Spirits Forged in Fire

Early the next morning, the warlords sat assembled in the great tent in the center of their camp, awaiting the arrival of their King. While others sat yawning, or talking in excited whispers that today might be the day, Odysseus sat in a troubled silence. Agamemnon's pride had given him a great weakness to flattery that could be exploited to one's advantage, but Odysseus found no such faults in Menelaus. The death of his brother had given him a strength of character that he had never needed to develop as second in charge next to Agamemnon, while his grief created a deadly rage inside of him. Menelaus was not quick with words or wit, but could sit in calculating silence, biding time until he struck. Odysseus knew that Menelaus wanted something more than just the destruction of Troy; he wanted vengeance.

Menelaus strode in brusquely, flanked by his trusted advisors and bodyguards. Odysseus' eyes narrowed when he recognized Kale among them. The brash younger man was cruel, and was often at the center of any disagreements that arose in camp. His cocky nature made him difficult to control, and had it not been for his skills as a soldier, he would have been left at home. In many ways, he was like Achilles, only he had a jealous nature and a mean streak that went beyond the surface. He was like a snake, spreading poison with his tongue. Menelaus waved his hand, and Kale left the tent mysteriously, causing the other men present to wonder what was going to be revealed.

"My fellow Greeks, last time it took trickery to get behind Trojan walls, and although our clever ploy worked, the ensuing chaos cost us more than we were willing to spend. The Trojan prince, Paris, has demonstrated that he is not a man of honor, content with watching his brother fight the war while he stayed at home with another man's wife. Their whores turned some of our own against us" his steel eyes met those of Odysseus, who knew instantly that his friendship with Achilles had been noted. "So I stand before you now, and insist that we need not extend to them the sort of honor that we would our equals. These Trojan dogs do not need another chance to exploit our weaknesses. No, instead, we shall exploit their's." The warlords' attention was then directed to the entrance to the tent, as Kale and several other soldiers dragged in two beaten and bloody teenagers.

"The Trojans believe they are safe within their walls, and indeed, for some time, they had been. Thanks to these two unfortunate youths, we now know how to get in and out of the city without much notice. I have readied a small group of men who will enter the walls through this passageway this evening, and poison the water supply. When the people are either sick from the water, or weakened with thirst, we will strike with full force, and wipe out the entire city, beginning with the palace, then the barracks, and then the townspeople. The first to be killed will be the royals, the leaders of the army. We shall dissect their defenses piece by piece, leaving those that pose the smallest threat to the last. We want no one alive to strike at our backs as we leave the city of Troy burning. Meanwhile, ready your men, we strike in the darkness, three days hence."

Menelaus, having finished speaking, stood and left the tent. The other kings all murmured words of appreciation to eachother, while Odysseus stood, almost shocked at what had transpired. Kale smiled at the older man as he left, dragging the half-dead youths out behind him. Odysseus made eye contact with one, noting the indentation where his cheekbone had been broken by a blow to the fact, how blood slowly oozed from his mouth, and how his left arm hung useless from a swollen and deformed shoulder. Numerous bruises and cuts littered the boys lithe form, and his torso was oddly bent, displaying ribs that had been broken from harsh kicks. His hands and feet were bloody, while his fingers and toes were clearly twisted and broken. The boy said nothing, but kept his eyes, glazed over with pain as the were, on Odyssues, no expression on his once boyishly-handsome face. Odysseus had to turn away, recognizing that the only mercy he could offer the boy now would be death.

Treasonous as it may be, the only thought that occupied his mind now was how to get word into the city before it was too late. Menelaus had become a monster, and could not be allowed to go through with this. There was no glory in murdering people senselessly. If Achilles was there, he thought, there might actually be a war, and not just a senseless slaughter.


thanks guys for your awesome reviews. I promise the next chapter is coming quickly, as I cant stand to leave things on such a sour note.keep the reviews coming, and I will have the next chapter posted very soon!

megs