by Hilary Green
I saw that a staircase led to an upper floor and that the base of it was guarded by a small knot of men. I guessed that it led to the rooms where Erigone and the others had taken refuge. I battled my way towards it, yelling to Neritos and some of Cometes’s men to follow. We closed with the guards and met bitter resistance. I succeeded in disposing of my opponent and rushed for the stairs, leaving the others to deal with the rest.
At the top of the staircase a single warrior awaited me. Our swords clashed and I knew at once that this would be a hard man to defeat. Then, suddenly, he lowered his guard and I thrust hard towards his armpit, where the bronze corselet ended. Even as I thrust I recognised Alectryon.
It was too late to prevent my sword from reaching its target. I could only lessen the force of the blow. He fell back on the top step, his weapon clattering to the ground as he clasped his right arm across his body. Then he lifted his chin and offered me his unprotected throat.
Below I could hear the fight continuing. In a moment my friends might come storming up the stairs, or my enemies leap on me from behind. I dropped my sword and shield, sprang up the last few steps and stooped over Alectryon.
‘Come!’
He was gasping with pain. I half lifted, half dragged him along the gallery until we came to an open doorway. The room within was in darkness. I dragged Alectryon into it and then went back to the doorway to see how the battle was going. As I stepped onto the gallery I felt a violent blow in the thigh that knocked my leg from under me. The pain came a heartbeat later. The archer in the window opposite had improved his aim and I saw, with a wave of nausea, that the shaft of an arrow stood out from my leg.
I dragged myself back into the room and over to Alectryon. He was lying silent now, gripping his right arm with his left hand to clamp it closer to his chest. I leaned over him and with clumsy and trembling fingers worked at the straps that held his corselet in place until I was able to ease it off him. His chest was wet with the blood that welled up inexorably from his armpit. I tore my tunic and made a pad to go over the wound, then took my belt and strapped his arm tightly to his side to hold it in place. In the faint light from the open door I could not see to do more.
Feet thudded past on the gallery, I could not tell whose. I could feel my own blood running warm and sticky down my leg. Perhaps it was because of this that the sounds of fighting seemed to be receding. I lifted Alectryon and propped him against me.
He whispered hoarsely, ‘You are wounded too?’
‘An arrow in the leg. It’s nothing.’
He said no more and I thought he had lost consciousness. Then he muttered, ‘Leave me. Why are you here?’
‘Why are you here?’ I returned. ‘You were not fighting for Antilochos.’
Again there was a long pause and when he spoke his voice was fainter. ‘No. For Myrtilis. She sent … a message. Begged for my protection …’
‘Protection from whom?’ I asked, but there was no reply.
My own head was swimming. I laid my cheek against his hair. He had bound it up on top of his head, as he always did before a battle. With numb fingers I began to undo the braids until it fell in heavy ringlets across my supporting arm.
Chapter 15.
They found us at first light, lying in a pool of drying blood, but it was the next day before I was fully aware of what was going on around me. I was unconscious most of the time while the surgeon cut the arrow out, so I was spared that suffering, but for some time I could not tell which of the images that crowded my brain were real and which delusions.
At length I woke from a deep sleep and as my brain cleared memory flooded back. I opened my eyes. Neritos was sitting on a stool near my bed, his chin on his hands, his eyes far away. I spoke his name and he started, then came to me and lifted my head and held a cup of water to my lips.
I drank and then said, ‘What is happening, Neritos?’
He murmured soothingly, ‘Rest, my lord. Everything is all right. You were wounded, but the surgeon says the wound is not dangerous.’
I said impatiently, ‘That’s not what I mean. What has happened to Antilochos? Is Tisamenos still safe? How did the battle end?’
He saw that I was back in the real world and answered quickly, ‘With victory for us, my lord. Penthilos heard the fighting and called out his men. After that it was all over very quickly, but for some time we could not find you. Praise be to the Lord Poseidon who preserved you alive!’
I drew a breath and felt my skin prickle with the sweat of fear. ‘And Alectryon?’
‘He is alive too – but only just. The doctors say he should recover. But how did he come to be there? You gave me orders that he was not to be told what was happening.’
To gain time I closed my eyes and feigned drowsiness. Behind my closed lids my mind was racing. At length I said, ‘He was there on my orders. I wanted someone inside the house to make sure Antilochos did not escape. He was keeping guard over the room where Antilochos was hiding. I went to join him, but we were both wounded. I dragged him out of the way of the fighting. Then I must have lost consciousness.’
I watched Neritos’s face as I spoke. There was no flicker of doubt in it. I prayed inwardly that Alectryon would have the sense to say nothing until I had a chance to speak to him.
I went on, ‘What has happened to Antilochos?’
‘He was there, with the others. The King has him under guard, but he is protesting his innocence. He says he knew nothing of the plot and brings the story of the drugged wine as evidence.’
I bit my lip. ‘He is clever. It will be hard to prove otherwise – but perhaps that may be best for us. And the others?’
‘Erigone is a prisoner, and all those who survived the fighting.’
‘And Myrtilis?’
He lowered his eyes. ‘Myrtilis hanged herself, sometime during the battle it seems.’
‘Hanged!’ I stared at him. ‘That poor child!’ Then, urgently, ‘Does Alectryon know?’
He looked puzzled. ‘I do not know, my lord. I think not, probably. He has been unconscious, like you.’
‘He must not be told. You understand me? As soon as I have finished with you I want you to go and find Thaleus and tell him it is my order. No one is to mention Myrtilis’s death to him. When he is stronger I will tell him myself.’
Neritos frowned at me, wondering perhaps if I was as clear-headed as I seemed. Then I saw the light of understanding dawn in his face, but he was wise enough to say simply, ‘Very good, my lord.’
I went on, ‘Now, tell me what the situation is now. How do we Pylians stand with the King?’
He bit his lip. ‘All sorts of rumours are about. I have heard it said that this was a Pylian plot to regain what we lost when the Dorians took Messenia.’
‘And does the King believe that?’
He looked at me unhappily. ‘I am hardly in a position to know, my lord.’
‘How can he think me treacherous when I revealed the plot to him?’ I was talking to myself rather than him.
‘I have heard it said also …’ he began, then stopped, shaking his head.
‘What?’
‘That you were a party to the plot, but revealed it to the King because the Myceneans planned to make Antilochos king instead of you. And also that you warned the conspirators about the coming attack, as the price of their transferring their support from Antilochos to you.’
‘It is not possible!’ I breathed, but added after a moment’s thought, ‘They have some grounds to suspect a betrayal, though. It seems the attack was expected. Tell me, were any other Pylians of note involved? What about Perimedes?’
Neritos shook his head. ‘He spent the evening at the house of a friend, a loyal supporter of the King. He is no more suspected than the rest of us.’
‘Was anyone taken with Antilochos?’
‘Only a handful of his personal followers. No one of rank.’
‘The Gods be thanked for that at least,’ I murmured. ‘But it is cruel, is it not Neritos,
that for the sake of so few we should all be under suspicion?’
He touched my arm with his fingertips. ‘Please, my lord, do not disturb yourself. You must lie quiet and rest.’
I closed my eyes and must have fallen asleep again for when I woke next the evening light was fading and Andria was kneeling by the bed with a dish of broth. Her eyes were red from weeping and I pulled her to me and kissed her, murmuring, ‘Don’t cry, silly girl. I’m safe, aren’t I?’
‘I praise the Gods for it,’ she whispered in return. ‘But you have been close to death, my lord.’
I looked at the dish. ‘That smells good. Are you going to give me some before it goes cold?’
She smiled then, and fed me the broth spoonful by spoonful. I had just finished it when Neritos came in to ask if I was well enough to talk to Penthilos. I told him to send him in at once and Andria set a chair for him by the bed and then withdrew.
I began by trying to apologise for putting him in a difficult position but he brushed it aside. ‘I have always had enemies in Mycenae. My mother’s plot was exactly what they needed to bring me down.’
I said, ‘But you brought the army to the King’s aid. He cannot suspect your loyalty now.’
He shrugged wryly. ‘Tisamenos is afraid. He had convinced himself that the people of Mycenae were united in their devotion to him. He wants to be convinced of that again, but he cannot be while he has any doubts about those who hold positions of power. I do not think he will trust me again.’
‘Then he’s a fool!’ I commented bitterly. ‘What will he do now, do you think?’
‘For the present he will do nothing. He is waiting until you are well enough to speak with him. The truth is, he cannot decide what to do for the best, or who to believe. He is glad of any excuse for delay.’
He left me to brood gloomily on the future. Spring was coming and soon it would be time for the great army of the Achaean federation to gather. But would Mycenae fight for Messenia now?
I passed a miserable night, plagued both by my dismal forebodings and by the pain from the wound in my leg. I had just finished a breakfast of milk and dried figs when I heard voices outside my door, involved in some kind of argument. One belonged to Neritos, but the other I could not immediately recognise.
I called,‘Neritos!’ He came in looking flustered, and closed the door behind him. ‘Who is that out there?’
He hesitated. ‘Thaleus. I think he has gone now. He …’
I cut him short. ‘Thaleus? Bring him in at once.’
I could see that he would have liked to disobey me, but he went to the door and called Thaleus in. The boy’s face was white and there were deep shadows under his eyes from lack of sleep.
I said, ‘Thaleus, how is Alectryon?’
He knelt by the bed and I saw that his eyes were full of tears.
‘My lord, I fear he will die if you do not come to him.’
‘Die!’ I exclaimed. ‘I was told his wound was not life threatening.’
‘But he will not eat, my lord. Since we found him with you he has neither eaten nor spoken. He will take a sip of water from time to time but that is all.’
‘Where is he?’
‘At the temple of Aesculapius, my lord. The priests there are expert physicians. He has the best of care.’
I sat up. ‘Neritos, send for a litter. Then help me to dress. And you, Thaleus, go back to the temple and have the kitchen prepare a posset of milk and eggs sweetened with honey. I shall be there by the time it is ready.’
Neritos took a step towards me. ‘My lord, you cannot mean to get up!’
I gritted my teeth. ‘Do as I tell you.’
He obeyed, but as Thaleus left I heard him say under his breath, ‘Now, see what you have done!’
Weakness made my head swim and I could not stand without help but I managed to dress somehow. They carried me to the temple, where a grave faced priest conducted us to the door of a small room. I limped in leaning on Neritos’s shoulder and lowered myself into a chair by the bed. Alectryon was as pale as wax and as soon as I came through the door his eyes closed, but I was quite sure that he had seen me. Thaleus stood by with a steaming cup and a spoon.
I said, ‘They tell me you will not eat.’
There was no response.
I went on, ‘You will eat now, because I shall not leave here until you do.’
Perhaps he heard the pain in my voice, for his eyes flickered open and rested for a moment on my face. Then, still without speaking, he turned his head towards Thaleus. The boy knelt and held the spoon to his mouth. With his eyes on me, Alectryon opened his lips, sipped, swallowed. Three or four spoonfuls disappeared in the same fashion and then he closed his eyes and turned his head away again.
I spoke through gritted teeth. ‘Finish it!’
There was a moment’s hesitation and then he obeyed. I sat for a moment with my own eyes closed. There was so much than needed to be said, but I knew that neither of us was equal to the strain at that moment.
I said, ‘Rest now. I shall return this evening to make sure that you eat again.’ Then I gestured to Neritos to help me up. In the doorway I turned. ‘Alectryon, you made me a promise once. I expect you to keep it.’
I passed a restless day, dozing and waking, my mind full of anxious thoughts. Towards evening Thaleus came again.
‘How is he?’ I asked.
‘He is more peaceful, my lord. And he sent me with this message. He has eaten, and he begs you not to disturb yourself to come to him.’
‘Has he eaten? Properly?’
‘Yes, my lord. A bowl of broth with some bread soaked in it.’
‘Very well. Wish him goodnight for me. And tell him not to worry. We will speak as soon as he is strong enough.’
Next morning when the King’s physician called to examine my wound I asked him if he had attended Alectryon.
‘I did, my lord. The wound is serious, but it will heal with time. My main concern is that he has lost a great deal of blood – as have you. What you both need is rest and good food.’
That evening, to Neritos’s great displeasure, I had myself carried to Alectryon’s room again. Thaleus was feeding him with spoonfuls of broth when I hobbled in and I saw that his eyes were brighter and his cheeks, under the three-day growth of beard, a little less hollow.
He looked at me. ‘You don’t trust me. Well, you have reason.’
‘On the contrary,’ I returned, ‘I trust you absolutely. I know you would never break faith with me.’
His eyes lingered on mine, full of a pain that I knew was not entirely physical. I waited until the bowl was empty and then said, ‘Thaleus, leave us alone for a little. Wait outside with Neritos.’
When he had gone Alectryon said faintly, ‘Why do you insist on keeping me alive? I raised my sword against you. There is only one penalty for that. Death.’
‘You are mistaken,’ I replied. ‘You lowered your guard. Otherwise I could never have wounded you. I am so desperately sorry that I did not recognise you until it was too late.’
He said hoarsely, ‘Believe me, I am no traitor.’
‘I know it. I only curse the unhappy fate that brought us face to face. What were you doing there, Alectryon? You said something about a message from Myrtilis.’
‘She sent her waiting woman to me, at sunset that evening. She believed that her life was threatened and begged my protection.’
‘Did she tell you about the plot?’
‘She told me when I got there. She said it had been discovered and she was afraid of what might happen to her if the King’s men took her prisoner.’
‘She knew the plot had been discovered? It’s true, they seemed to be expecting the attack. But how?’
He frowned, searching his memory. ‘One of the king’s men, I think. I don’t know who.’
‘What did Myrtilis expect you to do?’
‘She wanted me to help her escape but it was too late. The attack started before we had time to get away. All I co
uld do was try to prevent anyone from getting to her until we had a chance to speak to Tisamenos. She was innocent, Alkmaion, her mother’s victim more than anyone else.’
‘I know,’ I told him gently.
‘But I had no idea you were involved.’ His voice was weakening. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘I discovered what was going on and told the King,’ I said. ‘But how could I ask you to take part in an attack against Myrtilis and her mother? It would have been cruel to put you in that position.’ I paused and rubbed my hand over my face. I had drunk poppy juice before setting out, to dull the pain in my leg, and now my brain was clouded and my eyes heavy. ‘I would have saved her for you, you know,’ I told him. ‘That’s why I was trying to fight my way up those stairs.’
He looked at me and a faint shadow of his old wry grin touched his lips. ‘You mean, we were both fighting on the same side?’
‘As always,’ I said groggily. I made a great effort to focus my thoughts. There was something else that must be said. ‘Listen. If anyone asks, you were there on my orders. I sent you secretly to keep watch on Antilochos. When the battle started you fought your way to my side and then we were both wounded. That’s what I shall tell people and you must say the same. You understand?’
He was silent for a moment and I was afraid he had drifted back into sleep. Then I saw that his eyelashes were wet. He made a faint movement of his head and whispered, ‘I understand.’
I leaned my head back against the back of the chair. I felt dizzy, but at least the pain in my leg was less and I had said what I came to say. His voice recalled me from the edge of sleep.
