Chapter 7: Before Dawn
I slinked my way out of the camp, walking quickly over the mile of bare land to the gates of Troy. My eyes swept past the tumbled ruins, anger pulsed through my veins. Anger and sorrow, as I hoped Patroclus would call my name, but I heard him naught. I gathered my new clothes under my arm and pulled the hood of the cloak over my head, my face not visible in the night sky. I crept back to the secret entrance, the man's body was smeared with blood, and flies had begun eating away his cold flesh. I grimaced, his glazed over eyes haunting me for eternity, before slipping back into the small passage through the wall. When I got to the other end I pushed away the rock slightly and peeked out. No one was in sight. I slithered out from the passage and pushed the rock back into its proper fitting. Every sound made my heart skip a beat, quickened my breathing and sent me to shock. When upon seeing no one, I remorselessly continued down the dirty street. Lanterns and lamps lit my way from the windows of homes, my shadow slinking behind me at a crawl. I moved quickly and quietly, taking the quickest route to the palace I could muster. I could see the lights of the main hall light up, with the statues of the Gods blazing with their undying majesty. Quickening my pace, I turned a corner penetratingly. Two guards stood with their backs to me. Startled, I stifled my gasp and reeled back around the stone wall. Hard stone sent sharp needles through my spine, I bit my lip wincing. The men moved slowly, the shuffle of their feet was almost possessive. I edged farther away from the corner till their footsteps ceased and I heard whispers.
"Who are we watching for?" one man asked with a gruff voice, stating he rather be home making love to his wife than standing guard. He threw his spear to the wall and stones crunched beneath his feet as he sat down. The other man began pacing back and forth, tired of the man's brash attitude.
"Prince Hector said we should watch for the spy, Aldreana or something or other…" he trailed off with a yawn.
"Aldreana, I heard that part. That girl is a sly vixen; I'm surprised half the men aren't on her right now," the crotchety man said with pure pleasure. The other man threw his weapon aside, and sat down next to his companion.
"Well that's just the point, apparently she was left behind to watch over the Sparta Queen for Hector and then Paris decided to steal her away on the ship. Aldreana came with Achilles and his band of raiders, or so I heard. Hector said that when he went out this afternoon she was there running to his side, but now she suddenly goes missing? My guess, she probably went back to Achilles, snaring him into a love trap to get what she wants. I never liked that girl, I hardly see why Hector trusts her so," he replied angrily with.
"She seems honest to me, just full of power and eyes that control and restrain a man," the gruff man said in defense. I could already guess who the other man was by his declaration of Aldreana being a slut of a woman.
"Oh! Of course she seems honest old champ. She's a whore of a spy no doubt, getting herself into men's beds."
"Or perhaps she is spying for the King, which is her job in court," the gruff man contradicted with.
"Her job! Her job! Some job, do you know who she killed…" The man was cut off by a bang and crash from the other end of the street. "Who's there?" he shouted.
Immediately feet scrambled to get away, the guards picked up their spears, chasing after the man down the other corner. When I could scarcely hear their sandals scrapping across the course ground, I ran for it. I took a different street and found my way back down the small alley road used by the slaves of the palace. Pale brown stone houses loomed over me, the tops of the roofs thatched or made or stone. Ladders filled the road to climb to the second story roof; I slinked through and under them. The road grew thinner and thinner till only one person could squeeze around the ladders and other baskets and bundles strewn around the ground. Blankets hung from doorways and windows, blowing in the hot breeze that swept through the open air. The air was moist from the sea, tickling my nose with its salty breath. A bat that hung from the ladder's edge opened to its wing span and flew into the sky, its screech unheard. It was silent, so hushed I thought I could hear the snores of the children and women and men done with a full days work. My time with Patroclus made me realize how quickly it really went, when his touch seemed to halt time in my mind. The kiss tingled on my lips and I shook my head to relieve me of many thoughts. The man's words were still buzzing in my head as I turned corner after corner, mastering the labyrinth of streets till my destination came to full view. The back door of the palace loomed in front of me, wooden and bent from old age, but reliable. I looked behind me, down the hill from where the fortress sat on. Troches' light flickered in the dark light, dancing across my face. No one had followed me to the palace. I opened the wooden door and tiptoed in, the hood of my cloak falling down the back of my head.
The hall echoed with my footsteps, doors were on either wall and at the end of the hall a stair case was built, leading to many slaves' quarters, leading to my room close to Briseis'. The hall was empty except for one young girl, who bowed her head as she passed me. I stared quizzically at the girl before scrunching up my skirts in my hands and running up the stone steps, my soft treading steps still managed to echo in the air. I came to a hallway of doors, each a small tight room for one person. I jogged down the hall, wanting to be seen by no one, and then sharply turned the corner, a swarm of hands catching me.
"Whoa, watch where you run down these halls missy." The young man, a few years older than me smiled at me as I turned crimson. The man had shaggy brown hair that curled form the sun and had turned a darker shade of red and content brown eyes. "Oh! Aldreana, didn't know it was you." He pushed himself back and considered me deeply. "Since when do you wear cloaks and foreign clothing…?" he let the question go. "Never mind, Hector told me. He wanted me to watch out for you, he wants to see you right away."
"Who doesn't?" I whispered to myself, but the man heard. His brow crinkled in confusion. "The guards told me the same thing when I returned again-- when I came back from this afternoon," I corrected myself quickly. I tucked the clothes back under my arm from slipping. The boy still watched me closely.
"You alright, you seem kind of skittish, and almost way happier than normal." He scratched the back of his head, as if that would do the trick to finding the difference. My lips were not yet puckered from kissing Patroclus too much. I nodded my head.
"Myles, I'm fine," I replied curtly, and then crawled from under his arm propped out against the wall. He looked back over his shoulder at me; I faked a hopefully convincing smile, then walked the way down the hall and then turned the corner without another backward glance. I ran the rest of the way to the quarters of the new priestess and quickly opened the large wooden door to my room, shutting it loudly behind me. I slammed my back against the wall and breathed a heavy sigh. To be caught by anyone, Myles I'd rather prefer above them all. We had become fast friends when I was first brought to court on my own, almost too fast for Priam, who watched us with cautious eyes. Salves were not allowed to intermingle with love unless given the chance, and I never felt that close to Myles anyways, not like the connection that I bared to other men, including Patroclus. His face pulled me to him, I yearned to be in his arms, it was something I wanted now every second, more than even looking upon my friend's charming face, which used to make my heart skip a beat when I was given the chance to talk to him.
My body soon cooled from the anxiety of the past hours and I backed away from the door, allowing the surroundings and possessions of my room gather themselves into me. In the middle of the room was a small fireplace for cool nights and to one bare wall was a bed made of feathers, with one blanket of blue dyed wool. The wall facing my door was missing and to replace it was a pillar holding up the ceiling and silk sheets that led out to the balcony and substituted a doorway outside. On the opposite side of my bed was a wardrobe, desk holding a fresh water basin and a dresser full of jewelry and combs with a mirror to accompany it. At the foot of my bed was a small chest, which hid all of my prized possessions, one being my brother's dagger. The chest was copper and could only be open by a locket kept in my jewelry chest. Engraved on the chest were markings and symbols of Latin and pictures to go with the short captions of legends and myths. I stared at the chest for some time, then turned away and untied my cloak, throwing it on my bed. I threw my new clothes with it, looking at the mirror. My reflection was starling at first, and then the day's troubles and fatigue swept over me like a flood. My hair was unbound, knotted and full of untidy curls. I grabbed a comb of soft stone, carved into the shape of a blossoming flower and began combing my hair. The comb slipped easily into my palm, the makings of my mother's hands. This was the only thing I had of her; my brother had stolen it from Father when he threatened to throw it away. I could picture my trembling hands try to steady the comb in my grip as I cried over my dead brother and mother and then I swore revenge, and my soul received it gladly. There was a small rap on the door, a quiet girl asking if she could enter.
"You may come in," I said. The girl peeked in the doorway before exposing herself to me in the room. She bowed her head.
"Prince Hector requests your presence with him as soon as possible," she said meekly and weakly. I nodded, sighing greatly as I glanced over at my bed, wishing to throw myself on it. I set down the comb and turned my back to the girl. A gasp escaped her lips. "Aldreana, you're bleeding!" she exclaimed. I looked over my shoulder at her in confusion. The man's sword suddenly pierced my vision as it had done my back. "Who did this to you? Was it Achilles?" she whispered the name, afraid to speak about the enemy. I shook my head. She quickly ran to the water basin, dipping the cloth in it. Ringing it out, she nodded at the bed, wishing me to sit down. I obeyed and allowed her to wash my back of the caked blood. She dabbed at it softly, thought I much preferred Patroclus's gentle touch. "We have all heard your story; all of the slaves have anyway."
"My story?" I acquired with an arched eyebrow. She nodded.
"Of your trip with Achilles and the enemy. How did you do it? Didn't they threaten to kill you? Reports have already been made about a man who entered the city, wishing to recapture you. The guards never did catch him though. He was so clumsy that he tipped over a basket of copper lanterns, all crashing loudly against the stone ground," she remarked on this with pure amusement, while I was able to hide my wide eyes of surprise with my bloody back. It was Patroclus, it had to be. He wanted to see me go safely though the city. I smiled, touched by his protection, unlike that of the man running after me to the city's gates early today. I bit my lip again as I thought of something else. What was he able to hear what the men said? Hoping he would ask no questions if I met him again, I let the subject go. The girl quickly finished with my back and began exiting when I stopped her.
"Tell Hector I shall be down momentarily." The girl nodded and slowly closed the door behind as to not bang. I sat still on the bed, washing my face with the spots of cloth not turned red. Then I stood up, throwing the towel back onto the desk and stripping off the dingy clothes from Sparta. I unfolded the green chiton and pulled it over my head. It folded itself beautifully around the curves of my body. I picked through my jewelry, gifts form close friends, and found a gold clasp shaped like the wing of an eagle. Briseis claimed it was the eagle's wing of Zeus. I cared not for the God's blessings, but had nodded my head politely in agreement. I wrapped the yellow silk around my waist and shoulders, clasping it on one side of my chest to the green dress. The colors went together flawlessly, perfecting the blond hue in my hair. I combed the rest of the knots out of my wavy hair, tying it with an extra leather thong lying on the dresser. I looked in the mirror, my face and makeup not perfect, but good enough to say a few good words to Hector. Before leaving, I cupped water in my hands and washed my face, grabbing the end of the hanging sheet in my balcony and wiping my face with it. The dirt that was left behind bothered me not.
I walked lightly down the halls, back down the stairs and down another hallway that led to the main meeting room of King Priam's kingdom. Men were arranged on either side of the pool of water that flowed out the palace, a constant fountain to the God Apollo, who was one of the many statues in the room. I hung back in the shadows, though not quick enough for Hector to miss me. He sat in front of the statue with Priam at his side, Paris on the other of their father. Priam's blue sharp eyes were like a hawk's, while Paris was gazing at each man with frightful, unpleasant and appalling eyes. Hector held his gaze on me for a moment and then blinked dark eyes and looked back to the council. The priests and men were babbling on and on of a granted victory, though I cared not which side won now, I only hope lives would be spared. Lives that I couldn't see pass across the River Styx. Among the priests were couriers and commanders of Hector's army, all listening intently but saying nothing to the prophecies the priests shouted aloud. Suddenly Paris stood up, the whiteness of his knuckles fading back to pale red.
"Tomorrow I shall challenge Menelaus for Helen," he announced. Hector hid his disbelief, while Priam grew wide eyed with the council.
"Paris!" Priam warned, but with a swing of his hand in the air, Paris silenced him. He took a deep breath, buffing out his chest with courage he had not yet embraced.
"The loser will burn before nightfall." I couldn't believe my ears. Paris had never fought in battle, had never killed a man. The only thing he ever massacred was the hay made soldiers that hung on the wall to practice sword and arrow with. I shook my head in incredulity, already picturing Helen's tears, the end of the war. It would end tomorrow with Menelaus waving a bloody sword in the air, Hector screaming inside but able to do nothing. Then Troy would be taken for sure. Patroclus would be able to fight along with the Greeks; Achilles would let him battle if he was assured a true victory. But I would need to get out of the city. Patroclus's temper could be as foul as his cousin's. If I were to be killed by a ragging Greek on the street…I could only picture Patroclus's fury.
I shook my head, it was deemed unnecessary to think of. By nightfall the loser will burn, by dawn I would leave Troy once again. Paris stared into space, assuring himself it was the only choice he had, which it wasn't. But he had screwed himself up by bringing Helen here in the first place. Then he nodded his leave, his blue robe bellowing behind him. Hector clenched his jaw. Priam still couldn't accept as truth the words that just poured from his son's mouth. He acknowledged the end of the meeting with a wave of his hand. I watched each man walk out of the room, Priam sitting in his throne and holding his head in his hands. Hector waited for every man to leave but his father before coming to meet me behind the pillars. His face was grim and grave, making me gulp with fear.
"Aldreana, where have you been?" he asked loudly, loud enough for his father to raise his head in question. Seeing me, he turned away and finally walked from the room. I looked down as Hector waited for an answer. "I watched you go back to the city."
"That doesn't mean I reentered it," I lied. Hector glared at me, making me wish I could take back my words. He rubbed his chin as if deciding on a punishment. "My lord, I stayed behind in the camp for the afternoon because I could find out the secrets of the Greeks--" He stopped me with a hand in the face.
"Absolutely not. My father may find use of you but now that you are safe I want to make sure you stay out of harm's way. You will not spy for me any longer Aldreana. Not now. I do not want you to go back to Agamemnon's camp, it is too dangerous. We already had a Myrmidon, at least that's what the guards say he was, escape the city's gates and we have no idea how he did that." He looked at me out the corner of his eye, inquiring me. I faked the best innocent look I could give. It was Patroclus. "Aldreana, the only way he could have gotten in was by a secret passage. Was anyone following you when you came back?" I shook my head, for truly I was completely unaware of the presence of another till I cornered the men. Patroclus must have followed at a far distance, making sure to watch my every move.
"No my lord, no one followed me home." I cringed inside at the word. Home, this was my home, a place where naive minds turn to ash with war and hatred. Behind all the glamour and beauty of the city was where I sat, observing everything the disguise failed to hide from me. And I learned to cope with it. Hector nodded, drinking it all in. Moments passed, and all I heard was the sound of our breathing and the water churning through the cut trail of stone it was led through. Finally Hector spoke again, clear orders he thought would be alright with me after all my troubles of the past days.
"You are not to leave the city; I want to see you safe and sound." I looked at him for a better excuse than safety. Finally he acceded. "Briseis is missing. I think they stole her away when they attacked the temple. She is as good as dead out there, and you shouldn't live the same fate and torture." His face was full of misery and I as well was taken aback by the words. I stepped back and let it sink in. Agamemnon no doubt probably had her in his bed right now, the greedy pig. "Aldreana, promise me you won't go back there, no matter what my father asks?" He waited for my nod, my eyes averted so he could not see my sudden wretchedness over my actions. I had led Briseis to death, all because of the way my heart fluttered at the sight of a young man. Finally I gave in and nodded to his request. He thanked me with a short murmur, and then took his leave. I spun around to watch him.
"My lord, why are you letting it to be allowed?" I asked. I almost wanted to laugh at what Paris had announced moments before, but seeing his death haunted me. This wasn't the vision I had imagined because of my disdain for the rash prince. This was reality and now it smacked with a hard blow to the face. I didn't want to see people close to my heart and life fall because of one man's, or a woman's, actions, even if the man who died was the one that started it all. With a fallen Prince, Troy could easily fall to the Greeks. My heart was with Patroclus, my mind elsewhere.
"What do you mean?" he asked in reply. I hung my head in false sorrow, though really my heart did knot at the sight of the Princes dead, but perhaps not seeing Patroclus again filled it now, for the city was already swarming in death for me. I wished, I longed to be rid of it. But my promise to Hector stuck, I would have to stay in Troy.
"Paris will surly die my lord, he has never fought a man before," I proved. Hector's eyes blazed with anger at what he thought was the most irrational idea his brother could make. But like Paris, he learned to accept it.
"It is his decision," he answered curtly and left me alone with the sound of his echoing footsteps to guide me back to my room. I stalked back to my room in anger and tears, bumping into no one to my pleasure and gratitude. You were able to sneak your way in and out once, do it again. Please Aldreana, please. Patroclus's words whispered to me in the dark hall. I stopped abruptly. A tingling sensation came to my lips. I touched them lightly, the feeling instantly going away. You will not spy for me any longer Aldreana. Hector's forbidden request followed soon after. But if I was not under his service, any promise I could make was not truly made proper. I jumped with glee inside. Tomorrow I would leave for the Greeks. If I was no longer a spy, I could go where I please without being looked down upon. Not necessarily secure, but I could still leave. Soft leather sandals suddenly popped around the corner. It was the girl who had earlier washed my back.
"Aldreana, are you in need of something?" she asked. I looked at the handle to my door; it might have been the last time I look upon it. But even Patroclus knew that I might not come back, if I didn't he would know why. He would not sit in his tent in despair and mope, but rather gather his courage back and fight alongside Achilles. That was what I would want him to do. And if I was in his place I would do just that. But even with the Myrmidons, I was guaranteed wellbeing. My side was chosen, though my heart was torn. I would be betraying the kingdom. My body trembled inside with Hector's fury and rage piercing my mind in a shower of malevolent images. But my heart was caught. I looked back up to the girl.
"Yes actually. Get me up before dawn please. And after tonight, I no longer require your services" The girl did not ask further questions, only bowed her head and left. I smiled slightly. First, to find Briseis, before dawn, before nightfall. The wooden handle of the door brushed across my hand again. Please Aldreana, please.