5 - Meeting

Still thrashing, despite the closed eyes and clenched in breath, waiting for the dreaded moment Niera felt fear, felt a real helpless fear that was in full measure the twinge she had felt when she saw the Greek ships pulling up at the beaches. In what she was sure was her last moment she opened her eyes, catching sight of the flashing blade that rose from the man opposite her, knowing that in a mere second that blade would end everything she knew, her life. With that last glimpse Niera knew she was going to die, knew with dread certainty as she watched, as if in slow motion, the blade approaching, so slow, moving so slow till with sudden realization Niera jolted back into the fast-moving present. Once again, unbidden words sprang from her throat, with a desperate cry, much like earlier but with force the other had lacked, "NO!" She couldn't die here, not here, not where she didn't belong, where no one knew her, knew her name, knew what she liked, knew her favorite food. With a speed she had not known was in her Niera wrenched free from the hands that were already loosening, so certain were they of the menacing blade, throwing herself side-ways onto the temple-floor she rolled, scrambling to her feet with frantic haste. With a following shout the men were already beginning to follow her, surround her. Was there no escape from them? From that cold metal that so sickened her because of the thought that her own blood would soon be splashed upon them. It would have seemed as not when a voice, cold and sharp rung out... "Stop!" That was all, as if by magic the men practically dropped their weapons. Standing back, their flashing tools lowered.

Almost unknowing a shiver ran through Niera's body, making her crouch herself together, her feet spread wide and defensively on the floor, her fists up in a position of blocking, though the idea of her flesh blocking steel was as ridiculous as she had known to begin with. Her hair scattered wildly around her face, eyes widened not only with her new-found recognition of true-fear but with apprehension, her breathing quickened noticeably, her chest rising and falling at a frantic pace. One of the men stepped forward, bowing with respect that even through her haze of fear Niera noted as being immense, "My Lord." Intoned the man, giving the other leeway. It was then that Niera's eyes flashed to the owner of the voice that had issued the order. What she saw was quite ordinary, for a man, tall with a well-muscled form of a soldier that had had to carry nearly his weight many-a-time, he owned light coloured hair with blue eyes that stood out in the bronze complexioned face of the medditeraen peoples. His face was square, with a large jaw that was set in a way that people always associated with stubbornness, Niera had yet to find out if this was true, his cheekbones were high, nearly as high as her own, standing out prominently in the hard-cut face. The expression there-on was one of frozen complacency, of one who has seen much and does not blink with surprise, one who has seen too much for that.

Looking up, seeing the man Niera knew with sudden certainty that this man was someone she knew, someone she would know upon learning his name. It was mostly the air about the man that convinced her of this. He was so sure of himself that how could others around him not be sure? Any doubt of heroics, bravery, courage, skill or ability on this man was instantly soaked up by the self-confident, almost arrogant air surrounding him. He knew what he was, how could others not? All these thoughts flashed confusedly and randomly through Niera's mind, she realized with a fading sense of sharpness that something like shock was occurring to her. Too much had happened to fast. Troy, Greeks, War, Blood, Bodies.. Words, pictures flashed, and flashed again, wet sand, wet with blood, dark almost black blood spreading in pools that had sustained the life of a man once. Niera's defensive stance was lost as she staggered backwards, reeling as if struck by the chaotic mess of tumbled thoughts and images in her head. It was too much to take, too much at once. This was not happening to her.. Couldn't be... Her... It wasn't possible... Didn't happen... Dreams... And then, darkness.

As the limp form of Niera crashed backwards, falling into a crumpled wreck of limbs on the floor of the temple, not far from the still-warm bodies of priests, the man stepped forward, striding confidently, his face unreadable and set in a way that suggested he had used the mask many times. There was a moment of silence where he looked down on the still body, then with brisk abruptness... "Did you harm her?" To the man that had bowed so deeply who responded with equal quickness, though lacking in the authority somewhat, "No, my lord. We did not." He did not go on to mention the obvious that they would have killed the girl had he not commanded otherwise but his eyes flickered unsteadily and it was evident that he was sure of his master's interest or reaction. "It was not us that caused that." Added the under-man, still with uncertainty. "No?" The question was cool and not really at all a question, there was sarcasm evident in it's tone. "I think so, though not from bronze." The under-man said nothing, bowing his head slightly as if acknowledging the fact. "Take her to my lodging." That was all, no explanation or other words and turning sharply on his heel the man wheeled, stalking out from the temple, not taking a second glance at the prone figure of Niera that was now being hauled up over the back of another man and taken away across the sands towards tents and shifty building that were already being erected, the beach already taken from all Trojan defenders.

center ------------------------------------------------------------- /center

b Reviewers! /b Thank you so much for the encouragement! That really inspires one to put spirit and life into their stories. Thank you! I know it was short chapter but life is still very hectic for me... And this is just where the story-line is getting difficult. There are so many different paths Niera could take on this one and I'm divided on what to do with her, so.... I'm leaving it up to you and whatever you choose I'll make the best of out of the story. So let's take a vote... Do you want Romance for Niera? I didn't originally plan to include romance but this story-line is so diverse it might well fit it, but I warn you if you do choose romance, I have never written romance before so it might be something awkward, keep that in mind. For a second option, how about adventure! There's sure to be that anyway but do we want Niera just to be all hard and cool-adventure-woman type. Or? Something else? Give me your suggestions. Majority of the vote wins. Also! If the vote goes for romance, who do you want the guy to be? Here are three choices, b Achilles, /b (Why do I write that one first?) b Patroclus, /b (More her age really) b Other! /b So... Give me all your thoughts!