14 - Strange thoughts

Niera had been a captive in the Greek camp for two days. Most of that time was spent crouched up in her corner of Achilles tent brooding restlessly on some wild plan of escape which was never thoroughly worked out. Most likely due to the fact that the idea itself was proving to be very difficult to scheme. Well... Impossible might have been a better word. Pouring rivulets of sand from one hand to the other Niera was a picture of woe. Her dark curls were springing rebelliously around her head, forming a sort of halo, her face carried smudges of dirt here and there and large dark bruises were evident on her arms. Niera was just heaving a sigh while flopping disgustedly backwards when Achilles shadow darkened the sunlight from above her. Without opening her eyes Niera intoned dolefully,

"Come to hammer information out of me?"

Achilles glanced almost unbelievingly at Niera. How was it that everything that came from her mouth was so full of cunning and sharpness? Opening one eye lazily Niera examined the Greek warrior, trying to judge a reaction out of him.

"Why is it that you will not speak?"

Was the abrupt question in return. Achilles own ice-coloured eyes boring into Niera with intensity. Niera smiled slowly, her mouth upturning. With a start of surprise Achilles realised it was the first time he had seen her smile, her odd face curling sarcastically, it was no wonder at the words that came from her with that sort of smile, that mouth was made for wit. A low husky chuckle broke from Niera's throat as she answered,

"I'm speaking aren't I?"

Still laughing bitterly Niera turned her face away from Achilles. Inside seething. What was it that made her grow so full of wrath whenever she talked to this man! He was so bloody annoying! It didn't matter if he was being sincere or not. Niera shook her head quickly, better him annoying her than frightening her. As much as she hated to admit it he had done so terribly during his last confrontal on herself. He had seemed so.. cold, ruthless, like he would do anything to get what he wanted out of her. Niera held back a tremour as she willfully brought to bear her overpowering anger that so well sustained her. Achilles cocked his head interestedly, looking at Niera with observing eyes. She was so strange! He had never met someone like her before, she was almost unwomanly in her conduct, she had fought with unnatural familiarity when he had first witnessed her, and her retorts and speech were so bold and cutting that is astounded him. Achilles bowed his head after awhile, still trying to think how to get the girl to speak. He could go ahead with his first instinct, treating the girl like he would any other prisoner of war, getting what information he needed by force, but with Niera... The thought was repulsive to him as much as hardened himself. As a random thought struck him he asked suddenly,

"How old are you?"

Niera's neck stiffened with surprise. What had caused him to ask that? He was so unpredictable. Her face crinkling in a puzzled frown she looked back at him, answering, though she didn't even know why.

"Almost sixteen."

She replied slowly, wondering herself at how confused and fast time had become since her arrival in this alien world. Achilles nodded to himself, almost surprised that Niera had answered him. She was young though plenty old enough to be married and have a family of her own, in fact most girls were married by her age. Achilles absently wondered why Niera was not. But then... Who was she? That same question teased and tugged with ferocity in Achilles head. If Niera could indeed foretell she would be a valuable asset to the Achaean army, there was no questioning that, but even beyond on that now Achilles wondered about Niera herself. Who she was, where she had lived. Brushing back a sigh of frustration at his inability to find a way to make Niera talk Achilles stared restlessly. He had wanted to be joined in battle with the Trojans by now, waiting was worse than anything, however Agamemnon (who was commanding a large section of the assembled army) was convinced of the importance of sorcery on his side of the battle and had left to Achilles to get what he could out Niera. A motion from Niera caught his attention. Pushing herself up into a sitting position Niera suddenly asked what had been on her mind for the past day.

"Can I go outside?"

She hated herself for finally asking, it sounded so like a child asking his Mother but there was really no help for it. Niera hated being cooped up indoors, the last two days of being without open air had bothered her horridly driving her at last to ask Achilles. Achilles, looking surprised, considered before replying,

"No more than 100 paces away from this tent or my men will be after you and they need not be gentle when they catch you."

Niera breathed a sigh of relief even though she was irritated at the last bit of Achilles statement. Leaping up and pushing back the flap on the tent she welcomed the rays of sun that immersed themselves in her skin. The guards outside the tent and the men camped nearby regarded her with curious eyes, not altogether to Niera's liking. Pointedly ignoring them Niera stepped forward, towards the booming surf of the sea that was rolling up in rhythmic waves. Even in her current predicament Niera felt a rush of joy at just being outside and being free, for the moment. Drinking in the dusky salt smell Niera walked down along the surf, her ragged jeans and loose tunic getting soaked with the spray of the water which Niera almost welcomed, she was getting rather anxious about the condition of her dirty clothes. She did not notice Achilles who had followed her out of the tent and was now watching her with an odd expression. With a sudden laugh of delight and completely forgetting her surroundings, Niera flung her her body forward into the waves, diving outward into the deeper parts of the water. Niera loved water and loved to swim but to Achilles and his men the sight of a girl rushing forward into the water was a very outlandish one and with a start Achilles moved forward thinking to stop the girl from a watery death, however, he stopped his motion when he realised the girl was swimming as agile as a dolphin, diving in and out of the water, her wet hair flinging joyously about her shoulders. Watching her for yet another moment, his eyes suddenly soft, Achilles made a motion to his men to watch Niera and with a quick shake of his head turned away, walking restlessly. His thoughts troubled.

: Sorry for keeping you all waiting. To make up for it I've started the bonding between Achilles and Niera, well, at this point it's more Achilles falling for Niera.. but.. Anyway, you see what I mean. Give me some reviews! I'm getting lonely reading nothing about my hard work :