Hector.

I was worn.

Hungry.

Tired.

Stiff.

Wet as well.

All I wanted was a bed, food, wine, my wife, and maybe to take a bath with her. Preferably all at once.

When I rode through the city on horse every last muscle in my body ached, my back felt twisted up, and I swear my armor was frozen. However when I spotted my wife between my father and brother, then spotted the glare she sent me I knew she was in a foul mood.

One brought on by my brother. I knew that look on any woman's face at any hour on any day.

Father stepped toward me as I climbed the steps quickly. To greet father first, though I wanted to see my wife and my wife alone. First.

Priam took my face in his hand and kissed my forehead.

I stood up and told my father in a low voice, "I am too tired to sit through a council meeting. I want to spend what is left of my night with Andromache, not priests."

Father nodded, "I understand. Make sure you see me first light."

For the first time in my adult life I argued, "Noon."

Father lifted his white eyebrows, "Noon?"

"Noon," I told him again.

Father nodded, "Very well. But only because she is pregnant. When the child is born I expect things to go back to normal."

I didn't answer him.

Instead I walked around him and to my wife. My beautiful wife. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her close. I buried my face in he tousled hair and clung to her. Smelling a faint smell of flowers on her skin. Feeling the soft fabric of her robe. She clung to me just as tightly. She kissed my wet neck and whispered in my ear.

I only heard her voice, not a word.

A hand touched my arm.

After a moment I lifted my head and saw a man I knew. Just as my father had his advisors and priests. I had an advisor as well Cornelius. I nodded to him. When Andromache saw him she sagged against me, whispering, "I don't want to sleep alone anymore."

I took her face in my hands and put my forehead to hers. If I kissed her I would not be able to stop.

"Love. I will not be longer then a hour."

She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Do you remember what you did the first time I came home from war?"

She nodded, "Yes….do you want stew or lamb then."

"Both," I pleaded.

She took my face in her hands and stood on her toes, then kissed my forehead, "Hurry up."

That would not be a problem.

I let go of her and watched her walk back into the palace. Then I watched Paris run after her. Cornelius took my arm before I could yell after my brother, he drug me into the first empty room he found.

Desperate.

Which drew my attention completely.

Cornelius shut the door to the room that overlooked the city and entrance to the palace. A useless room just for entertaining guests that were not allowed within the palace.

A room Paris used quite often to entertain women.

"What's wrong, Cornelius?" I asked my trusted friend. Who nervously ran a hand through his short unruly dark hair. His clear blue eyes were everywhere but mine as he spoke, "It's Achilles."

That vanquished any part of my mind that was not directed at him.

He had my complete attention.

"What about Achilles?"

Cornelius looked upwards towards the Gods, "He's pillaged Thebe."

The words hit me harder then I had ever been hit in my life. I felt sick. My ears rung. For a moment I thought I would vomit from the sheer heat that overtook my body. Fear.

"The King and his family?" I could not draw myself to say their names. My mind had forgotten them or simply would not work.

Cornelius ground his teeth and met my eyes, "He pillaged the entire city."

My eyes burnt and began to water. Even my body trembled beneath the armor.

My friend watched me with tears in his eyes.

It took a moment for my mouth to work. For me to ask, "Her brothers?"

The word was hardly whispered but it sounded as if it were screamed in my ears.

"Everyone."

Everyone. Her entire family was gone. Dead. Wiped from the face of the Earth by one single man. The hatred I felt for that man at that moment could not have even been summoned up with words. Such hate could never be explained.

"Who knows," I asked.

Cornelius wiped his face, he and his wife had joined Andromache and I many nights for dinner, many days in the market, we shared many happy times together. He actually felt grief over the news. He also had a dozen children , which may have gotten to him. I didn't know. I just listened to him, "I received the letter from the spies. Priam should receive his letter tomorrow or the next day."

"Let me tell her first. Burn your letter."

Cornelius nodded, then told me, "I have to go see my children."

I understood, "Go."

Cornelius patted my shoulder and left. He closed the door behind him.

In that moment I hated the man known as Achilles more then I had ever hated anyone in my entire life. The sheer hate over took me and I screamed. I screamed as loud as I could. The scream came from my soul, from my hate, my anger and pain.

I grabbed the first thing I could and threw it hard as possible!

An ivory vase smashed into a million pieces against the wall across the room.

Still. Still I felt everything. I wanted to destroy everything in that room. I wanted to destroy that man. If not for that man I would not have to tell my wife her entire family was gone. I would not have to break her heart.

The thought of kidnapping her, taking her away on my ship forever crossed my mind. Then I would never have to tell her for as long as we lived.

I left the room.

How I hated that room now.

I slammed the door behind me as hard as I could and heard something break, I didn't turn back, I didn't care.

Not a soul was in the hall that had been busy before.

It appeared deserted.

I knew better.

My mood was not the best. I suppose it was evident as I did not run into a single soul on my way to my chambers, where my wife waited for me.