-23-

Blurry eyed Niera watched with languid carelessness as she was placed within a tented area, a thick chain on each wrist. Since her recent exploit she hadn't noticed much, images played through her head repeating themselves endlessly. Somehow what she'd done she'd done before. Terryfing memories haunted her, memories she'd thought she'd buried long ago. She was to caught up in her dreams to pay attention to the real world around her. After all, what was real anymore? Her whole exitence had faded into a series of hazed thoughts, nothing seemed to matter. So sunk in her self-empathy and lacking the will to admit that she'd given up Niera didn't notice when a bent shape entered her prison, it was only when he said her name that she looked up her eyes wide and out of focus.

"Child."

A flicker of recognition passed through the girl's face as she watched the old man, the man who'd started all these strange troubles by proclaiming her a seer.

"Calchus."

She murmured softly, her face hardening as interest began to grow in her. "What do you want?" She asked, her tone louder and more demanding. The old one looked at her for a long time, his rhuemy eyes sharp and conflicting. Finally she answered her.

"Why child? The gods alone know, it may be that they have had their hand in this affair as well."

Niera's glance was confused, she wasn't sure what the man was talking about. She stiffened at the word 'gods' she'd had about enough interference from them.

"The gods have done enough."

She answered grimly. Her hand clutching involuntarily. But deep within, though she might blame Athena's work, she knew that what'd she done, what she'd used, she had used before. The feeling that was now growing even as she spoke was merely awakened, it had always been there. She was beginning to understand Athena's words better now that time had passed, now that she could feel so much more. Glancing sharply once again at Calchus she spoke again, her tone cutting.

"Why are you here?"

As soon as she asked the question she felt something wrong, something stirred, a mood she didn't like. Niera had had bad feelings all her life, most of the time her insticts proved true. Whether about a death in the family or a bad storm, through long years of experience she'd learned to trust herself. This was one of those times. Pulling herself up from her crouched position she repeated her question. Her eyes piercing the old mans.

"The leaders would question you."

Calchus answered gently, his lined face bore an expression Niera couldn't read. Maybe regret, maybe... anger? But not towards her. Turning as quickly as his aged body would the man walked slowly away, while Niera jumped to her feet, straining against the length of her chain. It was then that a small escort of guards entered, their eyes wary as they cautiously approached her. The entire greek army had witnessed her power, once was enough for them. Niera couldn't have used her power if she'd wanted to, not with the weakness that still prevailed in her body as well as mind. She still wondered at the exhaustion that plagued her. She gave no resistance as she was chained against the wood wall of her prison, her arms stretched high over her head. Gazing with strange calmness around her Niera was surprised to see Agamemnon enter, a small dark man following him. She knew she didn't like the look on his face as he entered, the expression was to pleased. Too... expecting.

Achilles strode through the greek encampment, his eyes set hard. He'd heard the wild stories that now circulated uncontrolled around the camp. He also knew where he was heading towards. Just then he stopped in mid-pace, several of his men behind him pausing as well. A high pitched howl rent the air, it's ragged yell cut off abruptly before it came again, rising eerily into the darkening sky. Men nearby shivered, shaking heads as they pulled their cloaks tighter around them. Achilles doubled his pace, nearly running as he pushed past the guards in front of the tent. What met his eyes made him burn with sudden fury. Niera was bound against the wall, as a red hot iron was pressed against the flesh of her forearm. Her mouth worked silently, no longer able to produce the screams that had frightened the soldiers. Achilles saw a dazed look in her eyes as her body relaxed, her mind seeking oblivion rather than facing the pain that haunted it in this world. Anger ran like red blood through Achilles veins as he stood there on the threshold, Agamemnon and several of his men staring with mouths open.

"So this is your way of questioning High King."

He stated, his voice calm and low. Raising his head from where he'd fixed his gaze he drew his sword. Watching in quiet contemplation as the men shrunk back from him, their faces filled with newfound fear.

"Yes, it is fear High King. You recognise it."

Achilles murmured softly, his eyes never leaving his prey.

"Run now... Hide from me."

His voice rose with intensity, and it could have been laughable at the pace Agamemnon dashed from the tent. Fear still beating hard at his heels. Sheathing his sword Achilles stepped forward, his face immovable as he lifted Niera from the wall. Raw burned flesh still sizzled on her arms as he gritted his teeth, carrying her away. It was a full day before Niera opened her eyes again, and even then she was not lucid. In her dreams she was stalked by those memories, blood covered she ran only to go in circles. Lost in a world she couldn't understand. Achilles watched day after day as she struggled against unseen foes, crying foreign names that made little sense. On the third day Niera jolted to life with a yell. Tears streamed unhindered down her face as she cried names in repetition. Immediately Achilles was there, almost without knowing it comforting her.

"Why them?" She pleaded, still sobbing. "Why not me." It took several minutes before she looked around her. Recognising Achilles and remembering. It was always the hard part, remembering. Pain went along with remembering.