7 - A conversation
As three pairs of eyes turned towards her Niera felt nothing but rage. Heedless to all else she continued recklessly, "Oh, yes. That's right, it can talk. You bloody well better believe it can!" Then realising that if she let herself go too much more she'd end up screaming and shouting, a fact that did absolutley nothing for her diginity or for the situation at hand, she shut up, making herself be satisfied with sending murderous looks on the three and especially at the 'warrior.' The silence after her dialogue was held for a good few moments before a sudden ringing laughter from the young man was heard, still laughing with a surprised look on his face he turned towards Achilles. "What have you got here Achilles?" There was another pause as the young man's laughter quieted. Looking at Niera with a unconcerned expression mingled with slight surprise Achilles responded, "I don't know Patroclus. Why don't you tell us?" This last bit was directed at Niera with a cold gaze. "You want to know my name?" She answered with a tiny twitch to her mouth, her eyes steel ice. "I am Niera, and you remember that name because I tell you now that if you do not let me free you will regret it till your last hour." She said the words casually, without the intensity that might have been expected at the content of them but in her face there was no mistaking the sincerity of what she thought her words to be. During her discourse both Patroclus and Achilles had been examining her closley and as she closed her mouth the latter spoke, "Where do you come from? Your clothes, speech they are foriegn. You are not a Trojan." Once again ruffled at her loud statement being brushed aside without notice Niera clamped her teeth together, her face settling into what she would have called an 'un-readable' mask, others might have called it a look of murder. During this time the older soldier, who had glanced at Niera un-easily at her outburst concerning Apollo gave a muttered statement to Achilles and with a dip of his hand lifted the flap back and was gone into the growing dark.
After a moment of her silence Achilles turned, taking another swallow from his goblet, apparently Niera was once again dismissed from all notice. Patroclus, with another curious glance at her, also turned, following Achilles over to one of the chests where he sat his hair swinging forward to cover his face, his hands idly fingering the belted dagger at his side. "Ill-wishes aside..." Here he took another almost amused look at Niera, "Apollo's anger is not a thing to be stirred, you know this. Do you think yourself like unto the gods?" There was a stony wall of silence from Achilles who turned his back, his hand still grasping the goblet. Quiet hung over the tent for some time before Patroclus stood abruptly, his face now creased in a frown. Seeing the motion Achilles turned back to him his face calm, "Enough Patroclus. We will speak later." That was all and with another hard stare from each other Patroclus turned and following the older soldier's manner ducked out of the tent and strode away. Niera crouched where she was, her head now filled with various thoughts, names, she was still trying to sort it all out and in the period of time that followed she was busy organizing what she knew into some semblance of sense, which even then didn't fit together all the way, she recognised the name Patroclus and placed it for Achille's friend that got killed, but who's to say he really did die. Biting back the urge to grind her teeth, a bad habit, Niera was leaning forward her face a frowning mask of concern and frustration. "You still do not know where you are from?" The words and sarcasm in the tone brought Niera jolting back to the present and lifting her eyes she felt a glare grow on her face, a glare that quickly turned to a look of embarassment. Achilles, during her moments of deep thought had thrown back his tunic and was now shruging a robe over his naked body. Quickly averting her eyes Niera's rage was growing by the moment, Self concieted pig! Getting undressed in front of me, sick... The thought trailed off as the shadow of the man stood over her, fighting the impulse to scoot backwards and away. The flash of metal catching her eyes she watched, tauntly, as he brought the blade through the ropes that held her feet making her able to draw herself up better.
"Sleep." He stated firmly as he moved over to the pile of furs in the opposite corner, stretching himself out over them. With an unbelieving stare after him Niera flexed her feet, moving them until they felt right. Edging into a more comfortable position she threw a dark glance at the body in the corner, "So now, what's to stop me from escaping while your asleep." A head lifted briefly, blue eyes meeting her own in the dark of the tent, "The guards positioned outside." With another disgusted glare Niera laid backwards, fumbling for a comfortable position in the sand, and hands both bound behind you are by no means a comfortable position no matter how you look at it. How am I supposed to sleep when I'm starving. Was the last thought that entered her head before she dozed off, her body overcome from the tremondous strain of the day. As her body relaxed and her breathing resumed an even steady pace Achilles remained awake in the dark, many thoughts circling through his head. The day's battle was still replaying but a part that stood out was very interesting to him, when he had entered the temple to see a small figure standing alone, feet braced in an aggresive stance that might have looked comical except for the fact that the girl looked as though she had done it before. There was a vibriant glow to the girl that caught your attention, she was... alive. That was the only word that could describe her, she did not merely exist, she lived. A sudden noise from the other corner caught his notice as his head snapped in that direction. Niera had abandoned her peaceful sleep and was no thrashing, violently on the floor, whispers and moans escaping from her. Achilles, with sllight caution rose from his bed his face interested and intent. Niera was talking in her sleep.
:::: Okay.. Here's the vote tally! Patroclus (3) Achilles (3) Other (0) So it's at a tie between the two cousins.. Just a few more votes and I'm sticking with it. Thanks to reviewers.