Achilles

13 Years Before

"What do you mean I can't go? I've earned my place among the Myrmidons by completing my training," Achilles protested and to his shame, on the last word his voice cracked. Achilles stood before his father and mother after being turned away by the commander of the Myrmidons.

Barging in on his parents during their morning meal wasn't doing him any favors. His parents liked to take their breakfast in private as they didn't get much time together.

"You may qualify in areas of combat, but you haven't even begun your sailing training. Much less passed your final test to enter the ranks of Myrmidons. We won't continue to have one of the finest armies in the land if we accept unqualified candidates," said Peleus in a clipped tone.

"But when will we go to war again? This could be my only chance to prove myself."

His mother snorted. "Mortals go to war over the merest of slights. You'll see far more than your share." Thetis scowled into the wine she was drinking.

"But father isn't even going to Athens! A member of the royal family needs to go to show respect for the cause."

"With the trouble we're having in the north, I can't leave. I must attend the annual sacrifices to show support to the people enduring the bad harvest." His father pushed his hair away from his face and rolled his eyes at his son.

"Give me a task. Any task, no matter the difficulty to be my test for the Myrmidons! Just make it something I can complete without having to travel."

"What task is that? As my son you can't be given anything easy and as your prince, the task should be twice as hard to prove your worth to the people," Thetis said.

Achilles felt despair welling up in his heart. He wanted so badly to be among the men sailing for Athens in four days. Beyond the glory it would give him, Achilles had heard rumors of Helen's great beauty. He wanted to see her in the flesh, and the girl was rumored to a daughter of Zeus. If he could ingratiate himself to her perhaps she would agree to be his wife.

It would bring even more prestige to his name if Achilles were to secure a marriage alliance to such a bride. Before anyone else could speak, Chiron and two men entered the breakfast chambers. Two men who were identical in looks and had glowing yellow eyes.

Peleus threw his fork down in irritation at another interruption. "Chiron, what brings you down this early in the day?"

"Castor and Pollux, twin sons of Leda and Zeus, have arrived to call on you. They were on a hunting trip in the land above ours when they got word of Helen's abduction. They seek your hospitality and ask passage with the Myrmidons to Athens."

Castor and Pollux bowed deeply to Peleus. Both men examined Thetis, who morphed into her fishy form when they entered, and then they turned their eyes on Achilles. The men were taller even than his father and Peleus was not a small man. He'd never met any other scions of the gods. Achilles hoped he'd be even taller and more impressively built than these men when he came of age.

"Sons of Zeus, you are welcome in my hall and will of course have passage to Athens. Take breakfast with my bride and I. Excuse my temper, my son is being a pest and it fouls my mood."

"We appreciate it, King Peleus. I am Castor and this is Pollux."

"Father," Achilles broke in before the twins could speak again. "What of my task?"

"I will assign you no task, Achilles and that's final. You dishonor yourself and our guests. Chiron, take my son away."

        Achilles turned and ran from the hall before the centaur could grab him.

🦁

Achilles spent the day hiding from Chiron. It wasn't easy to hide from a centaur so he had to get creative about where he stashed himself. He'd chosen to climb the palace roof and pout behind a statue of a siren. His centaur tutor was very skilled, but climbing palace roofs was one thing beyond even his talents. The person who found him eventually was Patroclus.

"You won't get what you want by scowling and running away like a child."

"Shut up, Patroclus."

His cousin chuckled and smirked. "I heard about your request to your father."

"So what? He already denied me the right to go. If I sneak off like I did before, mother will sacrifice my favorite horse and father will disinherit me."

"A grave matter indeed," Patroclus' tone held a hint of mockery but the boy didn't hear it. Achilles sat with his arms crossed and one leg over the other. His left foot hung over his other leg and Achilles was bouncing it rapidly. He has too much pent up energy, Patroclus thought, or great impatience. Probably both in truth. Patroclus had no doubt the fish queen of Phthia would kill Achilles' horse to teach the boy a lesson. Though Patroclus doubted Peleus would ever disinherit Achilles for an offense such as that. With the boy his only heir it would leave Peleus' kingdom vulnerable and he knew that. "You went about your demand the wrong way."

"You have superior ideas, do you?"

"Your first mistake was going to your parents while they were alone. You should have done it while they were in council before the people."

"I can't do that!" Achilles was aghast at the suggestion. Once a week the magistrates of Phthia brought forth cases and problems they were unable to solve before the royal couple for judgement. Not every week saw cases brought before them, while some had only a few, and others many. Occasionally the proceedings carried on into the next day. Once in a while the deliberations could be so long three days were needed to hear all the matters. Whether there were many, few, or no cases the people of Phthia were welcome at the palace on that day where food and drinks would be served. "If father denounces me in front of the entire city I'll never recover from humiliation. The people could never accept me as their prince after that."

Patroclus shook his head. "If you go to your father in front of the people, demanding to be put to the test to become one of their defenders, he won't be able to deny you."

"Yes," Achilles smirked, "you're right. He'd have to give me a task."

"And that's were you made your second mistake, my young cousin. You asked your father to give you a task when you should have suggested one of your own. One worthy of a prince and son of a god, but you also need to make it a spectacle. Something the people of the city can witness, and would leave no doubt in their minds you should be included as a Myrmidon."

"But what task fits that description? It needs to be something I can do in the city and we're not being besieged by monsters or men. What could I possibly do?"

"Challenge Chiron to a footrace and win."

"HAHAHAHA!" Achilles doubled over in laughter. "You're insane. He's a centaur. There's no man alive faster than he."

"No man of mere mortal blood, but you're half a god. And if rumors are true, the children of the gods inherit more than good looks from their parents."

Achilles shifted uncomfortably. "Not all the children of the gods do. I haven't manifested any powers and if I don't before I turn fifteen, I won't ever."

"You're how old?"

"Thirteen."

"Then you've still got plenty of time. Maybe instead of waiting for those powers to show up you should force them to manifest."

"And you think they would if I did this?'

"Worth a shot. Do you really want to miss this chance just because you lose your nerve?"

His words lit a fire in the boy's eyes and spirit.

🦁

The entire city turned out for the race. They lined the street in front of the palace, eating and drinking at what had become an impromptu festival. Oddly enough, Chiron was excited for this. Once Achilles had time to think, the boy prince thought his centaur mentor would object to the race and denounce it as absurd and below his dignity. Instead it had been his mother who voiced her displeasure.

Achilles turned to look at his parents, they were settled under an awning and being fanned by servants. Peleus looked excited yet apprehensive. Thetis was impassive, Phthia's Queen sat so still she might as well have been a statue. Her eyes, which held a coldness he'd never seen there before, were locked on him and he shivered.

"Look confident, Achilles." Patroclus stood next to him. The man accepted a goblet of wine from a servant and clasped a hand on Achille's shoulder. "By the end of this day they will call you the swift footed prince."

Achilles wished he had Patroclus' confidence in himself. When Patroclus first suggested this scheme Achilles had been all for it. Now that he stood in the shadow of his mentor, he was feeling differently. If he didn't win this would be a far worse humiliation than his father dressing him down in front of the court and common people. Chiron stretched his legs and Achilles couldn't help notice how long and muscled they were compared to his own.

"My people," Peleus stood from his seat to address the masses. The crowd quieted as their king spoke. "My son has demanded a chance to prove his worth and earn a place among the Myrmidons. He has chosen a feat no man has ever accomplished before. Achilles intends to beat the wise Chiron in a footrace." Chiron waved to the crowd earning a huge shout of admiration. Peleus raised his arms for silence, they obeyed his silent command. "We've set the race down the main thoroughfare of our city. The runners shall start from this point, run three miles down the road to the east gate, then turn around and cross this finish line before us here. First to do so shall be declared the winner. My wife, your fair queen, will drop a silk square of cloth, once the cloth touches the ground the race shall begin."

With a flourish Peleus gestured to Thetis. She stoically rose from her coral chair. Her fish form sparked whispers among the commoners who didn't often see her. Achilles bent down in a running stance with his head turned towards his mother. She stared at him with those cold eyes and took a shuddering breath before releasing the silk. Those few moments before the silk floated down to the steps of the palace were the longest of Achilles' young life.

As the silk touched the ground both he and Chiron sprang into action. Achilles was full of determination as he urged his legs to go faster and faster. Achilles was a godling and as with all godlings, there was a chance he would inherit powers from his godly side. Achilles had inherited good looks, his glowing eyes, phenomenal health, and speed. He was faster than any man in the Myrmidons, but his speed while clearly not completely within human standards, was proving not enough to beat the centaur.

Chiron was ahead by several hundred yards. "Chiron, Chiron, Chiron," most of the crowd shouted. Those whose shouts were for Achilles were being drowned out as more and more people yelled encouragement for the centaur. Hoofbeats grew louder and louder in Achilles' ears as his frustration bubbled.

Achilles controlled his breathing as the race went on. Chiron reached the turnaround point before he did. The centaur smirked smugly as he cantered off towards the finish line. Achilles' vision went red. The boy was so angry he didn't see the uneven stone in his path. When Achilles' foot hit the stone it sent the boy off balance. Achilles couldn't recover his footing and stumbled through the gate, head over heels.

Jeering from the crowd got him to his feet again. Chiron, already having a substantial lead, was now so far ahead Achilles knew he couldn't overtake him unless by some miracle. His teeth ground together and Achilles sprinted as fast as his legs could carry him. The crowd was shouting again but Achilles drowned it out. All that mattered was surpassing Chiron. Achilles focused on the centaur and nothing else.

The oddest sensation passed over the boy. His vision changed, his height seemed to diminish, but paradoxically Achilles felt more strength flooding in his body. He heard a niose like fabric ripping but didn't have time to wonder where it came from. His muscles felt stretched and displaced for a few moments before settling into new alignments. A deep animalistic growl rumbled in Achilles' chest before making its way up his throat and passing through his lips and erupting from the boy, causing great alarm in the watchers, though Achilles didn't notice.

With the new strength pulsing through his body, Achilles put on a burst of speed which was truly inhuman. Achilles soon caught up to Chiron. The centaur looked down at his opponent, the look of his face was one of astonishment, and even slight fear, something Achilles had never seen on the face of his great mentor. But that look was replaced quickly with one of determination, making Achilles wonder if perhaps he had imagined the fear on Chiron's face.

Chiron pushed himself harder, taking another lead over the boy. Achilles countered by digging deep within himself to find more speed. The finish line was in view and Achilles focused on it with single minded purpose. It was the only thing that mattered. Achilles' already impressive speed increased even more. He passed Chiron and soon left the centaur behind.

Achilles passed the finish line while Chiron was far behind. Achilles stumbled as he tried to stop and careened into a line of watchers. The spectators screamed and scattered. Achilles shook his head, fuzzy brown hair blocked his vision for a few seconds. He didn't remember his hair being this long, dark, or coarse looking.

"Achilles?" Patroclus was approaching slowly, a hint of fear colored his face as he held his hands at the level of shoulders. "Can you hear me?"

He tried to say yes but all that came out was a growl.

"Achilles!" Thetis' voice called out loudly but calmly. "Come to me."

Achilles obeyed, noting again how strange his point of view now was. The people he passed jumped out of the way in fear. Achilles found his mother at the base of the stairs next to the fish pond.

"Look at yourself," she told him.

Achilles peered into the water to see the face of a lion reflected back.

Four days later Achilles was on a boat sailing towards Athens with the Myrmidons, along with Patroclus and Chiron. An eclipse heralded his going, some thought it ominous. Achilles was filled with nothing but joy as he considered this the first day of his true destiny. Peleus watched from the palace window, wondering who his son would be when the boy returned. Thetis stood on the rocks of the beach. The surf sprayed her face and wet her dress but she didn't care. Achilles had started down the path she feared would lead to his doom.

"You fear for your son's life?" The god appeared next to Thetis in a shimmer of gold.

"Wouldn't you? I've been burdened with the prophecy of his fates since before he was born."

"I alone among the gods know what it is to resent what fate has handed you. I may be able to help. There is a way to, perhaps, change his fate, though he will hate you for it."

"Tell me what to do, my lord."

The god smiled. "We must enter my domain for you to fully understand." The god waved his hand and a portal opened. Without a second thought Thetis stepped through the shifting light.