The sun hung low, maybe three or four o'clock. Shadows stretched long over Troy's streets.
Dust drifted in the air and a faint smell of cooking. The strange procession moved slow under the slanting light. Like a living painting.
Aeneas and Creusa walked side-by-side at the front. The five newly freed girls followed close behind. They clutched the pouches of Lykos's compensation money tightly. Arinna and Talia, leading the skeletal horse, came further back. The guards fanned out at the rear, watchful. This mix of nobility, commoners, rescued slaves, and a skinny nag was a conspicuous sight on the streets of Troy.
Achates's sharp eyes scanned the crowds on either side. His brow was furrowed tight.
(This group is too visible—the princess, the young master, freed slaves, a starving horse... We're a moving target.
If there's an assassin in this crowd... Damn it. Thank the gods the Temple of Athena is close.)
His hand never left the hilt of his short sword. His knuckles were white.
Creusa's steps, however, were lighter than when they'd set out.
She glanced back occasionally at the girls. The frost in her grey-blue eyes had melted, revealing a rare softness.
When she saw Talia whispering to the skinny horse, a gentle, age-appropriate smile touched her lips unbidden.
Aeneas surveyed the ever-growing procession as he walked. He found it both absurd and heartwarming. With a touch of pride.
(This lineup looks like an adventuring party after a dungeon run...
Where in the modern world would you see a princess leading a string of NPCs?
Hah! I guess I'm the hero leading the way.
But Achates is right to worry. Need to get them to safety fast.)
They moved from the Lower City toward the Inner City. The streets grew wider, cleaner.
Stone buildings appeared on either side. Troy's class divide was starkly visible here.
The muddy tracks gave way to neat flagstones. Simple mud-brick huts became mansions with carved reliefs. Even the air changed from foul to fresh.
Just as they reached the foot of the Inner City hill, where the crowd thinned—
One side had stalls selling pottery and cloth, the other stone steps leading to noble houses—
A young woman in a simple tunic burst from the crowd. She grabbed Aeneas by the collar and shook him hard.
"You little brat! Aeneas! You came to the city and didn't seek me out first?! Were you just going to slink back to your estate as if nothing happened? Huh? Answer me!!"
Aeneas started in surprise. Then his face fell completely as he recognized her.
(Oh no, no! Hippodamia! I completely forgot to find her! What is she doing here? My ears are going to fall off!)
He raised his hands in surrender, his voice pitching higher. "Mercy, sister! I came truly for the offering to Athena today! Then the King summoned me for a meal, and then I accompanied Princess Creusa to the Lower City..."
He shot a pleading look at Creusa, hoping the noble princess could extract him.
To his surprise, Hippodamia released him. Swiveled toward Creusa. Instantly adopted a warm, bright smile. Executed a perfect, polished curtsy.
"Your Highness. I do hope my foolish younger brother hasn't been a burden?"
She had keenly noted the subtle shift in Creusa's gaze when she looked at Aeneas.
(He actually managed to thaw the Ice Princess? My little brother has some skills! Far better than my own blockheaded husband...)
She linked arms with Creusa affectionately. "If he dares trouble you, just tell me! I'll set him straight."
Creusa offered a rare, genuine smile. "Your brother... is quite... interesting."
She paused, then added, "He saved several girls today. Those sisters among them." She gestured toward Arinna and Talia, who were soothing the skinny horse.
Hippodamia's eyes lit up. "Truly? The boy finally did something proper!" She shot Aeneas an approving look, then immediately scowled again. "But that doesn't make up for you not coming to see me!"
Aeneas raised his hands in a weary gesture of surrender.
"Sister, I must go to Maple Ridge tomorrow for the rites honoring my mother, Aphrodite. I truly can't stay in the city today... Once it's done, I'll come visit you and Alcathous properly."
"That's more like it! The goddess's blessings come first. Very well, I'll let you off this time." Hippodamia finally nodded, satisfied. She squeezed Creusa's hand again.
"Your Highness, if he ever neglects you, just come find me! I'll deal with him!"
The whole scene had Euryalus in stitches further back. Even Nisus's mouth twitched in a rare smile.
Even the usually tense Achates seemed to relax his shoulders a fraction.
The procession moved on toward the Temple of Athena.
As they reached the foot of the citadel hill, they could look up and see the temple's white columns glowing gold in the sunset light. Like a caress from the gods themselves.
Aeneas escorted Creusa and the five girls up the hill to the temple. The others waited below.
Hippodamia seized the chance to pull Achates aside. Her voice was low. "Tell me truthfully, what really happened today? How did this whole spectacle come about?"
After hearing about the slave market clash, Hippodamia's brow furrowed. "Still so impulsive, that boy... But well done! Those vile leeches deserved it!" Her face showed clear approval, but a thread of worry tightened her expression.
She crouched down to be level with Arinna and Talia. Her voice was unusually gentle. "Good children, tell me where you live. Is your mother very ill?"
Looking at the frail sisters, a fierce protectiveness welled up inside her.
(These poor dears... Aeneas has always been like this. Sees someone suffering and just has to help. I'll lend a hand too!)
When Aeneas returned from the temple, Hippodamia sprang into action. She led the whole group through the city's streets toward the southwestern Scaean Gate.
Her words came rapid-fire, her hands gesturing constantly. "You need to fetch Arinna's mother and family first. You should take the southwestern Scaean Gate... Perfect! Your brother-in-law is stationed there! I'll introduce you to some friends. I'll send word ahead to have a boat ready by the river!"
Aeneas watched his sister's whirlwind efficiency with private admiration.
(That's my sister. Has everything sorted in minutes...
Though... I've never met Brother-in-law Alcathous. Wonder if he's just as... energetic.)
The Scaean Gate was formed by two massive defensive towers and heavy bronze-clad iron doors. The plaza inside served as a mustering area for soldiers. The air smelled of leather, metal, and dust.
Hippodamia strode forward and pulled the patrolling Alcathous over. "Look who I brought!" She made the introductions with gusto, as if presenting rare treasures.
The boisterous Mimas clapped Aeneas on the shoulder with a force that nearly staggered him. "Not bad, lad! Someone needed to take those princes' leeches down a peg!" His laughter echoed across the gate plaza.
Misenus raised the conch shell horn hanging on his chest and blew a crisp, spirited tune. Then he lifted his chin proudly.
"I don't play for just anyone... Good, eh? I like your style! We'll be great friends! Ha!"
Further back with the guards, Euryalus muttered to Nisus with a grin, "The young master's quite the social climber!"
Nisus gave a cold smile, his eyes scanning the officers. "Because he did what they wanted to do but didn't dare."
Achates allowed himself a slight release of tension.
(With these officers' approval, we're much safer within the city walls.)
The sun was low in the sky now. Around five in the afternoon. The sky blushed orange-red. The Scaean Gate's silhouette looked particularly imposing against the fading light. The gravel road to the riverbank snaked away into the gathering dusk.
Torches on the walls were being lit one by one by the guards. Their flames danced warmly in the deepening twilight.
Hippodamia hugged Aeneas, her eyes slightly red. The usually forceful sister's voice was thick with emotion. "If you don't come to see me first next time, I'll chase you all the way to the Dardan lands and beat you!" She held him so tightly he could barely breathe. But his heart felt warm.
Aeneas addressed the group with a smile, casting a friendly look toward Mimas and Misenus. "You're all welcome at the Dardan estate anytime! We're not rich, but the wine flows freely!" This drew cheerful laughs. Even the normally stern Alcathous allowed a slight upturn of his lips.
Amid the laughter and farewells, Aeneas led Arinna, her sister, and the guards out through the Scaean Gate. They started the journey home...
No—first, they had to collect the two girls' family...
The strange procession made a unique sight in the twilight:
The young nobleman at the front. The frail sisters close behind. The skeletal horse, breathing heavily with every step. The guards, alert yet relaxed.
Talia looked back at the receding walls of Troy. Her small hand clutched her sister's tunic tightly.
"Sister," she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief, as if afraid it was all a beautiful dream, "have we really found good people?"
Arinna squeezed her sister's hand. She looked at Aeneas's straight-backed figure, silhouetted against the sunset. Nodded firmly.