Spirits Forged in Fire

Briseis set the clay jar on the ground, and straightened up, her hands reaching around to massage her aching lower back. Now in her ninth month, her stomache protruded out in front of her in a way that she could only view as clumsy and awkward. More than ever she wished that the child within were in her arms instead, so that her waistline could return so that it held at least the same general shape as before. She sighed raggedly as the cramps in her back continued, and wiped the sweat off of her forehead, bending to lft the jar once more.

"Dont you even dare think about lifting that thing again. What did I tell you about resting yourself?" came Andromache's sing-song reprimand from the doorway. Although worry for the younger woman creased her brow, Andromache was still a portrait of Trojan royalty at its finest. The death of her husband and the hard work of rebuilding Troy had begun to show on her face in the form of aging lines, her graceful beauty and gentle nature shown even through the simple robes that she wore.

"I am not ill, just pregnant. Why must I remain stationary like the old or the feeble, when I am equally as capable as any other woman if carrying my share?" Briseis fumed, her lips pressed together in a frustrated pout.

"You are carrying your share already, dont forget that. Come no Briseis, " Andromache soothed, taking her cousin's arm and leading her to take a seat in the courtyard. "This wont last forever. For my sake at least, sit down for a while. Achilles wrath is well-known, I would not wish to incur it by allowing his wife to harm herself." For that comment, Andromache recieved a tired laugh in response.

"Do not fret Andromache, I can handle Achilles quite easily myself." Briseis said, as she started to stand slowly.

"Fine then, your impossible!" Andromache huffed, laughing as well. "The great Achilles, silenced by a woman, imagine that!"

"Isnt it funny, how things worked out I mean. That day in the tent, I knew I should have been afraid of him, but he seemed different, even before he spoke." She smiled, her features still so girlish, so young. "When he first kissed me, the look in his eyes, I will never forget it. There was such fire..."

"Dont forget that fire is what got you like this in the first place" Andromache warned, pointing a stern finger in Briseis direction before her facade broke and a brilliant smile played across her face. Briseis giggled, and hugged Andromache as she stood up. The Trojan Queen began to walk back inside as Briseis' laughter trailed off. "Briseis, are you coming?" She said, turning. Her look turned to one of concern though, when she saw Briseis bent over, clutching her belly. "Briseis, are you all right?" Briseis groaned, and grabbed Andromache's offered hand, squeezing it.

"I think, perhaps I should go lie down after all." She gritted out, allowing her older cousin to lead her indoors.

"Mina! Demetria? Is anyone there?" Andromache called out for any of the servant women within the palace. Helen hurried out instead, having heard the distress in the older woman's voice. Worry appeared across her delicate features, and she ran to where the other two stood.

"Briseis? Can I help?" She asked, placing her hand on Andromache's arm. Andromache nodded in response.

"Please, send for Paris and Achilles, they should still be out training with the other men."

"No," Briseis cut her off."He doesnt need to start worrying so soon. They will be back for dinner in a few hours time anyway, please, dont alarm him." Helen looked anxiously at Andromache for agreement, and Andromache nodded.

"Fine, could you go fetch Demetria then? She should be in the hall. Tell her we need water and blankets, and then come quickly to my room." Helen nodded and ran off. "Just be sure to tell Achilles that this was your decision not to fetch him." She whispered as she took Briseis inside.


" Do you see something?" Paris asked quietly, as he approached Achilles from behind. The seasoned warrior stood perfectly still, staring intently out over the ocean before them.

"No, I dont. But something is up. I can feel it. Something isnt right." He said slowly, as he gazed out over the water. " It's too quiet, too calm. I dont like it." He said, his golden hair blowing in the afternoon breeze.

"I know what you feel, I feel it too. It has been too long." The younger man said, his voice low but his impatience evident. "I cannot believe that the Greeks are not planning to act. But I dont see any ships."

"It is not what we see, its what we dont see. Tell the men they may stop for the day, but they should keep their equipment close by." Achilles said as he turned, placing a hand on Paris' shoulder. The two men, warrior and prince, turned to walk back to the gathering of soldiers. "Now all we do is wait." Achilles whispered, barely loud enough for Paris to hear.


"Be careful that you are not seen. Dump these in, and then leave the town. No blood is to be shed, do you hear me?" Menelaus told the two soldiers, his voice low with warning as he handed several vials of poison to them. The henchmen nodded, and strapped the toxin into their robes before bowing to the king and making their exit. "Tonight, Odysseus, tonight marks the beginning of the end for the Trojans. Have your men ready to move in by tomorrow evening, I want you and the other men of Ithaca going in first."

"Yes my lord" Odysseus said, and then exited the tent. Now that he knew Achilles was alive thanks to the careful spying of his best scout, he needed to formulate a plan of action. Somehow, he needed to get Achilles alone, and out of the sight of the many eyes of Menelaus.

As Odysseus left, he did not see Menelaus motion to one of the guards standing at the entrance to the tent. "Follow him, but at a distance. See that he does not leave his tent tonight." The guard nodded, and left hastily after the retreating King of Ithaca. Menelaus then turned back into the tent, and prepared to get his last night's sleep before the taking of Troy.