16 A New Day, a New Battle

CHAPTER 16 A New Day, a New Battle Dawn appeared. Thetis arrived with new armor for Achilles. The goddess found her son weeping over Patroclus's body. She took his hand. "My child, you must leave your friend now. Leave him even though it breaks your heart. I bring you a gift from the god of fire. It is new armor. This armor is finer than any armor a mortal has ever worn!" "You are right, Mother," he said. "This armor is magnificent. There is nothing finer. I am ready to wear it and go into battle."

Achilles put on his armor and joined the Achaeans on the battlefield. He was greeted with cheers and slaps on the back. He raised his arm to silence the crowd. "Fellow Achaeans," Achilles shouted. "I am here to fight with each of you to defeat Hector. I am here to avenge the death of Patroclus—not to support King Agamemnon." Agamemnon addressed Achilles: "I am glad you have returned to us, old friend. I mean to set things right between us." "But now we must move," said Achilles. "There is no time for talking. We are here to fight, and we are here to win. Let's get to it!" While Achilles and the Achaeans prepared for battle, Zeus called all the gods for a meeting. Even Poseidon made his way from the sea and joined them in the great hall. Poseidon was suspicious of Zeus's plans. "Why do you call us all to Mount Olympus?

Could this be about the Trojan and Achaean armies facing each other again? Are you concerned that they will burst into flames with anger and violence?" "You know my plans, Poseidon. You know that I am concerned for these mortals," Zeus said. "I will remain on Mount Olympus to watch the battle from my throne. The rest of you, go down to Earth. Join the Trojans or the Achaeans as you will. You can each decide which side you will support. Achilles fights for the Achaeans. The Trojans now do not stand a chance. Achilles is even more powerful after Patroclus's death. We must even the playing field." The gods went down to earth. Hera, Athena, and Poseidon joined the Achaeans. Hermes, the god of luck, and Hephaestus, the god of fire, followed them. Aphrodite, Ares, and Artemis joined the Trojans. Zeus filled the skies with lightning and

thunder. Poseidon shook the boundless earth and towering mountains. The whole world quaked so violently that Hades, lord of the dead, jumped from his throne and shouted. He feared the world would burst open. God fought against god, and man fought against man. Achilles searched for Prince Hector on the battlefield. He was full of fury. Any Trojan soldier standing in his way did not have a chance. Achilles cut them down as he searched for Hector. The Achaean warrior was brutal. Even the gods did not want to face Achilles on the battlefield. Yet someone had to stop him. Apollo went to Aeneas, son of Aphrodite, and spoke in his ear. He persuaded Aeneas to face Achilles. Aeneas left his ranks. He approached Achilles with long menacing strides. He kept his shield out to protect himself. But Achilles moved quickly. He was like a cat hunting in the wild. He leaped out to capture his prey.

"Aeneas," Achilles said. "Why are you so far from your troops? Are you really so brave? Has Priam promised you treasure if you beat me?" Aeneas said, "You cannot frighten me with words. I can throw insults, too. And I can throw other things." And with that he flung a spear at Achilles. It clanged against Achilles's massive gold shield. Achilles sent his own spear flying. Aeneas crouched low and raised his shield high. The spear stuck in the ground behind Aeneas. Aeneas stood up. He was frightened but brave. Achilles charged at him again. The Achaean was wild, rushing toward his opponent. Achilles lifted a giant boulder over his head. This was a tremendous feat. It weighed a ton, but Achilles raised it with ease. He moved to thrust the boulder at Aeneas. But Aphrodite interfered. Aphrodite was upset that Apollo had

tricked Aeneas into facing Achilles. Aeneas never stood a chance in that battle. Aphrodite had to do something to help. She covered Achilles in mist so thick that he could not see in front of him. When the fog cleared, Aeneas was gone. Achilles returned to his troops. He encouraged them to fight harder against the Trojans. "We must all fight strongly. Do not hang back. Join me in fighting with full force!" Hector was doing the same with his Trojan troops. He encouraged them to put all their power into fighting the Achaeans. Hector kept a close eye on Achilles, always knowing where that warrior was on the battlefield. Hector, seeing Achilles strike with his sword, heard a familiar cry. The Achaean had stabbed one of his brothers and left him near death. Hector could bear no more of this. The