Helen shook her head. She hadn't seen him since the day they'd parted on the riding path, but she wouldn't beg for his company. "Let him be. Must I stay any longer?"
"No, go with your mother and remain inside the palace as long as you wish. I'll provide a frequent report of the men's progress."
She doubted she'd be able to summon the enthusiasm to care. The men filling the courtyard were laughing together and in a playful mood, but the hunger in their eyes reminded her of Theseus lascivious gaze and sickened, she rushed inside.
* * *
Omalu lured her onto the roof terrace where years earlier they had watched the competition for Clytemnestra's hand. However, the men were gathered farther from the palace for foot races and were difficult to identify at this distance. The maid raised a hand to shade her eyes. "I do see a red-haired man."
"It's probably Odysseus," Helen replied. She leaned against the railing and looked up at the sky. "He frightens me."
"Why? How is he different from any of the others?"
Helen closed her eyes a moment and carefully chose her words. "There was no desire in his gaze when he looked at me, but instead a keen relish for the challenge."
"I didn't realize you'd studied him so closely."
"It was impossible to miss." She turned her back to the railing. "I'd not expected so many men to compete, and I'm afraid whoever is chosen will brag for years of how he won me."
"But he'll love you!" Omalu exclaimed.
"Will he?" Helen studied her neatly trimmed nails. The constant use of her mother's creams gave her hands the appearance of a fine lady who did no more than direct the activity around her. She longed for so much more. "The chariot races should be more exciting to watch."
"I find this all exciting, my lady."
Helen laughed with her, but as the prize in the competition, she had so much more at stake.
* * *
Tyndareus rested his hands on his hips as he surveyed the rapidly growing mound of gifts suitors had brought for Helen. Leda thought they should accept them all. Helen refused to even offer an opinion and remained unimpressed. "I'll not accept any of them," he announced clearly. "That will settle the matter until your mate's chosen, Helen. Then we'll require a suitable bride price."
"We've already accepted the livestock," Leda reminded him, "otherwise, we'd be unable to feed such a large number of competitors."
Tyndareus nodded agreeably. "You're right. It was a wise decision and great benefit to our xenia hospitality."
He'd hoped to end the competition much sooner, but some men excelled at wrestling, others were swift runners, adept at throwing a spear, or possessed fine horses for the chariot races. An archery competition continued for days. Men who won their favorite competition believed they were far superior to the others who competed in several to show their prowess, but failed to win a single one.
* * *
Helen donned a purple cloak and veiled her head before leaving the palace to view the chariot races. She made Omalu also disguise herself and they made their way past the stables and hid behind a conveniently placed oak tree. Peering around the broad trunk, they watched as men paraded with their finest horses and bragged over who would be left choking on another's dust.
"Look, my lady," Omalu pointed toward a pair of jet back horses with a dazzling sheen and long flowing manes and tails. "Have you ever seen a finer pair?"
"No, and they are superb." They were being led to the row of chariots by a groom rather than their owner, and Helen held her breath as she waited to see who he might be. When Menelaus appeared behind her and tapped her shoulder, she nearly shrieked in surprise.
He was clad in a black leather kilt trimmed with gold and wore a proud grin. He held out a fine deerskin quiver filled with hawk-fletched arrows and a new back-bent bow. "I saw no reason to bring you gold trinkets rather than something you truly desire."
Her mother had taught her not to grab at offered presents, but it was difficult to politely hesitate now. She nodded to Omalu to take them. "Thank you. I didn't think you were here."
His grin grew even wider. "You've searched the crowd for me?"
Her cheeks filled with a bright blush. "It's only that you are among the few men I kno
w."
"So you were looking for me," he teased. "Now I'm flattered. What do you think of my horses, the black pair?"
"Those are yours?" Omalu asked, her voice bubbling with admiration.