>>5596397>>5596421You’ve learned in the course of your journey to this city that the tempers of kings and goddesses are easily roused. With Agamemnon, both the High King of the Hellenes and the overall commander of the army you intend to join, you will leave nothing to chance that might provoke him. This includes your companion, Achilles, whose actions you suspect could reflect on you in the short term.
You are not far from the walls of the city if the increasing traffic of merchants is any indication. Now is the time to talk.
“Hey Achilles.”
“Yes, Nikandros?”
“How do you plan to introduce yourself to Agamemnon? Because I think it important that we present ourselves in the right way during this first meeting.”
“I agree that this will be a very important introduction- I planned to tell him that I deigned to join his force out of respect for the honor of his kingly Brother Agamemnon, that I planned to bring fifty ships and twenty-five hundred of my Myrmidons to supplement his forces, and that he would do well to respect the authority of we lords who have rightly commanded armies in deadly battle. Better to put him in his place from the very start.” So, he planned to antagonize Agamemnon right out of the gate. And drag you into it.
“… are you sure that would be wise Prince Achilles? He will be the overall leader of the expedition- surely it would do to acknowledge his supreme position?” He snorts.
“Supreme position? Agamemnon, who rules the world from a gilded palace, who has never fought in the press of the front-line, who is king only because of the treachery of his kin-slaying father- it is he you think will occupy the supreme position in the army? You are twice the man that peacock is, and the only supreme position he rests in is atop all those with unmerited pride.” Contempt drips from every line. You must word this delicately.
“Whatever his personal qualities are, should you not pay a thought to the cohesion of the army? The southrons will obey his every command, and we northerners will surely heed yours- if you and he are at loggerheads, the army itself will be split in twain.” Achilles nods in reply to this.
“A fair point, but precedent demands that the army be ruled by council rather than by individuals. So long as we coordinate at the highest level, cohesion on down will follow.”
“And will cohesion at the highest level not require cooperation between the different factions? Cooperation which would be impossible if you and he were enemies?” Again he nods.
“Well struck Nikandros.” You continue to lay it on him.
“Furthermore, Achilles, however little you respect the man he is High King. His rule is blessed by Zeus himself- rebellion against his order is rebellion against the Olympian order itself.” He grunts in assent at this point.
