Back from vacation, so updates will be coming more often. And yes, as you all probably can tell by now, we're coming to a close on our story. Only a few more chapters left, but at least we hit 100 reviews! Thank you guys so much!

Disclaimer: I do not own Troy or any of the affiliated characters

Chapter 27: Up in Smoke

"Daan!" Adara cried, out of breath, as she slammed shut the door she'd just thrown herself through.

Her mentor turned, eyes wide. "What are you doing here? You should be with Paris!"

"I know!" She moved away from the door. "I looked, but I can't find him! I didn't know where else to go."

Daan looked up, mumbling something Adara couldn't hear clearly. "Help me, then!" he yelled over the chaos in the palace, shocking her into action. They threw piles of medicine into his large, leather drawstring bag. The shelves in the storage closet were completely emptied, and they spared no time for neatness as herbs were dumped into the bag.

Finally finished, they ran back into the main room, where Daan retrieved his Ambrosia. "Do you have yours?" he asked quickly, indicating the protected gold lump.

"Yes. I assumed I would-"

The door was flung open, slamming against the wall.

An eternity of emotions encompassed the split second it took for her to turn and see the newcomer. She saw Daan's eyes widen and thought of a massive Greek behind her, a weapon ready in his hand, and her heart raced with fear. But then, in mid-turn, she saw in her mind a perfect, blue-eyed face that would elicit from her a sigh of relief, and she was filled with strong hope.

Then she actually saw the Greek. Her entire body began to shake with terror, a feeling as strong as her joy would have been. This man was heavily built, as was seen by the broad sword he swung about like a toy. His muscles flexed as he stepped into the room. His eyes were nothing like the cool, calming pools of blue she needed to see, and she doubted his smile had ever held true warmth or kindness. At her horrified face, he sneered; at Daan's knife held at the ready, he laughed out loud.

"Arcos," she said, making sure her voice was harsh, not betraying her fear as her face was. He bowed his head, obviously not buying her brave facade. She wasn't surprised; if anyone on the earth could smell fear, it would be him.

"A friend of yours?" Daan asked, pushing Adara behind him.

"Not quite."

Arcos moved further into the room, leaving the door open. Freedom was directly behind him, and they had no way to reach it. "Oh, come, now." His voice was full of arrogance; he knew he'd get what he wanted eventually. "I thought we were closer than that. Of course, your boy kept getting in the way, running back to tell his cousin."

Anger was taking over her fear as she heard his slanders. "Patroclus is twice the man you could ever hope to be! He's bested you before! And he didn't even need a sword to do it."

He snarled as she hit the soft spot. "That's all well and good, but where is he now? When's he going to get here to best me? Because I do not plan on giving him that long. You should have been my prize weeks ago. Now," He took slow steps forward, pushing them back to the wall, "all I have is this man."

Another voice joined the conversation. "Sorry I'm late." Even in the current situation, Adara felt a great satisfaction as Arcos's face filled surprise. A rush of joy then went through her as Arcos turned, revealing Patroclus, sword at the ready. "You seem to have forgotten again," he continued, his voice calm but cold, "she's not yours."

Arcos, eyes narrowed, waited a moment, then jumped into action. Patroclus parried his stroke easily, not caught off guard by the attempt at surprise. Adara recognized the same strategy as the one used on the beach. Arcos's strength was enough to make up for his lack of speed. But now, Patroclus had a sword, though he seemed content to agilely keep out of reach, taunting his opponent.

"I will have her!" Arcos shouted, his breathing already somewhat heavy as his anger both fueled and sapped his strength. "Whether it be over your dead body or not, I will have her!"

"That doesn't matter." Patroclus spoke between ducking, dodging, and rolling out of reach. "She will never choose you." Arcos's movements were now just as labored as his breathing was. Patroclus sighed. "You'll never understand." In the time it took Adara to blink, he had Arcos disarmed, his sword point at the bigger man's throat.

Arcos's mouth parted in a rather large 'O' as he felt a razor sharp blade poking into his sensitive skin. He opened and closed the hand where his sword had been only moments ago, expecting to feel a hilt in his grip.

"I would feel shame for killing a countryman. Do you yield?" Patroclus was no where near to being out of breath. He waited a moment for Arcos to respond. When he did, he had closed his mouth, adopted a sneer, and hardened his gaze.

"Yes," he spat at the young man, the one he long ago had deemed inferior. "I yield."

Adara was sure she could see a smirk behind Patroclus's serious expression. "Good." He relaxed his sword arm and took a step back, allowing Arcos to stand.

For a moment, he turned his head and made eye contact with her. The surge of joy at seeing his face was better than she'd imagined. This quick, half-smile made her forget that Greeks were taking over and burning her city.

And then she remembered.

Arcos moved faster than anyone would have given him credit for; Adara only saw the glint of light on steel as he brought a dagger down toward Patroclus's chest.

He had suspected a treachery of some sort, but Patroclus admittedly was caught off guard by Arcos's surprising speed. He threw up an arm to block the dagger attack, only just successfully protecting his chest and neck.

By the time Adara registered what danger he was in, the fight was over; when her horror finally showed on her face, Patroclus was holding his sword's hilt in front of Arcos, but the blade was no where in sight. And then, it was there, red instead of silver, as Patroclus pulled it back.

"I feel no shame," he said quietly. Arcos had sunk to the ground, his eyes glossy and out of focus. Adara wondered if he had heard the comment. Less than a minute of eerie silence passed, and she was sure he heard nothing at all.

The three remained in the uncomfortable quiet until Patroclus shook his head as if to clear it and quickly moved to the corner of the room, where he wiped his sword on a cloth sack. He sheathed it while moving to the open door, which he closed.

When he turned, Adara was already moving towards him. He met her halfway, pulling her in close. She felt his strength as he folded his arms around her. He was dirty, sweaty, and bloody, but she felt as if he couldn't hold her tightly enough.

"I thought you sailed home," she admitted, still in his arms, but looking at his face and feeling happier than she'd been since she returned to Troy.

"And leave you here?" The smile in his voice matched the one on his face, and a hole she hadn't realized existed filled itself inside of her.

"I'm sorry to intrude, but I think it's time we go." Daan's voice sounded louder than normal, and Adara had good reason to think he wasn't all that sorry.

Patroclus nodded and steered her towards Daan, who was pushing stones on the wall next to the storage closet. "He's right."

Adara spun around. "What does that mean?" Her gaze switched from Daan to Patroclus and back again, waiting for an answer, daring someone to say something. Finally, Daan succeeded in doing whatever he was trying to do, because there was suddenly an opening in the wall. Daan raised an eyebrow at her surprised look.

"Did you really think the Apollo statue was the only passageway in the palace?" He grabbed a torch from the wall.

Adara blinked, then regained focus. "Don't dodge the question." She felt Patroclus's hand on her shoulder.

"You have to go with Daan." Adara shook her head, refusing to look away from his eyes to show her seriousness. "Follow the tunnel."

"You're not coming?"

"Get out of the city." He was practically dragging her to where Daan stood in front of the opening. "There have to be boats you can-"

"Patroclus, no!" she shouted. "I'm not leaving you."

He took her hands. "You don't have much time left. You need to go now, before it's too late and they swarm the beach."

"I won't leave you," she repeated, stepping closer to him and drawing herself up to full height, which was still a head shorter than him. "I won't be torn away from you, not now, not when there is no chance of seeing you again."

He cupped her face in his large, calloused, gentle hands. "Adara. Look at me." She did, and immediately regretted it. How could she be angry at him when he flashed her that beautiful, despairing look? "I'm not even supposed to be here. The Myrmidons all left. I can't ensure your protection."

"What about Achilles?" she asked. "He must have stayed."

Patroclus grimaced, and a sadness spread over his feature, making her immediately regret saying anything. "My cousin will not make it home to Greece. And for him I must stay here."

She squeezed the hand he still held. "I'm so sorry," she said, wondering how Achilles could have died; he was invincible. But, then again, so was Hector. "Then why did you come, if not to get me?"

"To make sure you got out, and know where I will be waiting for you." The plan had come quickly, and while it wasn't ideal, he believed it could work.

"Waiting for me?"

He nodded. "In Greece." He brought her back to Daan, and this time she was more willing. "I lived with Achilles and my uncle in Phthia. Go there, and you will be welcomed like a queen." His gaze moved to Daan. "I understand if you wish to stay with your people, but I could offer you a position of some sort."

Daan nodded. "I will take that into consideration. It is very kind of you." He neither accepted or denied, just moved into the passage. He stopped close enough for Adara to see the light of the torch, but far enough to politely give them a moment of privacy.

For the first time. Adara looked at the window. Even though it was the dead of night, flames lit up the dark sky while plumes of smoke blotted out the moon and stars.

Troy was burning. Her city had fallen.

His hand steered her face to look back at him, and the look he gave her made words come pouring out of her mouth. "What if I don't find you? What if something happens-"

"Then I'll find you. No matter how long it takes. A month is more than enough time, but if it takes you longer, I'll set out after you." She nodded, resting her forehead on his chest. "Time will pass quickly," he murmured into her hair.

An empty, sickening feeling filled her stomach; he wasn't even gone yet and the hole was reopening. "Never when you want it to." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes, and found the same expression on his face. She opened her mouth to speak again, but his lips crashed down on hers.

Though he spoke calmly, she felt his frustration in his kiss .

He pulled away before kissing her deeply once more. Leaving her breathless, he rested his forehead against hers. "This will not be the last time. I promise. Now," he took her hand and led her to the passage, "get in the first boat you find. You still have time if you go quickly."

She held his hand as long as she could before Daan pushed her into a run. Patroclus disappeared from her line of vision.

Just because we hit 100 doesn't mean more reviews aren't welcomed! ;)