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>20 vs 18 – Nikandros convinces Pollux to conduct the raid, but without any changes to their relationship.
“Pollux - forgive me,” you begin tentatively. This situation requires your most delicate approach…
“But with Paris, we can access the Royal Palace… and your sister Helen. He is the key that unlocks the gates to the Royal Apartments. With Paris, we need not negotiate for days or weeks on end to obtain her.”
Pollux turns to you incredulously, his pale blonde hair ruffling in the breeze.
“You can’t be serious suggesting that - ”
“I am, Pollux. Paris has been smuggled out of the city by his father, but Pedaeus implied that this was done with an oath of silence amongst the nobility of his family. Priam’s household staff may not even know that he departed yesterday. And beyond this, Paris is certain to know the best method to approach Helen’s apartment in secret. With Paris, we would have the means to infiltrate the Royal Palace, the advantage of surprise… We will never have a better chance to retrieve Helen than we do tonight.”
Pollux stares you, shaking his head in disbelief - but he does not deny your logic. He stares blankly at the dusty path before him, his eyes open overly wide in distress.
“And Pollux - with me, I have two doses of nepenthe.” Now Pollux stares at you in true shock. You offer him an explanation: “A gift from my sister.” But his stunned expression does not change for several long moments. Suspicious words tumble out of his mouth:
"Who are you, really, Thessalian? You're like no country bumpkin I've ever met - first, the business with Achilles, and now this!" You sense that this is a rhetorical question, and finally, Pollux continues:
“...With the nepenthe, legendary stuff, it is - we could kill Paris, force it upon Helen to calm her, and then return her to Sparta without her distress.”
“What?!” you exclaim. “I had thought to use a dose to break any sorcery upon the mind of your sister!”
“Sorcery?” Pollux, with one hand on the reins, using the other to scrub his face in bewilderment. “Nikandros, you are a young man - an intelligent man, but a young man. I have known my sister Helen for much longer than you have been alive. Trust me when I say that I doubt that sorcery was required for her to leave her husband’s palace.”
You’re not sure how to interpret Pollux’s statement, but before you can inquire, Pollux is continuing:
“But two doses of nepenthe are certainly something to consider – it changes things.” Pollux mutters to himself for another several minutes, wrestling with the possibilities. You give him additional time to contemplate, and he finally makes a determination.
“Nikandros, I cannot believe that I am saying this – but you are correct. If we capture Paris, we return to the citadel of Ilion with all haste.” And then a deep sigh. “Zeus above, Thessalian...If we live, they will sing of this in Aegyptus and Argos alike.”
