Hector.
To say she was surprised was putting it a tad light.
After I made my way through the building, which appeared to be coming down around us, I screamed at one of the guards to take Briseis home. My niece did not need to be around such vile activity.
I ignored Padme, I would deal with her later. First I had to find my wife and be sure she was safe, that no one laid a hand on her in the house of horrors.
Only trusted guards followed me through the building.
When I came to the room that Andromache and some old hag were in my wife looked at me with surprise across her perfect face, "Hector? What is wrong?"
I had had every intention of keeping my temper.
I had perfectly good intentions.
Truly.
Until I opened my mouth, "Do you have any idea what kind of shop you're in! Have you any idea what manner of horrors are committed in this house! Are you mad! What would possess you to even step foot in this part of Troy!"
The old hag ran past me as I walked in the room, I screamed after her, "You had best run! When this storm passes I will see that this shack is closed and everyone here is punished!"
Andromache came over to me covered in a cloak from the stables. The Stables! Which quite possibly angered me even more.
She placed her hand on my chest, "Hector, calm down. What is wrong? Please stop screaming."
"I am not screaming!" I cried, then spotted something in her hand , which I took from her.
Leaves.
Tea leaves.
"What are these," I demanded.
She lifted her eyebrows, "Tea. Why are you not in council with Priam?"
Tea?
Well I would not have my wife drink tea from this place, I threw the bottle and she screamed at me, "Hector! What's wrong? Will you calm down?"
I stepped out of the way, away from her hand, I didn't want her to calm me down. I looked around the room full of jars. Then back to my wife, "Do you have any idea what they sell here! What that….woman does?"
Andromache spat angrily back at me, "Its a herbalist. Do you have any idea how much I paid for those leaves?"
My temper only grew.
Again I began to scream, "PAY! You Paid That Woman! That woman stops the pregnancies of women!"
My wife paled.
It looked as if someone had slapped her, instinctively her hand went to her womb, when she realized she dropped it. Stepping back she looked around the room in horror, her voice came out thin, "No."
I stood still and watched as it dawned on her what happened in the rooms, the stench, even why it was in such an area.
In a lower but just as angry voice I growled, "How Did You Find Out About This Place? Who Brought You Here?"
Her hand covered her mouth as tears filled her eyes. Softly she whispered, "Padme."
Without a second thought I told her, "I want that woman out of our chambers. Now. Today. I don't want to see her again. I don't want to see you anywhere near here ever again. Where is Tarus?"
Andromache wiped her tears away, I couldn't see past the anger. A part deep down wanted to go to her and hold her. Stroke her hair and kiss her, assure her I wasn't angry. But then I looked around and saw the place she had brought our child to. The danger she had put them both in unintentionally.
"I don't know, I lost him in the crowd," she whispered.
Before I thought over my word it was out, "Intentionally?"
Relief filled me when she shook her head, "No."
At that I screamed for two of my most trusted guards, they came in the room, looks of distaste on their faces. I told them, "Take my wife home. Do not leave her side until I tell you."
They both nodded and then I asked, "Where is the maid, Padme?"
One shrugged, the other jerked his head, "Ovira has her."
I walked past my wife and told her, "Go home." Her tear filled eyes broke my heart but I looked to the men and knew they would protect her no matter what, she would be safe in their hands.
Without another look at my wife, or I would have gone to her and comforted her and held her, I would have broken down. Instead I stormed down the hall to go scream at her hand servent. I stormed past the rooms. I knew what was inside of them, I didn't even look.
When I walked out into the shop I spotted Ovira and Padme, at the sight of me Ovira straightened up. Padme looked at me and fear crossed her face.
I walked right up to her, Ovira wisely stepped aside to give us some privacy.
I knew better then to scream at the woman with my wife in the same building. Instead I spoke to her in a low, controlled, very angry voice. "If you ever endanger Andromache again. If you ever bring her to the house, this area of Troy, or to an old hag who does this manner of work. I will kill you. The fact you are my wife's friend means absolutely nothing to me. Is that understood?"
Padme nodded with wide eyes.
I then added, "You are to have no interaction with my niece again, if I catch you around her I'll pack you in a chest and have you sent to Greece. Understood?"
She swallowed and nodded.
After that Padme never looked at me the same way again.
