HELEN: The Wine Dark Sea

Surrounded now by cheering men, Agamemnon nodded, and vowed to fight for glory tomorrow.

* * *

The day broke with a forbidding red sky, and as they surged into battle, many Greeks thought it a bad omen. When Agamemnon was wounded and had to be carried from the field, Odysseus fought on. Diomedes stood with him and they waged their way into the Trojan ranks dealing death with every jab of their spears. When Hektor dared to come toward them, Diomedes swung for his helmet and the Trojan Prince fell, but he quickly recovered and withdrew.

Diomedes shouted in triumph, but suddenly an arrow pierced his foot, forcing him to retreat for the safety of his chariot. Never lacking for courage, Odysseus fought until he was wounded in the hip and blood gushed down his leg. He yelled for help and Menelaus half-carried him to his chariot while Ajax confronted the Trojans with his great swinging spear. Soon surrounded by the enemy, Ajax shifted his great tower shield to protect his back and retreated, but the Trojans kept coming.

With their situation dire, the Greeks were forced back within their crumbling barricades to their ships. Ajax fought with a fury and again faced Hektor who was equally brave and daring. They battled each other as the Trojans moved ever closer to overrunning the Greek's defenses to burn their ships and cut off any chance of retreat.

As he watched from Achilles' camp, Patroclus grew frantic and feared he would lose every friend he had ever had before the day was through. "Achilles, if you won't fight, let me go. I could wear your armor and lead the Myrmidons into the fray and give our friends a chance to regroup."

Achilles had seen enough bloodshed and reluctantly agreed. "You may wear my armor, but fight only to reach the ships. Go no farther, do not attempt to take Troy today."

Patroclus promised, eagerly donned Achilles' well-known armor and waving his sword, he led Achilles' famed warriors into the fight. Mistaking him for the mighty Achilles, the Trojans immediately fell back. Borne by the excitement of the moment, Patroclus left the cover of the ships and rushed after them. He pushed them back across the plain and ran even until he reached the great walls of Troy. Ignoring the danger, he tried to climb the high slanted stone wall.

Apollo saw him and knocked him down with a flick of his fingers, but Patroclus rose to try again, only to have the god shove him away. Not discouraged, and fearless in the heat of battle, Patroclus fought his way into the Trojan forces and this time Apollo struck him so hard in the back his helmet fell off and his armor ripped apart. Dazed by the blow, and left defenseless, he fell when stabbed in the back by a Trojan youth. Finally realizing it wasn't Achilles leading the attack, Hektor rushed forward and ran his spear through the badly wounded Patroclus. He tossed aside Achilles' armor clearly meaning to cut apart the fallen man's body.

Horrified by what had just happened, Ajax and Menelaus charged the scene and drove Hektor back meaning to rescue the body. Unwilling to lose the bloody trophy, the Trojans surged forward, but the Greek forces closed ranks, stood firm and dragged Patroclus' body away.

King Nestor's son carried the dreadful news to Achilles. "He fought so bravely, but Hektor struck him down."

Achilles fell to his knees and uttered a mournful cry that was heard all the way to the heavens. Patroclus had been his dearest friend, and he blamed himself for allowing the foolish young man to go into battle. He wept and could not be consoled. When Patroclus' body was carried to him, he rested the dear boy across his lap, kissed his forehead and wept anew.

Thetis heard Achilles' cries and swam from the ocean depths to the shore to reach him. "My darling son, favorite of Zeus, please cease your mourning."

He could not stay his tears, even for his mother. "Zeus may have blessed me, but I care little now that Patroclus is dead. I live now only to see Hektor die."

"Do not rush to vengeance," she warned. "Hektor has your armor and you will need another panoply. I'll go to Mount Olympus and ask god Hephaestus to create new armor for you in his workshop. His work is miraculously fine, your armor will be unlike any other in the world." She kissed her son and touched Patroclus cold cheek and hurried upon her way.

Chapter 26

Hephaestus's workshop was in his palace on Mount Olympus, and the talented god was delighted to see Thetis. He welcomed her with a sound kiss. "What can I make for you, dearest, gold jewelry, perhaps something combining pearls from the sea?"

"Your artwork is so lovely I wish beauty were my only concern, but sadly, my son Achilles is in desperate need of a new panoply of armor. The war is going poorly for the Greeks, and he must have your finest armor to lead their fight."

> The god of smiths nodded thoughtfully. "I'll make him a set with both beauty and divine strength." He signaled to his golden automatons, and the mechanical maidens came to life and hastened to do his bidding. They brought bronze, tin and gold, readied the workplace, brought his hammer and tongs, and lined up around his flaming forge. He paused to give careful thought to the design and then furiously fashioned a shining shield thickly padded with ox hides. He began the decoration at the center with scenes of the sun, moon and stars.

Sparks flew around him as he pounded out the entire surface with a peaceful city with rejoicing people, and balanced it with a city besieged with war. He added vineyards filled with lush grapes and bulls prancing around a harpist playing for dancing boys and girls. A rolling ocean encircled the outermost edge. Greatly pleased, he grinned at Thetis. "This shield will never yield."

As Thetis stood back to observe the god's masterpiece in amazement, he next fashioned a bronze breastplate of equal beauty and a four-horned bronze helmet topped with a blood-red horsehair plume. He did not forget to make tin greaves to protect the warrior's shins from scrapes and wounds. He stood back to assess his work, grinned, and judged it among his finest.

Thetis was so thrilled she could barely find the words to thank him. "Among all the gods, you have always been my favorite. This wonderful armor will be the talk of Olympus forever."

Hephaestus blushed at her praise. "You are like no other, my lovely Thetis, and my favorite nymph."

Thetis parted with the marvelous set of armor and swooped down like a diving eagle to her mourning son's side. Finding Achilles still sitting with his dear friend's body, she laid the armor nearby. "We must see to Patroclus' burial, and I've brought new armor for you to wear when you avenge his death. Come look at it."

Achilles rose shakily to his feet, and had to wipe away his tears to see the glowing bronze armor. He picked up the heavy shield and traced the hammered design with his fingertips. "Hephaestus has created the whole world here."

"For you, my darling. It is all for you, the greatest warrior the Greeks will ever see. The Trojans will find you invincible and fear your name for all eternity."

"If any remain alive," he added darkly. Leaving the armor for battle, he kissed his mother and walked with her to the shore. She swam out with a graceful stroke, and greeted by her Nerieds, dove beneath the waves. He drew strength from her encouragement and turned his attention to the war. He sent a herald running to call for a new war assembly. Odysseus came running, and Diomedes as well. Agamemnon pushed to the front of the gathering troops to better hear Achilles speak.

The golden-haired warrior looked the high king in the eye. "Our feud is over and combat is all that should concern us now."

Lord Agamemnon took a cautious step toward him. "I still want you to have everything I've offered, gold and fine stallions and..."

"I have no need of them," Achilles responded with a firm shake of his head.