Briseis woke with something gently bumping her hand. She thought she was still dreaming at first, until Kertis' wailing for his morning feeding made that thought flee. Briseis opened her eyes to see the sea shell beside her hand. Its fragile surface bumped itself against her hand once more. Helen said it must have been a gift from the gods when Briseis had found it on the beach.

     Briseis hadn't thought much about this bauble, as pretty as she found it it was useless in her daily goings, but this was the third day in a row she'd woken to it bumping her hand. No matter where she left the shell it would find its way back into her bed over the course of the night. Briseis turned the shell over in her hands as Kegarta knocked on the door.

     "The feeding for Kertis is all set up. Synlex is also being served breakfast but Asteroin..."

     "What of Asteroin?" Briseis put the shell necklace on. She didn't know what god had given it her or why, but whomever they were it seemed they were determined that she keep it close. For no other reason than to put an end to the shell waking her every morning, Briseis decided to wear it until its purpose was revealed. The shell was cool against her skin, it reminded of the breeze off the ocean.

     "He refuses to leave his room and declares he won't eat unless he's allowed to see his mother."

     "I will speak to him." Briseis didn't bother making herself presentable and went directly to the suite of rooms connected to hers which belonged to Asteroin. She found the boy laying on the ground staring at the ceiling. The owl she'd assigned to the child was resting on a perch, preening its feathers. The bird cooed softly as she entered the room.

     "I was told you wanted to see me?"

     "Not you. I want to see my mother."

     "I am your mother now."

     Asteroin didn't like that and rolled over so his back was facing her. "No, you're not."

     "If you don't eat with us I will instruct the servants not to feed you until lunch."

     "I don't care. I want to see mother." The boy's stomach growled.

     "Morgan is going to escort you to the library at in a few hours so you may begin your penance for destroying the gardens. Your work will go easier if you eat."

     Asteroin didn't answer. Not knowing what else to do but feeling she had done all she could for the moment, Briseis left the boy where he was and went to eat with her other children and handmaidens. Morgan stood inside the doors to the chamber with a guard that had become his second in command. His name was Ruston, he was in his early thirties and had been in Umna's guard.

     Briseis was a bit hesitant to have a guard who'd been involved in Umna's household so close. Especially since the man was so stoic, it was hard to tell what he was thinking no matter if the man ate, drilled, or walked through the gardens on a pleasant day. Mynes insisted the household guard not be changed. Mynes was organizing a troop of soldiers to march to war to repel the Greek invasion and didn't have time to reorganize the battalions.

     Though it seemed to Briseis it wouldn't take much to replace them, she didn't want to push. Her status with Mynes was still in a state of flux. An owl flew into the room as their meal finished. It landed on the table and Briseis' vision was overtaken by the memories of the owl.

       Achilles had taken to having this particular owl ride on his shoulder or the saddle of his horse. He seemed fond of the bird as he fed it dried pieces of meat from the pouch on his belt.

     The army was marching to the north. Hearing the breath of the soldiers and the rattle of their equipment was jarring. Sweat dripped down the brows and bodies of the men as they made their way towards yet another city in the distance. While the company had many horses no one was riding, not even Achilles. Briseis watched through the eyes of the owl who'd recently made its way back to her.

      "What's this one called?" The man who'd spoken was older than Achilles and dark where the other man was fair. Briseis hadn't learned his name as no one had mentioned it yet, but he appeared to be Achilles' second in command.

     "Clothous, named for the fate which spins the thread of life," Achilles answered. The man was drenched in sweat just as his men were. Briseis wondered if the stories of his supposed immortality were true. Would an immortal sweat like this?

      Trumpets sounded in the distance behind the wall. "They've spotted us," the dark haired man said.

     "Took them long enough," Achilles said quizzically. "We should have been visible to them for half a day at least. Their guards must be slothful." Heavy clopping of horse hooves cut off whatever Achilles might have said next. "Acimus!" Achilles waved at the rider causing the owl to jump from his shoulder and perch in a nearby tree. "What tidings?"

      Acimus pulled on the reins and came to a stop not far from the two men. "There's a Trojan host coming this direction."

      "Are you sure they're headed for us or are they passing through?" Achilles crossed his arms and looked at the direction Acimus had come from.

     "We can't tell but they didn't spot any of the scouts."

     "How far are they," the darker haired man beside Achilles asked.

     "Half a day if they keep up their pace and turn to the east."

      "You're sure they didn't see any of you," Achilles kept his eyes on the horizon though by Acimus' words the host was several hours away. "Who leads them? Hector?"

     Acimus shook his head. "No. I'm not certain who the man is but it's not Hector. This man is younger and he doesn't fly royal seal."

     "How many men?"

     "Five hundred minimum, six fifty at most."

      "Too large to be a scout party," the dark man lifted a single eyebrow, "but small for reinforcements intending to assist Clothous."

      "Yes, but they are a match for us since I sent half the men to attack Athmus. Combined with the forces of Clothous they may prove too much for us unless we take the city before they arrive." Achilles tilted his head to see the city.

      "They may not even come here," the raven haired man said. "But there's no need to rush, we have sufficient supplies at the moment. Perhaps we should rejoin the rest of the host at Athmus."

     "Uncle Patroclus may be right, Achilles. Besides Athmus is the greater prize, we won't gain much here."

     Achilles' fingers drummed the end of his trident which he wore strapped to his back at an angle. "We retreat for Athmus then. On the way back we may hit this city if we find them still so unprotected."

      Before the men could begin to leave, the gates of Clothous opened. Achilles yelled for his men to get into formation. The was a rush of activity as half the men jumped on their horses, Achilles drew his trident, mounted his stallion and his two companions took to their horses as well.

      It wasn't a host that rode to meet them. It was a small party of four, and at the head rode a woman. Achilles yelled for his men to be at the ready. She flew no banner but was clearly of higher birth given her clothing and the expert way she rode.

      "I am Princess Peisidike of Methymna," the woman said. She had mean eyes and a long braid of copper hair that ran down to her waist. A thin circlet of silver rested on her brow and the contrast between her hair and the circlet was striking.

     "Prince Achilles of Phthia. This is my cousin Patroclus and his nephew Acimus. What are you doing here? You're far from home."

      "I'm here to prepare for my marriage to Prince Deiphobus of Troy."

      Achilles raised an eyebrow as he waited for the woman to elaborate. When she didn't he looked at Patroclus who just shrugged. "And you've out come here to treat with us?"

      "No, I've come to hand the city and my own into your hands. My soft headed cousin rules here and my brother back home. I care nothing for them or the people of their kingdoms. I just want to live and neither of these kingdoms stand a chance against you and your army. Spare my life and those of my guards with me today, and you and your men can sweep through both as you wish. I will let you inside under the cover of night, if you promise me safety."

     The trio of Greek men were stunned into silence. Briseis was likewise affected. Princess Peisidike looked at Achilles with an expression of...expectation? Longing? It wasn't desperation but Briseis had a difficult time reading the face of the woman. The men with her remained hard and stoic, Briseis expected a bit more of a reaction from them upon hearing this treachery, but none even blinked.

     "What has your family done to anger you so?" Patroclus leaned forward with open curiosity written across his face.

      "Nothing," she said without feeling.

     "I accept your offer," Achilles said. Patroclus' and Acimus' eyes shot in Achilles direction but neither man said anything, though it clearly took restraint. "I want a token as a witness to the promise between us. Cut off your braid and give it me."

      "Your dagger," Peisidike ordered the guard nearest her. Peisidike wasn't adept at using a dagger judging by the awkward way she handled it. She grabbed her braid not far from her head and quickly wrenched the instrument through her hair. "Ouch," as the dagger sliced through the last bunch of her hair it also slashed the back of Peisdike's neck. Blood fell onto both the dagger and her long braid now completely separated from her. Tears sprang to the woman's eyes but they were quickly dried. She handed the long braid to Achilles who passed it off to Patroclus.

     "My lady, let me see it," one of the guards said.

      "Allow me," Achilles said. "I've studied under the best healer save Apollo you could hope for." Achilles united a small bag from his saddle and jumped off his horse.

      Peisidike stood before Achilles with her hand covering the wound on the back of her neck. The blood seeped between her fingers, but from this angle Briseis couldn't tell if it was serious. Achilles helping the woman left a bad taste in Briseis' mouth. The woman was willingly betraying two kingdoms her own blood ruled, and for no reason other than her personal safety. As distasteful as Briseis found it, Achilles accepting the offer was twice as bad in her eyes.

      "The cut isn't serious but it will be painful and scar. You'll need to have an explanation for this when you return to the city." Achilles applied some sticky substance to the woman's neck. Briseis didn't know what it was but from Peisidike's face it smelled awful. "I want you to take up your duties as normal, if this is to be born there can be no suspicion."

      "I will do as you ask. The gates will be opened for you tonight."

     "No," Achilles countered. "The rest of my host is to due to come to us in three days. In the dark of night on the third day you shall open the gates."

      "Have it your way, but these people aren't the best of warriors. With your current numbers you can easily take the city while meeting only mediocre resistance."

       "A man in my position needs to be cautious," Achilles told her as he closed his bag of herbs. "I'm finished."

       She stepped away from Achilles and retook her horse. "I will tell my cousin you refused his terms."

     "My thanks to you, Princess Peisidike. My men are beginning to grow wearily fighting Agamemnon's war for him."

     "Doesn't this war belong to Menelaus?"

     "In name. Farewell Princess, we shall met again in three days."

     Patroclus and his nephew stayed silent until the other party was out of earshot. "What are you thinking," they asked in unison.

     Achilles rolled his eyes. "Calm down, this is part of my plan."

      "It's a plan without honor," Acimus insisted hotly but quietly as not to rouse any doubts in the men behind them. The host was too far to hear their words but the tense body language of three men was plain.

      "And one I have no intentions of honoring," Achilles promised.

     "What are you talking about?" Patroclus looked towards the still retreating party of the princess. They'd reached the gate and it was just beginning to close behind them.

      Achilles smirked. Briseis watched as the sun rose three times and sank three times in rapid succession. Not much happened during that time. The Trojan host that'd been heading in their direction moved on. It seemed they truly hadn't noticed any of the Myrmidon scouts, but Achilles wondered who they were and where they were going.

      In the dark of the night on the third day Achilles gathered a small host of men, small but made of his most experienced soldiers. Patroclus was among them and once Achilles explained his plan, the older man couldn't help but roll his eyes. Achilles had his men replace the Myrmidon standard with white strips of cloth. He'd given his men careful and clear instructions that they were not to kill anyone they encountered unless it absolutely couldn't be helped.

     Achilles tied the rope of braided hair around his torso before setting off for the city. He and his men moved like shadows along the open landscape. Briseis' owl followed them, the bird flew just behind Achilles shoulder. They walked straight up to the gates of Clothous as they opened smoothly. As promised the Princess was there with her three guards.

     "Where's the rest of your–" before Peisidike could finish her question the Myrmidons moved into action. Achilles had brought ten men with him. Six of them went for the three guards and knocked them unconscious. Achilles subdued the princess and had her gagged and thrown over his shoulder before she could blink. The men who'd subdued the guards took off the packs they were wearing and put together makeshift stretchers.

     Patroclus and the remaining three men raised the white standards of surrender. "We're ready," Patroclus said.

      "Move," Achilles ordered. The men swiftly made their way up the main thoroughfare to the palace. Few citizens passed their way and the ones that did stared in a mixture of fear and curiosity. Peisidike tried to wiggle out of Achilles' grasp but he pinched her leg hard and that put a stop to her resistance momentarily.

     "Who goes," a voice called from beyond the palace gates. The owl landed on the edge of a parapet nearby.

     "Prince Achilles of the Myrmidons! I come in peace and with a traitor from your ranks. I demand an audience with your king. We carry no arms."

     "Your host sits outside our gates. Why shouldn't I just shoot you?"

     "If I wanted all my men inside the city they would be here."

      "Wait," an older voice said the younger sounding one. "I am Throust, son of Havli and captain of the guard. Who is the traitor you speak of?"

      "Princess Peisidike of Methymna," Achilles unceremoniously dropped the woman on the ground before the gates.

      There was a great deal of shuffling on the wall before an older man appeared on the other side of the gate. A crying Peisidike tried to crawl away but Achilles stood her up. She tried to hit him with her balled fists but Achilles deflected her strikes and turned her to face the gate. She wiggled again and Achilles tightened his grip, causing her to yelp.

      "Princess," the man said with astonishment. "Has she been harmed? Have you defiled her?"

      "No," Achilles said flatly.

      "Open the gates!" Someone shouted for a runner to get the king from farther in the compound. Gasps of shock were heard and more soldiers gathered around the gate to see the spectacle.

     "Make way," another voice demanded. The soldiers parted smoothly. A man of an age with Achilles appeared. He hadn't bothered to dress in anything more formal than his sleeping attire. "I am King Adar. What have you done, Achilles of Phthia? What sort of game is this?"

     "It's not a game." Achilles shoved the princess into the guards of the castle. One of them caught her and set about releasing her bonds. Those who carried the stretchers bearing the still unconscious guards laid them between Achilles and King Adar. The Myrmidons then stood beside Achilles in silence. "The Princess and these men came to me three days ago and promised to let my Myrmidons into the city, in exchange for their lives. She claims she cares not for the people of this kingdom or her homeland. As long as I spared her she would have happily let me sack both kingdoms."

     "He lies!"  Peisidike rapidly stood to face her cousin. "This Greek ambushed me while I was walking along the city gates. I don't know how they got inside."

      "Do you also deny giving me this?" Achilles untied the braided hair from around his torso. "She gave this to me as a pledge of her words. Surely you've all seen her shortened hair by now and the cut on the back of her neck where she nicked herself. I administered the poultice myself. How else would I have it if she hadn't of given it to me?" Achilles handed over the hair to Adar. Whispers of disbelief were making their way through the crowd.

     Peisidike wilted as though she were a flower. There was no denying what she'd done now. A look of pure hate colored her face, quickly replaced by fear as Adar turned to face her.

     "Take the princess and the men to the dungeons. I will determine their fate later," Adar commanded.

     Peisidike was lead away. She tried to proclaim her innocence to anyone who'd listen, but deaf ears met her pleas. The stretchers were taken away as well, one of the men was beginning to wake and let out a groan of pain.

     "Prince Achilles," Adar turned from the direction of his cousin. "Why did you turn her in? What sort of soldier turns away the chance to raze a city to the ground for its riches?"

     "I will fight this war and continue to sack cities, but I will do so with the honor of a warrior. With such treacherous schemes among your own people, there's no need for Greeks to attack you in order for this city to fall. Whatever punishment you give her will be more just than a traitor's death by my hand."

      Adar hardened his face. "I can't trust you but I thank you for this. What would you ask in return?"

      "Provide my men with a portion of your harvest and I will leave a compliment of them here to protect you against invaders. As long as this war continues you will have my word your city will not be sacked by Greek forces."

      "That's a big promise, Prince Achilles. Ordinarily I wouldn't trust it. But in light of this circumstance and your semi divine blood, I will accept your terms."

       Briseis blinked away the memories of the owl. A city of the Troad had allied itself with the Greeks. Not providing men but food and that was just as treacherous as if they had promised soldiers. Briseis went immediately to her writing desk. She had penned the first three sentences before she realized she intended to send this back home to Pedasus, to her false father Briseus.

     She took the parchment in her hand and it shook slightly. There was an eerie silence in the room. Briseis turned to face a multitude of people who were watching her. Kegarta didn't look surprised but this was the first time such a long vision had been given to her by the owls in front go the others. Kegarta once told her from an outside perspective it looked as she her mind had halted. Briseis never blinked for the duration of the vision. Her face went slack, her already glowing eyes brightened in intensity, but just by a fraction.

      Briseis rose from her place at the writing desk. "I would speak with Princess Hedas, have her gather my council."

       There was some hesitation on everyone's part but Kegarta's. With a few words, despite her young age, Kegarta had everyone moving. Brisies withdrew momentarily to her private bedchamber. Still in her hand was the letter she'd begun to write. She lit a candle with trembling hands and burned the paper over the flame.