The Gates Of Troy by Glyn Iliffe Read Free Book Online Page A

Hades did you do that for?’ he screamed in a thick voice, trying to stem the blood flow. The other Ithacans, who had been pilfering from the bodies of the Thessalians, stopped what they were doing and looked over.
    ‘Because you deserved it, you oaf,’ Eperitus answered angrily. ‘What did you think you were doing when you fired that arrow? These men were about to give up, and if you’d held your damned nerve they’d still be alive now.’
    There was a murmur of agreement from the others.
    ‘Odysseus!’ Eurylochus whined, stretching a pleading hand towards the king. ‘You saw what he did. I demand you . . .’
    ‘Just shut up, Eurylochus,’ Antiphus hissed.
    Odysseus held up a hand and an immediate silence fell. ‘Step back, Eperitus,’ he said. ‘You’ve made your feelings known – now let him be. As for you, cousin, you can count yourself fortunate no Ithacans died here. If they had I’d have held you responsible. Now, get back to the camp and tell Eurybates we’ll be returning as soon as we’ve buried these men.’
    Eurylochus struggled to his feet, still holding his nose.
    ‘You’ll pay for this, Eperitus,’ he said, spitting blood on the ground at his feet, before turning on his heel and stumbling down the path.
    ‘I know what you’re going to say,’ Odysseus said, holding his hands up to Eperitus. The authority he had shown a moment before was gone and they were just friends again. ‘You warned me he’d put us in danger. I know.’
    Eperitus shook his head in mock disapproval, then broke into a smile. ‘Well, at least we’re unharmed.’
    As he spoke, one of the corpses sat up. The Ithacans stepped back in shock and stared at the massive, naked figure of Polites, rubbing the large bruise on his forehead and looking about in confusion. As soon as his eyes fell on Eperitus, though, his expression changed to sudden fury and he struggled to his knees. In a quick movement, Antiphus slipped the bow from his shoulder and fitted an arrow, aiming it straight at the broad chest of the Thessalian.
    ‘Don’t shoot!’ Odysseus ordered, stepping between them and holding up his hands. He turned to Polites and met his angry stare. ‘Look about you. The battle’s over and your comrades are dead. I offered them their lives, but the stubborn fools chose to fight.’
    Polites stared at the bodies of the other bandits, then at the armed men standing all around him. His puzzlement was clear, but eventually he understood what had happened. He stared up at Odysseus, his eyes dark and bitter.
    ‘Perhaps you intend to kill me too,’ he said in his deep, slow voice.
    ‘I shall neither kill you nor banish you,’ the king announced. ‘You were a soldier once, but now you’ve fallen on hard times and have turned to less honourable means to feed yourself. Am I right?’
    Polites lowered his proud eyes to the ground. ‘Yes,’ he answered, simply.
    ‘Then I will give you a chance to restore your dignity and take up your former profession again. We could do with another experienced warrior – especially one of your size and power. If you’ll take an oath of fealty, you can join my guard under Eperitus’s captaincy.’
    Odysseus indicated the man who, a short while before, Polites had tried to kill with his bare hands. Polites looked at Eperitus, who met his stare and nodded amicably. After all, he thought, Odysseus was right: what captain would not want a warrior of Polites’s massive build and brute strength under his command?
    ‘That would be an honour,’ Polites said.
    Then the king stepped forward and offered him his hand. After a moment’s pause, the Thessalian took it.

Chapter Four
    A PHEIDAS ’ S R EVENGE
    ‘S hush now,’ Paris said gently, stroking the broad neck of the excited mare. She pressed her nostrils against his shoulder and blew warm, horse-smelling breath over his skin. ‘Be still. You’ll get your breakfast and exercise soon enough.’
    He withdrew from the affectionate rubbing