The Trojan Princess Read Online Free

bastion of the east, had
long protected its people, and the other kingdoms, lesser though they were, did
their part to keep the Greeks at bay.
               
Now it seemed that their lands had been chosen by Achilles and his men as an
easy target and it enraged Podes and his brothers all the more that they did
not seek to conquer, merely to steal and raid, retreating to their ships after
each merciless onslaught.
               
It was infuriating, Podes thought, and he hoped he would be the one to finally
put an end to Achilles’ life. There were many tales, even in the east, of the
warrior’s great skill and aptitude in battle, but Podes knew he had unsurpassed
strength, and the axe he gripped tightly in his hand would cut as easily
through Achilles and his men as it had hundreds of Greeks before.
               
Their travels had taken a week and Podes could see some of his brothers began
to tire of the journey, their conviction lessening as their limbs grew weak. He
tried to encourage them and reminded them of the glory that would be theirs
when they were the ones to slay Achilles.
               
“Just think of the honour our family will know,” Podes shouted to them, when
they reached their lowest ebb. “Our sister to marry the heir to Troy, and us,
her brothers, the ones to kill Achilles and bring peace back to the eastern
shores!”
               
His words were so honest in their delivery that they gave his brothers the
encouragement they needed, and the seven men went on.
               
They came across Achilles and his warriors on the tenth day of their trek,
laying waste to a small village high up on the coast. The three Greek ships
were anchored unguarded off the coast, and Podes thought of torching them, but
the calls for help and the shrieks of the dying villagers tore at him. He made
his decision, and led his brothers up the hill, over the rocky outcrops towards
the sounds of steel clashing in the besieged village.
               
At once, Podes realised his mistake. Achilles and his men were greater in
number than he had thought, and they came upon them from the top of the hill.
Podes and his brothers were at a disadvantage, fighting uphill with their axes,
as Achilles and his men raised their swords and descended upon them.
               
Podes lifted his own axe, ready for the attack, and roared with the anger and
hatred inside of him. His brothers did the same and soon the loud clash of
metal on metal came upon them as battle commenced.
               
A sword flew by him, almost taking his ear off, and Podes swung his axe at his
opponent. His axe sliced easily through the man’s neck, and his head flew in an
arc, blood trailing behind it, until it came to the floor, the helmet
clattering against the rocks on the ground. He took a glance around, and saw
one of his brothers fall to the sword of a large, dark Greek. Perhaps a slave,
Podes thought, and his anger flared again.
               
He battled through the crowd, making for the black Greek, his axe feeling light
in his grip as he readied it. His brother lay still on the ground, blood
gushing from his wound; there was nothing to be done for him now.
               
Podes raised his axe and swung it, catching the man off guard. The man
staggered backwards, his wooden shield shattering at the force of the axe, but
he righted himself and lunged forward, sword whistling in the air as he went
for Podes again and again. Podes dodged the blows, swinging his axe once more,
but the man was fast and his sword was more agile than a great axe. Podes left
his stomach exposed as he swung the axe and the man lunged forwards. Podes
braced himself for the blade to pierce his bowels, but they did not, and he saw
one of his brothers standing before him, the body of the Greek twitching at
their feet, an axe embedded in his spine.
               
The two brothers