Trojan War Chapter 40

 

40.

Telephus had got the news that Achilles had returned to Lycomedes and not fight the war. The leader of the Mysians was in uproar on that action for his allegiance to Achilles had caused him to betray the Frontier.

“I did not fight for the Archaeon but Achilles. If he is out, then I am out.” The Mysian’s fleet took to flight but wary of their exposure to the others. “We are now the renegades and hunted by the others. We have to find our world. And peace.”

“Peace not war.” The feline creature perched on the console quirk out. It was a rare creature from the Feline worlds where Artemis has ruled none may step there but no one stops the Mysian from anywhere. The feline creature held the features of the feline expression but it held feathers on its frame with the set of wings that allowed it flight. It held a myriad of shades on its feather and was taught to speak by Telephus.

It was his aide, who offered nothing but amusement to the commander.

Telephus had the feline named by him as Cat the mascot of his fleet; the single mothership and ten frigates.

“Commander, we being pursuit by a Frontier fleet. I identified the Thracian destroyer and three other frigates there.” Telephus can understand the pilot from reading the design for the Frontier fleet were all salvaged ships and modified with many add-ons but they all held the same hailing sign. “It’s Queen Belladina herself.”

“What does the Queen wants with me?” Telephus cursed out. He knew that the Frontier knew of his betrayal and that was how the enemy discovered their hideouts. He also knew the punishment for that was an ejection into the void space.

“Queen Belladina is hailing you.” The pilot called out and the Queen’s image appeared on the huge screen.

“You can’t hide from me, Telephus.” The Queen's expression filled the view. “You can run but I will find you. And I did.”

“Ah, woman. Do you need to talk so much? I am getting bored.” Telephus replied. “Can we get it over with?”

“Telephus, I knew you betray us. And I would like to have you ejected to space with your infernal creature.” Belladina did not go well with the creature which snarled to that remark. The feline was able to hear the words.

“It’s a rare one, Queen. I would not harm it. Artemis may…”

“Spare me your Olympian scare. I am here on the words of the Goddess that you mention. She asked that you assist or be disowned by her.” The Queen hit back with vengeance. “You may yet save the Frontier.”

“Disowned? Save the Frontier? I am either mad or you are a real woman after all. Your words are all …. Or rather sounded ridiculous to my ears.” Telephus smiled.

“Mark my words, Telephus. I am under her orders to request your assistance. The survivors of the Frontiers need your fleet protection. You are to escort us to the world you had boasted regularly.” Queen Belladina told the other. “We do need you. In return, we will give you the pardon you needed.”

“Pardon? I do not require it. I have Achilles…” Telephus was cut off.

“Achilles has withdrawn to the recluse he has at Lycomedes. We knew that from our spies. You have no patron to your cause.” The Queen explained. “Once Troy is destroyed, Menelaus will go for you. You did destroy his world at Quinon System. Yes, he held his grudge deep.”

“Okay, tell me of my commitment.” Telephus relented to his fate.

“Take us to Sanctuary.” The Queen told him. It was then from the rear of the Queen’s fleet was the hundred-odd designs of transporter ships that carried the survivors of the Frontier.

“Troy will be defeated and we are asked to seek our world.” Queen Belladina told Telephus. “The prize is your pardon.”

“I will take them.” Telephus finally agreed.

At that moment, Achilles was in the depressed mode. The others at Lycomedes were not able to console his grief and his mother was called in. Thetis was the Queen of the Nereids, the sea warriors who were the rivals of the Amazonian had not died in her when she submitted to Zeus.

“My son, what ails you? I am here, your mother.”

“Mother, I have failed as a warrior to protect the one I love.” Achilles muttered his reply. It was unusual for him to speak of love then. “I love... Briseis.”

“Then find her back.”

“I can’t. She is …with Agamemnon. He now owned her.”

“Owned? When have ever been owned stopped you?” Thetis looked at her son. “When have the warrior in you stopped fighting?”

“I am sorry, Mother. I need time to think.” It was the first moment Achilles' weakness. Thetis regretted her action to send Achilles to Lycomedes. She feared his life was to end if he was to battle but it seems that his life had ended there.

“Return to the war when you are ready. I will not stand to stop you again.” Thetis told him. “You are a child of Zeus and mine, the Neried Queen. We are all warriors and I had failed to see you as one. I am sorry. If you are to die, let it be as a warrior. And not a wimp.”