After Troy
Chapter 13 – Tricks of the Trade
Briseis awoke early in the morning to discover Achilles gone, again. She supposed that he had gone on one of his dawn walks, which were becoming increasingly common nowadays. She arose and decided to go for a walk, herself. Though perhaps just about town.
It had been her town once, her home town. She had grown up here and had been quite content until the Achaeans had invaded the Trojan-owned land and destroyed everything. It stood now, a shadow of it's former beauty. In stead of a bustling market and trade town with busy streets, it was a wreck, all but lost in the destructive path of Agamemnon.
Her whole family had been killed in the siege; she hadn't even been given a chance to farewell them. Then she had been taken captive and gifted to Achilles. His share of the 'spoils of war'.
Had it been any other man, Briseis may have taken her own life, rather than suffer such indignity, but Achilles was gentle and kind. He had never forced anything upon her, as he so easily could have. He was not like the other men. She loved Achilles, dearly.
As Briseis wandered quietly along the streets she heard her name called out. A man was running toward her, an arm outstretched. Briseis couldn't tell who it was, with the sunlight behind them. When, at last, the man reached her, Briseis saw who it was and very nearly fainted.
Alec, Briseis' brother, was the one sprinting as fast as he could to her. Her brother, whom she had believed dead, was alive and running, or was it just her imagination? When she felt his body collide with her own and embrace her, she knew it was true, it was him.
"Alec," She said, tears of joy welling in her eyes, "is it really you?"
"It is!" He said, overjoyed. He pulled back to admire her.
"I thought you were dead." She whispered, astounded at this magical reappearance.
"And I, you." Alec said. He shook his head. "Oh, there is so much to say, to explain." He held her at arm's length. "Come, I will take you home." He smiled and Briseis finally knew what had been lacking from her life for so long. She followed him, comforted and feeling safe, at last.
"A drink?" Alec asked as he sat Briseis down at the table. "We haven't much, I'm afraid." He said. "Everything you see is what I have managed to save from the raids, what I have recovered." He smiled feebly. "But we still have home, right?"
"We still have home." Briseis repeated, reassuring her dear brother of what he needed to hear. "I wouldn't mind some water if you have any."
"The best there is." He smiled, proud of one thing.
Alec was two years younger than Briseis, though he had always been as Hector was to Paris, her defender. When he discovered that she had been taken by the Achaeans, he had nearly gone after Achilles himself, though he had been restrained, in the end, by friends who were sensibly wary of the mighty Achilles. Thus, Alec had sat in waiting, hoping against hope that Briseis was still alive. Then one morning, this morning, a friend had rushed into his house bearing the most unbelievable news to have graced his ears in all his life. Briseis had returned.
Alec sat, now, watching his sister carefully sip the sweet water. She sighed.
"Briseis." Alec spoke, now, questions having arisen in his mind. "Tell me, how is it you came to be returned to Lyrnessus? Troy was burned, how did you escape?"
Briseis put down her water, looked her brother in the eye, and began. She told him everything, beginning to end, reveling in her brother's presence.
As Paris drifted back to consciousness he felt himself resting on a warm, inviting body, smooth to perfection. He looked up to see the beautiful sleeping face of Achilles, whose arm still clung to Paris' shoulder.
Paris frowned. He knew now, that none of what had happened the previous evening had been right, but he treasured it all the same. Thinking about the wrongs of his love for Achilles, lead to think about Hector.
He sighed and arose; leaving the warrior to his dreams and ventured forth into the world. As he made his way outside he saw Andromache, playing with Paris' nephew in the grass nearby. Again he felt the lack of Hector very much present.
He strayed a little further into the field by the inn where the sheep were grazing. He watched two lambs leaping through the grass playfully. Eventually they came to a stop at the feet of a man Paris had, previously, not been aware of. The lambs bleated in fear and ran back to where their mothers had grazed.
"Paris." The man smiled, a cold smile. He stood easily a head above the tallest man Paris had ever seen, an imposing figure with a harsh, dark look about him. The mans stepped towards him, and Paris felt the cold even though the sun shone down upon his back.
"I am," Paris responded, feeling need for something to be said. "And you are?"
"Come, we shall walk and you will know everything." The man attempted to lure the Prince away.
"I'd rather remain here." Paris said, he was weary of this man and felt safer if he was closer to the town, closer to Achilles. Andromache still sat with her baby about twenty meters away, though she hadn't yet noticed what was happening.
"Very well Paris." The man again used his name without introducing himself.
"By what name do you go?" Paris asked, glancing quickly at Andromache. He sensed danger.
"There are some that call me... Tim." The man laughed to himself understanding a joke that only those... "No," then he chuckled, calming himself, "no one will get that one for three and a half thousand years yet. No," he looked back at Paris, holding his gaze, "my name is Hades." With that Hades bowed.
"Lord of the Underworld." Paris understood the cold he felt, now.
"So, you've heard of me, I see." Hades smiled, "Good to know. So you probably have some minor concept as to the purpose of my presence."
"No, none." Paris said narrowing his eyes, in an attempt to discern the 'purpose of the God's presence'.
"Well actually, I have proposition to make. Nay, a question to ask." Hades quickly rephrased.
"A question?" Paris repeated.
"A question." Hades mocked, rolling his eyes impatiently. He hated humans and their pathetically incompetent minds, 'and this bloody sun!' he thought to himself.
"If that is all, then ask." Paris, also, was none too eager to remain in this conversation.
"Very well." Hades smiled. This was far to simple he laughed inwardly. "But I would first ask you to consider that woman there, and her child." He indicated to Andromache.
Paris looked, and then returned his gaze to Hades. "What has this to do with them?" He asked still cautious.
"Nothing much. Just keep them in mind." Hades smiled maliciously.
"Ask." Paris instructed him.
"Oh all right, all right." Hades raised his hands defensively. "Impatient twit." He muttered. "Your question," he spoke up, "is this." He paused more for dramatic effect than anything, he believed strongly in showmanship. "What would you give to have your brother, Hector, back in this earthly plane?"
Paris took no time to think. He didn't even glance back at Andromache, and if he had he would have seen Achilles walking out the door to find him. If he had, he might have reconsidered, before he said what he did.
"I would give my life to have him back." Paris said, forgetting for a moment to whom he was speaking. Achilles had spotted him now, and had begun walking towards him.
"Oh, how convenient." Hades smiled, spreading his arms in an evil motion. "One switch, coming up." He raised his palms to the sky, before pulling a dagger from his robes and slicing Paris' hand.
The sky turned dark, thunder roared and lightning flashed, but no rain came. As the first drop of blood from Paris' trembling had fell to the ground, a body began to appear, materializing on the ground next to him. Hades chanted, encouraging the flow of blood, he did enjoy this type of ritual, rare as it was.
Achilles had stopped walking, desperately attempting to comprehend the situation. When he saw the blood fall from Paris' hand, he ran to save his love. Hades spotted Achilles and stepped back, finishing the incantation and disappearing in the same fashion as he had arrived.
Achilles reached Paris just in time to catch the prince in his arms as he fell. "Paris!" Achilles spoke quietly, fear seizing his body. "Paris, can you hear me?" He did not see the body on the ground behind him stir, and sit up. "Paris, oh please, Paris." He said, cradling Paris in his arms, black curls falling about. "Come, now. This is silly, wake up!" His voice raised.
The body behind Achilles stared in amazement at the warrior, cradling the prince, and felt sympathy for him, for them both.
"Paris. Paris, I never got to tell you..." Achilles whispered, tears in his eyes. "I love you." No one heard it but him, and the words fell on deaf ears.
"He cannot hear you." The body, a man, said, now completely alive.
"Silence!" Achilles roared, not recognizing the man, through his tears. "How, in the gods' name, would you know that?" He gripped Paris' limp form tightly.
"Because it was Hades who did this." The man said.
"Did what?" Achilles spat, wiping away some of his tears.
"The trade." The man replied.
"A trade, for Paris' life?" Achilles still faced his back to the man. "What did he trade?"
"Paris life... for mine." The man spoke quietly.
Achilles turned away from Paris' body, to see who the speaker was. At this point Andromache had approached him and spoke before Achilles had a chance.
"Hector?"
AN: Does anyone agree with me that what Achilles said when Paris was dying is probably what he was screaming the previous night? Eh, if you get my drift... Oh, and to those history buffs out there, get away from Alec, it was appropriate, even if she didn't have a brother... mutters bastardly history buffs! end muttering Hi Jamy!!! How's life in Germany? Still raining? You'll have to satisfy yourself without the daily chapter, I can't write that much, I'm not talented enough!!! Yana5, thanks dude, and Hector's back!!! Lady Lenna, good to hear you aren't going to change your name. And I do apologise for Hades' evil behaviour. But he was doing it for Apollo, blame Apollo! But at least we have Hector back! purplemoofu, my cousin thought your expensive coffee was fantastic! Thank you, and I raise my jem- studded, golden goblet of 64 year-old wine in your general direction. (I fart in your general direction – Monty Python!) I look forward to your fic! I really do! Kage Miko, there is no denying it, you are crazy! Gilrean, I can't write decent lemon, it's all terrible! Have fun on AFF.net! And imagine what happened with Achilles and Paris, just keep on imagining... you "dirty, dirty girl." (I don't know what that quote is from, but it was funny at the time!) bradleigh, thank you for appreciating my A/N's, my cousin is attacking me for them! Evil, evil cousin! Hi Lucy! And, bradleigh, I'm glad to hear it's not too much for you! And Goldensong, I presume you meant next task, and indeed, it is! But Paris-less! Alright, toodles kids! By the way, this A/N was 284 words long. In case you were wondering. cw
Briseis awoke early in the morning to discover Achilles gone, again. She supposed that he had gone on one of his dawn walks, which were becoming increasingly common nowadays. She arose and decided to go for a walk, herself. Though perhaps just about town.
It had been her town once, her home town. She had grown up here and had been quite content until the Achaeans had invaded the Trojan-owned land and destroyed everything. It stood now, a shadow of it's former beauty. In stead of a bustling market and trade town with busy streets, it was a wreck, all but lost in the destructive path of Agamemnon.
Her whole family had been killed in the siege; she hadn't even been given a chance to farewell them. Then she had been taken captive and gifted to Achilles. His share of the 'spoils of war'.
Had it been any other man, Briseis may have taken her own life, rather than suffer such indignity, but Achilles was gentle and kind. He had never forced anything upon her, as he so easily could have. He was not like the other men. She loved Achilles, dearly.
As Briseis wandered quietly along the streets she heard her name called out. A man was running toward her, an arm outstretched. Briseis couldn't tell who it was, with the sunlight behind them. When, at last, the man reached her, Briseis saw who it was and very nearly fainted.
Alec, Briseis' brother, was the one sprinting as fast as he could to her. Her brother, whom she had believed dead, was alive and running, or was it just her imagination? When she felt his body collide with her own and embrace her, she knew it was true, it was him.
"Alec," She said, tears of joy welling in her eyes, "is it really you?"
"It is!" He said, overjoyed. He pulled back to admire her.
"I thought you were dead." She whispered, astounded at this magical reappearance.
"And I, you." Alec said. He shook his head. "Oh, there is so much to say, to explain." He held her at arm's length. "Come, I will take you home." He smiled and Briseis finally knew what had been lacking from her life for so long. She followed him, comforted and feeling safe, at last.
"A drink?" Alec asked as he sat Briseis down at the table. "We haven't much, I'm afraid." He said. "Everything you see is what I have managed to save from the raids, what I have recovered." He smiled feebly. "But we still have home, right?"
"We still have home." Briseis repeated, reassuring her dear brother of what he needed to hear. "I wouldn't mind some water if you have any."
"The best there is." He smiled, proud of one thing.
Alec was two years younger than Briseis, though he had always been as Hector was to Paris, her defender. When he discovered that she had been taken by the Achaeans, he had nearly gone after Achilles himself, though he had been restrained, in the end, by friends who were sensibly wary of the mighty Achilles. Thus, Alec had sat in waiting, hoping against hope that Briseis was still alive. Then one morning, this morning, a friend had rushed into his house bearing the most unbelievable news to have graced his ears in all his life. Briseis had returned.
Alec sat, now, watching his sister carefully sip the sweet water. She sighed.
"Briseis." Alec spoke, now, questions having arisen in his mind. "Tell me, how is it you came to be returned to Lyrnessus? Troy was burned, how did you escape?"
Briseis put down her water, looked her brother in the eye, and began. She told him everything, beginning to end, reveling in her brother's presence.
As Paris drifted back to consciousness he felt himself resting on a warm, inviting body, smooth to perfection. He looked up to see the beautiful sleeping face of Achilles, whose arm still clung to Paris' shoulder.
Paris frowned. He knew now, that none of what had happened the previous evening had been right, but he treasured it all the same. Thinking about the wrongs of his love for Achilles, lead to think about Hector.
He sighed and arose; leaving the warrior to his dreams and ventured forth into the world. As he made his way outside he saw Andromache, playing with Paris' nephew in the grass nearby. Again he felt the lack of Hector very much present.
He strayed a little further into the field by the inn where the sheep were grazing. He watched two lambs leaping through the grass playfully. Eventually they came to a stop at the feet of a man Paris had, previously, not been aware of. The lambs bleated in fear and ran back to where their mothers had grazed.
"Paris." The man smiled, a cold smile. He stood easily a head above the tallest man Paris had ever seen, an imposing figure with a harsh, dark look about him. The mans stepped towards him, and Paris felt the cold even though the sun shone down upon his back.
"I am," Paris responded, feeling need for something to be said. "And you are?"
"Come, we shall walk and you will know everything." The man attempted to lure the Prince away.
"I'd rather remain here." Paris said, he was weary of this man and felt safer if he was closer to the town, closer to Achilles. Andromache still sat with her baby about twenty meters away, though she hadn't yet noticed what was happening.
"Very well Paris." The man again used his name without introducing himself.
"By what name do you go?" Paris asked, glancing quickly at Andromache. He sensed danger.
"There are some that call me... Tim." The man laughed to himself understanding a joke that only those... "No," then he chuckled, calming himself, "no one will get that one for three and a half thousand years yet. No," he looked back at Paris, holding his gaze, "my name is Hades." With that Hades bowed.
"Lord of the Underworld." Paris understood the cold he felt, now.
"So, you've heard of me, I see." Hades smiled, "Good to know. So you probably have some minor concept as to the purpose of my presence."
"No, none." Paris said narrowing his eyes, in an attempt to discern the 'purpose of the God's presence'.
"Well actually, I have proposition to make. Nay, a question to ask." Hades quickly rephrased.
"A question?" Paris repeated.
"A question." Hades mocked, rolling his eyes impatiently. He hated humans and their pathetically incompetent minds, 'and this bloody sun!' he thought to himself.
"If that is all, then ask." Paris, also, was none too eager to remain in this conversation.
"Very well." Hades smiled. This was far to simple he laughed inwardly. "But I would first ask you to consider that woman there, and her child." He indicated to Andromache.
Paris looked, and then returned his gaze to Hades. "What has this to do with them?" He asked still cautious.
"Nothing much. Just keep them in mind." Hades smiled maliciously.
"Ask." Paris instructed him.
"Oh all right, all right." Hades raised his hands defensively. "Impatient twit." He muttered. "Your question," he spoke up, "is this." He paused more for dramatic effect than anything, he believed strongly in showmanship. "What would you give to have your brother, Hector, back in this earthly plane?"
Paris took no time to think. He didn't even glance back at Andromache, and if he had he would have seen Achilles walking out the door to find him. If he had, he might have reconsidered, before he said what he did.
"I would give my life to have him back." Paris said, forgetting for a moment to whom he was speaking. Achilles had spotted him now, and had begun walking towards him.
"Oh, how convenient." Hades smiled, spreading his arms in an evil motion. "One switch, coming up." He raised his palms to the sky, before pulling a dagger from his robes and slicing Paris' hand.
The sky turned dark, thunder roared and lightning flashed, but no rain came. As the first drop of blood from Paris' trembling had fell to the ground, a body began to appear, materializing on the ground next to him. Hades chanted, encouraging the flow of blood, he did enjoy this type of ritual, rare as it was.
Achilles had stopped walking, desperately attempting to comprehend the situation. When he saw the blood fall from Paris' hand, he ran to save his love. Hades spotted Achilles and stepped back, finishing the incantation and disappearing in the same fashion as he had arrived.
Achilles reached Paris just in time to catch the prince in his arms as he fell. "Paris!" Achilles spoke quietly, fear seizing his body. "Paris, can you hear me?" He did not see the body on the ground behind him stir, and sit up. "Paris, oh please, Paris." He said, cradling Paris in his arms, black curls falling about. "Come, now. This is silly, wake up!" His voice raised.
The body behind Achilles stared in amazement at the warrior, cradling the prince, and felt sympathy for him, for them both.
"Paris. Paris, I never got to tell you..." Achilles whispered, tears in his eyes. "I love you." No one heard it but him, and the words fell on deaf ears.
"He cannot hear you." The body, a man, said, now completely alive.
"Silence!" Achilles roared, not recognizing the man, through his tears. "How, in the gods' name, would you know that?" He gripped Paris' limp form tightly.
"Because it was Hades who did this." The man said.
"Did what?" Achilles spat, wiping away some of his tears.
"The trade." The man replied.
"A trade, for Paris' life?" Achilles still faced his back to the man. "What did he trade?"
"Paris life... for mine." The man spoke quietly.
Achilles turned away from Paris' body, to see who the speaker was. At this point Andromache had approached him and spoke before Achilles had a chance.
"Hector?"
AN: Does anyone agree with me that what Achilles said when Paris was dying is probably what he was screaming the previous night? Eh, if you get my drift... Oh, and to those history buffs out there, get away from Alec, it was appropriate, even if she didn't have a brother... mutters bastardly history buffs! end muttering Hi Jamy!!! How's life in Germany? Still raining? You'll have to satisfy yourself without the daily chapter, I can't write that much, I'm not talented enough!!! Yana5, thanks dude, and Hector's back!!! Lady Lenna, good to hear you aren't going to change your name. And I do apologise for Hades' evil behaviour. But he was doing it for Apollo, blame Apollo! But at least we have Hector back! purplemoofu, my cousin thought your expensive coffee was fantastic! Thank you, and I raise my jem- studded, golden goblet of 64 year-old wine in your general direction. (I fart in your general direction – Monty Python!) I look forward to your fic! I really do! Kage Miko, there is no denying it, you are crazy! Gilrean, I can't write decent lemon, it's all terrible! Have fun on AFF.net! And imagine what happened with Achilles and Paris, just keep on imagining... you "dirty, dirty girl." (I don't know what that quote is from, but it was funny at the time!) bradleigh, thank you for appreciating my A/N's, my cousin is attacking me for them! Evil, evil cousin! Hi Lucy! And, bradleigh, I'm glad to hear it's not too much for you! And Goldensong, I presume you meant next task, and indeed, it is! But Paris-less! Alright, toodles kids! By the way, this A/N was 284 words long. In case you were wondering. cw