Title: All The Kings Men
Chapter 4 … A Kinship Forged in Battle

"How soon before they are in archer range?" Paris asked the next day.

"They are still about a half a days ride away, yet I hear the thunder from the horns and the pounding of their horses," Priam replied.

"What news from Hector?" Paris asked softly as he noticed Andromache step into the room, quiet and unannounced.

"A rider from Colonae heard of the mighty leader himself fighting two men but then escaped from death with his very life. The two men are still alive."

"Then Hector is alive!" Paris said happily.

"For now," Priam said softly. "For now."

"We…must stop," Achilles said with a swig of water from his jug. "We have ridden throughout the night and it is now mid-day."

"Troy is still at least a good day's ride away. We must continue," Hector said firmly. "We must not fail."

"What is at the heart of such conviction?" Achilles asked in wonder. "I have heard of loyalty before but this…this is a strength that is more than mere mortal. For what reason other than Troy do you fight?"

"For love," Hector admitted. "It might sound weak and foolish to you but if you have been ever granted the gift I was you'd know as I do that even though cities might fall and names might fade, love endures forever."

"Yours is a life truly blessed then," Achilles said with a frown. "I have never even heard of a love that strong."

"Have you never been in love?" Hector questioned.

"Not one where I'd fight to death and beyond for," Achilles admitted in a softer tone. "The gods haven't had that favourable an eye on me. You quite the contrary."

"Where is your ill towards king and country born from? What experience has cursed you with such a legacy?" Hector asked, easing their horses to a slight walk to rest them a bit.

"I have never known true love…only glory from battle. That is my love."

"That love is fleeting," Hector said not wanting to provoke a fight but just stating an obvious fact.

"I have come to realize that. How is your arm?"

"It will heal? And your foot? Why does such a small wound cause you so much pain?"

"I think he bit deep," Achilles said not wanting to give his secret away. "Your true love, tell me how did you meet?"

Paris entered the room Dionysus was sleeping and just stood silent in the corner and watched his brother's best friend slowly draw laboured breaths.

"He might live…at least until the end of the battle," the physician said walking up to Paris. "His star," he said pulling out a silver object and showing the bloody item to Paris. "It diverted the blade from a true death stroke, as if the gods themselves took pity on Dionysus. He'll always have the wound and probably won't don armour again, but at least he's alive. Any news of Hector?"

"My brother is alive," Paris said firmly. "He'll never fail Troy."

In his sleep like state Dionysus heard Paris's firm words and drew strength from them. He felt a faint smile crossed his face and felt his breathing start to slowly ease. Hurry home my brother, Dionysus said in his heart. This world needs a man like you it.

By nightfall the war had started and Lyshenko was well on his way behind Hector and Achilles, vowing to not stop or rest until he had not only caught up with his two enemies but defeated them.

Paris listened to the frenzied calls of the men outside and on the tall parapets as the fire balls continued their assault. "Father how long can these walls hold?"

"The walls will hold son," Priam said as he watched in horror as two more were consumed by fire. "It's the lives of Hector's army that worries me now."

"Where is he?" Paris asked in agitation. "He'd be here by now."

"That's what worries me," Priam offered in a sad tone at the thought of his beloved son lying dead for no reason in a distant city with no funeral rite of passage offered.

"How's your arm?" Achilles asked as they slowed the horses as night started to fall. Both were weary with exhaustion from not only their hard fought battle with Lyshenko but from lack of sleep and food. But neither warrior would admit his weakness or ask to stop for rest. Time was crucial now – it meant their lives. They both knew Lyshenko would be right behind them. To stop meant certain doom. They would not tempt the fates in such a way.

"Do you desire rule of Troy?" Achilles asked in wonder.

"It's a great city to be sure," Hector said firmly. "But while my heart belongs to part of Troy my allegiance belongs to her army, those that defend her. So while I know I will fulfill my destiny as my father's heir part of me will always long to be on the battle field beside my men – fighting with them for the glory and honor of Troy. There's why my father and I differ. He loves Troy more than anything…I…I love…"

"Victory?" Achilles asked.

"For the most part," Hector admitted with a sigh.

"And the other?" Achilles asked with an amused smile.

"When you find it you'll know," Hector answered with his own smile. After a few more minutes of silence Hector looked at Achilles with a deep frown. "There is a light ahead," he said nodding to the faint glow in the dark distance before them. "A friend or foe?"

"Out here at this hour? Someone who is obviously lost," Achilles replied. "Want to stop?"

"No," Hector said with a weary sigh. "As much as my body keeps fighting against my will to keep going I know we cannot stop. We have a war ahead of us and a madman behind us. There is no time for rest," he said as they neared the small encampment.

They approached the two small tents with caution but had no desire to actually stop as they knew time was of the essence now. However, their plans were soon thwarted. For no sooner had the breached the front of the first tent and stood between it and the second they were quickly surrounded by a group of armed men with swords.

"I am…" Hector started.

"They know who you are mighty prince," Sitras taunted in a low voice as he slowly came out of the shadows.

"Sitras!" Hector hissed angrily. "I'd ask why you make camp here but with the war at Troy I think the answer is quite obvious."

"You know you really are quite wise Hector," Sitras laughed. "Despite what people say."

Achilles saw Hector's hand shoot for his sword but stopped him from pulling it from it's sheath.

"What's this? Achilles taking sides with a Trosian? Is it possible? The man who will sell his soul to the heaviest purse has taken allegiance with a traitor?"

"I am no traitor!" Hector said firmly. "When you utter those words you should be addressing yourself!"

"Funny Dionysus said the same thing," Sitras said fiddling with the edge of his sword. "Just before I killed him."

Hector's anger and loyalty for his friend afforded him no sanity at the moment as he leapt from his horse and tackled Sitras, both men slamming into the hard ground.

Achilles reached for his sword, dug his heels into his horse and charged two men reaching for Hector.

"Traitor!" Hector yelled as he pulled himself to his knees and landed a swift blow to the left temple of Sitras's head. Sitras staggered slightly backwards but quickly countered and used the butt end of his sword to hit Hector in his wounded arm. Hector yelled out in pain but managed to keep his footing, grab his sword and stop Sitras' just as it aimed for his chest. The clang of the swords brought to life the other men who left Achilles and tried to help their leader defeat the saviour of Troy. Achilles fought the two men, one time grabbing his sword, hurling it through the air and pinning one of the attackers to the ground. The other he had to actually leap from his horse to fight. With his wounded heel it wasn't an easy battle and soon found with the constant pressure his strength giving in. His mother had once told him if he ever suffered a wound it would take more than a few hours to heal. But with so much at stake now and evil breathing down their necks, he put aside his pain and fought to the death.

"Dionysus…he begged for his life like a whining girl," Sitras laughed as he lunged his sword at Hector once more. Hector managed to side-step the attack and landed a hard fist to Sitras' chest. The armour he wore was not his usual and the blow managed to cause him to stumble. Hector lunged once more at Sitras, once again taking them both to the ground. He landed a hard knee on Sitras's chest but Sitras countered with a hit to Hector's temple with the edge of the sword, opening up a small cut over his right eye. Hector blinked away the drops of blood but found his vision starting to blur and his eyes sting madly from the blood and tears starting to mix. Sitras hit him once more, this time on his wounded arm and once again and Hector's sword finally fell from his hand to the ground.

"Time to join Dionysus in Hades!" Sitras yelled as he lunged his sword at Hector's chest.

Hector however dropped himself to his knees, grabbed his sword and jammed it firmly into Sitras' right leg. Sitras yelled out in pain causing the man fighting Achilles to be temporarily distracted. This afforded the opportunity for Achilles to take out the second man. The only ones left now were Sitras and Hector. Achilles limped back to his horse and turned and looked back at Colonae. He knew Lyshenko would be on them in no time but knew if he interfered in this fight Hector's honor and revenge for the death of his friend would be lost. But still the same his sword was ready to help defend his new friend.

"At least you put up a better fight than…" Sitras started only to have Hector throw himself at Sitras once more. Achilles watched in helpless vain as both rolled over, trading blow for blow and agonizing cry for agonizing cry. Hector raised his sword and drove it into the folds of Sitras flesh, splitting his arm open and making his blood pour forth rapidly. Sitras kicked Hector back and Hector had to step back a step to keep himself from falling onto the ground again. Sitras pushed himself to his feet, sword in hand, still ready to fight.

"There is…" Hector said charging Sitras.

"No room…" he said lunging at him once more. Sitras growing weary with each mighty stroke Hector was delivering.

"For traitors…" he said, his voice raising every second.

"In the kingdom of Troy! See you in Hades"! Hector shouted as he raised his sword high and plunged it deep into Sitras neck, severing his head from his body and sending his it crashing to it's humiliating defeat at his victor's hands. Hector stood before his fallen enemy breathing hard and wiping the blood from the still seeping wound on his forehead.

"For you Dionysus," Hector said in a dead whisper. "You are avenged my friend. May you find peace."

"Tell me mighty prince," Achilles said in a soft tone as he led Hector's horse back to him. "Did you enjoy that?"

"More than you'll ever know," Hector said with a grimace as he slowly pulled himself onto the back of his horse. "Lyshenko falls next."

Paris headed out onto the tallest parapet where Andromache was standing silent looking at the glow in the distance. "They'll be here soon," she finally whispered in a soft tone.

"Hector will be here," Paris said firmly. "We have to believe he's alive."

"I have felt so much pain in my heart and soul I don't know if the gods are being kind or playing games," she said with a sad smile. "I knew…when I first saw him," she said turning to the younger prince. "I knew as soon as our eyes locked, our souls were joined as one forever. I didn't even need to hear the words I just knew. But now…" she said turning back to the ensuing army. "Now I have fear and for the first time I can't feel peace at the end."

"This enemy is mortal and Troy has never fallen," Paris told her in a soft tone. "Hector will never let it fall. He will be here. He will do anything to save you and Troy."

Andromache turned to Paris with a sad smile and felt a single tear slide down her warm cheek. "That's what I fear the most."

Lyshenko felt the anger and hatred in his heart continuing to grow and in place of a man, rode a mad entity, filled with thoughts of revenge – revenge for actions that he himself were the cause of. Deep inside he knew there was fighting a small voice, a voice begging it's master to listen to sense and reason – give up this useless pursuit and go and find peace in a distant land. The small voice, however, was slowly being poisoned by the evil juices urging Lyshenko to continue his murderous campaign, a campaign in truth he wouldn't win. For if not today, not this time or city there would be a king, a ruler, a nation that would stand up to him and defeat him. Sadly Lyshenko was blinded by his own love of self to see any such reason.

"I will not fail," he kept telling himself over and over again as he continued to gain ground on the two men before him. "I will butcher both of them before the mighty king of Troy," he said with a red glow in his dark eyes. "And then the whole world will bend to my rule!"

A few hours later, Lyshenko's army had finally reached archer range of Troy.

"Back inside young prince," Cristos said to Paris as he came and stood beside the new captain of the army in Hector's and Dionysus' absence.

"I have as much a right to fight as anyone," he answered, trying to sound brave, trying to calm the shaking in his voice. But even as the words escaped his lips an arrow flung through the air and embedded itself into the heart of a man beside him. He turned to Cristos, face pale and fear in his eyes.

"No one will think ill of you Paris, now please back inside," Cristos said firmly.

Paris took a deep breath and slowly headed back inside, failure eating away at his very core. He cursed himself for giving in so easily and wondered how Hector managed the bravery that seemed to elude him. He numbly leaned against a wall and listened as a few more arrows found their marks inside the flesh of men. Then came the fireballs.

"I see fire ahead," Hector called to Achilles as he urged his horse to a fast speed.

"And from behind," Achilles shouted back.

Hector turned and sure enough in the near distance a faint glow was coming their way. "Lyshenko," he breathed in anger. "Hurry!"

Lyshenko, now incensed with the smell of blood and battle urged his horse even faster. Ahead in the distance he saw Troy on fire. "Victory is mine," he shouted fiercely.

"The sun rises soon," Hector said as they neared the outskirts of the battle. "Lyshenko miscalculated by sending his army ahead without stopping to rest. We can best them in the daylight, for that is their weakness, we shall then know their numbers."

"Will Troy last that long?" Achilles wondered out loud.

"She will," Hector said firmly. He fixed his gaze upon his beloved homeland and knew that there would be nothing stopping his reaching his destination now. "Andromache," he whispered firmly. "I am coming."

As if an invisible hand reached out and touched hers, Andromache turned her eyes towards the dark outskirts of the battle and knew in her heart there was reason for a smile. "Hector," she whispered into the night. "I knew you'd make it."

"I never doubted either," a soft voice said from the shadows.

"Dionysus!" Andromache exclaimed rushing to his side. "You must rest."

"Hector needs me. I need to be at his side. I will…"

"There is no sense in dying when he will defeat this enemy," Andromache said firmly as she tried to persuade him to return to bed.

"Marcos!" Dionysus called in a strained voice. "Ready my horse."

"Dionysus no!" Andromache said sadly. "Hector will understand."

"I owe him my life," he said with a wince. "And if I am to die tonight, it will be at his side, defending him and Troy."

Hector and Achilles finally reached the slowly marching group of men and looked at one another with a firm but serious stare.

"I can't promise you victory," Achilles said slowly. "But I can promise that I will fight for Troy until the last man is standing."

"And I can promise I won't let that last man be you," Hector said extending his arm. Achilles took it and held it firmly. "For glory!" Achilles shouted.

"For Troy!" Hector shouted as he raised his sword high. Both parted and started for the gates of Troy, diving groups of men and leaving a trail of corpses as they rode. The gods would ensure their safety, they just needed to ensure the victory.

Andromache hurried to the top of the highest wall and strained her eyes even as the sun started to rise in the east. "Hector!" She shouted happily finally seeing her husband in the midst of a group of men. Her cries immediately drew to her Paris and Priam as well as Hector's cousin Briseis.

"Hector is alive!" She exclaimed firmly. "Troy is safe."

"Who fights with him?" Both Paris and Briseis asked at once.

"Achilles," Priam said in wonder. "This day is victorious indeed."

The small group of onlookers watched in fear and anticipation and listened as the army both on the ground and on the walls spied their leader and started to shout even louder, driving the battling enemy into a frenzied state.

Achilles heard the shouting and looked at Hector in wonder before taking down another enemy. This was glory indeed. Something longed for more than mere self preservation. This is what immortality really was. Hector's fame would live far beyond this battle. But what of his?

Hector heard the cries and shouts of triumph from his men but feared their distraction would cause the enemy to use this to their advantage. But it didn't. His men, as if each given a new surge of strength turned on the ensuing army and started to defeat each man one by one.

However as the invading army's leader drew near, Lyshenko's own men started to shout and chant his name. Andromache and the people around her raised their eyes to see a large man riding wildly towards Troy's defender. "Hector," Andromache breathed in fear. "What is that?"

"The enemy," Priam said firmly.

"Father he is a giant!" Paris said in fear. "Can he be defeated?"

"All mortals can."

Lyshenko spied his two nemesis ahead and pushed his horse even further towards them. Hector heard the men's shouts and turned to face Lyshenko. He didn't have his full armour but at this point he had no time to stop and suit up. He'd fight with his bare hands if that was what was needed.

Achilles continued to fight Lyshenko's evil army but once he had defeated the men around him turned to see Hector's horse charge right into Lyshenko's.

"NO!" Andromache yelled as she watched the two great leaders collide.

Both horses tumbled to the ground, taking their riders with them. But Lyshenko simply pushed his beast aside, struck down a Trosian and rushed to Hector, who was still trying to free himself. Hector raised his sword in time to stop Lyshenko's from cutting him in two. He was careful to protect his wounded arm, but the cut above his eye had started to seep again, from being split open by the fall and blood slowly started to seep towards the eyelid. He angrily wiped the blood away as Lyshenko's sword once again cut the air and landed dangerously close to his skull.

Achilles started to fight the men around Hector, unaware he had drawn the attention of one onlooker in particular. As if feeling her gaze upon him, he turned to the tower of Troy and squinted into the raising sun. Maybe there is more here than just a city to save, he said feeling a strangeness in his heart for the beauty in the distance. But he put aside his momentary distraction and turned back to the battle at hand.

Paris watched anxiously as Hector and Lyshenko traded sword thrust for sword thrust. He imagined what it would be like for him to be there, but even as terror seized his heart he knew he'd never be the warrior his brother was. Never be the saviour that Troy would come to depend on. Never be the man he knew his father wanted him to be. But as he watched his brother with pride he knew that as long as Hector drew breath none of that mattered. He was Troy's true hero. That would always be attested to. This was just one example.

The fighting seemed to go on for hours, with the men on the tower walls fighting to put out the fires while the men on the lower walls traded arrow for arrow with the archers in the field, and the men on the ground traded death for death with the men in front of them. They would not fall until their leader did. And even then would fight each one to the last to avenge Troy's saviour. That was their only mission right now.

Hector felt his strength starting to wane and knew if the didn't deal Lyshenko a near death blow, the large man would eventually wear him down to the point of winning. If that happened Troy would fall. But as the sun started to rise and the air started to warm he realized that Achilles knew the secret to Lyshenko's defeat. He slowly backed himself to where Achilles was fighting and finally standing back to back fighting their enemies, once two enemies themselves, traded secrets to help the other defeat their foe.

"His neck," Achilles said in a softer tone. "The armour is only held on by a thin lacing. Cut it and you can kill him. That is his only weakness."

Hector looked at the large man before him and wondered how on earth he would ever get close enough to untie the lacing much less deal a death blow. But as Lyshenko started to revel in his own pride and glory, Hector noticed his sword strokes started to miss their intended mark and soon he was able to get around Lyshenko and tackle him from behind. He brought Lyshenko crashing to the ground on his knees, but Lyshenko simply laughed and rolled over onto Hector, brining his full weight crashing down onto Hector's chest and wounded arm.

Hector cried out in agony as Lyshenko landed a hard elbow to his wound, opening it once again and causing it momentarily to go limp.

"Hector!" Achilles shouted as he tossed him a small blade. Hector quickly grabbed the small blade, sliced open Lyshenko's neck armour and swiftly pulled the armour plating away from the now unprotected soft folds of neck flesh. Without wasting time he sliced Lyshenko's neck open and then pushed the mighty man away from him. He let Lyshenko roll to one side and slowly pushed himself to his knees and rested for but a second.

But Lyshenko, choked back the blood now filling is lungs, gathered up his last bit of strength into his arm that now held his sword and lunged at a still kneeling Hector.

"Time to die prince," Lyshenko laughed in demented anger.

But before Hector had time to react, Lyshenko's body coiled backwards and he cried out in pain. He reached behind him with bloody hands only to find Achilles spear embedded deeply into his back. "NO!" He cried out in vain as Hector jumped to his feet and plunged his own sword deep into the belly of his now fallen enemy. Lyshenko cried out once more as Hector finally delivered the death blow. Lyshenko was defeated. His army leaderless and Troy was once again the solid pillar it was looked up on by all. They were victorious.

"For glory!" Achilles shouted as he sliced Lyshenko's head from his body and held up his sword. The men around them all dropped their swords, their conviction for their leader, dead with him, their will for fighting brought to and end by two strangers, brought together by fate. They had lost.

"For Troy!" Hector shouted in glee as he held up his sword beside Achilles. He looked at his new friend as the men around them started to shout both their names.

"You did not fail me," Achilles said listening to his name being called by a strange army.

"Nor you me," Hector said with a large smile. "Victory is ours!"

"Victory is yours," Achilles said lowering his sword. "For it is you great prince that made this happen."

Hector continued to raise his sword until his men had gathered up the enemies remaining army. They were given the choice of either returning to their homeland or joining the great army. Most returned home, defeated and soon forgotten.

"Come and let us feast in the palace of Troy," Hector said to Achilles as they headed for the main gates of Troy, Hector's men still cheering and calling his name in pride and joy.

Achilles stood behind Hector and watched with a small feeling of loneliness that he had no one with which to share his many defeats with as Hector had. He looked at Hector's wife and was immediately struck with the intense love they had for one another. A force stronger than will itself, Achilles mumbled inside. Will I ever find that?

"Hector!" Priam shouted happily as he rushed into the arms of his eldest son and hugged him closely. "Troy salutes it's hero. All the kings men I wouldn't trade for one of you my son. I salute you."

"Does it also salute it's friend?" Hector asked gesturing to Achilles.

"We are grateful for your help Achilles," Priam said shaking Achilles hand. "Grateful indeed."

"We knew you'd return," a quiet voice said from the corner, breaking Hector's and Paris's reunion hug.

Hector turned to see Dionysus slowly making his way over. Hector smiled at the sight of his friend and then frowned.

"He is supposed to be resting," the physician said wearily.

"I will after I pay my tribute," Dionysus said firmly. "I'll never let you down again."

"You didn't this time," Hector said. "Go and rest, for in the morning I will tell you everything."

"I never doubted…in my heart I knew you were alive," Andromache said as Hector finally finished with all his fanfare and took her in his arms and held her close.

"It was your voice that kept my strength inside," he whispered as he pulled her lips to his and finally tasted what he had been missing for days. "Still warm," he breathed huskily.

"It will never grow cold," she whispered happily.

After a few more rounds of applause, hugs and congratulations, Hector and Achilles headed for the physician and Priam headed for the great palace hall to honor Troy's hero's while a pair of watchful eyes kept close watch on Achilles until he had disappeared from sight and then promised in her heart to get to know the golden warrior with whom she was already smitten.

"It was a good battle," Achilles said to Hector later that night after the party had ended and they stood alone atop one of the high towers.

"One I hope I don't have to repeat for some time," Hector said with a wry smile. After a few minutes of silence Achilles turned him and gently touched his shoulder. "I must leave."

"Stay at least the night, there are some fine women in Troy that…" Hector started.

"I should get back and sort things out," Achilles said with a sigh as he turned to leave. They walked much of the way in silence, each contemplating their meeting and now their parting. "Strange how things work out in this life. My sole intention when first hearing your name was to best you in a fight to the death. To prove that there was no other mortal warrior greater than I."

"You still might one day," Hector said with a frown.

"But not yet," Achilles said firmly.

"But not yet," Hector repeated as they walked past one of the many temples.

Achilles for the first time found himself distracted by someone he thought was only a dream, a vision to keep his mind fixed on the salvation of Troy while on the battlefield. "Who is she?" He asked of the dark haired beauty standing at one of the alters. She looked at him, caught his gaze and quickly looked away.

"Briseis," Hector called to his cousin. "Someone you should be afraid of," he said with a small laugh.

"Really?" Achilles asked amused as she approached. He fixed himself on her face and found his eyes unable to turn away or listen to what Hector was telling him. "Briseis?" He asked softly.

"Achilles," she said firmly.

"I hear you are the best warrior in all of Troy," he lightly teased.

"And I hear you are the biggest braggart in all of Troy," she countered with a small smile, only wanting to tease, not offend.

"I think you two will do just fine," Hector said turning to Achilles. "Stay the night. I'm sure there is something here that will hold you."

"There just might be," he said shaking Hector's hand for the last time.

"So what is it you were doing in there at this late hour?" Achilles asked softly.

"Come and let me show you," she said gently extending her hand to the great warrior in front of her. "Are you friends now?" Briseis asked with a slight frown gesturing to Hector's shadow just before it disappeared for good.

"Allies," Achilles said turning to her. "In the world of men there is no stronger friendship than that."

"Alone at last," Andromache said as she stood before her handsome husband.

"Shall I tell you all about it?" Hector asked softly as he started to undo the lacings that held her night cloak on her body.

"Maybe tomorrow," she said cupping the back of his head and pulling it close to her. "But right now I want to do more than just talk," she whispered as her cloak fell to her feet on the floor.

Hector gazed at his wife, bathed in the pale candle glow and felt a warm wave of contentment finally wash over him. "I don't have a tangible gift to give Troy's hero," she said softly as her eyes trailed downwards. "But how about an heir?"

Hector looked at her with love and pride, scooped her up in his arms, let out a cry of happiness and carried her to the bed and gently placed her down. In this life or the next he knew the fates would never let them part and that was all the strength he would ever need.

THE END!

Dear readers. Well I hope you liked my first Troy story and if you would like others or liked this one please review for my hard work and let me know. Thanks so much I loved writing it! Also if I gets lots of good reviews I'll write more action/adventure and romance stories featuring all our favorite pairings!