"How much longer are we going to wait?" Hector asked.

    It'd been two months since the failed attempt to return Helen to Sparta and Diephobus set sail on his mission. Briseis, Andromache, and Hecuba watched as the eldest Prince of Troy paced the room. The four of them met at Hector's request, though none were enthusiastic about it. This wasn't the first meeting Hector had gathered them for and as always, there was only subject of conversation.

    "We need to try." Hector looked at them with imploring eyes.

    Andromache sighed and rested her head in her hands. "My love, we can't. The best we can do now is convince your father to–"

    Hector cut her off sharply. "No! I won't accept this! Until we confirm the fleet is sailing for our shores, there's still time."

    "Your wife is right," Briseis agreed. "We need to send envoys to foreign powers with gifts to secure allies. The message will be here any day with tidings of the fleet. No matter what we do now, the war is coming."

    Hector ran his hands through his hair in frustration. His face was turning red and the veins in his arms were popping from the skin. Hector was about to say something to the women but a knock at the door stopped him. "Enter," Hector called curtly.

    A guard came into the room and bowed. "My Queen, Prince and Princesses, you've been summoned to stand before King Priam."

    Without a word the women rose and the group began the trek to the throne room. Briseis felt weary. The message they'd been expecting was overdue and the king was getting worried something had befallen his son. Briseis couldn't give the king any words of comfort besides to wait. She'd sent more owls, though the king was still unaware who her spies were, but none returned as of yet.

    "Hector," King Priam sat on his throne. Whatever he wanted to say didn't warrant an audience as except for a few guards and themselves, the spacious hall was empty. "I've decided to send you to Sparta. Something has obviously befallen your brother and I will not wait any longer."

    "Father, I will not go unless Helen goes with me to be given back to her rightful husband."

    The king's face turned red and his eyes narrowed. "After the stunt you pulled, you dare to stand before me and try to exert your will? You are lucky my love for you is so great, Hector. If you weren't my firstborn, if you weren't my most promising son, I would have you killed for treason. And you," his ire then turned on Briseis, "your entire plan has gotten us nowhere, and you too were party to this foley of my son and Hecuba. You—"

    Briseis' vision was overtaken by the sight of her owls. The oldest one of the three she'd sent took hold of her vision. She saw the perspective of an owl as it flew into the throne room and settled itself on her shoulder. From there a series of images flooded her mind. Someone was speaking but they were far away.

    The first image was that of a red headed man standing before a large crowd. A series of images of this man speaking to the crowd flooded Briseis' mind so fluidly it was as if she were watching in person. Though there was no sound, it wasn't hard for her to imagine what he was saying or figure out who the man was. His flowing red hair and beard, the symbol of Sparta flying on the flag beside him, this marked him as Menelaus, King of Sparta, and he was making a speech to his warriors.

    Images came faster now. Boats being built by an army of workers, an actual army stationed on the flats of a plain with mountains in the distance. Flags from over a dozen kingdoms flew above the tents and campfires. She watched many days and nights as the army grew, the boats were finished only for more to take those places in the shipwright's harbor.

    Deiphobus was the last image she saw. He was writing a message, all three owls were around as he held up the message for the animals to taken in.

    "PRINCESS BRISEIS!" Priam's voice jolted her from the memories.

    "I have received the message from Deiphobus. He is on his way home. All have answered the call. A thousand ships will be setting sail for Troy within the month." Silence met her words.

    "Why did you not say sooner!" Priam demanded. He held his head in his hand. "Summon a council," Priam said to a guard next to her. "We must make ready for war."

🦉

    "Must you leave?" Andromache asked.

    Kegarta and Briseis had been packing all morning. Briseis had wanted to the leave the day she'd given the message to Priam. He however felt it was necessary to have her there to explain exactly what she saw to the council, the number of ships, the banners, the amount of men, she told them all in detail as they sat making a list of all the kingdoms that were now sailing for them. That exhausting account was followed by various debates about how best to spend the money Helen had brought with her.

    Messengers had already been sent to friendly kingdoms over the borders who might come to their aid, the Amazons, Hittites, even the Philistines had been applied too for assistance. Of course all the kingdoms in the Troad would send what help they could, as was their duty as vassals of Troy, but a chunk of all the smaller kingdoms' soldiers had to remain home as the Greeks would begin raiding almost immediately once they landed, even if they weren't in need of additional supplies. Priam was against hiring mercenaries, at least for now, much to Hector's and a great many others' dismay. Priam felt it was best to buy up grain in case of a long siege, though his words made it clear he believed their victory would be quick, the buying of grain at such volume stirred doubt in Briseis about what he really thought.

    "My father has demanded Vhasti and I return. If we are still here when the Greeks land the voyage will be impossible. And my kingdom and my friend Lavda need me." Briseis said it as gently as she could. Andromache's company was one of the few things she would miss about Troy. The view of the sea and the architecture of their wall and temples being others.

    "I will miss you," Andromache looked down at her hands.

    The two were sharing one final meal together. Briseis wouldn't have minded Hector joining them but he was locked in private council with the king and generals. Many of the visiting nobles and royalty from around the Troad were also taking flight from the city. All to gather their soldiers and send reinforcements to Troy, but she saw fear in the eyes of many who walked the halls with their servants carrying loads of belongings behind them.

    "We needn't be completely separated," Briseis put her hand over the Princess of Troy's. Briseis clicked her tongue and took her hand away from Andromache's. A long eared owl landed on her arm. "This is Nike. Pet her."

    Hesitant, Andromache used one finger to scratch the top of the Nike's head. When the creature didn't bite or screech Andromache grew more bold. She ran her hand down the creature's wing and the owl cooed in pleasure.

    "I named her for the goddess of victory because I wasn't sure she'd survive when I first found her. She was a mere hatchling when I found her wounded in my garden. Her wing was broken and she had a horrible lash on her body. A fox or wolf no doubt was responsible. I nursed her back to health and formed a bond with her." Briseis had once explained her bonds with these creature to Andromache so no further explanation was needed. "I want you to have her."

    "I don't how to care for her," Andromache said sheepish.

    "Make a perch for her in your room. Leave out water, she can hunt for herself. I want you to take her for more than comfort. She is trained to bring messages to me." Briseis gently set the owl down on the table. Nike began to peck at the meat on the plates. Briseis brought out the capsule that she'd designed to hold the messages. "The messages can't be too long or they wont fit, but its big enough for us to exchange a good deal."

    Tears were in Andromache's eyes as she accepted the gift. "I have something for you. It's not as grand as Nike." Andromache had brought a small box that was sitting at her feet. "I brought it from my home when I married Hector. It's meant for my most loyal friend and you have earned that position many times over."

    Briseis took the box and opened it to find a bracelet with three large emeralds set into the gold. "It's magnificent," she put the bracelet on and thanked her friend.

🦉

    The gates of Pedasus came into view at sunset. After a month on the road Briseis was anxious to finally confront her father. Even her concern for Lavda was pushed from her mind, she wanted the truth and she wanted it now. The carriage barely had time to stop before she flung herself from it. Servants and guards jumped from her path as she stormed through the halls.

    "My Princess!" Kegarta's voice came from behind her, sounding frantic as the younger girl struggled to catch up.

    "Return to my chambers and have my things unpacked," Briseis said evenly, but stonily.

    "But—"

    "Do as I order," Briseis said more strongly. She heard Kegarta's footsteps stop. After a moment her maid's footsteps receded. There was talking and laughing coming from inside the chambers of her father, but she ignored it and pushed open the doors.

    Her father was pouring wine for a woman who looked to be younger than Briseis by a year or two. Briseis recognized her as a maid from around the palace. At first Briseus' face was angry but seeing his daughter in this state, something passed over his face. Surprise, understanding, and then a weariness, without a word he dismissed the woman with a wave of his hand. The woman collected her sandals and rushed out the door, looking aghast.

    Anger filled her as Briseis closed the doors to the chambers. She kept her back to Briseus as she spoke. "How could you do it?"

    "Briseis, everything I've done is for the good of this kingdom. It was the only way to preserve us with circumstances being what they are—"

    She cut him off as she turned to face him. "Circumstances?" The word jumped from her mouth as if it were a curse.

    He held out his hand to stop her words and she obeyed out of habit. "Mynes is a Prince of his own kingdom, a kingdom with one of the best armies in this part of the Troad, and our alliance with your marriage to him will provide us protection. Even though we have a new wall thanks to your efforts, that protection is something we need now that war it coming."

    It was as if cold sea water had been dumped on her. "My marriage?"

    Her father looked at her with bewilderment. "Isn't that why you're here? You've learned, no doubt from Vhasti, I've made an arrangement for you to marry Prince Mynes of Lyrnessus before the turn of the moon."

    With her emotions running high, Briseis couldn't stop the snort of revulsion that escaped her. "Mynes of Lyrnessus? Mynes of Lyrnessus! A man with seven other wives who makes them compete for his favor at court!" She was shouting now. "No! That's not why I'm here and I will not be marrying that insipid—

    "BRISEIS! I have no choice, you can't produce heirs and in exchange for your hand, Mynes will give me his youngest son to be raised as my heir. I am your father and you will honor this. I gave my word and will not have it impugned."

    "Honor," Briseis said softly as hot tears sprang to her eyes. "What would a man who murders his brother to take his niece as a daughter know of honor?"

    All color in Briseus' face drained. "What do you accuse me of?"

    "Killing your brother so you might claim me as your own because of the curse of infertility on our house. Pedasus needed an heir and you couldn't give it one! Somehow you learned Christos had done the impossible and you killed him then dumped his body in the sea."

    "No," Briseus said hastily while beginning to pace. "I don't know where you heard such lies but—"

    "You can't deny it. I saw the truth in your eyes when I spoke. You're a kinslayer!"

    "Fine!" Briseus nearly exploded. He grabbed his daughter's arm and rushed her to the center of the room, away from the door and ears that might be passing in the hall. He roughly pushed her down to the circle of cushions that surrounded his dining table and stood over her. "Yes. I killed Christos. He left me no choice! He was going to take you and gallivant across the world studying whatever he could, wherever his travels took him. He was content to be no damn use to anyone! I was desperate. I needed an heir, someone who carried my blood and you were the only child born to our family in over a generation."

    Briseis sprung to her feet and slapped the man before her, who she once called father. "That's no excuse."

    Briseus, older though he was, was still a strong man for his age. Once his eyes cleared of shock, fury filled them. His hand flew and met Briseis' cheek. His slap had far more strength in it and she was flung to the ground. "Don't you dare presume to tell me I had no right," he said in a furious whisper. "You have no idea what it's like to have the pressure of a kingdom on your shoulders year in and year out as all the people bear witness to your failure. Your hatred of me for killing a man you don't remember is irrational. Where are those brains you inherited from him? Haven't I loved you? Haven't I been all the father you've ever needed? Why get so incensed about a man you can't put a face too? He is but a shadow!"

    "He was my father!" Briseis shot back. She stood and put as much distance between herself and Briseus as the room would allow without having to shout. "His blood is mine. The world is full of boys who go to war to avenge fathers they've never met."

    Briseus looked disgusted and rolled his eyes. "And that's why the world is such a desolate place, petty war fought after petty war, reducing the population so much that lack of new soldiers is the only thing that ends them. You want to know your father? Fine. Here is the account of his life. We were born together, he clutching my heel as we exited our mother's womb. As we grew we both excelled at combat, it was my love, but his was in study. He was forever making contraptions and plans, and sketches of machines to improve the world, but half the time he couldn't get the things to work. And he would spend days shut up in his room, depressed because he failed yet again. Then one day he disappeared to travel and never came back."

    "Because you killed him," Briseis muttered.

    "No, that was years later. He disappeared because he somehow caught the eye of a goddess. They traveled together for years, and one day a message arrived for me at the palace. Christos told me where he was and that he wanted to meet. I traveled there in disguise and found him encamped by the sea with a babe. He told me of his doings and that he'd fathered a child on a goddess.

     I was astonished, for the barrenness of our house was well known by then. Maybe the goddess lifted the curse so she might have a child with him, or the curse doesn't apply when bedding the divine, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was that our line would continue through his child. He wouldn't let me have you and he refused to return home to raise you. I killed him while he slept and buried him at sea. It was the only way. For my disgrace, I chopped off three fingers of the hand that held the knife I used to slit his throat." He waved his marred hand at her for effect. "I hoped you'd be able to conceive once you were grown but that ended in disappointment as well."

    Briseis took the object closest to her, a necklace set out for later wear, and threw it at Briseus. He dodged it easily.

    "Now you know," he said. "What difference does it make? None."

    "I will not marry Mynes just so you can have your coveted heir," Briseis spat with venom. She began to storm by him but he grabbed her arm.

    "Do you love this kingdom?"

    "Let me go!" She demanded as she failed to wiggle out of his grasp.

    He tightened his grip like a vice. "Answer me. Do you love this kingdom?"

    "Yes," she said unable to lie. "Though its ruler is dishonorable."

    "Your blood my not be that of my body, but you are no less a Princess of Pedasus. Your duty is to the people of this land. Are you really petty enough to sacrifice their lives when the Greeks come knocking because of an offense that's had no negative impact on your life?"

    With a mighty tug she separated herself from Briseus' grasp. Hurt from the pain of his grip and the emotional turmoil, finally got the tears she'd been holding back to fall. Could she break the loyalty she felt for this kingdom out of spite? Faces, faces of the maids, the children, the horse's grooms, guards and all she saw in her daily life within Pedasus' walls flooded her mind. Could she stand before them and turn her back? Could she face the betrayal their faces would hold upon learning her choice to defy the king, a defiance that might cost them their lives without the protection of Mynes and his armies, all for the sake of a man she couldn't even remember?

    "I will marry Mynes," Briseis said, "but in exchange I never want to see your face again from this moment on."

    Briseus made a choking sound. It took several minutes for him to respond. "As you wish," he said weakly with the hint of a sob.

    Briseis left his chambers without looking back.

    🦉

    Briseis' heart sank. Even in the increasing darkness of twilight, she could see the mourning ribbons hung from the windows of Lavda's home. She gave her horse to the groom that rushed to meet her and scurried inside to comfort her friend on another loss. Briseis had been in Troy longer than expected, almost six months, it was grievous Lavda had to face this yet again. If Briseis had invented the capsules before leaving, she would have left a bird with Lavda so they could send messages to each other.

    "My Princess, the master of the house wants to see you," a maid told her as Briseis entered.

    "I would rather see Lavda first."

    "The master would like to see you," the maid said again.

    "Very well take me to him." Briseis was lead to Andrion's library where he did most of the work of managing his estate. The maid left them quickly upon seeing Briseis in.

    Andrion looked up from his work and Briseis just barely managed to hold in a gasp. The man looked as though he'd aged ten years in the months she'd been gone. The loss of yet another child had to weigh heavily on him of course, but this was unexpected.

    Briseis placed her hand over her heart. "My heart mourns with you."

    He slowly rose from his chair and opened a small box by side. "She wanted you to have this."

    Alarm shot through Briseis, turning her stomach as bile attempted to rise in her throat. "What?" Briseis squeaked.

    "Lavda didn't survive her labor. She wanted you to have this." With blank eyes Andrion put the scroll in her numb fingers.

    Feeling as though standing in this room a moment longer would rob her of breath, Briseis fled from his presence. She found herself running up the staircase to the room with the retractable skylight. A line of torches lit her way, the shadows the flames created on the stone wall seemed to contort into laughing faces that mocked her shock.

    Briseis couldn't reach the room fast enough. She slammed the door shut and found herself in darkness. Briseis groped along the wall until she found the wheel on her side that would retract half the canvas above. Feeling as though she were in a terrible nightmare, Briseis cranked the wheel until the light of the full moon above shone upon half the room, giving her more than enough light to read by. Fingers shaking, she broke the seal on the scroll. The writing was so unlike that of Lavda's normal hand Briseis struggled to read it at first.

    My dearest friend,

    I won't be here when you return. Even now the pain of this birth threatens to kill me. I am sorry for leaving you. Please watch over my children as best you can. And though it may pain you, don't blame Andrion. I love him and being his wife has brought me great joy. I will see you in the Underworld once your life has run its course, but I hope that will be many years in the future.

    Goodbye my Princess and Sister,

    Lavda

    Briseis flung the scroll and broke into sobs as her knees buckled. "Who am I going to talk to now?"