Spirits Forged in Fire

Damean brushed Simeons long silky mane as the horse drank from the well water that the boy had just fetched. Since Priam had awarded the boy with the older war horse, the two figures had become inseparable, and the townspeople had become used to seeing them take the trip to gather water for his mother before dinner each afternoon. Once Simeon had been watered, Damean would fill several jars to be carefullyaffixed to the horse's saddle, and the two would begin the trek home. This afternoon though, Simeon noticed two strange men talking quietly on the far side of the well. The boy stepped behind his horse, and peeked around, so that he could watch them carefully without being seen. They drew up a pail of water, but each only took a small sip before placing the pail on the ground before him. As he watched, they appeared to drop something into the pail before sending it back down into the well. After silently nodding to eachother, the two strange men left. Suspicious of the strangers' activities, Damean waited a few minutes before calling out to some soldiers that were returning home from training.

"I think the men put something in the water, they didnt drink anything and put the pail back. They werent from around here."

"I think you are a bit too paranoid there my boy, why dont you take your horse home, he looks like he is ready for his supper." One of them laughed, patting Damean on the head as he turned to leave, one of the companions following him. The third man with them wasn't convinced that the boy was simply overreacting.

"Wait a moment there men. What if the boy is telling the truth? Ignoring this information could prove a severe mistake."

"But Corineus, he is just a boy." Spoke the first soldier, still unwilling to delay his dinner on the hunch of a youth.

"And he was the only one present. Julian, would you mind bringing up the pail?" Frustrated at the interruption, Julian yanked the pail up from inside the well, and tossed it onto the ground at the feet of Corineus and the boy. When several small vials rolled out, Damean bent over and picked one up. Handing it to the older man beside him, he waited. He sniffed the small container, and his face went devoid of emotion.

"Ophelos, seek out Achilles and bring him here. Tell him it is of utmost importance." Ophelos nodded and took off in the direction of the training camp. Julian approached the two, and picked up one of the vials himself.

"And how are you sure they even put anything in the water?" He asked, still doubtful.

"Smell this, anything?" Corineus asked, holding out the vial in his hand.

"A little sweet, but nothing special." He replied, pushing the vial away.

"Yes, snake venom is my guess. A lot of snake venom. The only noticeable aspect of it is that slight odor. Just a slight amount of this can incapacitate a fully grown man, and kill a child. If these were all full, then there is enough poison in this water supply to affect nearly everyone in Troy." Corineus said, matter-of-factly.

"But how do you know this?" Julain asked, genuinely impressed with his older companions knowledge.

"Because for years my family has raised livestock, and the only way to identify the bite of a cobra from that of a harmless snake is by that same smell. Someone wants Troy really sick."

"And I happen to have a slight notion of who that person is." came Achilles low voice from behind them. Not doubting the liklihood of the situation at all, he immediately began forming a plan of defense in his mind. "Julian, please find Phinneas and have him put everyone on warning. Double the guards at the gate, close up the well, and question anyone that you dont find familiar. I will find Paris, and we will convene the council. Damean, go home, have dinner, and then report back to me saddled and ready, you are going to be my eyes and ears for a while." The boy nodded excitedly and took off. The men nodded farewell, and then each took off brusquely in his own direction.


"By Hera Andromache, you never told me it would hurt like this!" Briseis ground out between gritted teeth. Andromache wiped the brunette's forehead, and then patted her shoulder. The older woman was sitting at Briseis' side, who was reclined on the bed with her hands splayed over her stomach.

"You are doing fine my dear, I am going to find Mina and see what is taking her so long with the water. I'll be back in a moment. Helen is just down the hall with Astynax, so call her if you need something."

"I will be all right Andromache, thank you." Briseis smiled tiredly, knowing that the worst was yet to come. When she heard Andromache leave, she leaned further back in bed, and closed her eyes, trying to imagine the joy on her husband's face when he held the child. Their child, she thought contentedly. Her eyes flew open as a large hand clamped roughly over her mouth. She tried to scream when she recognized the visage of her former captor, Kale. He only smiled and leaned towards her.

"Now what do we have here? You really are Achilles' whore, having his child. I can only imagine his grief when he realizes that he has lost not only his wife, but his child too." Briseis tried vainly to shake her head loose, to call out for the palace guards. Kale was too quick though, and yanked the terrified woman to her feet. Wracked with another contraction, Briseis' knees buckled, but Kale's strong arms held her on her feet, and dragged her towards the open window. Trying to grasp anything that she could to hold on to, Briseis knocked over a jar, which promptly shattered on the ground. Because the noise startled Kale, she was able to pull away from him, landing on the floor. As she tried vainly to get her feet back underneath her to lunge towards the doorway, Kale once again grabbed her, silencing any of her cries for help. Before he pulled her to a standing position though, she was able to grab onto a clay shard from the ground, which she palmed and clutched close to her. When Kale spun her around, she struck out at him, and just barely grazed his face. Angry that she had drawn blood, Kale struck her, and the unconscious woman slid to the ground.