The Walls of Troy

Perseus stood on the towering wall that encircled his beloved home, his eyes scanning the vast expanse of sea that stretched out before him. As the scorching sun beat down upon his heavy armor, he couldn't help but yearn for the cool embrace of the waves he had grown up beside. This was the least coveted guard post in all of Troy, always given to the greenest of soldiers on duty at the time - like him. As he continued his watch, his mind drifted to how he had come to be here.

Only a few months ago he had still been living with his mother in her bakery. It had been his home for fifteen years and it certainly hadn't been a bad place to be raised. However, Perseus wasn't content with his life in the bakery. While he enjoyed helping his mother bake bread, it wasn't his passion. He yearned for adventure and excitement, something more than just kneading dough and serving customers. His heart longed for the sea, and he often found himself staring out at it, wondering what lay beyond the horizon, or under it.

So when the city guard suddenly began recruiting new members in record numbers he took the opportunity. Despite his lack of experience and training, Perseus was determined to prove himself as a capable soldier and earn his place in the ranks. He eagerly underwent the rigorous training and drills, learning the art of warfare and the discipline needed to fight for his city. And after months of hard work and dedication, he found himself standing guard on the walls of Troy, ready to defend his home against any enemy that dared to attack.

As he stood there, Perseus couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and purpose. He was no longer just a simple baker's son, but a defender of his city and his people. Yet, even with this new sense of identity, his longing for the sea never faded.

While his mother wasn't particularly excited about his career path she accepted it, she knew his longing for the sea and would always get a longing glint in her eyes at the topic. Perseus knew this was because of his father. His mysterious father had been lost at sea before he was even born. Perseus had always wondered about him and felt a deep connection to the sea as if it were somehow linked to his father's fate. He often imagined himself sailing the seas, exploring unknown lands, and discovering lost treasures, maybe even finding out his father's identity.

He had never been very liked by his peers they always seemed... off put by him like he was different and strange. His mother had comforted him and called him special but he couldn't get himself to believe it to be anything other than a mother comforting her child.

Despite the alienation he felt from his peers, Perseus continued to focus on his duties as a guard of Troy. He knew that his role was important and that the safety of his city depended on him and his fellow soldiers. As the days passed, he became more and more skilled at his job and began to earn the respect of his superiors.

He was once again posted on the ocean-facing wall of the city. While he had been a part of a patrol with his lieutenant yesterday it seemed that he wasn't yet finished with his watch over the sea. The sun had already set and the cool night breeze was starting to blow. Perseus shivered a little as he remembered the stories his mother had told him about the dangers of the sea at night. But he knew that he had to stay alert, no matter how sleepy he felt.

As he stood there, his eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of danger, Perseus heard a very faint sound that made him prop up. It was the sound of something moving in the water out in front of him, something big. His heart began to race as he tried to focus on the source of the sound. The rhythmic sound reminded him of something, but at a scale much larger than he had ever heard - it was oars.

He peered out toward the sea. It was no moon to speak of tonight, but he strained his eyes to see through the darkness. As he peered into the distance, he saw something that made his blood run cold. There, on the horizon, was a fleet of ships, their masts looming even from his vantage point on top of the gigantic wall.

They had no sails up but he could see the oars moving with an almost inhuman rhythm. He wastes another few moments just registering the sheer scale of the fleet before coming to his senses. Taking his issued bronze horn he put it up to his lips and after a deep intake of breath he blew as hard as he could.

The sound of Perseus's horn echoed through the air, signaling the alarm to the other guards and soldiers stationed throughout the city. It was a signal that all of Troy knew well, one that signaled danger and the need for action.

Perseus could see movement within the city as people began to stir, and soon the soldiers were mobilizing and moving to their assigned positions. He continued to blow the horn, knowing that every second counted in the face of an unknown enemy. However, there weren't that many enemies it could be. It was an open secret that Prince Paris one of King Priam's sons had somehow become married to a Greek queen - Helen.

So when the ships slowly revealed more of their details he could quickly see that they were of a Greek design, the great bronze rams on the front of the triremes left no doubt. In reality, it could only be the Greeks, the kingdoms in the eastern reaches of Anatolia like the Hittaios were separated by a vast arid landscape, the great kingdom of Aegyptus was south separated by a great ocean, and to the north was nothing but barbarians so that left their western neighbors, the Greeks.

As he watched, the ships continued to approach, seemingly undeterred by his warning. He also took a torch from the closest holder and lit a small warning beacon, this would be followed by his fellow guards on the wall and then seen by all the small villages that surrounded Troy.

Perseus knew that he needed to alert the rest of the city to the incoming threat. He ran down the steps of the wall and rushed towards the city center, sounding his horn and waving the torch to signal the danger. As he ran through the streets, he could see the panicked looks on the faces of the townspeople. In the distance, he heard other horns join in and he soon discarded the horn for his trusty sword.

When he finally reached the city center, he found that the warning had already been reacted to. The people were in a state of confusion, sleepily making their way out into the streets simply watching the assembling defense. Perseus joined the other guards, who were mustering at the city gates and preparing to defend the city.

They didn't have to wait long before Hector came into view in his majestic royal armor on top of his chariot. As Hector approached, the guards and soldiers gathered around him, ready to receive his orders.

"Who was it that sounded the horn?" The men looked around at each other. Perseus felt his breathing speed up. He steadied himself before taking a step forward.

"It was me my Prince" Hector turned to face Perseus, his gaze intense. "And what did you see out there, soldier?" he asked.

Perseus took a deep breath before answering. "A massive fleet of ships, my Prince," he said. "Greek ships, I'm almost certain of it."

Hector's expression darkened. "This is not good news," he said. "But we will be ready for them. We have the best warriors in the world, and we will not let them take our city." The men stomped their spears down into the ground in response.

Hector was a skilled strategist, and he knew that the Trojan forces were outnumbered by the Greeks. He ordered the troops to focus their efforts on defending the city gates and walls, using their superior knowledge of the terrain to their advantage. He also urged the soldiers to remain calm and disciplined, knowing that panic and disorganization could be deadly in battle.

Perseus stood among his fellow soldiers, listening closely as Hector outlined the plan for defending the city.

Perseus felt a surge of hope as he listened to Prince Hector speak. He had always admired the prince's leadership and bravery, and he knew that under Hector's command, they had a fighting chance against the Greeks. His reputation was almost legendary and he hadn't even become king yet.

For the rest of the night, the soldiers worked tirelessly to prepare the city for the impending attack. They reinforced the walls and gates, stocked up on weapons and supplies, and scouted out the enemy's position. Perseus joined in, eager to do his part, but as the impending battle drew ever closer he felt his apprehension rise. What if he failed his fellow soldiers? Failed his city's people? Failed to ensure his mother's safety.

He had barely even seen her since he had enlisted into the guard. Perseus worked alongside his comrades, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he wasn't ready for what was to come. He knew he had been trained well, but the reality of battle was something entirely different. He tried to push the thoughts aside, to focus on the task at hand, but they kept creeping back in.

As the night wore on and the preparations continued, Perseus found himself growing increasingly anxious. He felt like he was drowning in his thoughts, unable to make sense of them. He resigned himself to completing his tasks but with a pit of anxiousness in his stomach

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the soldiers gathered for a final briefing from Hector. They stood shrouded in the shadows of the walls and buildings around them, the chill of the morning air sending shivers down their spines. Hector reminded them of the importance of their duty, and how their bravery would be remembered for generations to come. The soldiers let out a resounding cheer, ready to face whatever was coming their way.

They were divided into pairs, given a spear, and placed in a chariot with their companion. Perseus' companion was a little older than him, mid-twenties if he had to guess. He looked quite typical for a Trojan, with dark hair and eyes. He was only a little taller than him though.

"Any good with that spear?" His companion nodded to the spear he held in his hand. Perseus nodded resolutely. "The name is Aris," The man said before taking up the reins of their horse.

"Perseus" He replied after a moment.

Aris looked behind him with a raised eyebrow. "Greek, should I steer away from your cousins or..."

Perseus fixed him with an angry gaze. Aris rolled his eyes "I'm perfectly fine as long as you don't accidentally pierce my neck with that spear of yours." Aris nonchalantly patted his hand on the long dagger fixed to his hip.

Perseus shifted his weight uneasily from one foot to the other, his heart pounding in his chest. The silence between him and Aris was deafening, only broken by the faint sound of their armor clanking as they readied themselves for battle. He couldn't help but feel anxious about the impending fight, his mind racing with thoughts of all that could go wrong. Aris's nonchalant demeanor only served to make him feel more on edge; how could he be so calm in the face of danger?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Aris spoke, his dry tone only further frustrating Perseus for his own apprehension. "A... man of few words, joy," Aris commented, not bothering to face Perseus.

Perseus took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. "I apologize, but I haven't ever been in a real battle before," he admitted, his voice slightly trembling. "It's just that... I don't know what to expect."

Aris turned to face him, his expression stern but not unkind. "We are all afraid, Perseus," he said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's what you do with that fear that counts. Remember your training, trust in your instincts, and most importantly, trust in your comrades. We're in this together."

Perseus takes a few deep breaths, his eyes scanning the faces of the other soldiers gathered inside the gates of Troy. The air is thick with the smell of sweat, iron, and fear, and he can feel the weight of his armor pressing down on him. Despite this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for the determination etched on their faces. Each one of them was ready to give their all for their city and their people, no matter the cost. And he would as well.

As he looks back at Aris, he can't help but feel a sense of admiration for the older soldier. Despite his nonchalant demeanor, there was no doubt that Aris was a skilled warrior., and one that Perseus was proud to call his comrade.

Just then, a loud and distinct horn blares from outside the gates, sending a jolt of adrenaline through Perseus. The signal he had been dreading, but also anticipating, had finally come. He takes a deep breath and steps up onto the chariot behind Aris, gripping tightly onto the railing as they move towards the city gate.

As they make their way towards the front lines, Hector, the legendary warrior of Troy, looks over the soldiers gathered around him. His gaze seems to meet each of their eyes, silently acknowledging the bravery and sacrifice they were about to make. No words were needed, for they all knew what was at stake.

Perseus can't help but feel a sense of awe as he rides out of the gigantic city gate of Troy alongside Hector and the other soldiers. They were outnumbered, but they were not outmatched. They were prepared to fight to the death to defend their city, their people, and their honor.

As they emerged from the shadow of the city wall, Perseus felt the warm rays of the rising sun on his neck. It was as if Apollo himself was shining down upon them, encouraging them to fight with all their might. Perseus knew that Apollo was the patron of Troy, and it gave him a sense of reassurance to feel the god's presence.

Hector rode ahead of them, his spear raised high, his eyes fixed on the disorganized enemy. Perseus could see the determination etched on his face, and it filled him with a sense of confidence. They had Hector on their side, and with him leading the charge, there was no way they could fail.

The Greeks had landed right after sunrise and were currently establishing a camp just on the shore. After maybe an hour a contingent of Greeks seemed to have become a bit impatient, it had separated from their companions in search of easy targets presumably.

Hector led them straight out of the gate and to a stop simply observing their enemy. The Greek contingent only strayed further from the main force currently focusing on establishing an encampment on the beachhead both parts of the Greek force were unaware of the Trojans standing simply two kilometers away, letting the Greeks grow more and more separated.

As Perseus watched where the breakaway Greeks were going, he spotted an isolated temple located on a small hill overlooking the bay and beach where the Greeks had landed.

Aris seemed to have noticed this as well because he commented. "They seem to have found their target"

Hector seemed to have heard Aris' comment because he nodded before gradually getting his horse to increase its speed, everything to avoid the Greeks realizing the impending danger.

Even with the Greeks separated from the main Greek army they still had a much larger force than Hector's, but they hadn't yet reached the hill overlooking the beach where the small temple stood. And as long as they were on flat ground where the Trojan chariots could charge they were very vulnerable.

Hector's chariot force had the sun in their backs, blinding the Greeks as they made their way down toward the beach. Perseus could see the confusion in the Greek ranks they probably heard the thundering of the Trojan hooves, but with the sun in their eyes could barely look in their direction only creating greater confusion, and Perseus knew that their disorganization would work to their advantage.

As they approached the hill, Hector signaled for his archers to aim at the Greeks. The sound of arrows filled the air as they rained down upon the enemy, causing chaos and panic. Perseus could see the fear in the Greeks' eyes as they tried to regroup and mount a defense.

The Trojans continued their charge against the scattered Greek contingent, finally with the Trojans only a couple of tens of meters from the Greeks they finally could see them, however, it was all too late and Hector's chariots crashed into the disorganized Greeks causing the first blood of the battle.

-x-

Polyxena waved away her maid's hands as she adjusted the small dagger hidden in the folds of her dress. "I am in no need of any jewelry when we are about to go to war, Eurydice."

"We aren't under attack, princess," Eurydice replied, looking up at Polyxena with concern. "Queen Hecabe said-"

"I don't care what Mother says," Polyxena interrupted, her impatience clear in her tone. "Why would my brother be on his way out to fight if there's no attack?"

"He's likely joining the other soldiers to defend our borders," Eurydice explained, gesturing to the commotion outside. "There have been rumors of Greek ships spotted in the distance. We must prepare for the worst."

At that moment, a very polite knock sounded at the door. Polyxena turned to face the door, her hand still resting on the hilt of the dagger. "Enter," she called out.

The door creaked open, and a messenger entered the room. "Princess Polyxena," he said, bowing low. "I bring word from King Priam. He requests your presence on the ocean-facing wall as soon as it is convenient for you."

Polyxena furrowed her brow in concern. "What is the king's message?" she asked, stepping forward.

"I'm afraid I'm not privy to that information, Your Highness," the messenger replied apologetically. "I was only sent to deliver the message."

Polyxena nodded. "Then tell my father that I will be there shortly. I just need to gather a few things."

The messenger bowed again before hurrying out of the room, leaving Polyxena and Eurydice alone.

"I'll go fetch your cloak, princess," Eurydice offered, scurrying off to the wardrobe.

Polyxena took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to steady her nerves. She knew this summoning from her father could only mean one thing: something had happened to her brother Hector. She had heard the war horns during the night, and even though she was a deep sleeper, the sound had sent chills down her spine.

As much as she hated to admit it, fear had crept in, and she had spent the night tossing and turning in her bed. But as the hours passed, and no further news arrived, she managed to calm herself down and tried to convince herself that everything was fine.

But with this summoning, she suspected that something was amiss. Perhaps it was related to Paris and his recent dalliances with that Greek queen of his Helen. Polyxena couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, and she knew that whatever was awaiting her on the ocean-facing wall, would not be good news.

Eurydice returned with a cloak and draped it around Polyxena's shoulders. "Be careful, princess," she said, her voice laced with concern.

Polyxena gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine, Eurydice. Don't worry."

She made her way out of her chambers and towards the ocean-facing wall. As she walked, she couldn't help but notice that the palace was unusually quiet. The usual chatter and bustle of the servants and guards were nowhere to be heard.

When she reached the wall, she saw her father, King Priam, and her mother, Queen Hecabe, standing with a small group of advisers, along with many of her brothers and sisters,

"Daughter" Polyxena nodded in response to her father's greeting, her eyes scanning the group of people assembled on the wall. She noted the absence of Paris and Helen with a sense of unease, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the matter at hand.

She took her place on the wall as directed, standing between Laodice and Creusa, her sister-in-law and little sister respectively. They both gave her a small smile of greeting, but Polyxena could see the worry etched on their faces.

Looking over the wall she could see three armies gathered on the ground below. To the left and furthest away from the ocean was a group of maybe around a hundred chariots just at the beach was a massive army of tents and men in the thousands maybe even tens of thousands. And a little ways away from that again was another group of warriors currently marching away from the ones on the beach.

She gasped "What is happening down there?" King Priam turned to Polyxena with a grave expression. "We have been lured into a war we have no interest being in," he said, his voice low and serious. "As you all know Helen is from Greece but what Paris has forgotten to explain is the massive defensive alliance that was set around that very woman. And now, the Greeks have come to take her back, along with revenge for the wrongs that they perceive we have done to them."

Polyxena's heart sank as she heard the news. She had always known that Paris's actions would have consequences, but she never imagined that it would lead to this. "What are we going to do?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"We must prepare for battle," King Priam said, his jaw set in determination. "We will not let the Greeks take our city without a fight. We have faced many enemies before, and we will face this one too."

"As you can see," King Priam said, gesturing towards the battlefield below, "Hector and a brave contingent of our guard are about to deal our foolish enemy their first of many blows." The family gathered along the wall and watched in awe as Hector's force began to speed up toward the enemy.

Polyxena felt a mixture of pride and fear as she watched her brother lead his men into battle. She knew that he was one of the best warriors in their army, but she also knew that the Greeks were not to be underestimated.

"We all have a role to play in this fight," King Priam said, turning to his family. "Some of you will be needed to assist in the defense of the city, while others will join our armies on the battlefield."

Polyxena's heart sank as she realized what her father was implying. "I will fight," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

King Priam looked at her with a mixture of pride and concern. "You are a brave and capable warrior, my daughter," he said, "but you are also one of my most precious treasures. I cannot risk losing you in battle."

Polyxena was about to protest, but he stopped her. "I am proud of your willingness to sacrifice for our great city, daughter, but you have a different task. While our soldiers are fierce and our walls are great, we are still significantly outnumbered. Troy will need allies. I sent envoys to our neighbors in the night, but I fear that our wealth and reputation may not be enough for some."

Her father turned his attention back to the battlefield where Hector was charging toward the isolated Greek force. "Undoubtedly, the hands of Troy's daughters will convince the others," he said with a note of confidence. Polyxena felt a sudden wave of unease, unsure if it was because of the sight of Hector and his men clashing with the Greeks below or her father's statement.

She wasn't much excited about either of them. As they watched the battle unfold below, Polyxena's nerves grew increasingly frayed. When a larger force from the Greek encampment charged toward her brother and his men, she couldn't help but gasp in fear. She looked around to see if anyone had noticed her, but everyone else was too focused on the battle.

Her sister Creusa stirred nervously beside her, but neither of them dared to move or look away. They knew that their father would not tolerate any sign of weakness or fear. They watched in silent horror as the Greeks closed in on their elder brother, hoping and praying for his safety.

Polyxena had been searching like a hawk since the start of the engagement, scanning the battlefield for any sign of her brother. She knew that he would be wearing distinguishable armor in comparison to his men, but she couldn't tell if it was a good or bad sign that she had yet to see him.

As the battle raged on, the tension in the air grew thicker. The Trojans had lost the element of surprise and with the reinforcing Greeks from the beach coming ever closer to Hector. Polyxena felt her heart racing as she watched her brother's men fighting for their lives, hoping that they could manage to disengage from the initial Greeks before the enemy reinforcements could flank them

She nervously began gripping her trusty dagger. Finally, she caught a glimpse of her brother's helmet, glinting in the sunlight. He was still fighting, but he was vastly outnumbered. He had obviously lost his chariot. He was quite obvious in the middle of the Greeks with their weird helmets and armor. But how could he survive? He was as good as trapped and isolated from his troops who were fighting for their lives a little way over, many had lost their own chariots.

However, when looking around she noticed one Trojan chariot which seemed a little different it was separated from the other Trojans. She watched in amazement as the chariot deftly weaved through the Greek ranks, its lone driver expertly wielding his spear to take down enemy soldiers. It was like something out of a legend, a divine intervention perhaps. Polyxena's heart swelled with hope as she realized that this chariot was making a beeline for her brother.

The area around Hector had opened up as the Greek soldiers around had seemed to finally notice the Trojan creating havoc between them. They periodically attacked the Prince and while he had been holding them off for a little while it wasn't possible to last.

As the driver approached Hector, he threw a spear directly at a Greek warrior who had been advancing on Hector's back. But it seemed that the chariot had run out of luck as well as it suddenly crashed over and resulted in a massive dust cloud.

The Trojan horns sounded and the remaining Trojans who had been desperately fighting elsewhere began to retreat back to the gates and the protection of the Trojan archers and slingers located on the walls.

Polyxena's heart dropped as the Trojan force drew further and further away from her dear brother, abandoning him to the mercy of the enemy. She could only watch in horror as the Greeks around Hector once again closed in around him.

End of Chapter

Hey there, welcome to my story! I'm currently planning for it to be around 10-15 chapters, but who knows, I might end up adding more before I finally publish it. Regardless, I hope you'll enjoy reading it as much as I'm enjoying writing it. By the way, I currently have 5 chapters written already but we will see how I do it. I just thought it would be interesting to cover the Trojan side, hopefully, you think it is interesting too. Regardless, thanks for checking my story out, and I can't wait to share more with you.

I have no Beta writer so please point out potential grammar mistakes and I'll fix them :)