Spirits Forged in Fire

Back in Troy, Priam called his war coucil together for a meeting. In the large hall, he sat on the throne flanked on the right side by Hector and Paris on the left. Chaos reigned as the priests shouted at the war generals, claiming that the temple raid had angered the gods, who now favored a sudden Trojan attack. The generals insisted the safety of the city walls should be used as an advantage, and that the Trojans only need to lie in wait for Agamemnon to attempt to storm the gates. Priam, suddenly appearing old and weary, dropped his head into his hands.

"Father, they are needing your input to act." Hector gently prodded, knowing full well the grief that Priam felt over the loss of his neice. "As much as I would like to hope Briseis is still safe and can be rescued, your men are right; no army has managed to breach these walls. We can use that to our advantage and wait for them to come knocking at our door."

"But if Briseis is alive, you have just signed away any chance she has at freedom! They will not bring her to us, we must attack. Father, you cant mean to just wait..." Paris turned angrily to Priam. Although Hector disagreed with his younger brother's plan, he knew full well the extent of his pain.

"My sons, you both saw the bodies of other priestesses from the temple; the soldiers who ransacked it didnt seem to be looking for women to take captive. Why should Briseis have received any special treatment?" Although old and tired, Priam was still very much a king in every sense of the word. His sad eyes belied his quiet wisdom, but Paris was still
not ready to give the young woman up for dead.

"But Briseis is a member of the royal family!"

"And much too intelligent to tell them that. She is fully aware of how her title could work against her. No my dear boys, future of Troy, now is not a time for looking back on our losses." Priam gathered his robes, and stood, addressing the entire court before him. "Now is a time for patience, which perhaps requires more bravery than a frontal assault. Our walls have kept us safe since they were first built, and will keep us safe as long as they are not breached. I want archers lining the front gates, but that will be the extent of our visible force. Men of Troy, Agamemnon will attack, and we will be prepared. When I give the order however, full formation outside the front walls, cavalry at the right flank and archers in place behind. In the meantime, pray that the gods favor us, or all could be lost."

With his speech given, Priam left for his chamber, both princes in tow.

"You may sleep in the bed this evening, I will not be sleeping." Achilles annouced once he gained his sense back. Briseis stood with her back to him, rigid with confusion.

"My lord, that wont be necessary..." She started, not sure what she was suggesting. She quickly shied away when Achilles strode the length of the room and grabbed her arm.

"I promised you that I would not hurt you, and I stand by that. I dont know what just happened, but I will tell you now, I do not take women against there will." His grip loosened as his apparent anger abated, and he backed off a step to the brunette's relief.

"There are too many who are more than willing" he said with a grin. Furious, Briseis spun around and returned to the bed, where she sat down in a huff. "Women" Achilles muttered, and moved to the desk across the room once more, where maps and weapons sat, awaiting his perusal.

Briseis took a deep breath and stretched her lithe body down on the furs. She stared at the ceiling of the tent, trying to imagine what the stars might look like in the skies above. Hearing her finally quiet, Achilles turned around briefly to glance at the dark beauty in his bed. While her looks tempted him, her fiery spirit gave her more character than many soldiers he knew, and he couldnt help but pity her for the unlucky turn of events. If she regained her freedom, Kale would hunt her down as a gift to please his King. If she remained a prisoner of his tent, her life would be safe for the meantime. The faraway look in her eyes brought an unfamiliar peace to the celebrated warrior, as if somehow, some part of her were miles away from this conflict. As his mother had predicted, this war would bring him unmatched glory, but that could only be possible with the death of those that this young woman held most dear. If the other members of the royal family had the indomitable spirit of Briseis, then these opponents would be worthy indeed, perhaps more worthy than the man he would see put into power.

Troy definately promised a glorious battle indeed, Achilles thought, but at what price?