Argos

by Simpson, Phillip

  We had almost gnawed through the latch when I heard the tell-tale sound of the door unlocking again. I snarled in frustration and darted back into my own cage. Then my nose caught a scent and my heart sank. Amycus was with them. We had run out of time. All that work for nothing.

  I heard the door being locked again and then the three men strode into view. I noticed Amycus was walking gingerly, wincing with every second step. Whatever punishment Meges had metered out to him, it was still bothering him.

  All three made their way toward my cage. There could be no doubting their purpose. Amycus was here for one final gloat.

  He bent down and met my baleful stare; my own hatred reflected in his eyes.

  “Time’s up,” said Amycus, savoring the words. “I’m going to enjoy this.” I growled at him and he backed away a little. I smelled fear oozing from him.

  “I think we’ll bind him and use the muzzle this time,” he said. “Just to be sure.”

  “I hardly think that’s necessary,” said Red. “You saw him last time. Docile as a sleeping goat.”

  “You don’t get paid to think,” snapped Amycus. “Just do it.”

  Red sighed and exchanged looks with Plump. Plump shrugged.

  Red bent down and undid the latch on my cage. He opened the door while Plump readied himself behind his colleague. This is it, I thought. This is the moment. I could attack and get Butal to burst out behind me. But that was pointless. The door to the corridor was still locked.

  While I hesitated, Red reached in with his loop and fastened it over my head. Plump jostled next to him and put his own loop on top. Together they dragged me out. And it was a drag. I wasn’t going to make it easy for them. Once out of the cage, Amycus deftly bound my feet with thick rope. Finally, they secured a muzzle around my snout. They repeated the procedure with Butal, who had flown into a rage at my rough treatment. I hadn’t even needed to change his emotional state. He did that himself.

  Eventually, we were both firmly incapacitated. Red and Plump lifted Butal between them. Amycus bent down, removed my bronze-studded collar and pocketed it in his tunic. The collar was my most cherished possession. In fact, my only possession and it meant everything. It was a symbol of my love and bond with Odysseus. I struggled mightily but it made no difference.

  “You won’t be needing this where you’re going,” said Amycus smugly.

  Slinging me over his shoulder like a sack of grain, Amycus grunted, clearly pained by the effort. I got a certain amount of satisfaction knowing that I was the cause.

  The three men set off, swiftly climbing the stairs. In the holding pens above, we were thrown into separate cages and our bonds and muzzles removed.

  Almost immediately, the cage doors separating us from the arena were dragged upward. I considered refusing to move but realized it would be useless. They would just prod me with spears until I complied.

  Butal, calm again, trotted placidly out into the open arena and I joined him. We stood side by side, nervously awaiting our opponent. The tiers were completely filled with a throng of jostling, excited humans, their strong emotions contagious.

  Meges was there of course and with him his son, Elatus.

  The king stood and the noise of the crowd gradually abated.

  “My people!” he said proudly. “My people, welcome. Welcome to the most fascinating spectacle you will ever have the pleasure to witness. I would like to tell you more, but given that all this is my son’s doing, I will allow him to make the introductions.”

  There was a spattering of applause. I gathered from the response that Elatus was not universally liked. The younger man stood and waved to the crowd. The applause died.

  “Today is a great day,” he said. “A great day for you and a great day for the Kingdom of Doulikhion. Today you will see a creature you have never seen before. A creature brought from the east at great cost by my noble father, Meges.” More applause and cheering, this time with more enthusiasm.

  “A creature thought to only exist in legend, a figment of our wildest nightmares. It is so powerful, that no man, armored or not, is capable of defeating it. Today, we are pitting its fearsome might against two of the greatest dogs that have ever lived. Argos, dog of Odysseus, and Butal, the most deadly dog ever to have fought in this arena.”

  It pained me to admit it, but Elatus wasn’t a bad orator. The crowd were even starting to warm to him. It was hard to focus on his words though. My stomach was a hot ball of nervous tension. I cast my eyes and other senses around, trying desperately to garner a clue as to the nature of this beast. There was a large gate at the far end of the arena, shrouded in thick cloth. A strange scent emanated from it.

  “I will tease you no longer,” said Elatus. “The time has come to reveal the magnificent beast that will challenge these two dogs for supremacy.”

  With a flourish, Elatus indicated that the cloth should be removed. When he did, there was a collective intake of breath. For a moment, the crowd was absolutely silent and then they erupted into wild cries of delight.

  “I give you the rhinoceros,” said Elatus, smiling broadly. The gate confining the rhinoceros was slowly drawn upward and the great beast charged out, looking around wildly. Its thick hide was the color of an overcast sky and it was the size of a large horse, although built much more stoutly. Its most defining feature was the large horn protruding from its snout. A fearsome opponent indeed.

  A rhinoceros? I thought. That’s a rhinoceros? For a few moments, I did absolutely nothing besides control Butal, ensuring he did not move. It was an effort. Butal was petrified and so was I. Our instinctive reaction was to flee but logic had to prevail here, not baser desires. It was our only chance.

  Our inaction revealed something important. The rhinoceros was still searching for something to vent its range on, turning its head this way and that. Even though it looked our way, it did not charge, continuing its search. I realized that the rhinoceros must have exceptionally poor vision. If we didn’t move or it didn’t get too close, it couldn’t see us. I could use this to our advantage.

  I tried reaching out with my mind, but the rhinoceros was still too far away. I would have to get closer.

  I fired up Butal, feeling surprisingly guilty about manipulating him, like I was betraying him. But I needed him angry now, not scared. I turned his mood from yellow (presumably fear) to red, indicating with my thoughts what I wanted him to do. He sprang to the attack, using his greater speed and agility to get behind the rhinoceros. As soon as the great beast saw movement, it swung in Butal’s direction and charged.

  Butal was too quick for it, snapping at its thick rear legs, trying to hamstring the creature. He might as well have tried to bite through a rock. It kicked out and by pure chance, connected with Butal, hurling the huge dog some distance away to lie stunned on the dusty ground. The crowd went wild. It was impossible to hear anything over that noise.

  Using the distraction, I joined the attack, deciding on another, altogether more risky tactic. With a great leap, I managed to clamber up the side of the huge beast and onto its back. The rhinoceros pivoted wildly, trying to throw me off but I clung on stubbornly.

  My plan had always been twofold. To escape, or if that failed, to use my newly acquired powers to control the beast and escape that way. I searched for its emotions, confident that I would be able to control it just as easily as Butal. My confidence evaporated immediately as I realized that the rhinoceros was a blank slate. I could sense absolutely nothing. It was like the creature didn’t exist. I would’ve had a greater chance to control a human. For a moment, I was stunned into inaction and realizing this, cursed myself. To hesitate now was to die.

  Snarling, I opened my jaws and bit down on the base of its neck with every bit of strength I possessed.

  I had expected to rip the flesh from it, perhaps sever some vital cord, but that is not what happened at all. I barely even punctured its hide. In fact, I couldn’t even smell blood. Not a good sign.

  Surprised, I lost my
grip on the furiously spinning rhinoceros. I tumbled to the ground and got to my feet just in time to avoid being trampled. Butal had also regained his feet but I sensed he was still a little disorientated.

  This is not going to end well, I thought. Both my plans had failed. In my arrogance, I had not imagined for one moment that it would come to this. If Butal and I were to survive now, we would have to use our wits and not our teeth.

  Thinking quickly, a plan of sorts came to mind. The rhinoceros charged again but I darted to one side, easily evading its lumbering bulk. I got Butal to worry it from behind, even as I goaded it, barking furiously.

  The rhinoceros became even more enraged, torn between trampling me or turning and goring Butal behind it.

  We lured it back to same gate it had entered from—directly opposite the gate leading to the outside.

  Barking again, I sprinted toward the gate leading outside. Behind the rhinoceros, Butal continued to dog its heels, giving it an added incentive to chase me.

  It did so. The rhinoceros charged toward me. Careful not to get too far away otherwise it could not see me, I also had to ensure that I didn’t get too close for fear that I would be crushed underfoot. Lastly, I also needed it to charge with all its speed. My hastily conceived plan depended on it.

  I stopped just before the gates and turned, barking in a manic fashion designed to annoy any but the most docile creature. It seemed to work. The rhinoceros hurtled toward me, Butal in close pursuit. The ground shook as it approached. I had to time this perfectly.

  At the last moment, I threw my body to the side. The rhinoceros, blinded by fury, had no chance to stop its advance. It ploughed into the gate with bone shattering force, smashing straight through and into the stone wall behind. Butal and I were showered with fragments of wood but we could not pause.

  Around and above us, the crowd was mad with excitement. They hadn’t seen death, but by the gods, they had certainly been entertained.

  There was no need to communicate my desires to Butal now. The other dog seemed to sense what I wanted and followed me obediently as I tore through the gaping hole in the gate. Inside the holding chamber, the rhinoceros, a crumpled mass against the wall, was slowly getting to its feet, shaking its great head angrily.

  I glanced around, taking note of another large gate nearby. It appeared locked and my spirits sank at the sight. It would be difficult to deceive the beast a second time but there was no other option. Just as I was mustering up the courage to do just that, the rhinoceros got to its feet. Armed men were approaching warily, shouting to each other, their attention fixed on the greater threat. Butal and I were largely ignored. For now.

  I thought perhaps the rhinoceros might go for me or Butal again, but it seemed that another idea seeped into its tiny brain. Freedom. It knew this other gate was the only thing that separated it from the outside world. It could probably smell the fresh salt tang of the nearby sea. After weeks of confinement, it was too tempting a prize.

  As Butal, the guards, and I watched, the rhinoceros threw itself at this other gate. It shook. There was a sound of splintering wood but the gate held. Panicking, one of the guards threw a spear at the rhinoceros but it slid harmlessly off the thick hide. The guards should have used a net and tried to recapture it but scared men do not usually use their brains. I could imagine how furious Meges would be if the beast was killed without spectacle or applause.

  The guards’ blood was up now. More spears were thrown. Some found their mark. The rhinoceros bellowed in pain and anger. It turned to face its aggressors and charged them, crushing two men foolish enough not to scatter before its fury. The surviving men retreated and the rhinoceros resumed its attack on the gate.

  Butal and I retreated behind a crate, hoping to remain unnoticed. That was a forlorn hope. Behind me, I heard a familiar voice. I turned to see Amycus, Red, and Plump crouched behind us. Amycus was shouting and pointing at me, his face a mask of hatred.

  Another spear glanced off the rhinoceros’ head. It provided the incentive the creature needed. With a roar, it reared up and slammed into the gate again. The solid gate was not built to withstand such punishment and collapsed with a mighty crash. The massive creature did not hesitate when confronted with freedom. It thundered through the gap and disappeared outside.

  For a moment, nobody moved, stunned into immobility. It was our chance. With Butal hot on my heels, we sped for the smashed gate. A few spears were thrown in our direction but passed harmlessly over our heads.

  Outside, it was early evening. The only sign of the rhinoceros’ passage was a cloud of kicked up sand. I could hear dim bellowing in the distance. Desperately, Butal and I ran as arrows rained down on us from above, the thuds and hisses entirely too familiar. I thought for a moment that we had escaped but then felt a stinging pain in my rear leg. I yelped and went down. Butal, just behind me, stopped immediately and nuzzled at my face, urging me to rise, his confusion and concern plain.

  Rapid footsteps announced the arrival of Amycus and his cronies. Unbidden, Butal swiveled, facing the new threat. He growled viciously, a low ominous sound originating from the depths of his soul.

  Desperate to stop his attack, I tried to change Butal’s dark red aura but could not concentrate due to the pain in my leg. Even if I had, I doubt whether I could’ve stopped him. Butal was a force of nature now.

  I howled a warning but he paid me no heed. Here were the humans who had tormented him. Here were the humans who had injured his friend. All three were armed with spears but that meant nothing to Butal.

  He hurled himself at Red first, a great leap that allowed him to tear the man’s throat out with one ferocious bite. Before he could turn his attack on his next prey, Plump used the distraction to stab Butal with a spear. It was a vicious strike, biting deep. Butal yelped with pain and anger.

  I managed to rise and hobbled into the fray, desperate to help before they killed him. Amycus’ and Plump’s attention was on Butal. I would kill Amycus before he even knew I was there.

  Butal, blood pumping from his body, seemed to shrug off the mortal wound and with a last great effort, threw himself at Plump. Plump tried to bat him away with the haft of his spear but Butal, with more courage and sheer ferocity than I have ever witnessed, ignored the blows and found Plump’s throat. With a terrible tearing sound and the snap of great jaws, Plump toppled to the ground, dead. Butal lay on top of him, silent and still.

  I felt fury then, the likes of which I had never experienced. Butal had given his life for me. The only four-legged friend I had, had died for me. I would repay his courage in kind.

  I was close to Amycus now. I planned to savage his leg, to snap and tear through his hamstrings. Then Amycus turned and leveling his spear, thrust downward with all his might. The blow, by rights, should have skewered me. Instead, it glanced away at the last moment, merely tearing through the flesh just below my neck instead of plunging into my heart. Already unstable from the arrow wound, I staggered and fell.

  Amycus reared above me, his spear raised high once again. There was madness in his eyes and his face. He looked more beast than human with his lips drawn up over his teeth and spittle on his chin. I tried to roll out of the way but knew I would be too late.

  Before he could stab down however, an arrow suddenly sprouted from his waist, buried deep. He screamed and staggered backward, his eyes filled with fear and pain. I lurched to my feet, and turned to face this new threat. But it wasn’t a threat. It was salvation.

  Eumaeus, armored like no swineherd I had ever seen, came rushing toward me, more armed men at his back.

  “Argos! We found you! Quick,” he gestured to two of his men who lifted me between them, “back to the ships.”

  Arrows rained down as Eumaeus and his men swiftly retreated to the beach and the waiting ships, fending off the arrows with their heavy shields. They didn’t waste time, casting off as soon as all the survivors from the attack were on board. Despite the urgency of their departure, I was placed gently on s
ome sacking out of the way of the crew.

  More arrows thudded into the deck and the hull and the men raised their shields to protect those at the oars. The order to raise sail was given and the ship leapt forwards into the waiting sea.

  Eumaeus, finally able to take his eyes from the shore, knelt down next to me.

  “Well, we’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest there,” he said, grinning and patting my head gently. “But it was worth it. We got you back, Argos, old boy. Sorry it took so long.” I couldn’t help notice that Eumaeus’ face had a slight green tinge. His face was puffy too and shiny with sweat. He suddenly retched and when nothing came up, smiled weakly at me.

  All this for me? Eumaeus was prone to seasickness and avoided the sea wherever possible. Not only that, but he was a swineherd (he would’ve argued that he was the Chief swineherd), not a warrior. That’s why I was surprised to see him in armor. I felt unworthy of this great honor Eumaeus had done me.

  There was so much I wanted to ask him, so much I wanted to say. Mostly I wanted to thank him.

  Grateful as I was, grateful to be free of that island and that disgusting man, Amycus, a deep regret lay on my chest. They were like rocks in my heart. It was foolish to think, but in another time, in another world and possessing a different form, I would’ve insisted that the warriors take Butal’s body with him. He had fallen bravely in battle and deserved a warrior’s funeral. Even if I had been able to speak, Eumaeus would’ve considered it madness to retrieve the dead body of a dog he didn’t know.

  But Butal had sacrificed himself so that I would live. He was the only four-legged friend I have ever had.

  All I could think of was his lifeless body lying on the beach, food for the crows. He deserved better. I hoped they would make an exception for him and let him into Hades. Of all dogs, he was the most worthy.