The Oracles of Troy (The Adventures of Odysseus)

‘Then why?’ Helenus asked, moving further away from the door to the main hall and nearer to the girl. ‘To see if I really am a traitor? And how would you feel if I’d have agreed to your master’s plot?’

Astynome moved closer so that her features were clearly visible in the gloom.

‘A few months ago I would have considered you vile, lower than the creatures that infest that pit over there. Now –’ She shrugged her shoulders. ‘Now I don’t see things in such simplistic terms. After all, I’m a traitor myself. My heart betrayed Troy for the sake of a Greek, and now he thinks I’ve betrayed him. But I’d gladly see Troy burn if it meant I could be with him again. So, you see, I’m in no place to judge you.’

Helenus considered her for a moment and realised there was more to the servant girl than her beauty. He also felt her words were spoken in honesty and that he could entrust his problems to her.

‘The truth is, I’m so angry I could do almost anything,’ he began. ‘When Priam awarded Helen to Deiphobus it was a deliberate humiliation, and as the gods are my witnesses I’d rather reveal the oracles to the Greeks than be forced to give them to my father and brother! I want to teach them a lesson they’ll remember, Astynome, but how can a lowly priest gain revenge against a warrior prince and a king? And yet, after tonight I don’t know whether I want Apheidas’s help.’

‘You’re right not to trust him. He wants Priam’s throne for himself and he’s only using you to remove the obstacles in his path. With Deiphobus dead, he would ensure the demise of your younger brothers before encouraging you to take the throne from your father. And then he would kill you and claim it for himself. That’s how his mind works, Helenus. What’s more, if you don’t agree to his proposal he’ll kill you and hide your body so it looks like you’ve run away in a fit of jealous anger.’

Helenus felt for the slender dagger tucked away beneath his robes and immediately knew it would be no use against a seasoned fighter like Apheidas. And yet the servant girl’s words rang true. He knew he would not walk out of the captain’s house alive unless he agreed on his oath to kill Deiphobus, thus starting a chain of events that would ultimately lead to his own death. Even if he told Deiphobus and his father of Apheidas’s plans, what proof would he have? How would he defend himself if Apheidas turned the accusation back against him? He looked again at the servant girl, and as her eyes met his he knew she understood his dilemma and had an answer in mind.

‘Then what should I do?’

‘Is your anger against Deiphobus and Priam genuine?’

‘Yes, but not enough to become Apheidas’s puppet.’

‘Then you must flee the city and go to the Greeks.’

‘The Greeks,’ he scoffed. ‘The Greeks will kill me, or just ransom me back to my father.’

Astynome shook her head.

‘Not if you do as I tell you. Over there is another door. It opens on to an alley that will take you out to the neighbouring temple. Find a horse, leave Pergamos and make your way out of the city. Ride to the Greek camp and demand to see Odysseus.’

‘The Ithacan? But what if he refuses to see me?’

‘He won’t. Not if you offer to tell him about the oracles I heard you speak of, the ones that hold the key to the destruction of Troy. Didn’t you say you’d rather give them to the Greeks than be forced to reveal them to Priam and Deiphobus? And won’t this give you the vengeance you were craving? Besides, Odysseus is an intelligent man, the cleverest of all the Greeks; he’ll see the importance of what you have to offer and give you whatever you want in exchange.’

Helenus pondered her words, sucking in his bottom lip as he eyed the girl’s dark beauty. He thought of Helen and his humiliation in the great hall, and then of the menacing figure of Apheidas, who would reappear at any moment and demand the answer to his question.

‘I should go at once,’ he said with a nod. ‘Your master won’t wait much longer.’

He moved towards the door Astynome had indicated, but she stepped in front of him and placed a hand on his chest.

‘I’ve helped you, Helenus, and now I want you to do something for me in return.’

‘What is it?’

‘When you see Odysseus, ask to speak to the captain of his guard – a man named Eperitus. Make sure Eperitus knows that it was me that sent you to the Greek camp, and that I encouraged you to entrust the oracles to them. That’s all.’

Helenus nodded and with a nervous glance over his shoulder ran to the door that led out to the temple of Apollo. As he reached it, he turned to look at Astynome.

‘This Eperitus,’ he asked. ‘Is he the Greek you fell in love with?’

Astynome nodded.

‘Then I will tell him you were prepared to give up Troy’s secrets for his sake. May the gods protect you, Astynome.’

Chapter Thirteen

THE ORACLES OF TROY