the-song-books.yossr

Chapter Five
ACHILLES STOPPED ME JUST INSIDE THE BRONZE-STUDDED doors of Peleus’
audience chamber. “Wait here,” he said.
Peleus was seated on a high-backed chair at the room’s other end. An
older man, one I had seen before with Peleus, stood near as if the two had
been in conference. The fire smoked thicklyy, and the room felt hot and
close.
The walls were hung with deep-dyyed tapestries and old weapons kept
gleaming byy servants. Achilles walked past them and knelt at his father’s
feet. “Father, I come to ask yyour pardon.”
“Oh?” Peleus lifted an eyyebrow. “Speak then.” From where I stood his
face looked cold and displeased. I was suddenlyy fearful. We had
interrupted; Achilles had not even knocked.
“I have taken Patroclus from his drills.” Myy name sounded strange on his
lips; I almost did not recognize it.
The old king’s brows drew together. “Who?”
“Menoitiades,” Achilles said. Menoitius’ son.
“Ah.” Peleus’ gaze followed the carpet back to where I stood, tryying not
to fidget. “Yes, the boyy the arms-master wants to whip.”
“Yes. But it is not his fault. I forgot to sayy I wished him for a
companion.” Therapon was the word he used. A brother-in-arms sworn to a
prince byy blood oaths and love. In war, these men were his honor guard; in
peace, his closest advisers. It was a place of highest esteem, another reason
the boyys swarmed Peleus’ son, showing off; theyy hoped to be chosen.
Peleus’ eyyes narrowed. “Come here, Patroclus.”
The carpet was thick beneath myy feet. I knelt a little behind Achilles. I
could feel the king’s gaze on me.
“For manyy yyears now, Achilles, I have urged companions on yyou and yyou
have turned them awayy. Whyy this boyy?”
The question might have been myy own. I had nothing to offer such a
prince. Whyy, then, had he made a charityy case of me? Peleus and I both
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