King of Ithaca (Adventures of Odysseus)

Eperitus realized the braggart was one of Eupeithes’s twin henchmen, mentioned at the Kerosia. As he had listened to the debate about these would-be usurpers, he had felt his hatred growing with each mention of their names. A man must be loyal to his king, his grandfather had taught him, or social order falls into chaos. Only by accepting authority can a man receive the rewards of order and peace. That is why his grandfather had told him to obey three things unfailingly: his gods, his oaths, and his king. Without these principles the world of men would fall into the abyss.

Eperitus’s eyes narrowed with anger. He shrugged off Odysseus’s restraining hand and advanced on Polybus. The sneering braggart looked at him with disdain, as if offended that he should dare approach him, but soon retreated as he realized his intentions. An instant later Eperitus swung his fist into Polybus’s face and watched with satisfaction as he fell backward into the waters of the spring, blood pumping from his lips and broken nose.

‘That’s what I think of traitors,’ he spat. ‘Tell Eupeithes that Laertes will remain king of Ithaca, and if anyone is to replace him it will be Odysseus, the only man who can claim that right.’

Polybus scrambled out of the pool, helped by his friends. He was incandescent with rage and in a deft movement whipped out a dagger from beneath his tunic.

He lunged with the weapon, but Eperitus brought his shield round and knocked him to one side. Quickly stepping back, he pulled the sword from his belt and faced Polybus’s six companions, who held daggers of their own. In the same moment he was joined by Odysseus and the rest of the guard, spears and shields at the ready.

Now they were seventeen fully-armed men against Polybus’s seven, carrying only daggers. It did not take them long to see the futility of the situation.

‘There’ll be no bloodshed here, Polybus,’ Odysseus said, his voice as calm and commanding as ever. ‘Not if I can prevent it. So put your toys away and go about your business.’

They had no choice but to do as they were ordered, but as they slunk off Polybus could not resist turning and having the final word.

‘We’ll settle this matter another time, you bronze-haired buffoon, when the odds are more equal. And as for you,’ he said, spitting on the ground at Eperitus’s feet, ‘I pray to all the gods that you and I will meet again. Then I’ll teach you to respect your betters before I send you scuttling off to Hades.’

‘I’ve been waiting a long time to see that arrogant swine made a fool of,’ Antiphus said, slapping Eperitus on the back with a laugh as they watched the group of youths retreat up the road to the town. ‘He docked my bow fingers when I was a boy, after he and his father caught me hunting on their land. I’m indebted to you for the show, Eperitus.’

‘We all are,’ Halitherses agreed. ‘But he’ll want his revenge. We haven’t seen the last of him yet.’

‘I’m more concerned that he knows we’re going to Sparta,’ Odysseus added with a frown. ‘He says he worked it out for himself, but I think someone in the palace has told Eupeithes. A traitor – maybe someone within the Kerosia itself.’

‘There’s nothing we can do about that now, Odysseus,’ said Damastor, appearing at his side. ‘The council has decided this is the only way to save Ithaca from rebellion, so we’d better go and pray that the gods protect our homes and families until we return.’

A short time later they passed over the wooded ridge and headed down to the small harbour where the galley was bobbing gently on the waves. Mentor was there to meet them and Odysseus immediately took him to one side. Eperitus did not hear what was said, but assumed that the prince was warning Mentor of the possibility of a traitor. Mentor nodded and set off up the beach, but as he passed Eperitus in the file he stopped.

‘I’m left behind to nursemaid the king while you get the privilege of escorting Odysseus to Sparta. Well, at least you won’t be hanging around in the palace, because . . .’ He drew closer and lowered his voice. ‘Because I don’t trust you. We don’t know you or your family, so if anyone is spying for Eupeithes it’s a foreigner like you. And I’ve told Odysseus as much, so you won’t catch him off his guard either.’

‘I’m no traitor,’ Eperitus spat, but Mentor was already striding down the slope to the bay.

book

TWO

Chapter Nine

IN THE LAND OF THE WOLFMEN

The north wind was full in the galley’s sail and drove the vessel irresistibly forward across the waves. It ploughed great furrows into the sea and made the going particularly rough, though it was not enough to hamper the speed with which the gods had blessed them after their late start. Eperitus stood at the prow of the ship, fighting for breath in the teeth of the gale. The Peloponnese flanked him on the left, its mountains silhouetted blue in the afternoon haze, whilst beneath his feet he could hear the waves slapping against the thin planking of the hull.