*****I am back with another update! Hope you enjoy this chapter! PLEASE LEAVE REVIEWS******
"ACHILLES!" An angry Patroclus yelled. Achilles snickered. The teenage boy ran inside after tossing a bucket of water on Patroclus from his room's balcony. "I'm going to kick your ass! immature runt!"
"Now, now Patroclus, is that any way to talk to someone who is supposed to view you as a role model?" Thetis asked. She pushed a strand of hair behind her hair as a servant fanned her.
"You can't be serious. Madam, you saw what he just did."
"Yes, I did. Don't worry." Thetis waved her hand and a bubble of water appeared. She pushed her hand and the bubble went inside of the palace. Patroclus stared at Thetis unsure of what she was doing. Thetis smirked as she took off her silver shawl. When she heard Achilles scream, she opened the palm of her hand and used both hands to pull him downstairs. Patroclus was in awe of Thetis's aquatic powers. Achilles appeared before them in the garden. He was trapped inside of Thetis's bubble. He seemed to be gasping for air. Thetis snapped her fingers and the boy fell to his knees onto the ground. He was soaked.
"Really mother?" Achilles coughed.
"You are a prince and you need to act like one." Thetis said to her child.
"I was just having fun. That's all." Achilles replied. Patroclus pushed his wet dark hair out of his eyes and charged at Achilles. The two began wrestling on the ground. Thetis sighed.
"Boys."
The sun had set, and the night time cool air swept through the palace. Patroclus stood on his balcony looking down at the garden. He sighed. He sat on a stool and gazed at the moon. Life was boring Patroclus thought. He was grateful to live the way he was living but, life was dull to him.
"What 'ya doing?' Achilles appeared behind Patroclus startling him.
"You scared me Achilles."
"Sorry." Achilles said as he sat beside Patroclus on the balcony floor. Achilles crossed his legs and gazed at the stars together with Patroclus.
"I wonder if the stars are this bright in foreign lands?" Patroclus said aloud. "Sorry. I was thinking out loud."
"No need to apologize." Achilles said. "Are you thinking of leaving Greece?"
"No. Sometimes I just wonder what's beyond the Aegean and the Mediterranean Sea. What countries lie past those oceans."
"You shouldn't though. Greece is a wonderful country. Probably the best country there is." Achilles said.
"Is that what you think?" Patroclus asked Achilles. Achilles nodded. "Achilles, it's great to always take pride in your homeland and appreciate where you come from but, there are probably greater civilizations to the east, west, north and south of here. Remember all the books we read during our studies about Egypt and China?"
"I remember. Those countries sound wonderful. Maybe you're right. I know!" Achilles yelled out loud.
"What?" Patroclus asked.
"When I get older, when I can command ships and navigate steering, we should go somewhere. Any country we desire."
"That sounds great Achilles. I'd like that." Patroclus responded with a smile. The two stared at the stars until they heard the gates to the palace open.
"Father's back." Achilles said running to the rail of the balcony. He looked down and saw the horses pulling his father's elaborate chariot. Patroclus joined Achilles and watched as the chariot made its way to the front door of the palace. The chariot stopped. Two servants opened the chariot door. First, Peleus stepped out of the chariot, then two of his trusted guards. After the guards exited the chariot, out came 3 women. They looked dirty and extremely poor. Their hair was disheveled, and clothing were tattered. One of them seemed young. She seemed to be around Achilles's age.
"Those must be the new servants father brought." Achilles observed. Patroclus was fixated on the young woman in the middle. He stared at her as the guards led the women into the palace. Achilles and Patroclus made their way to the foyer of the palace. The guards led the women into a wash room. One of the female servants handed each woman clothing before they went into the wash room. Achilles and Patroclus hid behind a pillar waiting to get a closer look at the new servants.
Patroclus and Achilles hid behind the pillar for a while. None of the women came out the washroom. Achilles and Patroclus grew bored.
"I'm going back to my room." He said.
"Yea, me too." Patroclus agreed.
"Achilles! Patroclus!" Peleus yelled in a loud booming voice. Achilles and Patroclus quickly ran from behind the pillar they were hiding behind. They made it seem as if they had walked down the flight of stairs.
"Yes, father?" Achilles replied.
"Yes, my lord?" Patroclus replied.
"Ah, my two favorite young men. Please come. I have brought gifts for you both from my journey."
"That is very kind of you father." Achilles said. "What did you bring?" Peleus smiled.
"I brought you both two new servants. Beautiful servants." Peleus replied.
"Ah really?" Achilles said with a grin.
"Yes. They will learn the ways of the palace by attending to you two first. They will work with the head maid. So please, be patient."
"Oh, I will." Achilles said getting idea's in his head. Patroclus looked down at Achilles.
"Your mind is always in the gutter." Patroclus said. The door to the wash room opened. The head maid came out of the room first then followed the three women. Each woman was dressed in all white. They looked frightened.
"Where did they come from?" Achilles asked.
"I got them from a brothel." Peleus answered. "So please, be careful. There's no telling what diseases they may have." He whispered to his son. "You." Peleus called out to the youngest girl. Her big eyes widened in fear. She didn't speak. She looked down at her feet. "You will be aid to my son, Achilles." The young girl continued to look down at her feet. "Do you understand?" Peleus asked the girl. She nodded faintly. "You. You will attend to him. He is like my son but not by blood. So, you will treat him as if he is one of mine."
"Yes sir." The woman replied. Patroclus stared at the young girl who was assigned to Achilles. She seemed out of it. Patroclus blushed because of her beauty.
"What is their names sir?" Patroclus asked Peleus.
"Their names are Nelia and Chiara I believe. Chiara is closer to Achilles's age. She's only about 16. Nelia is 19 years of age." Peleus replied. Chiara continued to look at the ground. She tapped her foot nervously. "You two will go with the head maid so she can show you to your resting corridors. Your first task will be to serve breakfast to my two boys in the morning."
"You won't be here father?" Achilles asked.
"No. I have business with the myrmidons in the morning but, I promise to return by dinner." Peleus said as he patted Achilles's shoulder. "So, Patroclus, make sure Achilles gets to bed."
"Come on father! I'm 16 years old. I don't need to be monitored."
"Oh, believe me my son." Peleus said raising his eyebrow. "You still do." Achilles sucked his teeth.
"I will see to it that Achilles get's his proper rest." Patroclus said bowing his head to Peleus. "Good night sir." Patroclus said dragging Achilles along with him. Patroclus turned back to watch the girl with dark hair be taken away by the head maid.
Morning had come. Patroclus laid in his bed staring at the white ceiling. He had a good sleep. He sat up feeling the rays of sun hit his face. He pushed his dark hair back and rubbed the sand out of his deep blue eyes. He could feel the heat rising already. He pushed the white sheet off his body and placed his face in his hands. He heard a knock at the door.
"Yes?" He replied.
"Sir Patroclus. Breakfast will be finished soon. Your morning bath is ready." The head maid announced. "May I enter?" she asked.
"Yes." Patroclus replied without thinking. The maid entered with Nelia and Chiara behind her. Nelia and Chiara quickly shut their eyes when they saw that Patroclus was naked.
"Oh dear. Sir Patroclus." The maid said covering her eyes as well. Patroclus quickly covered himself with his sheet.
"My apologies." He blushed.
Breakfast was Patroclus's favorite meal of the day. His mouth salivated at the various cheese's and fruits before him. The aroma of bread made his stomach growl. Achilles sat beside him taking a sip of water from his golden goblet. Like the rest of the palace, the dining room was all white with marble floors. The dining table was long. It extended from one side of the dining room to the other. It was covered with a red and gold silk table cloth. Patroclus ate a piece of cheese while he waited with Achilles for their main dish to be served. The doors to the dining room opened. In came the head maid and the two of the three new servants that Peleus brought. Patroclus smiled when he saw those huge brown eyes again. She didn't look as scared.
"I'll be leaving you two. You know what to do." The head maid told Chiara and Nelia. The two bowed to the head maid holding trays of food. Chiara placed a tray in front of Achilles and Nelia placed a tray in front of Patroclus. On the tray, there was ham, eggs, and figs. There was olive oil and butter on the side incase Patroclus and Achilles felt they needed extra for their bread. Chiara and Nelia took their position standing against the wall after pouring more water into each man's goblet. Achilles and Patroclus toasted. Patroclus couldn't stop staring at Chiara from the side of his eye. She held her head down. Achilles soon started a conversation with Patroclus.
"You sleep well?" Achilles asked.
"Yes. I did." Patroclus replied. "Yourself?"
"Like a baby."
"I'm surprised you weren't up roaming around looking for alcohol or women."
"Nah., I didn't realize how tired I was. Training will be held in the western gymnasium today."
"Really? I swore it was in the northern wing. Who told you?" Patroclus said biting into a roll.
"Menilos. I bumped into him this morning." Achilles replied after swallowing a spoonful of eggs.
"He's here?"
"Yup." Achilles wiped his mouth with a napkin. Growl.
"My mate. You must be hungry. Your stomach is still growling even after you've eaten a bit?" Patroclus laughed.
"It wasn't me." Achilles said. Patroclus crinkled his dark eyebrows.
"Who was it then?" Growl. Patroclus and Achilles looked around the room. Achilles and Patroclus looked at the only other two human beings in the room. Nelia stared at Chiara. Chiara's cheeks were flushed red. She held her face down in embarrassment. Patroclus smiled. Her embarrassed face was quite adorable. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and placed it back on to his lap.
"You there." He called out to Chiara. Chiara didn't respond. "You can talk? Can't you? I know this is a new environment and all but, you don't have to be afraid." Patroclus said in a kind and soothing voice. "I don't bite." Achilles watched Patroclus as he spoke to Chiara. Nelia nudged Chiara's elbow.
"He's speaking."
"If you're hungry, join us. There's plenty." Patroclus said pointing to a chair. "You too Nelia."
"We mustn't sir." Nelia said bowing down to Patroclus. Achilles leaned into Patroclus.
"What are you doing Pat?" Achilles whispered to his friend.
"Ssh." Patroclus replied. "This is not an option. Both of you will eat breakfast with us. We could use the company. This is an order."
"If head mistress finds out or King Peleus we will- "
"I'll take the fall." Chiara's brown eyes met Patroclus's blue ones. He smiled gently.
"Hurry before the food gets cold." For some reason, Chiara was able to crack a smile.
"What?!" Merina yelled. She couldn't believe her ears. "What does he want you to do?"
"He wants me to- "Achilles said unable to repeat himself.
"You're not going to do it are you? That's barbaric what he's asking you to do Why can't he find someone else to do the job? Why must he do it at all?"
"I told you I didn't like him." Achilles said running his fingers through his green and gold locks.
"Achilles!" Merina jumped at Peleus's loud voice. She saw him walking down the hallway.
"Merina. Go. Leave me and my father be." Merina nodded her head and took her leave. Peleus seemed mad. Achilles couldn't look his father in the eye.
"You dare not only disrespect me but, the honor of the kings of Greece?! Telling a Grecian king to rot in hell?! Where did I go wrong with you boy?!" Peleus yelled loud enough for the entire east wing to hear.
"Father. That is not my battle. Whatever that coward of a king has going on with Dacia is none of my concern."
"You will be recompensed for lending your strength to King Agamemnon."
"Father!" Achilles yelled. "Did you not hear what that bastard wants me to do? What he wants the myrmidons to do?! He wants us to ransack a whole city just because he wants their gold and he wants to expand Mycenean territory."
"I heard him Achilles- "
"Did you happen to hear the part where he said leave no one left alive? Including children? He's mad father. I will not upon my honor, upon all the gods honor and the myrmidons honor resort to such cruelty. I will not!" Achilles said punching a pillar. "Father. Have you gone mad? To agree to something like this? This isn't you father. You're rich enough. I understand you owe him but, this isn't the way to repay someone. There has to be another way." Peleus grew silent. Achilles was right. Was it worth it? To end countless lives to expand Mycenean territory? Children? Women?
"My son." Peleus began.
"Father. I am a warrior. My whole life I've trained to be the best but this, this is something I can't do." Peleus patted Achilles's shoulder.
"Give me time to think of something Achilles. Give me time."