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"He's a prince," Priam reminded her. "He'll be Alexandros to us and our Trojans. I can't say I'm displeased with you, Agelaus, when you've taken such good care of our son. Stay and enjoy the banquet tonight, and you may leave with Alexandros tomorrow."
Agelaus bowed low. He hated to think how deep his wife's sorrow would be to lose her son, but with Paris there to tell the tale, she would have to accept the life of a prince of Troy far surpassed the life of a simple herdsman's son.
Chapter 16
The enticing aroma of roasting meat filled the megaron and Paris was so hungry he had to swallow hard rather than drool. "Do they eat like this every night?" he whispered to Agelaus.
"No, they eat a simpler fare, but this is a regal banquet celebrating your return to the family. You should enjoy it, but with what we've seen of your brothers' open resentment for you today, I'd advise against drinking more than a single kylix of wine."
Paris scanned the large room assessing the threat. "You fear they'll do me harm?"
Agelaus nodded. "Jealousy can be a bitter drug, and you must remain cautious. Here's another of your brothers."
Helenus approached them to introduce himself and called to another brother, Aesacus, to join them. "You'll find you've many brothers here," he explained. "But not all of them are Hecuba's sons and princes as we are."
Confused at how that could be, Paris frowned slightly. "I've not had a brother, and I hope none will wish to turn a sword against me ever again when I wish them no harm."
Helenus hadn't forgotten his dark prediction when Paris was born, and he took care not to come near enough to touch him. "You've won our father's protection, and our kin won't defy him."
Hektor and Deiphobus were seated on the opposite side of the megaron and deep in a conversation that Paris was grateful not to overhear. "I mean no one any harm. If I must reassure everyone daily, I will."
Aesacus was slightly shorter than Paris and looked up to regard him with a friendly grin. "You couldn't have walked among us and not been recognized. Come, sit with us and enjoy the feast."
Paris nodded for Agelaus to follow, but the humble herdsman sat well behind him and kept a careful watch on all those gathered nearby. He worried Paris would always be regarded as a lowborn herdsman rather than a prince, but his mother had taught him well, and his manners wouldn't call his behavior into question.
It had been a long and exciting day, and Paris had to cover his yawns rather than appear rude. Slave girls carried trays of the most delicious roast boar and venison he'd ever tasted, but he ate sparingly as he had at home. He looked over his shoulder to the man he'd always called Father and found him yawning too. He'd been shown a room they could share, but doubted they could find it without help now.
King Priam had just risen to speak of his joy at his son's return, when Laocoon, a priest from Poseidon's temple, strode in. Dressed in a flowing robe, he was an imposing sight, but the fierceness of his expressions appalled the ruler.
"We're celebrating my son's return, and you're welcome to join us," the king announced. The crowded megaron had grown still, and his deep voice echoed against the beautifully decorated walls and the four blood-red columns flanking the great central fireplace.
"
Where is this cur of a son?" Laocoon shouted.
No coward, Paris shoved himself to his feet. The priest wore a hostile sneer, but he'd done nothing to insult him or Poseidon. "I am here." Agelaus rose to stand behind him.
The priest's long white hair twined over his shoulders like roots. Bushy eyebrows veiled his dark eyes, but his threatening scowl remained unmistakable. "You were cursed the day you were born, and you should have been sacrificed before noon. Order his death tonight, King Priam, or Troy will perish. The gods have decreed it, and the gods must be obeyed."
Priam shook his head. "I obeyed when Alexandros was born, Laocoon, and it caused my beloved queen and me unspeakable grief. I'll not sacrifice my son a second time, and Troy's fate will rest with me as it has all the years of my reign. Troy has enjoyed peace and prosperity all of Alexandros's life. That disproves the existence of any damning curse. Go and pray for the gods' continued blessings and do not trouble us again with such dire evil talk of curses."
The king's spirited defense filled Paris with pride, but all around him men argued in hushed whispers, some siding with the smoldering Laocoon and others with Priam. Paris turned to look at his father, and then swiftly gauged how close they were to the wide doorway. Agelaus nodded. Paris was fleet of foot, and could escape, and he trusted his father to lag behind and cause a scuffle to delay anyone giving pursuit.
The king scanned his guests, his relatives, countrymen, and his own dear sons. "Challenge me now if you dare, but no one will touch my son, Alexandros, while I live to prevent it."
A tense moment passed before Hektor rose with Deiphobus. He saluted his father with a fist to his forehead. "We stand with our father and king."
Paris was amazed when the men filling the megaron rose to their feet, one here, another there, then in a rolling surge, all had stood. "To the king!" A man raised a two-handled kantharos, took a drink and passed the painted clay jug to the next man. It was refilled with wine many times before it reached Paris, but he took a deep swallow and handed it on to Agelaus who dared take only a sip.
King Priam sent guards to accompany them when they wished to retire, but even with armed men outside their door, neither slept well.
* * *
Two of King Priam's warriors, Orthris and Kastros, accompanied Paris and Agelaus home to their village. They left shortly after dawn with Paris riding his faithful horse for the last time and leading his champion bull. King Priam had given him a fine bay gelding with a thick black mane and tail, and Kastros led him as Paris's mount for the return trip to Troy.
Kastros was among the youngest of the warriors with a slim build, easy manner and quick smile. Orthris was a husky man in his thirties, who appeared thoroughly bored with the chore of looking after Paris. He turned often to cast an eye on the trail behind them, but no one followed.
The trotting bull kept their pace slow and provided Paris with time to consider how greatly his longed for trip to Troy had changed his life. Agelaus looked equally lost in thought. "You'll always be my father," Paris reassured him softly. "King Priam and Queen Hecuba may have given me life, but I'd have perished within hours had it not been for your kindness."
