Helenus asked a maid to fetch the queen and waited for her in the megaron, standing. His legs felt stiff, as if they had been made of wood, and they were shaking slightly.
Andromache arrived immediately. He didn't need to talk: there could be only one reason if he summoned her like that, if he looked at her like that.
"Is he dead?" she asked simply.
"Yes".
She covered her mouth with one hand and stared at him in fear.
"Where is my son?"
"Still training. Eudorus will fetch him" replied Helenus.
Andromache didn't ask how the king had died or whether the war with the Triccans was won or lost.
She stepped forward and looked up at him with those large, brown eyes. When she finally spoke, her voice was calm and resolute.
"You promised me something years ago, Helenus. Will you keep your word?" she asked simply.
His first impulse was to say no.
It was pointless to try. The Achaean warriors would never accept as their king a foreigner who couldn't even throw a spear, who could barely assert himself, who was constantly upset. No matter how useful he might be as an advisor every now and then.
But he had promised her that he would try, she had put her trust in him, she counted on him. And he had told Aesacus that he would keep his word, years before.
"Yes, I will" he answered faintly.
She said nothing, but looked at him with gratitude.
"I cannot promise that I will succeed, though" he added after a moment.
Andromache lowered her voice to a whisper.
"You might have more allies than you think. I don't think you realize how useful you were to Neoptolemus. Besides, we are not in a hurry. I am expected to mourn him at least until the next moon"
Twenty days. After that time, every Achaean warrior who wanted to take Neoptolemus' place would propose to the queen.
He heard footsteps, and after a moment Eudorus and Molossus arrived. The prince didn't seem to have received the news yet, because he ran to his mother with a broad smile. Andromache took him by the hand and led him away.
"Let's inform the soldiers, now" said Eudorus curtly.
The few soldiers who had not accompanied Neoptolemus to Tricca had already gathered in the terrace. The arrival of a messenger and the interruption of the prince's training had alarmed them. When Eudorus made the announcement, they didn't look surprised.
While Eudorus spoke, Helenus thought about his next steps.
Should he make his intentions clear or wait until Andromache's mourning was over? Should he speak to the other advisors to the king to see if they would support him or keep silent and surprise everybody?
He had thought about it several times in the past, but he had never been able to reach a conclusion.
He was silent while he and Eudorus went back to the palace.
"You were really shocked by the king's death. I didn't think that you would react like that" observed Eudorus when they were alone.
"I've lived in this city for seven years now, and I cannot complain about the way he treated me. Besides, this is bad news for Andromache. A widow, without brothers or a father, and whose son is still a child" replied Helenus.
Maybe he should discuss his intentions with Eudorus, it would be difficult to reach his goal without his help.
"That is always a dangerous situation. The queen needs to remarry soon" answered the Achaean.
They both fell silent. Eudorus stared at him, apparently waiting for him to say something about it.
Helenus decided to take the hint.
"I wish to marry her" he said, trying to sound defiant.
The Achaean didn't look surprised.
"So you do" he said. "I thought that you might want to marry her. But then you looked so shocked when you learned about the king that I wasn't sure anymore"
"I didn't want the king to die. I wasn't looking forward to this. And I don't care for the throne. I just wish to protect Andromache and her son" explained Helenus.
Eudorus looked intently at him. After a long silence, he spoke.
"I am not against the idea. You think before you speak and act, you are insensitive to flattery, you are not prone to violent outburst, you have objectivity. But you will certainly face some opposition. Mantes will want to marry the queen, for instance. Some people in the town still think that a good warrior will make a good king, like it was in the good old days"
Not for the first time, the Achaean was paying him compliments. But Helenus could never really be sure that the other was telling the truth...
"I know that I might not succeed" he mumbled in response
"On the contrary. The queen is allowed to choose, nobody can stop her if she wants to marry you. The point is that you would get murdered. That's how you will end up if you lose your battle for the throne, you should be aware of that" explained Eudorus with a shrug.
Helenus considered these words.
The days when he had wished to take his own life were gone. Still, there were things that he feared much more than death.
His episodes of melancholy and sadness, when he had to force himself to get out of bed, were much scarier. The idea that the time of melancholy could come again and that he might not find the strength to fight it was terrifying. The idea that the sadness could come and never go away... oh, that was dreadful enough to keep him awake at night sometimes. He knew a kind of pain that could last for weeks, months, years. Death, as painful as it might be, would be quick in comparison.
Besides, how could he allow Andromache and her son to be in danger? He was her brother-in-law and formally he was still the king of Troy. And apart from Aeneas, who was far away by now, he was the only man in the family. He had a duty to protect her.
"And what if I don't fight that battle? The prince could get murdered, too. Andromache does not deserve… I wish to spare her further suffering" he replied.
"Alright. It is your head, after all: it's up to you to decide what to do with it. I suggest that we wait until after Neoptolemus' funeral, then I'll call a council"
"And what will we do if the advisors will not support me?" questioned Helenus.
Like there was the slightest chance that they would support him…
"If you really want to seize the throne, you should decide what to do on your own" answered Eudorus with a smirk.
"That doesn't mean that I cannot listen to what other people think!" replied Helenus, annoyed. He didn't have time and patience for Eudorus' little games right now.
"In this case, I would ask the people. You could call a council of the householders".
"I don't see how that would help!" objected Helenus. "The people would certainly choose Mantes over me! He is Achaean and he is a warrior!"
In addition, Helenus didn't believe that anyone would choose him over somebody else. But there was no need to say it.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that. Remember that there are not just warriors in Buthrotum. Your advice has made us spare wealth and form new alliances. Many people might value that more than Mantes' war enterprises"
This was hard to believe. But it looked like Helenus had no choice.
"Very well. I will make my intentions clear at the council" he said with a sigh.
"I will try to sound neutral at the council. If I side with you, Mantes could feel threatened" explained Eudorus.
Helenus eyed him suspiciously.
"For all I know, you could say the very same thing to Mantes as soon as he'll be there" he muttered.
"Don't worry, I will try to help you. I just don't wish to be obvious. I would like to keep my head attached to my neck, if you don't mind".
-O-O-O-
Helenus kept pacing in his room, repeating in his head everything he wanted to say.
The council would take place first thing in the morning and he couldn't sleep.
If he failed, both he and Molossus would be doomed. If he failed, he would fail Andromache. In some way, he would fail Hector.
And he was great at failing.
But this was not a military exercise. These weren't Ares' games. He just had to talk at a council, as he had already done dozens of times. He didn't enjoy it but he could do it. He had managed to keep Agamemnon in line when he was completely powerless. He could do this, too.
No matter how hard he tried to reassure himself, he still felt intensely sick when the morning came and the king's advisors gathered in the megaron for the council.
They were all there. Eudorus, Mantes and his second-in-command Ismenos, two city elders and then Diagoras and Podargos, the two most prominent city notables.
"I called you to discuss an important matter" began Eudorus, standing. "The queen's mourning will be over in a few days and then she will be able to take a new husband. It would be better to avoid a fight between her suitors: Buthrotum needs a new king as soon as possible. If any of you wishes to marry the queen, or if you know of another warrior or notable who wishes to, speak"
Mantes stood immediately.
"I wish to marry the queen. I have been leading the city's army for many years now, I have proven my worth on the battlefield many times. I would be able to protect the city and to fight for it"
"I had no doubt that you would propose, Mantes. After all, the head of the army is always the most natural candidate. Are there other suitors?" asked Eudorus amicably.
Helenus had a very bad feeling. Yes, Eudorus had promised to speak in his favor, now it looked like he was endorsing Mantes. Maybe he was walking into a large trap.
Well, too bad. He had made a promise to Andromache and he had to keep it.
"I wish to marry the queen, too" he stated quietly.
Eudorus looked completely taken aback. The man was such an inveterate liar...
"But this is ridiculous! You're a prisoner!" cried Mantes, standing again.
"Wait, Mantes" interrupted Eudorus, still sounding very surprised. "This is... really surprising and I am sure none of us expected that. But he has the right to plead his case"
"In little more than ten years, this city will have a king, because Neoptolemus had a heir" began Helenus, walking to the middle of the megaron and feeling very self-conscious.
He knew this speech by heart by now. He was oddly reminded of the days when he memorized writings at Hermes' temple to copy them when he was at home.
"If I marry the queen, I will keep the throne until Molossus will be of age, and then handle the throne to him. As you know, I have sworn chastity to the Huntress and cannot have a heir of my own. Therefore, I would not be tempted to put my own heir on the throne"
With the corner of his eye, Helenus noticed that Diagoras was nodding slightly. Was that a sign of approval?
"And what would you do until then? What if we have to go to war? If I remember correctly, a priest of Artemis cannot kill!" retorted Mantes.
This was the most obvious objection.
"I acknowledge that this is a limit" admitted Helenus "But the city's army doesn't need me. It has been to war several times during the last year, and it has always prevailed, because you and Leocritus before you, can do your job. Still, if my presence were necessary, I could come to war. My bond to Artemis forbids to kill, not to be killed"
He had remembered everything, he had managed to compliment Mantes. Helenus didn't like him, but he was an efficient head of the army.
"You are not even of our kin, how should you reign on a city of Achaeans?" insisted Mantes.
This was another predictable objection
"This is not a city of Achaeans!" interrupted one of the city's elders, sounding slightly offended. "We are Chaonians, and we live here too!"
"Of course, but he is neither Chaonian nor Achaean!"
"That's not what you said before!"
"Esteemed advisors, please, keep your countenance!" yelled Eudorus. "Helenus was asked a question"
"I have been living in this town for seven years now" replied Helenus. "I see no difference between Achaeans, Chaonians and myself, because we all live in Buthrotum"
There was a long silence. Then, Mantes spoke again, very quietly.
"What can you do for this city that I cannot do?"
He had expected something of this kind, like why should we chose you over another? He had spent many hours thinking of a possible answer.
It was a difficult question because, truth be told, Helenus didn't believe that he could be a better king than Mantes would be. Yes, he had helped the city with his knowledge, but that didn't mean that he should become king.
It was pointless to try and convince the others of something he didn't believe. So, he opted for honesty.
"I am in no way more deserving than you are. I value your prowess in battle, probably more than you value my own knowledge. But, should I become king, I can promise two things: I will listen to advice about matters I don't understand... and Molossus will ascend the throne as soon as he will be of age. Can you promise the same?"
"I certainly don't wish to harm the prince!" replied Mantes, offended.
"But what if you had a heir?" asked Eudorus.
Mantes hesitated.
"Well, in this case... I would want to see my own son on the throne" he admitted. "It is my right".
"I will have no son to put on the throne" Helenus concluded quietly.
For some time, nobody said a word. Then, Eudorus spoke again.
"So, we have two suitors. Mantes is a brave warrior and has shown his ability in battle many times. Helenus' knowledge and clear-headedness have helped us greatly on many occasions. I think that you are both assets for the city. So, before we decide, I think both of you should take an oath. Swear on Athena, goddess of cites and kings, that you will have mercy on your opponent if you win and stay loyal to him if you loose".
"I swear" said Helenus promptly.
"I swear, too" muttered Mantes after some hesitation.
Quite unexpectedly, Diagoras stood and turned to Helenus. His expression was grave and he was silent for a long moment before finally addressing him.
"As much as I respect your knowledge on many matters, I must say that you wouldn't be able to lead the army in battle"
Helenus felt a cold shiver running down his spine. He had thought that Diagoras might be on his side...
"So I have to ask before I can make any decision" went on Diagoras. "If you were chosen, would you leave Mantes in his place as head of the army?"
"Why should I replace him? He can do his job" asked Helenus, confused. He has just said that he admired Mantes prowess in battle...
"That's not how battles for the throne usually end, with the winner allowing the looser to keep his honors" retorted Diagoras.
"I don't see why I should do something so stupid. I hope you will forgive my extravagance" he replied sarcastically.
Diagoras made a grunt that sounded a little bit like a laugh, then sat back.
Eudorus stood again and walked to the centre of the room.
"And now, let us raise our hands. As for me, I cannot decide which one of you is more worthy of the throne. Who is for Mantes?"
Mantes, Ismenos and Podargos raised their hands.
They were three out of seven, since Eudorus didn't want to vote. But if the other four all voted for him, then...
"And who is for Helenus?"
Helenus raised his hand, feeling slightly ridiculous. Diagoras and the two Chaonian elders did the same.
"According to this council, Helenus may marry the queen" declared Eudorus solemnly.
"This is absurd" muttered Mantes in a low voice.
"If you wish to challenge this decision, you can call a council of the householders. It is your right" replied Eudorus in a calm voice.
There was a long silence. What if Mantes decided to call the householders? What would Helenus do? The very idea of talking in front of all of the householders turned his stomach.
Mantes stood. He looked offended, but defeated.
"I don't agree with this decision, but I will accept it" he said bitterly.
So it was done. He was allowed to marry Andromache and become the king. He had kept his promise and he hadn't disappointed her.
Helenus tried to look collected while everybody left, until he and Eudorus were again alone in the megaron.
"I told you. He didn't dare to go in front of the householders because he knew that he would loose" Eudorus commented smugly.
Helenus stared at the Achaean in disbelief. He knew that Eudorus had been on his side, otherwise he would already be dead. Still, the Achaean had managed to lead the council in such a way that he would come out clean no matter what. That man was such a sly fox. He didn't know whether he should be disgusted or impressed.
"I won for just one vote because you decided to abstain!" he said sternly.
The other shrugged. "You just became king because of my good advice. Don't complain too much"