The Song of Patroclus

Chapter 11

The last bit of sun was flaring on the western horizon as we passed the boundary stone that marked the palace grounds. Our return put the entrance of the palace into choas. A soldier cried at the others, and what followed was a blur of trumpets and yells.

As the palace came into view, so did a tall figure. Mother. Between her stood my father and his soldiers, nervousness radiating off each man. Beside the goddess, even the strongest soldier looked weak and frail. They all stood alike, rigid and still as statues, as if the slightest of movement would awaken her fury. All their ranks, all their accomplishments, even my father's reputation, all seemed shallow and unsignificant.

It was not kings or peasants. It was never kings or peasants. It was, and only will be, man or god. This, I had learned long ago.

"Your mother," Patroclus leaned over and whispered in my ear. I nodded. Her eyes moved from me to Patroclus, at whom she sneered.

I swung off my horse, Patroclus following. My mother rushed to me first, and pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Son of my womb, flesh of my flesh, Achilles," She said. The soldiers shifted behind her at her voice. Her words carried through the courtyard. "Be welcome home."

"Thank you, mother," I said simply. I knew what she was doing. We all did. She was claiming me. Tradition rules only for the father to greet the son first. However, gods thought very less of man's traditions.

My father pursued his lips, but did not say anything. I soon went towards my father when she released me. He looked aged and weak. Three years we had been away. "Be welcome, son," He welcomed as well. His words held little weight against his goddess-wife's. But they had not seemed genuine. He did not want me to be here. I did not get the chance to ask before he turned to my companion. "And be welcome also, Patroclus." All eyes turned to him. He bowed, very gracefully, and thanked him quietly.

"What is the news, Father?" I asked. He looked back at the soldiers, whom all looked down. I was not quite sure if they knew. If they did not, I was sure they'd find out soon enough, along with me.

"I have not announced it, and I do not mean to until everyone is gathered. We were waiting on you. Come and let us begin." We followed him. I turned to talk to Patroclus, but he was still frozen, curtesy of mother behind him, eyeing his every move. Every step she walked, shocked whispers rose around her. Of the goddess finally stepping foot on the palace.

--

The great dining hall was crammed full of tables and benches. The servants worked quicker now that they had a goddess sitting in their dining hall. Not that she would eat. To simply offer a goddess human would other than an offering would be considered a deadly insult.

I frowned when I noticed only three seats in front of the hall.

"Father, I do not see a place for Patroclus," Mother's eyes squinted at even me now. Patroclus gently nudged my side.

"Achilles," Patroclus started, but I cut him off.

"Patroclus is my sworn companion. His place is beside me," I had said it more to mother than anyone. She looked at me intently, disapproval contorting her features. But she did not speak up. There was clearly something much bigger at hand here. Father coughed uncomfortably but ordered to add a chair for Patroclus.

"She'll hate me now," He whispers. I turn back and smile.

"She already hates you." Patroclus is clearly not impressed at this.

"Why has she come?" He asks everyone's question. Why has she come? If even goddess Thetis entered the palace she was once a prisoner to, to the man she was once a prisoner to, this announcement obviously was not something munisicule. She sits beside father now, eyes filled with more fury and hate I thought he would turn to ash right that second.