9 A Plea to Achilles

CHAPTER 9 A Plea to Achilles The Trojans spent the night in good spirits. But the Achaeans were overcome by panic. They had lost too much ground in the day's battle. The Achaeans felt like their hearts were breaking. Their grief was overwhelming. Agamemnon gathered his men and tried to lift their spirits. It was not an easy task, especially because they all felt so low. "Men, I have been led astray," Agamemnon said. "Zeus promised me long ago that my army would not go home until we crushed

Troy. I see now that it was all a trick. Now he commands that we return home in disgrace. He wants many of our men to lose their lives. Zeus is too powerful. We cannot fight against him. So listen to me—leave now! We will never take the broad streets of Troy." Agamemnon's men were silent for a long time. They did not know what to do. Everyone wondered if this was another trick. Finally, Diomedes spoke. "I will be the first to oppose you, King! Spare me your anger. You have called me a coward before. I do not care what you think. You have a throne and you have a crown. But you do not have courage. "And to my fellow soldiers—if your spirit drives you to go home, then sail away! You are not meant for battle. But the rest of us will continue. We will fight until we have ruined Troy. Even if there are only two men

left. We will fight, and we will win! Never forget—we all sailed here with the gods on our side." Nestor stood up. "I am old and have much experience," he said. "I agree with Diomedes. King, put out a feast for your men tonight. Serve fine food and drink. This is what your men need right now. This is the night that will make or break our army. Either we will crumble tomorrow or we will pull through. Now is the time to unite and strengthen our troops. "And I will remind you of this: our downfall began when you fought with Achilles. You dishonored a man whom the gods favor. This is why we have trouble now. Let us bring Achilles back in friendship." "That is no lie, old man," Agamemnon quickly agreed. "We are in trouble because I fought with Achilles. We are at a loss without him. Achilles is the bravest and best

warrior. He could fight an entire army on his own. I will do anything to regain his friendship." Agamemnon listed all the riches he would give to Achilles. He even said he would return Achilles's slave. Odysseus and Ajax led a group of men to deliver the news to Achilles. They found the brave warrior at his camp near his ship. Achilles was surprised to see his old friends. He greeted them warmly and welcomed them to his camp. "Come, Odysseus! Come, Ajax! Enter my tent," Achilles said. "Patroclus, please help me welcome our friends. There should be a cup in everyone's hand. We all must dine, talk, and laugh together. For here are some of the men I love the most. I have missed them." Patroclus ordered a festive meal to be brought to them. Odysseus and Ajax gave Achilles an update about the war. It had been only a few days,

but so much had happened. "Now Hector waits for dawn to arrive so he can attack," Odysseus said. "It will be our fate to die in Troy, far from home." He looked out over the sea into the distance. "But King Agamemnon has sent us with a message of peace," Ajax added. "He sends his apologies and admits that he was wrong. Agamemnon made a promise to give gifts to you. He will even give back your slave, which he admits he stole. We need you, Achilles. We cannot win this war without you." "I hate that man more than I hate the gates of the underworld," Achilles said. His face was red with anger. "He has embarrassed me in front of the entire Achaean army. He has not led us well through these years of battle. I have risked my life for him many times. Yet he does not truly respect me or any of his men. The king lies as easily as he breathes. I do not trust him.

"We have come here because Helen left her husband for Paris. Does King Agamemnon not understand that other men also love their wives and families? "Why should I fight for him? He has no sense of reality! It does not matter if you are a coward or if you are brave. The result of joining Agamemnon's battle will be the same: death." Odysseus tried to speak, but Achilles did not let him, saying, "This is my advice to all Achaean soldiers and generals—sail home now! You will never see the destruction of Troy." Odysseus and Ajax both tried to persuade Achilles to come back and fight with them. But Achilles would not change his mind. "Unless the Trojans get too close to my ship —and threaten my possessions or my journey home—I will not fight again." Odysseus and Ajax left Achilles's camp without him.