Chapter 5: Conquering the Heart
There was whispering coming from the next room. I inched closer and closer, trying to glimpse the people and the conversation. The hallway was dark; the last of the torch faded until it disappeared forever. My heart was pounding as I heard snatches of the men's words.
"Do you think he'll have her do it soon?" a meek voice asked. I stopped dead, remaining silent as I caught the last of the words.
"No! The girl is only fifteen, barely recognizing a sword yet, much less killing. No, the man still has a lot to teach his daughter, especially now that her brother is dead and finished with. The boy left Troy three years ago, she was devastated and now he's dead, lying in the sand next to his mother," a gruff man stated, sending chills up and down my spine. I instantly realized of whom they were speaking about and inching closer, I held my breath.
"Yes, but I've seen her spirit, she could do it if he pushed her-"
"She would rupture the plan!" the gruff voice shouted, interrupting what the meek voice tried to contradict with. "Everything we have worked for, for so long could be destroyed and shattered in an instant because she is too soft to kill a few royal souls!" The man was speaking at an outcry now, so loud my ears rang. My head was thumping with a million questions, but the men continued, dragging me closer to my curiosity. There was hammering of feet as the man stalked back and forth across the room. I crouched low to the ground, squatting and resting my hands to support me from falling. The man continued to shout at the other meek one. "The boy was a bastard, didn't even want to hold a sword, and women aren't much better. What he sees in her I have no idea."
"I see great power in her, one so great that it will achieve everything we have worked so hard for. I'll bet-" The man with the timid voice cut off, listening for something. Suddenly there was a soft crunch of sprinkled sand on the ground being crushed harshly by feet. I spun around, my eyes wide, my hand rushing to my mouth in astonished surprise. There stood my father, his eyes beacons of fury and anger, splayed with furious emotions. I couldn't even predict the punishment that awaited me. The man slowly walked to the door and opened it a crack, sticking his head out. He had stringy brown hair and a scrawny face that reminded me of a rat. I peeked in, seeing the man with the gruff voice. He was tall, taller than any man I had seen, with arms of muscle and an ominous look of ferocity. I could tell that he took pleasure in killing for sport when he had the chance. The man with the timid eyes grew wide as he saw what lay before him, me sitting on the ground and my father, holding up his hand to strike me. But instead my father's hand swiped the man, creating a gash of blood on his cheek. The man gasped, a hand brushing away the blood but to no avail. My father twisted his ring back around his finger. I could see the strip of flesh hanging from it in a bloody fashion. I grimaced, and then looked to the man that whimpered and my father who had the evilest eyes.
"Impudent fool!" my father screamed to the man. "What have I told you about making plans that could take your lives and what have I told you of speaking them to unwanted visitors!" he bellowed at the top of his lungs, I was afraid they would burst. My body grew stiff as I watched two men appear behind the shadows, each carrying a spear and wearing Trojan armor. The man and the one standing close behind him in sick fury didn't see the others behind my father. "You both will regret this night." my father threatened. The man just stood there, shacking with dread and apprehension.
"But my lord we didn't know the girl was here and-" My father's glare sent the man into silence. My father beckoned with his hand, the two men stepped from the shadows, bearing their spears on their chests. The men in the room both trembled, the one with the timid voice looked at my father for mercy. My father gave him none. I watched the men taken away with the guards grasping both their arms tightly. My father whispered something to a guard, who nodded and pushed the traitor in front of him. Then he turned again to me. He offered me his hand. The feeling was awkward as I stared at it, and then gingerly placed my fingers in his palm. He pulled me to his feet, bringing me close to his face.
"Never do that again, you hear? Never eavesdrop on my men again!" he hissed in my ear, sending shivers uncontrollably down my spine. I flinched, tried to pull from him, but he held on to my arm securely. He eyed me before tossing me aside. I rubbed my arm, trying to get the welts to fade from my skin. His touch was like blistering fire. He turned to walk away, but I wasn't finished with what I had just heard.
"So they were telling the truth?" I whispered in amazement. He whirled around, his cloak swirling behind him. He hesitated for a moment, as if that was the only truth I needed to know, that whatever I heard was the reality of it. He had killed my brother. My mother was still a mystery. He sighed, wrapping his arms around me in an affectionate embrace. I shivered, he backed away hurt. Then he stepped closer.
"Oh my daughter, know that wine troubles the mind. Your mother and brother were both killed by Achilles and his raiding men, that's why we escaped to Troy, to be safe from that murderous man." When I didn't respond, he stroked my hair, and then pulled on it ruthlessly. "You know that, right?" he asked with an anger tone. I quickly nodded my head. He smiled with evil glee, and then walked back into the shadows. I felt my knees crumple from under me. I fell to the floor as I began to sob.
The wooden ship pitched me forward. I awoke suddenly, catching a glimpse of a man before collapsing in his arms. I was breathing hard, in shock from the dream and the way he startled me with his presence. I dared not look up, afraid of who it might be when I recognized the arms that had held me once before. Patroclus held me until my breathing slowed, all the while holding me around the waist and shoulders. My head was resting on his chest. I could feel it rise with his breaths. And then he let me escape from his arms. I gasped, not wanting to leave his warmth. He looked at me with patient blue eyes. He brushed away a lock of hair, tucking it behind my ear.
"Patroclus…" I whispered, completely dazed as sleep wore itself off me. He nodded.
"You were dreaming," he remarked. I nodded numbly. "Of what? Tell me." He wanted to confront me, which I wasn't about to object to. He didn't move, but stayed close incase the ship would overthrow me again and he would need to catch me. I looked around me, splinters of sunlight peeked through the thin cracks above me, sending down small rays onto me and Patroclus. There was enough light for me to see his face, which I could barely rip my eyes from.
"I dreamt of my past. The memories will haunt me forever. I will never forgive my father for what he did," I responded. He stared quizzically at me, but kept silent. I felt his touch on my shoulder. His hips drew closer to me as he shifted his body, laying his feet out bent in front of him, and sitting next to me. Continue, please…he seemed to whisper. I exhaled, taking a deep breath, revealing secrets that only Hector and I knew. "My family never used to live in Troy. I was too young to remember the green fields; the oasis where legend has it a goddess dipped her baby in to grant him immortality and invulnerability. All I knew was that our house, the stone structure in the middle of the city was attacked, my mother killed, I was only nine. To escape them and live in safety, my father moved me and brother to Troy. There, my father began to teach my brother how to be a warrior so he could keep the family name just. My brother wanted to be a scholar and gave up his life of weaponry. My father began to teach me instead. I was twelve when my brother left. I was just fifteen when the girl told me and my father he had been murdered. By then I could only guess who it was: Achilles."
Patroclus drew away, but his hand still wrapped itself around my shoulder. He let it sink in before moving closer again. "My cousin would never kill cold blood. He would never kill for the sake of killing," he retorted. I nodded, showing I knew full well of Achilles capability. He waited for me to continue, taking a glance back at the door that led down to the cellar.
"How could Achilles kill for bliss and love a cousin so much? I see the way he cares for you." He didn't answer, letting me speak on. "My father told me of Achilles when I was young, when I asked why my brother had to learn to fight. It was so he and my father could protect us from Achilles, who had attacked our home that night and killed my mother. My father told everyone that my brother died in combat, so naturally it could have been Achilles." Patroclus nodded, though he was still disturbed by my story. "Only the girl and I knew the truth my father was hiding. It was some months after when I came upon a conversation between two men. They spoke of me, a plot and the will I hadn't yet succeeded in learning. My father caught me, but instead punished the men. But after those words, I believed nothing he said, I had lost all my faith in the hero I had followed my whole life. I had believed that my father was the strongest man alive, that Achilles was a murderous man. Little did I know that the truth was so clear: my father only wanted power and had used me to get what he wanted." Tears had welled in my eyes. I looked away, but Patroclus enclosed a hand around my chin, pulling me back to face him. I refused to let him see me cry, biting my lip till the tears receded.
"What did your father do that made you doubt him?" He asked lightly, caringly. I smiled, touched by his concern. Tears rolled down my cheeks, I bit down my pride and let them. I felt his hands wrap further around me.
"The men said that my father killed my mother and brother, my mother for not bearing a suitable son for him and my brother who wished to have nothing to do with killing. Now I see my brother was the smart one." I faked a smile as I remembered him pushing the dagger into my hands. Patroclus asked for no more, seeing my hurt.
His only reaction was, "Do you take pride in nothing?" The question made me grimace, he didn't catch the face. "Who says you weren't the smart one?" The question was left in the open air. I looked up at him. He was smiling slightly, enough for me to know his true thoughts. Silent enveloped its way around us. Patroclus carefully moved his arms from me, resting them on his knees. I looked at him, hoping my eyes could convince him to move them back into the warm embrace we had stayed in, but he didn't do anything. Finally I spoke again.
"How long have you known I've been here?" I asked. Patroclus went into deep thought.
"I came down awhile ago to grab the shields, I noticed you bundled in the cloak, shivering. When I came again you were tossing and turning, dreaming. I stayed down here to make sure no one would hear. I also brought down an extra blanket, but you threw it off." I murmured my thanks, turning crimson imagining me dreaming and him sitting and watching. Patroclus seemed unaware of my embarrassment. "What are you doing here?" he asked suddenly. "I saw you climb aboard Odysseus's ship," he stated. I grinned in pleasure.
"You saw me climb down the ship, when really I snuck to the side and jumped off. Then I swam to Achilles' ship and came down here." He seemed impressed by my actions and I let him know that he should. "You asked if I take pride in anything, well that is one of them. Who else do you know that slink through a city and palaces, through countries and past kings?" Patroclus smiled playfully. "As for my past, I took pride in nothing. I'm not proud of what I did, but it had to be done. I'd rather come with you to Troy then go back to Agamemnon any day. I would've been forced to come with him to Troy, but then I would've forever stayed with him, become his entertainment when war bored him. Achilles in my eyes is much better a man to deal with." I looked at him, his eyes winked at me with enjoyment. "And what of you, or are you as hidden as the Great Achilles?" I mused. He shrugged his shoulders.
"My parents died, I'm an orphan taken in by Achilles. He taught me how to fight with a sword." He imagined a sword in his hand right now, one that he wanted to swipe the enemy to pieces with. I knew that sword was a passion for us both, another comparison that Odysseus linked us to. I envied him.
"You're lucky to be taught by such a great warrior. Men would kill to be in the position you are." Again he shrugged his shoulders, not wanted to boast about what he knew was true. "I would live to see the day when I could be taught sword like you, and when I could fight like Achilles, my life would be spent." I imagined the power, the glory I could gain from one such as Achilles or Patroclus.
A wave suddenly smacked into the boat, tipping it to the side. Again I was thrown from my spot, Patroclus took the liberty of catching me. This time he held me still, even after the boat had gained balance gain. He stared down at me. I stared with my headstrong eyes that got me into this mess, this mess I didn't want to leave now, all because of him.
"I could teach you. Maybe when this war is finished we will see each other again." My head snapped up in surprise. Patroclus looked at me a second longer before standing up, his hand tracing around my face. My face belied the hurt feelings I suddenly felt. He had begun to ascend the steps when I spoke up.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, showing my hurt feelings. He showed just the same.
"Achilles will ask you to leave when you get off this boat. You will go back to Troy and to keep us all safe, you will stay in the walls. I don't want to see you get hurt over something like that. That's why I am making sure Achilles doesn't find you. Hopefully I can see you make it to the wall safely." It was a promise he meant to keep, one I meant to break.
My father left me alone in that hall, crying to no one. I heard the sound of horse's hooves. They pulled me to the window on the second story of the building. The two guards had left, leaving the traitors to my father to be dealt with. And deal with them he did. He pulled out his sword, the sharp point glistening in the moonlight.
"What did I say about keeping secrets?" he snarled. The men both kneeled on the ground, wavering from my father's anger. He waited for their reply, but they were dead silent. "Don't underestimate my daughter. Do not take Aldreana too lightly. But it seems that is what you did. If you were not such idiotic bastards, she would not know of our little plot, would she? She would know nothing about my plan to use her to kill the Princes, granting me to lift her to the throne. I am one of Priam's favored council members. With his sons out of the way, who does that leave to mount to the throne? Huh?" he shouted. When nether responded, he picked up a spear sticking from the ground next to him. He hefted it lightly, and then sneered at the tall man. The taller man gulped. My father threw the spear with all his might. The weapon drove through the man's chest, and stuck out the other end in bloody disarray. I screamed, but was not loud enough for my father to hear as I stifled it with my clammy hand. The other man sniveled, stood up and began to run away. My father chucked his sword at the man. It sank into the man's neck, slicing his throat and tearing off half his head. I grimaced, feeling my stomach churn. My father had just killed two men in cold blood. Unable to believe the ineffable sight, I felt my stomach agitate. I vomited over the side of the window before fainting, falling to the ground.
A grunt woke me up again, this time the blanket was wrapped firmly around my arms and body. I wondered if Patroclus had been back, when I saw the shadow of a man move not far in front of me. Aldreana… I heard the whisper, perhaps it was Patroclus, and perhaps it was the dreams still haunting me.
"Patroclus?" I whispered. Rough hands suddenly grabbed me from all angles. I yelled out in anger and surprise, feeling foolish of calling his name. Had he betrayed me? His warm, sincere eyes flooding back into my mind. No, he hadn't.
"Ah, is this the Trojan spy?" they remarked, a group of three men carried my foot and arms, while the other opened the latch to the above deck. I wriggled and struggled violently, but it was no use. "We'll see what Achilles thinks of her," one sneered. I panicked, screaming for them to let me go but they didn't listen. Sunlight blinded me. My eyes squeezed shut, red spots appearing in my vision. The sound of the waves crashing against the ship made me open my eyes again. Achilles stood at the front of the ship, looking out at the sea. He didn't turn at my screams or shouts, his hands held behind his back in majestic fashion. He was dressed in a black tunic and body armor. I could only guess what beach was nearing. The men grasped me firmly, tugging me towards him. Each man who wasn't rowing gathered around, watching me struggle to get free. Among them I saw Patroclus push through, his eyes wide with fright and surprise. A man with jet black hair, and a weather-beaten, haggard face looked over at confusion at Patroclus's fear. He had dark eyes and a black scarf tied around his head. He eyed me outlandishly, speculating if I could be trusted.
"Let go of me!" I yelled furiously. "Let me go now!" The men obeyed and flung me to the ground, leaving me in a spasm of aches and bruises. I felt a knife's tip stab at my back, the one of many. Achilles turned from his position. He held a knife to my throat.
"I thought I told you to go to Odysseus's ship?" he asked. I glared at the knife, then at him. "Perhaps you need to be taught how to listen," he put forth. I peered over my shoulder, straight into a man's legs that stood behind me. I looked back to Achilles and smiled unrepentantly.
"Maybe that's one thing you need to learn that I don't do." I shoved my elbow into the man's legs with all my might. At the same time the boat lunched forward, toppling the man over. His sword flew from his hands, skidding across the ground to my feet. I picked it up and stood up swiftly. The flesh of my back tore open along with my clothes, revealing a new hideous slash. I screamed, yet held the men at bay with my sword, keeping it on the brink and poised.
"No, don't hurt her!" Patroclus yelled, right when Achilles ordered, "Enough!" Both Achilles and I glanced at Patroclus, Achilles glare sending him into silence. He eyed me with forewarning, and then tucked himself into the horde of men. The man with the scarf and dark eyes looked once more at him with perplexity. Achilles calmed himself, though the men stared at him in bemusement, all glancing at me and my weapon. Achilles held out his hand to stop me from any actions that could be ill-fated.
"Aldreana, let go of the sword," he cautioned. I felt blood, hot and thick, pour down my back. The feeling was reciprocated. "Let go of the sword," he said again. Patroclus's eyes told me to let it go, to listen to him. Unwilling to let Achilles win, I spun the sword over my head, then came back and pointed it at Achilles. He eyed me with enjoyment and contentment. "Let go of it!" And I did. I hurled the sword into the air. Men watched it fly over their heads and splash into the sea. The man whose sword I had taken jabbed me the back with his knee, sending me to the ground in agony. I was unaware of the scorn Patroclus would receive, but he cared little as well as he ran to my side and helped me to my feet. Achilles glared angrily at his cousin, but Patroclus was unyielding. Achilles stood as close as he would allow himself to me. "That was a nice sword," he claimed. His anger faded, leaving me in amazement. He snickered at me turning back to the front of the ship. The men all looked down in disappointment; hoping one would be able to claim me. Patroclus already had. Patroclus let go of me, wiping my blood on his equally black tunic that all the men wore: the cloth of the Myrmidons. Achilles waited for me to come forth, standing next to him before he spoke up. "Your courage will kill you someday. Your curiously will too." He looked down at me, I stared out at sea. There were no other ships ahead of us, yet I heard the sound of rowing other then here. I swiveled my head and my mouth was agape. Behind us were at least one thousand ships, all bearing the symbol on their mast of another city beyond Troy. They all carried men who waited for their ship to hit land. They waited to conquer the beach.
"I'm not as daring as you. I'm surprised Agamemnon has let you sail before him." The remark was candid, we both knew the answer. Achilles glanced back at the army set out to destroy Troy, all for one woman.
"He hasn't, but it matters not because I don't follow him, the question is who do you follow?" he asked. I shrugged my shoulders. "No one?" he tried to acquire. I shook my head. "I thought it would be Hector or even Agamemnon," he replied to the silence I gave him.
"It was Hector, but then Helen left with Paris, leaving me to Menelaus' scorn. And then I approached Agamemnon, but he wanted nothing to do with me. So I guess I could go back to the King of Kings, but I believe you would want me to stay away from him," I answered slyly, already ready for his respond and my counter one.
"It matters to me not who you will follow, but now I have you here with me and I could just as easily keep you captive," he mentioned, mimicking my sarcasm. I smiled.
"Ah, you could keep me, but what if I escape and then go to Agamemnon or even back to Troy's walls? I'm sure they would gladly accept a spy to watch over Achilles for them, the greatest warrior ever. Maybe, I'll even find his weakness and then the great legend will fall." Achilles rubbed fatigue from his face, chuckling at my smart comments.
"I'm not that easy to kill, and I won't let you escape that effortlessly." He turned serious. "In fact I won't let you go until I have what you have taken from me." I stared at him in misunderstanding. "I want my men to have their weapons, now one is short a sword." The beach of Troy had risen, getting bigger and bigger as we sailed closer and closer to it. He proposed his plan. "When we land, men will stay behind and anchor. The rest will jump off with me and attack the Trojans. You know this city very well. I expect you to jump off with us and run to the wall the safest way you can, sneak in and buy a sword, or maybe even steal one, for the roads will be chaos when we land. Bring it back to the man at our camp. Once you have completed that, you are free to go back to Troy or Agamemnon, I care not." I looked to the beach. A line of men could be seen and beams of wood sharpened to points and sticking up from the ground. I already figured what route I could take, looking to the temple not far from the beach. I nodded, sealing the deal. My stomach launched in praise as I thought of being able to see Patroclus once more when I returned. Achilles looked over my back. Blood had soaked the whole back side of the cloth. "Will you be alright?" he asked. I nodded. He raised an eyebrow in disbelief, and then remembered my handle of a sword. The man with the black band across his forehead came up behind us.
"My lord, shouldn't we wait for the others?" he posed. Achilles took one look at the other thousand ships behind us. His men would be alone for quite a while. Patroclus stepped behind the man, holding a spear. He looked once at me, his eyes full of relief that I was satisfactory. I felt my heart flutter, knowing no man had cared for me this much. Achilles shook his head.
"No Eudorus," he said. "The second we land we attack that beach." Eudorus bowed his head and had begun to turn him away. "Oh, and one more thing," Achilles said. Eudorus waited for the request and command. "No one is to harm Aldreana." Eudorus eyed me with aversion.
"But she is a spy," he alleged, but Achilles' look made the new command final. He bowed his head then turned to tell the commands to the other men and crew. Patroclus replaced Eudorus, hefting the spear and shield with years of practice, no true experience. Achilles laid his hand on the spear.
"Put it away cousin, you're staying here and watching the ship." My heart lifted another degree while Patroclus's dropped several.
"But I want to fight!" he protested. Achilles shook his head, declaring his order concluded and he expected all men to obey.
"You stay and watch over the ship. This is not the time for you to fight." Patroclus opened his mouth, then shut it. Frustrated and dissatisfied beyond belief, he threw the spear brutally off to the side and shook the shield off his arm. He stalked to the latched door that led below deck, and didn't look back as he slammed it shut following him. Achilles didn't show a sign of mercy or remorse. I took my leave and walked to a spot on the ship where I could look out and not be troubled by the sights that flew up to me.