Troy Fic: The loyal wolf Part 5
See warnings and disclaimers in prologue
Part 5: Lady of the cliffs
Three hours seemed to pass at once as fast as a moment and as slow as the four months it had taken them to return from Troy, but now Eudorus found himself at the top of the treacherous staircase preparing to descend. However, before he could make the first step, a sharp whistle sounded and Eudorus looked up to see Thetis waving at him from a bench partially hidden by tall sea grass and other hardy plants. Eudorus quickly went and knelt before her there, puzzled by the change of location, but accepting the change. Thetis motioned to the bench beside her and Eudorus moved, sitting with private relief, but no outward change. At least, until Thetis spoke that is.
“That staircase is something you should avoid for the near future.”
Eudorus felt his eyes close in both relief and fear, but he forced the open to look at her and respond. “And why is that? Do you seek to command me, demigoddess?”
Thetis arched an eyebrow at him, but responded. “As leader of the Myrmidons, none may command you, only request your aide. No power of mine, including my status as a demigoddess could command you in that regard. But in your state as carrier of my son’s legacy, I, the creator of that state and the only one who can relieve you of it successfully will have many commands for you which you must obey.”
The statement hung in the air as two sets of eyes locked on each other and fought with each other for dominance. But Eudorus could not deny the truth of the words and broke the contact by looking up. This action made Thetis laugh a little and when he glanced at her, she stated “You even acknowledge me as a wolf does, baring your throat. But no worry wolf. I will tend to you till you get your pup and let you raise it as a wolf.”
Eudorus felt himself relax at her words. He was what he was, leader of the myrmidons. But what he was doing was the territory of the gods, and now that he had done it once he had no problem allowing Thetis dominance in this area. But her dominance did not mean that she would take the responsibility, and her words now had indicated that he might actually survive his foolhardy interpretation of her prophecy.
The next few days were a whirl of activity. Eudorus knew that he would not be able to hide his condition from his men in the garb of peace as it was barely concealed by his war garb. He also knew that the majority of the myrmidons would not accept a child born under such twisted circumstance as an heir, faith in the gods or not. So there needed to be distance between Eudorus and these men, until he could finish his task and simply present the child. This was not hard to arrange as the men had been gone a long time and it was more than reasonable to send the men off to visit the family that they claimed beyond the pack. So days were spent giving the men their share and instructions for the six months that they would be gone.
Once this outflow was gone, Eudorus was left with some men he trusted to keep the secret and those men who had no one else. Between Thetis and himself, he sent the remaining loners to tasks that were necessary, but would also keep them at a distance. Those with the aptitude were sent to recruit and train, to bring the ranks up to fighting strength. Others he set to patrol, as with the kings and their armies still in Troy, brigands and beasts were left without checks to prevent their dangers.
Once this was taken care of, Eudorus had planned on holing up in his room and using those men friendly to him to relay orders. So it was to his surprise that Thetis announced at the next meal that she could not bear the memories that the keep brought of her son and that she wished to spend the winter on the point. However, after a moment, Eudorus grinned behind his cup. Thetis was no wolf, but she was crafty as a fox. The keep was still obeying the laws of Achilles while awaiting for Thetis to accept someone as her heir. And Achilles had once laid a rule down in law that when Thetis was at the house on the point, only the leader of the Myrmidons would attend her as security. The point was so well guarded by natural features that one man could defend it almost indefinitely. There would be no one to see him for as long as he remained there with her, and no one would even think the situation odd. He and the child would be safe.
Part 5: Lady of the cliffs
Three hours seemed to pass at once as fast as a moment and as slow as the four months it had taken them to return from Troy, but now Eudorus found himself at the top of the treacherous staircase preparing to descend. However, before he could make the first step, a sharp whistle sounded and Eudorus looked up to see Thetis waving at him from a bench partially hidden by tall sea grass and other hardy plants. Eudorus quickly went and knelt before her there, puzzled by the change of location, but accepting the change. Thetis motioned to the bench beside her and Eudorus moved, sitting with private relief, but no outward change. At least, until Thetis spoke that is.
“That staircase is something you should avoid for the near future.”
Eudorus felt his eyes close in both relief and fear, but he forced the open to look at her and respond. “And why is that? Do you seek to command me, demigoddess?”
Thetis arched an eyebrow at him, but responded. “As leader of the Myrmidons, none may command you, only request your aide. No power of mine, including my status as a demigoddess could command you in that regard. But in your state as carrier of my son’s legacy, I, the creator of that state and the only one who can relieve you of it successfully will have many commands for you which you must obey.”
The statement hung in the air as two sets of eyes locked on each other and fought with each other for dominance. But Eudorus could not deny the truth of the words and broke the contact by looking up. This action made Thetis laugh a little and when he glanced at her, she stated “You even acknowledge me as a wolf does, baring your throat. But no worry wolf. I will tend to you till you get your pup and let you raise it as a wolf.”
Eudorus felt himself relax at her words. He was what he was, leader of the myrmidons. But what he was doing was the territory of the gods, and now that he had done it once he had no problem allowing Thetis dominance in this area. But her dominance did not mean that she would take the responsibility, and her words now had indicated that he might actually survive his foolhardy interpretation of her prophecy.
The next few days were a whirl of activity. Eudorus knew that he would not be able to hide his condition from his men in the garb of peace as it was barely concealed by his war garb. He also knew that the majority of the myrmidons would not accept a child born under such twisted circumstance as an heir, faith in the gods or not. So there needed to be distance between Eudorus and these men, until he could finish his task and simply present the child. This was not hard to arrange as the men had been gone a long time and it was more than reasonable to send the men off to visit the family that they claimed beyond the pack. So days were spent giving the men their share and instructions for the six months that they would be gone.
Once this outflow was gone, Eudorus was left with some men he trusted to keep the secret and those men who had no one else. Between Thetis and himself, he sent the remaining loners to tasks that were necessary, but would also keep them at a distance. Those with the aptitude were sent to recruit and train, to bring the ranks up to fighting strength. Others he set to patrol, as with the kings and their armies still in Troy, brigands and beasts were left without checks to prevent their dangers.
Once this was taken care of, Eudorus had planned on holing up in his room and using those men friendly to him to relay orders. So it was to his surprise that Thetis announced at the next meal that she could not bear the memories that the keep brought of her son and that she wished to spend the winter on the point. However, after a moment, Eudorus grinned behind his cup. Thetis was no wolf, but she was crafty as a fox. The keep was still obeying the laws of Achilles while awaiting for Thetis to accept someone as her heir. And Achilles had once laid a rule down in law that when Thetis was at the house on the point, only the leader of the Myrmidons would attend her as security. The point was so well guarded by natural features that one man could defend it almost indefinitely. There would be no one to see him for as long as he remained there with her, and no one would even think the situation odd. He and the child would be safe.