***I'm back with an update. Sorry it's been so long. I've been busy. Life gets you when it gets you. Please enjoy and leave reviews. Thanks***
"What's with her?" Patroclus asked Achilles. His voice was in a whisper.
"We got into it yesterday morning." Achilles replied. Patroclus was interested.
"About?" Achilles sighed.
"I invited some women home from the next town over."
"While Neo was there?" Achilles hesitated to respond.
"Yes. While he was there. He didn't see anything."
"Besides the point mate. Your son was there. He shouldn't see you parading women around. I can understand why Merina is upset."
"Yea, yea."
"Did you apologize?" Patroclus asked.
"Eh." Achilles clenched his teeth. Patroclus folded his arms across his chest.
"Eh what?"
"I also made a comment." Achilles added.
"Such as?"
"I told her the only reason why I brought women home was because well, she wouldn't put out."
"What the hell? Achilles."
"I know. I messed up."
"Yes. You did." Achilles, Patroclus, Neoptolemus and Merina were being escorted in one of Achilles's elaborate chariots. They were on their way to see Peleus, Achilles's father and Neoptolemus's grandfather. Neoptolemus was to set sail home to Skyros in 5 days. After sailing to Skyros, Achilles, Merina, Menilos and Patroclus would set sail to Sparta then to Egypt. Merina sat on the opposite side of the chariot. Her eyes were closed. You could tell she had a scowl on her face. Neoptolemus was fast asleep with his head in Merina's lap. Patroclus unfolded his arms.
"Apologize."
Achilles sighed. "Fine." Achilles made his way over to Merina's side of the chariot. He looked at Patroclus. Patroclus nodded his head. Achilles tapped Merina's shoulder. Her golden eyes opened.
"What Achilles?" She asked.
"I wanted to apologize. For what I said. I didn't mean it. Really." Merina turned to face Achilles.
"You're forg-." BOOM! The chariot suddenly stopped. The sudden stop caused Merina to slide into Achilles. Achilles grabbed Merina and the now awake Neoptolemus. Patroclus caught himself before he hit the chariot floor.
"What was that father?" Neoptolemus asked. Achilles and Patroclus exited the chariot to see what happened. Achilles looked towards his charioteer.
"What just transpired?" Achilles asked.
"I-I don't know sir. The horse just fell asleep." Patroclus examined the horse's fur. He found a small needle. He pulled it out of the horse and examined the needle. He saw a clear liquid coming from the tip of the needle. He sniffed it.
"It smells like a sleeping potion." Achilles pulled out his lance.
"Are we being attacked?" Merina saw a figure in the trees. Whomever it was, was now walking towards them.
"Achilles! Patroclus! There!" Merina pointed to her right. Patroclus and Achilles looked towards the trees. Achilles placed his lance behind his back preparing to strike.
"DON'T!" A soft voice yelled. Out from the trees ran a young girl and a young boy. The young girl had pink short hair and clear blue eyes. Her face was covered in freckles. The young boy had a deep olive complexion and black hair. His eyes were a beautiful turquoise color.
"What the hell?" Achilles stopped himself from throwing the lance.
"Why are you two here?" Patroclus asked. He seemed to know the children.
"You know them?" Achilles asked. Patroclus nodded his head yes.
"Big brother Patroclus! We didn't know you were here." The boy said in shock.
"Pain in the ass brats. You've delayed us." Achilles said annoyed.
"We're not pain in the ass brats!" The boy yelled at Achilles.
"Guster! Your Manners!" Patroclus yelled.
"Sorry." Guster apologized. "We need your help big bro Patroclus. Can you help us?" Achilles, Merina and Patroclus looked at each other.
Guster and Astana were both children belonging to the local entertainment carnival. The carnival came twice a year, sometimes once a year to Phthia. The carnival consisted of actors and actresses who performed various skits, jesters, exotic animals, foreign goods, magicians and many fun activities for families to enjoy. Guster and Astana were fraternal twins. They both helped their father with promoting the carnival and taking care of the talent. The two had huge responsibilities for their age.
"So, you're telling me you captured some foreign woman?" Patroclus seemed confused.
"Well, we didn't 'capture' her. She was sold to our father to work as a dancer." Astana said.
"Sounds hot." Achilles said. Patroclus elbowed Achilles in his rib.
"She ran off. We went to get breakfast and when we went back to her tent, she was gone." Guster said disappointed.
"Father invested a lot of money for the belly dancer and people paid a lot of money to see her." Astana's eyes began to water. "If he finds out she's gone, he'll be so upset."
"We saw that old man with the pretty brown lady. The lady that ran off was from the south east. A country called India. She was brown too. So, we followed you guys." Guster added.
"So, you knock out my horse?" Achilles asked with one eye open.
"Big brother Patroclus, can we ask you a huge favor?" Guster asked kneeling on his knees.
"What's the favor?" Patroclus asked cocking his head to the side.
"Can we borrow the brown lady to be the new belly dancer?"
"WHAT!?" Merina yelled. Achilles snickered.
"Guster. I can't give you Merina. She doesn't want to do it." Patroclus replied.
"You're right. I don't want to do it." Merina folded her arms.
"Please!" Astana begged.
"Astana, I can't." Patroclus said sadly.
"You owe us one. Remember?" Remember that girl you would see who was married to that rich merchant man?" Guster announced putting his hand on his hips. Achilles eyes widened.
"How come I didn't know anything of this? You're not so innocent aye Patroclus?"
"Shut up Achilles. I didn't know she was married." Patroclus said in defense.
"I'll tell if you don't help us." Guster teased. Patroclus couldn't believe an 11-year old runt was going to black mail him. The woman who he had slept with was married to a merchant who traded gold with his father. If word got out, Patroclus would be in big trouble. Patroclus turned to Merina. He started giving Merina puppy dog eyes begging for help.
"Uh-uh Patroclus. No way!"
"Please Merina!" Patroclus begged.
"You're going to let children sell you out for being an adulterer."
"I didn't know she was married." Patroclus clarified.
"Then, put me in the middle of solving your issues?"
"I'll pay you."
"Money doesn't concern me!" Merina yelled.
"Please!"
"I think you'd look pretty as a belly dancer Merina." Neoptolemus said trying to help Patroclus. Merina looked down at Neoptolemus.
"Thanks. I guess."
"What would it take?" Patroclus didn't know what else to do. Merina thought for a while.
"Let's see." Merina couldn't think of anything. Patroclus was always nice to her except the time when they first met but, he was polite, and a gentleman compared to Achilles. "I can't think of anything I want but…." Patroclus's heart sank. "I'll do it. Just this once. ONLY ONCE." Patroclus picked Merina up in his arms and swung her around.
"Thank you!" Astana and Guster said relieved.
"When is the show?" Achilles asked.
"In 5 hours." Astana replied casually.
"WHAT!?" Neoptolemus, Achilles, Patroclus and Merina yelled.
"That's enough time to get ready." Guster said. "We must get going so we could give you a thorough explanation.
"One question." Achilles said. Astana and Guster looked at Achilles. "How are we going to wake the horse?"
"Ha-ha. About that." Guster said scratching the back of his head.
Achilles, Patroclus and Neoptolemus sat outside the dressing tent waiting for Merina to get dressed. Astana and a few women were preparing Merina for the upcoming show. Achilles read the flier in his hand.
"Vestavia? The magical belly dancer?" He chuckled. "This has to be good. Can Merina dance?"
"I don't know. But I owe her big time for this." Patroclus said.
"I think she'll be good." Neoptolemus chimed in.
"I hope so. For her sake. Hopefully she does something 'magical.'" Achilles's golden eyes lit up. His signature lustful smirk spread across his face. Astana came out of the tent with Merina beside her. Merina's hair was in a tight bun. She wore a pink v-cut bra with sparkly jewels sewn onto the trim of the shirt. She wore long pink pants with golden jewels sewn in to the trim. She wore a golden silk sash around her waist. A light pink cloth covered the lower half of her face. Achilles had never seen it before but, he noticed Merina had a tattoo on the lower left side of her stomach. It was a picture of an eye with a bird in the center of the eye. Patroclus and Neoptolemus's cheeks turned pink.
"My Mimi, you might have to dance for me later." Achilles said.
"Shut your mouth." Merina replied. Achilles lustfully scanned Merina's body making her feel uncomfortable.
"You do look pretty Merina." Neoptolemus said touching the jewels on Merina's top.
"Thanks Neo. Let's just get this over with please." Merina's cheeks were stained a deep crimson. The attire she was wearing wasn't much different from the attire she wore back at home.
"We'll be cheering from the crowd." Patroclus said touching Merina's arm. Merina placed her hand over Patroclus's. She smiled.
Achilles scanned the crowd. The theater was packed. There were small children, men, and women of every age present. Achilles even spotted someone he recognized. He was sitting on the opposite side of the theater. The man was dressed elaborately. He wore a leopard's fur across his shoulders. In his hands he held a golden staff and wore golden rings.
"Hey Patroclus. Isn't that the king of Mycenae?" Patroclus looked across the theater.
"Yes. It is." Patroclus replied.
"He's in Phthia? Why?
"Maybe to take in some sights or enjoy festivities like this one."
"Hm. My father never mentioned any kings visiting Phthia. Maybe you're right." Achilles watched as king Agamemnon spoke to a man besides him. "Look." Achilles pointed to the stage. "I guess Merina isn't dancing alone." On the stage, there were 4 other women. Each woman was dressed in a white halter top and white long skirts. Their flat stomachs were exposed showing the variation in skin tones each woman possessed. One woman had golden hair, one had red hair, one had raven colored hair and the last woman had brunette hair. Each woman's attractiveness was equivalent to the others. Achilles was thinking about which woman he wanted. When Patroclus saw Achilles's face he said:
"Don't even think about it." Achilles smiled amused that Patroclus could read his mind.
"You know me too well Patroclus."
"Father, look. It's her." Neoptolemus pointed to the stage. The show had finally started. Achilles leaned back in his seat. He fixated his eyes once again on the dancers before him.
Achilles had to admit. Merina was a pretty good dancer. The show was entertaining. The crowd applauded and cheered for the women and the various acts that came after them. When the show was over. The crowd wanted to meet the women. There was a line that extended from the back of the women's dressing tent to the entrance of the theatre. Much of the line were men who lusted over the exotic beauties. Achilles carried Neoptolemus on his shoulders. Patroclus was beside them. The trio made their way through the line.
"Hey! No fair!" One man yelled.
"You can't just cut the line!" Another yelled.
"Yea, yea." Achilles said while he continued to make his way through the line. When Achilles, Patroclus and Neoptolemus reached the tent, the crowd grew angry and started to spew words at them. One man was so furious he punched Achilles in the back of his head. Achilles turned around with a face red full of anger.
"You dare touch me? Son of Peleus?!" Achilles picked the man up by his collar. The mans eye grew with fear. The crowd soon broke into a whisper.
"No way. That's Achilles? Son of Peleus?" One woman asked.
"It can't be." A man said.
"It has to be." Another man chimed in. "Look at his dignified face. The way he is dressed. It's possible he could be Peleus's son."
"He is quite handsome." A young girl whispered to her friend. Her friend nodded in agreeance. Just when Achilles was going to punch the man in his face-."
"Achilles?" Merina came out of the tent with Astana. "What are you doing?" She asked. Achilles lowered his fist and looked at the man.
"You got lucky." Achilles tossed the man back on the floor.
"You guys can come in." Astana said. Patroclus looked at the man lying on the floor as he passed him.
"Serves you right."
"Yea." Neoptolemus said as he stuck his tongue out at the man.
When the trio entered the tent, they immediately stopped. Patroclus and Neoptolemus quickly fell to one knee. Achilles stood nonchalantly with his hand behind his head. He was still rubbing the back of his head where the man struck him. Patroclus looked up at Achilles. He began to whisper.
"Achilles, to your knees mate. A king is in our presence."
"So?"
"Ah." The man walked over to Achilles. "So, this is Peleus's and Thetis's son Achilles. This is the first time I've come face to face with you since you were a small boy. You don't remember huh?"
"No. I don't. I don't remember you at all." Achilles replied. Agamemnon laughed. He adjusted the leopard fur that was on his neck.
"Well. Let this be us reacquainting after many years." The king said as he extended his hand to Achilles. Achilles slowly accepted his handshake. Something about Agamemnon rubbed him the wrong way.
"Likewise." Agamemnon looked besides Achilles and saw Merina standing next to him. He redirected his attention to her.
"Young woman, I remember you. You were the woman who accompanied Achilles to Menoetius's banquet not so long ago."
"You remember me?" Merina said in shock.
"Of course. You were the talk of the evening. Of course, nothing but good was spoken. Your exotic and beautiful looks caught the attention of many men in the room. Also, I heard from my brother that Achilles had come across a young woman from Egypt."
"Your brother? I take it your brother is king Menelaus of Sparta?" Merina asked.
"Yes. You are right. May I have your name dear?"
"It's Merina, your highness." Merina replied.
"Your Greek is extraordinary." Agamemnon took Merina's hand and kissed it tenderly. This upset Achilles. "As well as your looks. Perhaps you would accompany me in my chambers for dinner?" Achilles pulled Merina's hand away.
"Aren't you married?" Achilles asked Agamemnon. Agamemnon laughed.
"That I am. There is nothing wrong with having a guest over for dinner."
"Sorry. She won't be attending your 'dinner'." Achilles said rudely. Patroclus stared at Achilles. Why was he being so protective of Merina? Patroclus knew Achilles like a book. The only time Achilles would ever defend a woman was if he cared for her. Did he? Patroclus wondered.
"My. You truly are Peleus's son. You both have the same fire inside." Achilles and Agamemnon stared each other down. There was an awkward silence. "Well, I bid you all farewell. I must get going. Dear Merina, I hope to see you again. Patroclus, young one." Agamemnon said. "Take care mighty Achilles. We will see each other again. Rather sooner than later." Achilles watched as the king left the tent with his subjects following behind him. Merina turned to Achilles.
"What was that for?"
"He's a snake. I don't trust him."
"All he did was invite me to dinner."
"Oh Merina. You're so naïve. He not only invited you to dinner, he invited you to his bed." Achilles said looking down at the woman.
"And what's it to you? I don't belong to you." Achilles bit his lip. He stopped and thought for a moment.
"You're right. What's it to me." Merina and Achilles glared at each other both annoyed with the other.
"Now, now children." Patroclus said patting each of their shoulders. "Now that we are done here, we should get to your father's home Achilles."
"It's getting dark. We're going to have to set out in the morning." Achilles responded.
"YAY! I get to play with Astana more!" Neoptolemus exclaimed. Patroclus laughed.
"Look Achilles, he becomes more and more like you every day. He's already found himself a little girlfriend to keep him occupied." Merina said mockingly.
"Shut it." Achilles shot back. Patroclus sighed once more.
"What am I to do with these two?"
Merina laid on her back staring at the ceiling. She had just bathed and was tired. She moved a wet curl from her forehead. Achilles and Patroclus were drinking with Astana's and Guster's father. She wasn't in the mood to entertain anyone especially an intoxicated Achilles. Guster, Astana and Neoptolemus were fast asleep across the room. Merina sighed. Looking at the children reminded Merina of her younger siblings. She reminisced about the days when the four of them would lay beside each other after a long night of storytelling.
"I wonder what everyone is doing right about now?" Merina asked herself. "I bet they're all worried. I wish I could contact them but," Merina paused. "But, I can't." Merina whined. Merina closed her eyes.
"What are we to do with her? I will not kill my child! It isn't her fault she's one of Bennu's descendants!"
"You don't think I know that?! She is my first born! Of course, I don't want to execute her but- "
"But nothing! We can help her!"
"How?! She's only 8 and her powers are already so strong. Anything she touches turns into ash! Everyone is petrified of her! She almost killed a child!"
"Again, it isn't her fault. We need to find the jewelry from the Gods. That could help her tremendously."
"There's people in search of it." The bronzed man bit his lip clenching his fist.
"What's wrong dear?"
"What if they can't find it?"
"No. They will find it. They must, and they will."
"You're right. Until then, she must stay away from the outside world. She must refrain from physical contact. We even have to stay away from her and keep her away from her siblings." Merina stood behind a pillar holding her hands under her armpits. She bit her lip as she fought back tears trying to escape her eyes. She felt her hands getting hot and smelled smoke. When she looked down at her hands, she saw the flames forming. She quickly ran down the hallway to her bedroom. Luckily her door was open, and she didn't need to touch it. She hid in a corner and started to wail.
"Father? How long do I have to stay in my room?" Merina's father patted her head.
"Until we find a piece of the sacred jewel." Merina looked at her hands. "What's wrong?"
"Are you afraid of me? Are you all afraid of me?"
"No. Of course not. We just have to ensure everyone's safety including yours." Merina's face grew sadder. "I assure you, when we find the jewelry, you will be able to live a normal life. I promise."
"You promise?" Merina asked with a sad voice.
"I never break my promises." Merina knew her father was a man of his word. She wanted to hug him but knew she couldn't. She didn't want to burn him to a crisp.
Merina opened her eyes. They were a bit watery. She was starting to miss home more and more each day.
The next morning the sun was bright and strong. Merina sat at the breakfast table drinking a cup of water. Her hair was pulled back into a bun. She wore a beige chiton with a black shawl around her arms. She soon would put the shawl around her head. Patroclus was loading the wagon. Neoptolemus was feeding the horse and of course, Achilles was no where to be found. Merina went to assist Neoptolemus with feeding the horse.
"Where is your father?" She asked.
"He's hungover. I think that's what he said." Merina shook her head.
"He's still asleep?"
"Yes. He's in the wagon." Neoptolemus said as he broke a carrot in half. Merina jumped on the wagon and saw Achilles laying on his side. He was asleep. His cheeks were flushed red. His hair was messy. Merina placed her hands on her hips. She took her foot and kicked him. His eyes flew open from the sharp pain coming from his side.
"What was that for?" He groaned.
"You bum. Get up." Merina demanded.
"Excuse me?"
"You need to help us get ready to depart to your FATHER'S home."
"Yea, yea." Achilles said closing his eyes. Merina huffed and grabbed Achilles by his ear.
"OOOOOWWWWWWWW!" He yelled.
"We need to load food onto this wagon. Get up. NOW!"
"OK! OK! Damn it! Stop pulling my ear! It hurts!" Merina let go of Achilles's ear. "I should've let you stay with King Menelaus and let him make you into one of his servants." Merina mimicked Achilles with a squeaky voice.
"Let's go. We have work to do." Achilles followed Merina out of the chariot rubbing his ear.
Across the Mediterranean Sea, a young girl cried in her room. She cried day and night worrying about someone precious to her. Where was she? She wondered. It had been weeks, and no one had any leads. How could someone just vanish without a trace? The young girl cried into the cotton pillow. She sniffled.
"It smells like Meri." Her freckled face was round and cute. She resembled Merina a lot. Her big brown eyes were red and puffy. She looked to be about 11 years old.
"Come on Titi. If you start crying, I'll cry." Another girl said. "Merina is strong. I'm sure wherever she is, she is ok."
"What if she's hurt or worse? What if she's dead?!" Titi said as she started to cry hysterically again.
"There's no need to worry." The two children turned to face a stern voice they were familiar with.
"Brother! Did you find anything?" Titi asked. The young man looked down at his feet. His golden eyes looked disappointed.
"I found nothing." The young man replied. "Neb. Titi. I guarantee you that Merina is alright. I feel it in here." The young man said touching his chest.
"Are you sure?" Neb asked. Neb was the younger twin sister of Titi. They were identical twins.
"I'm sure. We will not rest until we bring our sister home. So please, don't shed tears. You both must be strong for Merina. She would hate to see you cry. Ok?" Titi looked into her brothers' golden eyes. His strong and stern eyes always made her feel safe.
"Ok. I will be strong." Titi replied.
"Good. That's what I like to hear." The tall man pinched the twin's brown cheeks. "Come, lets eat."