16 Chapter 16: Evoke The Oath

1194 BC, Sparta

"Sire, sire!" Bursting through the doors of a grand banquet hall, a servant wearing a simple red tunic, knelt before his king, who at that moment was in the midst of entertaining a guest.

He was a tall man of 6ft4in, handsome, with white skin, and had a full brown beard with neck length, straight brown hair. He wore an elegant white and red tunic that could do nothing to hide his warriors body.

Stopping his conversation with the young Prince of Troy, the king gave his attention to his servant, raising an eyebrow, prompting him to speak.

"It's from Crete my king. A letter." Said the servant as he handed over the parchment tied with a red and orange ribbon signifying its importance.

Hastily ripping the ribbons and opening the parchment, it didn't take long for the king's once jovial appearance to turn sour and depressed.

"What's wrong my love?" A woman spoke from the king's side, her hand caressing his shoulder.

She was a beautiful woman, maybe the most in the world. She had smooth white skin and her curly blonde hair stopped at her shoulders, touching the straps of her green and blue gem-studded peplos, complimenting her eyes which were a mixture of blue and green also.

"Helen." The king sighed, locking his fingers with hers. "Its my grandfather… The king of Crete is no longer on this mortal plain." The king spoke solemnly.

He didn't show any emotion. Not because he wasn't upset, but because his position wouldn't allow such. He is a king. A king does not show emotion, only strength.

Reluctantly removing Helen's hand from his shoulder, the king got up from his seat, turning his attention to his guest.

The guest was currently seated, but when the king saw him upon earlier entry, he stood at 6ft2in. He was a handsome man, with neck length black hair, tanned white skin, and brown eyes. He was wearing a blue, one strapped tunic with a gold medallion clasped on his right shoulder.

"Unfortunately Prince Paris, despite the hospitality you and your kingdom showed to myself and my people during our brief stay, I simply cannot afford to reciprocate the gesture at this moment. If you sta-"

Before he could finish, the kings solemn voice was cut short.

"No need to explain yourself King Menelaus. Family matters are much more important than unannounced visitors. As a Prince of Troy, I am grateful enough for your, and the Queens hospitality. Go to your family; mourn your loss. I will explore your country a few days, enjoy the sights." The young shepherd or rather Prince Paris said to the king, glints of lust and attraction hidden in his eyes as they gaze upon the Queen.

"Thank you Prince Paris, I leave you in my wife's care." The Menelaus said gratefully before turning to his wife, his eyes conveying thanks, and then finally toward the exit, leaving the room with his two guards on either side.

After Paris's encounter with the three Goddess in the cave, his humble shepherds life was no more.

When he returned home, Paris began to think. He knew that this woman would be no less than a Queen if she wasn't a Goddess already. 'She is too beautiful to be someone of no importance.' He thought.

Sparta. He didn't know much about their people, but according to Aphrodite, the Goddess who gave him this chance, they are warriors. Some of the highest degree.

He knew he would have to work on his skills as a warrior in order to get to Sparta. And with a festival held in Troy for the commemoration of the dead Prince Alexandros, it provided just the opportunity.

Flashback…

Paris arrived at the festival's entrance with a bull in hand, his price for entering the bout.

Looking at him, the two guards stationed at the festival's entrance, both with spears in hand, wearing a brown cuirass with tasseled edges and underneath a light brown tunic, began laughing and ridiculing Paris, calling him names and saying he's, "unworthy", of entering such an honorary event.

Paris was thick skinned however so taunts and such had no affect on the young shepherd. He also felt rather confident after encountering the Goddesses. He's chosen this path. He knows what he must do.

He was about to speak when the king himself intervened, reprimanding his subordinates for their uncouth behavior. When he turned to fully face Paris and apologize, the king froze. It was brief and but Paris saw the king look at him with a sense of familiarity or even nostalgia before quickly schooling his reaction like the king he was and giving Paris entry. ''What was that?'' Paris and the king both thought.

Paris fought many warriors during the duration of the festival, among them were some of the kings sons, the most famous being the crown Prince Hector.

It wasn't until his fight with said prince, at the tail end of the festival, a piercing scream was heard, "KILL HIM! KILL THE BRINGER OF RUIN!"

The festival goers who heard the scream looked to the direction it came from and saw a hysterical Princess Cassandra, pointing a trembling finger at the young Paris.

As he was winning against their Princes, some of the citizens of Troy held slight animosity towards the clearly low born boy, so the cries of their prophetic princess, whether they believe her or not, were answered with vigor.

Once again, it wasn't until the intervention of the king, this time accompanied by the queen, did the attempts on Paris's life cease.

"Halt your foolish efforts! How dare you stain my name with an attempt on this normal boys life?!" The king fumed, each of his citizens held there head down with regret not daring to look him in the eye.

"But father! He-"

"Silence Cassandra! I will deal with you later." The king said sternly before turning his attention to Paris. "First the gate now this. I'm sorry boy, if it's any consolation, how about you join my Royal guard?" The king asked, a kind fatherly smile adorning his face.

Most who heard were shocked. 'Did the king just offer this shepherd a place in his elite guard?' They thought.

Majority were displeased with the decision as they thought someone with the strength and skill to beat all the princes was a threat to the kings reign, but none dared to voice their opinion.

Suddenly the queen, who was uncharacteristically silent throughout the whole ordeal, slowly walked toward Paris, her eyes clouding with tears the closer she got.

"Alexandros." The queen said, lovingly caressing the face of the now confused and uncomfortable Paris.

The king who heard her widened his eyes and he too stepped forward, "I felt something before, a connection, but I pushed it to the back mind. Who raised you boy?" The king didn't ask but ordered as moved within arms length of Paris.

"My fathers name is Odunus, a humble shepherd." Paris replied apprehensively, not sure as to what his parentage has to do with the current situation.

As soon as the name Odunus was heard by the king, his face broke into a wide smile. The queen who was beside him slammed into Paris, hugging him tightly, and cried aloud shouting the name Alexandros over and over.

While the crowed muttered amongst themselves and cries were herd from the queen and princess but for different reasons, the aforementioned man stepped out of the crowed.

He had heard from the villagers of Paris's departure to Troy and knowing an event like this would occur, followed him to explain and ask forgiveness from the king for failing his job.

Odunus, a soldier at the time, was tasked by the king to take the newly born prince away and leave him to the elements due to a prophetic dream that was had the night of his birth.

Following orders, Odunus did as was asked and left the infant child in a forest, letting nature take it course. However, over the next few days, Odunus could not get the image of the infant out of his head. Worried about the young child, Odunus went back to the forest and found infant just where he left him, nestled under the teat of a she wolf.

Doing what he thought best, Odunus left his life as a soldier of Troy and moved to the countryside where he named the infant Paris, a raised him as a humble shepherd.

"I'm a prince? Paris muttered in disbelief, the queen who was still wrapped tightly around him looked up at his face and spoke lovingly, "Yes you are, my son."

Flashback End…

One week later, Crete…

Standing inside a mausoleum fit for a king, the King of Sparta, Menelaus, could be seen reminiscing over the coffin of his grandfather, the late King Catreus of Crete.

"Grandfather, do you think I'm doing well?" Menelaus asked softly, running his hand along the exquisite white stone.

Hearing footsteps behind him the king of Sparta turned around and set his eyes on the doorway. "Agamemnon." Menelaus called out.

He has the same height and build as Menelaus with short brown hair and a full beard, his eyes were brown in color and he had average features. He was wearing a red, one strapped chiton with a golden belt around his waist.

"Brother." Agamemnon replied. Walking toward the stone coffin and standing next to his brother, both gazing at their grandfather's resting place in silence. It was when Agamemnon decided to speak, one of his brothers servants ran frantically in the mausoleum with a parchment in hand.

Taking the parchment from his servants hand, Menelaus opened it and read its contents before turning to his brother spoke with the coldest voice, "Evoke the oath. We're going to Troy."

Without another word Menelaus left the mausoleum with Agamemnon and his servant following suit. Tactics forming in the king of Sparta's head.

"Master will like this." A black, horned crow spoke aloud before flying away in the direction of Sparta.