The Poem of Patroclus

Chapter Two

Achilles?

The boy I had once seen pout over a lost race was now as stunning as a statue. A faint glow hovered around his toned body, illuminating the grove with a soft golden light. His equally golden hair hung just above his shoulders, framing his surprisingly delicate features.

"Aren't you supposed to be at my feast?" The god questioned, tilting his head the same way a hungry puppy would.

I was at a loss for words; what could I even say to him?

As I attempted to rise, Achilles' sandaled foot slammed me back into the contorted olive tree.

"I asked you a question."

I remember hearing stories of this fig juggling, lyre playing, kind boy. It was clear that in becoming a god, he truly left all of his humanity behind.

"My sincerest apologies. I'm afraid I had more pressing matters to attend to," I replied before grabbing his opposite leg and pulling it towards myself. With his other foot still on my chest, he fell backwards and hit the ground with a thud. If he was a mortal, I would be half afraid that his head would split open on a rock.

With the god down, I rose to my feet and placed my hand on the hilt of my sword, "I don't want to fight you." I spat out, not daring to look away from the downed god.

A deep chuckle emerged from the back of his throat as he pushed himself up, meeting my gaze.

"Oh, you don't? That's a shame." Achilles hummed, eying my sword, "I thought we'd have a little tie-breaker."

Tie breaker? I had been taught through myths and other wives-tales to never make deals with gods and this was no exception.

"You can't be serious. That was years ago, we were children-" I stammered before being cut off.

"Come on. Let's play a game, Patroclus. It's the least you could do before skipping my feast."

"No."

"Oh? Did you think I was asking?" Achilles' hand met mine as I held my sword. In an instant, my only protection was hurled into the trees.

"You must have something better to do than mess with me, Achilles." I didn't like fighting, nor did I like fighting gods. His green eyes flickered in thought as he stared me down.

"Alright." He hummed simply and simply disappeared. I was obviously stunned by his simple response, and even more so at his sudden vanishing act.

My head was on a swivel as I made my way back to my chambers. By now, the festival was long over and the moon had begun to rise, bringing about a cool breeze.

My chamber was lit only by the moonlight, my pallet shoved next to the window. After my mother died, I liked to imagine that she joined Orion in the stars. She was simple but kind, and I missed her dearly.

I let my cape- and my other unneeded clothes- fall lazily to the ground before crawling into bed. The thick blankets hugged me close and eventually lulled me to sleep.