Trojan War Chapter 21

 

War and warriors I

 

21.

King Tyndareus held his feast that was to rival that of Zeus, but he had decreed that there will be no competition for any ‘golden apple’. The guests have all shared in laughter at that for they had just returned from the one where three among the Goddess had disrobed there.

“Then I won’t have to showcase my beauty.” Queen Leia of Macedonia called out.

“Such a saving to my eyes and have not my feast dismayed by it.” A Trojan had voiced out and a brief tussle was seen but the Spartans were renowned for their hospitality and had the two sides quell their physical bouts.

“Please, the honored guests of the eleven worlds. We need not contest the beauty of one another when I am to be at the wedding who is mine to the suitable one. I have chosen that man.”

That drew a roar among the gathered. King Tyndareus has a daughter named Helen and she was of the wedded age. Her beauty was spoken of by many in the world and envied by many. Many suitors have come to see the King for his right to wed her but he had declined for he felt that only to see the most suited one but that suited one must also be an ally of Sparta.

That was the dilemma of the King then.

King Tyndareus may hold the alliance of that world but what of the other eleven worlds. Sparta had not fought a war for some period and he was concern about the Olympians. Zeus may not be around forever.

“King Tyndareus, I need to know are you with Helen? She is not seen.” The one who asked was a Macedonian. He was a good contender for Macedonia held an alliance with Troy and Archaeon, the traditional rivals in the world.

“Is she taken again?” Another from Babylon asked. “I don’t see Theseus.”

“Theseus won’t show her face here. We will kill him.” A Phoenician snapped back. “I will gladly kill for being here.”

“Helen will be here.” King Tyndareus announced and then the sirens went off. It was time to show the guests their heart desire. Helen had stepped in a yellow gown that was off-shoulder. It was unseen as yet but someone designed that for her. She had on a wide belt around the waist and her steps were rehearsed to take the dainty movements to accent her beauty around those around her. She was followed by Aethra who was older.

“Helen is with Perseus’ mother.” The roar went out but King Tyndareus held out his arms.

“Aethra guards her against Perseus and she will do the same against any of you.” King Tyndareus cautioned the others. “I believe in her.”

“Who will protect us from her?” A voice was raised. It belonged to Agamemnon, the brother to King Menelaus of Archaeon.  That statement was given a burst of rousing laughter by the invited.

“I will.” The Macedonian roared out. He was supported by many more and soon the Hall was a gathering of alliances.

“Please restrain yourself. Nobody will need to fight her. Just be a part of the allies to protect her.” King Tyndareus had calmed the gathered.

“Then shall we begin. I am hungry to eat and all these talks bored me.” Another Babylonian not in the rush to wed Helen called out.

“Let the feast be served.” That was the King’s cue to ease the tension diverting the attention from Helen towards the food and drinks. He had invited Bern and Tiber to cook at his feast.

“Patroclus, another serving of the Babylonian concoction, and I will puke.” That was the view of the Archaeon warrior that had returned to the farms tending to domestic animals.

“You don’t have to hover near here, Achilles.” The other told the warrior turned farmer. “I know you dread this but you won’t do without its skewered meat with the red sauce. It resembled the plunge of your dagger into the heart of your enemy.”

Achilles moved on to the other tables and saw Helen seated with her father. He admired her but with his warring nature, he had ignored the need to get wedded. He was not healthy when younger and was often sick. His mother, Thetis had asked Hera for assistance. She told the mother that Achilles could be made strong and powerful with the aid of a treatment that she had concocted from the Styx Method.

“Inject it into him where he will not be vulnerable to be hit at,” Hera told the young mother. “It’s one creation and may never be heard of anymore for the creator had died after making that. I cannot say I know of its effect.”

Thetis out of desperation agreed and had Achilles do it. He had a weakness and for that she made him wear that metal boots to protect him there.

“Do not ever remove it.” Achilles was told.

“Hey, that is mine.” Achilles had picked up the skewer and was halted by a Trojan. He looked at the other with contempt.

“Hector of Troy. It’s funny how you always turn up on my wrong side.” Achilles had not liked the other. Hector was a Trojan warrior and his exploits rivaled that of Achilles.

“It’s sad that we never met in battle although wars were fought between our worlds.” Hector had mocked the other.

“A saving grace for you, Hector but one day I will kill you on the battlefield.” Achilles snarled back with his right hand grabbing the skewer to plunge it into Hector’s chest.

“Now, boys, and warriors. We do not want to fight here.” It was Agamemnon, who intercepted the two. “We are friendly worlds now.”

“For now but not forever,” Hector replied. He then moved away. Agamemnon turned to look at Achilles.

“Do you want to fight?” Agamemnon smiled at Achilles. “That can be called on.”

‘Not anymore. I am a farmer now.” Achilles held back his rage.

“And probably wore a gown too.” Agamemnon mocked the other. “Don’t ever let me see you in that.”