12)

'Patroclus.' Achilles approached his cousin from behind, which caused Patroclus to jump up from the rock he had been sitting on because he hadn't seen him coming.

'Did the assembly reach its conclusion?' Patroclus asked bitterly. He was evidently not happy with the fact he and Odysseus had been talking with Hector. He had been so cynically he had left the tent short after he had brought Odysseus in. For a short while Achilles had been afraid Patroclus would inform Agamemnon, until he realized his cousin's attempt to do something was bring Odysseus into play.

'Yes it did,' Achilles answered. He had decided he would fill in Patroclus completely. Usually he didn't, but now he really had to convince his cousin and show him his trust. 'The conclusion is we will try to save the Greeks from a bloody war with the Hittites, a war we can't win.'

Patroclus was not amused. 'So we won't fight anymore?'

'We might,' Achilles replied. 'But not with the Hittites.'

It took a while before Patroclus became conscious of what he was saying. But then came the explosion of anger. 'You want to fight together with the Trojans!'

Their eyes were locked, each trying to convince the other man. Finally Patroclus broke eye-contact first. 'I'll warn Agamemnon.'

Achilles shook his head. 'You won't. I won't let you bring me and the Myrmidons into danger.'

Patroclus' eyes went wide. Achilles understood his cousin hadn't yet realized this would be the consequence of this action. Finally, he silently nodded, beaten. 'Alright. But I won't fight.'

'I don't even want you to,' Achilles responded. He had not only meant Patroclus, but also the other Myrmidons. But to his amusement he saw the fire in his cousin's eyes. The youngster had been offended. Eventually it could even mean Patroclus would support him after all, just to show he was a worthy warrior.

'So you won't fight,' Achilles concluded. 'But does this also mean you won't help me? Because there is an important job that has to be done.'


Odysseus was the last to arrive at the meeting of kings King Agamemnon had called together. This was the reason everyone was looking at him. But even between all those looks, Odysseus recognized the hateful stare of Menelaus and the annoyed look from Agamemnon. Menelaus had definitely filled in his brother on the conversation they had had at the battlefield, and their interpretation appeared to be not all too positive. But Odysseus had expected this, so he was prepared. He had to convince Agamemnon and the other kings of his loyalty, and meanwhile make sure the Greeks wouldn't do anything that would get in the way of the plan Achilles, Hector and himself had put together last night.

'My apologies for being late,' Odysseus tried to soothe Agamemnon. He couldn't tell if it worked.

'Well, you're here now.' Agamemnon sat down on Priam's throne. 'Let's address the most urgent concern today: the Trojans. Any suggestions?'

Odysseus smiled when most kings looked at him. They expected him to come up with a plan. 'There are only two options: fight them or flee.'

'We won't flee here like rats!' Agamemnon shouted angrily.

'I also oppose this option,' Odysseus calmed him down. 'But we shouldn't try to look for them at their own terrain, it would be suicide.'

'What do you suggest?' King Nestor asked.

'To build our defense around Troy, and try to defeat them when they launch their inevitable attack.'

'And what do you consider the best defense?' Menelaus asked.

'The same as the Trojans did it,' he replied. 'Only we will also guard the tunnel.'

'But this means we could wait forever for their attack!' Another king objected.

'True,' Odysseus admitted. 'But if we go fight them we will lose many men and possibly also the battle. And I don't want Greeks to die.'

By emphasizing this, Odysseus hoped he would gain trust of all the kings, including Menelaus and Agamemnon. The latter was assessing all arguments to make his decision. Odysseus knew the King of kings himself preferred to go straight at the Trojans, or even ignore them and go to Hatti. But if he would be able to put his megalomania aside and get his mind together, he would make the right decision. At least that was what he had always done until now.

Agamemnon rose from the throne. 'I believe Odysseus spoke wise words. Each one of you will position his army at the location I give you.'

Odysseus was listened to once again. But he had never been as happy with this as today.


'By the great Gods, what are they doing?'

Andromache looked out the window and was amazed by what she was seeing. On the beaches and hills around the city, major troop movements were taking place. Thousands of Greek soldiers were moving towards a new position. Barricades were built, ditches were dug and arrows and spears were made and put on piles. Andromache thought all these people moving around somewhat resembled an ant-hill.

'Looks like they're building a defense,' Helen observed.

'So they're staying?' Briseis asked.

'I'm afraid so.' Helen stepped away from the window and joined Briseis on the sofa. 'We can't do anything now Andromache, so sit down and relax.'

'Relax?' Andromache turned around angry and frustrated. 'My husband is out there somewhere, and you tell me to relax!'

'Yes,' Helen replied calmly. 'To be ready when something happens.'

'I'm sorry,' Andromache said almost sobbing. 'But I can't.'

She turned back to watch the movements outside. She remembered the big army exercises Hector had held earlier this year, and how uninterested she had been. Now she could only wish she had paid some more attention.

She suddenly felt an arm around her shoulders. She wished the arm was Hector's, but she knew this wish wouldn't come true for a while, if not never.

'Andromache, honey, you know you have to keep yourself together.' Helen spoke calmly. 'To do what we have talked about.'

The thought of the plan alone was almost enough to turn Andromache's stomach.


Patroclus had no idea why he had agreed to do this. He was escorting Prince Hector through enemy territory to the enemy insurgents. For all he knew Hector would order his death when they had reached their destination. If they would make it alive at all, because it wasn't hard to imagine the Trojans would see them as intruders and would kill them before asking who they were and what they were doing here. So Patroclus wasn't comfortable with his current position, and the fact he was in a forest were he couldn't spot his enemies from afar made it even worse.

They hadn't really spoken since their departure. Hector had suggested directions to where he would have hidden his army, and since Hector knew everything about this area and he didn't know a thing, Patroclus had quickly settled with the recommended travel plan.

Patroclus looked at Hector for about the hundredth time and noticed Hector really was in trouble. The Trojan wasn't physically ready for a trip yet, and now it was showing. He was breathing heavily and seemed to have trouble with staying seated on his horse. Patroclus was getting worried, because he needed the prince for directions and to tell the Trojans he was on their side.

'Should we rest for a while?' Patroclus finally proposed. At first Hector didn't respond, but finally he made the right decision and nodded. Patroclus watched as the Trojan carefully got of his horse and lowered himself against a tree. He closed his eyes now, he was visibly worn-out.

Patroclus got of his horse too and sat down across Hector. 'Do you want some water?' he offered. Hector opened his eyes and took the water bag from him. They had the first real eye contact now. Patroclus couldn't find any hostility, which reassured him a bit.

'You don't like this, do you?' Hector asked.

It probably wasn't very hard to see. 'No. For me it is hard to imagine the enemy of a few days ago suddenly wouldn't be the enemy anymore.'

To Patroclus' surprise, Hector smiled. 'I know the feeling.'

'Do you?' Patroclus asked bitterly.

'You Greeks attacked my city, killed my father and took my wife as a slave. Do you think I appreciate that?'

Patroclus had to admit Hector had a point, a really big point. 'Guess not.'

Hector took another swallow of water. 'But you still don't agree with this. So tell me, why are you doing this then?'

Why should he tell him? But as Patroclus looked the other man in the eyes, he knew he should tell it. They were at the point they were trying to understand each other, and this meant he had to reveal things too. 'For Achilles.'

Hector frowned. 'Why? What is he to you?'

'My cousin,' Patroclus revealed. 'But you probably don't understand.'

Hector shrugged. 'It sounds the same as a brother-brother relationship; helping him out even though you don't agree with him.'

Patroclus wondered what Hector knew about that. Until he suddenly realized who Hector's brother was. Paris: the man who caused this whole war. 'You didn't agree with your brother?'

A wry expression appeared on his face. 'No. She is a nice girl, but not worth a war.'

Patroclus began to understand what Hector had felt; he was feeling exactly the same right now. A mixture of anger, brotherly love and lack of understanding. 'But you helped him anyway.'

Hector nodded. 'Yeah. Just like you.'

Patroclus could read in his eyes Hector was thinking the same he was. It was weird, feeling some sort of connection with someone he had hated only hours earlier. He now realized Achilles and Hector had never really hated each other; they had been adversaries but no real enemies. That was why they could have become allies in such a short period of time. Patroclus didn't have the same opinion yet, but he did understand them now and that was a good feeling.

'Shall we go again?' he suggested while getting on his feet. He wanted to find the Trojans before nightfall.

'You won't go anywhere, but come with us!'

Patroclus looked around and found they were surrounded by a dozen of armed men. Arrows were laying on the strings, ready to be shot in their direction, and swords were held ready to be used. The goal of their trip had been reaching the Trojan guerillas. It looked like they had succeeded. Patroclus sighed, because there was nothing he could do anymore. It was up to Hector now.