Song of Princes (Homeric Chronicles #1)

by Janell Rhiannon

  “You almost sound envious, Master.”

  “No, I envy no man, young Achilles.”

  “I have heard that Hektor is the greatest warrior that ever lived.”

  “You will give him competition when you reach majority.”

  Achilles nodded. “Yes, I think I shall. Tell me, what became of Hesione?”

  “She had two sons by Telamon. Both half-brothers to Ajax. And your half-cousins.”

  ACHILLES RESTED AGAINST the rock looking up at the stars. “Chiron?”

  “Yes, young master?”

  “I hope that when I am dead I will have achieved something worth recounting in song.”

  “I have no doubt that you will be among the greatest.”

  Achilles turned his head to face his mentor. “Truly? Or do you jest at my expense.”

  Chiron nicked a few small pieces from the wooden horse he was carving. “I do not jest.” He tossed the wooden horse to Achilles. “You will be legendary.”

  “How? What will I do?”

  “I have seen that one day you will take the immortal horses of Peleus into battle. You will conquer cities by the dozen and crush thousands.”

  “Where? When?” Achilles sat up. “Tell me.”

  “I cannot see that far. Besides, it is not for man to know the total of his life before it happens, or what would be the point of living? The game of it would be without purpose.”

  Achilles resumed scanning the stars. “What if I became a constellation?”

  Chiron snorted. “Shall I call you Narcissus?”

  “Shah. I am only talking to you.”

  “The gods hear you. To wish one’s form be cast among the jewels of night is wishing for immortality. Humans best steer from such thoughts, or risk invoking divine ire.”

  Achilles sat up again. He strained his ear toward the dark. “Did you hear that?” he whispered harshly.

  The centaur put a finger to his lips, as he backed away from the fire and shrouded himself in shadows. He motioned for Achilles to follow suit.

  The distant voices grew more distinct. “This would be far easier if I could see where we are going.”

  “It would have been better had you avoided any contact with that whore.”

  “She lied! How was I to know he held any affection for her?”

  “It cannot be far now.”

  The two men appeared suddenly at the edge of the fire’s light. Peleus halted the horses.

  “Why are we stopping?” Phoenix asked.

  “Shah! You idiot!” Peleus spat between clenched teeth. “You wish to be bludgeoned to death by wild brutes?”

  The brush opposite the odd pair rustled. Peleus slid slowly from his horse, landing silently on the ground. “Show your self!” he commanded, sword at the ready.

  Chiron’s immense figure burst into the circle of light startling Peleus. “Hold, friend! It is only I. Chiron.”

  Peleus stepped back, sheathed his sword. “Chiron! Such a fright you gave me!”

  The centaur reached down to embrace the king, his former pupil and his friend. “You are a long way from the palace.”

  “I would not have made this trek had it not been for Phoenix here. Blinded by his own fucking father.”

  “A woman’s doing?” Chiron asked.

  “A man’s troubles can usually be traced back to a woman,” the king replied.

  “The ones without virtue can easily lead a man astray by his—” the centaur began.

  “I am innocent! How many times must I tell this tale in my own defense?” Phoenix said angrily. “I am the one blinded. By the balls of Zeus, I am fucking blind!”

  “Ah!” Chiron said. “I understand why you have risked traveling in the darkness through the hills of Pelion. Achilles!” he called. “All is well. It is only your father, Peleus.”

  From the shadows, a young man emerged. The yellow light of the dying fire flickered shadows across his form. He stood taller than any man Peleus had ever known. His limbs were uncovered and finely muscled. His golden hair fell in a messy frame about his face and shoulders. His visage was chiseled perfection revealing the favor of the gods. “Son.”

  Achilles approached warily. It’d been years since he’d laid eyes on Peleus. The passing of time had stolen his affection for his father. The king stood as a stranger to him. “Father.”

  Peleus reached to embrace him. Achilles allowed it.

  “A rather cold greeting,” the king remarked.

  Achilles looked to Chiron for guidance. Chiron nodded. Achilles spoke, his voice deep and melodic. “Apologies, I meant no slight or disrespect, my lord.”

  “Chiron, I think it may be time for Achilles to return. Take his rightful place at my side. It seems he has forgotten why he is being tutored by you, at my expense.”

  Phoenix interrupted, “I hate to break up a family quarrel, but remember why we came here in the first place, my friend?”

  Peleus nodded his head. “We can discuss my son later. For now, Chiron, I need your assistance if you will?”

  “Let us return to my cave. Any medicines I require will be there.”

  ONCE BACK IN the centaur’s cave hall, Chiron had Phoenix lay on an examining bed. He pulled the bandages from his eye sockets and examined the dried bloody depressions that had once held his eyeballs. “The damage may be permanent. If his body will accept the treatment and the gods are willing, he may see again.”

  “If I had eyes, I would weep at that statement,” Phoenix said flatly.

  Peleus chuckled. “Your sense of humor is intact at least.”

  “Fuck my sense of humor.”

  “Maybe you should have fucked the whore instead.”

  “I swear by Zeus, Peleus, if you were not the king, I would pay to have you whipped.”

  Chiron pulled fresh strips of linen from a basket. “Achilles, bring me the amphora marked with black figures circling a fire.”

  Achilles retrieved the vessel. “What medicine is this?”

  “A mixture only the gods can provide. Dust of Gaia and blood of the immortals.” Chiron proceeded to pour the dry earth from the amphora into a flattened bowl. He poured wine into it and mixed a thick paste. “This will hurt Phoenix. Beyond any pain you have experienced. Peleus, hold his arms. Achilles, hold his legs. Do not release him until I say it is safe.” The centaur placed a dagger hilt in Phoenix’s mouth. “Bite this.”

  Chiron set to work. He took a fine, thin bladed knife and reopened the dried eyelids. Phoenix’s body arched in agony. Fresh blood spilled down his cheeks. Chiron looked at both men assisting him and nodded. “Now, do not let go.” He pulled open first one eye and filled the gory socket with the muddy paste. Muffled screams passed the dagger’s hilt in Phoenix’s mouth and he clawed at the bed beneath him. His body writhed in agony. Chiron filled the second socket and again Phoenix thrashed in pain. His screams passing the dagger’s hilt and echoing around the chamber. Sweat drenched his body as he twisted and clawed through the torturous pain. His chest heaved greatly. His limbs convulsed. The dagger fell from his mouth, clanging loudly on the stone. Foam leaked from the corners of his mouth. Peleus and Achilles held him firmly as directed. Many long moments passed before Phoenix’s body relaxed, twitching only now and again. Then, he was completely stilled.

  “What is happening, Chiron? Why does he not move?” Achilles asked.

  “His body is healing. This was undoubtedly more painful than losing the eyes in the first place. He will be fine. You may release him.” Chiron wiped his brow. “Shall we have some wine, then?”

  ACHILLES CREPT IN the dark along the edge of the field. He piled stocks of dried wheat, and then pulled the flint from a small leather pouch on his waist. The dried wheat smoked and turned red with tender flames. Pleased with himself, he smiled and piled more dry stacks and twigs on the growing fire. A gentle breeze swirled tiny glowing embers into the air. Achilles added more fuel to his fire. The breeze stiffened, blowing larger embers higher and farther than before.

&n
bsp; It didn’t occur to him that the dry field, ready for harvest, was a field of tinder. Another breeze whipped a flame far into the tall parched stalks. He blinked and the field was a flame. Achilles panicked. He ran. He ran into the forest and back up the mountain to the safety of Chiron’s cave hall.

  “Where have you been, young master?” his teacher asked, pawing the ground impatiently.

  “Wandering.”

  “With soot on your face? You reek of smoke.”

  “I built a fire to keep warm.”

  Chiron set his scroll down, considering Achilles with all his attention. “What have you done this time?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Achilles, we have been at this game before. I know that sheepish look about you. Answer me truthfully.”

  Achilles exhaled and hung his head in defeat. “I think I caught a field on fire.”

  “You think? You are impossible, Achilles.” Chiron twitched his tail. “I have taught you all I can. You are unwilling to learn more. You are impetuous. I am sending you back to Phthia and Peleus.”

  “Apologies, Chiron. I was only―”

  “What you always do. I will hear no more. You have done quite enough for one day.”

  “ACHILLES!” PHOENIX YELLED. “Achilles!” Phoenix grabbed a nervous servant by the sleeve. “Where is he? I know you have seen him.”

  “Master, I...I...”

  “Spit it out man!” Phoenix was in no mood to be chasing after Achilles again.

  “He’s to the stables Master.”

  Phoenix released the man who scurried off and out of sight. “I should beat that boy,” he mumbled to himself.

  “You would first have to catch him. And that, dear friend, would be near impossible as far as I can tell,” Peleus said.

  Startled, Phoenix turned his head. He had no wish for Peleus to think him inept at his duty, but the present circumstance only revealed his fear, the truth. “Surely, you can compel him to his studies.”

  “I have been at war enough times to recognize a losing battle. Achilles will do as he pleases. If Chiron cannot curb his will, then we certainly will not,” Peleus said.

  “As young men, we obeyed our fathers without question. Our tutors.”

  “Achilles is not entirely mortal. His will is stronger than most. Obedience is not everything. As men, we throw off the word except to the gods make our obeisance.”

  The nervous servant reentered the chamber.

  “What is it now?” the king asked.

  “A man my lord. He claims...he claims...” he stammered.

  Peleus looked him in the eye and read the fear. He put his hands on his hips and tilted his head back in disbelief. “How old was his daughter?”

  “Widowed,” the servant answered.

  “He chooses the older ones every time.” Peleus looked to his friend. “Why is it that with age we desire the slender flesh of youth, tender breasts that have never milked a child...and he, strapping youth, who causes any female in his wake to wet her thighs...chooses the older women weighed down by children and sagging breasts?”

  Phoenix laughed. “We are old. There that is your answer. The young ones lay beneath us quietly. Let us heave our business and roll away. The older ones are more...

  vigorous...”

  Peleus addressed the servant. “What does the man ask for in compensation? Does his daughter make complaint?”

  “No, my lord...she claims...” he stammered again.

  “Out! Out with it!”

  “She claims she carries his child,” the words tumbled out, as the servant shrank back in fear of being beaten for bringing such unwanted news.

  Phoenix laughed out loud. “Peleus! Maybe you should send him back to Chiron.”

  “I cannot have a fucking peasant woman wondering around the city claiming to carry the child of Achilles.” Peleus roared in frustration. “I will send her away. Far away. Her entire fucking family will have to be sent. I will have to compensate them for their trouble and their silence, of course.”

  “My lord, there is more.”

  “What more can there be? What could be worse than this shit?”

  “Thetis has arrived and asks audience.” The nervous servant, already on his knees, hunched like a turtle, backed up even more. Peleus’ wrath was legend among the servants and the slaves.

  “Thetis?” he asked. “Thetis.” His eyes narrowed to angry slits. “That bitch dares to step on these grounds after what she did?!”

  “She will not be moved, my lord.”

  “Of course she will not be moved.”

  “She says she has urgent news regarding Achilles.”

  The king acquiesced. Where his son was concerned, he would hear her. Achilles was a weakness of sorts for him. He loved the boy. “Grant her audience.” Within moments, Thetis appeared in the hall. Long years had passed since he’d seen her. She stood silently waiting for his greeting. “You have not changed with the years,” he finally said. Her beauty had power over him still, and until this moment, he had not realized it.

  “You have more silver in your hair than I recall,” Thetis replied.

  “Always the observant one.”

  “It is a gift.”

  “You did not leave your pond to spar words with me. What do you want?” Peleus asked, his annoyance audible beneath the calm.

  “Achilles has returned from Chiron’s protection?”

  “I should have guessed the reason. You wish to see the child you so carelessly tossed in a fire? Or have you forgotten you tried to kill my son?”

  Thetis took several steps toward Peleus. “Is that what you think of me, truly? That I would bring harm to my only son? My only child? Our only child?”

  Phoenix interrupted, “I will take my leave friend. I see you have family matters to attend to.”

  “No. Do not leave. This nymph will be gone momentarily.”

  “Peleus, my dear husband. Will you not hear me out after all these years?”

  The king considered her request, as her beauty began its intoxicating effect on him. She had left him to his own decisions regarding the boy, he reasoned. “Speak, then.”

  “Those long years passed, when Achilles was new in the world. I was filled with great joy.” Thetis took several more steps toward Peleus. “I had never known more sweetness in all my days than the day he first suckled at my breast.” The nymph pressed closer to the king. “I loved him.”

  Peleus gruffly responded, “What of it?”

  Thetis smiled disarmingly. “I was trying to protect him, Peleus. Achilles’ birth came with a price.”

  The king recalled Chiron’s warning that Achilles would be greater than his father, but he failed to see the connection. “What do you mean ‘a price’?”

  “A prophecy had been revealed to me.”

  “Nymph, you try my patience,” Peleus said. He crossed his heavy arms across his broad chest, building a wall between them. He was determined that she would not move him.

  Thetis reached a slender hand, touching his arm. “Peleus.” She came closer. “Husband.”

  The king shifted his feet. He grumbled, “Speak already. What do you know?”

  “Our son will die in battle.”

  “Your words bring no revelation. Warriors die in battle.”

  “He will die in battle against the Trojans...and he will die young.”

  “No state quarrels with Troy. Who would dare attack the Great Walled city? It is impregnable. Your oracle lies.”

  “It is true. The war has not come, but it will. And with it, we will lose our son. There will be none to take your place as king in Phthia.”

  Peleus ran his fingers over his lips. He thought of the bastard grandchild he was exiling. True, there will be no heir worthy enough to succeed me. “I considered he would die in battle perhaps when he was a man with wife...and children.” He stabbed Phoenix with a warning glance to keep his silence. “You have come with some remedy?”

  “May I explain what you saw year
s ago? That now it may make some sense to you?” Peleus relaxed his shoulders slightly, his guard dipping lower. Thetis continued, “Achilles has a choice to make regarding Troy. If he goes, he will die. If he stays, he will live to be an old man.”

  “Again nymph, your words offer no revelation. It is hard to die in a battle if you are not in it.”

  “You misunderstand, Peleus. If he goes to war, he will die but his fame and glory will be infinite. Songs will be sung. Stories will be told. He will be equal to the gods by immortality of his deeds. He will make this choice and you know it. He has been trained to make this choice. Yet, it will leave you without a son and future king.”

  The king nodded. “I agree. He will choose war. He will not believe that he will die a young man. No one has bested him in practice. He will not foresee that anyone could. Besides, the young never think of death.”

  “We agree then. He will not believe our warning. It is why I was preparing him for immortality as a babe.”

  Peleus whipped his head toward Thetis. “What? What are you talking about?”

  “I was burning him, preparing him with ambrosia invoking his immortal blood as protection against this very fate. If he had become immortal, it would not matter if he went to war or not. My son...our son would live.”

  “Thetis, you know it is impossible to outwit the Fates. We are all doomed by those harsh goddesses.”

  “But he has a choice, Peleus. It is a rare gift. One that most mortals do not receive. Keep him from Troy and he will live.”

  “How do we do that?”

  “Send him to Skyros.”

  PARIS CRADLED THE tiny baby in his arms. “I had all but given up hope that we would have a child.”

  “Our son,” Oenone said. “He is beautiful, is he not?”

  “Yes. Smaller than I imagined. Much smaller than the calves.”

  The nymph laughed softly. “Much smaller than a calf. He carries your blood, my love. Dark curls already.”