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Agelaus nodded. "I saw no evil in you and told your mother that I'd found an abandoned babe. That I hid the truth from her all these years will shock her as greatly as what you must reveal about who you are."
"Did you plan to tell me someday?"
Caught by the insightful question, Agelaus shrugged helplessly. "Not when I believed the price would have been your life. Have you been unhappy with us?"
Turning shy, his father looked away, and Paris reached out to grasp his arm. For as long as he could remember, he'd wanted more than a simple herdsman's existence, but he'd never complained to his parents when they loved him so. "You've given me a good life, and I'll miss you."
"You must promise to visit your mother whenever you're able," Agelaus insisted.
"I will," Paris promised, but when their cottage came into view, he knew after spending the night in King Priam's splendid palace, he'd never feel at home again there.
His mother ran into the yard to meet them, and then stopped suddenly when she saw the warriors. Their bronze helmets caught the sun in a flash of fire, and she feared something must be terribly wrong. "What's happened?" she cried.
Paris slid from his mount's back and Agelaus led their horses and Red around to the rear of the cottage. The warriors remained on their mounts until Paris waved to them to rest for a while. They'd left Troy without buying a present, and Paris wished he had something pretty to put in his mother's hands. He hugged her tight.
"Do you remember the night Father brought me home?"
Tears flooded her eyes. "You've always been ours as though I'd given birth to you. Who told you otherwise?" She admired his new clothes and ran her hand over his chest to feel the fabric. The pale blue wool was the finest she'd ever seen.
Paris told her about his adventures in Troy, his voice soft and caring as he described how he'd boxed and raced. He brushed away her tears. "I'll give you the three leather headbands to keep. Father has known all along that I'm a prince, but I'm as surprised as you are to learn I'm King Priam's son. I don't understand why I'd be cursed at birth, and in praise of all the gods, father didn't either."
"How could there have been a curse when we've had such a happy life together?" his mother asked.
"King Priam came to the same conclusion. I should have brought you something. I'll come with gifts on my next visit."
A sad smile trembled over his mother's lips. "We'll understand if you have little time for us. You've always been as handsome as a prince, and now you are one."
He leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I don't feel any different, Mother, and I'll always love you."
Agelaus came to his wife's side. "Will you forgive me for lying about Paris all those years ago?"
"What lie? It's true his parents didn't want him, and we did. You've been a joy, Paris, and you'll always be our son." She wiped her eyes on her hand. "You should go and see Oenone before you return to Troy. She should hear your story too."
Paris sucked in a deep breath. "I'd thought I'd have a different life."
"One never knows what the gods have planned," Agelaus offered. "Now you must be on your way before King Priam forgets your name."
"He'll not forget him," his mother argued, "but you should be on your way."
"I'll come again as soon as I can," Paris promised. He kissed his mother's cheek, hugged his father and turned toward the warriors who stood waiting nearby. "There's someone else I need to see. Her home isn't far."
Kastros nodded. "We're here to do your bidding, my prince."
Orthis mounted his horse without comment. He waited while Paris swung himself up on the bay he'd been given and followed, still keeping a close watch for unexpected danger.
* * *
Oenone twisted the tunic to squeeze out the last drop of water before laying it on a bush to dry. She was helping her aunt with the laundry, and she stirred the kettle over the fire to make certain all their clothes were washed clean. She wiped her hair out of her eyes on her arm.
"Well, what is this?" Chrisoula asked in a hushed whisper. "Has Paris become a warrior?"
Oenone whipped around to see the three men approaching. Paris smiled and waved, but the warriors following him stared straight ahead. Embarrassed to be caught doing the wash, she dried her hands on her skirt and pretended it was a fine time to entertain callers.
"Come ride with me." Paris extended his hand and pulled Oenone up in front of him. "Be still a moment, and I'll tell you a tale you'll never forget."
Oenone looked back at her aunt who stood with her hands on her hips. She was a beautiful woman with long red curls and had captured the warriors' full attention.
"Where did you get such a fine horse?" Oenone asked.
