10 Spies in the Night

CHAPTER 10 Spies in the Night But Agamemnon could not sleep. He paced through his camp all night long. The king could see the thousand Trojan campfires in the distance. He was panic-stricken. He knew there was no way his army could win. How could they win when Zeus was not on their side? Agamemnon went to talk to Nestor. The old, wise man would have a plan. On his way to find Nestor, Agamemnon met his brother Menelaus on the shore by the ships. Menelaus was packing and checking equipment. He was keeping busy.

He could not sleep either. There was too much to worry about. "We will have a plan by the morning," Agamemnon assured his brother. "We will face the Trojans with honor." The king approached Nestor's tent. When he entered, he found Nestor asleep. Nestor was ready for battle. He was wearing his armor. His shield and sword were within reach. Nestor woke up suddenly when he heard someone approaching. He jolted upright and shouted, "Who goes there?!" Agamemnon announced himself at once. He told Nestor why he was visiting. "Let us gather the generals," Nestor said. "We need to figure out a plan together." They walked through the camp and woke up the other three generals: Odysseus, Ajax, and Diomedes. The men, including Menelaus, gathered in Agamemnon's tent to

talk. Nestor asked, "Is there someone among us who could spy on the Trojans? Perhaps we could learn their plans for tomorrow morning. The person who could get this information would be greatly celebrated." Diomedes was the first to respond. "I can do this. But someone else should come with me." Everyone volunteered to go with Diomedes. King Agamemnon said, "Good Diomedes, thank you for volunteering. This is a dangerous task. Pick your partner and be gone. Choose the person you think is the best." "If the choice is mine," Diomedes said, "then I must choose Odysseus. He is a very brave man. With him by my side, I could go through fire and still make it back alive." Odysseus then cut him off. "Let us move, Diomedes. Dawn will arrive soon. We need

the information before the morning." The two men put their battle gear on. Odysseus grabbed a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a sword. He wore a helmet made of leather. Diomedes took his sword and shield. He wore a brass helmet with a leather strap under his chin. The two men headed out. Odysseus and Diomedes prayed to Athena to protect them. They made their way toward the Trojan camp like lions on the hunt. The Trojan leaders were not spending the night sleeping either. Hector also had called a meeting with his generals. He wanted the perfect strategy for reaching and destroying the Achaean ships. He asked for a volunteer to sneak up to the ships. "We need to know how well guarded they are," Hector said. Dolon, one of Hector's soldiers, accepted

the challenge. "But I want the chariot and team of horses that carry great Achilles. If we succeed, that must be my prize." Hector agreed to those terms. "Once we take down the Achaeans, you will certainly have your prize," he promised. Dolon headed toward the Achaean camp. He ran quietly along the plain that was the battlefield during the day. Although Dolon was quiet and covered by the dark night, the keen eye of Odysseus spotted him. "Who is that man?" Odysseus whispered to Diomedes. "Someone has just left the Trojan camp. Let us hide so he will pass us. Then we can catch him from behind." The two men lay down quietly on the ground. Dolon passed them. Odysseus and Diomedes sprang up and followed the Trojan soldier. Dolon heard a noise. He stopped moving and turned around. At first Dolon

thought it was his own men following him. Perhaps Hector had called off his mission. But then he realized it was the enemy. He ran fast back toward the Trojan camp. But he could not get away fast enough. Odysseus was stronger and faster than anyone else. Diomedes kept pace close behind. Diomedes threw his spear over Dolon's head. The spear hit the ground right at his enemy's feet. The Trojan was forced to stop in his tracks. Odysseus and Diomedes pounced on Dolon and pinned him to the ground. "Please," Dolon cried, shaking with fear. "Spare me! If you don't kill me, my father will offer you a handsome reward. He has many riches to give." Odysseus said, "Then tell us the truth. Why are you roaming across the quiet battlefield? Did Hector send you to spy on