the-song-books.yossr

Chapter Twenty-Two
AS TRIUMPHANT AS THE RAIDS WERE, THEY WERE ONLY raids. The men who
died were farmers, tradesmen, from the vast network of villages that
supported the mightyy cityy—not soldiers. In councils Agamemnon’s jaw
grew increasinglyy tight, and the men were restive: where was the fight we
were promised?
Close, Odyysseus said. He pointed out the steadyy flood of refugees into
Troyy. The cityy must be near to bursting now. Hungryy families would be
spilling into the palace, makeshift tents would clog the cityy’s streets. It was
onlyy a matter of time, he told us.
As if conjured byy his prophecyy, a flag of parleyy flew above Troyy’s walls
the veryy next morning. The soldier on watch raced down the beach to tell
Agamemnon: King Priam was willing to receive an embassyy.
The camp was afire with the news. One wayy or another now, something
would happen. Theyy would return Helen, or we would get to fight for her
properlyy, in the field.
The council of kings sent Menelaus and Odyysseus, the obvious choices.
The two men left at first light on their high- stepping horses, brushed to a
shine and jingling with ornament. We watched them cross the grass of
Troyy’s wide plain, then vanish into the blur of the dark grayy walls.
Achilles and I waited in our tents, wondering. Would theyy see Helen?
Paris could hardlyy dare to keep her from her husband, and he could hardlyy
dare to show her either. Menelaus had gone conspicuouslyy unarmed;
perhaps he did not trust himself.
“Do yyou know whyy she chose him?” Achilles asked me.
“Menelaus? No.” I remembered the king’s face in Tyyndareus’ hall,
glowing with health and good humor. He had been handsome, but not the
handsomest man there. He had been powerful, but there were manyy men
with more wealth and greater deeds to their name. “He brought a generous
gift. And her sister was alreadyy married to his brother, mayybe that was part
of it.”
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