The Trojan Princess Read Online Free Page A

exchanged looks, and Podes again observed the battle. More of
his brothers had fallen now; three lay dead amongst twice that number of Greek
corpses. Yet Achilles and his men were better prepared for attack than Podes
had thought them to be, and another brother fell even as he watched.
               
He was about to call a retreat, when he came face to face with Achilles. The
man had golden hair that flowed to his shoulders, a warrior’s physique, bare
chested, his body slick with sweat and the blood of his enemies.
               
“You are from Thebes,” Achilles said, looking upon Podes as one might an
insect, not a worthy adversary in battle. “I shall see your home destroyed for
this.”
               
“You would not dare,” Podes sneered, though fear licked at him. It seemed
Achilles sensed the fear upon him, for he stepped backwards and called to his
men.
               
“Back to the ships,” he cried out, his voice loud even over the clashing of
swords and axes. “We head for Thebes.”
               
Podes swung his axe towards him, but Achilles easily avoided the blow and
darted past him. Before Podes could react, he felt Achilles’ blade under his
throat, damp and warm from the blood of his brothers.
               
Achilles leaned close, whispering in his ear.
               
“I will spare you, only so that you can see the vengeance I’ll reap for the
slaughter of my men,” he said, and Podes knew this was no idle threat.
    
               
Then the blade was gone from his throat, and he turned to see Achilles and his
warriors scaling the hilltop, descending to their ships, leaving behind them
Podes, standing with only two brothers, four of their brothers and kinsmen
lying dead upon the ground.
               
“Should we go after them?” one called, as the other surveyed their fallen
brothers.
               
“No, we go home,” Podes said, receiving a surprised look from his brothers.
“You heard Achilles; he means to go after Thebes. We cannot let him attack them
unaware. We must warn them and defend them.”
               
He granted only time enough for his brothers to be burned and their rites read,
then he initiated the long journey home. Even as he hoped they would make it
back in time, he doubted. One glance towards the seas told him how right his
doubts were; for Achilles’ ships had already set sail, the winds on their side,
billowing their sails, setting them on course for Thebes. He pictured he could
see Achilles at the prow of the ship taunting him, though he could not be sure.
               
Anger grated on him, but fear drove him forwards.
     
    *
* *
     
               
It had been a long while since word had come from her brothers, and Andromache
had begun to fret over their continued absence. Try as they might, Iliana and
Ilisa could not soothe the princess.
               
“They are good warriors, brave and strong,” Iliana had encouraged her, but to
little avail, as Andromache continued pacing back and forth in her chambers.
               
“Achilles was far from Thebes when your brothers set off,” Ilisa said
cajolingly, “It will take them many days to find them, perhaps they have not even
caught up with them yet.”
               
Her maids’ words did little to cheer Andromache, but soon talk turned to Hector
and her wedding, and Andromache felt her heart lift a little despite her fears.
               
“It’s sure to be such a beautiful wedding,” Iliana sighed longingly.
               
“And such a handsome husband you’ll have,” Ilisa said, finally eliciting a
smile from the princess. “Of course, such a beautiful princess deserves such a
well-suited man.”
               
“One day you will be Queen of Troy,” Iliana said, wistful, and Andromache
wondered what would become of her two