13 Hector Is Injured in Battle

CHAPTER 13 Hector Is Injured in Battle Nestor was helping the wounded men when he heard the battle cries from his fellow Achaeans. He went off to a lookout point above the battlefield to get a better view. When he arrived, he found a terrible sight. He could not believe the death and destruction spread out before him. So many men—both Achaean and Trojan—lay on the ground. Nestor knew he must go see King Agamemnon. Their army was in serious trouble. It looked like the Trojans were advancing again.

The ships of Agamemnon, Odysseus, and Diomedes were anchored offshore, away from the fighting. The generals were all tending to their battle wounds. They saw Nestor approach and gathered to meet him on the shore. "Why are you here?" Agamemnon called. "I need you out there in the battlefield to help defend us. The Trojans want to burn our ships to embers." Diomedes spoke. "I have a plan. If you will all follow me back into battle, I am sure that we will win. We must return despite our wounds. Our men need to see us fighting. Their courage will strengthen once we return. We could stay on the back lines. From there we can encourage our troops." The generals agreed to go forward with Diomedes's plan. They headed back into battle with Agamemnon in the lead. Along the way, Poseidon whispered to Agamemnon

that he should stay strong. "The gods have not forgotten you," Poseidon said. "A time will come when you will defeat Troy." The generals stepped onto the battlefield. The soldiers cheered to see their leaders return. They immediately fell into line and followed their generals' directions for the battle. The two armies continued their fierce fighting. Hector and Ajax were still battling each other. The two men had exchanged many blows, but both were still standing. Hector flung his spear and hit Ajax. But the spear bounced off Ajax's bronze breastplate. Ajax threw a rock at Hector. The rock hit Hector in the chest and sent him flying backward. Hector landed hard onto the dirt. His spear fell from his hand. Many Achaeans then surrounded Hector. They rushed in to finish the kill. But the Trojan generals were too quick. They placed

their shields around Hector and protected their leader from a shower of spears. Then they pulled him off the battlefield. They put Hector in a chariot and raced him back to Troy. The Achaeans saw that Hector was retreating. They felt confident again. The soldiers pressed on. And every Trojan shook with fear. Apollo found Hector recovering just inside the walls of Troy. Hector was slowly regaining his strength. But he was still weak. Apollo asked him, "Hector, son of Priam, why so far from your troops? You are sitting here half dead rather than fighting. Has some trouble come your way?" "Who are you, my lord?" Hector asked. "How dare you tease me? Ajax struck me in the chest. I almost died." "Have courage, Hector!" Apollo cried. "Do you not recognize me? I, Apollo, have come

to fight with you. Together we will push the Achaeans back." Hector stood up. The words of the god gave him strength. He climbed back onto his chariot and returned to the battlefield. Apollo followed. The Trojan men cheered when they saw their leader return. They gathered once more around Hector. As a group, they turned back toward the Achaeans and attacked again. They pushed into the Achaean ranks, but the Achaeans held their ground. They blocked all the spears and arrows the Trojans shot at them. But Apollo sent fear into the hearts of the Achaeans. He made the Trojans fearless attackers. At once, the Trojans swept through many Achaeans. They slew their enemies left and right. While the Trojans ripped off the armor and weapons of the fallen men, the remaining Achaeans struggled

to escape.