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Prologue: Spirit of an Amazon

Everyone around her was merry and boastful, but Briseis was all but one who found misery within their company. She watched, with a feeling of dread crawling within the pit of her stomach, as the new prince of Mycenae and Ianthe, Agamemnon's eldest daughter, toasted with those that congratulated them on their official marriage and first night as husband and wife. It was a celebration that attracted all kings and all nations. And because of this, her uncle Priam brought her and his eldest son, Hector, with him.

Priam wished to bring her further out into society, taking immediate notice to her blossoming into womanhood, and so brought her with him to attract more suitors. Peace with Sparta and King Menelaus had thus far lasted two winters and so, as allies, the royal family of Troy was invited to the celebration. Briseis found herself in utter misery, for though she knew her uncle meant well, she detested royal men; Princes and Kings, with the exception of her own family, were filled with greed and were nothing but pompous asses seeking power. Some even murdered their own fathers to get to the position they were presently at. Common vile acts such as those turned Briseis away from marriage to men who were future heirs to their throne, they'd even more than likely kill their own wives to gain an accepted lover on the throne.

She sat rigid and in silence, avoiding anyone and everyone she could. She wanted as less suitors as she could get, unlike Priam who was speaking to everyone. She saw her opening of escape near the end of the feast and slipped out unnoticed to everyone, even her own cousin and uncle. Briseis, throughout the night, felt herself near to suffocating and walked upon one of the palace's outside balconies. Finally! A place where she could think and breath!

Her eyes stared up at the beautiful moon, admiring its glimmering surface and rays that sparkled softly from it. The stars twinkled shyly from the sky at her, its light small and incomparable to the orb glowing madly above her. All of it was beautiful and Briseis sighed at how peaceful and calming the night air was.

"My Lady-"

The unfamiliar voice startled her from her reverie and Briseis turned quickly around with a sharp gasp of surprise.

The man in front of her, a noble as it looked like, appeared apologetic at having disrupted her and he quickly spoke, "I am sorry if I have frightened you."

Briseis nodded and returned his light smile. "No, My Lord, just startled me is all."

"Forgive me for I saw you leave alone-"

"And you believe it not proper for a Lady to go out unescorted?" Briseis finished, amused. The man sounded like Hector. "I'm sure then that my cousin will give you his thanks when he meets you, for he is much of the same opinion."

The man was even near the same in age as Hector by appearance; He had a scruffy beard, wisdom-filled eyes that shined far beyond his years, and a face in the beginning stages of aging. He smiled at her. "You spoke my very thoughts, My Lady."

"And who, may I ask, is my savior this night?"

He smiled at her, finding a woman of her character both odd and amusing. "King Odysseus of Ithaca, My Lady. And the damsel, My Lady's name?"

Briseis quirked an amused eyebrow at the king. "Princess Briseis of Lyrnessos and niece to King Priam of Troy."

"Ah," Odysseus spoke, realization of the names hitting him, "the cousin you then speak of would be Prince Hector, yes?"

"The very one," Briseis confirmed.

Odysseus studied her for a quiet moment. She was a very beautiful woman, even if she didn't think herself as such. He had heard quite a number of men speak of a "Princess Briseis" this night and the talk of her, he had to admit, piqued his curiosity. He knew the reasons from Priam bringing along his favored niece to the celebration and it wasn't an uncommon tradition. But he had wondered if the rumors of this beauty were indeed true. If so, suitors for her would prove most difficult to attain, for no one would want a wife that was often compared to the spirit of an Amazon. And for those seeking to break said spirit would most certainly be denied her hand by King Priam and his eldest son. Both were said to be very protective of the woman and most snotty royals feared Hector's wrath.

"So, My Lord Odysseus, knowing your of good standing with the ladies, do you follow unaccompanied women often?"

By Gods what a bold and vibrant spirit she possessed indeed!

"Not often, only when it is necessary, Princess. It is a courtesy that I should hope an honest man should give my wife in my absence for I care of her safety and protection."

Briseis smiled. A very romantic notion. But before she could speak, a new voice interrupted her. "Well spoken, King Odyssesus."

Hector!

Briseis turned to see the familiar man, his face set in a deep frown. His utter disappointment in her was blatantly obvious as he set his gaze politely on the King of Ithaca. "Thank you, My Lord, for seeing to my cousin. Few men would have taken such concern toward her safety."

"It is my pleasure, Prince Hector, for this young lady should be watched over most carefully. She is surely one of your city's most finest treasures," Odysseus complimented kindly. "I bid you good night, Lady Briseis, for now that your cousin is here you no longer have need of me. It was a pleasure meeting you."

Odysseus kissed her hand gently and nodded politely to Hector before taking his leave.

After he was gone and out of sight, Hector frowned at her and his broad shoulders tensed up as he began, "Briseis! Cousin, don't you ever do that to me or your uncle again," he breathed fiercely, trying his best not to yell and rage at her for her stupidity as he wished to do. "You had us both worried sick and even Agamemnon's palace is not safe to wander around in. You're lucky that King Odysseus sought to give you his protection!"

"Would you stop scolding me as if I were a child, Hector," Briseis snapped. She rarely fought or got angry at Hector but now was one of those rare moments. "If I worried you and uncle then I am sorry but I needed some air and some space for myself to think! It was not my idea nor my wish to come here. I do not want to be betrothed to a man that would use me to his own ends. I'd rather become a virgin priestess before marrying one of those power-loving sacks of swine!"

"Do not argue with me, Briseis, for if marriage is called for by my father then you will do your duty!" Hector returned curtly, his voice laced with anger. "Speak out no further against me, cousin, and go to your chambers."

Briseis' eyes became as angered and full of rage as Hector's own. "If you wish such torment for me, cousin, then you should have informed me before!"

"Someone needs to curl your outlandish and willful nature for it is a danger to you, Briseis!"

"I wonder how Andromanche would feel about your biased opinion," Briseis shot back dryly.

Hector's eyes narrowed to slits. "Leave my wife out of this argument."

"I thought you, dear cousin, were different from them! Obviously I was wrong to think so highly of you!"

That comment did it, but Briseis was too angered and too full of pride to take those hate-filled words back. Hector said nothing in response.

"Go to your chambers, Briseis, and speak no further," Hector growled. He wouldn't follow her. He couldn't follow her because he was too busy trying to pull back the urge he had to throttle her. When he did argue with Briseis on rare occasion, they were always heated arguments. Not common bickering like he had with Paris or Andromanche.

Briseis narrowed her eyes, seething quietly. Men! "Very well, My Lord, for you can go to Hades for all I care," she hissed coldly. "Good night".

Briseis seethed throughout the whole journey toward her chambers, her fists curled to the point where her sharp nails bit harshly into the flesh of her palms. She didn't notice the pain. All she felt was her blood boiling in rage. But also, her attention failed to notice the eyes that tracked her calculatingly nor the soft footsteps that followed her trail until it was too late...

A large hand clamped itself onto her mouth and another snaked around her stomach, restraining her tightly to their body and preventing a struggle. Briseis tried to scream but it was muffled, muted by their clammy fingers. She tried to kick and squirm next but the hold only tightened and a voice hissed fiercely in her ear, "Don't make a sound, My Lady, or you shall die."

And then her world went black...