The Daughter of War and Medicine

Around the Fire

"Hector," Kassandra whispered, her breath visible in the freezing cold air.

"Yes. And you must be the daughter of (Y/N) and Bellona, Kassandra." The Trojan dropped to one knee and bent his head in respect.

"Please, no need for formalities," said the goddess, offering a hand.

He stood, but didn't take her hand. "I must give respect to any goddess m'lady. To honour the gods is a base of all our lives."

She blushed scarlet. Her heart belonged to Aspen, but receiving such praise for the first time was something else. She could understand how it could get to a person's head. 

"If any respect should be given it should be I to you. I am a new god, yet you... you lead your people against invaders for ten years when many Olympians were out to get you personally."

"Perhaps, then the feeling is mutual."

She looked around for any other ghosts or spirits to rise, but it was just them.

"So, what can I do for you? Are you one of the spirits to escape the Underworld?"

Hector shook his head and took his helmet from his head. He revealed a ruggedly handsome face, bearded and well defined. He shook his hair as if he hadn't taken the thing off in centuries. Then again, he might not have for all she knew. He looked just like in the art...

"If anything m'lady, it is what I can do for you. And no, I am not an escapee. I am sent here by Lord Hades himself."

Kassandra's voice caught in her throat. What did the king of the Underworld want to do with her?

"What... what business does he have sending you my way?" she squeaked out. If she fought with Hector, she could almost guarantee losing the duel. The prince of Troy could only be matched by Achilles himself according to legend.

"Well, I wasn't told everything by the Lord of the House, but he referred to me as more of a gift when he was talking to Persephone. Something about making up for millennia worth of arguing. Anyway, he told me to find you-"

"Sorry, when was this?" she asked out of curiosity.

Now the Trojan went a little red, but she could see embarrassment within him.

"Well ma'am, I will admit it was... 6 months ago," he muttered under his breath.

"Oh really?" she giggled, covering her face, "And what took you so long?"

Hector implanted his sword in the ground and scratched his head.

"Well I'll admit, it's been a while since I've lived in the mortal world. I got distracted a couple times and that camp of yours has some strong borders. I had to wait for you to leave, but didn't expect you to just teleport away. So tracking has been an issue."

"Well here you are. So sorry, what's your duty prince of Troy?"

"As put by Hades, and I quote, 'to serve the young goddess Kassandra and assist in her many quests to come.' At least, that's what I can remember."

"Quests? Like multiple?"

"All I know is I am now to serve you until you complete your quests. Whenever that is we will find out."

She stroked her chin and paced up and down the clearing. Aphrodite had done something with Aspen, Hermes was gifting her shoes and delivering private messages in person and now Hades was providing her with the THE prince Hector to serve her. Something seemed off.

Eventually she stamped her foot into the ground and spun back to face the Trojan.

"Well then, we should return to the others."