likely to go to ground now. He’ll either return to Mykene or seek shelter on the pirate isle southwest of Samothraki. The waters there are treacherous, and few ships will risk the winter storms. Even if they did there is a stockade there, and several hundred pirates to man it.’
‘I know the island,’ said Helikaon. ‘The Penelope beached there on my first voyage. The pirates gathered round you, and you told them a story that had them laughing, crying and cheering. They showered you with gifts. I still think of it sometimes. A hundred cruel and barbaric men, weeping over a story of love and honour and courage.’
‘Aye, it was a good night,’ said Odysseus. ‘If Kolanos is there he will be safe for the winter. But he will sail again in spring.’
‘And I will find him, Odysseus.’
‘I expect you will. More important, however, you need to watch yourself now.
There are some canny killers out there. With that in mind, I have a small gift for you.’
Delving into the pack he was carrying he pulled forth a tunic of dark brown leather and passed it to Helikaon. It was heavier than Helikaon expected, and he could feel something hard beneath the soft leather. ‘Picked it up a few years back in Kretos,’ said Odysseus. Helikaon hoisted the garment. It was a knee-length tunic, with a lining of silk. ‘It is a cunning piece,’ said Odysseus. ‘Between the silk and the leather are thin, overlapping discs of ivory. It’ll turn a dagger blade, though I doubt it would withstand a powerful sword thrust, a strike from an axe, or a well-aimed arrow from a bow of horn.’
‘It is a fine gift, my friend. Thank you.’
‘Pshaw! Too small for me anyway. Wear it when ashore – and try not to travel alone in the city.’
‘I will be careful,’ promised Helikaon. ‘I shall be sailing for Dardania soon.
Once home I will be surrounded by loyal soldiers.’
‘As your father was,’ pointed out Odysseus. ‘Do not assume anywhere is safe.
Equally, do not assume loyalty is made of stone.’
‘I know.’
‘Of course you do,’ muttered Odysseus apologetically. ‘Did you hear about Argurios?’
‘No.’
‘Word is he’s been banished and declared outlaw. It is said you bought him.’
Helikaon shook his head in disbelief. ‘You don’t buy a man like Argurios. Who could think such a thing?’
‘Men who can be bought,’ answered Odysseus. ‘I doubt he’ll last a month. How long are you planning to stay in Troy?’
‘A few days more. I must pay my respects to Priam, and there are still merchants I need to see. Why do you ask?’
‘Something in the air,’ said the older man, touching his nose. ‘There is a feeling of unease in the city. I suspect there is another palace revolution brewing.’
Helikaon laughed. ‘There is always a palace revolution brewing. My guess is that Priam enjoys them. It gives his devious mind something to gnaw at.’
‘You are right,’ admitted Odysseus, ‘he likes risks. 1 knew a man once who placed wagers on almost anything. He would sit beneath a tree and wager on which pigeon would fly away first, or which dolphin would swim beneath the prow. His wagers grew larger and larger. One day he wagered his lands, his horses, his cattle and his ship on a single throw of the dice. He lost it all.’
‘You believe Priam to be such a fool?’
Odysseus shrugged. ‘A man who loves risks is a man seeking to test himself. Each time he wins he needs to increase the peril. Priam has many acknowledged sons, and only a few positions of power to award. Not all of his sons can succeed him.’
‘He has Hektor,’ Helikaon pointed out. ‘He would never betray his father.’
‘Hektor is the key in all this,’ Odysseus replied. ‘He is both loved and feared.
Any who rose against Priam would have to face the wrath of Hektor. That alone is what prevents a civil war. Priam has alienated at least half his generals, and the gods alone know how many of his counsellors. He strips them of their titles on a whim, appointing others in their place. He revels in humiliating the men around him. His sons too are often chided publicly. Foolish man. If Hektor were to fall in battle this kingdom would rip apart like an old sail in a storm.’
Helikaon laughed. ‘Hektor will not fall in battle. He is invincible. If his ship were to sink he’d emerge riding one of Poseidon’s dolphins.’
Odysseus grinned. ‘Aye, he does radiate a godlike quality.’ The smile faded.
‘But he is not a god, Helikaon. He is a man, albeit a great one. And men die. I wouldn’t want to be in Troy if that were to happen.’
‘It won’t happen. The gods have always loved Hektor.’
‘May Father Zeus hear those words and make them true.’ Odysseus rose. ‘I must be making ready to sail. Take care, my boy,’ he said. The two men embraced.
‘Fair winds and calm seas, Odysseus.’
‘That would make a pleasant change. Tell me, will you be seeing Andromache?’
‘Perhaps.’
‘Fine woman. I like her enormously.’ Odysseus laughed. ‘I would love to have been present when she met Priam.’
Helikaon thought of the Trojan king. Powerful and dominant, he sought to intimidate all who came before him. Then he recalled Andromache’s challenging gaze. ‘Yes,’ he agreed. ‘I would like to have seen that too.’
ii
‘My lady, wake up, my lady! Oh, please wake up!’
Andromache returned to consciousness slowly. She had been dreaming of a great storm, the sea rising like a mountain into the sky. Ever since she had seen the seer, Aklides, she had been haunted by dreams: visions of men with one sandal, or colossal storms. Once she had even dreamed she was married to a pig farmer, whose face had slowly become that of a boar, white tusks sprouting from his bearded cheeks.
Her bed was a tangle of white linen and she felt the slickness of sweat on her body. The dreams had been full of fear, leaving a lingering sense of dread behind them. Sitting up she regarded her handmaid, the young and heavily pregnant Axa.
Normally smiling and complacent, Axa was wringing her hands in worry, her plump, plain face a mask of anxiety.
‘Thank the gods, my lady. I thought I would never wake you. You’ve been sent for,’ she said, lowering her voice and looking around her as if Andromache’s chambers were filled with spies. Which they might well be, thought Andromache.
The entire palace was a sea of suspicious eyes. Servants appeared and hovered whenever people gathered together, and conversations were spoken in whispers.
Andromache shook her head to clear it and swung her long legs out of bed.
Outside her high square window she could just see the paleness of dawn in the night sky. ‘Who has sent for me at this hour?’
‘The king, my lady.’ Axa immediately started to pull Andromache’s nightgown over her head. ‘You must wash and dress quickly, my lady, and attend the king with haste. It would not do to delay.’
Andromache could sense the panic in the woman and realized Axa would be held responsible if Priam were
