After a brief rest, the team rose from their concealed position in the woods. Ready to move.
The morning mist had mostly lifted, but dampness still clung to the forest air. Sunlight filtered through the branches, scattering flecks of gold across the leaf-strewn ground—like coins spilled from a god's purse.
Thaleia took a deep breath. Set aside the earlier discussion about yew trees. Her gaze swept warily ahead. She spoke softly to the group.
"We need to cross this trade road quickly. Then take that more hidden path on the south side. It minimizes our chance of being spotted by bandit patrols."
Aeneas nodded in response. But his mind was still calculating.
"Once we deal with these bandits, I need to get back here. Study longbow making. This is a strategic resource that could change our military strength. Far more potential than bronze weapons…"
He could almost picture soldiers armed with yew longbows dominating the battlefield.
The team slipped quietly from the woodland. Stepped onto the dirt track of the Mount Ida trade road. It was wide enough for two horses.
Ruts of varying depth and scattered hoofprints marked the ground—evidence of recent merchant traffic. Someone had still dared to use this route.
They prepared to cross quickly. But Nisus suddenly threw up a hand. Halted the team.
His deep green-gold eyes scanned their surroundings sharply. His nostrils flared.
His brow furrowed. Internal alarms blared. "That smell… Strong. Metallic. Not an animal's… Human blood. A lot of it…"
The usual teasing grin vanished from Euryalus's face. Replaced by a hunter's grim focus. He pointed south down the road, his voice low.
"Blood. Coming from beyond those bushes. Fresh. No more than a day old."
The group immediately let Nisus and Euryalus take the lead. They moved cautiously through the thick scrub lining the road's edge.
The sight that greeted them stole the air from their lungs—
The messy aftermath of a battle lay exposed to the sunlight. Untouched.
The grass was stained dark. Deep brown blood had soaked into the earth. Like a mad artist had used the darkest paint on this green canvas.
A shattered Amazon-style banner was trampled into the mud. The once-proud fabric was now filthy.
Precious medicinal herbs—wild Echinacea, wormwood—lay scattered everywhere. Mixed with dirt and gore.
Four Amazon warriors lay dead in their own blood. Their bodies frozen in various poses of desperate struggle.
Their leather armor was torn. Weapons broken. Clearly, they had fought a hopeless fight.
More horrifying was the state of the two who looked younger, more comely. Their armor and clothes had been stripped away completely.
Their naked bodies were covered in savage wounds and foul marks. Their empty eyes stared at the sky. A silent accusation to the gods for this unjust fate.
Nisus and Euryalus moved like ghosts. Fanned out swiftly. Used trees and rocks for cover. Scanned the area in a wide arc. They returned moments later. Shook their heads at Aeneas. No ambush.
Achates knelt. Examined the bodies carefully. His face was grim.
"Dead for less than a day. Ambushed yesterday evening, most likely." His voice was rough with anger. "From their gear and markings… they're Amazons. Our nominal allies."
His thick fingers gently brushed a crescent moon emblem on one corpse's neck. The symbol of Artemis.
Thaleia's eyes welled with tears. Her body trembled with rage and grief. She looked at the two naked bodies. Her voice choked.
"One... was defiled after death... The other... while she was still alive, dying... These animals!"
She couldn't continue. Turned away, covering her face. Couldn't bear to look. Her fists were clenched. Knuckles white.
Aeneas felt his stomach churn. As a soul from the modern era, he had never been this close to such savage brutality.
His gaze was fixed on the foulness staining the lower bodies of the two violated women. A cold, unfamiliar killing intent boiled in his chest.
"Gods damn them all! First time since I got here I've wanted to kill this badly! These scum don't deserve to live! I swear by all the gods, I'll send every last one of them to hell!"
He clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his palms. Drew tiny beads of blood.
In that moment, political risks and strategic considerations vanished. Only pure, primal rage flowed in his veins.
Aeneas took a deep breath. Forced down the nearly overwhelming fury. Regained a leader's composure, but the cold light in his eyes was more intense. Like the deepest, coldest currents of the Scamander.
He turned to his most trusted steward. "Achates, you take the team. Continue the scouting mission. Focus on camp layout, numbers, patrol patterns. Find the most effective assault plan."
"I'm staying. To bury our allies. Let these warriors have the rest they deserve."
Achates nodded grimly. His deep brown eyes also burned with righteous anger. "Understood, young master. Be careful. We'll return with information quickly."
Nisus and Euryalus exchanged a look with Aeneas. No words were needed.
That brief meeting of eyes held understanding. Support. And a shared, kindled fire for vengeance.
They checked their bows in silence. Then turned and melted into the woodland. Moving with the lean grace of hunting panthers.
Before leaving, Thaleia gave Aeneas a long look. It held worry for him. Grief for the horrific scene. And a hint of inexplicable attachment.
She gripped her longbow tightly. Her knuckles were white. But she knew this wasn't the time for personal feelings. The mission came first.
She took one last look at the bodies. As if branding the horror into her memory. Then turned resolutely and followed the others.
Aeneas watched the four figures disappear down the forest path. His heart felt heavy as stone.
"Archaeology says earth burials were common in this era. Cremation more for wartime... Let them return to the earth, then."
"Can't leave their bodies exposed to the wild. To be defiled by beasts."
He turned to face the four silent forms. Took a deep breath. Began the solemn task.
He carefully carried the four bodies, one by one, to the edge of the calm lake in the Red Bean Forest.
The water was jewel-green. It reflected the surrounding yew trees.
He chose a spot facing the water. Backed by a giant yew. It was peaceful and beautiful here. Seemingly far from the world's cruelty.
He found a sturdy branch. Broke it over his knee. Began digging a grave. The soil was damp and soft. But tangled with roots and littered with stones. Progress was slow, hard work.
Sweat soon dampened his hairline. He didn't care. Just worked in silence. A solemn, sorrowful task.
His mind recalled random trivia he'd read online in his past life.
"Later archaeology showed earth burials were standard for Mycenaean culture in this era. Cremation was more for special cases. A hero's treatment."
"They've found graves suspected to be Amazon warriors. Let them return to the Earth Mother's embrace. It should fit their customs."
He dug. Prayed silently in his heart. Hoping the warriors' souls could find peace.
As he focused on digging, rapid hoofbeats sounded in the distance. From the trade road. They seemed to stop not far off.
Then, hesitant footsteps. Finally, the footsteps moved toward the lake. Aeneas looked up, alert. His grip tightened on the branch.
An Amazon warrior emerged through the trees. She wore light leather armor. Carried a longbow on her back. Deep brown hair streamed behind her.
Her skin was a healthy bronze. Her features were striking, beautiful. But her face was now a mask of frost and burning fury.
It was Melanippe. The silver arm-ring on her left arm, marking Amazon honor, glinted coldly in the sun.
Their eyes met across the clearing. Melanippe saw Aeneas's Trojan noble's bronze armor instantly. Then she saw the four Amazon sisters laid out behind him. Two of them naked. She saw the branch in his hand, the disturbed earth.
Her heart was seized by immense grief and rage. "A Trojan! Here! They didn't just kill our sisters... they're trying to hide the evidence?! This man... what is he doing?!"
The worst possible conclusions flashed through her mind. Her heart felt gripped by an icy hand.
Melanippe's eyes instantly reddened. Tears of sheer fury streamed down her face. She gritted her teeth. Each word was forced out, laced with a chilling cold.
"Tro... jan... scum! You faithless animals!"
She didn't hesitate. Moved with lightning speed. Slipped the longbow from her shoulder. Nocked an arrow. Drew the string taut in one fluid motion. Aimed at Aeneas's heart.
"Pay for my sisters' lives with your own!"
A sharp thwip split the air. The lethal arrow flew. A blurred dark streak. Shooting straight for Aeneas's chest!
Time seemed to stretch. The arrowhead's gleam flashed in the sun. A star of death tearing through the peace. Aimed at the young man who was offering the dead their final dignity.