‘Agamemnon will not laugh when he hears of it.’
‘You think he will declare war on us?’
‘I doubt it. How can he make war on a friend who has aided him?’
‘But they were his pirates.’
‘Indeed they were. We know it, he knows it, but other kings around the Great Green do not. If he makes war on Dardania, following an attack on pirates, it will be an admission that he is behind the pirate raids.’
‘I hope you are right, my king.’
ii
On midwinter’s night another messenger arrived from Troy. Nasiq was a young Phrygian scribe employed by one of Helikaon’s merchant allies. He brought scrolls and messages concerning the needs of the coming trading season, and accountings of the previous trading year. More than this, though, he was a raconteur and an outrageous gossip. Helikaon always enjoyed his winter visits.
‘What news, Nasiq, my friend?’ he asked, as they sat down to eat in the king’s apartments.
The slender Phrygian lifted a small delicacy from a silver plate. It was minced lamb, wrapped in a vine leaf. He sniffed at it, then took a bite. ‘Oh, my dear, there is so much to tell. Who would you like to hear of first?’
‘What of Hektor?’
‘No word. Many of the Trojan Horse have now returned to the city. Others remained around Kadesh with Hittite soldiers, searching for him. It does not look as if there will be good news. The last time anyone saw him he and around fifty of his men were surrounded and outnumbered, and night was falling.’
‘What is the mood in the city?’
‘Fractious. Two of Priam’s sons – Isos and Pammon – have fled the city. They were about to be arrested, I understand.’
‘I know them both. Neither has the wit to organize a revolt, or the following to inspire insurrection.’
‘I agree. They would be serving someone else. Fat Antiphones has been stripped of his titles and ordered not to leave his palace. He was seen meeting in secret with the Mykene ambassador, Erekos.’
‘I met him,’ said Helikaon. ‘A cold and unpleasant man. It would surprise me, however, to learn that Antiphones was a traitor. He is more interested in food than power. Polites is a possibility. He is no warrior, but he has a sharp mind.’
‘And Priam is said to enjoy riding his wife. Rumour has it that Polites’ two sons share an interesting trait. Their father is also their grandfather.’
Helikaon chuckled and shook his head. ‘You really are a dreadful gossip, Nasiq.
It shames me that I am amused by it.’ His smile faded. ‘However, Polites is a possibility, as is Agathon.’
‘Agathon has always been as loyal as Hektor,’ Nasiq pointed out.
‘Largely because of Hektor. They are great friends. But Priam does not favour Agathon. Never has. He judges him against Hektor. I remember once the king saying publicly that Agathon and Hektor were like two identical statues, save that one was cast in gold, the other copper.’ Helikaon swore. ‘Priam is an unpleasant man, and always finds exactly the right insult to wound the deepest.’
‘Is there anyone in high position that Priam has not insulted?’ queried Nasiq.
‘Probably not. Let us talk of other news. What of Andromache?’
‘Ah, wonderful stories!’ Nasiq hesitated. ‘Are you friends with the lady?’
‘What difference would that make to the stories?’
‘I’m not sure. She is the talk of Troy… for many reasons. Some high, some low.’
‘I want no low tales concerning her,’ said Helikaon sharply. The wind blew in from the open balcony, causing a lamp to gutter. He rose and pulled the doors closed, then relit the lamp. Nasiq sat silently for a few moments more. Then he gave a wry smile.
‘Rather a large difference then.’
Helikaon relaxed. ‘Begin your tale,’ he said.
‘Very well. You heard she saved the king’s life?’
Helikaon was shocked, then he chuckled. ‘Is there some fine and witty line that ends this Odyssean fable?’
‘No, it is true,’ insisted Nasiq. Helikaon listened as the Phrygian told the story of the archery tourney, and how Andromache had killed the assassin. ‘The traitor had reached the king and was poised to strike him down when Andromache’s arrow pierced his heart. The king praised her before the crowd, saying she was indeed a fit bride for his Hektor.’
‘By the gods,’ whispered Helikaon, ‘she is a woman to treasure.’
‘Prince Agathon obviously agrees with you. It is said he has asked Andromache to marry him, if Hektor does not return.’
‘Has she… accepted Agathon’s advances?’
‘I have no knowledge that she has or she hasn’t,’ answered Nasiq. ‘Of course she would be a fool not to. He is young, rich, and… depending on circumstances…
could one day be king.’
‘What else can you tell me of Andromache?’
Nasiq chuckled. ‘She swam with a naked man, in front of the royal princes.’
‘Is this gossip, or reality?’ asked Helikaon, holding back his anger.
‘Reality, my lord. A friend of mine was on the royal beach at the time. The king’s daughter, Laodike, had invited a wounded Mykene warrior to the beach. All skin and bone he was, apparently. Hardly able to breathe. Andromache went swimming with him.’
‘Argurios,’ said Helikaon.
‘Yes, that was the man. Famous, they say.’
‘Go on.’
‘When they emerged from the water Prince Deiphobos harangued her, and then the Mykene challenged him. It should have been amusing. A tottering skeleton demanding a sword. But he frightened Deiphobos. Agathon came to his rescue and calmed the situation. Who else would you like to hear of?’
‘Was that what you meant by low tales?’
Nasiq leaned back. ‘Now you are drawing me into dangerous territory, Golden One.
You have already made it clear the lady is a friend of yours, and you want to hear no ill of her. So what would you have me say?’
Helikaon sat silently for a moment. ‘Tell me all,’ he said, at last.
‘When I arrived here earlier the palace servants were talking of a man who offended you at a recent meeting. They said his head was put on display. I am rather fond of my head.’
‘Your head is safe, Nasiq. You are too good a gossip to kill. My winter evenings would be dull indeed without you.’
‘Very well – but remember you asked. Kreusa claimed to have discovered her frolicking naked with a female servant. This was reported to the king, who had the servant whipped, and then dismissed from the palace. Andromache was furious and accosted Kreusa publicly. Kreusa slapped her, and Andromache hit her with her fist. Said to have been a fine blow. An uppercut, according to one witness.
Kreusa was knocked senseless and had to be carried to her bed. Everyone expected Andromache to be sent back in shame to her father. Priam chose to ignore the incident. Probably because he owed her his life. Now the palace is seething with rumours concerning the king and Andromache.’
‘I have heard enough,’ said Helikaon stiffly. ‘How is Queen Hekabe?’
‘She continues to cling to life. She is even entertaining guests. The youngest daughter of the king of Sparta is staying at the palace. Ostensibly she is here to find a suitable husband. The belief though is that her father sent her away to keep her safe. Mykene armies are massing on Sparta’s borders. There is likely to be a war in the spring.
