Ariadnê cackled watching as the men fled from the mere sight of Percy. Her brother was almost pouting from the fact that he had no one to fight against, but he wasn't one to look a gifted horse in the mouth.
The sound of running feet caught Ariadnê and Percy's attention. They turned to see a nymph—more precisely, a haliai sprinting across the battlefield. Prince Aisakos was chasing her and closing in fast. The twins scowled. Ariadnê jumped from atop the low ridge she had been sitting on just as Percy appeared directly behind the Prince and sliced a long cut across the prince's back.
The hailai gaped at the two of them as they glared down at the prince. "You know," Ariadnê started. "I really hate it when people don't understand the word 'no' or 'get lost' or 'fuck off'." The prince scowled, eyes tinted with fear and wariness. "We're especially not a fan of people that go after anyone from our Father's realm."
Percy stepped closer, a relaxed grip on his sword. "And more importantly, I'm not a fan of any prince from Ilion since it was your brother that kidnapped and raped my sister."
Ariadnê smiled and waved. "I'm the sister."
Percy growled low in his throat. "I'm not a fan of torture, far from it. I hate fighting, but—" He bared his teeth, "I am my Father's child." He whistled sharply and the land shook at their feet. Bulls with coats the color of seafoam emerged from the ground as if their Father had placed the animals there himself. They pinned their eyes on the Prince. Percy grimaced, taking a step away while the other two wrinkled their nose against the putrid smell. "You should start running now."
Prince Aisakos needed no other words, sprinting across the battlefield in the direction of the Argives! at that with the bulls following at his feet. They turned to the haliai at their side. "And you are," Ariadnê questioned.
"I am Kebrên's daughter Asteropê," she bowed to them. Ariadnê winced. "And the sister of Oinônê." Paris' first wife that he abandoned to kidnap her and Helénē. The woman had been distraught when she visited the kingdom for his funeral rites. "Yes," Asteropê said.
It was saddening now that the twins thought about it. Not too much since Paris did kidnap Ariadnê and rape her and still somehow at the end, think he was owed like a common prize. But Oinônê had laid her eyes on his body, eyes sad and pitiful as she told how she had always known that he was wholly in love with her, but she had also known that there would be a moment that by his infatuation for a foreign woman, he would bring the horrors of war upon his kindred.
Over a chalice of kykeon, she told them of how she had originally foreseen that he would be wounded in the war, and that there would be none save her capable of curing him. He didn't like to hear when she foretold those and always stopped her, every time that she made mention of these matters.
She hadn't known what she would have done if he had tried to reach out to her. She was angry, rightfully so due to his abandonment of not only her, but of their son also. She had planned to send Korythos to help the army and possibly seek revenge on his Father, but she had decided against it at the last moment when news was heard of Ilion pushing the other back.
It had taken a lot to keep her from trying to unalive herself in the following days.
In the end, Oinônê found herself in the company of Hekábē regaling her with stories about Paris before he returned to the kingdom and tales of the now official Prince Korythos. Hektōr had immediately taken a shine to his nephew that he didn't have for his brother, so did the various people of the kingdom once news had spread that he was of marrying age. Ariadnê had been content to leave that for Hektōr since he was the one to openly show his favor by making the boy a part of Andromákhē and Skamandrios—Astyánax as he was nicknamed—guard duty.
(Though, it was also noted that Ariadnê had been making bedroom eyes at the hailai and was only held back due to her betrothal to Hermês. That was something that Hekábē had taken great joy in doing her best to keep Oinônê away to not lose another one of her children to the girl.)
"Well, come," Percy waved her forward. "Please. We'll take you to your sister." Asteropê smiled thankfully as they turned back towards the kingdom. The twins paused for a brief moment, eyes glancing back to the path that Aisakos had rushed down. It was a sixth sense that came in brief flashes. He was rushing straight for a cliff, and it seemed like Asteropê could sense it too as she spun on her feet.
"Oh," she breathed, tears in her eyes. "No. You chased me but, oh— Oh it breaks my heart! But this I never feared! Oh, never worth so much to win me! Two of us, poor soul, have laid you low: the bulls and booming waves that would eat you below, and I the cause. The greater guilt have I: for your death's solace I myself shall die."
The twins looked at her blankly before Percy waved a casual hand. The water rose to meet the Prince, rising to mimic a hand made of water and catching the Prince as he went over the cliff. Out of the water, a life size clone of Michael Yew stepped forward, taking a moment to grab the bulls before stomping over the battlefield and drawing screams from the people in its path.
"That's my thing," Ariadnê muttered as the water clone made its way over. Percy shot a smirk in her direction, "I make it look better."
Ariadnê rolled her eyes in amusement but said nothing. He even managed to get the zit that Michael had on his chin. The Prince and bulls were placed at their feet. The water clone dispersed like a balloon leaving only Aisakos in damp clothing. "Be grateful, your highness," Percy sassed. "You're still here because I'm not interested in Lady Asteropê here having a visit from Mêlinoê Khthonia."
The hailai stared at the prince in consideration, "I have decided. I agree to marry you."
The twins stared blankly. Why was she? Marrying her attacker?
"Are you sure," Ariadnê couldn't help, but to ask. She was positive that it was like a million red flags and reasons why one shouldn't marry their attacker, but while she had applied some reforms in Ilion, the kingdom was nothing like Castellan. The culture of this time was insanely different from what they were doing back home. In fact, back in Castellan, she could have pushed to have the Prince locked up for at least ten years and castrated probably if he wasn't freed by diplomatic immunity, but they didn't really have that in this time so yeah, she could have had him jailed.
"I am," Asteropê declared. The twins grimaced lightly. "Well, I suppose we should take you both to the castle so that wedding preparations can begin and you two can get to know each other in case you come to your senses and decide to change your minds."
This, Percy mused, would probably be enough to keep Hekábē from attempting to kill his sister every time she turned around. The woman was throwing herself into being a family woman even to her Husband's illegitimate children. Priamos had, of course, developed a newfound fear of his wife when Clarisse had casually dropped in a conversation of how Pasiphaë bewitched her husband, Minôs, for his indiscretions, causing him to ejaculate poisoned creatures and destroy all of his lovers that were not her. Priamos started dancing a different tune when Hekábē, a faithful follower and worshiper of Hekatê, got a certain glow in her eyes. It had only worsened when Hekábē decided to add Pasiphaë and Kirkê into her worship and practice of pharmakeia.
It was safe to say that the Queen had no more issues out of her husband, and she even sought to teach all of her daughters and daughter-in-laws her talents.
Ariadnê had been amused to point out that in the hymns to Hermês for his part in the invention of the lyre; that the tortoise had two functions to the luck-bringing son of Ζεύς. For it was Hermês who first made the tortoise a singer. And as such, living, the tortoise shall be a spell against mischievous witchcraft; but if it die, then it shall make sweetest song. The animal was considered an omen of great luck for the god; so long as it was met with joy.
Chris had sweetly pointed out that those that treated the animal unkindly could end up like Khelônê, the nymph who had haughtily refused a summons to attend the wedding of Ζεύς and Hḗrē, and as such, Hermês then descended from Olympos, threw Khelônê's house, which stood on the bank of a river, together with the nymph, into the water, and changed her into a tortoise, who had henceforth to carry her house on her back.
The wary looks with wobbly smiles towards the animal Ariadnê was casually petting while Katie and Clarisse fed it strawberries—the god's sacred plant —had the sons of Hermês smiling with cruel amusement.
The four of them strolled through the kingdom, the twins smiling as the bulls playfully chased each other around. They would have to be named, though Asteropê was considering laying a claim on them. Something which may give her favor with Poseidón and that was a very big maybe.
It was then a messenger rushed towards them with a hellpup–this one looked like a pug so Clarisse must have sent it—stumbling on his heels.
"Mi'Lady, we have received word that Prince Hektōr alongside King Nicholas, Lord William, and Lady Clarisse are heading to face off against Αἴας, Odysseús, and Teûkros."
Ariadnê grimaced at the thought of that, sharing a look with her brother. "Very well. Lead Prince Aisakos and his, uh, intended back to the castle. Be sure to inform my Family where we are."
The messenger bowed, taking a moment to make sure the prince and princess-to-be were okay before continuing with his orders. The betrothed couple followed in his footsteps alongside the bulls that the twins had not formally stated that they could have, but really did not feel arguing about. Ariadnê let out a sharp whistle and her own hellpup, Machete, appeared from the shadows to sit beside Guillotine—Clarisse's pup.
The animals barked excitedly at each other before jumping into the siblings' arms when they reached for them. "Can you take us to Clarisse and the others?"
With twin yips, they were sinking through the shadows.
Αἴας and Hektōr were in the midst of battle when the twins arrived on the battlefield. Clarisse had Teûkros pinned to the ground while Nico and Will played monkey in the middle with Odysseús. There really wasn't anything for the twins to do but watch however— this was one of the first mentions of any of the major players appearing on the battlefield.
It was with a quick game of rock-paper-scissors-shoot that had Percy strutting forward confidently to break up the fight between the legendary Αἴας, the Great and Prince Hektōr, Breaker of Horses.
"Return to my sister's side," Percy ordered the prince. "You will not die here today."
And because Hektōr was still rightfully terrified of Percy who made no secret of his disdain for everyone involved in her kidnapping, the prince made his way quickly to Ariadnê. She snickered as she crossed over to her friends, not even sparing a glance at Odysseús who was still being passed around like a hot potato between Will and Nico.
"It's cute how terrified you are of him," she told the prince as she let Machete jump down from her arms. The pup yipped happily, joining Guillotine and Eclipse.
"He wants me dead," Hektōr stated, dryly. She snorted. "If Percy wanted you dead, you'd be dead. He's a much better fighter than me."
A statement that was only emphasized as Αἴας went flying through the air, leaving a crater in the ground as he landed. The Castellan Crew shared an amused smile as the three ancient heroes stared in disbelief and shock.
"Why have we been keeping him so far off the battlefield," Hektōr gaped.
"We haven't," Will replied. "It's just no one wants to fight him. They're terrified. None forgot how you and Paris looked or any of the soldiers that returned from stealing Ariadnê. And we are deathless. A lot of them have been told the stories of our debut to so speak during the War of Sparta and Athens."
"So you are the other princess we seem to be fighting for," a nasally voice suddenly muttered. They turned their gaze to Teûkros who was struggling to speak from under Clarisse's foot.
"Queen actually," she smiled blandly.
"My brother would love thee," Teûkros stated, ignoring her words. She waved his statement away, calming her friends down even as Clarisse pressed more pressure on his head.
"Watch thy mouth, Teûkros. Tis no mortal man esteemed to have her; for she has lain with gods," Hektōr warned. "You may have the blood of Ilion through your veins, but you are not one of us. Do not presume that you can speak of our Queen so. There will be nothing any can do to stave the wrath that Poseidón Ennosigaios will ignite in defense of his first and only demidivine daughter."
Teûkros laughed wetly, "Words have been spun in tall tales that only the bards believe that she made claims to Lord Apóllōn Hekatos' heart, yet she lays within the bed of Hermês Khrysorrhapis."
"I feel like you just called me a whore," Ariadnê muttered.
From across the battlefield, they could hear Αἴας encouraged his troops from the decks of the ships, but Hektōr quickly turned to rally the Trojans.
And inch by inch, with Percy leading the battalion that suddenly was behind the ships of Achaeans, terrified to face the son of Poseidón Ennosigaios, the Trojans advanced until Hektōr was close enough to touch a ship.
"It matters not," Teûkros declared. "There is no evidence, and as a god amongst men; if my brother wants thou, he shall thee."
Ariadnê snarled, stormbringer appearing in her hand with a decisive sliiiiink. "Let him up, 'Risse. I'm tired of men thinking they have any right to me like I'm a piece of cattle." Machete appeared at her side, the shih tzu pup shifting until it stood almost 15ft tall. Saliva dripped from her mouth like large raindrops, sizzling once it touched the earth. "Down, girl. Mama can handle this herself."
Teûkros stumbled back in fear as she prowled forward.
"Talk shit," she seethed. "Get hit."
And then she lunged.
Chris watched with narrowed eyes as Pátroklos slipped into Akhilles' tent. He could hear the man begging to wear the latter's armor since Akhilles once again refused to rejoin the battle.
He inched closer watching as Pátroklos armed himself. He could sense one of Thalia's flame arrows fly through the sky. The first of the hellenes ships went up in flames. Chris smiled to himself as he witnessed Akhilles and Pátroklos incline their foreheads together. The Aphrodítē cabin would squeal if they knew that the rumors of the two being lovers were true.
None of that homophobic childhood best friend bullshit that the christians tried to force down their throat.
The two shared a kiss before Akhilles sent his Myrmidon soldiers out to accompany Pátroklos. Chris hears him praying to Ζεύς that Pátroklos may return with both himself and the ships unharmed.
It was a little too late for that as one of Will's explosion arrows knocked out two more ships.
Chris edged around the ships taking note of his brother's tripping soldiers and unfastening their armours before blurring away. At least five different men had their weapons stolen away from them. They tuck them away into miniature versions of their famed goodie bags. He had no doubt that they would end up on sale in Stolen Treasures.
Chris watched as the trojans began to retreat. His gaze caught onto the sight of Ariadnê and the others laughing as Percy fought against what looked like Αἴας.
Pátroklos started to slaughter every trojan in his way when Ariadnê suddenly lunged for the person that Clarisse originally had under her foot.
Percy stomped his foot once and the earth shook, knocking soldiers from each side to the ground, but Pátroklos just continued forward without fail.
Chris ran a comforting hand over Mazie when another deity came to stand beside Pátroklos. Her hair fell down her back, covered by her helmet, yet Chris still knew that her eyes were a starting grey as they focused on Ariadnê.
The young Queen had thrown her opponent in the air where the giant-sized Machete swallowed him down in one gulp. She turned, like the rest of them, sensing the appearance of deity before them.
Ariadnê's gaze skipped past the goddess though to focus fully on Pátroklos. She gave a quick glance to Hektōr before her eyes narrowed in determination.
Athênê imbued Pátroklos with strength to withstand Ariadnê's attack, but not counting for the one Nico threw at the soldier as a hand made from shadows twirled him through the air like a yo-yo.
None of them were going to lose a battle just because she felt slighted about an apple.
Pátroklos aimed his spear towards a few more trojan soldiers while he was up in the air. It was one in particular that Chris took note of. Athênê whispered into the man's ear as he turned to him.
Chris only had a chance to see a flash of lightning in the man's eyes before Pátroklos struck.
A cloud of dust erupted around him.
Once it settled, Chris stared with wide eyes.
Thalia and Helénē stood on the battlefield, each crackling with electricity that fed off one another. The latter looked uncomfortable, but no less determined as she stared at Pátroklos. The man behind them laid on the ground in shock like everyone else on the battlefield.
Pátroklos glared from where he stumbled back. Chris scowled at him in Ahkilles' armour. The man wouldn't fall as long as he wore the armour away from the walls.
He snarled before he lunged towards the trio. A dumb decision on his part as Thalia quickly had him pinned to the ground in an octopus-hold.
(And all the while Ζεύς did not turn his eyes from the battle, but gazed at them, musing in his mind on Pátroklos and his bloody deaths: should Hektōr kill him there as he battle his children and strip him of his armour; or should he add yet more to the number of the dead. At last he thought it best that Pátroklos should kill yet more, and drive Hektōr back to the city walls.)
And Chris went to the other side.
They need to get Pátroklos closer to the wall.
Chris announced his presence by easily stating what they already knew, "Athênê is on the battlefield."
Still, they all scowled even as Will worked his magic over Sarpedon and Odysseús tried to slip away like they couldn't see him. An echoing crack sounded, and they turned to see Percy swiping Riptide through the air, breaking the ships in half while Thalia was suddenly yanked away.
Before anything else could be said, Sarpedon spoke up in awe, "You saved me." Helénē sniffed disdainfully, even as she looked uncomfortable in her temporary armor. She had only come because Lady Thalia had reminded her that they were fighting for her freedom, but she needed to make it clear that she was nobody's damsel. "Make no mistake, Lycian. I only saved you for we are both children of the king otherwise I would've let Pátroklos spear you where you stood."
[Now Pátroklos ordered Automedon to drive him after the Trojans and Lycians. Poor fool! He was quite blinded. If he had done as Ahkilles told him, he could have escaped black death. But always the will of Ζεύς is stronger than man; and Ζεύς put that temper into his heart.]
Their eyes snapped to attention when they heard thunderous footsteps approaching. Percy dropped out of a shadow as Mazie barked around their feet.
Pátroklos had decided to try going around them and had pushed some of their soldiers back to the gates.
Clarisse scowled, "I knew we should have pushed them back further." Guillotine then yipped, dropping them through another shadow until they appeared atop of the walls next to his brothers, Katie, and Annabeth. Sarpedon and Hektōr shivered from the displacement.
Pátroklos pressed forward and slowly overtaken their warriors, smoothly dancing around the storms and quakes that Nico and Ariadnê had conjured up. The demidivine children of the Kronidês –except Helénē — growled deep in their throats, as their powers churned within them.
They didn't even blink when Apóllōn suddenly stood atop of the wall to help the Trojans and Ariadnê breathed in the power of the sea.
[Three times did Pátroklos set his foot on a corner of the wall, three times Apóllōn dooled him back, rapping the shield with his immortal hands. When he tried the fourth time like one more than man, Apóllōn shouted at him and said in plain words:] "Back, prince Pátroklos! It is not fated that proud Troy shall fall to your spear, nor to Ahkilles, who is a much better man than you."
Pátroklos fell back in fear to face the wrath of Apóllōn, the Sharpshooter.
Clarisse stared at Ariadnê in judgment at the way the girl seemed almost hungry—maybe not for the god himself but definitely for the divinity and rage that he was wafting through the air. Battle lust was starting to overtake her friend and her natural attraction to the god—and her betrothed whom she had a close relationship with since she was thirteen the first time— was keeping her from seeing sense.
Their attention was grabbed as another man approached. The people of Castellan were confused on why Apóllōn was under disguise before they remembered that this was the mark of Pátroklos' death.
"Why have you left the battle, Hektōr? You ought not to do it. I wish I were as much better than you as I am worse; you should soon be sorry you shirked. Hurry— make for Pátroklos, and you may get him— Apóllōn may give you victory."
They were all utter fools.
Ariadnê scoffed, almost reached to keep Hektōr near the walls. Clarisse knew all about the girl's promise to keep him safe until the end of the war, but the man dodged her as he told Cebriones to whip the horses into battle.
Her best friend scowled, stepping forward to stop them before she seemingly paused. She turned to look at her brother who shrugged his shoulders before she stepped aside and let him continue. After all, Pátroklos wasn't the one destined to kill him.
They all shared looks as they followed behind. They made it just in time to witness Pátroklos through the stone and kill Cebriones. The anger that washed off Hektōr filled Clarisse with happiness. The man did kill his half-brother after all. The battle lust was almost enough to ignite a blessing of Árēs.
"Bless my soul, there's a springheel! What a neat hader he takes! If he were at sea he could fill many hungry bellies by diving for sea-urchins. He would jump overboard in any weather, to judge from that excellent dive overcar on land! I didn't know there were divers in Troy!"
Nico snarled. His sword cooled the air around him, "His soul will make a nice trophy for the underworld. Ahkilles was trapped by the Styx in the future. I hope he knows he's next."
The two armies met once again in battle as Pátroklos and Hektōr faced off. Cebriones' body had been dragged away in the chaos and stripped of his armour.
[Thrice Pátroklos leapt on them like another god of war with awful shouts, thrice nine men he killed: but at the fourth furious attack-ah then, Pátroklos, the end of your life was in sight! for Phoibos was there in all his terrors.]
Clarisse stood in a loose circle with her family eyes drawn to the sight of Apóllōn. Pátroklos didn't even see the god approaching as he hid in the mist in the air. His eyes were filled with rage, and they watched as he slapped Pátroklos between his shoulders with the flat of the hand.
Pátroklos' helmet was knocked off his head. He rolled under the horses' feet; the plumes dabbled in blood and dust.
[Never before had it been God's will that this plumed helmet should be fouled in dust, when it covered the head and brows of a man of the blood divine. Ahkilles, then Ζεύς granted that Hektōr should wear it, yet death was coming near him.]
They watched silently as the spear in Pátroklos' hand was broken to pieces, the corselet was stript of his body by the favored son of Ζεύς. His mind was blinded, his knees crickled under him, he stood there dazed.
They watched as Euphorbos struck him from behind with another spear right between his shoulders. Still, Pátroklos did not fall though it was clear that he was weakened.
Because of course even in all his anger, Apóllōn held back.
[When Hektōr saw him retreating and wounded, he came near and stabbed him in the belly: the blade ran through, he fell with a dull thud, and consternation took the Achaians. So fell Pátroklos, like a wild boar killed by a lion, when both are angry and both are parched with thirst, and they fight over a little mountain pool. Until the lion is too strong for the panting boar. Pátroklos Menoitiades had killed many men, but Hektōr Priadides killed him: and then he vaunted his victory without disguise:]
"So Pátroklos, you thought you could sack our city! You thought you would rob our women of the day of freedom, and carry them off to your country. Fool! In front of them are the horses of Hektōr prancing out to battle. My spear is well known among my brave Trojans, for I defend them from the day of fate: here you shall stay and feed the vultures. Ah, poor wretch, your Ahkilles is a good man, but he was no help to you, although no doubt he warned you earnestly when you start (and he stayed behind)- 'Don't come back to me, my brave Pátroklos, until you have stript the blood-stained shirt from Hekt ō r's body!' No doubt he must have said that, and you thought you could do it-no more sense in you than that!"
Ariadnê raised a hand in exasperation, "Hektōr, please, for the love of gods, shut the fuck up."
Nico moved forward across the battlefield sword humming in anticipation of death.
Hermês Khthonios appeared; eyes brimming with divinity.
Pátroklos used the last of his waning strength to tilt his head towards Hektōr and spoke: "For this once, Hektōr, make your proud boast; for you are the victor, by help of Ζεύς Kronidês and Apóllōn, who mastered me-an easy thing: they stript of m armour themselves. But if twenty men like you had confronted me, my spear would have slain them all on the spot. O, it was cruel fate that killed me, and Lētṓ's son, and of men Euphorbos; you come third and take my armour. One thing I tell you, and you shall lay it up in your mind: you have yourself not long to live. Already death and fate are beside you, and Ahkilles Aiacides shall lay you low." Even as he spoke, the shadow of death covered him up. Nico thrust his sword into the ghastly form of his soul as it went down to Háidēs, bewailing his lot, cut off in his manhood and strength.]
The group of them stood at the gates and as one, they turned their gaze to the ships.
WORD COUNT: 4763
WORDS TO KNOW:
Hermês Khthonios - Hermês of the Underworld
Hektōr Priadides - Hektōr, son of Priamos
Ζεύς Kronidês - Ζεύς, son of Krónos
Ahkilles Aiacides - Ahkilles, grandson of Aeacus
Pátroklos Menoitiades - Pátroklos, son of Menoitios
Apóllōn Hekatos - Apóllōn, the Shooter from Afar
Hermês Khrysorrhapis - Hermês Of the Golden Wand
Mêlinoê Khthonia - Mêlinoê of the Underworld
Things to know:
Kykeon was an Ancient Greek drink of various descriptions. Some were made mainly of water, barley and naturally occurring substances. Others were made with wine and grated cheese. Kykeon is mentioned in Homeric texts: the Iliad describes it as consisting of Pramnian wine, barley, and grated goat's cheese. In the Odyssey, Kirkê adds some honey and pours her magic potion into it. In the Homeric Hymn to Dēmḗtēr, the goddess refuses red wine but accepts kykeon made from water, barley, and pennyroyal.
