Alexander took a good look around at the small village that had been built over the remains of the once magnificent city of Troy. He was saddened that time had reduced its former grandeur to mostly rubble, and felt a twinge of disappointment that no one had tried to maintain it over the years. Had he been here himself, he would have ensured that the city retained its glory.

In a gesture that was unexpected, Alexander's helmsmen crowned him with a golden crown in honor of him successfully guiding his ship on this journey. Alexander smiled, obviously touched. The man's name was Menoetius, which happened to be the name of Patroclus' father. Alexander saw this as a favorable omen, and smiled again.

They were approached by an older man who was smiling brightly at them. "Welcome, Great King. You honor us with your presence. You and your men are most welcome here. I offer myself as your guide. Is there anything in particular you wish to see?"

Alexander glanced towards the temple. "We wish to see the temple and make our offerings there."

The man nodded. "Yes, come with me. I will take you to the priests there. They will assist you."

Alexander turned to his friends. "Come with me. We must honor the gods." He smiled at Hephaestion, who had been silently watching Alexander with a look of love and pride. Alexander felt his heart quicken at the expression on Hephaestion's face. "Come, my Patroclus. I wish to thank the gods for you."

Hephaestion felt himself blush slightly, much to his annoyance. "Yes, my Achilles. I owe them a debt of gratitude myself." He returned Alexander's smile.

Alexander and his companions followed the man to the temple. Its white marble columns gleamed in the sunlight. Just inside a short row of columns was a heavy wooden door that led to the inner chamber of the temple, where their sacrifices would be made. They were greeted at the door by a priest, wearing a slightly worn but still beautiful robe of fine white linen.

"You wish to honor our patron Goddess Athena? Come…" he opened the door and motioned for them to go inside.

Alexander stepped into the dim interior of the temple, lit by torches on the wall. An altar for receiving sacrifices was in the center of the room. He turned to Hephaestion. "Come, Hephaestion. Do this with me." He nodded towards one of his pages who had accompanied them, and the boy retrieved a vessel of olive oil and one of wine from the pack he had carried. He also produced a golden cup and handed that to Hephaestion.

Hephaestion held the cup while the young page filled it with the wine. He raised the cup, closing his eyes and offering a silent prayer of his own before handing the cup to Alexander. He watched as the priest raised his hands, eyes closed, and mouthed a silent blessing over the offerings being made. He then turned to Alexander with a nod and stepped back.

Alexander did as Hephaestion had done. He raised the cup and closed his eyes. In his powerful voice, he prayed to Athena, offering her his sacrifices and hoping they were enough. He petitioned the goddess for her protection and blessings on them, for she was the goddess of wisdom and of war, and he desired her favor upon them. He bowed his head, making a few silent requests that he shared with no one, before lifting the cup and pouring the libation. He repeated the action with a cup filled with olive oil, with Hephaestion first taking his turn to offer prayers of his own. He exchanged a look with Hephaestion and nodded. He felt their offerings had been well received. He turned to leave the temple but was stopped by a hand on his arm. Turning, he found the priest looking at him curiously.

"Great King, I have something here that may be of interest to you. Please, come with me."

Alexander followed the priest to the rear of the small room where a curtain hung. The old man drew the curtain back, and Alexander gasped loudly. His eyes were wide, and he took a tentative step forward.

Hephaestion heard the gasp of breath and hurried immediately to Alexander's side. When he followed Alexander's line of sight, he froze. Could that really be what he thought it was?

Hanging there, once concealed by the curtain, was a chest plate and a shield. The chest plate was polished, reflecting the shifting light of the torches. Beside that hung a shield, the likes of which Alexander had never seen. It was large. The layered edges gleamed, and the rest of the shield was burnished to a deep bronze color. It was adorned with hundreds of figures, everything from the sun and moon to men and creatures of myth and legend. With great reverence, Alexander lifted the shield and held it up in front of him. It was heavy, and a strap finished in silver adorned the back. Alexander released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding and turned his wide eyed gaze on Hephaestion.

"Hephaestion….can this be? Is this…" he shook his head in disbelief. "Could this truly be the shield of Achilles, wrought by the hands of Hephaestus himself?"

Hephaestion moved to stand beside Alexander, reaching out to trace a finger along the edge of the shield. "It is as Homer described it. It surely must be."

The priest watched with interest the actions of the young king and the great reverence he showed towards the objects before him. The man smiled to himself. It was meant to be.

"My king" he began, "they call to you. I have seen the omens, before your arrival, and I have felt the presence of the divine here, now, in this room" He looked at Alexander, his expression solemn and sincere. "These belong to you. "

Alexander was stunned. He looked from the priest to the shield to Hephaestion and back again. There were few things that rendered Alexander speechless, but this did. After a moment, he spoke softly, his voice trembling with emotion. "What have I to offer for such a gift? What have I that is worthy of this?" He thought for a moment and then smiled. Yes! That was it. "Hephaestion…my armor. Have it brought here please."

Hephaestion nodded, understanding what Alexander intended to do. He stepped outside and barked an order at Alexander's pages. Alexander had, fortunately, brought his armor with him. He hadn't thought he would need it, but something told him to bring it anyway. Hephaestion smiled. The gods had been directing this all along.

Their companions, who had been standing and waiting patiently, stared with interest at Hephaestion. Perdiccas spoke up. "Hephaestion, what is going on? Is Alexander okay? Is something wrong? Why does he require his armor?"

Hephaestion nodded his head. "All is well. In fact, it is better than that. The gods have blessed Alexander, and the goddess herself has touched him and granted him her divine blessing. You will see soon enough."

The page returned carrying Alexander's armor, handing it to Hephaestion. Hephaestion entered the temple again and took the armor to Alexander. He laid it down on the altar at the priest's direction and stepped back. He watched as Alexander offered up a prayer of thanks to the goddess and dedicated his own armor to her. The priest nodded his approval and assured them that the offering was well received.

Alexander took the breast plate and handed it to Hephaestion. "Assist me please?"

Hephaestion helped Alexander put the armor on and fasten it. He then picked up the heavy shield and handed it to Alexander, stepping back to look at him. The spirit of the divine was on Alexander, without doubt. He practically glowed. Hephaestion knew as never before that Alexander truly was the son of a god, and he bowed his head in the presence of such greatness. At the soft touch of a finger lifting his chin, he looked up into the sparkling eyes of Alexander.

"Hephaestion…my Patroclus…I am happy beyond words. I have the blessing of the gods, I have the blood of Achilles in my veins, and now his armor and shield to guard me, and best of all, I have my Patroclus at my side." His eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and he smiled brightly. "Come, let's go. We have more to do, and the best is yet to come."