AN— Before I even start writing, I just want to say sorry for the wait. This is another one of those chapters that keep vying for the top spot when I sort my file list by size and holidays have long been over making me busier than usual. Bleh!
Lady Vendea. Are you serious?! Katriana is the Greek translation of your name?! I made it up! I had no idea it had actual Greek connotation until you mentioned it and I looked it up. There ARE reasons to why I chose Katriana to be revealed in chapter 25, I think?, but it was more word play. It sounded a bit like Katherine or Katrina but I seriously, truthfully, absolutely had no idea that it was a real name. A bit like the name Adena that I gave to a character I have in "Things Change", my PotC story. I thought it was just a word I made up and only about three months afterwards did I find out it was the name of an Native American tribe...
My Immortal
By BluWine
A not-so-pleasant ache was making Katri's head hurt. She turned slightly and saw the well-muscled back of a man... A thought came through her hung over brain that she could see the man's back and her eyes trailed down the muscles and saw that whatever he wore was slung extremely low...
"Oh gods... What did I do last night?" she muttered, sitting up and grimacing. She felt her body move against the cotton of her underdress and she sighed in the relief that she wasn't naked... Though the man beside her could DEFINITELY be considered naked... Wow... what a butt...
"Katri... You awake?" a voice whispered from the door.
"Briseis?" Katriana answered back. She crawled to the door and met Briseis as she was stepping in.
"What's wrong? Are you hung over?" Briseis laughed, helping Katri up to her feet.
"That's the biggest understatement I've ever heard."
"What did I DO last night?!" Katriana groaned.
"Nothing too horrifying, I'd say."
"Are we too hardpressed to be asked breakfast of?"
"Nah... Come on out. We have some eggs cooking over the fire and we have some company you might enjoy."
"Company? I don't do well with company when I'm so smashed," Katri replied.
"Trust me, okay? You'll like this man." Briseis grasped Katri's hand and was about to pull her through the door when Katri's senses kicked in.
"What? A man?! Briseis, no! Absolutely not! You are not setting me up!" Katri snapped.
"Oh, calm down, you silly cow. I'm not trying to play Eros... Just trust me. You'll like him." Katri frowned but agreed to go out.
By the fire was a man, not so elderly but definitely wisened by age. Brown locks covered the man's face as he ate his food, hunched over. There was something so humble about the man that Katriana still had to even see the face of, but at the same time, the regal aura surrounding him was unmistakable. Finally, he looked up and smiled at the two women.
"Ahh... You must be Katriana," the man grinned. "Briseis has told me a lot about you."
"Katri, this is Odysseus... king of Ithaca."
"Your highness," Katri curtsied.
"Oh... none of that." Odysseus had scooted over to the side and made room for Katri. "Please... come sit down. You must be hungry."
"Thank you." Katri had never really felt so intimidated by anyone before. However, Odysseus just had such a grace about him that she had to blush at his smile.
"So..." Odysseus handed Katri a plate. "Briseis has talked about your love of books?"
Katriana nodded.
"Well, though you probably think of me as a stupid Greek, I would like to think my affinity to the written word has enlightened me enough to hold a decent conversation on literature..."
Katriana laughed at the comment but still refused to speak.
"Come now... What say you, Katriana? Not to offend my comrades..." Odysseus' voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. "... But not many know how to read. It'd be nice to talk with someone not as obsessed with their physique as the condition of their books."
Katriana just smiled in accord.
"Katriana, a conversation should involve the speech of two people, don't you think?"
Katri nodded, silently, then laughed at the king's raised eyebrow. "Of course..."
"Ahh! And she speaks, thank the gods! So tell me, who is your favorite writer?"
"Sophocles..."
"A lover of tragedy, then..."
Briseis looked on, satisfied that her instincts were correct. Katriana had always been interested in books, having been taught how to read by her mother, she'd been told. Odysseus, in Briseis' time in the camps, had been a source of civility and intellect. Since the very first conversation she had with the king, Briseis had been convinved that such a man would prove to be fascinating for Katriana. She had been right. Taking a plate, she went back into the hut to bring food in for Achilles. Quietly, she crawled over to the warrior's side, food in hand and gently woke him up.
"Hmmm... Food?" Achilles mumbled, peeking out through slits.
"Breakfast..." Briseis felt Achilles' hand on her hip, pulling her closer to him. "I'm not kissing you until you wash your mouth..."
Achilles' eyes opened a millimetre more and grinned at her. "Since when has YOUR orders been superior to mine? I don't really remember ever having that transition.'
"Oh, I'd like to think they always were. I just indulged you until you had no idea that I had you wrapped around my little finger..." Briseis smiled. Achilles opened his eyes completely and took both her hands in his.
"You saved me. Did you know that?" Achilles murmured, his emotions getting the best rein they had ever received on him.
"You would have saved yourself, at one point. You would have gotten tired of this... Realized that it was all for nothing..."
"No," Achilles interrupted. "I wouldn't have and you know that and I don't want to lose this, Briseis."
Briseis looked confused for a second. "What are you trying to say?"
"I don't want to lose this, Briseis," Achilles repeated. "Come with me back home. Back to Greece..."
"You mean after the war?" Briseis asked.
""No, I mean after the Olympics... Enjoy some time with your family... Enjoy it with Katriana but afterwards, I want you to come with me."
"I... I couldn't. I couldn't possibly..."
"Yes you can."
Was this what Katri was talking about? Well, mine has blue eyes... And they're piercing. A lot icier... Nothing of that soft, warmth that Katri's always on about with Paris... But most definitely, the same effect. How could I possibly say no?
"Where's Paris?" Helen asked Hector as he came into the sitting room of the palace, that same morning.
"Paris? Not a clue," Hector shrugged, going to the shelves where Andromache had claimed she had left a scroll of some sort.
"You were talking to him last night." Hector froze midstretch and dropped his arms to look at Helen. He had long lost his animosity towards the woman for stealing his 'sister's' intended but he never lost his indignance. Civility was called for, however, though, warmth was a little too much to ask for. But after hearing what happened last night.... He had nearly thrown Paris through the window...
"That was last night. I assumed he went home to you," Hector replied.
"He didn't return last night. He didn't come to bed."
"I haven't the faintest idea where the boy is. If you'll excuse me, I have a wife to attend to."
"What did he do to Katriana?" Helen asked abruptly before Hector could leave.
"That's not for me divulge, milady."
"Why does everyone do that?!" Helen stomped angrily. She threw a teacup she was holding down to the ground and heard it shatter but never minded it. "Everyone gives me these evasive answers when it comes to Paris and Katriana. Why don't I have the right to know what is going on with my husband?! I am a part of this family now! I will not be treated like a child who needs not know the problems around the household. I'm a grown woman! I can handle obstacles!"
"That is not why I evade answers."
"Then why is it?"
"It's not my information to divulge!" Hector snapped. "Ask your husband! Don't just sit on your arse waiting for him to stroll in so you could scold him like a child. Not like he wouldn't bloody deserve it but for Zeus' sake stop acting like a petulant child!"
"Will you at least please tell me what made Astyanax act up last night?"
"No..."
"Stop acting like I'm stupid! I know it has something to do with that Katriana girl, the stupid little whore..." As soon as the words left her lips, Helen cowered, seeing the anger evident in Hector's eyes. His fists had clenched and she knew that without the self-discipline the man had on himself, he would have very likely hit her.
"You are VERY lucky I don't harm what I've been born to protect..." Hector growled. "But let me hear you say such abominations against Katriana again and you might not quite be as lucky again."
"Is that a threat, my prince?" Helen asked, haughtily.
She had expected for Hector deny it but he just leaned closer to her, his eyes boring into hers. "Yes."
Hector left without another word, leaving Helen to brood in her anger.
Where was she? That was the one thing that Paris was thinking for the 13 hours and 17 minutes that he was awake last night, standing vigil at Katriana's balcony... The one that overlooked the city and where he could spy her coming into the palace. His eyes were red from lack of sleep, he had bags beneath his eyes. Now the sun was up and Paris was stiff and yet he still remained watching, ignoring the deep beating in his heart and the worry that was creeping into it, when he didn't know where Katri was.
Helen had crept into the room, still sulking, and realizing that Paris would be where she didn't want him to be. She saw him at the 'whore's' balcony, probably watching for her return.
"What happened last night?" Helen asked, blatantly to the point.
"I think you know," Paris said, contritely, bowing his head. He was expecting his wife to look for him and knew sooner rather than later she would find him.
"You slept with her? The girl you've always claimed to be your sister and nothing more and nothing less?" Helen asked almost indifferent.
"You still need to ask?"
"I need you to say it."
"Yes... I slept with her."
"Do you love her?" the question made Paris retreat back into the memories of yesterday morning.
"No... No, I don't." He said with a lot less conviction that he had said it with yesterday.
"You don't sound very sure." Helen sneered.
"I am sure..."
"Then why did you sleep with her?"
"Because I couldn't handle the temptation. It was there and I couldn't stop it from happening."
"She led you to her bed?"
"No..."
"She asked you to her bed?"
"No..."
"Everyone in this bloody house acts like I'm stupid!" Helen shrieked. "You love her, don't you!! I can see it in your eyes. You wouldn't be here if you didn't!!"
"I don't love her."
"Liar!" Paris didn't answer anymore. He turned back to the city and just listened to helen's heavy breathing. "Fine! Rot in your silence. I care no more for your lies, but don't you dare invite yourself into my bed again!"
So he stayed in his seat... watching... for someone who wouldn't return...
The month passed. Helen was scorned and wrathful. Acacius was silent. Paris was passionately furious. Andromache, Hector and Astyanax were remarkably amused by Paris' anger. They thought he deserved every piece of misery that he looked like he was in. They wanted to know, though, where she was and Acacius was adamant about keeping his information quiet. The peace had left a sort of tension that was more or less just as bad as before ever since Katriana's disapperance.
Katri had chosen to stay in the Greek camps, finding a friend in Odysseus and Achilles. She was at ease most of the time, except when some of the Myrmidons and the young Patroclus. He never seemed to adhere to either woman, Briseis or Katri, finding them a hindrance to Achilles warrior spirit. Patroclus was never proven more correct than when the first battle after the peace had occurred... and Achilles had planned to leave.
There was chaos in the Myrmidon camps and it was not preparation for battle but for leave.
"Why?! You won't tell me why!" Patroclus yelled as Achilles surveyed the camps' progress.
"You are either going with me or your not." Achilles' answer was simple and quiet to Patroclus' complicated frustration.
"Is it because of Briseis?"
"If I say yes, will you leave me alone and pack?"
"Is it because of Briseis?"
"Yes." Patroclus pursed his lips and stomped off.
"Will he be all right?" Briseis asked, worriedly. She looked back at the soldiers marching at the distance towards Troy and her worry increased ten-fold.
"He'll be fine. He's young. He doesn't understand some things yet," Achilles replied. He took Briseis hand and continued packing while Katri hung in the background and waited for Briseis to have one last goodbye before she left for Greece... which was in several hours... but fate wouldn't have it. It would only result in what could have been a favorable ending so Briseis couldn't leave... So Fate used Hector's fallng blow and Patroclus' need to prove himself to his more established cousin to cease such a happening.
Katri and and Briseis were in the hut, laughing and half-crying at their inevitable separation when Achilles barged in, his eyes mad with fury.
"Achilles! What's wrong?" Briseis asked. She saw his hands, wet with blood but she was confused... He wasn't fighting so who's blood is this?
Achilles couldn't touch her. The moment he had seen Patroclus' dead body being dragged onto the beach, he had come up with a plan. Take Briseis to the walls... kill her at the gates and leave her to bloody Trojans... The moment he saw her though his anger got averted to Katriana. Someone to whom he didn't have real attachment to...
"Achilles!" Katri gasped in pain when Achilles grabbed her arm and literally dragged her to his chariot. His rein fell to her hair, knowing that that grip would prove to be more effective. He ignored her screams to let her go. He ignored Briseis. All he knew was that he was going to have his vengeance against the man that killed his only family left.
"Come..." Achilles ordered.
Katri didn't have much a choice when her tears of pain was pricking her eyes as he pulled at her hair. She couldn't fathom the change between the man so affected by his love for Briseis and this man she saw now, so affected by his grief for Patroclus.
"Let me go," Katri sobbed, holding on to his wrist to keep him from pulling so hard.
Achilles ignored her. He repeatedly screamed the man's name, calling him, taunting him through the thick Trojan walls. It wasn't until heads began to appear at the royal box at the head of the gates.
"Hector! You took something I care about... I think I can take something of yours?" Achilles mocked.
He pushed Katri to her knees than brandished a knife that made a glare in the sun. Then he pushed the sharp edge to Katri's neck...
Dun dun dunnnn... hahaha Angry that it's a cliffhanger? I thought so. Heheheh.. I'll probably rewrite this later to incorporate the line but not right now... I think you guys need an update more than this need to incorporate the line.
Review Responses
Bloomy Angel. Thank you for reading! Luv you for it. And yea... I was waiting for this review. Hahaha I would have been very surprised if you still liked Paris after that last chapter.
Musumegokoro. The thing about her being helpless is that she attracts trouble... like now... hehe.rose-eye-blonde91. It's ALWAYS the cute ones. Don't we ever learn?! I guess not.
Dessdiana. Who they are WILL be revealed. I Promise you!!!
Nevasaiel. THANK YOU! I'm glad that you liked how it flowed. It's hard nowadays, with schooling and all that to bother me so mch. And yea.. hows about YOU update someday soon? taps fingers on the table waiting!!
Yuki. Astyanax! My comedic relief. .grin. gotta love the kid.
Amanda. Wow... you people make me tear in happinesss. Thank you so much. All the compliments make my day. And I really hope you enjoyed this chapter as much.
babyg2988. The wooden sword thing is just my favourite part. I love it. Hahhaha. Probably my favourite scene in the whole story.
Chibi. Haha.. hyooo.. thank goodness for that. I'm a bit paranoid. Thank you for the compliments though.Larrikin. Hahaha... I have glowing replies?! .tear. yay! Oh much about Achilles... hahah the butt scene. I had to refer to it somehow didn't I?
NovemberWind. Updating as fast as I can.
Shells. Yea well but.... Immortal or not... (Not saying that you're right) She does attract trouble doesn't she.Maren L P. Astynax is cool. I love him. And I wish I could say more about his fate right now... but hehehe.