Timeless Warrior

Let Us Parley

Ch. 8

Perseus sat in the shadows of the Greek camp, his brother's tent was sitting about a dozen yards away as he waited to the messenger god to show up with the King of Troy. He decided he would wait for their arrival to speak to his brother, hoping the sight of Hector's grieving father would perhaps help to quell his brother's stubborn nature.

He was a bit surprised to have the Goddess of Wisdom herself appear to him but knew the logic to her words; they were the exact ones on his mind for the past week.

A chariot was seen in the distance, passing through the Greek camp unchecked confirming to him that this was indeed Priam and Hermes was using his magic to make them pass unseen by the Greek soldiers.

The chariot stopped a few yards away from Achilles' tent and two riders stepped off, one dressed in a dark cloak that obscured the identity of its owner's face; Priam, King of Troy. A brave man to walk into their camp, escorted by an Olympian God or not.

The second did not hide his face. Dressed in a tunic with winged sandals on his feet and carrying a caduceus in the form of staff, Hermes, the God of Messengers stood by the king's side.

The duo approached the tent as Perseus stepped out of the shadows, making his presence known to the two visitors.

Priam took a step back at the sight of the second son of Thetis; a man who had killed hundreds of his men in this war and shown just how ruthless he could be with his display in front of the walls of Troy.

"Do not be alarmed King of Troy, I am not your enemy at the moment. I come to aide you in your quest for the retrieval of your son's body." Perseus said so the King of Troy.

Priam seemed a bit taken aback by his words.

"You are? Why?"

Perseus gave him a bit of a harsh look before softening a bit, "Your son was a good man, the best Troy had. While I do not regret his death, he deserves the respect and rites of a hero of Troy. I have tried to convince my brother to return his body but his anger and stubbornness make it a difficult task. You will need me if you are to convince him to submit to your wishes."

Priam nodded his head slowly, "Then I must thank you for your efforts. I just want a chance to give my son the funeral rites he deserves."

Perseus gave the king a curt nod before turning to Hermes, bowing his head a bit.

"Perseus," Hermes said acknowledging the demigod before gesturing for Priam to enter the tent. Perseus waited a moment before he followed the king inside while Hermes waited at the entrance.

Achilles looked up in surprise, "Priam, you have a lot of nerve entering my tent by yourself." He growled.

Before Priam could respond, Perseus entered the tent causing Achilles' face to redden in anger.

"You dare bring him here without my knowledge!" He hissed at his brother who narrowed his eyes.

"Enough Achilles! You are being a child. Sit down and shut up and listen to what the man has to say," Perseus growled back angrily.

"Brisēís," Priam said in shock.

Brisēís stood up and embraced her uncle before returning to her lover's side.

Priam seemed surprised at seeing his niece in the tent of Achilles, apparently not being held against her will. He quickly shook it off and turned to man to whom he came to speak with.

"You are a brave man. I could have your head on a spit in the blink of an eye." Achilles said looking at Priam through narrowed eyes.

"Do you really think death frightens me now? I watched my eldest son die, watched you drag his body behind your chariot. Give him back to me, please. He deserves a proper burial, you know that. Give him to me." Priam pleaded back, the look in eyes showing one of a broken man.