“It has been done, my lord,” Boromir kneeled before Achilles, his head bowed as the powerful lord stared out the window to see the carnage below. “The elf queen is dead. The children are broken.”
He spied the body of the elfe down below, her body sprawled, blood staining her clothes and the ground below. Achilles smiled. “Good.”
“You may have just become useful again,” Achilles said, staring down at Boromir.
Boromir smiled, his expression hopeful. It almost reminded Achilles of a younger boy, giving him a foul taste in his mouth. He thought that boy had died long ago.
“I will not fail you, father.”
“You better not,” Achilles turned away from Boromir again, frowning. He wouldn’t give Boromir any of his pride. He had still failed. “And I told you not to call me that. You above all people should know that titles mean everything.”
“I’m…sorry,” Boromir bowed his head in shame, “I did not mean to disappoint you. It won’t happen again. Not like-”
“Ah, yes, the incident at the Cliffs of Abdomes,” he sighed, not even bothering to hide the annoyance in his voice, “Well, it seems that you have redeemed yourself for that disaster,” Boromir looked relieved. “But don’t think that just because you do one good thing you’re back in my good graces!” His hands gripped Boromir’s collar, the fear fresh in his eyes once again. There. That was more like it.
“I-I-I promise, Lord Achilles,” Boromir stammered out, “I-I won’t let you down.”
“Oh, I know you won’t,” hissed Achilles, “Or else you’ll be rotting at the bottom of a cliff, begging for me to come to save your back again. But this time, I won’t be there, and I won’t find a miracle to keep you alive. You’ll be dead.”
“Do you understand.” Achilles said. It wasn't a question.
Boromir only nodded.
“Good,” he let go of Boromir, who scrambled out of the way. “And if you ever believe you’re good enough again, I’ll personally see to it that your neck breaks. Again.”
Boromir ran out of the office, his scarred face full of fear.
Achilles took a deep breath, clearing his mind as the office behind him glowed in a purple light.
He will not fail us again, the voice spoke into his mind, shrill and clear.
He turned, looking at the apparition of a woman, her purple eyes staring into his own. Achilles quickly took a knee, bowing his head before the powerful sorceress. Although she wasn’t actually there, Achilles knew she could see every movement he made.
“Of course, oh Great and Powerful One,” He didn’t dare to lift his eyes on the face of her. “Everything is falling into place as you predicted...Mortala.”
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