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[Briseis]

Briseis again find herself sneaking out of the palace walls, making her way across the sand toward the temple. This time, however, it was midday, and there was nowhere for her to hide. She was completely on edge, glancing around her constantly to be aware of any approaching Greek. If she were seen, by either side, it would not end well. Being spotted by the Greeks would end in capture, and if any of her family saw her out here, she would certainly be scolded severely. It was one thing for any other citizen to be seen outside the safetly of the city walls, but for a member of the royal family? It was tempting fate. Still, it seemed the Gods were on her side that morning, as she made it safely to the temple, apaprently unseen. Once inside, she lit the customary incense, then knelt down before the altar, bowing her head in prayer.

Her lips moved quickly, whispering apologies for a lack of offerings and pleas of help to Ares, Athena, Zeus, and Apollo. She begged for protection of her war-ravaged city, asking for a reprieve from the unnecessary attacks against Troy, just to give them time enough to recover their army. This last battle against Agamemnon had left them considerably weakened, even with assistance frm the Amazon women. Troy's sons and brothers, fathers and husbands, were being seriously reduced in number, and Briseis wanted only one battle in which the tides could be turned. She cared not if they won, only asked the Gods to give them just one chance to fight back and show the Greeks that they were not trifiling with some minor city-state of no importance. They fought with Troy, who had stood uninvaded for generations.

She only hoped that, by the end of this war, they would remain so.

[Hector]

Hector returned to the palace, battle weary and bruised as he unbuckled his cuirass and walked towards the bathhouse. He didn’t want to cause unnecessary worry his wife by his disheveled appearance and blood splattered garments. The sentry guards bowed their heads as he passed by the gates that chinked open with a rusty metal squeal when a group of soldiers walked out, revealing the magnificence of the Trojan fortress beyond. He made long strides towards the barracks and the training hall, then traverses into a shadowed alley and turns at the end, heading for the bathhouse. Several other people were wandering about in their quiet conversations and business. Most bowed their heads with respect to the Trojan Prince while others acknowledged him with words of greetings. One woman however, appeared to lower her head, turning her ace so that he could not see who she was.

Hector slowed his walk, keeping his eyes trained upon the unknown woman as she hurried towards the temple, eventually pausing in his step altogether. His mind prickled with the thought that she could be a spy sent from the Greeks to sneak out vital information to the enemy. Standing there in the speculation of his thoughts, the sun baked down upon the dried blood of his armor, attracting flies and he raised a hand reflexively to swat the pesky insects away from his face. With curiosity and distrust upon his mind, Hector turned on his heels and began walking towards the temple.

He climbed the evenly cut stone of the stairs and stood just outside and to the right of the doorway with his back to the wall, suspiciously surveying the empty beach. After a few quick, discreet glimpses through the doorway of the temple, Hector recognized the woman as King Mynes’ widow from Lyrnessus, an ally of Troy. She was knelt in prayer to the gods with head bowed. On silent steps, he slipped inside the cold warmth of the temple and glanced around briefly as he spoke, “Good afternoon M’Lady Hippodameia. I hope all is well with you.”

[Iphigenia]

Since Briseis didnt' reply within a month after the last post (cutoff date for posts) this has been moved into the old post archive.