Chapter Twenty Three- Hurt Unintentional

Odysseus sat across from Briseis, talking to her, but paying attention to the four boys that ran around on the beach. He brought his older sons with him on another envoy, opting to let Penelope stay at home with their youngest sons. Kyte and Pat quickly made friends with Jarien and Nylan, starting games as soon as they got there.

"I wonder if this means they will all sleep soundly tonight," he asked aloud.

"No," Briseis replied, a smile on her face. "They will find more energy to stay awake tonight from somewhere and keep us up as well." They both laughed at the mystery of boys' stamina. Their attention came back as Achilles reentered the balcony.

"Well, I know they didn't send you without notice of something. Not that I'm not happy to see you," Achilles smiled.

"You're right. They didn't send me empty handed up and down the coast. I bear a summons of war," he said bluntly. Achilles sat back in his chair, arms crossed and eyes vibrantly watchful. "The northern border posts have been overtaken by a group claiming the land is theirs. Wouldn't be too much of an issue if they weren't attacking villages and killing all who breathed. The alliance is preparing to move on them and irradicate the issue." The taste of the words in his mouth made him make a sour face.

"I'll go," Achilles agreed, not really seeming to have any issue or quarry. The two began to talk on tactics, numbers, and movements neccessary for a battle. Their attention diverted away as Briseis stood and quickly left the balcony.

Both watched her non-exsistant form move away from them.

"Penelope did the same thing when I told her," Odysseus sighed.

Achilles spent most of the day with Odysseus and the boys, just working out details. Briseis didn't join them at dinner. When he questioned one of the servants, they said she felt ill and took to resting instead. The boys, suprisingly, lost most of their energy during the day and gladly went to bed, sleeping as they hit the pillows. He bid his friend good night then went to his bedroom, only to find it empty. Thinking on it, he went right next door.

Briseis sat on the couch, holding their sleeping daughter against her chest. Her eyes were puffy and swollen, giving her tears away. He tried to walk over as silently as possible.

"I know you're there, so don't even try it." He sighed and came around to face her, sitting on the table. She wouldn't look at him, focusing instead on Achillae. The deafening silence lasted for a long time. He was going to war to stop these barbarians, nothing more. Not for glory, not for pleasure; to protect his people, mostly his family.

He jumped slightly as Briseis stood up. She kissed her baby's head then gently placed her in the crib. In flash of movement, she went into their bedroom. Achilles walked over to his daughter, stroking her hair back slightly. She adjusted herself in her sleep and settled further into her blankets. Sighing, he followed after his wife.

Achilles sat below the deck of the ship, brooding for the third day straight. His blood still boiled over due to the fight he left home on.

"You go off some place far away to take care of something the rest of the Greek nation can handle themselves! Why must you go?"

"The Myrimidons are Greeks. They want to defend their country against invasions." She growled angrily and locked eyes with him.

"And this is the only reason you are so eager to go to war?"

"What are you implying..."

"I don't imply, I state. You yearn to return to the battlefield." Her eyes flared up with her temper. "Do I bore you so much that you must go and kill for amusement? Do our children leave you unfullfilled?" She turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm and yanked her back around.

"I never said that," he said quietly, his own famous rage building up under his voice. "You do not bore me and neither do our children."

She pulled her arm back, glaring at him. "But you are so willing to leave us."

A knock on his cabin door pulled him back to reality. "Enter."

"My lord," Eudorus said, bowing as he entered. "We are nearing the coast line."

"Defenses?"

"They are said to have the beaches lined with men, less on the southern edge."

"Then we approach the northern edge." Eudorus smiled and bowed out. Achilles waited a few more seconds, then walked over to his armor. He looked at it for a while, then began to put it on.

A/N: Keep reading. This story is complete.