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"The palm represents the sacred grove of our god Osiris, god of the dead," he explained, his voice low as though he were sharing a greatly prized secret. "The jackal pegs are carved of ebony and the hounds of ivory," he continued. "One player chooses the jackals, and the other takes the hound pegs. The point is to move your jackals or hounds through the holes in the game board on your side until you reach the last hole, marked with the hieroglyph, shen, for eternity, then you may take one of your opponent's pieces. As you move along the board, you may use these curved lines, or secret passageways, as short cuts to move closer to the eternity hole. You can also cross to the other player's side if you land on the line connecting them, or secret doorway. That way you can chase them. The first player to take all the other player's pegs is the winner.
"Roll these four wands to see how many holes to
move your piece through. One side is black, the other white. If you have the jackals, you count the wands that land on black. If you have the hounds, you move on the number of white sides facing up."
Eager to play, Helen sat down facing Paris. She picked up one of the long black pegs. "I want the jackals. I love their sharp pointed ears. Do you mind being the hounds?"
"Not at all. Hounds are most welcome on a hunt."
He winked at her as though she were the game he was after, and she had no desire to escape. "This appears to be much more challenging game than knucklebones."
"Indeed it is," the servant responded. He stayed only a moment to answer their questions and then left them to play on their own.
Both quickly mastered the rules as they played, and they turned their games into a lengthy tournament. But the next day, neither could recall who had won. The following afternoon they played again, and after laughing until they nearly cried, they drifted into a loving game all their own.
* * *
Aethra was not nearly as content in Egypt as Helen and Paris were. She walked along the palm tree lined shore with Emalia in the early mornings, staying well away from the sailors and their wild games. She spoke to them only to criticize their sloth and when the provisions they provided fell beneath her standard, she went with them to supervise the buying of better quality fare from the nearby villages. First a small pony had to be found for her to ride, but the sailors assumed from her imperious manner that she must be Helen's mother and quickly followed every direction she gave.
Paris was amused by the clever little woman, and took care not to incite her wrath. They had been in Egypt more than two weeks when Helen revealed Aethra was Theseus's mother rather than a relative from her own household.
"He may be the King of Athens, but she's far happier with me than she ever was living in his shadow," she explained.
Helen had not confided the details of her kidnapping, but Paris was astounded she could not only have escaped Theseus, but taken his mother with her. "He didn't demand her immediate return?" he asked.
"He was unable to leave the Underworld for a good long while, and I've no idea what concerns him now." She stood and stretched. "I love living by the sea. It's salty like our blood."
"I love you." He wrapped his arms around her waist and rocked her gently. "Were life here not so perfect, I'd take you home to Troy, but I hate to bring this enchanted time to an end."
She rubbed against him. "We'll make our own enchantment in Troy."
"Yes, we'll do that, and it's so beautiful you'll never wish to leave." He whispered in her ear, describing the life they'd share, but each night, the stars overhead bid him to stay.
* * *
Hektor ran into the megaron. "Alexandros is home, and he has the Spartan Queen with him!"
Shocked by that odd announcement, King Priam rose slowly from his throne. "We'll withhold judgment until we meet her."
"You'll forgive him for bringing this strife to our shores? Had he wished to bring a terrible war down upon us, he could not have chosen a swifter way to do so."
Priam didn't respond. He straightened his shoulders to assume a proud pose and walked out onto the courtyard where he had a view of the sea. He recognized the royal ships at the shore, and waited not at all patiently as his son made his way up the hill to the palace. He ignored Hektor's sputtering and searched for the proper way to greet the young man he'd mourned for so long. That Alexandros was alive was enough for him today, and he'd make no damning accusations, at least not yet.
Paris held Helen's hand as they entered the palace courtyard. Several of his brothers stood beside their father, along with their wives. Some appeared merely curious, while others, like Hektor, were smoldering with barely suppressed rage. He pulled Helen close. "I'm home father, and this is Helen, my beloved wife."
"The Queen of Sparta," Hektor muttered under his breath.
Priam had never seen a more beautiful young woman and thought her golden radiance must rival Aphrodite's. The sparkling tips of her fair curls floated on the gentle breeze and bounced against her waist. Her delicate features were perfection, and her bright green eyes seemed to see clear to his soul. When she dipped her head slightly and smiled, his knees weakened.
She seemed to be of the gods, and enchanted by her, he drew in a deep breath to find his voice. "Welcome to Troy, dear lady. Please think of our fair city as your home."
Helen watched the others' stances shift, some bracing themselves and others relaxing slightly. They were a handsome family, regal in appearance and bearing. Priam must have been as handsome as Paris in his youth. Now his head was crowned with silver white hair, and his face framed with a grand beard. She wished she'd prepared a poetic way to respond to his greeting.
"Thank you for your kind welcome, my king."
Hektor took a step forward. "Your husband sent emissaries to escort you home. Did you believe you could leave Sparta and not be missed? You are Helen of Sparta."
Paris spoke before Helen could answer. "I'm now her husband, and her life is here with us. Henceforth, she'll be known as Helen of Troy."
