Read Online Warriors in Bronze by George Shipway - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: George Shipway
Tags: Historical Novel
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whole world would condemn. Moreover, he continued, descending to practicalities, Hercules sprang like himself from the ancient House of Perseus, and through his father Amphityron had powerful kinsmen in Thebes. A massacre might lead easily to war. The king allowed that the Heraclids be banished from the realm; any severer measures were politically unwise. Atreus argued that to leave the brood alive merely postponed a crisis: it left the Heraclids free to gather allies at leisure and descend upon the kingdom when they judged the time propitious.
Eurystheus, however, would not be moved.
Over the next few days Atreus perfected his plans. Surprise was the key; he therefore shunned a levy of arms which would disturb the entire countryside, make Hercules' followers wonder and put them on their guard. He decided on a warband formed from the palace Heroes and those who owned estates around Mycenae. To provide an invincible force - odds of three to one, he judged, should prove decisive - he sent to Argos requesting similar action. Adrastus, smarting under Hyllus' outrage, willingly agreed. On an appointed day the warbands would meet at Argos, swoop together on Tiryns, seize and disarm the Heraclids and escort them to the Isthmus north of Corinth. Thyestes was informed and told to warn his Heroes, providing he could do so without alarming the enemy.
Menelaus had arrived with Thyestes' deputation. Since last we met my brother had gained both weight and height - even so I topped him by half a head. At sixteen years he was already full-grown, chested like a wine jar, broad and brawny. I kissed his cheeks and pulled his auburn hair and asked him how he did in rocky Tiryns.
'Well enough. I'm no longer Thyestes' squire, The Lady be praised. I passed the tests a moon ago, and one of the palace Heroes took me as a Companion.'
'I also. I drive for Atreus.'
'Lucky man. When shall we win our greaves? Any hope of a fight, do you think, when we sling the Heraclids out?'
I hunched my shoulders. 'Doubtful. The Marshal aims to take them by surprise.' I hesitated, and said carefully, 'Do you see anything of Plisthenes ? How has he taken our mother's - um - re-marriage?'
A sentinel paced behind us, slanted spear on shoulder. (We were standing on the rampart walk above the northern postern, overlooking an ancient oak tree which sprouted from Zeus' tomb. A peasant deposited an offering on the surrounding circle of tall stone slabs.) When the sentry passed beyond earshot Menelaus said, 'You can't really tell: he shows no outward signs of knowing it's happened. Maybe he doesn't. He lives in Thyestes' apartments; the pair are thick as thieves. And, to Thyestes' credit, Plisthenes has become much more ... sane. He dines frequently in the Hall, and seems perfectly aware of all that's going on.'
'Atreus kept him secluded in Mycenae. Perhaps mixing in society restores the balance of his mind.'
'Perhaps. It doesn't matter any more: the Marshal has got what he wanted. And yet . . .' Menelaus tickled an embryonic beard. 'Plisthenes gives me the shudders. So harmless, almost pathetic - but you feel there's something sinister about him.'
'He's our father, Menelaus.'
'Yes. I still find it hard to believe.' Menelaus slapped the stone that bonded the rampart's crest. 'A gloomy conversation, Agamemnon, and we won't be long together. I leave for Argos tomorrow with the embassy to King Adrastus. Let's go to the stables and admire your stud. They say Atreus' teams are the envy of all Achaea!'
I linked an arm with my brother's, and we sauntered to the palace.
* * *
Ten days later Atreus led a warband from the portals of Mycenae. Proud, excited and a little apprehensive I restrained the frisky stallions which pulled the Marshal's chariot. (A frowning, sulky Phylacus drove his second car in the rear.) Atreus in full panoply of war-plumed boar's tusk helmet, thrice- skirted brazen armour, a ten-foot spear and treble-hide waisted shield - quizzically
Eurystheus, however, would not be moved.
Over the next few days Atreus perfected his plans. Surprise was the key; he therefore shunned a levy of arms which would disturb the entire countryside, make Hercules' followers wonder and put them on their guard. He decided on a warband formed from the palace Heroes and those who owned estates around Mycenae. To provide an invincible force - odds of three to one, he judged, should prove decisive - he sent to Argos requesting similar action. Adrastus, smarting under Hyllus' outrage, willingly agreed. On an appointed day the warbands would meet at Argos, swoop together on Tiryns, seize and disarm the Heraclids and escort them to the Isthmus north of Corinth. Thyestes was informed and told to warn his Heroes, providing he could do so without alarming the enemy.
Menelaus had arrived with Thyestes' deputation. Since last we met my brother had gained both weight and height - even so I topped him by half a head. At sixteen years he was already full-grown, chested like a wine jar, broad and brawny. I kissed his cheeks and pulled his auburn hair and asked him how he did in rocky Tiryns.
'Well enough. I'm no longer Thyestes' squire, The Lady be praised. I passed the tests a moon ago, and one of the palace Heroes took me as a Companion.'
'I also. I drive for Atreus.'
'Lucky man. When shall we win our greaves? Any hope of a fight, do you think, when we sling the Heraclids out?'
I hunched my shoulders. 'Doubtful. The Marshal aims to take them by surprise.' I hesitated, and said carefully, 'Do you see anything of Plisthenes ? How has he taken our mother's - um - re-marriage?'
A sentinel paced behind us, slanted spear on shoulder. (We were standing on the rampart walk above the northern postern, overlooking an ancient oak tree which sprouted from Zeus' tomb. A peasant deposited an offering on the surrounding circle of tall stone slabs.) When the sentry passed beyond earshot Menelaus said, 'You can't really tell: he shows no outward signs of knowing it's happened. Maybe he doesn't. He lives in Thyestes' apartments; the pair are thick as thieves. And, to Thyestes' credit, Plisthenes has become much more ... sane. He dines frequently in the Hall, and seems perfectly aware of all that's going on.'
'Atreus kept him secluded in Mycenae. Perhaps mixing in society restores the balance of his mind.'
'Perhaps. It doesn't matter any more: the Marshal has got what he wanted. And yet . . .' Menelaus tickled an embryonic beard. 'Plisthenes gives me the shudders. So harmless, almost pathetic - but you feel there's something sinister about him.'
'He's our father, Menelaus.'
'Yes. I still find it hard to believe.' Menelaus slapped the stone that bonded the rampart's crest. 'A gloomy conversation, Agamemnon, and we won't be long together. I leave for Argos tomorrow with the embassy to King Adrastus. Let's go to the stables and admire your stud. They say Atreus' teams are the envy of all Achaea!'
I linked an arm with my brother's, and we sauntered to the palace.
* * *
Ten days later Atreus led a warband from the portals of Mycenae. Proud, excited and a little apprehensive I restrained the frisky stallions which pulled the Marshal's chariot. (A frowning, sulky Phylacus drove his second car in the rear.) Atreus in full panoply of war-plumed boar's tusk helmet, thrice- skirted brazen armour, a ten-foot spear and treble-hide waisted shield - quizzically
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