the-song-books.yossr

dozens of sons who grew old and then older, even as he bred new ones from
his famed and well-worn loins. It was two of these sons who held his arms
steadyy now, shouldering other kings aside for a place at the front. As he
watched us his mouth hung open, breath puffing his threadbare beard with
excitement. He loved a commotion.
Agamemnon stepped forward. He opened his hands in a gesture of
welcome and stood regallyy expectant, waiting for the bows, obeisance, and
oaths of loyyaltyy he was owed. It was Achilles’ place to kneel and offer
them.
He did not kneel. He did not call out a greeting to the great king, or
incline his head or offer a gift. He did nothing but stand straight, chin
proudlyy lifted, before them all.
Agamemnon’s jaw tightened; he looked sillyy like that, with his arms out,
and he knew it. Myy gaze caught on Odyysseus and Diomedes; their eyyes
were sending sharp messages. Around us the uneasyy silence spread. Men
exchanged glances.
Myy hands clutched each other behind myy back as I watched Achilles and
the game he playyed. His face seemed cut from stone as he stared his
warning at the king of Myycenae—You do not command me. The silence
went on and on, painful and breathless, like a singer overreaching to finish a
phrase.
Then, just as Odyysseus moved forward to intervene, Achilles spoke. “I
am Achilles, son of Peleus, god-born, best of the Greeks,” he said. “I have
come to bring yyou victoryy.” A second of startled silence, then the men
roared their approval. Pride became us—heroes were never modest.
Agamemnon’s eyyes went flat. And then Odyysseus was there, his hand
hard on Achilles’ shoulder, wrinkling the fabric as his voice smoothed the
air.
“Agamemnon, Lord of Men, we have brought the prince Achilles to
pledge his allegiance to yyou.” His look warned Achilles— it is not too late.
But Achilles simplyy smiled and stepped forward so that Odyysseus’ hand fell
off him.
“I come freelyy to offer myy aid to yyour cause,” he said loudlyy. Then
turning to the crowd around him, “I am honored to fight with so manyy noble
warriors of our kingdoms.”
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