A Stranger in the City – Chapter 32 – Epilogue

Hello everyone!

As you can tell from the title, this is the final chapter of A Stranger in the City. Thank you to those who have read and commented; I am looking forward to reading any comments or reviews.

This last chapter has been ready for several days now, but I decided to wait until today to publish it.

There is a guy who spent years suffering because of high pressure and expectations, to the point that he performed less well than he did otherwise. Also due to his introverted personality, he was accused of not caring enough, of being cold-hearted, of lacking personality. They said that he could not be a captain because he wasn’t a leader. But a couple of hours ago that guy reached his goal, as you might have noticed if you happen to live on Earth.

Helenus’ story was by no means inspired by him. But I was sure that he would make it this time and I decided to wait until today.

OOO

Alone in his room, Helenus sat cross-legged on the bed.

He had unusually closed the door, an unmistakable sign that he wanted to be left alone.

He needed to think.

Earlier that day, together with his council, he had set the date for Molossus’ accession to the throne, which would take place on the day of the winter solstice.

A little more than a month and this would be over. But there was another matter that wasn’t over yet…

…he had promised Molossus that he would tell him about his past one day.

The boy had behaved well. He had asked a few specific questions, like whether he had travelled a lot and where his city had been exactly. But apart from those harmless questions, Molossus had respected his silence and had carefully avoided the matter.

Their relationship had improved further.

In private, they kept bickering in a way that would have scandalized any Achaean father. But, apart from some rare bursts of annoyance from both parts, the banter was good-natured. Helenus hated to admit it, but it made fun.

He was pleased with the way Molossus approached his duties: his stepson was serious, hard-working and eager to learn. As a king, he would certainly do his best.

He often took the boy with him when he went swimming, and not just because he had to.

The boy existed only because his city had been destroyed and his brother had been killed. And yet, he was glad that the boy existed.

But the unspoken question about his past was still there, looming. Helenus now knew his stepson well enough to know that the boy, sooner or later, would be offended by his reticence. Besides, he had promised…

Helenus wondered how Molossus would react if he knew everything.

The very thought gave him chills.

The boy would stop respecting him, would despise him, reject him. Who would want a father who had almost betrayed his own city?

On the other hand, he had not promised to tell everything. He could omit that part of the story as well as other things.

And what if the boy learned it from somebody else? It would be even worse. Yes, he had asked Eudorus to keep his mouth shut, but who knew?

He stood up and started pacing.

He needed to be honest with himself. He was avoiding the real problem.

And the problem was, as Aesacus had told him many years before, getting close to somebody else, trusting someone else like he had trusted his old teacher. So he couldn’t play unfair and only tell half the truth. The only point was whether he dared to do it, whether he was confident of his stepson’s affection.

Helenus stopped in the middle of the room, his heart racing.

He had conquered many fears. He would conquer this one, too. He wanted Molossus to be able to conquer his fears too, whatever they were, and he would set an example.

An unusual sensation came over him and he shook his head with a chuckle: he felt kind of proud of himself.

Aesacus had once told him that his shyness would not prevent him from being strong. That his strength had to do with the way he faced adversities and not with his willingness to swagger.

Helenus smiled fondly at the memory.

It was true.

OOO

It was late into the night and Helenus’ cup of wine was empty.

“And that’s all” he concluded softly.

Molossus stared at him in disbelief.

“You have been talking for hours and you say that’s all?”

Helenus shrugged.

“I wish I had known many of these things earlier” the boy went on. “I don’t despise you. On the contrary, I… I think you have been very strong. Don’t get me wrong: you are still as touchy as they come and you try very hard not to be funny – with little success, I might add- but apart from that…”

“Are you finished?” retorted Helenus. But Molossus noticed that he was fighting not to smile.

They were both silent for a while.

“I’m not sure that I can take your place” the prince eventually admitted. 

Since they were being so honest, he might as well say it.

“You can” replied Helenus. “You will do well. But if you really don’t feel up to it yet… I can keep the throne for another while”

“You hate being the king” objected Molossus, frowning.

“I do”

The prince considered this offer for a while, but then he shook his head.

“It’s alright, I will take over. I have been taught to conquer my fears” he said with a small smile.

Helenus bit his lip. He looked moved.

“But… I will need your help” the prince added quickly.

Helenus turned and touched the prince’s shoulder. It was a very unusual gesture for him, and Molossus stared at him with wide eyes.

“You will always have it, my son”

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Chapter Thirty-One

Helenus sat at the bow of his ship, enjoying the spring warmth and the gentle breeze.

This sea was always so calm, nothing near the one close to Troy. And yet, maybe this journey would be a turbulent one.

He turned his head to glance at Molossus. His stepson was sitting midships, still getting accostumed to the sea. They had left Buthrotum on that very day.

That morning, Molossus had greeted him politely but coldly and they hadn’t talked to each other ever since.

Helenus knew that he was supposed to talk to the boy: he had promised that he would try to fix it. But what should he say? And what if he ended up saying the wrong thing and Molossus started yelling at him just as he had done on the previous day? Yet, at some point he would have to…

Suddenly, he felt like he was being watched. He looked up and saw his stepson staring at him.

There we go.

He moved a bit and motioned for Molossus to sit next to him.

“Are you feeling better?” he asked.

“The sea sickness is gone. But I’m glad I didn’t eat too much this morning” the boy replied.

They fell silent again.

“How did you meet Odysseus” Molossus asked after a while.

“Ah… He was one of the warriors who seized my city. But I only knew him by sight back then” he replied, relieved that the boy had broken the silence first.

“And then…?” his stepson prompted.

“Then… after the war, he disappeared for many years. Everybody thought that he was dead. And then, he suddenly reappeared. I paid him a visit and we met each other for the first time”

“He reappeared from where?” Molossus asked, interested.

“Nobody knows” Helenus replied, frowning. “He tells some very unlikely stories – that a nymph imprisoned him, that a woman turned his companions into pigs…”

“Into pigs?“

“…yes, and I have heard even more absurd explanations from other people. More likely, he was imprisoned by the Egyptians or the Phoenicians and had to serve them for a while before he was allowed to leave, or he fled”

“Imprisoned by a nymph sounds much better though” the boy muttered.

Helenus looked at him.

“Odysseus is a very good ally for us. There are not many Achaean kings left nowadays. It is very important for us to have a friendly relationship with him and with his son” he explained.

“Very well. I will behave in Ithaca” his stepson replied with a smirk.

“Do behave in Buthrotum as well, if you don’t mind” Helenus snorted, slightly annoyed. He was trying to have a serious conversation.

Molossus tensed.

“Like I have given you any trouble!” he hissed.

Helenus sighed.

Had he been so impossible to deal with as a boy?

No – he had likely been much worse.

“You have given me no trouble whatsoever” he said mildly. “It would be very good if you got along well with Odysseus’ son. I wish our two kingdoms to stay friends in the future as well”

“I will do my best” said Molossus, suddenly appeased.

OOO

Shortly before sunset, they reached Corcyra’s southernmost tip, where they planned to spend the night.

While his men lit up the fire and set up the camp for the night, Helenus stared longingly at the sea.

It would take some time before the meal was ready, so…

He walked to Molossus, who was pitching a tent.

“Would you like to take a swim?” he asked.

The boy looked surprised.

“Why not? The water looks great” he answered, abandoning his work.

The water was deliciously warm. Helenus took a moment to lay afloat and enjoy the feeling, then started swimming on his back, sometimes glancing around to see where his stepson was. After some time, he noticed that Molossus had fallen behind. He stopped and turned belly-down to wait for him.

The boy swam with confidence but looked untrained. He preferred running and archery to swimming.

Molossus saw him and stopped as well, panting a little.

“I hope this isn’t a race” he said apologetically, with a rueful smile.

“It isn’t” Helenus replied. “You have powerful strokes, but you don’t work enough with your legs”

“You think so?” asked Molossus, looking down at them. “Anyway, bested at swimming by someone who’s got grey hair, quite embarrassing”

“I’ve been swimming almost every day for years… and I am taller than you” he said quietly.

“Are you calling me dumpy? Well, let’s see if you best me on the way back, too!” protested the boy, turning around and setting off at full speed.

This was childish, Helenus thought, hurrying after him. But Molossus would probably be annoyed if he didn’t take the challenge seriously.

His stepson remembered to use his legs and swam faster now, but Helenus managed to catch him halfway and reached the shore shortly before him.

“Utterly humiliating!” said Molossus with a grin, emerging from the water. “I didn’t know you could swim so well”

The compliment sounded sincere, and Helenus felt pleased. His stepson accepted defeat more graciously than he had ever done.

“It was not bad considering that you are untrained” he said.

OOO

Several days later, just after they returned from Ithaca, Helenus called a council.

“My meeting with Odysseus has been friendly as usual” he told the advisors. “Besides, I am happy to say that prince Molossus and Telemachos got along very well. Hopefully, the relationship between our two kingdoms will stay as solid as it is today”

His stepson and Telemachos had hit it off right away. They hand wandered through the island, had gone hunting and had spent a lot of time together.

Molossus could use a friend like Telemachos – somebody who was already a man, but young enough to be relatable. After all, the boy didn’t have any brothers, neither did Odysseus’ son.

“After this successful vitis to Ithaca, I wish Molossus to join my council until he will be ready to take over, in a few years” he added.

It wasn’t a surprise, and the advisors welcomed the prince warmly among them. They discussed a few urgent topics and the latest news from Buthrotum before Helenus dismissed them.

A few years. Only a very few years and there would be no more public speaking, no more people looking expectantly at him, no more standing with his back to the fireplace in order to conceal his blush…

Molossus hadn’t left his place and was looking expectantly at him. He probably wanted to discuss the council he had just witnessed.

“Is it difficult to be the king?” he asked abruptly.

“Well… it depends” replied Helenus, taken aback.

How was he supposed to explain that, to him, the most difficult part was speaking in front of the advisors without stuttering?

“Care to elaborate?” his stepson asked sarcastically.

Helenus sighed.

He couldn’t really tell where he stood with the boy. Sometimes he felt that they were making progress, but then came a sarcastic remark or an unexpected reaction and he was left wondering. He didn’t know whether his stepson was still angry at him, whether he only wanted to provoke him

“Am I allowed to gather my thoughts for a moment, or must I answer without reflecting?” he snapped back.

Molossus muttered something that sounded like “always so touchy”

Helenus started pacing, trying to control his rising irritation. It was never possible to have a serious conversation. He had let the boy yell at him once, but he would not tolerate blatant disrespect.

He took a deep breath and stood in front of his stepson.

“Are you aware that no other father in this town would tolerate your attitude, your snide remarks, your constant talking back?” he asked, trying very hard not to raise his voice.

“Yes” Molossus answered, sounding calm and even serious. “And I am grateful that you tolerate it because I don’t mean it in a bad way”

Helenus raised an eyebrow at him.

“Fine” clarified the prince. “Sometimes I just want to sting you, but… it happens less and less frequently. Now, it’s mostly because it is fun to see your reaction”

He didn’t know what to say. His stepson’s behaviour was inappropriate to say the very least, but this sounded like a huge improvement. One month before, the same boy had told him I hate you…

“It is so fun that I can barely contain my glee” he answered, glaring at the prince.

“I can never tell whether you are angry or not” said Molossus, now serious again.

Was he angry now? He couldn’t really tell.

“I might tolerate your behaviour in private, but it must be very clear that I am not going to tolerate it in public. And by public I also mean your mother” he said sternly.

“I never talk back in public” objected the prince.

It was true: apart from their argument, a month before, the boy had been an example of politeness whenever they were with other people.

“I should hope so” Helenus hissed.

“Now, if we can go back to your question… it really depends. There are things that come easy to me, others that I’ve learned and other ones that I will always find challenging. For the latter, like military things, I rely on my advisors. The worst thing you can do is to decide on your own even when you don’t have a clue”

“And how can you be sure that your decision is the right one?” asked the prince.

“Sometimes you cannot, and only time will tell you” Helenus replied.

“That sounds difficult” Molossus muttered.

Well, he wasn’t being exactly encouraging, Helenus thought. Just because he found it hard at times, it didn’t mean that it would be the same for the boy. Maybe he just wasn’t good enough.

“Yes. But you must also consider that I wasn’t trained to be a king, let alone among foreigners. It might be easier for you than it is for me”

“What does it mean, you weren’t trained? Your father was a king!” asked the boy, frowning.

“I was trained to be a priest of Artemis, since my childhood” he replied cautiously. He knew that his stepson was curious but didn’t want a conversation about his childhood.

“Why?”

“Not now, it’s a long story” Helenus mumbled, trying to cut it short.

But Molossus wasn’t having any of it.

“Why do you never tell me anything about your past? I barely know where you come from”

“I don’t see why it should concern you” he replied quickly.

It was more harsh than he had intended it, and Molossus looked hurt.

“Right. It’s not like I am related to you, after all” he said coldly, standing up and walking briskly away.

With a sigh, Helenus followed him.

“Wait. Has it occurred to you that, since I am here and not in my own city, it might be painful for me to remember my past?”

“Fine” said Molossus, turning to him. “Then don’t tell me the painful things. There cannot be only bad memories in your life”

“I will tell you about it one day. But not now” Helenus answered, defeated.

“Great. And don’t think I will forget about it”

OOO

“The prince is back at the palace” his manservant told him.

“Very well” said Helenus, pacing. “Tell him to come here now”

Molossus arrived immediately, slightly worried.

“What happened?” he asked.

“I should be the one asking you what happened!” replied Helenus, trying not to yell. “It is almost dark and you ventured out of the city without your body guard!”

Molossus gaped at him.

“I wasn’t alone. There were several armed friends with me, and we just went to the lake”

“To the… are you out of your mind, going so far away without the guards?” Helenus hissed.

“It’s not that far away, and we didn’t meet a single person” his stepson replied pleasantly.

“It is out of the city, and if someone attacked you it would be impossible to protect you!” replied Helenus. “You want to go to the lake? Fine, but bring a guard with you”

“You are overreacting” stated Molossus.

“Do not talk back to me” he snapped, raising his voice again. “You always complain that I don’t care. Now I am telling you that I was worried sick. Do you want me to care or not? Or are you just making me worry on purpose?”

“Hey, no!” the boy replied, raising his hands. “I didn’t do it to worry you, I swear! I didn’t think you would… fuss so much”

Helenus took a deep breath. He hated to loose control and it was really hard not to yell.

“Whenever you leave the city, I expect to know where you are going and I want you to bring a guard. And we are not having a discussion about this”

“As you wish” Molossus answered, surprisingly calm.

He was already at the door when he turned back.

“Do you think that I would willingly do something stupid and go to some dangerous place?” he asked quietly.

Helenus sat. He felt calmer now.

“You must be about sixteen now. You are likely to do something risky” he said.

“So you don’t trust my judgement” the prince stated.

The boy always managed to twist his words!

“That is not what I meant” Helenus answered, annoyance rising again in him. “If I didn’t trust you, I would come with you everywhere. You are way more sensible now than I was in my early twenties”

“Ah! So, you are about to tell me something about your youth? Or you don’t trust me enough, again?” his stepson asked, snickering.

“Don’t change the subject!” he snapped. “That has nothing to do with trust!”

That was a blatant lie. Of course it had to do with trust. If he knew, Molossus would certainly be disappointed, would stop looking up to him.

“Really? Because you promised me that you would tell me about your past, but that was at least two years ago”

“I haven’t forgotten about that promise. But I have already told you that it is difficult for me” said Helenus patiently.

“Yes. And I have already answered that you don’t need to tell me everything” the boy insisted.

“You cannot imagine how hard it is for me to do it” he murmured. He sounded aggrieved. “I will tell you about my past one day, I promised. But you must wait until I am up to it. And until that moment I am asking you to please respect my wishes”

He could tell that Molossus was slightly shocked by his voice.

“Alright, I will” his stepson said soothingly.

OOO

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Thirty

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Thirty

When she ship landed in Buthrotum, Eudorus was already waiting for him on the docks.

“Everything went fine, no troubles at all” he said before Helenus could ask anything. “What about you?”

“As you said, he didn’t need much persuasion” he replied.

“Wow, you hit the target twice” commented Eudorus at the end of Helenus’ tale. “If this marriage takes place, you’ll have Mantes’ gratitude forever. And I don’t see why it shouldn’t take place: his daughter is very becoming”.

Back at the royal palace, he greeted Andromache, met his council and settled a few disputes, then retired to his room.

He wanted to be alone.

Yes, it had gone very well – beyond the best expectations, actually. If everything went according to plan, he would finally have Mantes on his side, too. And he had gotten along well with Odysseus, just like Eudorus had foreseen. 

But he felt absolutely exhausted.

So many days in the public eye, forced to make conversation, to know what he was supposed to say. And then back in Buthrotum, informing his council, once again at the centre of attention.

Suddenly, he felt deprived of every bit of energy.

And he was supposed to keep going for years, because Molossus was still a child. He would need at least another seven, eight years before he was ready.

Helenus shivered while his heart started beating faster and faster. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply until he felt calm again.

He knew this feeling.

He was doing fine, he had completed this mission successfully, and everything had gone smoothly during his absence. He was supposed to be satisfied.

But he knew himself: the most dangerous times were not the most challenging ones, but rather the ones just after a challenge, when he had given every bit of energy.

In the following days, he tried to do the things that used to help. He went swimming every day, he tended to his plants, he made the usual sleeping potion, he forced himself to follow the usual routine. And he tried to pretend that he was feeling alright.

It was the same old fight – again. It would be hard – again – but he could do it. He needed to believe that he could do it.

Sometimes, when he tried to fall asleep at night, he wished that he could share his burden. He had been able to do it only with Aesacus, although with great effort and embarrassment. In these moments, he missed Hermes’ priest more than he could express with words. Now, he had to wear a mask with everybody.

To whom could he say that he was feeling down? To Eudorus? To Mantes? The very idea was ridiculous.

One evening, after swimming, he was trying to rest when someone knocked on the door.

It was Andromache.

“You should come to greet me once in a day. At least for the appearance” she said mildly. Her tone wasn’t reproachful.

She looked intently at him and he didn’t want to meet her gaze. He feared that his eyes might reveal how he was feeling.

“I apologize. I was tired” he lied.

“You aren’t tired. You are sad” she answered.

He grabbed his head with his hands and sighed deeply. He didn’t want to talk to her, but he didn’t have the strength to lie and pretend.

He never opened up to her, they spent little time together – yet she knew how he was feeling.

Maybe because it was the same for her?

Of course, he was aware that Andromache had suffered a lot and he felt sorry for her. But it had never occurred to him that she might feel like he did.

“Many years ago, when I couldn’t manage to have children, I… it was so hard. I felt as if I were dead” she went on after a while. “It still comes, sometimes. I open my eyes in the morning and all I want is to go back to sleep until it’s gone”

He had no idea. She always looked so collected, so dignified, even at the most difficult times, like nothing could really break her. So that was a mask, just like his one… and he hadn’t noticed.

“I know how it feels like” he said shakily.

“During your absence, Molossus asked for how long you would be away and why he couldn’t go with you” she said.

The sudden change of topic surprised him.

“He is too young to come with me on such missions” he answered faintly.

“That wasn’t my point” she replied in a quiet voice.

What was that? Was she trying to make him feel loved?

“What was the point, then?”

“That he missed your presence, and he looks up to you”

“Please, he has plenty of warriors to look up to” he replied a little more harshly than intended.

“Yes. But you are the king, my husband and his stepfather” she replied, unimpressed.

“I will start bringing your son with me – and I will make him join the council – as soon as he will be old enough. But now… I’m not used to dealing with young boys, I wouldn’t even know what to say to him. It is much better for him to spend his time with the warriors and with other boys his age” he said calmly.

“As you wish” she answered with a sigh.

They were silent for a long time, Andromache still stroking his shoulder. Then, without another word, she left.

Helenus noticed a change in their relationship after that conversation. Until then, he had seen Andromache as his sister-in-law, an unfortunate woman to whom he wanted to spare further suffering. He had never given much thought about her as a person.

But now he knew about her. And she knew about him, more than if he had opened up to her. He started noticing it when she was having a hard time. He didn’t understand how he could have missed it before, he of all people.

They started spending more time together. Helenus couldn’t say why, but it made him feel better.

-O-O-O-

The following years went on more quietly than Helenus had expected.

After the war where Neoptolemus had died, none of their neighbours posed any serious threat to his kingdom. On a very few occasions, Helenus had to send his army at the borders to deal with some minor skirmishes, but things never went beyond that.

His alliance with Odysseus grew stronger after Telemachus married Mantes’ daughter. Helenus and Telemachus now visited each other on a regular basis. The relations with their other neighbours were less close but still satisfactory.

A few other foreigners came to live in Buthrotum, mostly Achaeans from the south who had fled from their cities. Just like Mycenae had done, Pylos collapsed as soon as Nestor died. Helenus sometimes wondered how long his own kingdom would survive, but their remote position seemed to be helping.

Molossus grew up very quickly.

Helenus couldn’t complain about his stepson’s behaviour. Yes, they spent little time together and rarely exchanged more than a few words – something Andromache always complained about.

But Molossus’ instructors were happy with him, he didn’t seem to have the bad habits that were so common at his age, he was polite and respectful. In a few years, he would be able to take the throne as planned.

-O-O-O-

It was a rainy spring afternoon and Helenus sat in his room with Andromache.

“I think I will bring your son with me on my next visit to Ithaca. He must be almost fifteen now, it’s time” he said.

“I agree. And I believe he’ll be happy to be involved” she replied.

Yes, it was time to do it. And then, after the visit to Ithaca, he would introduce the prince to the council, too.

He had a maid fetch the prince, who arrived almost immediately.

“My dear son” Andromache greeted him. “In a few days, you will leave for Ithaca with your father”

Molossus stared silently at her for a while.

“My father is dead” he said coldly at the end.

That wasn’t the reaction Helenus had anticipated.

“You want to choose your words more carefully!” said Andromache harshly.

Molossus probably preferred to turn to the memory of his own father. He wasn’t a child anymore. It was understandable.

Before the boy could answer, Helenus cut in.

“Wait, Andromache. He’s right, he shouldn’t forget his own father. If you prefer, Molossus” he went on, turning to the boy “you may call me by my name from now on. It is the same”

That should solve the problem. Maybe the prince felt that he was betraying Neoptolemus by calling somebody else “Father”.

But Molossus shot him a hateful glare, so intense that Helenus thought that his stepson would hit him.

“Right” he growled, turning very red. “For you it is the same. Because you don’t care in the slightest. To you, I am as important as the next villager!”

Helenus was completely taken aback and stared back at the prince, speechless.

What was this?

The boy was clearly furious, but why? What had he said? And what was he supposed to do now? He couldn’t accept such a disrespectful attitude, but he still wanted to understand…

“How dare you? Apologize right now!” yelled Andromache, standing.

“I will not apologize” replied Molossus, raising his voice as well.

Suddenly, Helenus was reminded of that day, more than thirty years before, when he had yelled at Hector, and Deiphobus had forced him to apologize. And then of that day when he had yelled at Aesacus. And thank the gods, Aesacus had not thrown him out of Hermes’ temple…

“Are you going to say something, Helenus?” asked Andromache, turning to him.

Whatever the problem was, yelling back was not going to solve it…

“Leave us alone, please” he told her. For a moment, she looked like she wanted to argue, but eventually she scoffed and left.

What should he say now?

Alright, something was wrong with the prince. So he shouldn’t take the bait. He should keep his countenance and try to find out what the problem was.

“Of course, I care. I married your mother because I care. I am doing my best to protect the two of you because I care” he said uncertainly.

“Great!” replied the prince with a bitter laugh. “You have been a wonderful guardian, thank you very much! But I wanted a father, not a guardian! You avoid me as if I had leprosy! I must take your affection for granted, because you have never, ever showed me any! What have I done to you? Is that because my father and grandfather destroyed your city? Well, I am sorry that I descend from them!”

Helenus gaped at him, too shocked to speak. But the boy wasn’t done yet.

“I’ve done everything I could to be worthy of your attention! I win the city games, I do my best during training, I behave… and for what? You don’t even talk to me! If I disappeared, you wouldn’t even notice! You’ve been my stepfather for more than ten years and this is the first time that I get to talk to you alone – and that’s just because I yelled at you!”

Molossus wanted his attention?

“I am sorry that I am so undeserving of your time! I don’t even know why I care for someone as obnoxious and arrogant as you are! But believe me, I will stop caring! I hate you!”

Helenus was utterly, completely shocked. So Molossus had been building resentment for years, and he hadn’t noticed.

The prince turned around and stomped to the door. Helenus jumped up: he didn’t have to let him go now.

“Stop, please” he said conceitedly.

He wasn’t sure whether he should grab his arm – but Molossus stopped and turned to face him.

And what was he supposed to say now? He wasn’t good at this.

“I wasn’t aware that you… wanted more closeness. It never crossed my mind” he said earnestly.

“You weren’t aware? How could you not be aware?” asked Molossus, shaking his head.

“I have always been a little oblivious when people are concerned” admitted Helenus.

“A little oblivious? That’s a way to put it! You are downright blind!”

Helenus sighed. This really made him feel uneasy.

“I… I wasn’t close to my own father, and I didn’t want to be. We… uh… he rarely spoke to me, and when he did… he usually reprimanded me. I… the less I was around him, the better”

How had it happened? The boy had never rebelled, never disobeyed, Helenus had never suspected…

“Besides, I… am not used to dealing with boys. It wasn’t my intention to be uncaring, I don’t think that you are unworthy of my time. And it has certainly nothing to do with your ancestry”

“Has it ever occurred to you that people might feel overlooked if you never talk to them?” Molossus asked sarcastically.

Just as Aesacus had told him – with gentler words – many years before…

“When I was your age, I was happy when people just let me be. I d-didn’t realize… that it was important for you”

Molossus shook his head with a scoff.

Helenus wanted to run away more than anything else. He was stuttering, and he probably looked as red as a cherry. Thankfully, the room was just dimly lit.

But he couldn’t run away. He had to settle this now.

“Please sit down” he said faintly.

For a moment, he feared that the boy would refuse, but he complied, crossing his arms.

What should he do now?

Yes, Aesacus had warned him, had told him that he needed to show affection. But the boy was doing fine… it was sufficient to treat him fairly, it wasn’t necessary to become more involved, right? He had risked his own life to protect him, wasn’t it obvious that he cared?

Of course he cared for the prince – at a distance.

The truth was that he didn’t want to become more involved.

If he allowed himself to get closer to Molossus, then he would risk being rejected. He might be respected as a king, for his knowledge – but people didn’t usually like him as a person. There had been exceptions to that… but what if he grew close to Molossus and the prince ended up disliking him?

“Do you think you will say something at some point?” asked the prince.

“I am sorry that I haven’t given you what you needed. It was not intentional, and it was my mistake. But… if you wish… I can try to fix it”

He almost expected Molossus to yell at him again, but the prince didn’t.

“Don’t feel compelled to do it. I’m not a child anymore…” he muttered.

“No, I mean it. As a matter of fact, I had already planned to start bringing you with me to councils and on travels”

Molossus shook his head.

“You really don’t get it, do you?” he said. Now he sounded hurt more than angry, and it worried Helenus even more. “I say that I wanted a father, and you say that you will bring me to councils. Always at a distance. Well… you cannot force yourself to care”

Helenus sighed deeply.

He had conquered many of his fears during his life. It was probably time to start conquering this one as well. Besides, Molossus was already furious at him – he couldn’t possibly screw it up even more.

“I have always been a very private person. It is not because I don’t care. Closeness requires… a great effort on my part. But I…. can try and fix it”

How had he managed to not run away?

Molossus silently stared at him for a moment.

“Fine” he said eventually, sounding quite disdainful.

“Good. Then you will come to Ithaca with me. We are leaving tomorrow” he concluded.

Molossus had just left when Andromache showed up again.

“You cannot let a boy who is thirty years younger than you yell at you like that!” she began.

“It won’t happen anymore” Helenus replied tersely. He didn’t want to repeat to her what the prince had told him.

“Why? What have you done to my son?” she asked worriedly.

“Rest assured, I have done nothing. Besides, one moment you accuse me of being lenient, the moment after you ask what I have done to your son… please decide what you want me to do” he retorted, irritated.

Andromache exhaled slowly.

“You know, Helenus? You can really annoy people when you want to!”

“I wish I could annoy people only when I wanted to” he answered with a sigh.

OOO

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Nine

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Nine

Alone in the king’s bedroom, Helenus was wearing his ceremonial robe with shaking hands.

This was his first public appearance as a king.

Athena’s feast was the most important celebration in Buthrotum, and it was crucial to make a good impression.

There would be a procession that he was supposed to lead together with Athena’s priestess. And then the city’s games, where his stepson would compete.

Everybody would keep looking at him for the whole day. And what if he made a mess?

He should just stop thinking about that. It was not the first time he had to speak in public. He could do it.

He called his manservant, who helped him wear his purple cloak. It wasn’t an easy task: the cloak had been originally tailored for Priam and had been long enough for Neoptolemus, but it was almost too short for him.

Finally satisfied, the manservant fastened the cloak with a brooch.

It was ironic. That purple cloak had belonged to his father and had been part of the spoils of war. And now he was wearing it, together with Priam’s golden ring. His father would have never imagined it…

Alone again, he rehearsed the prayer to Athena in his mind.

But remembering it wasn’t the problem… it was never the problem.

Someone knocked on the door and he took a long breath before answering.

“Yes?”

The door opened and Andromache peered inside.

She wore a ceremonial dress, too, and her most precious jewels. Her hairs were elaborately braided, and a very thin veil rested on top of them.

“It is time to go” she said simply.

As usual, the whole city had gathered in front of the palace.

Trying to look as collected as possible, Helenus joined the priestess of Athena and the procession started.

While they walked silently to Athena’s temple, Helenus mused on his first few months as the king of Buthrotum.

There hadn’t been any particular problems. The people had not questioned his authority so far. Of course, that was also because he had Eudorus’ full support and cooperation. Still, it had been smoother than he had expected.

But it was challenging.

He had to visit the lower city and the town’s notables on a regular basis, because people expected to see their king. In Troy, nobody would have dreamed of coming close to him, let alone of addressing him, when he walked around. The Achaeans, however, had much more informal habits. Whenever he was out of the palace, he knew that people would approach him and speak to him without being spoken to. And he had to keep calm, make conversation, answer their questions, because that was what everybody expected of him.

He could manage it, although he would have preferred to be left alone. After all, they weren’t personal conversations – people talked about their harvest, troubles with the neighbours and so on. He was supposed to listen more than to talk.

Then there were the councils. He tried to listen to everybody before he made his decision. Still, sometimes he couldn’t help but wondering whether he had done the right thing. He felt comfortable as long as they had problems with supplies or trade. On the other hand, it was much more difficult when he had to settle a dispute between two villagers or decide about a crime.

But people, including the council, wanted the king to look self-assured. So, he had to pretend and try to hide how uncertain he really felt. He tried to decide with a cold head and with justice.

And then there was Molossus.

The boy had been saddened by Neoptolemus’ death but had accepted him readily and had started calling him father without complaining. Such readiness was not surprising: among the Achaeans, not having a father was a considered a shame, even more than in Troy.

Still, he had no idea how he should treat him, Helenus thought glancing at Molossus, who was walking close to Andromache.

In the meanwhile, they had reached Athena’s temple.

Helenus took a deep breath, trying to concentrate on the decorations on the temple’s front. He had to pretend that the whole city wasn’t listening.

“O Athena, you who wear the aegis, accept our humble sacrifice and protect our noble city” he said slowly.

“Wise daughter of Zeus, advise our noble king” went on Athena’s priestess.

“O Athena, listen to our prayers!” chorused the villagers behind them.

They kept reciting the prayer in turn with the people joining in from time to time.

Thankfully, they were facing the temple’s front and didn’t have to look at all those people gathered there…

Helenus felt immensely relieved when the prayer and the sacrifice were over and they walked back to the small stadium, close to the palace. He sat with Andromache in the tribune, while Molossus joined the other boys on the field.

“Your prayer was much different than Neoptolemus’ one” said Andromache in a casual tone. “He was much more flamboyant”.

Like he needed to be reminded of that!

“I’m sorry that I cannot compare with him” he hissed bitterly.

Andromache raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. “I meant it as a compliment, actually. You looked… dignified and solemn. You did well”

She gave him a small smile and turned to the field, where the boys were now gathering for the spear throw contest.

He felt slightly embarrassed. Why did she feel compelled to comment his performance, as if he needed reassurance?

Well, maybe because he needed reassurance.

He never opened up to her, but he had a feeling that she could see behind his mask. And that wasn’t just because she had known him for years. She seemed able to read his face and his gestures, while he certainly couldn’t read hers.

It was Molossus’ turn to throw his spear, and Helenus watched carefully.

The prince looked quite relaxed while he threw, and his spear hit the target right in the middle.

That was very good. 

Helenus didn’t particularly care for the games, but he knew that the whole city expected a good performance from the heir to the throne.

Shortly after, Molossus distinguished himself in the archery contest, too.

“He’s doing well” he whispered to Andromache.

“Yes. He enjoys competition” she agreed. “You would know that if you spent more time with him”

He sighed. It wasn’t the first time that he heard this.

But how was he supposed to handle a young boy? He had no idea! Aesacus would have known how to do that, but he wasn’t Aesacus. He didn’t know how to be supportive, encouraging, or whatever the boy would need.

What had he craved as a boy? What had he wanted from his own father?

Acceptance and some praise were the first things that came to his mind.

He hadn’t cared for the fact that he and Priam never spent time together. He had just wished that his father would praise him and be proud of him, at least once. But it hadn’t happened, and eventually Aesacus had been everything that Priam had never been.

But how could he know whether Molossus wanted the same thing? Besides, he wasn’t even the boy’s father. Maybe Molossus didn’t want anything at all from him and preferred to turn to the memory of Neoptolemus.

Besides, although he found his stepson likeable enough and was ready to protect him, Helenus couldn’t say that he felt any particular closeness to him.

Of course, he didn’t want Molossus to feel as miserable as he had felt during his own childhood. He tried his best to always be fair and to never say anything hurtful or humiliating to the boy. His stepson would never hear Helenus call him a disgrace.

He always kept an eye on the prince. He knew that Molossus had a few friends among the sons of some warriors, with whom he went racing and swimming. He was aware that the boy didn’t get into trouble – apart from a tendency to stray a bit too far away from the palace when he was with his friends. He sometimes showed up, unannounced, to Molossus’ military exercises: officially, to see how the prince was doing, but also to make sure that he was treated properly.

And, at least for the moment, Molossus seemed to be happy enough.

“You did well. Your mother and I were impressed” he told his stepson while they were going back to the palace, in the evening.

“Thank you!” said Molossus, beaming.

No. There was no reason to worry.

-O-O-O-

Every time one of his ships returned from Kerkyra or Leukada, Helenus liked to talk to the merchants and see what was going on in the rest of the world.

Provided that an arm of the sea, some islands and a few villages could be called the world…

So there he was, standing on the docks while the ship landed.

“My king!” yelled the merchant Demarchos from the bow. “I have news for you!”

As soon as the ship landed, Demarchos all but ran to him.

“My king!” he said breathlessly “I bring the most incredible news: Odysseus has come back to Ithaca!”

Helenus stared at him.

“…Odysseus? But the war ended almost ten years ago! Are you sure that it’s not a gossip?”

“I am sure, sir! I heard it from his son’s mouth! Prince Telemachus was in Leukada… he explained that he can travel through the kingdom, now that his father has come back home”.

Helenus shook his head. Everybody thought that Odysseus was dead, he included.

“Where has he been for ten years?”

“I don’t know, sir” said Demarchos with a shrug. “Everybody tells a different story: that he was a prisoner somewhere, that his ship was wrecked, and so on. But they all agree on one thing: he had to fight for the throne”

“And why so? After you last travel to Leukada, you told me that he still had a lot of support from his people”

Helenus knew that Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, had managed not to remarry. She had insisted that nobody could prove her husband’s death and that she therefore wasn’t a widow. Odysseus father was still alive, and nobody had dared to force the queen into a second marriage.

“He still does, but the notables are angry at him. You see, my king: Odysseus’ father is very old and cannot protect the queen anymore. And so, suitors started pressuring her more and more. They even tried to murder prince Telemachus, so she would have no heir anymore. The poor lad had to seek refuge in Pylos for some time” explained Demarchos.

Helenus wasn’t surprised. That was exactly the reason why Andromache had wanted him to marry her.

“… and when Odysseus came home and found out about it, he killed several of the suitors. But they came from the most important families of his kingdom”

Odysseus looked quite isolated.

“Thank you” he told Demarchos. “I will send you wine for your trouble”.

Back at the palace, he summoned Eudorus and shared the news with him.

“That old dog! Only the gods know where he has been for almost ten years!” cried Eudorus, bursting into laughter.

“He looks like he could use an ally right now” said Helenus. “I think I should visit him”.

“You definitely have to” replied Eudorus, turning serious again. “His return is wonderful news. Odysseus is a very unusual Achaean king… he is the kind of man who wants to stay on his island and out of trouble. He wouldn’t attack us like the Triccans did. Achilles almost had to force him to make him come to Troy at the time. And when he was there… he wanted the war to be over as soon as possible. You see…”

Eudorus hesitated, then spoke in a whisper.

“… we suggested that we could sneak into the city and look for you almost together. We casted lots to decide which of us should go, since we might very well have ended up killed”.

Eudorus had never mentioned that conversation so openly before.

“So he tried to end a war by cheating” he said coldly.

“You call it cheating, I call it pragmatism. It would have spared lots of time and many lives on both sides. But, as you know, it didn’t work” replied Eudorus with a shrug. “We decided based on what Patroclus told us, assuming that your family knew you well. It clearly wasn’t the case”

Helenus didn’t wish to ask what Patroclus had told them, and Eudorus didn’t elaborate further. He was glad when that conversation was over.

A few days later, Helenus was sitting at the bow of one of his ships, heading to Ithaca. It was the first time he left Buthrotum in almost ten years.

He felt very uneasy at the thought of leaving Andromache and Molossus alone. Of course, Eudorus had stayed in the city, and Helenus knew that they had the people’s support. Furthermore, he had brought Mantes with him. The official reason was that the king needed a guard, the real one was that he didn’t want to leave Mantes in town while he was away.

He really hoped that this mission would be over soon. And what if he didn’t succeed and came back to Buthrotum with empty hands?

He would look ridiculous. Mantes and several others would rejoice.

Eudorus had been very optimistic about this mission.

“You and Odysseus will get along very well, I think” he had said. “You won’t need to prepare a speech and talk him round. He is a man who gets straight to the point, he will see the advantages of an alliance on his own”.

Great, it was an easy task. So he would look even more ridiculous if he failed.

Ithaca seemed to consist mostly of stone. Helenus could see how people living here had to sharpen their wits. They reached the palace and were welcomed by the maids without incident. They had time to eat before Odysseus finally joined them.

He said that he had been out hunting, but somehow Helenus had the impression that he was lying.

He and Mantes hugged, according to the Achaean costume. They had fought together in the Trojan War.

“And you are Helenus, the last king of Troy. I remember you” said Odysseus, outstretching his hand. “Word has reached me that you have taken Neoptolemus’ place” he began.

“I am a regent for Neoptolemus’ son, who will be able to take the throne in a few years” explained Helenus.

Odysseus looked slightly surprised but he didn’t ask any more questions about that topic.

“I am glad to welcome you in my house. Enjoy my food and my wine: my island is a poor one, but I can offer that much”

“We are thankful for your hospitality. Allow me to give you this present: a spear whose head is made of iron”.

Odysseus took the spear and looked at it with great interest. He asked many question about who had made it and how.

“What brings you to my little island? Almost nobody ventures here” he asked at the end.

Helenus decided not to dance around it.

“As soon as I heard about your return, I decided to pay you a visit” he answered. “We live in dangerous times. I wish to be on good terms with all of my neighbors and to avoid new wars, if I can help. I come to seek your friendship”.

Odysseus studied him for a moment, then spoke slowly.

“I have seen many wars in my life. And now, after many years of battle and others of rambling and imprisonment, I just want to stay out of trouble and grow old on my beloved island. I am glad that you are seeking my friendship. Please, stay here as my guests”.

In the following days, Odysseus did his best to be hospitable and show him his island. Helenus didn’t miss the fact that Odysseus was also showing him to his island, presenting him as “my dear friend the king of Buthrotum”.

He made no mystery that a foreign king was visiting him and wanted to be his ally. After a couple of days, Helenus was positive that everybody on the island knew about the iron-made spearhead.

On the day of Helenus’ departure, Odysseus took him aside.

“You arrived at the right time. Those who have tried to seize my throne will be more cautious now”

“And so my opponents in Buthrotum, now that another Achaean king is my ally” replied Helenus.

Eudorus had been right.

“You mentioned your stepson. Do you, by chance, have a daughter, too? My son Telemachus has reached the age where he should find a wife” asked Odysseus.

This was going even better than expected.

“No, I don’t have a daughter” answered Helenus.

And then, all of a sudden, an idea came to him.

“…but Mantes has one” he added. “As you know, he is the head of my army, a man of great valor. If he had any younger daughters, I would marry my son to one of them in the future”

Odysseus seemed to consider the proposal for a moment, then called Mantes, who was standing at some distance.

“If I remember correctly, Mantes, your only daughter is not betrothed yet” began Helenus.

“She is not” confirmed the warrior. His eyes lightened up: he seemed to perceive where this was going.

“You could send your son to visit us for a while, Odysseus, and he could get acquainted with the girl” concluded Helenus.

Mantes could barely hide his gratitude.

“My only daughter might be married to the future king of Ithaca! Thank you!” he said enthusiastically once they were on the ship.

“You are welcome” said Helenus, sitting at the bow again.

Now he just hoped that nothing bad had happened in Buthrotum during his absence.

OOO

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Eight

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Eight

Helenus asked a maid to fetch the queen and waited for her in the megaron, standing. His legs felt stiff, as if they were 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 of hers. 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.

And if he refused, he would be ashamed of himself – again.

“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?

In the previous years, he had thought so much about what to do in case the king died, over and over again. But he had never been able to reach a conclusion. Now he had to decide – quickly.

He was silent while he and Eudorus went back to the palace.

“You were really shocked by the king’s death. I had not foreseen that you would react like that” observed Eudorus when they were alone.

Helenus wondered why the Achaean was commenting on his reaction. His remarks were almost never casual. Whenever Eudorus spoke, he was usually going somewhere, a trait that he shared with Aesacus.

“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.

Or rather, it seemed to Helenus, waiting for him to say one particular thing.

He 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.

He didn’t dare to ask Eudorus what he thought of his plan. He waited stiffly for the other to speak.

Maybe the Achaean would laugh at him and say that it was a ridiculous idea, and how could he even think about that.

And if he did, Helenus wouldn’t have any hope of succeeding.

Eudorus looked intently at him. After a long silence, he spoke.

“I am not against the idea. My father served Achilles’ father; Achilles and I grew up together like brothers and I served him and his son. I too want to see Molossus on the throne one day”

Helenus tried not to show his relief too openly. If Eudorus was on his side, maybe other Achaeans would be… maybe he had a chance.

“Besides, even if none of us likes it, things have changed. A king cannot just be a good warrior like it was in the old days. And one cannot deny that you are prudent and clever” Eudorus went on.

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…

“But you will certainly face some opposition. Mantes will want to marry the queen too, that is for sure. Some people in the town still think that a good warrior will make a good king”

“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 sadness 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”

“How do you think that I should proceed?” he asked cautiously.

“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 suggest that we wait until after Neoptolemus’ funeral, then I’ll call a council. If the council supports you, you should be able to marry the queen without incident”

“And what will we do if the advisors will not support me?” questioned Helenus.

“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. Not even he would choose himself!

“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”

Helenus went back to his room and sat on the bed.

One moment he felt hopeful, the moment after the idea of seizing the throne sounded ridiculous.

Nobody would want him as a king. He would get himself killed. He would be unable to protect Andromache and her child.

And even if he succeeded, he would be unfit. He would make some terrible mistake and the people would revolt against him.

Why had he agreed to do this?

-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, so much so that Helenus felt like he had imagined their previous conversation.

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. After all… he is now the queen’s prisoner, and she can free him”

Mantes sat back with a huff and crossed his arms.

“This city already has a king” began Helenus, walking to the centre of the megaron and feeling very self-conscious. “Neoptolemus has an heir, and in little more than ten years this heir will be a man”

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 an 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. Thankfully, he had expected it.

“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 follow the army”

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 over 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 an 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, 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? We have all seen that he can do his job” asked Helenus, confused.

He had 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 had followed this exchange with a blank expression.

He stood again and looked first at Mantes, then at Helenus.

“Now we must decide. But before we do: I think the most important thing is that we avoid a fight between the suitors and their supporters, at all costs. So, allow me to make a suggestion”

Helenus nodded. He wondered what Eudorus would say next.

“I believe that the best thing would be for both of you to take an oath on Athena, goddess of cities and kings” the Achaean went on.

“What kind of oath?” asked Mantes.

“First: if you don’t accept this council’s decision, swear that you will call a council of the householders to settle the matter. Second: swear that you will have mercy on your opponent if you win and stay loyal to him if you lose”

“I swear” said Helenus promptly.

“I swear, too” muttered Mantes after some hesitation.

Eudorus 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. Mantes is a brave and experienced warrior. In case of a war, he would be more than able to lead us. Helenus’ knowledge and clear-headedness have helped us greatly on many occasions. I think that you are both assets for the city. 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 and glared dangerously at those who had voted against him.

“I wish to talk to you” he muttered to Eudorus.

The other advisors were very quick to leave but Helenus stayed where he was. Mantes had not declared yet whether he wanted to call the householders.

What if they fought? Helenus thought uneasily. It was forbidden to bring weapons to the council, but if they wrestled…

“Are you out of your mind, Eudorus. How can you not be able to decide between me and him? I consider myself betrayed” Mantes hissed.

Helenus expected Eudorus to reply in the usual sly way and he was very surprised when the Achaean snapped at Mantes.

“Mantes, you are my friend, but you are such a blockhead sometimes!”

Mantes opened his mouth, outraged, but Eudorus went on.

“Don’t you see that it is much better for us? The Chaonians, they are always complaining that Achaeans have all the power in this city, that only the warriors get to decide things, they are constantly stirring the pot in town. Sooner or later, they might even start a riot. And now? We give them a king who is not an Achaean, who is not a warrior! They will have to shut their mouths now!”

Helenus was speechless. He didn’t know whether Eudorus was speaking his mind or just manipulating the other Achaean. Or maybe both…

Mantes was following Eudorus’ reasoning with great attention.

“…and in little more than ten years, the city will go back to us” he concluded, impressed.

“I’m glad that you see my point!” exclaimed Eudorus. “So, do you want to call a council of the householders?”

“No, I will accept the decision” Mantes replied curtly. He nodded to Helenus ans walked away.

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.

“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 didn’t know whether he should be impressed or disgusted.

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 was… – he was like Aesacus, if Aesacus hadn’t been kind-hearted.

“Thank you for using me like a pawn in order to accomplish your schemes” he said sarcastically.

“Says the one who has been working his way through the council for years to take the king’s place, or do you think that I am as blind as the other idiots?” Eudorus snapped back. “And, may I add, you reached your goal just because of my good advice and my cunning. You are welcome! Consider it my payback for that night in Troy when you could have had me executed. Now we are all square”

Helenus took a deep breath. He thought that he would feel relieved – and he did in a way. But now that he had secured the throne, new worries were coming…

He needed to be alone with his thoughts.

“You were helpful, thank you. I wish you to keep your place. But I hope you know that I don’t like being manipulated” he said flatly.

“That is, provided that you notice” replied the other with a smirk.

OOO

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Seven

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Seven

Hello everybody and thank you for reading. Notes at the bottom!

OOO

Bent over his basil plants, Helenus took in their scent.

Carefully, he plucked a few leaves and rubbed them between his fingers, then buried his face in his hands.

He couldn’t think of a smell he liked more than this one, he wished that basil could last all year. But the summer was gone, and basil’s time was almost over.

“Helenus!” called Eudorus’ voice from afar.

Startled, he stood and looked around. Eudorus hurried towards him, looking slightly alarmed.

Please, let it not be the king, thought Helenus desperately.

In spring, after a few years of peace, the king of Tricca had attacked again and Neoptolemus had been away since then. Helenus couldn’t explain why, but he had a dreadful feeling this time.

“Come with me, there is something you should see” panted Eudorus, finally reaching him.

“What?”

“A ship is arriving… and it’s yours” said Eudorus, heading to the palace.

“Mine? What do you mean? I have no ship” replied Helenus, confused.

“I mean, a ship that belonged to your family. I recognized the figurehead at the bow” explained the Achaean.

Helenus gaped, too stunned to speak. He knew that many people had managed to leave Troy and that some of their ships had been missing. But he had been living in Buthrotum for seven years now, and no Trojan had ever showed up.

“Are you quite sure? Many figureheads look alike” he reasoned.

“I have no doubt. It is your figurehead, with one eye painted green and the other blue” replied Eudorus

Who could be on that ship? All of his brothers were dead. But many people had managed to leave Troy after all.

Was the ship here by chance or the crew knew that there were Trojans here?

They reached the terrace in front of the royal palace, where all of the city’s soldiers were gathered.

Helenus looked at the river and his heart skipped a beat.

A ship was approaching and there was no doubt: it was a Trojan one.

“I told you. Come, we must go to the docks. Whoever they are, you have to talk to them” urged Eudorus, taking his arm.

Helenus could see why Eudorus was so alarmed, of course. Almost all of the warriors were away with the king and the city was barely protected.

Yet, even if that ship had aggressive intentions, there couldn’t be more than two dozen people on it.

“That ship cannot be a real threat. Nobody comes with one ship to attack a city, no matter how small” he pointed out while he hurried after Eudorus.

“We know about this one, what if there are other ones hidden behind Corcyra?”

What would be the point of that? thought Helenus, but he kept that thought to himself.

When they finally reached the docks, the ship was already there. Nobody had descended yet, but a man stood at the bow and looked at them.

It was Aeneas.

Helenus was too stunned to speak, and he noticed that Aeneas was gaping as well. The other clearly didn’t expect to find him here.

“What are you looking for in the city of Buthrotum?” asked Eudorus loudly.

That was quite a rude way of welcoming a guest, thought Helenus with a grimace. But Aeneas replied promptly.

“May the gods bless your city. We were caught in a storm and our sail and many of our oars have been damaged. We respectfully ask if we can stay here for the repairs. We wanted to stop on the island, but the inhabitants kept pointing in your direction and we couldn’t understand what they said”.

“Let me see your sail” commanded Eudorus.

On the ship, a man unfurled one of the sails, which was badly ripped in the middle.

“How many are you?” asked the Achaean.

“Fourteen” answered Aeneas, gesturing for his people to show themselves.

Helenus tried to look collected, but his heart was beating wildly. He recognized several of the men: among them were Anchises and Dolon, the boy who had beaten him at wrestling during Ares’ games. And then there was a boy who could be fourteen or fifteen years old and looked like his sister Creusa: he had to be Askanius, his nephew. There were a few ones he didn’t know: they were probably not Trojan.

“On behalf of king Neoptolemus, you are welcome to stay” said Eudorus after a long pause.

Aeneas quickly descended from the ship and outstretched his hand to Eudorus. The other men followed him but stayed at a distance.

“We are grateful for your hospitality. Thank your king for us and allow us to present the king with a few gifts, wine and olive oil from Crete”

“Thank you. You will be happy to know that some of your kind is still alive” replied Eudorus, turning to Helenus.

Aeneas looked at him and Helenus stared back, unable to speak.

He had to address him first, otherwise Aeneas wouldn’t talk to him. The Trojans didn’t speak to royalty unless spoken to.

“I’m glad to see you alive” he said, outstretching his hand. He disliked the Achaean way of greeting each other with a hug.

Aeneas squeezed his hand, gasping at the sight of Priam’s ring.

“I wasn’t aware that I would find you here. And I didn’t know that…” said Aeneas, pointing at the ring.

His father and his son had come close, and Aeneas spoke to the boy.

“Askanios, this is your only uncle. You were a child the last time you saw him”

Askanios wasn’t a man yet, so Helenus touched his head, according to the Trojan custom. His resemblance to Creusa – and to Hecuba – was very strong, and Helenus felt somehow moved by it.

He greeted the other fellow Trojans, feeling uncomfortable. Everybody looked at him expectantly and he couldn’t understand what he was supposed to say. He was happy to see them, more than he would have expected, but he didn’t know how to show it.

On their way to the royal palace, Aeneas approached him again.

“When I saw the breach in the walls, I thought that the city was lost and I decided to leave at once” said Aeneas, apologetically.

“You did the right thing” replied Helenus with a shrug. “It was pointless to stay. I myself encouraged the people to leave if they wanted to”

“You stayed” objected Aeneas.

“Of course I stayed. I was the king’s son. And I had to care for my family” said Helenus, a little more harshly than intended. “But tell me about what you did after the earthquake”.

“We wandered for a while. You see that there’s just a few of us, we couldn’t make the ship travel at full speed. We spent some years at the service of the Egyptian Pharaoh, who always needs warriors against his many enemies. Then we spent some time in a Phoenician city. And then we decided to settle down north. But our ship was damaged, and we decided to stop for the repairs. We didn’t know that this city belonged to Neoptolemus”

They kept talking until they arrived at the palace. Aeneas wanted to know what had happened to their people, to the royal family. Helenus told him everything he knew.

Helenus felt something that he couldn’t describe. He had believed that he would never meet another fellow Trojan again and he didn’t think much about that. He had never been close to any of these men and some of them brought back some unpleasant memories. And yet, he felt as if he had waited for them to arrive for all these years. He was moved in a way he would have never anticipated. The mother tongue that he now only spoke with Andromache tasted sweet in his mouth.

Aware that the Trojans would leave soon, he spent quite some time with them, especially with Aeneas and his family. He wanted to say something to Askanios, but he couldn’t decide what, and how.

One day, Aeneas and Askanios came to the megaron and announced that the repairs were completed.

“We are leaving today” he added.

Helenus stood.

“I am sorry that I don’t ask you to stay here. But Neoptolemus would not be happy if a group of Trojan warriors settled down in this city”

“I understand” replied Aeneas. “On the other hand, we could bring you with us, if you wish”

Helenus hadn’t expected this offer. Maybe Aeneas was just being polite.

“Thank you. But I don’t wish to leave Andromache alone here” he replied earnestly.

Aeneas nodded thoughtfully.

“If you wish to settle down, cross the sea. North to us there are a few settlements, but they are inhabited by some quite belligerent peoples. We needed years to win them over. And if you wish to have some peace, I wouldn’t go to Sicily either, but norther, in the mainland. Sicily is so exposed, it would be easy for any kind of enemy to land there” he recommended.

“It is very strange” said Aeneas, surprised. “I had a dream tonight, and the dream told me to cross the sea and go north to Sicily as well. I will do it, since it seems to be the gods’ will”

It looked like he wouldn’t have time to speak to Askanios after all. But maybe he could…

“Excuse me, I will be back in a moment” he said, and hurried to his room.

Neoptolemus had allowed him to keep a very small part of the royal jewels. The most notable one was the golden ring with the wolf, the symbol of kingship. Probably, Neoptolemus enjoyed the thought that a man who could wear such a ring was his prisoner.

But apart from the ring, he had some other little things – a few buckles, clips and pins. He immediately found what he was looking for, a silver brooch portraying a wolf.

He went back to the megaron, where the two Trojans were still waiting for him.

“I wish you to have this. It belonged to my brother Hector” he said, showing the pin to the boy.

Askanios gaped.

“Let me” Helenus said. Carefully, he removed the simple bronze pin that fastened the boy’s cloak and put the silver brooch in its place. “It is a family object, one of the very few we have left. Take good care of it” he added.

“Thank you” Askanios replied, moved.

For a moment, Aeneas looked too stunned to speak.

“I am very thankful for this gift. We couldn’t take any jewel with us when we left. I am glad that we now have a memory of Troy” he said after a moment.

They hugged with an affection that Helenus wasn’t aware he felt.

He was quite sure that he would never meet another Trojan again.

-O-O-O-

In the following days, Helenus kept feeling strange. The Trojans’ visit and their departure had left him melancholic and unexpectedly grieving. But there was something more.

The bad feeling about Neoptolemus’ war in Tricca never left him now. He felt a sense of doom, very similar to the one he had experienced after Hector’s death, many years before. 

But probably it was just because of the memories Aeneas had brought back.

Trying to distract his mind from this dreariness, he spent a great amount of time working with Eudorus, going through the city’s expenses and stocks. Eudorus sometimes laughed about his fastidiousness, but he was now past pretending that written records were useless.

Everybody assumed that he just wanted to be useful, but Helenus had to admit that the truth was another: it just made him feel better.

Every time he prepared for a council, he felt inept and uncomfortable. Speaking in public and arguing, which other people seemed to find so natural, was still hard for him. But there were those things that he could do well. He was necessary, he knew it, and it made him feel good.

They were just going through the grain reserves when a soldier run into the megaron, breathless. Helenus recognized him: he was the messenger who always brought the news from Tricca.

“Sir” he said to Eudorus, panting. “The king of Tricca has been defeated and died on the battlefield, the war is over. But the king has been wounded and… he died on the way back”.

Helenus felt like he had been slapped violently.

This was the moment he had been dreading for years. Now he had to do it. He had to try and seize the throne… or be a coward and disregard the promise he had made.

He felt intensely sick. He just wanted to run away and hide. He couldn’t do this, no matter how hard he had prepared himself for this moment. He just… everybody would laugh at the very idea.

“This is a terrible disgrace!” he cried, turning to Eudorus. His voice was strained, so much so that the Achaean looked at him with wide eyes.

“Gather the soldiers in the terrace, I will join you immediately and deliver the news” Eudorus said briskly to the messenger, standing up.

“Wait” said Helenus in a low voice. He wouldn’t manage to speak loudly now. “The prince is out of the palace, training with Isodemos. Let’s fetch him first. If word gets around that he has no father to defend him, he might be in danger”.

Eudorus considered his words for a moment.

“You are right” he conceded eventually. “I will fetch the prince and once he’ll be safe we will talk to the soldiers”

“In the meanwhile, I will inform the queen” added Helenus.

Eudorus and the messenger left, and he was alone in the megaron – just in time.

Unable to stand it any longer, he fell on his knees, panting heavily. His heart was beating so wildly that Helenus feared that it would jump out of his body. He grabbed a chair so hard that after a while his fingers started feeling numb. He needed a long time to regain control and he was still feeling dizzy when he finally stood up.

Thankfully, the prince was training close to the river, far from the palace; he wasn’t in a hurry.

Now he had to inform Andromache. She would remind him of his promise.

What would he do?

OOO

Notes:

– the name of basil comes from the Greek word for king (basileus), so it means something like “herb of kings” or “kingly herb”. It has been associated with mourning because apparently it was used for embalming in ancient Egypt.

– Virgil’s epic poem “The Aeneid” reports that Aeneas visited Helenus and Andromache in Buthrotum after Neoptolemus’ death. There, Helenus foresaw that Aeneas would found a city in central Italy. The city itself would not be Rome but Alba Longa, whose kings, descendants of Aeneas, would later found Rome. The symbol of Rome is a wolf, hence the silver brooch.

(In case you are wondering: it has been studied whether people from central Italy had Anatolian descent from the bronze age and… no, they don’t. Sorry Romans… you do not descend from the Trojans, it seems =) )

OOO

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Six

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Six

In his room, Helenus was trying to breathe slowly and steadily.

The council was about to start.

It was already about two years since he had joined the king’s council. Of course, being in the council was a great opportunity: it would be easier to seize the throne if the king died.

But he really hated it.

The king’s advisors had to speak during council. There was no point in sitting at the council without making any statements.

But whenever he wanted to make a statement, he had to prepare it in advance because he wasn’t able to speak off the cuff. He had to think about how his words would be welcomed, about every possible objection, about possible answers, because he knew that he would not be able to reply otherwise.

The Achaeans were usually quite argumentative with each other and with him. They appreciated a good speech, but they also became provocative and even openly insulting when they disagreed. Helenus tried very hard not to take the insults personally, he kept repeating to himself that they were just a way to divert attention from the main topic. Still, mean words hurt him, and he was exhausted after every council.

Besides, he was the only stranger in the council, he really had to watch his mouth. If he said the wrong thing, he would look like a foreigner insulting the locals.

It was so stressful. And this particular council would be hard – he expected to be attacked.

With a sigh, he stood and walked to the megaron. He didn’t want to be late.

Eudorus, the king and two village elders had already taken place. Shortly, the other advisors arrived as well. There were Mantes, who had replaced Leocritus as the head of the army, his second Isodemos and other two warriors, and then two local notables, Diagoras and Podargos.

“Esteemed advisors, may the gods protect you” Neoptolemus began as soon as they were all there. “I called this council to hear your thoughts. It has been suggested that I should make contact, start a friendly exchange, with our close neighbours, the Illyrians and the inhabitants of Corcyra. You are wise men: speak your mind!”

As a matter of fact, it had been suggested by Helenus. But the king had chosen not to say it.

Mantes stood.

“And why, my king? Those people cannot compare with us, what good would it do to make contact with them? One can barely call them men, they live without houses, like animals. We could -and should- seize their lands instead”.

“Hear, hear!” said Isodemos, close to him.

Helenus wasn’t surprised. This was a predictable objection.

“I think that you should make contact with those peoples” said Helenus slowly. “They don’t live in houses like we do, but I would not say that they live like animals. When Achilles first settled down here, almost thirty years ago, he found the Chaonians, who didn’t live in houses either. Yet, he made contact with them, and now many inhabitants of Buthrotum are partly or fully Chaonian”

Including Ismenos, the two village elders and one of the warriors, thought Helenus, forcing himself not to say it.

Mantes looked baffled. If he said the wrong thing, he risked offending several people in the room, including two of his warriors.

“I am not sure that making contact with them will be profitable for us, but it is worth a try” Helenus went on. “The kingdom has several enemies in the east. We should try and have a good relationship with our neighbors, strange as they may seem to us. These are dreadful times: our city is a small one and I, of all people, don’t need to tell you that even much larger cities are in danger”.

He had remembered to say our city instead of this city, as he had initially planned.

“I agree” said Eudorus, standing. “We must remember that we are alone now, not an army of kings like we were when Achilles and Agamemnon were still alive. We don’t rule land and sea as we used to do. If we befriend our neighbors and coax them into joining us, we can become stronger. There’s a reason if Achilles settled here and didn’t stay close to the other Achaean kings”

Helenus silently agreed. It was true, the Achaeans didn’t rule land and sea anymore, but he couldn’t say such a thing to them. He was glad that Eudorus had.

“I am surprised to hear your words, Eudorus!” yelled Mantes. “I am surprised that you agree with our guest! As anybody could tell, he is not a warrior,, nor could he be one, but you are! Do you think we are so weak that we cannot seize Corcyra or the Illyrians’ land?”

Helenus looked coldly at him. On every council, Mantes did his best to remind everybody that he was a guest. The fact that he wasn’t a warrior and couldn’t be one was another kind of comment he had to hear all the time.

And it never stopped hurting.

It was just a rhetorical device. He didn’t have to take it personally. Mantes was just trying to prevail.

“I am sure that we would defeat them!” exclaimed Eudorus. “But why should we waste men and weapons when we can reach the same goal without fighting? Let’s spare our warriors for some more powerful enemies”.

“I agree, too” said one of the village elders. “I remember the time when Achilles arrived here. At first, we couldn’t understand him, but now we wouldn’t go back to living like we did before his arrival. It could be the same for the Illyrians and Corcyrians. And Eudorus is right, we have other enemies to worry about”

“Maybe we will make peace with them, too” said Mantes sarcastically. “As you will remember, our guest has suggested that prince Molossus should marry Podalirius’ daughter”

“That would be even better” cut in Inachos, one of the city’s notables. “That is how we make new allies, with marriages”

“I called you here to discuss another matter. We will discuss my son’s marriage another time” the king interrupted bluntly. “As for this matter, after listening to those who have spoken, I have made up my mind. I will make contact with those peoples’ chieftains. Now you are free to go”

Mantes looked like he wanted to reply but he didn’t dare. He stood and left silently.

Another council was over, now he would have some peace for a while, thought Helenus, going back to his room.

He was glad that Eudorus had supported him, the king probably wouldn’t have decided in his favor otherwise.

“We did a good job!” called Eudorus’ voice from behind his back.

Helenus turned to look at him. What did he want now?

“We?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Yes. You started, and then I said the things that you certainly think but cannot say. That we don’t rule land and sea anymore, that our old warrior culture is not up with the times anymore, and so on” explained the Achaean with a small smile.

“If you say so” replied Helenus warily. Eudorus seemed to have read his mind.

“Yes, I say so, even if it pains me. I preferred the times when we were an army of kings. But now we aren’t: we have to deal with it. Mantes, Isodemos… they are warriors: if you suggest that a problem can be solved without fighting, they feel threatened. You are the opposite: since you are not a warrior, you try to solve problems without fighting. It’s probably the best approach in a kingdom which is not very powerful”

Helenus was taken aback. Why was Eudorus telling him this? He could never understand whether he could trust the Achaean or not, whether Eudorus was sincere or just flattering him. What should he say now? He didn’t want to say things that might sound disrespectful towards the warriors, this would be a very bad idea among the Achaeans.

“The warriors have no reason to feel threatened. Not every problem can be solved without fighting, I am only hopeful about this one” he replied prudently.

“We might want to let them know that. I bet they’re not happy with the two of us right now. And I bet…” Eudorus went on, lowering his voice to a whisper “I bet they think we have planned this together. We both sounded very deliberate. I carefully prepared what I wanted to say in advance… and you too”.

Helenus felt slightly annoyed. He sensed that Eudorus was going somewhere but he couldn’t understand where yet, and he felt manipulated.

“Yes, I’m aware that your words are usually prepared and seldom spontaneous” he answered pointedly.

Eudorus smiled smugly.

“You got me. But I am not here to have an argument, only to give a warning”

Helenus looked at him, trying to mask his discomfort. Did Eudorus know, or imagine, why he had involved himself so much in the city’s affairs?

“If the two of us agree too much, the warriors might feel left aside. And it is not a good idea to make them feel that way. So we shouldn’t show that get along well”

“I wasn’t aware that we got along well” Helenus replied.

Eudorus smiled again.

“Yes, that’s the attitude”.

Helenus spent the evening pacing in his room, thinking about that conversation.

Did Eudorus really think highly of him, or was he just pretending? After all, the man could lie shamelessly.

The Achaean hadn’t just said that Helenus had spoken well, no: he had said that he tried to solve problems without fighting and that this might be the best approach for Buthrotum. It had never occurred to Helenus that not being a warrior might actually help him. But why had Eudorus decided to say this?

Eudorus had warned him that the warriors might feel left aside, and that the two of them shouldn’t look too close. But why? After all, he was just an advisor, he wasn’t the king.

Finally, Eudorus had insisted that he knew what Helenus was thinking, he knew that Helenus prepared his speeches in advance. Was that his way of saying “I’m watching you”?

O-O-O

“Did you figure it out, eventually? Why Eudorus had told you all of these things?” asked Molossus.

“I had a distinct impression. That Eudorus knew that I was thinking about succeeding Neoptolemus, and didn’t find it a particularly bad idea. That would explain everything: his insistence that I should have a good relationship with the warriors, that he thought highly of me, that he was watching me. And my impression was confirmed a year later, when your father died”

Molossus considered the answer silently.

“I didn’t know what I was to marry the daughter of the king of Tricca” he said after a while.

“Well, his only daughter died, so it all came to nothing” explained Helenus. “If she had survived, if the two of you had been betrothed, maybe your father wouldn’t have died in Tricca”

“So, what happened when he died?”

OOO

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Five

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Five

Hello everybody! I am back from my vacation. Here’s a new chapter of my story for you.

You’ll find notes and the end of the chapter.

OOO

Helenus reached for his cup of wine and drank slowly. Molossus noticed that his stepfather’s lips were trembling slightly and looked away.

“It must have been about fifteen years ago” Helenus said after a while “but it sometimes feels like yesterday”

He went silent again, and Molossus didn’t dare to speak.

What would he do if his stepfather broke down now, just as he had done on the day of Aesacus’ death?

Helenus was always so inscrutable. Molossus had often wished that he could know how the older man felt and what he thought. Now, he was almost overwhelmed.

And a part of him was annoyed, almost angry. Aesacus had warned his stepfather that one cannot be a make-believe father, and yet…

“The following months were very hard” Helenus said, more calmly. “I had never mourned anybody with such intensity, not even my parents and siblings. I kept to myself – there wasn’t really any person I was close to, now. And then, something happened”

OOO

It was a spring evening and Helenus sat in his room with a clay tablet on his lap. He checked again and again – it might be a mistake – but no, he was right.

A few months before, Neoptolemus had come to him with a very unexpected proposal.

“About your offer to do some written accounting… let’s give it a try. It has been a bad year for food crops and we are a bit tight”

Helenus never asked, but he suspected that Andromache had talked her husband into it. Neoptolemus had never showed much interest in his proposal before, and he was pretty sure that the suggestion didn’t come from Eudorus, either.

He had obliged gladly. The task required time and concentration, and often distracted him from his grief.

Until now, he had found nothing wrong. But this… he had to look for Eudorus.

He found the Achaean advisor supervising Molossus’ training. The boy was now old enough to start his very first military exercises.

“I think that someone is stealing olive oil from our stocks” Helenus said without preamble. “My calculations don’t add up”

Eudorus turned to him, raising his eyebrow. “Maybe it’s because they are wrong”.

For a moment, Helenus shivered. What if they were wrong? Maybe he had forgotten something or he had made some other mistake. He would make a fool of himself…

But no. He had checked several times. He was good at writing and accounting, why should he make a blunder?

“My calculations are not wrong” he repeated, displaying a certainty that he didn’t really feel.

Eudorus snorted and turned away from him, looking at the prince.

Helenus felt humiliated. Not for the first time, he wished that he could slap the Achaean. And now that he didn’t have to protect Aesacus anymore, maybe it was time to do it.

But he had made a promise to Andromache, and he could not get into trouble.

“Alright! Then I will show this to the king, it’s his olive oil after all” he snapped, turning around.

“He has gone hunting!” Eudorus called after him. “Fine. Tell me about this theft. But if you are wrong, don’t come bothering me with this accounting anymore”

Less than a months later, the thief was caught.

“I was wary of this written accounting, but I must admit that it is proving useful” the king told him on the same day. “We cannot afford any theft right now”

Eudorus grudgingly put on a good face and stated that this accounting was very convenient. Helenus, however, couldn’t help but sensing the Achaean’s hostility.

But why? He was quite sure that he hadn’t insulted Eudorus in any way – if so, he would have already paid for that. Was it just personal animosity? It wouldn’t be the first time that someone disliked him. Did Eudorus suspect or know that he and Andromache had an agreement?

Helenus wished that he could ask for Aesacus’ advice.

OOO

Helenus stood in the vegetable garden, looking at his herbs. The summer was slowly giving way to the autumn and there was a lot of work to do before it started raining. His thyme wasn’t looking too good, sage needed some work too…

His thoughts were interrupted by someone shouting inside the palace. Surprised, he hurried to the megaron, where he discovered the cause of the noise.

Three soldiers were dragging a foreigner, followed by Eudorus and Neoptolemus. The stranger kept yelling, partly in broken Achaean and partly in Hittite: “No! Let me go! Please stop! My ship sank, what was I supposed to do?”

What was a Hittite doing in Buthrotum, so far away from his home? They barely even met other Achaeans, let alone Hittites!

The soldiers kept walking, ignoring his pleas.

“What is going on?” asked Helenus

“We have caught a thief. He was trying to steal a boat. He will be put to death” explained Eudorus with a shrug.

Helenus frowned.

The Achaeans hanged over nothing. This man wasn’t old yet and looked quite fit. Why didn’t they send him to forced labour instead, especially since it was grape harvest time?

And he really wanted to know what a Hittite was doing here!

“Without even speaking to him?” he asked tentatively.

Eudorus looked at him condescendingly. “He was caught stealing. I don’t know about you, but we punish criminals here” he said with a small smile.

Helenus bit his lips, blushing. He wanted to reply but he couldn’t think of anything to say.

Eudorus seemed to enjoy his reaction immensely.

“…but if you wish to talk to him, be my guest. We can hang him later. Stop! Bring him here!” Neoptolemus shouted to the soldiers.

“Please, any of you, spare my life! My ship sank!” pleaded the stranger looking closely at them, trying to understand which one was the master.

“I don’t understand a word. But please, Helenus, be my guest… you are very good at talking to strangers” Eudorus added with a smirk.

Helenus glared at him but Eudorus looked unfazed.

Of course, he knew exactly what Eudorus was referring to. It was all about their conversation at Artemis’ temple, many years before.

He felt like a laughing stock. No matter what he did or said, the king and Eudorus would find him even more ridiculous.

Why couldn’t he think of anything to say? Why was he always so stupid?

Trying his best not to show his anger, Helenus sat in front of the stranger.

“What’s your name?”

“I am Marwili of Karkemis, your humble servant. Please, spare my life!”

Helenus frowned. The man spoke with the very tick Hittite accent of the East, but…

“Karkemis? That city is far away, almost in the lands of the Assyrians! What are you doing here? Why have you left your land?”

“Don’t you know, sir?” asked the stranger, looking incredulous. “A terrible disgrace has befallen my land! Our king is dead, our capital of Hattusa sacked! Misery and drought hit my people! I feared that the Assyrians would conquer my city and slaughter us all… I fled”

“Hattusa has been sacked and the king is dead? ” asked Helenus, shocked. “Who did that?”

“I don’t know, sir. I lived too far away from there. But there is great misery in the land – every town pillages its neighbors to avoid starvation. And now that we don’t have a king anymore…”

“Hold on. So there isn’t a new king? Are you telling me that the Hittite kingdom is no more?!”

“Yes sir” Marwili confirmed, looking miserable.

“That cannot be! Are you lying to me?” Helenus asked harshly.

“Oh, no, sir, I swear!” replied Marwili, terrified. “In addition, foreign people destroyed the great city of Ugarit and took Cyprus. The trades were disrupted, then drought devastated our fields and left us without food…”

For a moment, Helenus was too shocked to speak. Marwili’s tale was hard to believe, maybe he was just lying.

But it would explain why they were still unable to find tin in Crete. And, if Troy and Mycenae didn’t exist anymore, the same could happen to Hattusa and Ugarit as well. After all, twenty years before nobody would have expected that Troy could fall as well.

“So… you fled. And how did you end up here?” he asked after a while.

“I managed to get on a Phoenician ship. We were coming back from Sicily when we were wrecked close to Corcyra. But that island is inhabited by savages and I didn’t want to stay there. So I came here…”

“…and tried to steal a boat” added Helenus sternly.

“What was I supposed to do? Please have mercy on me! Spare my life! If I can be of any use… I was a good blacksmith in my city” Marwili pleaded with tears in his eyes.

Helenus stared at Marwili.

A blacksmith who had lived near the Assyrian border.

“Can you boil iron to make weapons like the Assyrians do?” he asked quietly.

“Yes, sir!” replied Marwili with a broad smile.

Maybe he was lying. Maybe he was just looking for a way to avoid his punishment.

“Our blacksmith once tried to boil iron, but the metal was too soft. Tell me why” Helenus commanded.

“I am sure your blacksmith used too little charcoal. You need lots of it to make the iron hard enough. There is a very special technique” the other replied confidently.

Helenus turned. Eudorus was listening with a confused expression, while the king had left.

“What did he say? I’ve told you, I cannot understand a word!”

“This man could be more useful alive than dead” answered Helenus.

-O-O-O-

On the following day, helped by the Achaean blacksmith, Marwili proved that he wasn’t lying.

“This spearhead works perfectly” said the king, examining his spear. “It is very convenient that you insisted on speaking with him, Helenus. Now we won’t need to travel to Sardinia and hope that we will find tin every single time. Helenus, tell him that we will spare his life if he is willing to work as a blacksmith for us and to teach us how to boil iron”

Helenus translated dutifully, and Marwili was so overwhelmed that he fell on his knees.

“Thank you! I will do whatever you ask of me!”

While the king trained with his new spear, Helenus turned to Eudorus, who had been unusually silent so far.

“You are aware that I could have kept everything to myself, since you weren’t understanding a word and since you had been very rude to me. But I didn’t. And now you won’t need to spend a fortune on tin anymore, you’re welcome” he said harshly. He turned around and walked away.

He heard footsteps behind him and knew that Eudorus was following him. With a shiver, he wondered whether he should expect to be stabbed. He turned around and faced the Achaean, breathing heavily.

“Yes, you are helpful. Way too helpful for my liking, in fact” the Achaean hissed.

Helenus stared at him, completely taken aback.

“Do you think that I want to take your place?!” he asked incredulously.

“Do me a favour! Of course you don’t” Eudorus snorted. “But the king might look it another way”

“That’s ridiculous. I don’t have any military or diplomatic experience. It wouldn’t make any sense to choose me over you”

Eudorus burst into laughter.

“Sense? Do you really think that kings are always sensible? Did Agamemnon look sensible to you, attacking a city on the other side of the world, forcing the Achaean kings to leave their own cities for years? And for what? His kingdom is no more, he is dead, our army of kings is disbanded. Does this make any sense to you?”

Helenus shook his head. How could he be a threat to Eudorus just because he could do some accounting and speak with foreigners?

“I will advise the king to make you a member of his council” the Achaean added quite abruptly.

Helenus gaped at him.

“One moment you are worried that I might take your place and a moment later you want me to join the council. You aren’t making much sense either”

Eudorus smiled sardonically.

“You are so clueless sometimes. The king has noticed that you are valuable; sooner or later he will ask you to join the council. I will make a good impression if I advise him to do it”

“I am sure that he will appreciate your frankness” Helenus snorted.

Eudorus smiled ruefully and walked away.

Helenus spent the rest of the day pondering.

If everything Marwili had told them was true, then the world as he had known it was ending. Cities like Hattusa and Ugarit had existed for centuries, maybe thousands of years before he had been born: now they didn’t exist anymore. So far, the world had been easy to understand: there were the Hittites, then the Assyrians and the Egyptians far away, and then the Myceneans. What would happen now?

Maybe, many other foreigners like Marwili would arrive, driven by hunger and fear. Maybe, the people who had destroyed Cyprus and Ugarit would come to Buthrotum as well. Maybe the Trojans who had fled the city were looking for a new home now, just like Marwili.

After some days, he noticed something else: without even trying, he had struck a powerful blow.

All he had wanted was to talk with a foreigner, to know what was going on in the rest of the world. And, as luck would have it, the foreigner turned out to be an asset. A large part of Buthrotum’s scant resources had been required to purchase the tin: now they would need much less bronze, and iron was easy to find. The king would be able to lower taxes, which were always a reason for discontent in the town. The men could stay at home instead of being conscripted to go to Sardinia every now and then. Word spread quickly that Helenus had been behind this change of course. Marwili, as soon as he could speak a little Achaean, kept telling everybody about how he would be executed if it hadn’t been for him.

Once, he left the royal palace to go swimming and several villagers approached him to thank him.

After some time, the king asked him to join his council and he accepted.

It had been a stroke of luck, now he had to use it wisely. Although he wasn’t sure that they were listening, he thanked the Huntress and even Hermes, who was said to be the god of luck.

He started showing up in public more often, swimming in the river, walking through the small market. He offered to instruct a scribe, since Buthrotum didn’t have any. He regularly visited Athena’s temple, the only one in Buthrotum: he hadn’t known this goddess in Troy, but she was said to be wise, the goddess of cities and kings, and he might need her help one day.

At night, when he was alone, he worried.

He was a grown man now, and he was still uncomfortable around people, even the grateful villagers of Buthrotum or an aspiring scribe who looked at him in awe. The prospect of joining the council – and therefore of speaking in front of it – terrified him beyond words.

He would never be able to be the king, he wouldn’t even manage to seize the throne if Neoptolemus died.

He hoped that Neoptolemus would live long.

OOO

Notes:

– Ugarit was an important city in northern Syria. Founded around 6000 B.C., it was sacked and destroyed around 1200 BC by unknown enemies, maybe the so-called Sea Peoples.

– The Hittite empire fell around 1200 BC too. The capital of Hattusa was destroyed by fire for unknown reasons. It is unknown whether the last Hittite Suppiluliuma II died during the fire in Hattusa or somewhere else.

– After the empire’s destruction, the city of Karkemis and its region became a reign of their own.

OOO

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Four

The Raspberry Situation

The ones I buy at the store are yucky, so I decided to grown my own ones…

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Four

Hello everybody and thank you for reading this story, as usual.

Heavy chapter. But it had to happen at some point.

OOO

Molossus chucked.

“There! That is just like you! I bet you’ve never taken me on your lap in your entire life”

“I haven’t” Helenus replied drily.

“…a woman looks at you with teary eyes and you are fooled. And you claim you can recognize manipulation” the younger man added, still smiling.

“Are you finished? Because I will stop now if you cannot take me seriously” Helenus answered harshly.

Molossus felt the impulse to snap back but he resisted it. How was it again? “You must excuse him. He doesn’t really mean it, you know”.

“So… I have known Aesacus? I wasn’t really aware of that”

“You have. You called him grandpa” Helenus said in a soft voice.

-O-O-O-

The megaron was quiet while Aesacus told the old Cretan story of the Minotaur.

With his eyes closed, Helenus listened absent-mindedly. He liked that story, but tonight he couldn’t pay attention.

Their fourth winter in Buthrotum was coming to an end.

It had been a quiet year. The king had come back from war at the beginning of the summer and hadn’t left ever since. It looked like his enemies had finally given up. Andromache and her son were fine and -for the moment- safe.

Still, Helenus was sad.

It wasn’t because of the nightmares and the memories of the war that sometimes came to torment him. They were painful, but he could handle them. The thing was…

Helenus opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Hermes’ priest.

Aesacus sat beside him with Molossus on his lap, declaiming the story in an unsteady voice but without hesitation.

The child had fallen asleep with his mouth slightly open, the head resting on the old man’s chest. The sight reminded Helenus of a fragile branch ready to crack under the wright of a bird.

Hermes’ priest was pale and even thinner than he had been before. His hands, although clasped, were shaking visibly. His eyesight had worsened considerably in the last few months and he couldn’t manage to walk alone anymore. Whenever Helenus walked him around the palace, he was afraid that Aesacus might faint at any moment.

Only his spirit and his penchant for telling stories had remained unaffected.

For how long?

How could he ever prepare himself for the moment that, he knew, would come very soon?

Everybody stood and Helenus broke from his contemplation. He was so lost in his thoughts that he hadn’t even noticed that the tale was over.

“Could someone pick up our little one and bring him to bed? He’s fallen asleep. It happens when one listens to me talking” joked Aesacus.

Andromache came over and carefully lifted the child from Aesacus’ lap. Everybody began to leave.

“Should I accompany you to your room?” Helenus asked him, bending down over him.

“Yes, thank you, dear”

Aesacus stood with some difficulty, leaning heavily on Helenus’ arm and on his walking stick.

“Are you feeling dizzy? Should I rather carry you?”

Aesacus took a shaky breath , then smiled.

“No, it’s alright. Thank you”

Helenus started walking very slowly, watching the older priest’s feet carefully.

“You don’t have to tell stories every single evening if you are so tired!” he burst out “The king shouldn’t keep asking for it. And you are not supposed to take the boy on your lap all the time, he’s heavier than you are. You should rest more and not exert yourself like this!”

“Yes, Mother” replied Aesacus with a chuckle.

“I don’t find it funny” Helenus replied faintly.

The older priest didn’t reply but just squeezed his arm. Helenus felt tears at the corners of his eyes and didn’t dare to say anything more.

They reached Aesacus’ room without exchanging another word and Helenus walked him to the bed, as he now did every evening.

Aesacus looked up hesitantly at him, then he seemed to make a decision.

“Sit down with me for a moment, will you?”

Helenus complied silently, hoping that his teacher would not see the tears in his eyes.

“I feel very tired but it has little to do with the storytelling. In fact, that is the only enjoyable thing that I am still able to do at my age” Aesacus began. “My health is just not very good, and we should presume that it will get even worse. At my age, I am grateful that I can still walk and that I’m not funny in the head”

Helenus swallowed and looked down. He could not loose it now.

“You’ll get through it” Aesacus said gently, squeezing his arm again. “Just do not retreat into yourself forever, Helenus. Just as you have become close to me, you can become close to somebody else, too. You don’t have to become all outgoing and talkative, of course. But you might really want to show the kind and caring person that lies behind that touchy attitude of yours”

He stiffened.

“Your affection for me must be clouding your judgement. There is nothing behind my attitude” he stated

He hated himself. This was maybe the last time he would speak to Aesacus. There were so many things he wanted to say… but instead of doing that, he was speaking harshly.

“Touchy doesn’t fool me, you should know it by now” said Aesacus, unimpressed.

“I’m sorry” Helenus whispered, mortified.

The older priest chuckled. “Never mind. But remember that, while I can see through your attitude, a young boy might not. Should you ever become a stepfather, Helenus, you will have to work on that. If you refuse to become close, if you keep your mask on, a boy might just think that you don’t care”

The long sentence had left him breathless and he sighed deeply.

“You should rest” Helenus murmured, still not trusting his voice.

“Nice try. I will rest once I am finished scolding you”

Helenus wiped away another tear. This conversation was making him very uneasy. He always felt embarrassed when Aesacus started praising his kindness, his true self and whatever other things the older priest saw in him.

“You should really, really, learn to accept a compliment without putting up a fight every time. One tells you something nice and you react worse than if you had been insulted. Just believe the compliment and say thank you!”

Aesacus was still smiling and nothing in his tone sounded reproachful. He had never sounded reproachful.

“Are you finished scolding me now?” asked Helenus, trying his best to sound light-hearted.

“I could keep scolding you until dawn, you rascal! But yes, I am done for now“

“I will let you rest. Call me if you need anything” he said, standing.

But he couldn’t bring himself to walk away and Aesacus looked up at him, questioning.

“I… you are very dear to me and I am… thankful for everything, more than I can say” he stuttered, blushing.

He wished that he could have said it better.

Well, it wasn’t anything that Aesacus didn’t already know…

“Thank you, dear. You have filled my last years with affection and I am very thankful, too”

Helenus walked to his room, let himself fall on the bed and cried himself to sleep.

OOO

On the following morning, he entered Aesacus’ room with a terrible feeling.

But Hermes’ priest was sitting on the bed and smiled at him.

“You thought that I had kicked the bucket, eh? No, I am still here”

Helenus bit his lip. How could Aesacus find it funny?

“Fine. I will stop joking about it. Or at least I’ll try, promise” added Aesacus, as if reading his thoughts.

The situation repeated itself on the following days. Every morning, Helenus walked into Aesacus’ room with the sinking feeling that Hermes’ priest might lie dead, every morning he sighed with relief.

One evening, Aesacus said that he was feeling too tired for the usual storytelling in the megaron. As soon as it was dark, Helenus helped him get into bed and from that moment on refused to leave his side.

“You should rest, Helenus” Aesacus told him at dawn.

“I’ll rest later”

“Me too” cut in the older priest with a smile.

Helenus buried his head in his hands to hide the tears.

“Sorry, dear. I had promised not to joke about it. I’m afraid I cannot help it”

He weakly reached for Helenus’ hand and squeezed it.

Helenus squeezed back, wishing to convey all the things that he wasn’t able to say. He didn’t move until he noticed that Aesacus’ hand was heavy and lifeless in his own.

Shaking, he bent over and listened. He could hear no breath.

He stared at the body, gaping. Aesacus’ mouth, that had uttered the last joke only a few moments before, was now still forever.

Helenus fell on his knees and burst into sobs.

He was aware that it was coming, that it would happen soon, but it hurt so much… even more than he had imagined…

Helenus knew that the noise would draw people to the room, that the whole palace would see him in this state. He was always so afraid of losing his composure, of looking weak. Now he couldn’t care less.

He didn’t try to stop, he didn’t try to be more quiet. He just kept sobbing until he had no more tears and no more voice. He was barely aware of the people who were now standing behind him, whispering to each other.

“Helenus” whispered Andromache ‘s voice, very close to him. She had probably kneeled next to him. “We will take care of it now. The maids will prepare the body. We will miss him very much, all of us. Someone will accompany you to your room…”

He shook his head and stood up. He didn’t want to see anybody, to hear anybody’s words of comfort. He wiped his eyes and turned around, not daring to look at Aesacus’ body again.

Every single person living in the palace seemed to be there, from the king to the soldiers to the maids. He walked away without talking to anybody and locked himself in his room.

OOO

A Stranger in the City – Chapter Twenty-Three