No sooner had Terani's excitement faded than she noticed the several children trailing behind her. They trailed after her, step by step. Like ducklings just hatched. Listening close as she talked. Her round eyes went wide in surprise. She pointed at the unfamiliar little faces. "Young master, who are these children?"
Aeneas held back a laugh. Put on a serious face. "Well, Terani, you're still a child yourself. You lack playmates here at the manor. So I went all the way to Troy to fetch some children to keep you company." A mischievous grin played on his lips.
The clever Terani saw right through his teasing. She snorted. Deliberately turned her head away from him. Instead, she pulled the children aside for a whispered conversation. Arinna, Talia, Karik, and Mira were quickly charmed by the lively maid. They formed a little huddle, whispering amongst themselves.
Aeneas just laughed good-naturedly. He turned to thank Captain Callippus for his help. And to arrange a room for Lady Puduhepa.
To his surprise, Captain Callippus had been observing the lady by the stretcher for some time. He now approached carefully, guiding the stretcher along. The scarred veteran's movements were unusually gentle. As if afraid of disturbing the unconscious woman.
Just then, Terani returned with the four children in tow. The star-shaped pendant at her chest glimmered in the twilight.
"Young master, let me get this family settled!" she volunteered.
She was already checking on Lady Puduhepa's condition. "I'll see to this lady first. I have some herbs in my pouch that might help."
Euryalus chuckled at this. His fur-trimmed cloak swayed with the motion. "I thought Terani's herb pouch was just for show!"
Terani had already started walking off. But she turned , stuck her tongue out at him in mock indignation. The playful gesture made Aeneas, Achates, Nisus, even old Callippus burst out laughing.
The sky was dark now.
The courtyard bright with torches.
Servants running everywhere. The smell of venison still thick in the air.
Aeneas waved a hand, told a servant to bring more of the main dish. For Captain Callippus to take back to share with his men.
When the piece of venison, slow-cooked over a gentle fire, was brought out, its incredibly rich aroma surprised everyone present—
Everyone except Aeneas. He smirked inwardly.
(Heh. Ancient people are so easily impressed. Modern food can be way more fragrant and extravagant...)
Captain Callippus accepted the precious gift solemnly. His scarred face looked unusually soft in the firelight.
He expressed his thanks. Prepared to leave with his two guards. Then he scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed. He asked quietly, "Young master, might I... visit the children at the manor sometimes?"
Aeneas was taken aback for a second. Then he let out a hearty laugh. "Of course! You're welcome anytime!"
Inside the manor's dining hall, candlelight flickered. The table held simple, tasty food.
The remaining venison steaks. Fresh bread and olive oil. Some pickled olives and cheese.
Aeneas headed to eat with Achates, Nisus, and Euryalus. But the three men stopped at the table. They insisted on serving Aeneas his meal first.
"The meal is already late. No need to delay it further with pointless ceremony," Aeneas said firmly. He pulled out a chair, gesturing for everyone to sit. "Tonight, it's just friends sharing a late supper."
A flicker of emotion showed in Achates's deep brown eyes. But he remained standing. Nisus gently touched his arm. Murmured, "The young master's orders." Euryalus was already grinning and pulling out a chair. "Well, I'm not one to refuse!"
Just then, outside the dining hall in the shadows, his father Anchises and mother Aresya had been about to enter. They heard Aeneas's words. Exchanged a knowing smile. Turned and left silently together. Aresya's honey-gold curls shone warmly in the corridor's candlelight. She gently took her husband's arm.
Aresya's lips held a soft smile. "That boy always surprises... This way of leading might be just what Dardan needs." She felt her husband's approving gaze beside her. Knew their thoughts were aligned.
In the candlelit dining hall, the four young men finally sat down to eat.
After his meal, Aeneas went to check on Lady Puduhepa. He met his mother, Aresya, outside the guest room in the east wing.
Moonlight slipped through the linen curtains. Silver light touched Lady Puduhepa's face—pale, thin, tired.
The air smelled of herbs. Terani sat by the bed, sorting her pouch.
The four kids stayed in the corner quietly. Huddled like a bunch of puppies.
"How is she?" Aeneas asked softly. His eyes rested on the patient's sunken eyes.
Terani looked up. Her brown curls glowed warmly in the candlelight. "Long-term hunger and exhaustion. On top of that, a stuffy nose, cough, alternating chills and fever." She expertly checked the patient's condition. "I'll make an infusion of rosemary and bay leaves for her to drink. With a good environment, plenty of fluids, and undisturbed rest, she should recover in a fortnight."
Aeneas nodded. Assessed the situation internally.
(Sounds like a cold... a bad one. Hmm... compounded by severe malnutrition... and overwork... Yeah, that sounds serious.)
He observed the symptoms carefully. Then spoke with conviction. "Terani is right. But we need to do more." He turned to those present. "Move the children to the room next door. This room is for Lady Puduhepa's recovery only."
Aresya was surprised her son seemed knowledgeable about medicine. Her honey-gold hair shifted as she leaned forward. "Aeneas, how do you know these things?"
Aeneas smiled but didn't answer directly. He continued giving clear instructions.
"Anyone visiting must wear a simple linen mask covering the nose and mouth. Keep the room well-ventilated. Prepare lots of warm water with a little salt added."
His tone grew serious. "Most importantly, no bloodletting. No induced vomiting. Add grapes, figs, and other fruits to her meals. And with each meal, prepare a cup of garlic juice mixed with olive oil."
Terani happily noted all the instructions. "Are these the Goddess's methods? I'll write it all down! For treating this sickness in the future!"
Aeneas spoke gently to the children. "Stay here and rest. Focus on your mother's recovery. Once she's well, you can all help out at the manor. Understand?"
Arinna, Karik, Talia, and Mira nodded obediently. Their four small faces were full of trust.
He looked specifically at Arinna. "Don't forget to care for that thin horse. See if we can make him strong again."
Aresya watched her son. Her eyes held a warm approval.
She reminded him softly. "Get some rest. Don't be late for the sacrifice at Maple Ridge tomorrow."
Aeneas nodded his goodbyes. Walked back to his own quarters alone.
Moonlight fell on the great olive tree. Its shadow danced in the night breeze.
He pushed his door open. Candlelight instantly chased the darkness from the room.
He sat at the wooden table. Let his thoughts wander.
The day's events washed over him—
Cassandra's penetrating eyes. Creusa's icy demeanor slowly thawing. The rekindled hope in the rescued girls' eyes.
Aeneas absently nibbled on his knuckle. Sorted through his thoughts.
"Cassandra's prophecy... 'Beware the wolf that runs wild. It wears sheep's clothing.' What does it mean? Maybe... the enemy isn't just the Greeks? Or rather... my enemies aren't just the Greeks?"
"And the news of Paris going to Sparta... Three, maybe four months until the Greek alliance arrives... I have to speed up military preparations!"
He picked up the wax tablet on his desk. The bronze stylus gleamed faintly in the candlelight.
With soft scratching sounds, he began recording every potentially useful piece of information from his memory:
Modern medical knowledge. Military defense strategies. Troy's political situation. The movements of the Greek city-states. And even... the messy, half-remembered situation of the surrounding nations in this era. It might hold something "valuable"!
In that moment, he was no longer the joking young noble. He was a man out of time, bearing a heavy mission. Preparing silently in the Bronze Age night for the coming storm.
Outside the window, the olive leaves shimmered silver in the moonlight. As if witnessing this soul, so out of place, slowly altering Troy's fate.