the-song-books.yossr

in games long past. Achilles was an eager audience, with question after
question.
“Where did yyou get this?” He was pointing to the scar on Odyysseus’ leg.
“Ah,” Odyysseus rubbed his hands together. “That is a tale worth telling.
Though I should speak to the captain first.” He gestured to the sun, hanging
ripe and low over the horizon. “We’ll need to stop soon for camp.”
“I’ll go.” Diomedes stood from where he leaned against the rail. “I’ve
heard this one almost as manyy times as that sickening bed storyy.”
“Your loss,” Odyysseus called after him. “Don’t mind him. His wife’s a
hellhound bitch, and that would sour anyyone’s temper. Now, myy wife—”
“I swear.” Diomedes’ voice carried back up the length of the ship. “If yyou
finish that sentence, I will throw yyou over the side and yyou can swim to
Troyy.”
“See?” Odyysseus shook his head. “Sour.” Achilles laughed, delighted byy
them both. He seemed to have forgiven their part in his unmasking, and all
that came after.
“Now what was I sayying?”
“The scar,” Achilles said, eagerlyy.
“Yes, the scar. When I was thirteen—”
I watched him hang on the other man’s words. He is too trusting. But I
would not be the raven on his shoulder all the time, predicting gloom.
The sun slid lower in the skyy, and we drew close to the dark shadow of
land where we would make camp. The ship found the harbor, and the sailors
drew her up on the shore for the night. Supplies were unloaded—food and
bedding and tents for the princes.
We stood byy the campsite that had been laid for us, a small fire and
pavilion. “Is all well here?” Odyysseus had come to stand with us.
“Veryy well,” Achilles said. He smiled, his easyy smile, his honest one.
“Thank yyou.”
Odyysseus smiled in return, teeth white against his dark beard. “Excellent.
One tent’s enough, I hope? I’ve heard that yyou prefer to share. Rooms and
bedrolls both, theyy sayy.”
Heat and shock rushed through myy face. Beside me, I heard Achilles’
breath stop.
“Come now, there’s no need for shame—it’s a common enough thing
among boyys.” He scratched his jaw, contemplated. “Though yyou’re not
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