Chapter 3

Alexis woke up at dawn the next day and it took a few minutes for her to remember what had happened the day before, she had been hoping it was a bad dream. She looked around but the tent was empty. She heard something stirring outside and Odysseus stuck his head in. "Good Morning Miss, would you like to accompany me for breakfast? The sun is just rising and it's a beautiful sight." Alexis got up and walked to outside to the beach and sat down next to the king who handed her a plate of food. "I bet your starving, eat as much as you want. I'm watching my figure." He winked at her playfully and she couldn't help but laugh.

"So tell me, lady, your not a priestess like your sister, why were you in the Temple of Apollo?" He asked after they had eaten a little. Alexis hesitated at first but this man had been kind to her and it was a fair question.

"I was in the city when the warning bell rang. I was on my way to the citadel when I realized my sister was in the temple and probably hadn't heard it. I had to find her." She figured honesty was probably the best right now, She had never been any good at lying anyways.

"That was brave of someone so young. How old are you, lady?" he asked.

"I have been alive 17 years my lord". She answered. "Now may I ask you a question?" Curiosity was burning inside her.

"Of course," he consented.

"Why did you save me? I'm nothing to you, just a Trojan slave…" She looked down at the ground.

"That is a wise question, may I call you Alexis?" She nodded. "Because I believe that there can be honor in war. As humans we must all pay tribute to the Gods. They decide our fate, who am I to determine the fate of another. Many men in this camp would not treat you with the same kindness. I'm just glad that I was able to protect you. You are too young to lose faith in humanity because of this, lady."

Alexis understood and smiled. "You are an honorable man, Odysseus. For a Greek." She added teasingly. Odysseus laughed, "I must go, Alexis the troops are assembling. I just wanted to speak with you for a brief moment."

"Goodbye Odysseus". She said as he got up and left. Alexis had just started to get up when a young man she had not seen before was heading in her direction.

"Lady, Odysseus has asked me to keep track of you," He said as he glared at her. "I do not wish to be a babysitter."

She was taken aback by his tone and became instantly defensive. "I have not asked to be watched Greek, so you can go run into a spear for all I care." She told him and stormed into the tent. Who does he think he is? He cannot speak to me in that manner I am a princess of Troy. That must not be known down here, she told herself. If the other Greek kings knew not even Odysseus could protect her from being held for ransom. The tent flap opened and the young man came in.

"I didn't mean to be cross with you. It isn't your fault, I just wish my cousin realized I could fight. I apologize for the offense." Alexis looked more closely at the man. He was tall, about a head taller than her, with sandy brown hair about to his shoulders with a braid in it. His eyes were the color of the sea, a lovely shade of blue/green. "My name is Patroclus, what is yours?" He asked sitting down across the tent from her.

"I am Alexis, I accept your apology and I too am sorry. I do not wish to be here, I am frightened and I miss my home." Suddenly an idea occurred to her. "You are here with your cousin, well I was captured with my sister. Do you think you could take me to see her? I am concerned for her." She wasn't sure the limits of Greek hospitality but was relieved when the young man nodded.

"I know where she is kept. She was given to my cousin" She raised my eyebrow at the use of the word "given" and he looked at her apologetically. "She is in his tent, I will show you the way." Patroclus led Alexis out into the sun and down the beach to a tent similar to Odysseus's'. When she entered she saw her cousin sitting in the corner and she ran to her, while Patroclus went back outside to give them privacy.

"Briseis, oh my dear how are you?" Alexis asked taking her hands. She was a little bruised up but she looked well.

"I am doing fine, I was more concerned what had happened to you. I heard the Ithaca king had taken you. Are you alright, has he harmed you?" Briseis pulled her into her arms.

"No Lord Odysseus is one of the kindest men I have ever encountered. What of Achilles? I have heard stories of this man but I am more concerned of how he is treating you."

"He has also been kind. I think we are fortunate, cousin." she whispered. "I am so glad you haven't been harmed. I have worried over you."

"I have been thinking, I am kept under light guard. It would not be terribly difficult to escape…Alexis started, but Briseis cut her off.

"Absolutely not. I am already worried about you, if anything were to happen to you if we tried to run I would never forgive myself. From what I can tell we are both as safe as we would be in the city. We will bide our time, Alexis, do not be foolish." She squeezed her hand.

Alexis lightly kissed her forehead, "Alright cousin, we will wait. I think I should report back to my guard, who knows when the soldiers will be back. Goodbye, I will come again soon." She got up and went outside to join Patroclus.