7 The Scales of Fate

CHAPTER 7 The Scales of Fate The next morning, Zeus gathered all the gods at the bottom of Mount Olympus. "You know I have witnessed all that has happened. You gods have interfered too much in this war. You must not involve yourselves in these mortal matters. I am the only one who can control this war. "No god or goddess may act against my strict orders," Zeus continued. "Obey me now so I can bring this war to a swift end. If I catch any immortal acting against my orders, I will bring you back to Mount Olympus and

punish you. I will make sure you are eternally disgraced. Do not doubt how powerful I am. I am Zeus, king of the gods!" All the gods and goddesses were speechless. They had heard the word of Zeus loud and clear. Finally Athena rose and spoke. "Zeus, you are high and mighty! We already know your power is great. Who can stand against you? We pity these warriors. They live only so that they may die brutally. But we will keep out of their war, as you command. We will only offer advice to the Trojans and Achaeans. Perhaps we can save some of their lives this way." Zeus nodded and climbed aboard his chariot. He put on his armor and picked up his whip. His bronze-hoofed horses raced the wind. Their golden manes flowed behind them. He rode to the peak of Mount Olympus. He unleashed his horses and then

sat on his throne. There he could watch over all of the heavens and Earth, the city walls of Troy, the battlefields and camps, and even the Achaean warships anchored offshore. And on Earth, the Trojans and Achaeans put their armor on. They were set to fight once again. The gates of Troy were flung wide open, and the Trojan army poured out. Horses, chariots, and soldiers advanced. A tremendous roar went up to the heavens as the two armies met again for battle. The Trojans and Achaeans clashed again. They slammed their shields. They swung their spears and swords. Men fought hand to hand. The thunder of their struggle roared and rocked the earth. The deathly screams mingled with triumphant cries. Fighters killed, and other fighters were killed. The battle lasted all morning. At noon, Zeus stood at his scale. Today, he would let the fates decide. He carefully weighed the

fates of both armies. The Achaean army's fate sank low. The fate of the Trojans lifted toward the sky. Zeus sent a thunderbolt down into the middle of the battle. It crashed into the Achaean army. Some of the soldiers fell. A hot terror seized them all.

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Agamemnon and Ajax were pushed back from the battlefield. Even brave Odysseus ran away. The Achaeans ran from the battlefield back to their camps. They moved closer to the ships so they could escape, if necessary. Diomedes could not believe it. "Odysseus, come back here! You are a coward. Come back and join me to take down these Trojans!" Diomedes shouted in Odysseus's direction. But Odysseus did not hear him. He had run too far away. Nestor, the old and wise commander, did not run. He and his men attached their team of horses to Diomedes's team. The men fearlessly shot their spears at the Trojans. Another thunderbolt hit. This time it landed at Diomedes's feet. It struck the earth in a blinding, smoking flash. Nestor realized what they were up against. He called to Diomedes. "Quick, turn the horses around! Zeus is against us today. It looks like he is