****Just a few updates. I've taken a hiatus from this story just because life happens but, I am back. I am committed to finishing this story this year (by the end of 2019). Just a few changes I need to make that I will go back and change later. 1) It was stated that Patroclus had no love interest at the beginning of the story. As you may have read, he does. I will eventually go back and edit that chapter. 2) Merina has two brothers. Not one. She was always intended to have two brothers and two sisters. Sorry for the mistakes. This is the same as the last chapter I uploaded a few months back just with edits and add-ins. Hope you enjoy! Please review! *
Merina looked at Achilles. His facial expression wasn't pleasant. She then looked at Peleus who was conversating with the king of Mycenae. Achilles took a sip of wine from the grail before him. Patroclus saw that his friend was annoyed. He glared across the table and made eye contact with Chiara. Chiara stood perfectly with her hands folded in front of her stomach. Erato and Thetis had decided to not attend dinner. Two chairs were empty due to their absence. Neoptolemus ate pieces of cheese unaware of the tension in the room. Next to Agamemnon was his wife, Clytemnestra, the queen of Mycenae. Beside Queen Clytemnestra was one of their daughter's, Chrysothemis. She resembled Agamemnon. She had dark hair like her father's. It was long and braided into one long braid. She and her father had the same eye color. She even had his nose. She appeared to be quiet and shy. Chrysothemis appeared to be around the age of 16 or so. Merina took a bite of pork. Agamemnon cleared his throat.
"Prince Achilles." He began. He projected his voice across the table.
"Yes?" Achilles responded trying not to sound annoyed.
"Your father has told me you reconsidered my request. Is that true?" Patroclus and Merina looked at Achilles.
"It is." Achilles replied. Merina and Patroclus were confused.
"When did he reconsider?" Patroclus whispered to Merina.
"I don't know." She answered. "He told me he had a plan of some sort."
"I need at least two weeks. I need to prepare some of my men, gather supplies and load our wagons."
"So, I won't be able to go home fa- "Neoptolemus was quickly cut off.
"Not yet." Achilles replied.
"We will write to your mother and father in Skyros to inform them Neoptolemus." Peleus added. Neoptolemus was kind of happy he wasn't going home so soon. Merina bit her lip. She knew her time to go home was delayed as well.
"Splendid. You will be paid abundantly young prince. I hope we can build a better relationship." Agamemnon said raising his grail into the air.
"Better relationship my ass- "Merina elbowed Achilles. Luckily Peleus nor Agamemnon heard Achilles's response. They only saw him nod with a fake smile.
"After I depart from Phthia, I will give you the time you need starting from the day of my departure. Before departing to Dacia, I require you to come to my palace."
"That will add an extra day of traveling to Dacia." Achilles said.
"Oh, I know. I have to brief you and your men before a mission." Agamemnon smiled. "But in the meantime, I'd love it if you became acquainted with my daughter; Chrysothemis." Chrysothemis cheeks flushed a bright red. Her narrow eyes stayed fixated on her plate. "I think you two would make a dashing couple."
"Yes Achilles. A prince needs a princess." Peleus added. Achilles gave his father a frightening look.
"A princess that I see fit for myself. She's rather young. It's bad enough I'm agreeing to carry out your treacherous deed. Now you want me to become a part of your family. You really are something. Sometimes I wonder, how are you and king Menelaus related."
"Achilles!" Peleus yelled. "He is one of the kings of our country. Mind your manners!"
"You're right. Forgive me father. He is a king. A coward of a king. Also, Chrysothemis, no offense to you but I refuse to have any relations to him. So, any arrangements your father and my father are trying to make is not going to happen." Achilles stood up from the dinner table. "Excuse me." Neoptolemus's eyes were wide in disbelief. Merina, Patroclus, Peleus, Clytemnestra and Chrysothemis didn't know what to say. Chiara was even taken back by Achilles's boldness. Agamemnon's face was red with anger.
"My, handsome he is but his respect is completely gone." Clytemnestra said holding her hand over her mouth. Peleus gazed at Agamemnon. He could tell he was furious. Agamemnon was clenching his fist as if he was going to punch something or someone.
Bedtime had come. Achilles sat on his balcony looking at the many stars that shined their light upon his former home. He had a towel around his neck from his bath.
Knock, knock.
Achilles walked to his room door and opened it. In front of his door stood Patroclus and Merina.
"It's late. Why are you guys here?" He asked. Merina and Patroclus pushed past Achilles. Achilles closed his door and used the towel to dry his damp hair.
"What the hell was that at dinner?" Patroclus asked. "Agamemnon was pissed."
"And I care because?" Achilles said removing his towel from around his waist. Merina quickly covered her eyes. Luckily for her, she saw nothing.
"Have you forgotten that Merina is here?"
"Oops. My apologies. I'd thought she'd want to gaze at my magnificent body."
"Get over yourself. You sound like my brother." Merina answered. Achilles put on a pair of linen shorts.
"You're good. You can open your eyes Mimi." Achilles said. Merina cringed.
"Anyways, are you really going through with what Agamemnon has planned Achilles?" Merina asked.
"Of course not." He replied as he sat on his bed.
"What the hell? What's going on then?" Patroclus asked. Achilles smiled.
"Crobyzes and Obulenses are very rich in resources. Gold, copper and iron primarily. Agamemnon being the son of a bitch he is, he threw a hissy fit because both kings of Crobyzes and Obulenses refused to continue trade with Agamemnon. I'm not sure why the trade between them stopped but, it obviously pissed Agamemnon off. Like I said before, he wants to destroy both cities in Dacia, obtain their resources while leaving no one behind."
"But at dinner you said that you reconsidered." Patroclus said.
"It was an act. Some of it was. My father and I conversated prior to dinner. He doesn't agree with what Agamemnon wants to do. At first, he did but since I've talked sense into him, he sees what Agamemnon is doing is wrong. My father had a hard time convincing Agamemnon to give us two weeks to invade the Dacian towns. Luckily, he convinced him to allow us that amount of time. Agamemnon wanted the job done as soon as possible."
"I don't understand. Dacia is far north. Why not go after Moesia? It's closer. It's in between Greece and Dacia." Patroclus said.
"Greece still has a good trade relationship with the Moesian's as far as I know." Achilles replied. "They trade marble with us." Achilles said pointing down at the floor beneath Patroclus and Merina. "Although marble is valuable-."
"Gold is a very powerful resource." Merina thought out loud. "It's like a global currency. My country is rich in gold. Greek traders come to Egypt all the time for it. They exchange wine, cheeses, and marble. 20 barrels of Greek wine equates to one, maybe one and a half blocks of gold."
"Exactly. Your country is a powerhouse. One of Greece's rivals. Agamemnon dare wouldn't go against a country like Egypt because the economy there is exceptionally strong."
"So is Moesia's." Patroclus added.
"Dacia's economy isn't the greatest right now. Yes, gold and iron they have but they've distributed so much of their resources at such a low cost, their resources are dwindling. Like Merina said, 20 crates of Greek wine equate to one maybe one and a half blocks of gold. In Dacia, we could trade 5 barrels of Greek wine for 2 blocks of gold. So, I'm guessing-."
"Dacia realized their resources are running low and decided to cut trade with Greece." Merina said cutting Achilles off.
"No. It sounds like it's just Mycenae. Being a king of a city in Greece grants you access to trade with whom you see fit. Agamemnon choose Dacia. Same way Menelaus chooses to trade with the Trojan's in Asia minor." Achilles finished.
"So, what's the plan mate?" Patroclus asked Achilles. "You have only two weeks."
"My father sent a letter today to both kings of Crobyzes and Obulenses. Agamemnon departs in two days from here to go back south to Mycenae. I don't want to hurt people because he can't get his way. My father urged the kings to move their people more north. Just temporarily. Father informed them of when we should arrive."
"What if they don't take it seriously?" Merina asked.
"Our army is the best. Every surrounding country knows that. They wouldn't dare go to battle with us. Plus, we are the center of trade here in the Mediterranean. So, if a warning is issued, especially the one my father wrote, they'd leave."
"And if they don't?" Merina asked worriedly. Achilles bit his lip. "Will you still-?"
"No. That's why Patroclus and Menilos will go to Dacia earlier than me." Achilles smiled.
"To make sure they leave. Clever." Patroclus smiled.
"Of course, some of the myrmidons will go with you. My father already sent a message to Menilos. He's next in command if you or I are not present. He should be preparing wagons now. It takes 6 days to get to southern Dacia. So, when you, Patroclus and Menilos arrive you could speak with the kings. It should take a week to move citizens north. By the time I arrive with the rest of the myrmidons, Crobyzes and Obulenses should be a ghost town. I'll report to Agamemnon that I completed my mission but there were no resources, or anyone left." Achilles said hopefully.
"Do you think he'll buy that?" Merina questioned.
"He may or may not. Either way, he wouldn't dare step to my father or the myrmidons. We could overrule Mycenae. So, it would be smart if he just accepted what I'll tell him." Achilles paused. "It's going to be tough but, it can be done."
"So, in total we have 2 weeks and 6 days?" Patroclus asked. Achilles nodded yes.
"So, in the meantime Pat, that beautiful servant girl of yours, go have some fun with her while you can." Achilles winked playfully. "Right after we are done with this ridiculous quest, we will restock in Phthia, head to Skyros to get Neoptolemus home, then to Sparta to load up again and we will take Mimi home from there." Achilles looked at Merina. "I'm sorry Mimi."
"It's fine. I'm patient. I can wait." She smiled. Just then Merina's bright eyes grew wide. She stared at the wall before her for a while. When she blinked, she felt dizzy. She then fell backwards. Achilles and Patroclus ran to Merina's aid.
"Mimi?! You ok?!" Achilles asked. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Do I need to fetch a nurse?" Patroclus asked. Achilles held Merina. She was silent for a while. A few moments later, she spoke.
"I went to sleep." Achilles and Patroclus looked at each other.
"When did you go to sleep Mimi?" Achilles asked Merina.
"It just came back to me. I don't know why." Merina sat on her knees. She looked at Patroclus and Achilles in their eyes. "I was in my room. I went to bed. When I woke up, I was here. In Greece."
"Ok…" Patroclus didn't know what else to say.
"I'm happy you're remembering something but, that doesn't help us solve the mystery of you traveling hundreds of miles in a wooden box from Egypt to Greece." Achilles said helping Merina off the ground.
"I know but, before I couldn't remember anything. Nothing. Now I remember something." Merina said happily.
"True. Your memory could be returning. Allow me to escort you to your room." Patroclus said extending an arm to Merina.
"Thank you." She said accepting his arm.
"Get some rest Mimi. You too Patroclus." Achilles said walking his friends to the door. The friends exchanged goodnights and went off to bed.
The next morning came. Servants carried out their morning duties. A servant came to Merina's room to get her ready for her morning bath. Merina was amazed at how similar Greek culture was to her own. Inside Peleus's magnificent palace lied many bathrooms. Merina luckily had a bathroom two doors down from her bedroom. The bathroom was exquisite. The bath itself was big enough to fit 20 people. The water was also warm and full of minerals that were good for the skin. The only difference between Greek baths and Egyptian baths was that prior to getting into the hot mineral water, In Egypt you had to take a bath in a smaller tub and thoroughly cleanse your skin. Greek bathrooms were all white while Egyptian bathrooms were full of vibrant colors. Merina sank deeper into the spring water wetting the ends of her hair. Breakfast was soon. She held her stomach as it rumbled in the murky water.
Breakfast was Merina's favorite time of the day both in Greece and home in Egypt. Merina looked at the lavish spread before her. There were butter rolls, ham and cheese omelet's, pork, fruits, cheeses, figs and olive oil. Achilles sat beside her greeting her, Patroclus and his son.
"No Peleus?" Patroclus asked as a servant placed a plate before him.
"No. I told my father I didn't want to spend my morning with Agamemnon. He decided to have breakfast with him in the garden." Achilles replied.
"Ah. I see." Patroclus said. Achilles looked at Patroclus's neck. He saw a red bruise. Achilles had noticed that Neoptolemus was staring at it as well.
"Hey, uncle Pat?" Neoptolemus whispered. "What's that on your neck?" Patroclus's face turned a bright red. Merina and Achilles snickered.
"It's a rash from a bug bite." Patroclus lied.
"What kind of bug does that to your neck?" Neoptolemus asked curiously.
"Uh..." Patroclus didn't know what to say.
"It's the kind of bug with big brown eyes and dark hair." Achilles began.
"Shut up Achilles." Patroclus hissed. Achilles continued to snicker.
"Does it hurt?" Neoptolemus asked Patroclus.
"Ask your father. He gets these 'bug bites' quite often." Neoptolemus looked at Achilles. Achilles shot Patroclus a death glare. In response, Patroclus stuck his tongue out at Achilles.
"Can you pass me a butter roll?" Achilles asked Merina. Merina was amused. She snickered at Achilles and Patroclus's squabble while eating her breakfast.
"No. I'm going to eat it." Merina replied swallowing her food.
"Excuse me?" Achilles looked at Merina.
"There's only one left. I want it."
"Shouldn't you be watching your figure? If you eat too many rolls, you'll get extra ones." Achilles said tauntingly.
"Are you calling me fat?" Merina asked.
"Maybe I am. That's why you shouldn't eat that last roll." Merina looked into Achilles's eyes with the most vindictive look. While having a staring match with Achilles, Merina used her hand closest to the table to grab the roll. She took a big bite of it and chewed closely to Achilles's face. Achilles grew upset. While Merina held one end of the roll in her mouth, Achilles bit the other end that was hanging out of Merina's mouth.
"Let go." Merina mumbled.
"Make me." Achilles mumbled back. Patroclus and Neoptolemus watched waiting to see what would happen next. The two soon started fighting over the roll using their teeth to tug on it. It was as if they were playing tug of war.
"ACHILLES! IT'S MINE!" Merina growled.
"LIKE HELL IT IS!" Achilles growled back. Patroclus sighed in disbelief. He stood up and grabbed the roll taking it from their mouths.
"You two should be ashamed of yourselves! Arguing over a piece of bread!"
"It's my house so, I'm entitled to it." Achilles said crossing his arms.
"I'm a female. You're supposed to always be courteous to females." Merina said in her defense.
"Says who?" Achilles said looking down at Merina.
"Says I!" Merina yelled back at Achilles. The two soon started to argue exchanging insults. Patroclus sighed.
"I swear, they're like children"
After her squabble with Achilles, Merina decided to sit in the west garden. There were so many flowers. The colors were so vibrant and bright. There was a small fountain that spewed crystal blue water from it. Merina sat in a chair thinking back to the night before. She stared at the water. Merina blinked. When she did, the scenery changed. It was like she was back home in Egypt. She was sitting at her vanity. Merina looked down at her vanity where her brush, comb, oils and perfumes were. She picked up her comb and ran it through her hair removing any knots. She was in her cotton white night gown which had turquoise stitching at the bottom of the gown and on the sleeves. When Merina was done combing her hair, she placed the comb on the bronze vanity.
Knock, knock.
Merina got up from her chair to answer the door. When she answered the door, she was surprised to see no one there. She stepped out of her room and looked around the hallway. No one was there. Just darkness and flames from the candles. Merina walked back inside of her room and closed the door making sure to lock it. She walked over to her bed and climbed under the soft cotton fabric. Why were the stars so pretty? Merina thought. To think there was a whole world beyond the one she lived in. Sleep soon consumed Merina. As she slumbered, a cool breeze came through her window which made sleeping even more pleasant. A half an hour went by and Merina was now in a deep slumber. She was in such a deep sleep that she was unaware of the danger that lurked in her sleeping corridors. Someone was walking towards her bed very slowly making sure they didn't make a sound to wake her up. In their hand, they had a handkerchief with an ointment in it that would make anyone go unconscious within seconds. When they reached the side of Merina's bed, they extended their hand with the handkerchief above Merina's face. Merina groaned. Just when the perpetrator's hand was inches away from Merina's face, her bright eyes flew open. Soon, they grew wide in terror. Before she could let out a scream or see who was attacking her, the mysterious person placed the cloth over Merina's mouth and nose. She struggled for a few minutes, but soon fell unconscious. Merina stared at the fountain before her still deep in thought. There was something else that sparked her memory.
"Bahahaha!" A young man with mystical violet eyes laughed hysterically.
"I don't know what you find so amusing." Another young man said removing himself from the pool. "she could've easily pushed you in too." He seemed slightly annoyed. The young man glared at the young woman who pushed him into the pool. "She's lucky I find her rather attractive." He pushed his wet black hair away from his eyes. "Where's Merina?"
"She's over there I believe." The man with violet eyes answered.
"She works too hard." A soft voice said as she sipped tea from a cup. Her brown tresses were tied in a ponytail.
"She does. I'll go get her." The violet eyed man said as he ran off to get Merina. Merina sat under a tree studying from various books. As she turned the page, she was unaware that one of her brothers was standing behind the tree she was sitting against.
"What ya' doing?!" The man with the violet eyes yelled. Merina jumped.
"Sheesh. You don't have to scare me you know. I'm studying." Merina replied holding her chest. The man patted Merina on her head.
"Sis, you work way too hard. Take a break and relax. Join us in the pool. It is quite hot today. The pool is refreshing."
"I will. In a second." Merina said as she flipped a page. The man lowered himself to Merina's level and made eye contact with her.
"Look at me. I know you've worked hard for this your entire life but, some things are not worth your life."
"What are you talking about?" Merina was confused. The man looked away with a faint smile.
"Just forget I said that. Ok?" He extended a hand to Merina. "Come on." He smiled warmly. Merina smiled and took her brothers hand. Together, they made their way to the pool.
"Did that have something to do with what older brother said?" She wondered. She bit her lip trying to piece it together. "It could be just coincidence. But now that I think about it, it may not have been."