Quoted By:
been a heck of week, anons. Here's half an update to prove the quest is still going - the rest tomorrow
The moment begins to spoil, as you hesitate - a tide pool abandoned by the receding surf stinks in the same fashion. Your years in court have given you some sense of conversational precarity, although you will never be known as a diplomat. With the twins watching you in mild disapproval, tou decide not to press the issue, and speak again before the twins are forced to awkwardly decline your proposal.
“Ah – but perhaps it would be unwise to invite a foreigner into a pact amongst flowing-haired Danaans? Who knows whether such a man can be trusted? Let us settle our debt to the Theban together!”
The twins are mollified, dispositions growing sunny once more, and nothing more is said about the matter. Nicodromus leaps aboard the Trachian vessel, and leaning over the railing of the deck, turns to you and proffers a cheerful invitation:
“Come with us this day, Hippomedon Aristomachides! A day at sea is a day worth living – cast the nets and tell us of your wife and child! We have wine, water and substance aplenty on board! Some swimming ought to soothe your hurts and loosen up that shoulder!” Halocrates says nothing, besides offering you a charming grin, jaw roguishly askew, as he clambers aboard the ship himself.
For a moment, you are sorely tempted – the fresh breeze and prospect of beckons you on for a day of leisure. But the icy pit of duty within your guts rejects the warmth and waves – rejects fair skies and easy winnings. It is imperative that gain your vengeance over Hyperbius and gain back your stolen honor – all other concerns are secondary. To that end, you must create the conditions for overconfidence in the Theban, and ensure that your ambush is a surprise. In fact, your reputation must suffer a bit further, as the appearance of painful desperation would be helpful and assist in the deception – that in your wounded state, you sought out the twins for help in the final challenge, and were spurned, angrily retreating to the Trachian Royal Palace from this beach. By cursing all the while up the trail, and ensuring that your conduct is remarked upon by the citizens of this middling kingdom, you can effect your larger goal. You explain your little deception to the Sardinians, who mock your scheming goodnaturedly:
“Whatever you say, prince of Argos! These must be the stratagems of a general and are simply too brilliant for the likes of us! Recover well!” And with that, they sweep the oars and put out to sea – in a minute, they are diminished – no larger than one of Deianira’s toys.
True to your plan, you loudly mutter about the foolishness of Sardinians as you ascend back into the hills, making sure that all kinds of Trachians, vagrants, travellers and miscreants hear you well as you ride Surf back to the Trachian Royal Palace. An errant thought enters your mind –
>cont
