old fool?" Odysseus looked at him confused, Achilles continued, "Priam respects the gods..."
It took a while but Odysseus caught on quite quickly. "An offering...yes a very big one...we could hide the men within...but how would you convince Hector."
Achilles smirked.
That morning
When Briseis awoke she was met with Trojan soldiers at her door, they were arguing with the Myrmidons.
"Is this how Trojans honor their pacts with lies." One of the Myrmidons yelled out.
"Eudorus?" Briseis called out. "Where is Eudorus?"
"Stay back my lady," the four remaining Myrmidons all stood in front of her. "They refuse to let us leave, they think we are spies."
"No...Where is Eudorus...Hector, I wish to speak to him."
"He can't talk to you now." The Trojan soldier didn't say another word.
Achilles made his way on horseback to Troy's gates, fully armed. As he arrived he could see the royals atop watching him, dismounting his horse Achilles stood tall with his shield, sword and spear. 'Hope this works.'
"HECTOR!" Achilles screamed.
Archers raised their bows ready to fire, but Hector stopped them. And watched the warrior below as he called out to him.
"HECTOR!...HECTOR!"
Knowing this would come Hector had prepared himself, for what was to take place. The council had decided to keep their priestess within Troy. Asking his father for forgiveness, "HECTOR!" Hugging his brother then his wife and kissing his son's head, Hector made his way to the gates. "HECTOR!"
As the gates opened Hector took a few steps until he was close enough to have a few words to the Greek warrior, without any danger coming to him...yet.
"Do you always keep your guests waiting when they call for you?" Achilles asked amused.
"I've seen this moment in my dreams. I'll make a pact with you. With the gods as our witnesses...Let us pledge that the winner will allow the loser all the proper funeral rituals."
"There are no pacts between lions and men." Achilles answered plunging his spear in the earth, and taking off his helmet, throwing it to the side. Hector took his off as well grasping his shield.
"My father will not release my cousin to the Greeks."
"Is that so?" Achilles took his spear and approached Hector. As did the Trojan Prince. Achilles jogged and faked a left then a right and lunged his spear at Hector, Hector quickly blocked it. Achilles backed off then with a running start jumped in the air for the killing blow with his spear but Hector sidestepped moving out of the way.
Hector whipped his spear at Achilles' head who in tutrn ducked. Achilles went for his legs, but Hector stepped back as the spear missed. Achilles lunged again, Hector caught the Greek's spear between his arm and side breaking it with his shield then pushed him back. Hector prepared to defend with his shield, Achilles lunged his spear to Hector's right knee but missed seeing his chance Hector bent his knee breaking Achilles spear.
Now both spears broken both men threw the broken pieces to the floor as well as their shields, taking out their swords, Hector thrusts it at Achilles swords clanging, sparks flying Achilles sliced air where Hector's head should have been and forced Hector to step back while performing a few moves that were very hard to block.
Hector charged at Achilles, he blocked again moved his leg to avoid it from being severed and forced Hector to duck and rammed his elbow in the Trojan prince's jaw making him groan out in pain circling him again Achilles jumped in the air to pierce his sword in Hector's neck but the prince seeing this dropped to his knees and rolled, picking up a shield he then quickly got up.
Hector swung his sword four times in a row forcing Achilles to step back and instead of cutting flesh he nicked armor, Achilles looked at his armor in amazement 'That was close.' Hector lunged again while Achilles was distracted. Achilles saw this and grasped the prince's arm twisting it he forced Hector's body to look to the heavens exposing his throat and tried to slit it, Hector blocked with his shield. Achilles kicked him away, Hector tried in vain to regain his balance but tripped on a rock landing hard on the ground.
"Get up prince of Troy, get up. I wont let a stone take my glory." Achilles grinned as he circled the prince. Hector crawled to one of the spearheads, now armed with his sword and a piece of the broken spear, he again faced Achilles.
Achilles dodged and ducked spinning he sliced a thin line on Hector's leg, sweat was pouring down their brows and they were both breathing heavily as they continued to evade each blow.
Hector swung his sword again and again forcing Achilles to hold his ground and push the prince back with his free hand so he could take a breath. Taking a few steps, again Hector lunged but this time with the spear, Achilles had had enough grabbing the spear he spinned twice gathering momentum and plunged the spear in the prince's shoulder going through armor but missing the flesh giving him a minor cut. Achilles kicked him again in the chest, falling to his knees in exhaustion Hector gasped for breath. Achilles prepared to give him the final blow but it never came, "I have an offer for you prince of Troy" Achilles leaned down. "Are you listening?" he asked locking his eyes with the Trojan.
"What offer?" Hector growled.
"Release Eudorus one of my Myrmidons that escorted Briseis, and keep her in your city for now. The Greek kings are fed up with Agamemnon's insanity, they wish to go home. They don't much care for Troy."
"What are you suggesting?" Hector asked curiously.
"We join you, with our armies fighting with yours we can win against Agamemnon's."
"Why should I trust you?"
"The question would be why should 'I' trust you, your father gave his word to me that he would release Briseis but he doesn't. I said that if she were not returned to me that I would slaughter his family, yet you are still alive. If you hadn't noticed dear prince your life hangs in my hands."
Hector still didn't look too convinced.
"It's very simple we help you win this war, your city is saved and we go home."
"And Briseis?"
"Will return to her home in Phtia. I will not leave my wife here."
"Wife?" Achilles nodded, Hector looked deeply in the warrior's eyes. "You would do all this for Briseis?"
"She gives me peace in a lifetime of war, and I will not give her up that easily. Besides your father is a far better king than the one leading the Greek army." Achilles tilted his head back towards the Greek camp as he talked of Agamemnon.
"What exactly are you planning?"
"Odysseus has this idea, to make Agamemnon think that he's clever enough to infiltrate your walls."
"What?"
"They are building a giant horse on the beach and hiding out the ships in a cove, The horse will be filled with at least fifty men a few will be Agamemnon's but most will be ours. That fool of a king thinks that if you all believe that we left, that you would take the horse within Troy as an offering to the gods."
Achilles stood and held out his arm to the prince. Hector looked at it then at the warrior and took it; Achilles pulled him to his feet.
"You have my word, that we will fight with you."
Hector nodded turning back to the gates, he glanced over his shoulder. "The one you wanted...his name is Eudorus?" Achilles nodded.
After about five minutes Eudorus came out on horseback, "We are to join the Trojans now?" he asked the man he'd served for years hoping he hadn't lost his mind.
"This is a stupid war and I tire of it, and so do
most of the other kings who want it to end. They wish to be free from
under Agamemnon's boot." He explained.
Leading his horse back towards the beach.
"And your lady?" Eudorus asked following him.
"Will stay where she is until this is over."