Hello everyone! I'm back again. Hope everyone is enjoying the story thus far. There will be an introduction of new characters so, I hope you enjoy. Please leave reviews! Thanks again. Constructive criticism is welcomed but any negativity will not be tolerated. Again, some parts of the story may not be historically correct. Please don't take it too seriously. Thanks again
Merina stood in the mirror before her. She looked at her reflection in the tall piece of glass. It was a peplum dress made of silk. It had to be expensive, Merina thought. Even in her homeland, silk was expensive. Her hair was braided back into a tight bun. She left two curls out on each side of her face. She wore brown leather sandals. The dress had a golden trim at the bottom. At the top, there was a golden string that made the dress tighter if Merina wanted to do so. Merina inhaled and exhaled. She jumped when she heard a knock at the door.
"Enter." Merina said. The door slowly opened. In popped a familiar face.
"I see you're almost ready." Achilles said entering the room. He stopped for a second and stared at Merina. "Woah. You look so…" Achilles blushed a little bit.
"So, what?" Merina said adjusting the string on her dress.
"So, Greek." Achilles replied. "You look like you belong here more and more every day." Merina faced Achilles. He was wearing a white chiton. There was a dark brown rope that tied the chiton together, so it would fit Achilles's body better. Achilles wore his usual orange scarf. He tied it around his abdomen twice to get it to stay on. The trim of his chiton was brown. Achilles too wore brown leather sandals that went up to his calves. Merina noticed Achilles had something in his hands. Achilles extended it to Merina.
"What is it?" Merina asked.
"It's a shawl. It's my mothers. I figured I'd let you wear it. We will be traveling through the night so, I don't want you to be cold." Merina took the shawl from Achilles's hands. When she unfolded the shawl, she gasped at the diamonds sewn into it. It was gold and glimmered in the candle light.
"Achilles, I can't wear your mothers' belongings. That is too much."
"It's ok. She wouldn't mind. Here." Achilles took the shawl from Merina and opened it. He placed it on Merina's head then wrapped her in it. Achilles cocked his head to the side while closing one eye. He smirked. "See, it fits you perfectly Mimi." Merina cringed.
"I already told you, my name is Merina." Achilles laughed.
"Yea, yea. Are you ready to depart?" Merina nodded her head yes. That evening was the evening of Patroclus's family feast. Merina was excited yet nervous. She had no clue what to expect or who should would meet that evening. Merina and Achilles exited his home. At the sound of his whistle, a lighting bolt appeared in the sky. From the heavens flew his three beloved horses. When the horses parked themselves and the chariot in front of Merina and Achilles, one horse gave Merina the death stare.
"Nice to see you again Balius." Merina said hesitant to touch the black horse.
"Come on now Balius, be nice for once." Achilles said petting his horse. Balius stomped his feet. "Ok. I'll take that as a no." Achilles hopped on his chariot extending his arm to help Merina on.
"I'm thinking it will be faster if we flew, right, Mimi?" Merina rolled her eyes.
"For the seventh hundred-time Achilles. My name is Merina. M-E-R-I-N-A. Merina." Achilles laughed.
"Whatever you say, Mimi." Achilles took the horses tassel. "You better hold on tight." Merina nodded her head. She wrapped her arms around Achilles's waist. He looked down at her.
"I kind of like you holding me that tight." He winked.
"Shut up and go." Merina demanded.
"As you wish." Achilles whipped the tassel and the 3 horses started running slowly but, then picked up their pace. It wasn't long until Achilles and Merina were in the sky. Merina looked down at the ground. She admired the lights from the houses below her. Soon enough, the duo flew over Phthia city. The view of Phthia above was magnificent. It was like looking at something from a story book. Merina couldn't help but smile to herself. She looked up at Achilles. He looked so noble and so confident steering his chariot. Merina had to admit, he was someone to admire.
Achilles parked his chariot in front of the gates to Patroclus's family home. He petted each of his horses and thanked them for getting him and Merina there safely. He promised to bring them scraps from dinner. Before entering the gates, Achilles gave each horse two carrots. Merina looked at the tall silver gate before her. She didn't see a house.
"Where is the house?" Merina asked slightly confused. She adjusted Achilles's mother shawl when a cool breeze passed by.
"It's up there." Achilles said pointing up the mountain. Merina's mouth dropped.
"Why would you park your chariot here then?" Merina questioned. Achilles disregarded Merina's question and approached the gate. Merina followed behind him. Two guards appeared from the shadows. Both wore bronze armor. You couldn't see their face due to the darkness.
"What business do you have here?" One guard asked.
"I am Achilles. Son of Peleus and Thetis. I am here to see my friend, Patroclus. I have brought a guest." Merina jumped as the guard's eyes turned a bright red. There was a pause. Achilles and Merina waited patiently. The two guards kneeled to Achilles.
"Sir. You may enter." Both guards said at the same time. As the gates opened, a golden chariot manifested from the air. One of the guards sat in the driver's seat while the other guard opened the door for Achilles and Merina. Achilles entered the chariot first hoisting Merina up the high step. The door closed behind the two and soon enough, the chariot started moving.
"What are they?" Merina asked Achilles.
"They're homunculi created by the Gods. You see, Patroclus's father is Menoetius, A second generation titan. So, the homunculi guard the gate to protect him and his family." Achilles responded.
"What's a titan?" Merina was confused. She didn't understand.
"Man, you need to read up on your Greek history. The titans are the deities of Greece that preceded the Olympians." Merina stared at Achilles dumfounded. "Ok, let me explain it this way. The titans are the first generation of divine beings. I could go all the way back to the beginning but, that will take up too much time. The Olympians are the deities that live on Mount Olympus. There is twelve of them. Zeus is the king of the Gods and ruler of Mount Olympus. Hera is the queen of the Gods and the goddess of marriage, women, childbirth and family. Poseidon is the God of the sea's, storms and hurricanes. Demeter is the Goddess of the harvest and agriculture. Athena is the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge. Apollo is the God of light and prophecy. Diana is the Goddess of the hunt, wilderness and virginity. Ares is the God of violence and bloodshed. Aphrodite is the Goddess of love and beauty. Hephaestus is the God of craftsmanship and invention. Hermes is the messenger of the Gods." As Achilles named each God and Goddess, Merina tried to figure out which Goddess appeared in her dreams many nights before. None of them seemed to match with any of Achilles's descriptions. Achilles continued. "All of the titans were born from Uranus and Gaia, the very first deities of Greece. Out of the titans, some of the titans had children with each other creating the Olympians. Lapetus, who was Menoetius's father, is Uranus's and Gaia's son. Lapetus is one of the titans that preceded the Olympians, hence making Menoetius a second-generation titan. I should have a lesson with you one day about this in further detail. I could be the professor and you could be my naughty student." Achilles finished wrapping his arm around Merina's neck.
"I understand now clearly and thank you but, I'll pass." Merina said removing Achilles's arm from around her neck. Achilles sighed in disappointment.
"On the good note, we're almost there. Look." Achilles pointed out of the chariot's window. Merina's mouth dropped. She saw water fountains with statues of the titans. Each statue had water flowing from it into a lavish pool. Behind the statues, there was a huge white mansion. She could see people walking into the mansion. They were dressed in their finest apparel. Merina stared at the white pillars and the lights. She smiled. It looked like a home fitting for a second-generation titan. The chariot soon came to a stop. The guard opened the door and helped Merina out of the chariot. Achilles followed behind her. He extended his arm to Merina. Merina looked up at Achilles. In her country, if a woman and a man were seen together holding each other hand in hand or arm by arm, that meant they were together. She couldn't determine if Achilles was just being a gentleman or if he was being his usual flirtatious self. Merina decided to take Achilles's arm. The two walked towards the entrance of the lavish mansion. As Merina and Achilles climbed the stairs, the servants dressed in long white chitons bowed to Merina and Achilles. Achilles whispered in Merina's ear.
"There might be a God or Goddess here tonight."
"How will I know?"
"They each wear a head chain with a stone in the center of it. If you happen to come across one, remember to bow down first and don't make eye contact until they tell you to do so. It's just a respect thing. Some people here are also rich aristocrats and businessmen, so try not to get too overwhelmed." Merina thought it was just a family affair. She didn't think it was a whole gala.
"I think I'll be ok." Merina said passing a group of women who stared her down. They were dressed in their finest apparel. Each of them had long black hair tied back into a ponytail or a braided bun. Merina heard one of them say:
"Who's that with Achilles?"
"I have no idea." A woman in a white and gold peplos dress responded.
"Do you think it's his girlfriend?" The woman in a blue tubular dress added.
"I have no idea. Last I heard, Achilles was single." The woman in the pink tubular dress replied.
"Is she Greek?" The woman in the blue tubular dressed asked.
"It doesn't look like she is. He must've gotten him a foreign concubine." The three women started to laugh. Merina noticed everyone was looking at them.
"They're staring." Merina said.
"Yes. Of course." Achilles turned to face Merina. The two had just entered the gathering hall. The doors to the banquet room wasn't open yet. Most of the guest were waiting in the gathering hall. Achilles took Merina's shawl off her head and wrapped it around her abdomen gently. Merina blushed. Now everyone would think that Merina and Achilles had something going on when that wasn't the case. "Now, let's give them more of a reason to talk." Achilles said winking. Merina heard everyone break into whispers. Soon enough, she saw a familiar face.
"Merina! Achilles!" Patroclus called out to the duo.
"Why hello, my friend!" Achilles responded giving his dearest friend a big hug. Merina watched. Patroclus redirected his attention to Merina.
"Don't think you'll be left out too. Come here." Patroclus said hugging Merina and kissing Merina on each cheek. Merina grew flustered. Achilles saw the redness in her cheeks.
"I take it in Egypt that's not how you say hello?" Achilles asked.
"No. We usually bow. Only close family members hug." Merina replied.
"Well, welcome to the family." Patroclus said. Merina smiled. "You look beautiful. Like a Grecian Goddess who resides on Mount Olympus."
"Thank you. You look dashing." Merina replied. Patroclus's black hair was pulled back which brought out the deepness of his blue eyes more. He wore a short chiton that had blue and gold trim at the bottom along with a blue and gold sash around his abdomen. He wore golden bangles on each arm with golden sandals.
"Hey, you never complimented me." Achilles whined. Merina thought Achilles always looked handsome. Whether he wore his armor or a chiton, Achilles was a very dashing man.
"Mate, I have something to tell you." Patroclus began.
"What?" Achilles began. "Is the food almost finished being prepared? I'm quite famished. I didn't eat all day."
"No. It's not that." Patroclus laughed nervously.
"Well, what is it? Spit it out."
"Um. You see. My father. He took it upon himself to invite Lycomedes and his court." Achilles's eyes widened.
"Oh really?" Achilles was looking Patroclus in his eyes.
"Sorry. I had no idea that my father would do that. The good thing is, you get to see Neoptolemus a bit earlier." Patroclus said patting Achilles's shoulder.
"Don't get me wrong, I fancy Neoptolemus, it's just his mother and grandfather I'm not too fond of." Merina looked at Achilles again in confusion.
"Who is Neoptolemus?" She asked innocently. Achilles laughed nervously.
"Well…" Achilles began. Patroclus wrapped a muscular arm around his friends' neck.
"You see, my pal here, Achilles, has a hard time keeping 'him' to himself." Patroclus said pointing to Achilles's genital region. "So, since Achilles has no control over tiny Achilles downstairs, he produced a child with one of the princesses of Skyros." Merina's mouth dropped. She placed a hand over her mouth in shock.
"Oh, my." Was the only response she could think of.
"If you must know, tiny Achilles is not tiny. He probably could put 'tiny Patroclus' to shame." Achilles clapped back. Patroclus laughed out loud.
"Mhm. Sure." Patroclus looked to his right. "Speaking of the devil." He said. Achilles and Merina faced the direction Patroclus was looking in. Achilles's face lit up.
"Father!" A young boy yelled running in Achilles's direction. Achilles kneeled to match his son's height. The boy jumped into his fathers' arms. He resembled Achilles. He had Achilles's golden eyes and his smile. He had brown hair and freckles. His hair was long and neatly braided. He wore a white chiton with a similar orange scarf to Achilles's that was wrapped around his abdomen. He was missing a front tooth. Merina thought he was adorable. Her heart melted when she saw him.
"My boy, how have you been?" Achilles asked Neoptolemus while patting his head.
"Good! I've missed you father! How was Sparta? Mother says one day we will visit Sparta for vacation. I read your letters. Sparta sounds wonderful!" The boy had so much enthusiasm.
"It was pleasant." Achilles replied.
"Since I'm here in Phthia, you don't have to come to Skyros next week! Can I come home with you? Can I? Can I?" Neoptolemus jumped up and down.
"Of course. Where is your mother?" Achilles asked his son.
"She's talking to some old people. I forget their names." Neoptolemus asked. Merina leaned over to Patroclus.
"How old is he?" Merina asked.
"Who? Neoptolemus?" Patroclus replied. Merina nodded her head yes. "He's 7 years old.
"How old is Achilles?" Merina added.
"He's 22 years of age." Patroclus responded. Merina did the math.
"By ra, he had this child at the age of 15?! He was still a child himself." Merina said placing her hand over her mouth again.
"Same thing I said. Like I said, anything with a pretty face, breast and ass, Achilles has a hard time keeping his hands off." Patroclus added.
"I see." Merina shook her head. Achilles brought his son over to Merina. The boy was looking up at her with his huge golden eyes. She smiled at him.
"Neo, this is my new friend, Merina. She's from Egypt and she is staying with me for a while." Achilles told his son. The boy scanned Merina up and down.
"She's one of your new mistresses, isn't she?" Merina and Patroclus's eyes widened at Neoptolemus's words. Achilles looked down at his son giving him a death glare. "What? That's what mother says all the time. She says you have trouble staying with one woman."
"That's exactly why I'm not with your mother. She talks way too much." Achilles said under his breath loud enough for Patroclus and Merina to hear. Merina leveled herself with the boy.
"It's nice to meet you Neoptolemus." Merina offered her hand to the boy.
"How old are you?" He asked.
"Neo!" Achilles exclaimed. Merina nodded that the boy was fine.
"I'm 21." She replied.
"Really?" He asked again.
"Yes." She replied once more.
"You look older. Like 50 something." Merina went to pull Neoptolemus by his ear but, Patroclus stopped her.
"The nerve of that little boy. He's no doubt your son Achilles." Merina said agitated. Just then, A woman tapped Achilles on his shoulder. She had long brown hair that was braided into two side buns. She wore a long purple tubular dress and a white sash wrapped around her abdomen. She was wearing golden bracelets and golden sandals. Her ears were pierced with diamonds. She had blue eyes and freckles across her cheeks. She had a well-defined nose and a round face. Her skin was very fair. Achilles turned around to face the woman.
"Long time no see, Deidamia."
"Yes. It has been a while, Achilles." She said sternly. Neoptolemus ran to his mother and held her by the legs.
"Daddy has a new concubine!" He yelled.
"Neo!" Achilles yelled at his son.
"I am not his concubine!" Merina yelled in her defense. Patroclus laughed. Deidamia scanned Merina up and down.
"A foreign concubine, I see." Deidamia responded. Merina looked at Achilles.
"Now, now. She is not my concubine. There is no need to be rude now." Achilles said trying to defuse the situation.
"Whatever you say, Achilles. We will chat later. Come Neo. The doors to the dinning hall will open up soon."
"Yes mother. See you later father, Mr. Patroclus, and old lady." Merina bit her lip trying to refrain from strangling the child. Achilles looked at Merina.
"Please forgive me. Neo is a bit outspoken sometimes." Merina looked up at Achilles.
"I hope this feast has wine. LOTS of wine." Patroclus continued to laugh. His friend Achilles was an amazing fighter; one of Greece's best, but, he was quite dysfunctional.
Highly dysfunctional.